For the second time in my life I woke up feeling like I was on cloud nine. Someone was hugging me from behind but I was lucid and could tell this definitely wasn't my dad. I sighed before I could stop myself and ran my fingertips down one of his forearms draped over me. A hum sounded behind me. Causing me to shiver in pleasure, I could feel him vibrate against me as the sound escaped his lips, his breath against my neck. My lower half jumped at attention. ~Ah, hell.~ I looked over at Merlin's sleeping form. ~Shit.~ I had to get myself back in control. I gritted my teeth, a large part of me just wanted to enjoy this moment. But how would that make me look? What was Griffon...Aodh's deal anyway? Was he purposely making me feel this way? He was awfully touchy-feely with me....was he like me? Did he like guys? What were the chances of that? But his actions.... I shook my head, trying to clear it. It didn't matter, what did was the straining in my pants that I did NOT need others to notice. Women, boobs, no dicks. Yeah, okay, I could do this.
"Good morning." He breathed against my neck in that damn sexy voice of his. BOING.
~Fuck my life.~ I squeezed my eyes shut, feeling all my blood draining to my groin. ~Whyyyyy.~ I felt him suck in a breath near my neck, making me shiver in need, hell, I could feel his smirk.
"Something smells good." I was a mess, I couldn't think. "Hungry?" Not able to talk even if I wanted to, my mind a pile of mush, I nodded. He chuckled, making my lower half throb. "Come on, let's go see what Ruggiero's whipped up." Aodh started to get up, causing the blanket to start to slid off me. I clutched at it, burying myself in it to Aodh's surprise.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv6dznTdNB
"I'll be out in a moment."
A slow smile spread across Aodh's perfect lips. "Want some help?" He purred, making me wince and grit my teeth. As he started for me the tent flap opened and Aodh was sent stumbling back from a kick to the head. Robin....um...Sultan, rushed forward from his kick to grab Aodh's shirt and thrust him out the flap of the tent, following him.
"Are you trying to kill the newbie through embarrassment? Don't give me the pout, you crossed the line Aodh. No puppy dog eyes, learn restraint." Sultan continued to scold the sulking lord, effectively lightening the mood and helping me to finally relax and focus on something else to take care of my 'problem'. I left the tent, face blazing red, but to my relief, the pouting Aodh behaved himself and didn't make another pass at me. I can't believe that's really what he was doing though...I mean....really? Me? I shivered, thinking of my father. I didn't know if I wanted that. Even though I liked him...even though Aodh was perfection itself. Merlin awoke and joined us for breakfast, which was a surprising amount of fish Ruggiero and Sultan had awoken early to catch. After breakfast, Aodh had Sultan and Merlin get the horses ready while he and Ruggiero packed up, forcing me not to help. Aodh changed my bandages before we left, his touch sending strange zips of pleasure coursing over my skin at the sensation. Changing my bandages seemed to last forever with him wrapping his arms around me so close it felt like a tender embrace...over and over again as he wrapped around my chest. I was hyper aware of all his movements, but who wouldn't be. The man was divine. Afterward, he and I changed into clean cloths, mine happen to be my repaired leather jerkin and leather pants. It felt good to be back in my own cloths and yet...wearing Aodh's cloths somehow made me feel closer to him and I ached a little at losing that...which was stupid. We got all set to go and once again. I found myself behind Aodh, arm wrapped around his lean, muscular form. My gods, it was heavenly hellish. It was the same routine as yesterday. Jerky lunch, stop to water horses, refill waterskins, stretch, the only difference today was the roads became better quality and toward sundown, Arcton came into view. We'd get beds tonight. I don't know what was wrong with me, but I felt slightly sad at the aspect of not sleeping right next to Aodh. As we approached the village, I couldn't help wondering what these people Aodh knew were like and how they could help us. Our first stop was a pub. We took care of the horses while Aodh procured us some rooms. Night had fallen along, blessedly, with the temperature. Fall should be just around the corner, yet it had yet to feel like it. I gave Star a final stroke along his neck before following the others toward the pub, Merlin taking my hand. I was surprised but didn't jump as he led me toward the building.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPrikgQ0U1
Aodh met us at the door. "Got us three rooms. Leo, you'll room with Ruggiero. Sultan, you're on your own," Aodh smirked, "Drake, you're with me." My heart pound in anticipation at that, which shocked me...it was actually what I wanted. I was glad I got to room with Aodh. With a last, lingering look at me, Aodh led us to a round table in the middle of the room. Dinner that night was beef stew, and boy, was it glorious. It'd been quite a while since I had fresh vegtables. And ale, since I had ran out the night before I met Merlin. The hostess seemed to know Aodh personally and gushed over us, ecstatic we were here. I admit, I was enjoying my ale a little too much, everything seemed to blur together. The hostess sure seemed to have a lot of stories for Aodh about how several people of the village were doing. Perhaps the people we'd come here to see...I looked at the ale in my cup, before drinking more. The hostess was a pretty little thing with light brown hair and eyes...and I sooo wasn't jealous she was taking up Aodh's attention. Nope. I drank more ale. Further into the night, Merlin, Ruggiero, and Sultan retired to their rooms. Instead of bothering the hostess, I went to the bar myself for a refill. The drunken slurs of the men around me froze me to the spot, sobering me up for the most part.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNmRgCFODfV
"That Crimson Mercenary was a true beast out for blood, there's no doubt about that."
"Yeah, but he done disappeared now, has to be someone done him in. The Black Mercenary, now that's the one to watch out fer now."
"Yeah, he might not be as sadistic as the Crimson, but I heard he has a higher kill rate. No one who has faced him has lived to tell of it."
"I heard Crimson was the Black Mercenary's mentor."
"I heard it was his father."
"Bah, I heard the Black Mercenary was the Crimson's bitch." Roars of laughter greeted that one and my sloshed stomach decided it wanted to come back up. I shakily tried to make my way to the door. One of the drunk men however decided to back into me. I stumbled back into a solid chest, strong arms wrapped around me, and I panicked, but I was too busy trying to not be sick to retaliate. I didn't want to embarrass Aodh, especially in an establishment owned by someone he appeared to know well.
"The hell? Watch were you're goi-"
"Whoaaaa, what's up with the pretty boy?" Another of his drunken friends asked in a slurred voice.
I was confused. ~Pretty boy? Me?~ Then I noticed silver in my peripheral and turned to see it was Aodh who was holding me. Rage consumed me and I turned back to the drunk men with a warning glare. They froze.362Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepOsZNzYpB
"Shit man, he yours?" I tensed and threw myself at him, but Aodh hauled me back with a grunt of effort, careful of my wounded side.
"Come on Drake." He whispered into my ear, his hot breath caressing my cheek. "Let's go." Aodh started guiding me toward the door. Murmuring broke out among the drunk men.
"Hey!" One of them pulled me to a stop. Aodh snarled and slapped the man's hand off my shoulder. The drunk man actually looked gulled by Aodh but pushed on. He jerked his chin at me, eyeing Aodh, "They say the Black Mercenary carries an assortment of weapons."
"What of it?" I challenged.
"What of it? Are you the Black Mercenary?" I was gonna answer him, but my stomach decided to come out my mouth instead. I covered my mouth and the man backpedaled in a hurry at my green look. I dashed for the door, Aodh following. I got to the entrance of an alley before I upchucked. And God's did I upchucked. Urg. I should really give up drinking....but it helps me sleep...urg. Whatever. I puked some more. A hand on my back spooked the shit outta me, and I jumped only to see silver and relax. Aodh. He wiped my forehead and rubbed my back soothingly....my knees buckled.
He caught me. "Drake." He breathed the name I had been given. My conscience was fading.
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