Kei's Gift (94 page)

Now, this really did feel strange, and Arman wasn’t sure at all he liked it. But at the same time, it didn’t
hurt
, and he loved Kei touching him everywhere else, so he was prepared to wait and see where it went.

So to speak.

“You know, I never knew what that looked like,” Kei said thoughtfully.

“What ‘what’ looked like?”

“The ‘I can’t believe I’m lying here with someone’s else’s finger up my arse’ look.”

Arman leaned up and aimed a swat at Kei’s head for his cheekiness, but of course Kei easily ducked. “Thank you for taking all the romance out of...oh....”

“You were saying?” Kei said, his hand on Arman’s cock, stroking it firmly with slick fingers while his other hand continued its...odd... investigation.

“Stop making me laugh, you little bastard,” Arman muttered, even as he moaned as Kei did something with his cock that felt like pure bliss.

“Why? Reji and I laugh all the time when we’re making love. If someone farts while you’re tuktukking him, I defy you to keep a straight face.”

Arman groaned. “You’re definitely taking all the romance out of this.”

Kei leaned down and kissed his stomach. “I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “But sex is silly and it’s funny, and it doesn’t always work—you need to get that idea out of your head or you’ll get depressed if it’s not all magical. Are you enjoying what I’m doing?”

“Yes—”

“Then stop worrying about romance. Now.”

Kei did something, and Arman’s vision whited out as his whole body jerked. “Gods!” He gripped the bedding in his fingers. “What in hells was that?”

“That
is why tuktukking can be so much fun.”

He did whatever it was again, and the sensation was just as powerful—Arman could only pant as the tingling in his body subsided. “Blessed gods,” he breathed.

“Mmmm. Feel relaxed?”

“I’m dead.”

“That’s a shame. I’ll have to stop then, I suppose.”

Arman reached up and caught Kei’s wrist. “You’re going to stop
now
?”

Kei’s eyes were wide with what Arman now realised was completely fake innocence. “Well, if you’re feeling unwell....”

“Healer, you’ll need your own skills if you abandon me in this state.”

“Tut tut, general, threats will get you nowhere with me.” He became serious. “I think you’re ready, but I won’t be sure until we do it. You want to?”

Arman tugged him by the wrist he was still holding, and even though it made his ribs creak, bent up to meet him and kiss him. “Yes,” he said with absolute certainty. “Please have me.”

Kei’s eyes were soft with affection. “I won’t hurt you, I swear.”

“I know. How should I lie, or move?”

Kei stood back to consider. “Slide forward, and put your good leg over my shoulder...does that hurt your ribs?”

“I’m fine. It’s comfortable.”

“Then that’s good.” Kei reached for more cream and unselfconsciously slicked his own long cock, still playing with Arman’s arse. He was growing used to the sensation—but Kei’s cock, elegant and slender though it was, was bigger than a finger. “You’re tensing again, Arman,” he chided. “Breathe again for me.”

Kei’s gaze pinned him, and he forgot to worry about what was to come, how exposed he was, and even how silly he probably looked right now. All that mattered was the love that blazed in those dark, beautiful eyes—love only for him, and forever.

“Kiss me,” he demanded. Kei had to adjust things to obey but he did, and Arman forgot everything else in the sweetness of Kei’s mouth. He cupped the sides of Kei’s head and made him look right at him. “Thank you,” he said.

“But—”

“Thank you for this much...and for what you’re going to do.”

Kei gave him a wide smile. “You’re always welcome.” He stroked the back of his hand down Arman’s face. “Ready?”

Arman nodded, and Kei moved back and got him into position again. “Don’t forget to breathe,” he ordered, and then something...blunt...nudged into Arman. Oh...gods, it felt so
enormous
inside him. He gripped the bedding again and tried to remember...oh yes, breathing...he kept up long, slow breaths. Kei was patient, taking his time. It didn’t hurt...it was just...odd.

Kei slid his hand up and down Arman’s cock and he welcomed that distraction for its familiarity. Kei stared at him intently, no doubt looking for any sign this was hurting him. “I’m fine,” Arman whispered. “Go on.”

Kei drew back and thrust, more quickly this time, and the sensation was stronger, the feeling of almost being overfilled on the verge of being unpleasant, but never getting to that point, and so long as Arman remembered Kei would never hurt him, he could stay calm. Still the intent look, and once again Arman reassured him. Kei moved more smoothly, in and out, setting up a slow, considerate rhythm, matched by the stroking motion on Arman’s cock.

The sensation was intense, but not so overwhelming that Arman couldn’t focus on what was happening, or who he was with. Kei’s handsome face was a mask of rapt concentration, and Arman wondered what it felt like to him—fucking (for the word was appropriate there) Mayl had felt good and Kei seemed to like what he was doing. Would he ever have enough skill to pleasure Kei this way? His cock was thicker.... How big was Reji? Arman couldn’t help but wonder.

And then he stopped thinking as Kei bumped that spot inside him he’d touched with his fingers earlier, and he cried out in incoherent pleasure, calling Kei’s name, begging for more. Kei gave it to him, thrusting faster into him but with a control that surprised Arman, as his clever hand played Arman’s body, wringing delight and shivering, rippling sensation from him over and over until he babbled in his need. He cried out again as with a flick and a quick stroke, and thrusting fast, Kei made him come harder than he ever had before, so powerfully that he had to close his eyes against the sparkling of his vision, and grip the bed again to stop himself flying apart, dimly aware of Kei’s own grunt of completion.

He forced himself to breathe again and to open his eyes. Kei hung over him, hands on either side of his body, smiling, and looking rather out of breath himself. “You’re noisy,” he said. “I like that.”

Arman flushed. “Sorry.”

Kei shook his head. “I just said I liked it. Nothing better than knowing your lover really is enjoying themselves.” He eased his cock out of Arman’s body. “Now we’re both sticky,” he said with a grin. “The lesson ends with the observation that sex is very messy.”

Which Arman had already worked out on his own, even from his own limited knowledge, and could have done so just from the sight of his come spattered on his stomach. Kei had tasted this the night before without a trace of hesitation. He touched one of the spatters with his finger, and brought it to his lips. Not completely disgusting—but not exactly a delight either.

“Well?” Kei said. He’d been watching Arman’s actions with that same half-amused smile on his face.

“I’ve eaten worse,” Arman said simply, and Kei laughed. “But I shan’t finish it, if you don’t mind.”

“Reji never does either. Let me get a cloth.”

Arman could do very little in his limp, sated state but lie there and wait for Kei to return.

Reji’s name had been mentioned several times, and yet he had not felt any jealousy, perhaps because Kei had never even hinted he was comparing the two. He was just stating facts, offered mostly in reassurance to Arman, and no way indicating he thought he was getting the worse deal for having surrendered one lover for another.

Reji was part of Kei’s experience, a beloved part, and Kei offered that experience to Arman to give him enjoyment. Far from Reji being a threat, in fact, Arman had a great deal to thank the older man for. Although, he thought wryly, Reji would probably not appreciate the gratitude.

Kei cleaned him quickly and put the cloth aside before cuddling close to him which, Arman was discovering, was really the part of sex he loved the most. They lay like that, Arman slowly stroking Kei’s braid and kissing him, until the last red streaks had gone from the sky.

“Time to go,” he said then, and so they rose, refreshed and relaxed, ready to join the real world once more with all its concerns.

The only reference point Arman had for official dinners were the stultifyingly boring ones Kita regularly held at the palace, and he’d been expecting, without any great enthusiasm, to have to endure something of the sort tonight. It was therefore a surprise to find the atmosphere was decidedly informal—no elaborate linen or settings, no pre-established seating plan, and food piled on tables at the top and side of the room for the forty or so people to help themselves from. There were other tables arranged haphazardly around, and he realised the intention was for the guests to move about, discussing matters with whoever they needed to. By the time he and Kei arrived, the room was already lively. All the Rulers were there, the senior army and naval officers (including Tiko who scowled briefly as he spotted Arman, but then turned back to an earnest conversation with one of the sea captains), several of the Gifted, and others who had been at various daytime meetings.

Kei was a little taken aback. “I didn’t realise there would be so many people,” he whispered.

“Nor I. Can you handle this?”

“Yes, if I can come back to your side if things get too much. Oh—there’s Reji.”

That surprised Arman. However important Reji was to Kei personally, a beast manager was very low down the rank of people involved in this rescue. Perhaps Lord Meki thought he could come since he was around. The whole thing puzzled Arman—the idea of socialising based on a military expedition was odd. Lady Jilki said it had been Lady Nera’s idea, to help them all get to know each other and strengthen their cooperation. Arman had heard stranger ideas, he supposed.

Lady Jilki snagged his attention as he and Kei went to fetch something to eat. He introduced her to Kei and she paid the barest attention due to politeness, before questioning Arman closely about the defences in Urshek. Kei stood listening for a few moments, looking ill at ease, but when Arman managed to shrug and indicate he could be a while, he smiled uncertainly and wandered off to find himself some food. Arman expected he would find Reji if he needed someone familiar to talk to, or come back to Arman’s side. Kei was not among enemies here, and so Arman refused to be too anxious about him. He did, however, make sure he knew where his lover was at all times.

Lady Jilki was gracious enough to let him fill a plate and sit down, but he could hardly get a bite into his mouth as she quizzed him. It was with definite relief he saw someone else catch her eye, and she excused herself. Arman hastily ate some of the smoked jombeker meat with a hunk of the excellent bread—he doubted he would have much chance to eat in peace again and he was quite hungry.

Sure enough, Lord Meki noticed he was free and strode over. “Have you got that report for me, General?”

Arman dusted off his hands and pulled the papers out from where he’d stored them in his shirt pocket. Lord Meki scanned them quickly. “Excellent—thorough work, general.”

“I can claim no credit, my lord. It was Kei and Reji together—I’ve been too occupied to do more than answer some questions they had.”

Lord Meki nodded. “And the lad, where is he?”

Arman pointed to where Kei was in an earnest conversation with Reis, hopefully convincing the eccentric mind-mover that however guilty he felt over the death of one man, he could prevent many more by coming on the mission. He had every faith in Kei’s persuasive ability.

“Then I think I’ll have a chat with him about this,” Lord Meki said. “I believe our sea captains want you to inspect the ships tomorrow—they want to be sure everything looks authentic.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll arrange that first thing.”

“Are you sure this healer of yours will be fit to travel in three days, general?”

“Yes, my lord. If he’s not, he’s not coming. I’ve told him that.”

Lord Meki grunted in approval. “Very well. I’ll speak to you once you’ve inspected the ships. Good evening.”

The Ruler was not, underneath it all, a harsh man, but Arman still had a little anxiety as he watch his short, slim back make his way through the talking groups and past the tables towards Kei. “Something troubling you, general?”

He looked up at Bikel, who stared back with cool, slightly mocking eyes. It was a habitual expression. It meant nothing other than the man liked to hide his thoughts. “No, not really.”

“Oh? Not a certain stubborn village healer?”

“No, Kei’s fine, in fact—over there.” He pointed, and had the pleasure of obviously catching Bikel by surprise. “He took your advice after all.”

“Did he now? Good gods, I thought he was a lost cause. And what will happen when you go to Utuk?”

Arman looked at him seriously. “He’s coming with me.”

Bikel went very still. “And should something happen to you?”

“You know the answer to that, Master Bikel. But he insists it will make no difference wherever he learns the news, and if he goes he will have that bit longer with me. I’ve tried arguing with him. As you know, it’s an unrewarding task.”