"Arabian Nights"
Part 25
by Mel
„Why did you follow me?"
Orlando hissed, „that hurt!" Elijah sat behind him, small hands putting small runs of herbal soaked cloth on the lashes on his back. The marks weren’t that deep, thank goodness, but Orlando wouldn’t forget them too soon. The marks they left on his mind were harder to be rid of.
„Why, Orlando?" The name was hard to say, Elijah having said all of two civil words to the other boy since they’d met. But he needed to know why Orlando had done what he had.
The other boy sighed, hissing as the fingers that tried to be gentle, hit another of the lash marks. „Because I was worried about you, all right?"
Elijah stopped, his hands resting on an unmarked piece of flesh. „What?"
„When I saw you leave I guess I sort of panicked. This place is not a good place to get lost in, not everyone’s the Prince or Karl. There are a lot of people who’d like to get a hold of a pretty boy like you."
Elijah ignored the pretty boy remark, attempting to focus on the thief’s back. „Why help me, I thought you didn’t like me?"
Orlando paused. „I never said that, I just think you’re being unfair to Viggo." There was a moment’s silence before Orlando finished quietly. „And I was curious." He sighed, thankful that he couldn’t see his face. „Everything seemed to be all right when you came back with Sean, I knew something must have happened between you. I was a little jealous, I mean, you were my friend first. So I followed you. When that guy touched you," Orlando shuddered, the fine movement twisting beneath Elijah’s palms. „I just acted on instinct. It all seems so stupid now."
„We are friends."
The words were so silent that Orlando wasn’t even sure he’d heard them. He turned, careful not to hurt his back anymore then he had to. Elijah was looking at his hands, which fidgeted lightly in his lap.
„Aren’t we?"
He lifted his face to Orlando’s and there was something akin to hope there. Just a little, but it was enough. Orlando smiled at him, drawing a shy smile in return. „Yes, I think we are."
And he leant forward, pressing his lips lightly to the young slave. Elijah returned the kiss, happy to have found a friend in this place. A thief and a slave would work well together.
******
Karl reached his rooms after a vigorous work out. None of the other guards asked what had affected him so as he fought each one who was off duty. They took the beating the Captain gave them without question, allowing him to fight his demons in silence. If he had been in a better mood, he may have felt a little sorry for the other guards, some of who were fresh faced. But even with all the fighting, he was not able to rid himself of that which plagued him.
So Karl went back to his rooms by himself, his demons still fogging his brain. Orlando’s betrayed eyes following his actions and the slight shudder that ran through Viggo as each of the five blows fell. That small crease on Viggo’s brow as he left the room without his two kittens would haunt Karl for some time. The boys had to learn, Karl knew, but the pain it was obviously causing Viggo was regrettable.
Karl was glad when the Caliph had called for Viggo, insisting that he spend sometime with his new younger sister and brother. The children would put a hold on the Prince’s troubles and worries for a while.
However, that did mean that Karl was left to his own devices for the afternoon when he really required companionship. Though Sean had seemed to do well at dinner last night, Karl didn’t trust that the blonde slave would be the best of companions, given his erratic moods.
So Karl didn’t know whether to be worried or delighted when he found Sean pacing his room from one corner to the next. It was the most animated Karl had seen him since he had arrived here, except for when he his fists had been flying in Karl’s direction.
„You are wearing holes in my rugs," Karl said as he entered the room, carrying a jug of hearted water.
This brought Sean’s focus straight to him. „What happened? You were gone so long."
„Worried?" Karl smiled exhaustedly, pouring the urn into his bath, the steam rising. „I’m sorry Sean, I’m really not up to verbal games right now." Karl hissed as he shucked his shirt. Damn it, now it looked like he’d pulled a muscle. „I’m just going to lie in this bath for a while and then I will be going to bed." He slipped his pants from his body, his back turned to Sean, uncaring if the blonde man watched him. Karl stepped into the hot water, sitting slowly, loving the feel of the water. This was one of the few things he allowed himself, though he made sure he didn’t get his hair wet, closing his eyes.
Karl didn’t notice Sean move, but he could feel a gentle tug at the base of his braids. Unsure where this was going Karl kept his eyes closed. He could hear his beads being placed carefully on the ground and then he felt deft fingers unraveling his hair. Karl purred.
When Sean finished he ran his fingers through the thick strands, starting at the scalp and working his way down to the very tips. Karl didn’t think about what this could possibly do, or mean, he allowed it to happen.
„Duck under the water for a moment." Sean’s voice was soft, as if he didn’t want to break the spell that had fallen upon them.
Karl complied, shifting so that his back arched and dipping his head into the water, wetting his hair. There was a bottle of herbal liquid beside the bath and Sean picked it up, pouring a large portion onto his palm. When Karl rose back into place, Sean’s hands delved back into his hair, soaping it up and massaging the other warrior’s scalp. Karl went boneless against the tub.
This felt so wonderful Karl began to fall asleep though he really didn’t want to. This moment was too special for him to miss. However, next thing Karl knew, Sean was whispering to him, pulling him from the now cold water. The blonde man had him hold onto the bath as he dried him quickly. Karl could not even find the energy to wonder on the lovely image Sean made before him. Instead he allowed Sean to take him to the bed, getting him to lie face down. Sean rebraided his hair, Karl didn’t know much about it except that the next moment Sean was leaving the bed.
As much as Karl wanted him to stay, to sleep with him in his arms. He knew that was too much to ask and that Sean was not ready for his affection. That hurt, though Karl couldn’t even beginning to place the pain.
„Sean?"
„Yes?"
„Take my crest, it’s hanging by the door. If anyone asks, tell them I have lent you to Prince Viggo for the evening. He’ll be back in his rooms now, and he would love your company."
There was silence for a moment but Karl didn’t look up.
„Thank you." The whisper was almost so soft that Karl didn’t hear it. Karl smiled into his pillow, snuggling it, feeling better, though still drowsy. „Sleep well, Karl."
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 26