Sky and Storm ( Warriors of Vis #1)(29)
Storm sounded more curious than angry.
“You have to go, I understand,” Sky whispered. “You think you can shelter me from it, take all this weight on your shoulders…”
Storm lifted Sky’s chin, the move so gentle Sky sighed. He pushed himself to open his eyes and face Storm, even if he didn’t want to see Storm’s disapproval. Warm blue depths greeted him, a small smile playing on Storm’s lips.
“I will always want to protect you, Sky, keep you safe. Keep the dirt of this world away from your beautiful soul.”
Sky smiled and nodded. “I know. But what makes you think I don’t want the same for you? Do you think it’s easy for me, staying here and worrying about you, unable to protect you or counsel you? It’s awful. All I do is miss you and worry about what might happen. Then feel ashamed for not being by your side, fighting with you.”
“Sky…”
Sky placed a shaky finger on Storm’s lips. “We’re partners, aren’t we? I am yours, you are mine, and everything else will always be less important than us. I don’t care about how ugly it is out there on the battlefield. I don’t care how exhausting it is to ride from one place to another, putting out a fire here, jolting people in the right direction there… It’s what you do, and I’ll be there for you to lean on me when you do it.”
Storm smiled, his eyes dancing in tears. “Can’t you see I am afraid? Of you seeing parts of me better left hidden?”
Sky thought back to the incident with the rebels. He’d not been repulsed then. Why would he be now?
“Remember how as boys we trained together?”
Storm snorted. “Of course I do.”
“We worked well together. We protected each other, yet we always challenged each other to be better.”
“I remember.” Storm nodded, his look taking a melancholic touch. “I’ve never felt so alive. Well, before I was allowed to be with you in every sense of the words.”
Sky smiled and pulled on Storm’s hair. “Silly, I was hoping you’d take what was yours. See through my stupidity and show me the way back to you.”
“It’s not like anyone bothered to teach us these things,” Storm said and winked. “My parents were always too busy plotting who would make the best business match, not showing me how to make a life with them.”
“True, I know how to use every fork there is, how to defend myself and others, how to dance horrid society dances, what books to read and not tell others about having done so… How to behave with a husband or wife beyond the business of it? No idea.”
Storm laughed and it melted Sky’s heart. Seeing him like this, relaxed, happy, was everything. He’d fight for that joyful look on Storm’s face with everything he had. “Just think about it, for me. If you’re happier with me being here, I’ll accept it.”
“I will think about it. I will give it a fair chance and not let my fear cloud my judgement. That’s all I can promise for now.” Storm gave Sky a little smile, and that was enough for the moment.
“It’s all I’ve asked of you, my love. Whatever you decide, we’ll manage if we’re together.” Sky leaned closer and pecked Storm’s lips. He wasn’t thrilled that Storm would decide on his own. Beyond being Sky’s husband, he was also the leader of Vis’s vast armies. He had to think of what was best for all involved. Sky, as much as he wanted it, couldn’t act like a selfish, petulant child. He’d go along with whatever Storm decided. For now.
CHAPTER XIII
The Inquiry
STORM AWOKE FIRST. They hadn’t been doing a lot of sleeping, but that was to be expected. He’d missed Sky, a lot more than before their reconciliation. It had been harder than he’d expected, so it had caught him by surprise. That terrible need to be close to Sky, touch him, smell him. Now that he could take whatever he needed, spending months apart was not an enticing prospect.
With whisper-soft moves as to not wake Sky, he moved the covers to reveal his husband’s body. He wanted but a peek, to reacquaint himself with the blissful sight.
Sky had changed again. In the time Storm had been gone, his body had been altered by thorough exercise. Sky had gained weight, not a lot, but noticeable after their new found marital bliss. Nothing like what he’d achieved after Storm’s departure, though. His body was still lean, but muscles twitched with every move. He looked strong and healthy. Much like a warrior.
Storm kissed Sky’s shoulder and tucked back the covers to keep him warm. He slid out of bed, soundless in his moves. Storm hoped he could sneak out, talk to Eagle, then come back to bed long before Sky awoke.
As Storm took a few steps toward the door, Sky stirred and moaned in his sleep. Storm froze and waited, his breath steady. Sky wasn’t the soundest sleeper and more often than not felt it the moment Storm left their bed. A few heartbeats later, Sky still hadn’t moved. Storm closed the distance to the door, then opened it as quietly as he could.
The moment he was out of their room, Storm straightened up and squared his shoulders. He took long, determined steps to reach Eagle’s room. He knocked, sharp and loud, in a three times sequence and did not wait for an answer before pushing the door open.
Eagle jumped out of his bed, startled by Storm’s arrival. He mumbled something unintelligible and rubbed his eyes. When the sleepy fog in his mind cleared, he stood at attention, his chest puffed out and his posture perfect. “Your highness.”