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  Nev had been called to the captain’s office yet again, this time midway through the morning. He sat on a stool this time, in front of the older man. “I only served one, the mage Kustaa.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of this. Given your assessment by Zafar, however, the council believes you would be far more valuable at the complex rather than out here at one of the garrisons. Four guards are going to take you to the main complex, in Kanamaly. You’ll be leaving in a couple of hours.”

  Nev’s heart ached. “How far is the journey?”

  “Most of a day’s ride. I estimate that you’ll be there shortly after nightfall.”

  Was Jamal likely to be one of the guards to take him? Would he ever even see Jamal again? Nev nodded slightly, his composure only held together by a thread of stubbornness. He was allowed to leave the office and go elsewhere to wait. There was nothing to pack. He had the clothes he was wearing, nothing else, even the bedding he had used was borrowed. And if you wanted to split hairs, he didn’t even own his clothing, but he seriously doubted they would make him travel naked. He sank onto one of the benches in the courtyard.

  Garrison life continued around him. A substantial portion of the guardsmen and guardswomen were engaged in fighting practice. Nev noticed Naseer wielding a wooden sword against a man he didn’t know the name of. Jamal didn’t appear to be among the fighters, and Nev wondered where he was.

  After a bit, Hanifa came toward Nev. “I’m on my way to saddle horses for your journey. Would you like to come help me?”

  Nev nodded and stood up. He fell in step beside her as they walked toward the stable area.

  “Is this something you want to do?” she asked.

  “Help you with the horses?”

  “No, I meant the trip to Kanamaly.”

  “I don’t think I’m being given a choice. I have been given very few choices in my brief life.” A wave of bitter misery swept through him.

  “I’m sorry. Scuttle butt has it that they consider you valuable. I think they’ll treat you well.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Jamal volunteered to be a part of escort. At least you’ll have a chance to say goodbye.”

  “Am I that transparent?”

  “You like him. He likes you.”

  “You make it sound simple,” Nev said.

  “Not simple, just, it is whatever it is.”

  * * * *

  Jamal shoved a few items in the knapsack that sat on his bunk. Taking Nev to Kanamaly would involve an overnight stay in the city. He understood why three other guards were accompanying them. After the messenger that had demanded Nev’s return to Perathea, it might be risky to send Nev to the military complex with only one or two people to accompany him. In a way, Jamal even wondered if four of them was enough, especially if Kustaa was really determined.

  He picked up a small wooden bird that he had carved months ago in his off duty time. Maybe it was overly sentimental, but he wanted to give Nev something to remember him. There was no guarantee that they would ever see each other again after this journey. That idea twisted Jamal’s gut. It wasn’t as if they had known each other for ages, but there was something about his attraction to Nev that felt deeper, more intense. And now it was likely to be over and done.

  He wrapped the small bird in a corner of his spare tunic and put it in the sack, then headed in the direction of the stable.

  When he got to the stable, Hanifa had already set out a saddle for Stonekicker. She and Nev were tacking another horse, one that Jamal suspected was going to be Nev’s mount for the day. The other three guardsmen who were accompanying them hadn’t shown up yet.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes,” Hanifa said as she left.

  Blessings be upon her. Jamal was glad he would have a few minutes of privacy with Nev. He reached out and took Nev’s hand. “I thought you’d be here for a while yet.”

  “I had hoped, but it was never certain.”

  “At least they’re sending you to Kanamaly and not back to Perathea. Tarik and I get sent to the military complex occasionally on errands.”

  “Meaning we might meet again,” Nev said softly.

  “Yes, I hope.”

  “Hanifa will be back soon. Kiss me. It might be the last moment we have alone.”

  Jamal smiled and cupped his hands gently around Nev’s face. He kissed Nev long and slow.

  Chapter 3

  Traveling through the desert heat brought back memories of stumbling along the sand, overheated, dehydrated, injured, and delirious. Nev patted the neck of the horse he rode. At least he wasn’t on foot this time, and he wasn’t alone. Jamal and the three other guards flanked him. A nearly full water skin hung from the saddle next to his knee. He had been given a bisht, a voluminous robe to go over the lightweight calf length tunic he wore. It did provide a measure of protection against the intense sun and the intermittently blowing sand.

  As the day wore on, there was a brief stop for food and to rest the horses, then they continued onward, coming to the edge of the city an hour or so after sunset. The military complex was an enormous walled place, as big as a town all on its own. It took a little time to pass though the guarded entrance and be directed to the building where they were to meet with higher level military officials.

  Officials? No, due to the evening hour, it was one official and a handful of underlings.

  “I am Colonel El-Menshawi,” the important man in a uniform said.

  The mid-level ranking soldier who had led the contingent escorting Nev slid down from his horse. “I’m Lt Khouri.” He extended his hand. El-Menshawi shook it. “We were ordered to bring the Perathean known as Nev here to headquarters.”

  “Ah, yes. And which one is he?”

  Nev thought it was an odd comment, but he realized he was dressed similarly enough to Jamal and the other guardsmen that his identity was probably not obvious.

  “The one in the center.” Khouri gestured toward Nev.

  “We have a set of secure quarters prepared for you,” the colonel said.

  The choice of the word secure made Nev swallow hard. Was it a cell? Not that he was used to much more than a tiny room with a pallet, a chest for clothes, and a stool on which he had usually set a candle, when he lived with Kustaa.

  Jamal spoke up. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to examine the quarters. Just to make sure all the usual amenities are available.”

  Nev was grateful for the request, although he wasn’t sure it was within Jamal’s ability to demand something better if it was a barren cell.

  “Of course.” El-Menshawi made a gesture for one of his underlings to lead them into a building behind where they stood. “Lt. Khouri, you and your people can bunk in the barracks tonight before you head back tomorrow.”

  “Yes, sir.” Khouri nodded before they followed the underling into the building.

  All four guardsmen and Nev went inside and up a flight of stairs. They were led into a spacious suite of rooms. It was more than adequately furnished, including its own bathing room and garderobe. Khouri and the other guardsman spread through the rooms, conducting a hasty survey that appeared to be half security-based and half curiosity.

  Jamal turned and looked at Nev with a questioning expression.

  “This is…quite nice,” Nev said. They were really giving him an entire suite?

  The man who had brought them up to show them the space said, “It’s my understanding that you’ll be spending several months here training under Archmage Reza.

  “Um, okay.” This was the first Nev had heard of an actual plan for why he was here.

  “Everything is adequate then?” the man asked.

  “Yes, it’s fine.”

  “I’ll leave you to rest then. I believe Reza will arrive mid-morning tomorrow. If you wish food, there is an aide-de-camp stationed at the foot of the stairs to arrange for service.” With that, the staff member left the suite.

  Khouri faced Nev. “I’ll have a thaumaturgical message sent to Captain Bha
ti that you’ve safely arrived at Headquarters.” He made a shooing gesture to the other three guards, indicating they should go toward the stairs.

  “I’ll be down in a few minutes,” Jamal said, lingering behind as the others departed. “I have to admit, I’m surprised they’re giving you a place this lavish to stay.”

  “Me, too. I still wish I understood better what they want from me. As much as I hated Kustaa, I had a pretty firm understanding of what was expected.”

  Jamal took Nev’s hand and placed a small object in it. “For you to remember me by.”

  Nev looked down. It was small wooden bird, intricately carved. It fit comfortably in his palm. “Does this mean I will never see you again?” he whispered.

  “I don’t know. Like I said before, occasionally, I get sent here on military errands, but there are no guarantees on being able to see you if I do. This all this seems out of our control.” Jamal gestured to the rooms around them with one finger.

  “Are you going to get in trouble for lingering behind?”

  “I doubt it. Khouri’s pretty relaxed in the grand scheme. And there’s nothing that says we can’t have some kind of relationship.”

  Nev twined his free hand in the fabric of Jamal’s tunic. “I wish you could stay, even if it was only for tonight.” He looked at the ground. “I know that’s likely both unfair and impossible, I just…” He felt like it might be his last chance to explore the attraction that seemed to be developing between them.

  Jamal cupped his hands around Nev’s face and kissed him.

  The care and the sadness that went with the kiss washed through Nev. This time, he was sure that what he sensed was from Jamal. It had a familiar texture, and it bordered on the level of connection he had felt the other night. It brought tears to his eyes.

  “Let me go talk to Khouri. The worst he can say is—no.” Jamal traced a finger along Nev’s jaw and then pressed it to Nev’s lips. “I’ll be back, even if it’s only to stay a moment.”

  * * * *

  Sometimes, the secret was making it seem like someone other than yourself would benefit. Jamal spoke with Khouri. “Nev’s gone through an awful lot over the past few days. This is yet one more major change. He hinted that he would be more comfortable having someone he knew stay in the quarters with him tonight.” He decided there was no need to elaborate that he might be sharing Nev’s bed, too.

  “As long as you’re ready to go after breakfast when we’re slated to leave, I suppose it makes no difference to me,” Khouri said with a shrug.

  “Thank you.” Jamal quickly hurried back in the direction of the building where Nev was staying. He nodded to the staff member stationed at the foot of the stairs as he headed up. At the door to the suite, he knocked.

  Nev let him in. “I thought maybe you were another servant.”

  Jamal raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

  Nev gestured to the tray of food and drink on the low table in the outer room of the suite.

  “Oh. That was a good idea. I know you ate very little today.” Jamal took Nev’s hand and led him to the cushions. They sat close together. Jamal poured wine in a goblet for each of them and took a sip.

  Nev, on the other hand, took a gulp. “I…there’s a bed, a very big bed, and…I want to be close to you. I want…I think I want sex.”

  “We can cuddle like before. I don’t want you to feel like you need to fulfill some expectation of mine.”

  “The expectation…the want is mine. There is a component of time…if it turns out I never see you again…”

  The tears Jamal saw glistening in Nev’s eyes tore at his heart. “Try not to assume that.” He took the goblet from Nev’s hand and pulled him to his feet. “Come.”

  In the bedchamber, there was an enormous bed. Semi-transparent curtains hung from the ceiling. The bed was piled with a number of pillows and linens that looked a great deal more expensive than what Jamal was used to. He took off his boots and stripped down to his trousers. Nev did the same and sat on the edge of the bed, looking a bit on the wide-eyed and apprehensive side.

  “If all we do is kiss and fall asleep in each other’s arms, that’s okay,” Jamal said. He crawled up the length of the bed toward the top and stretched out, arms open to Nev.

  “Do you want the lights left burning?” Nev asked, pointing a finger toward the two oil lamps on the table opposite the foot of the bed.

  “Leave them. I want to be able to see you.”

  That drew a small smile from Nev, who then lay down beside Jamal.

  * * * *

  Chest pressed to chest, legs somewhat entwined, Nev gazed into Jamal’s eyes. He wanted kisses and touches and…sex. During his short lifespan, he’d lived in a large household full of servants. He may have never experienced it, but he did have a pretty definite idea what two people did in bed.

  Jamal leaned in slowly and kissed him. Nev relished the softness of Jamal’s mouth and the light abrasion of his short beard and moustache. Here, in the much larger bed, Nev reached up and threaded his fingers through Jamal’s collar-length hair, something he had considered doing the other night.

  The sensation of Jamal’s fingers running along Nev’s spine made him arch his back. It felt so good, especially that spot just above the waistband of the pants he wore.

  Jamal gently pushed him over onto his back and began to kiss Nev’s chest. First, it was down the center, then each nipple. Gods…that sent a shiver through Nev. Jamal continued down Nev’s belly.

  “I don’t think I noticed before that you have no belly button.”

  “Since I wasn’t born…” Nev began.

  “Just an observation.” Jamal licked the spot where there would have been one on another person, then he kissed an inch lower, stopping again just at the edge of fabric.

  Nev could feel his cock growing hard, and he squirmed, trying to relieve the ache.

  “I’m going to take off the rest of my clothes,” Jamal said. He sat up and took off his trousers and underwear.

  It was now completely obvious that he was aroused. Jamal’s cock stuck rigidly up at an angle toward his belly. A glossy drop of liquid hung at the slit on the tip.

  Could he touch? Nev lift his hand and then hesitated.

  “Touch me anyway you want. If I object, I’ll tell you.” Jamal guided Nev’s hand.

  Touching Jamal’s cock wasn’t radically different from touching his own. The warm stiff swollen flesh and the soft almost silky feel of the skin. Nev curled his fingers lightly around it.

  “I’m not particularly breakable,” Jamal said with a smile. He thrust into Nev’s grip.

  Maybe that was a hint? Nev carefully tightened his grip.

  Jamal thrust into his hand again, making a low groaning sound. When he looked down at Nev’s face, his pupils were wide. “Can I take off your trousers?” He rested a finger on the drawstring.

  Nev nodded. The drawstring was untied and loosened. Nev lifted his hips, and Jamal pulled the pants off. That left the thin fabric of his loincloth, which did very little to hide his own erection. Jamal placed his palm on the stiff outline of Nev’s cock and rubbed.

  “Oh…oh…” There were no words for how that felt.

  “Can I take this off, too?”

  “Y-yes.”

  Deft fingers unknotted the end of the fabric and loosened it enough to slide it down Nev’s legs. Jamal ran his thumb along Nev’s cock and then dipped his head. He licked up the length of Nev’s cock.

  Nev sucked in an uneven gasp.

  “Is that okay?” Jamal asked.

  “So…good.”

  Jamal licked some more, and his fingers explored the base of Nev’s prick, eventually seeking further back to touch on the folds that might have passed for an approximation of female genitals. The caress was careful.

  “Can I put my fingers, you know…in you? I don’t want to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

  “Will it feel good?” Nev could only guess at what having someone else touch him t
here might be like.

  “I hope so. If it doesn’t, tell me. I want you to enjoy all of this.” He paused. “Lots of people have really awkward and uncomfortable first experiences with sex, mostly because they’re in too damn much of a hurry.”

  “Did that happen to you?”

  “Yeah, sort of. I learned later that it could be lot better.” Jamal licked Nev’s cock again, then tipped it up and sucked on it.

  Nev moaned. It wasn’t like he could have even begun to withhold that sound. The sucking continued, and there a faint pressure slipping up inside him. Finger? In and out, then a little bit of stretch and a hint more pressure. In and out, and Nev moaned again. Such pleasure, swirling higher and higher. Jamal traced the tip of Nev’s cock with his tongue, still pushing his fingers in and out, then he began sucking again. Nev’s entire body spasmed, and everything throbbed and pulsed. He spent himself in Jamal’s mouth, and Jamal swallowed it down.

  Jamal wiped his mouth on the sheet. He smiled down at Nev. “I am assuming you liked that quite a bit.”

  “Yes, oh, yes, it was so…explosive.”

  Jamal laughed. “I guess that’s one way of putting it.” He sat back on his heels. “Could I…can I fuck you the more traditional way? I’ll be as gentle as I can. It might hurt just a little. No jokes, my dick is bigger than my fingers.”

  “Can you kiss me more first?”

  “Absolutely.” Jamal laid down next to Nev and pulled Nev into his arms.

  The intimacy of skin on skin meshed with the pleasurable buzz through Nev’s body.

  ::I want you so bad. You are just amazing.:: Jamal’s words murmured in Nev’s head.

  ::The mage mate bond…::

  ::Mmm…this is incredible.:: Jamal pushed his tongue into Nev’s mouth as he ground himself against Nev’s body.

  There was an odd echo-y feeling. Nev wasn’t entirely sure where his body ended and Jamal’s began.

  ::I think you should be on top. It’ll give you control of how deep I go.:: Jamal stroked his hand up the curve of Nev’s butt. He rolled slowly onto his back, pulling Nev up onto his chest. ::Put your knees on either side of me and use your leg muscles to let you down slowly.::