Chapter Nineteen
T o be honest, Jem was glad Cador had come on foot. This way, he didn’t have to ride Massen home on his tender arse.
Home.
The thought made him smile even as he warned himself against this giddy rush of affection for Cador. This same man had tossed Jem’s beloved books into the dirt like they were worthless.
Yet that had been before, and it seemed very long ago. Today, Cador had searched for Jem in the forest because he was worried, calling his name with hoarse shouts of concern.
Cador pleasured him as roughly as Jem wanted, then cradled him after like he was precious. He was hiding some dark secret from Jem at his own admission, but Jem had grown to trust him. Grown to love him with his whole heart.
Still filthy, he knelt with Derwa in the aviary while Cador rode back in the descending night to field-dress and fetch the boar. Jem’s kill. He was disgusted by it, yet victorious at the same time. Apparently he was a man of multitudes himself.
Derwa hopped around, chirping excitedly.
Jem stroked her thickening feathers with the back of his finger.
She flapped her wings and rose a few inches.
Jem gasped in delight. Sitting back on his heels, he watched her try again.
She flapped madly, and there—Derwa flew from one side of the aviary to the other.
When Cador returned, he shoved the boar into a cold cellar under the barn’s floor. Then he turned to Jem still kneeling in the aviary and trying not to grin. Brow creasing, Cador asked, “What?”
“Look!” Jem whispered, as though he might shatter the spell that had Derwa flying around the confined area, stopping to perch on the side of the crate and chirp. Her gray feathers rippled, and he could imagine her pride.
Sucking in a breath, Cador dropped to his knees outside the aviary. He and Jem were only separated by the thin metal bars as they watched Derwa test her wings. Jem hadn’t realized he’d wrapped a hand around one of the thin spindles until Cador covered his fingers with his own.
“Will she fly away now?”
A pang of regret tugged at Jem. “Yes. At least, I imagine it’s the same with askells.”
Eyes on Derwa’s fledgling flights, Cador stroked Jem’s fingers idly. “You did it. You healed her. I admit I hadn’t thought it possible.”
“Just takes patience.” He eased his hand from Cador’s and got to his feet.
Cador stood and peered at him seriously. “It takes more than that. You’re a healer.”
Jem shrugged off the praise, although it pleased him. With a deep breath, he opened the aviary’s door, the iron creaking. He joined Cador and they watched as Derwa flew a few more short bursts from side to side in her enclosure.
Then, she flew out the aviary door, wavered, and flapped powerfully before sailing right out of the barn into the twilight.
Jem’s chest tightened, and he pressed his lips together tightly. Beside him, Cador simply breathed, “Oh,” and took Jem’s hand, threading their fingers together.
After clearing his too-thick throat, Jem asked, “May we leave the barn door open in case she wishes to return tonight?”
“Of course. Do you think she will?”
“Likely not. Once they fly, my work is done.”
“I’ll miss her.” Cador laughed ruefully. “Foolish, I know.”
“That’s never foolish. I miss them all, but it’s worth it.”
“And you never see them again?”
Jem sighed. “Not dillywigs, at least. It’s likely the same with askells.”
Cador lifted Jem’s hand and pressed a kiss to his knuckles—then grimaced. “You’re filthy.”
They burst out laughing, the bittersweet pressure in Jem’s chest releasing. It struck him that Cador could make him laugh when he needed to most. A memory of their wedding night returned—Cador’s boasts about his massive cock—and he laughed now belatedly.
Cador went about hauling water from the well.
Inside, he heated the water and filled the small tub for Jem.
He was plenty dirty himself, but he stepped back and waited while Jem bathed.
He watched, though, waiting naked. The fire crackled in the hearth nearby, the water sloshing as Jem sponged himself clean, standing in the tub with Cador’s gaze heavy on him.
Although Jem wasn’t trying to arouse him and Cador’s prick was soft, it was still intimate. They were in their own world, safe and together, and nothing else mattered. For tonight, at least. The hush in the cottage felt secret. Special. Only for them.
He grimaced when he climbed out of the tub and onto the fur that still covered the hearth although he shared Cador’s bed now. “You’ll have to get fresh water this time.”
“Nonsense.” Cador stepped into the bath and lathered the dull soap.
“You really are a barbarian.”
Baring his teeth, Cador growled, and they laughed. Jem sank to the fur, droplets drying on his damp skin and holding out his hands to the fire’s warmth. He couldn’t hide a wince as he got settled.
Of course Cador noticed. “Was it too rough?”
“No,” he insisted, and he wasn’t fibbing. It had been everything he’d wanted and more that he hadn’t even known he’d needed. But, oh, he’d needed it. “I told you to make it hard.”
“Yes, but with no oil…” Cador splashed out of the tub and nodded at Jem’s lower body. “Let me see.”
This again! Jem’s face burned as bright as the fire. “I’m fine, I assure you.”
Cador raised an eyebrow. “Will you always be so shy after we fuck?”
Always . The word sent a flock of dillywigs flapping in Jem’s belly. Cador’s neck flushed pink down to the ink tusks on his hairy chest, as though he’d also realized the implication.
Forever. Always. These words they surely let fall from their lips all too easily. What was this secret Cador kept? What was wrong with the children? Why couldn’t he simply tell Jem now? Why did he have to speak to Delen first? Why—
“Show me.”
The swift change in Cador’s tone to a command made Jem’s breath catch and his spent cock twitch, his nagging questions fleeing. A quick smile lifted Cador’s full lips, dimples flashing in his cheeks.
His tone brooked no arguments. “I said show me your hole.”
A moan escaped Jem’s lips despite himself, a fresh spiral of desire twisting through him.
On his back, he lifted his knees, spreading himself open to Cador’s sharp gaze.
Cador dropped to his knees, inspecting his sore arse.
He examined the swollen flesh with the gentlest of touches, bent to the task.
Jem wanted him so badly it made his fingers twitch and heart race and eyes sting with tears. It also made his prick fill instantly.
Cador’s warm breath tickled his bollocks. He pressed his face into Jem’s spread arse, kissing his hole. Jem shook, gasping at the sensation on his over-sensitive skin—at the wonderful closeness. Cador lifted his head, noticing Jem’s straining cock.
“Already?” he teased. “So young.”
He had to laugh. “Yes.” His smile faded. “And a whore.” The word tasted forbidden and thrilling, the stuff of his darkest fantasies.
Cador seemed to read his mind. “Mmm.” His gaze lingered on Jem’s cock. “Can you come again for me? I bet you can.”
His heart drummed. “Yes.”
Cador took hold of his knees and pushed. “Spread your legs for me.”
Jem honestly wasn’t sure he could take another fucking right then, but he obeyed, a thrill shooting down his spine. Mercifully, Cador went to work with his mouth, lapping at his bollocks.
Arching his spine, Jem groaned. He was splayed with Cador between his thighs, pleasuring him with enthusiasm even though they’d spent violently in the forest not long ago. He was helpless once again in the most perfect way.
Jem arched up into Cador’s mouth, the desperate need to come again searing through his veins. He whimpered and strained, twisting the fur beneath him in his fists. His flesh was too sensitive, but there was no denying he was rigid again. He had to come. He’d die otherwise.
He moaned as Cador sucked his shaft, orange firelight playing on his face and beard. Jem wanted it to stop—but also never wanted it to stop. It wasn’t long before he came, a wail escaping his lips as he shook. It was almost too much.
Almost.
Cador swallowed his seed—surely there was none left—and released him with a wet smack. Then he leaned close for a slow, salty kiss. A dirty, thrilling kiss. Soon, Jem slept tucked against Cador’s body, dreaming of blue skies and Derwa flying free.
*
Naked and toasty warm under a mountain of furs on Cador’s bed the next morning, Jem yawned and felt like the spoiled prince Cador had once assumed him to be.
Cador had woken obscenely early in the darkness, stoking the fire and baking fresh bread, the scent of which still permeated the cottage deliciously. He’d gathered eggs for Jem’s breakfast and kissed his forehead. Told him to go back to sleep while he hunted, and Jem had.
It was all rather glorious.
Yes, there was the whole matter of whatever Cador was keeping from him, but he’d promised to reveal all today. Jem forced away the knot of worry and reminded himself he’d decided to be patient. He wasn’t going to spoil a beautiful morning.
He stretched his arms over his head, arching his back. His arse twinged, his prick half-hard. It was all he could do to resist pleasuring himself with memories of kneeling naked in the forest, his fingers sinking in the muck, Cador’s bruising grip perfect as he took him.
Jem stroked himself lightly. Or perhaps he’d imagine what Cador would do tonight. He had so many fantasies…
As long as everything would be all right. What was wrong with the children? What did Cador have to confess? What—
“No. I will enjoy this morning.” He threw back the furs and leapt up, yelping at the chill compared to the cozy bed, even with the fire smoldering. He dressed quickly, another question lurking in the back of his mind needing an answer.
Jem held his breath as he tiptoed into the barn, letting his eyes adjust to the gloom. The aviary door stood open as he’d left it, and sure enough, Derwa was nowhere to be seen. His eyes filled even as he smiled.