Rasnake(34)

"Amused," Milton said dryly, and motioned to a servant to bring more food and drink, as Tallant stole Cecil's cider and plate. "You stayed in bed longer than I thought you would. Given your history, I figured a week was the best you'd do, even with my brother making eyes at you." He grunted as Cecil kicked him under the table.

Tallant laughed. "And you, fair lady?"

"Equally amused," Irene said with a laugh. "I am glad you are feeling better. You had us truly worried for a time. That really was a stupid thing for you to do, especially given what the magic did to my poor father. Milton would not stop fretting those first two weeks, and you can see that there has been no living with Cecil. My family will always be in your debt."

"Simply allow me to leave my bed, and eat real food again, Your Grace, and we will call it even," Tallant replied.

"But—" Cecil started to protest, but stopped when Tallant kissed him. "Stop doing that just because you don't like—" He thumped Tallant hard on the shoulder when he did it again. "Stop it!"

Tallant grinned. "If you feel free to abuse me, Kel, then I must be in excellent health once more. Maybe we'll test my strength tonight," he added, winking.

"Don't count on it," Cecil snapped, then rose and stormed off.

Sighing, Tallant drank more cider. "He could be happy to see me up and about."

"He's been worried sick about you," Milton said. "It's hilarious."

Irene giggled. "I also think he's been just as eager as you for you to be better again, once he knew for certain you would get better." She winked.

"Reni!" Milton said, glaring at her.

Rolling her eyes, Irene drank her wine, muttering something about men and prudes. After a moment, she said, "He really does just want you better. I think he blames himself in part, which is silly, because you were stupid all by yourself with no help from anyone."

Tallant laughed and stood up. "I never did need help when it came to being stupid. I'll see you at supper, Majesties. If you'll pardon me, I need to go soothe some ruffled feathers." He walked slowly through the castle, simply enjoying being up and about, smiling and humming. It was good to feel completely like himself again. It was better still to finally be at a point he could go head to head with Cecil, instead of being impeded by the fact he couldn't leave his bed. Damn it, Cecil was his, and he wanted to be up and active and with Cecil. There was only so much he could do, trapped in one room.

He wanted Cecil to stop being anxious and fretful and guilty over the whole thing. The headaches were gone. The trembling was gone. Food was staying down, and he didn't wake up in a cold sweat anymore. He could move, walk, and in the past couple of days, he'd begun to feel the faint fluttering that his magic was on its way back. He was completely himself again.

Except that his wolf, his Kel, was still so tense.

Tallant walked through the chapel and out into the garden behind it. Cecil lay beneath the apple tree, exactly where Tallant had expected to find him. "I did not mean to anger you, Kel," he said, sitting down in front of Cecil.

Cecil did not look at him, only scowled at the grass.

Sighing softly, Tallant said, "Cecil, I'm fine. I'm sorry I was so reckless. I'm sorry I've worried you. Please, just say you'll let it go and let us move on. I'm nearly perfect, and in a couple of weeks when my magic comes back fully, I will be better than perfect. Next week is the wedding banquet. We should all be happy."

Cecil gave a terse nod, and then after another moment said, "You just—the screams were awful, and then you were so still and wouldn't wake up—and what if all that stupid talk of fate you went on about was never about—" He faltered briefly. "About us and really you were just supposed to die—"

Tallant moved forward on all fours, bracing himself on his hands as he took a very thorough kiss. Hot satisfaction poured through him as Cecil made a rough, needy noise and kissed him back, sinking his hands into Tallant's hair. When they finally pulled apart, Tallant lapped and nibbled at Cecil's lips. "See? I am more than fine. But let me keep proving it to you."

Before Cecil could reply, Tallant undid the laces of Cecil's leggings, and pulled his cock out. He might be moving fast, but that was the best way to keep Cecil off balance, keep him from running again. Cecil gasped, cried out, face flushing dark red as he jerked, clearly trying to flee and move closer all at once. Tallant kissed him again, swallowing the surprised, needy noises, stroking and teasing Cecil's cock. Then, determined to stay one step ahead and give Cecil no time to think or act, he broke away from the kiss and replaced his hand with his mouth.

Cecil shouted, then clapped a hand over his mouth, jerking and writhing as Tallant worked him, fumbling with his hands, obviously not sure where to put them. Tallant would have laughed, charmed, but he was far too busy focusing on the task at hand. Two months of boredom and frustration had most definitely been worth this.

Hands landed awkwardly in his hair, Cecil's fingers gripping hesitantly at first, then more firmly, as Cecil's mind succumbed to his body, reducing him to panting, moaning, half-formed pleas spilling out and filling the garden. A moment later, Cecil came hard, hot and bitter in Tallant's mouth. Tallant did not relent until Cecil was completely spent, and pulled off his cock slowly. Sitting up, he took another long, if somewhat clumsy kiss from a thoroughly sated Cecil.