Page 50 of King's Warrior

“I’ll help you.” Vihaan grabbed the reins of two mules while Casseign took the other two.

Rufe watched them go. “I guess we see to the cabin.”

They were alone for the first time in what seemed like seasons, and maybe Niam angled his body closer than necessary, but days without Rufe’s touch left him desperate. Time had truly tested the cabin, but bandits had seemingly left the tiny dwelling alone despite its ideal location and condition. Rufe stooped to get through the door. Niam didn’t have to.

One square room, one wall nearly consumed by a stone hearth, one outside window covered by shutters. A ladder beside the hearth led to what must’ve been a sleeping loft. Niam opened the shutters, spotting a privy a few yards away, in far worse condition. Layers of dust covered the floor and a table, and remnants of acorns lay scattered on the wooden floor, likely brought in by squirrels.

Rufe closed the door and the shutters, grabbed Niam by the shoulders, and pushed him back against the door with a solid thump. He lightly bit where Niam’s shoulder met his neck, causing shivers. “I thought I’d die if I couldn’t touch you for another moment.”

Niam trailed a finger over the bristles on Rufe’s jaw and sealed their mouths together. He stroked his tongue along Rufe’s, trailing a gloved hand up Rufe’s firm back.

Footsteps leading closer sent them jumping apart a moment before the door flew open. Vihaan stomped in, loaded with packs from the mules, which he promptly piled in a corner. He looked up, eyes going wide. “Um… Sorry. Did I interrupt something?” His waggling brows broke the seriousness of the moment. “Cass and I will take the first watch so you two can have the cabin.”

“Where is Casseign?” Rufe asked.

“He’s out catching trout for dinner. He says the stream is full, and his father rigged a good way to catch them even in this season. I’ll get some firewood.”

Niam jolted. “Won’t a fire alert someone to our presence?” They were supposed to remain hidden, weren’t they?

“Cass told me that hunters come through these parts often, and most bandits moved on to better-traveled areas when folks stopped using this route.” Vihaan strolled back toward the door. “We aren’t trying to be hidden, an impossibility with snow showing our tracks. We’re trying to seem ordinary.”

Rufe gave Niam an apologetic smile. “I’ll help with the firewood. I haven’t had fresh trout in a while. The sooner we start the fire, the sooner we can eat and do… other things.” The smoldering look he threw over his shoulder had Niam scrambling out the door to help.

Niam located a cooking pot among the packs and dashed to the stream for water. He’d never dare set foot in the frigid waters, but he could warm some for a cursory bath. No getting close to his lover while covered in road grime.

They’d eaten well for being in an abandoned cabin, Casseign’s father’s trout trap having worked as promised. Niam leaned against the cabin wall. With nightfall came cooler temperatures, but a fire in the hearth kept the room comfortable.

They’d all taken advantage of warm water for a brief wash.

Vihaan stood, holding down a hand for Casseign. “Time for our watch.”

Casseign paused a moment before allowing Vihaan to pull him to his feet. He eyed Rufe and Niam. “We’ll wake you later.” His cheeks flushed, and he turned away. “Sorry, Your Maj—”

Niam lifted a hand, cutting him off. “Remember, I’m not nobility here. I am Ned, and I think I can handle guard duty.” Another aspect of a soldier’s life he’d romanticized while young.

“As you wish.” Vihaan gave a somewhat mocking bow, softened by his smile. “Come on, Casseign, show me around the perimeter. Tell me embarrassing stories of young and foolish Cass.”

Cass smacked Vihaan's shoulder with his hand, a blush staining his cheeks and his eyes averted. Their night might prove interesting. They donned their cloaks, gloves, and hats and headed outside. A chill breeze snuck in during the brief moment before the door closed.

Rufe snorted when he and Niam were alone. “I’m sure that’s not all Vihaan wants to be shown.”

“What?”

Rufe wriggled close to Niam. “I’m unsure if Vihaan knows what to do with his attraction to Casseign. His former lover, a female mercenary, died while attempting to save Yarif.”

“The person he mourned at Telaga Pass?”

“Jayra, yes. One and the same. I don’t know if he’s ready to pursue someone else or if he’s ever been with a man, particularly one at least ten summers younger, but the spark is there.” Rufe added another log to the fire.

“What about Casseign?”

Rufe settled back on the floor with a sigh, warming his hands by the fire. “He’s more subtle, especially given their rank disparities, but he’d climb Vihaan like a tree if allowed half a chance.”

Niam settled a few feet away, admiring how the firelight played over the stark plains of Rufe’s face. “What do you mean, rank disparities?”

“For one, Vihaan is a Glendoran commander, and Glendor is a part of the empire.” Rufe shifted his gaze right and left as though expecting to find eavesdroppers.

“Wait a minute.” The history Niam had learned as a child came back to him. “Vihaan is Glendoran. You know, the Glendorans owe Delletina a considerable debt of gold from financing their conquest of Cresdor about thirty winters ago. They negotiated with the empire so they wouldn’t have to repay.”

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