Sky and Storm ( Warriors of Vis #1)(17)
Storm sighed and released her wrist. “He asked how many I had raped.”
“And how many was it?” Sera asked in a barely audible voice.
“I’ll tell you what I’ve told him. My warriors and I kill soldiers, not innocents, and if we can’t keep it in our pants until we get home… well, then we pay for whores.”
Sera shook her head. “I finally understand why Sky always says everything is his fault. He thinks all his suffering is a just punishment.”
She took the knife away from his neck and hid it in her robes. She took a piece of cloth, fumbled with her many pockets and removed a vial. Sera cleaned Storm’s cut and sighed, kneeling at his feet.
“I know you will put me to death for this. Before you do, know that Sky lives for nothing but you. You’re his sun and when he’s away from your light, it’s like the breath of life leaves his body.”
Storm placed a large hand on her shoulder.
“You did what I wanted you to: protect him from anyone and anything, including me. No harm will come to you, Sera. Yet you are delusional, old woman. He does not love me. All he sees is that blood-thirsty monster whose touch makes him sick to his stomach.” As she was cleaning him, Storm rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache taking over.
“I should not speak, as it is not my place, but I fear that boy will never tell you himself,” Sera said.
“There were never any lovers. There is no hate. There is only you in his heart. That boy loves you more than I’ve ever seen anyone love another. When you’re gone, he only longs for you. So much so that he does not eat or sleep. He does not leave his quarters if he is not forced to because everything that awaits beyond that floor is hate hidden in spiteful comments.”
Storm knew Sera, well, he knew of her, and she wouldn’t have lied about this. Yet it didn’t matter.
“Even if what you say is the truth, it makes no difference. He cannot accept me as I am and that will always, always keep us apart.”
“I am not sure I follow, Dragon.”
Storm stood to look out the large window. Like every room on this side of the floor, it overlooked the lush gardens surrounding the south side of the castle. Between the building and the defensive walls, there was nothing but trees and flowers, all crisscrossed by tiny dirt paths. Storm had chosen this side for their chambers for Sky, who’d loved the gardens when they were kids.
“I am a warrior, and not just any sort of warrior. I am a conqueror. I fight, I kill, and I subdue. It is and always will be a thrill, it brings me pleasure. You should have seen the look upon his face today. He was disgusted by how much I enjoyed enforcing my punishment.”
Sera came behind him and placed a small, yet strong hand on his back. “Have you ever asked him? Did he tell you that?”
“I’d have to be mad to try having that conversation after today.”
“No, but you’d be brave beyond belief to go to him and find out the truth about everything. You might be surprised,” Sera said, her voice softening to a honeyed tone.
Storm turned just in time to catch the small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. He dismissed it, knowing that another attempt at winning Sky’s heart would make him the loser. Again. He had a feeling he wasn’t equipped to survive losing Sky once more. It had happened one too many times and he couldn’t bring himself to hope.
Storm’s life would be what it had been for a long time: empty, dangerous, and filled with the sweet torture of having Sky close without him being truly Storm’s. Dread suddenly overwhelmed him and he found it hard to breathe. Storm needed Sera to go, he needed to be on his own when he fell apart. He turned briskly to face her, gave her a little nod and walked back to his desk, plopping down on his chair.
Sera made a soundless exit. As his loneliness and emptiness of the room closed in around him, Storm felt the need to stand and try to walk off the heavy feelings. His breathing grew labored. He took large gulps of air, but nothing seemed to reach his lungs. Storm dropped to his knees, rubbing his hands over his face. He wanted to scream, he wanted to destroy everything. He wanted to sell his soul, give his life, anything to have Sky. Yet that was never going to happen.
The king had been extremely cunning. He’d pretended to give Storm an option, a way for both of them to get what they wanted. The Dragon had however been too young to understand. Whatever choice he’d made, it would have yielded the same outcome: losing Sky. There had never been a way around it.
CHAPTER VIII
The Cleansing
SKY WOKE UP WITH a start. His head hurt. He noticed he’d been brought to his bed chamber, cleaned, and taken care of. He sat up, leaning against the pile of pillows on the bed and rubbed his head. All he could remember was Storm’s unhinged rage as he pounced, his hand grabbing Sky’s shirt and squeezing. Sky should have been afraid, but all he could feel was pain, a deep gash in his heart at the thought he would never have Storm as he wanted.
Sky pushed the covers away and slid out of bed. He was only wearing his trousers; his shirt had been removed. Barefoot and in his current state of undress, Sky left the room, thinking he needed to just walk around, even if it was a stroll confined to the floor he and Storm occupied. He found himself walking towards his husband’s chamber, the one he used for work and council meetings. He heard voices through the half-closed door. It was Sera and Storm. He turned his back to the door and leaned against it. If they moved towards it, he could quickly walk away.