The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 24
 

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Five days later Brian tentatively approached his and Justin's bed. Today had been a good day for them. They still had not ventured out of their rooms because of Justin's panic attacks, but they had had visitors, and Justin had seemed fairly comfortable all day. He had even engaged in a little teasing with Bishop Vic, and had kissed Brian for the first time since his ordeal. He had always returned Brian's kisses until then, but never actually initiated one himself. Needless to say the two had not engaged in any sort of sexual activities since Justin had returned.

Justin was sitting up in bed reading when he heard Brian approach. He noticed Brian hesitating at their bedside with his hands hovering at the tie of his robe. Justin gave him a small smile and a tiny nod. He hated that Brian felt like he needed to ask whether or not he could sleep nude in his own bed. He had been so patient as Justin was healing from his abuse, and Justin appreciated that, but the two of them had always had a very sexual relationship, and Justin knew it was wearing on Brian to have sex cut out of their lives, though the other man would never say anything.

Brian smiled back and untied his robe, letting it slide off his shoulders. He noted how Justin bit his lip as his eyes roved over his body. He smirked a little, tossing his robe aside as he slid into bed. Justin set his book aside and leaned in closer, inviting Brian to kiss him. They shared a passion filled kiss for a few moments and Brian reached up to place a hand on the back of Justin's neck to deepen it. He was ecstatic when Justin was able to reach up with his right arm and rather clumsily place his still impaired hand on Brian's shoulder.

"You're wearing too many clothes," Brian whispered, and Justin nodded. He started to reach down to pull his linen nightshirt over his head, but sighed in frustration when he realized his hand wasn't going to cooperate. "Let me," Brian said softly, removing his hand from Justin's neck and reaching down to pull the shirt over his head. When Justin was naked Brian looked into his eyes. "You okay?"

"Yes, I think so," Justin replied.

Brian nodded and leaned in for another kiss, and after a few moments he pulled away. "Roll over?" It was a request more than an order, and Justin smiled briefly, rolling onto his stomach. Brian ran soothing hands across his back and dotted it with gentle kisses. He moved in between Justin's legs and ran a gentle hand down his back ending at his ass. Finally, he reached for the oil they kept on hand and drizzled it over his fingers. He parted Justin's cheeks and began to gently work his finger into Justin's hole.

Justin tried to relax under his lover's touch, but the moment Brian tried to breech his body his blood ran ice cold and he began to struggle. "I can't...I'm sorry."

Brian, who had felt Justin's panic in their link first, immediately backed off and Justin quickly scooted himself over to the edge of the bed, his back to Brian.

After a few moments Brian reached out to touch Justin's shoulder. "It's all right."

"It's not all right!" Justin retorted letting his head drop into his hands.

Brian scooted closer and wrapped Justin in his arms. "Maybe not now, but it will be."

Justin nodded, wiping a tear from his cheek. "Thank you."

Brian moved back a little and turned Justin around, cradling his face in his hands. He swiped at Justin's tears with his thumbs. "You never have to thank me for loving you."

They both shared a small smile as Brian scooted back to the middle of the bed and lay down. He pulled Justin to him and held him close until they both fell asleep.

 

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"Are the two of you ready?" King Jonathan asked Blake and Father Ryan.

The men were in King Jonathan's private quarters, along with Sir Andrew, Tristan, and a handful of Jon's advisors, including his sons.

"We are, Highness," replied Blake. "The sooner we can get into Maynor the better."

Jon nodded. "And you think you'll be able to make contact with those who are still loyal to Tristan?"

"Yes, of course, especially once we tell them he is still alive."

"Good. Please be careful and try to report as often as you can."

"Justin said he will try to reach us by mind speech. His gifts are all back at full strength, though he has never tried it at that distance. We shall see."

"We'll meet you at the rendezvous place in two weeks, regardless," Jonathan replied.

"Good luck."

"Thank you, my lord," Blake bowed, as did Father Ryan.

The two men turned to leave and Tristan and Drew followed them out. "You're sure this is safe?" Tristan asked them as they walked through the corridor.

"We'll both be well disguised, Tristan," Blake answered. "You needn't worry."

Tristan snorted. "You're the only family I have left; of course I worry."

"Soon this will all be over, Tris." Blake placed a hand on his shoulder. "And you'll be back on your throne where you belong."

"Wonderful, now you just gave me a whole new set of worries."

All four of the Maynorans shared a laugh as they made their way down to the stables where Drew and Tristan would see their friends off.

 

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Later that same evening Brian and Justin made their way through the corridors of the castle. Justin clung to Brian's hand as if it were a lifeline, gripping even harder if they came upon another person in passing. Brian was simply happy to be out of their rooms for awhile. Justin tended to panic if Brian was out of his sight for any real length of time.

"We're almost there," Brian whispered into the side of Justin's head, when two guards passed by them and Justin almost knocked them both over when he shied back from the armored men.

"I'm sorry to be such a pain," Justin replied softly.

"Hey." Brian stopped and gently turned Justin to face him. "I understand, all right? Who better?" He leaned down so their foreheads touched.

"Okay," Justin replied. He took a deep breath and stepped away from Brian, grabbing his hand again. "Let's go before Jon and Elaine send out a search party for us." When they arrived at the king and queen's apartment Justin paused. "You're sure it's only them tonight?"

"Yes, Jon promised an intimate dinner with just the four of us. Bodie and the others are overseeing the meal in the great hall tonight."

Justin relaxed a little and Brian knocked on the door. Queen Elaine herself opened the door and motioned them in. "Wonderful, you're right on time. Come in and sit down. We had the servants lay the table and then leave. It's so crowded in here with all the bustling around."

Brian smiled gratefully at Elaine for making sure the room was cleared out before they came and she kissed him on the cheek in greeting. "You're looking lovely tonight, Elaine," he complimented.

"Oh, please," the queen flushed. "I hope you do not mind that I decided to dress down. It's so nice to take a break from all the finery from time to time."

Brian admired his sister-in-law for a moment. She wore a simple blue velvet gown and her hair hung loose down her back, held up only by two clips on either side of her head. "You look much like the young maiden who stole my brother's heart those years ago."

"Oh, Brian, stop it! You are still as charming as you were back then, and just as handsome."

She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek and then turned to Justin. Instead of the warm hug she normally would have bestowed upon him, she held out her hand to him. He smiled gratefully and lifted it to his lips. "You are looking lovely tonight, milady," Justin added quietly.

Elaine smiled softly at him and led them to the dining area where Jon was already seated. He too, was dressed down for the night in a plain brown tunic and britches. "Thank goodness you're here," he smiled at them. "Elaine forbid me to start without you and this venison smells delicious."

"As good at Deb's?" Justin remarked shyly as he sat down in a spot next to Brian.

"Well maybe not that good," Jon laughed. "Let's dig in and find out, shall we?"

Dinner was a pleasant affair. Jon and Elaine kept the mood light, revolving the conversation about the news of their families and mutual friends. Justin found himself completely relaxed and enjoying himself immensely by the time they were finished with dessert.

Jon and Brian had moved over near the fire and were in the middle of an intense discussion about troop numbers for the upcoming battle, and Justin was more than happy to stay with Elaine and discuss his sister Molly and the new baby. He found any talk of Maynor difficult to stomach these days.

"Justin, I have recently acquired some new paintings from an artist in Ballybonne. Hunter and Molly saw them and thought I would enjoy them. Come and tell me what you think."

"Certainly," Justin smiled. He was always happy to bond with his "sister-in-law" over their love of art. It often reminded him of the same bond he had shared with his late mother, Janniver.

"They're here in my sitting room. I have yet to really get a good look at them. They just arrived today." She led Justin into her sitting room where a rather large crate was leaning against the wall.

In her excitement Elaine reached for Justin's arm to pull him closer. Justin immediately yanked his arm from her and stepped back abruptly.

"Oh, Justin, I'm so sorry," Elaine apologized looking anxious. "I wasn't thinking."

Justin shook his head a bit. "No, I'm sorry. I don't know what's wrong with me. I know you would never hurt me."

Elaine motioned him to sit in a chair and she sat in one right next to him. "Of course I would never hurt you, but someone did and the thought of it still frightens you. It's perfectly normal to feel this way, Justin. It will take some time to heal."

"But how can I be so frightened of something I don't even remember? I still can only recall a little of what happened."

Elaine held out her hand to Justin and he tentatively took it. "Perhaps it is the unknown that frightens you so much. If you were able to remember all that happened to you, it might ease your mind a little."

"I had not thought of it that way before," Justin replied thoughtfully. "I just don't know how to get those memories back."

Elaine patted her hand. "I wish I knew how to help with that, dear heart, but I don't. Perhaps Daphne and her young Kelton would have a suggestion for you."

"Perhaps," Justin replied, his eyes creeping back over to where he could see some unframed canvases poking out of the crate.

Elaine caught him and laughed. "There is not much that can distract the eager artist's eye is there?"

Justin laughed too. "Molly and I have much the same taste. I'm anxious to see."

"Then come, let us look." She stood and pulled Justin up with her. She stopped short and looked up into his eyes. "Justin, may I hug you?"

Justin ducked his head for a minute, but then nodded. "Yes, I think I'd like that."

Elaine pulled him into a warm hug, and he rested his head on her shoulder. "I know you still miss your mother terribly. I remember her well; she was a very sweet and wise woman." She felt Justin nod and she continued, "Of course no one can replace her, Justin, but please know that I am here for you if you need someone to talk to, or just a motherly hug."

"Thank you," Justin whispered into her ear. "I do believe I could use some motherly love right now."

Elaine squeezed him a little tighter and then let him go. "Well, feel free to seek me out whenever you need me." Justin stood up straight and wiped a stray tear away, and she took his hand again. "Now, let's dig into these paintings, shall we?"

"Yes, let's," Justin smiled as they both moved to the crate and began their exploration.

 

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"It seems he is doing better," Jon commented to Brian as the two glanced over to the queen's sitting room where they could hear Justin and Elaine laughing about something.

"Yes, he is," Brian commented, but he didn't look at his brother.

"But..." Jon coaxed Brian.

"He's so closed off. I mean he lets me hold him and comfort him, but he's not really there. Most of the time he's cut me out of our link, and I don't even think he realizes he's doing it. It's not like when his mother was killed and he purposefully told me to stay out."

"Have you had sex yet?"

"Jon!"

"Well, have you?"

Brian sighed. "No, we tried last night, but he panicked. I'm not worried about the sex, though, I can live without that. I'm just concerned that I'm not doing enough to help him." He looked over to Jon and was incensed to see the other man chuckling quietly. "What in the hell is so funny about this?" Brian snapped.

"I'm sorry, Brian, it's just that I remember having this very same conversation with a certain young blond man a few years back when he was trying to help his lover through a difficult time."

Brian simply stared at his brother for a few minutes and then collapsed back in his seat.
"Justin."

"Yes, it was Justin. He came to me right after all that mess with Claire and the Sap, when you were such a wreck, and said almost word for word what you just told me."

"And what did you say to him?" Brian asked quietly.

"I told him he was doing everything just right, and that time is what the both of you need to heal, and that it would be all right...that you would be all right." Jonathan eyed Brian for a moment. "Was I correct?"

Brian huffed out a small laugh. "Yes, you were right, as usual, but knowing that doesn't make any of this any easier."

Jon leaned forward and placed a hand on Brian's shoulder. "I know, and I know it's easy for me to spout out all this advice to the two of you. Truthfully, I don't know how I would react if anything happened to Elai..."

"Brian!" Jon was interrupted by Elaine calling from the other room with a hint of panic in her voice. "Come quick! It's Justin!"

 

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