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.It was Hali's hand that stopped them, a packet of herbsand a knife pressed into his hand. Cut his bonds and make apaste of the herbs.They will ease his pain. Thank you, Hali, he murmured, clutching them to hischest with his free arm.Jael simply snarled again and keptthem moving, pushing until they were stepping over thesmooth stones, the river water cool against his skin.As soonas the water reached his thighs, he sank into the healing,clear water, pulling Jael down with him.Jael sank with a soft sob, leaning into him. Ki'ita. He kissed Jael again and then took the knife, handstrembling as he cut his hunter's hands free.The leather stripswere stiff and wet, but they were no match for Hali's knife,those strong sure hands free in no time.He flung the knifeaway toward shore and dunked the swollen hands into theriver, letting the water begin to heal his ki'ita.Jael hissed,188 Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaelfingers stiff and swollen, but moving. I could hear you.Youcalled me home. I waited for you, Jael.Waited for you to come home tome.I knew that you would. His Hunter nodded, eyes bloodshot and wet. I could notleave you behind. Good. He had searched too long to lose his ki'ita to someritual with its poisoned herbs and test of endurance.He cupped water in his hands, pouring it over Jael's face,cleaning the dust from the cuts and blisters.The dark cheekswere branded, the pale scars gone, deepened.The woundsseemed to be healthy, though, the skin trying to heal.Heworked Jael's breeches off, thinking it was lucky he'd tossedthe knife or his impatience would have seen him cutting theleather laces.Jael moaned, eyes closing as the filthy clothes came off. The water feels good. He laughed and hugged his hunter so tight. Yes, my ki'ita.It does. Jael almost smiled, relaxing against him. My One. He kept pouring water over Jael, speaking softly, tellingJael of his vigil, of waiting and waiting and waiting for hiski'ita and how it had been like the waiting his whole life hadbeen and how now they were entering a new stage wherethere was no more waiting.The water washed the dirt anddust from them, healing and cleaning, Jael's tremors fading,one hand resting on his belly.It felt good and right and now no one could say that hiski'ita was only a hunter.189 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelHe took Jael's hand and let him back to the shore. Come,Jael.Let's go home. 190 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelChapter 14Once summer had brought her bright sun and dry days,Quan's gifts proved invaluable the waters flowing bright andfree, the wells full, the tribe rich with water.Of course, richwith water meant rich with challenge, one after another.Tribal law stated that anyone could challege hi'icha, couldfight for the right to woo and steal a ba'chi away for their ownhonor, their own tribe.And a powerful ba'chi with a hunter ashi'icha? The temptation was too strong for any to resist.Jael limped back to the tent, weary to his bones.This wasthe fifth challenge he'd met since the spring rains hadstopped.It wouldn't be so bad, if the heat of summer wasn'tfull upon them.But it was and Autumn wouldn't be foranother moon and he wasn't sure he could keep this up.Hestopped before the tent, panting heavily.He reached out tolift the flap when he noticed the rivulets of blood slowlydropping upon the dirt, making interesting star and flowerpatterns.Jael let his arm fall with a thud.Quan would fuss andchitter for days if he came in like this.With a sigh, he turned,heading towards the riverbank.He'd either bathe and comehome or find his hidden stash of furs and simply sleep there,depending on how long it took him to make the trip. Jael? He turned at the sound of his One's voice.Quanstood at the entrance to their tent, holding the flap back, aworried frown wrinkling his forehead.Quan tsked and cametoward him. Look at you! Can't they just leave you alone? I191 Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaeldon't want them.I want you. Quan's frown grew as he drewnearer and then, with a grimace, he slipped beneath Jael'sarm, supporting him. Can you make it to the river with myhelp? Jael tried to pull away, wincing as his torn skin burned andpulled. I'll be fine on my own, my One.You'll get dirty if stayclose, Quan.I'm bloody. I know.I'll wash. Quan laughed humorlessly. Haven'tyou told them what a poor catch I am? Old and waterlogged and the loveliest man I've seen in alifetime.Yes, Peacock.I tell each one that comes for you. Hesmiled over, groaning as another ache made itself known.Itwasn't the challenges or the bleeding that worried him, really.It was the knowledge that one day he would lose and hisQuan would be courted, wooed by another that tore at him. Flatterer. Quan's voice was dry. Come on, we're almostthere.There's a couple of bars of soap and a change ofclothes and some dried meat with your secreted furs. Jael stopped, looking at Quan for a moment.His One neverceased to amaze and delight him.He reached up, tracing theangular jaw. Oh, my One.I would fight the winds themselvesfor you. Quan nuzzled into his touch and then pushed him onagain. I think we've got our hands full just fighting the men. Don't forget that woman with the amazing thighs.Ithought she'd snap me in two with those things. He hid hisgrin, focusing on the act of putting one foot before the other.192 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelAn exaggerated shudder went through Quan. She scaredme.I have never been happier to see you win a challengethan I was that you won that one. Jael chuckled. She'll be back.I saw her watching you walkthe other night, watching the moon in your hair.She wishesto give you many sons, my One. Jael did enjoy teasing Quan about the idea that he mightone day be presented with drooling, grubby fingered children,mussing his clothing and dripping their milk upon his furs.This time the shudder was entirely real. That's not funny. You would make beautiful children, Quan, but I am ajealous man and will not share your affections. He bit back amoan as he stepped too hard on his torn thigh, the bloodflowing a bit faster, making his leg warm. I cannot trustanother to protect you, keep you well. They arrived at the river's edge and Quan began to striphim. I do not want another to protect me.I do not wantchildren and I do not want to bed with another.You are theone who makes my heart sing, Jael.You are the one that Iam meant for. Yes.My One. He watched Quan's hands move upon hisskin, enjoying the cool, smooth touch. My Quan. The blue-green eyes looked up at him, more blue at themoment than green. Yes, Jael.Yours.You remember thatwhen you are challenged. I remember it always.It beats within my heart. Heswayed, caught in the fascination that was his Quan's eyes,changeable with the moon, pools of turbulent water.193 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelQuan stood and braced against him, the frown returned tohis face. Come into the water, let it work its magic on you. Will it work on me? The water magic? I am no ba'chi, myOne. Jael leaned against Quan, the world rocking beneath hisfeet slowly.Quan smelled so good sweet water and mint andrain. It will make you clean and that will make me happy.Itwill clean your wounds and then I can dress them.I thinkmaybe that's enough magic for anyone. Quan walkedbackwards into the water, leading him.The water lapped around his ankles, then his knees, histhighs, licking at his balls.Quan's eyes were focused on hisface, so blue [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
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.It was Hali's hand that stopped them, a packet of herbsand a knife pressed into his hand. Cut his bonds and make apaste of the herbs.They will ease his pain. Thank you, Hali, he murmured, clutching them to hischest with his free arm.Jael simply snarled again and keptthem moving, pushing until they were stepping over thesmooth stones, the river water cool against his skin.As soonas the water reached his thighs, he sank into the healing,clear water, pulling Jael down with him.Jael sank with a soft sob, leaning into him. Ki'ita. He kissed Jael again and then took the knife, handstrembling as he cut his hunter's hands free.The leather stripswere stiff and wet, but they were no match for Hali's knife,those strong sure hands free in no time.He flung the knifeaway toward shore and dunked the swollen hands into theriver, letting the water begin to heal his ki'ita.Jael hissed,188 Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaelfingers stiff and swollen, but moving. I could hear you.Youcalled me home. I waited for you, Jael.Waited for you to come home tome.I knew that you would. His Hunter nodded, eyes bloodshot and wet. I could notleave you behind. Good. He had searched too long to lose his ki'ita to someritual with its poisoned herbs and test of endurance.He cupped water in his hands, pouring it over Jael's face,cleaning the dust from the cuts and blisters.The dark cheekswere branded, the pale scars gone, deepened.The woundsseemed to be healthy, though, the skin trying to heal.Heworked Jael's breeches off, thinking it was lucky he'd tossedthe knife or his impatience would have seen him cutting theleather laces.Jael moaned, eyes closing as the filthy clothes came off. The water feels good. He laughed and hugged his hunter so tight. Yes, my ki'ita.It does. Jael almost smiled, relaxing against him. My One. He kept pouring water over Jael, speaking softly, tellingJael of his vigil, of waiting and waiting and waiting for hiski'ita and how it had been like the waiting his whole life hadbeen and how now they were entering a new stage wherethere was no more waiting.The water washed the dirt anddust from them, healing and cleaning, Jael's tremors fading,one hand resting on his belly.It felt good and right and now no one could say that hiski'ita was only a hunter.189 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelHe took Jael's hand and let him back to the shore. Come,Jael.Let's go home. 190 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelChapter 14Once summer had brought her bright sun and dry days,Quan's gifts proved invaluable the waters flowing bright andfree, the wells full, the tribe rich with water.Of course, richwith water meant rich with challenge, one after another.Tribal law stated that anyone could challege hi'icha, couldfight for the right to woo and steal a ba'chi away for their ownhonor, their own tribe.And a powerful ba'chi with a hunter ashi'icha? The temptation was too strong for any to resist.Jael limped back to the tent, weary to his bones.This wasthe fifth challenge he'd met since the spring rains hadstopped.It wouldn't be so bad, if the heat of summer wasn'tfull upon them.But it was and Autumn wouldn't be foranother moon and he wasn't sure he could keep this up.Hestopped before the tent, panting heavily.He reached out tolift the flap when he noticed the rivulets of blood slowlydropping upon the dirt, making interesting star and flowerpatterns.Jael let his arm fall with a thud.Quan would fuss andchitter for days if he came in like this.With a sigh, he turned,heading towards the riverbank.He'd either bathe and comehome or find his hidden stash of furs and simply sleep there,depending on how long it took him to make the trip. Jael? He turned at the sound of his One's voice.Quanstood at the entrance to their tent, holding the flap back, aworried frown wrinkling his forehead.Quan tsked and cametoward him. Look at you! Can't they just leave you alone? I191 Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaeldon't want them.I want you. Quan's frown grew as he drewnearer and then, with a grimace, he slipped beneath Jael'sarm, supporting him. Can you make it to the river with myhelp? Jael tried to pull away, wincing as his torn skin burned andpulled. I'll be fine on my own, my One.You'll get dirty if stayclose, Quan.I'm bloody. I know.I'll wash. Quan laughed humorlessly. Haven'tyou told them what a poor catch I am? Old and waterlogged and the loveliest man I've seen in alifetime.Yes, Peacock.I tell each one that comes for you. Hesmiled over, groaning as another ache made itself known.Itwasn't the challenges or the bleeding that worried him, really.It was the knowledge that one day he would lose and hisQuan would be courted, wooed by another that tore at him. Flatterer. Quan's voice was dry. Come on, we're almostthere.There's a couple of bars of soap and a change ofclothes and some dried meat with your secreted furs. Jael stopped, looking at Quan for a moment.His One neverceased to amaze and delight him.He reached up, tracing theangular jaw. Oh, my One.I would fight the winds themselvesfor you. Quan nuzzled into his touch and then pushed him onagain. I think we've got our hands full just fighting the men. Don't forget that woman with the amazing thighs.Ithought she'd snap me in two with those things. He hid hisgrin, focusing on the act of putting one foot before the other.192 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelAn exaggerated shudder went through Quan. She scaredme.I have never been happier to see you win a challengethan I was that you won that one. Jael chuckled. She'll be back.I saw her watching you walkthe other night, watching the moon in your hair.She wishesto give you many sons, my One. Jael did enjoy teasing Quan about the idea that he mightone day be presented with drooling, grubby fingered children,mussing his clothing and dripping their milk upon his furs.This time the shudder was entirely real. That's not funny. You would make beautiful children, Quan, but I am ajealous man and will not share your affections. He bit back amoan as he stepped too hard on his torn thigh, the bloodflowing a bit faster, making his leg warm. I cannot trustanother to protect you, keep you well. They arrived at the river's edge and Quan began to striphim. I do not want another to protect me.I do not wantchildren and I do not want to bed with another.You are theone who makes my heart sing, Jael.You are the one that Iam meant for. Yes.My One. He watched Quan's hands move upon hisskin, enjoying the cool, smooth touch. My Quan. The blue-green eyes looked up at him, more blue at themoment than green. Yes, Jael.Yours.You remember thatwhen you are challenged. I remember it always.It beats within my heart. Heswayed, caught in the fascination that was his Quan's eyes,changeable with the moon, pools of turbulent water.193 Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelQuan stood and braced against him, the frown returned tohis face. Come into the water, let it work its magic on you. Will it work on me? The water magic? I am no ba'chi, myOne. Jael leaned against Quan, the world rocking beneath hisfeet slowly.Quan smelled so good sweet water and mint andrain. It will make you clean and that will make me happy.Itwill clean your wounds and then I can dress them.I thinkmaybe that's enough magic for anyone. Quan walkedbackwards into the water, leading him.The water lapped around his ankles, then his knees, histhighs, licking at his balls.Quan's eyes were focused on hisface, so blue [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]