Chapter Sixteen #4
“Room, yes,” he replied. She climbed down the stairs without a word to us, which was understandable. We had brought the news that had tossed her world and the world of an elf who thought he knew who he was into a maelstrom that the Stormhold would be hard pressed to rival.
A room was readied for us in short time. Upon entering the humble lodgings, I turned to look at Asdren while Jaculi and Click started bickering over a shoe buckle found under the large bed. They were like siblings.
“Well, that was quite the fucking moment,” Asdren said as he sat on the edge of the bed to start peeling off his boots.
“Makes me glad to be away from all that nobility shite. My da was cut from the same cloth. Shame to the clan was akin to murder or even worse. Old, powerful arses trying to hide secrets in their dusty wardrobes all need a firm boot in the cockles.”
I sat down beside him, shoulders sagging. “This may be the first time that I am glad to not be of noble blood. Nary a soul seeks to steal off into the night with the son of a notorious bandit unless they are planning to drown the babe in a water barrel.”
He straightened, dropped his boot to the floor, and gave me a tired, admiring look.
“You’re the most noble among us, Vol’ka Dor.”
“You’re biased,” I replied and got a bold smile.
“Aye, that I am. Can I borrow your raven? I need to send a few messages.”
I kissed him for getting it right, and then I kissed him again because I adored him.
We came awake wound around each other like vines, his head on my chest, long beard covering my stomach and groin.
It took a moment for me to recall where I was.
The room was drafty, the fire low, and the wallpaper a ghastly blue and silver design.
One was not picky when one had only stolen goods to choose from.
Thick covers lay over our tangled legs, richly made and stuffed with goose down.
Also pilfered. Those who sailed under Coelum scored some valuable goods, it seemed.
Aside from the tacky wall covering. Asdren shifted.
My cock, already hard, stiffened more. So much so that it peeked out from amid black hair festooned with blue beads.
I ran a hand over his shoulder, feeling the firm muscle under his skin, grinning down at my prick as it stood at attention. Perhaps we could find time to—
A thunderous pounding on the door scattered my fantasies of sex. Asdren sat up, eyes round, head twitching as if seeking out where the danger was at before he blew out a breath of understanding.
“Aye, what’s the fucking noise about?” Asdren bellowed, rubbing at his eyes with the tips of his fingers.
“Meet captain. Now.” The deep voice of Prescott informed us. A chime clock rang on the dresser.
“Glad to see the fucker gives us so much time,” Asdren grumbled, kicking off the coverlet to hit the floor with a thud.
Sighing over the loss of that fat cock in my arse, I followed suit, dressing fully and then opening the window to allow Jaculi out to hunt.
Click was gone, having sailed off last night to find the members of the Sable Legion.
Asdren had directed them to return to Avolire to wait for us, as we may be tied up for some time with a possible prince having an identity calamity.
I took note that my weapons had been brought in while we slept.
We were let into the captain’s room by Prescott. There were signs of a mighty hashing about as the room was destroyed. Lamps broken, bedding thrown about, and half a dozen wine bottles lying on the floor. Thankfully, no nude bodies were lying on the rumpled bed.
Coelum sat at the table, now cleared of the feast from last night, nursing a ceramic mug of what smelled like strong coffee. He still wore the plum pants but had pulled on a lilac satin robe.
“You look rested,” he roughly said as he indicated with a wave for us to sit.
“Pity the same can’t be said for you,” Asdren replied as his backside found his seat.
“I’ve had a night to be sure.” His eyes were red, his long hair pulled back into a thick tail that hung down his back. “I’d like to thank you for bringing that news to me.”
“You seemed less than thankful last night,” I pointed out as a young elven woman slipped in to place platters with toast, eggs, and a zesty-smelling sausage before us. Plates were laid out then she left on silent feet.
“True, and I am still not wholly thankful or gracious for the news, but it is something I cannot overlook. Nor will I bury it as others sought to do for too long. I have sent a letter to the king…Aelir…the king.” He snorted in derision. “I do not know what to even call him.”
“He goes by His Majesty,” I said while Asdren stabbed a sausage with his eating dagger.
“I’m sure he does. I sent a letter to His Majesty telling him that I received his missive. I told him you did an admirable job and should be praised when you return.”
“You had me out at the front gates,” I pointed out, which made him chuckle then wince.
“That we did, but we’re incredibly suspicious. Comes with the territory.”
I nodded. I understood suspicion well.
“To that end, I told His Majesty that I would be arriving at the port of Celear in a fortnight, perhaps sooner, perhaps later, depending on how the sea witches favored us. I asked that I not be attacked or slapped into chains upon my arrival.”
“He will make it so,” I said, sure that Aelir would not act out against Cadere until his lineage was proven or disproven. “King Aelir is an elf of his word.”
“I do hope so. I’m putting a great deal of trust into this young king who claims to be half kin.
I would offer you two passage to the capital if you wish it.
I find that I enjoy your frankness and honesty, the both of you.
Also, they would be less likely to attack my ship if I carried their envoys. ”
Asdren glanced at me around his sausage. “Sailing would be faster than overland. No warring clans to avoid, no beasties to contend with, and no return to the mines.”
“If I can avoid being trapped under the mountains again, I would sail to Celear on the naked back of a horned whale,” I said with candor.
“I assure you that sailing with me will be more enjoyable than being on the back of a whale,” Cadere stated into his cup. “We’ll leave at high tide.”
“Today?” I asked and got a tender nod from the captain. I leaned over to whisper to Asdren. “I had hoped to get an hour abed.”
Asdren gave me a fast smooch with greasy sausage lips. “I wager we can eat fast enough to make that happen, Vol’ka Dor.”
I turned from my love to wipe the pork grease from my lips—but not the kiss, which seemed a silly notion—and then wolfed down my fruit, hard-cooked eggs, and melon half in record time.
While sailing on a pirate vessel was surely going to be exciting, it paled in comparison to being in the arms of the dwarf who held my heart.