The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 25
 

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With awe Justin and Elaine flipped through the various landscapes and pictures of flowers Molly had sent. Each painting was precise and pure, yet full of feeling as well. Justin found himself burning with jealousy toward the artist, whose talent was very evident. He rubbed his right hand, and wondered desperately if he would ever be able to create like that again.

"Oh, look at this one!" Elaine uncovered a particularly large landscape and Justin forced himself to smile as he perused the painting. "I think this is the last one," she breathed. "I have to say, it's my favorite."

Justin nodded, and then from his spot he spied another small wrapped package inside the crate. "Wait, I think I see something else in there." He reached in the large box and was just barely able to snag the wrapped bundle.

He removed the protective cover of what was obviously two smaller paintings and smiled brightly as the first one was revealed. "Elaine, come and see."

The queen moved closer to Justin and gasped. "Oh, Justin, it's beautiful!" They both stood for a moment and admired the small painting of Molly and Hunter's baby son. "It's so life like," Elaine gushed.

Justin handed the picture off to her and looked down at the next picture to see a piece of parchment laying on top of it with a note scribbled in his sister's handwriting.

Dear Mother Elaine,
Would you please give this painting to Hunter. Armand started it before he left to be with father, and just finished it. I wanted Hunter to keep it until we can be together again. Please tell him I miss him. I hope you like the picture of Brice. I thought it a wonderful likeness.
All my love,
Molly

Justin grinned, handing the note off to Elaine. The painting underneath was of two entwined hands, obviously Hunter's and Molly's because Molly's ruby wedding ring was meticulously duplicated on the canvas. Justin continued smiling down at the picture until another picture flashed into his mind of another set of hands wearing a very different ruby ring. He began to reel backwards as more images flooded his brain. They were images of Kipton's hands coming at him, ready to cause him harm. He saw knives, a pincher, and a red-hot poker, and he could do nothing to stop the tidal wave washing through his brain.
He dropped the portrait and his hand flew up to his head, and somewhere in the background he heard Elaine calling for Brian.

"Justin." Brian moved swiftly to Justin's side and pulled him into his arms.

Justin leaned his head into Brian's chest and wrapped his arms around his lover's waist, trying to ground himself. "He...he just kept...kept hurting me...I wouldn't tell him..." Justin muttered.

Brian opened himself up to their link and sucked in a breath at the chaos of memories that were tumbling around. I know, Jus, he whispered into Justin's mind. But you resisted him. You were so strong, I'm so proud of you.

Brian looked up to Elaine and Jon, who were both standing by, ready to help in any way they could. He mouthed 'Daphne' over Justin's shoulder to Elaine, who nodded and moved quickly out of the room.

Justin's legs began to buckle under him and Jon rushed over to help, but Justin shrank away when the other man reached out to try and help. "No! Don't touch me! Leave me alone!"

Jon stepped back and looked to his brother for guidance. Brian swung Justin up into his arms. "Where can I lay him down?"

"Bring him to Elaine's bedroom. She doesn't use her bed anyway."

He led Brian through the door that led to the queen's personal bedroom where Brian gently lay Justin, who was staring blankly and muttering to himself, down on the bed. When Brian tried to stand, Justin reached out and clutched at his tunic. "Don't leave me."

"Okay, Sunshine, I won't." Brian toed off his low indoor boots and climbed onto the bed, taking Justin into his arms.

Jon watched as his brother stroked Justin's hair and tucked Justin's head under his chin. When his brother's eyes glazed over and then finally closed he knew that Brian had immersed himself in his link with Justin and the best thing would be to leave them alone.

By the time Daphne arrived with a sedative for Justin, both men were sound asleep.

 

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Jonathan climbed into bed next to his wife and smiled at how beautiful she looked with her hair down, framing her delicate face. "Are you all settled in for the night? Do you need anything?"

Elaine smiled back at her husband. "No, thank you, I'm fine, dear."

"All right, then." Jonathan leaned over and put out the oil lamp and then rolled over to take his wife in his arms.

They were both quiet for a moment before Elaine spoke again. "Do you think Justin will be all right?"

"Yes, he's a strong young man."

"I do fret so about him, and Brian too."

"Hmm, should I be worried? You've always had a soft spot for my brother."

"Well, he is awfully handsome, and he always had that mysterious aloofness about him that is very appealing."

"Hey!"

"Oh hush, you know I love you best. Remember how all the young maids around the castle used to swoon over Brian?"

Jonathan chuckled. "Yes, he had quite the following, and he knew it!"

"But he never got too close, or led them on."

"Much to our parents' consternation." Jonathan rolled his eyes. "They hounded him so, until he finally agreed to marry Lindsay, that is."

"Yes, I'm happy he could at least marry a good friend, and someone who shares...well...the same views, I suppose."

"Well, that is one way to put it, my dear." Jonathan smiled. He pulled her closer. "Both of us boys were very lucky in our marriages. I was lucky enough to marry my best friend." He placed a gentle kiss on her temple.

"I feel the same," Elaine answered as she turned in Jonathan's arms so they were facing each other. She reached up and placed a gentle hand upon his cheek. "I am so happy to have you back with me. I was so frightened you were going to die."

"I am fine now, darling. Please don't cry." Jonathan swiped at his wife's tears with his thumb.

"And soon you'll be off to war again."

"I'm sorry, my love. I know how hard this is for you."

Elaine looked into his eyes. "No, I don't think you ever will know how hard it is, but I shouldn't burden you with my fears. You have enough to worry about."

"I am your husband. I always want to know what you are feeling. I am frightened too.
Every time I march into battle I am afraid of leaving you and our children, and now grandchildren too."

Elaine looked up into her husband's deep brown eyes and then leaned up for a kiss. Jonathan touched his lips gently to hers, but soon she opened her mouth and invited him in further.

After a few more moments Elaine pulled away just enough to speak. "Love me, Jonathan. Help me to forget for just a little while."

"Yes," Jonathan answered simply as he reached for the ribbon at her neck that held her nightgown closed. "Anything for you, my love. I'll always love you."

Soon they were lost in each other; worries of brothers, wars and kingdoms left far behind.

 

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Daphne rubbed her eyes and turned the page of the book she was perusing. It was a very old healing journal dating back almost a century. Brian had come across it a few years back when one of his distant cousins had died without an heir. He and Justin had gone to oversee the distribution of the man's estate and the settlement of his affairs.

Brian had brought the book to Mel and Daphne because there had been some mention of magic in it. He knew the women would be extremely interested since any official records of magic in Pennington were very rare. Mel had sent the book with Daphne when she had left for Sylvania, citing that Daphne might find it useful on her journey.

She was currently scrutinizing it for any clue that might help Justin regain the use of his hand. At least he seemed to have had a breakthrough with his memories tonight, though he and Brian had both been asleep when she had arrived at the king and queen's apartment, so who knew what that meant for her friend.

"Find anything?" Kelton's voice was raspy with sleep. He placed his hands on Daphne's shoulders and began to knead the tension out of them.

"No, not yet," she replied. She looked at her lover gratefully. "And you can stop doing that never."

Kelton chuckled and leaned down to give her a kiss. "You should come to bed. It's late."

"I will, just let me finish this chapter."

Kelton moved Daphne's hair off her shoulder and leaned down to place tender kisses on her neck. "I think you should come now," he whispered in her ear as he nibbled her lobe.

Daphne sucked in a breath. "You don't play fair," she gasped.

"You're right, I don't," Kelton replied. He reached around his lover and gently closed her book. "You've been through that book a thousand times. Now, come to bed and let me help you forget all this for just a little while."

Daphne turned in Kelton's arms and pulled his head down to hers for a passionate kiss. "I think I may just let you do that, my love," she breathed against his lips.

"Good girl," Kelton replied. He swung Daphne up into his arms and carried her off to their bed where they quickly lost themselves to each other.

 

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Hunter sat on the bed of his old room in the castle. Before him were the small paintings of his son, Brice, and of his and Molly's hands. His mother had had them sent to his rooms earlier in the evening along with the note Molly had sent to her.

He read the note again and smiled to himself. He lightly ran a finger over the picture of his wife's hand and sighed. He tried not to think about how much he missed his family and how long it would be before he saw them again.

 

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"I'm scared for Brian and Justin," Michael whispered to his husband in the dark of their room.

"They'll be all right," Ben whispered back as he pulled his husband in closer to his side.

"I know that Brian seems tough and strong on the outside, but inside he's very fragile sometimes. Sapperstein almost broke him. If Justin is not okay, it will break him."

"You're a good friend to worry for them, love, but there's nothing you can do now for them except be there if they need us."

"And we shall be," Michael stated.

"Of course we will," Ben replied, kissing his husband on the forehead.

Michael rolled over onto Ben's chest and planted a kiss right above his left nipple. "Ben?"
He ran a gentle hand over his husband's rippling pectoral muscles.

"Yes?"

"Do you mind if we forget Brian and Justin for just a little while?"

Ben took hold of Michael and flipped him so that he was on top of his lover, their faces hovering inches apart. "I don't mind at all," he smiled and soundly kissed his husband until all they had thought for was each other.

 

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Justin awoke and groggily sat up and looked around him. He was startled to realize that he was in a strange bed all alone. He started to call for Brian, but then noticed his lover standing at the window, staring out at the sunrise.

Brian heard Justin's movement in their bed and turned to face his lover. His heart tightened at the sight of Justin fresh from sleep, looking so young and vulnerable. "Are you feeling better?" he asked around the lump in his throat.

"Mm hmm," Justin nodded.

"You really frightened me last night."

"I know. I'm sorry."

Brian moved over to the bed and sat next to his lover. "No need to be sorry. I'm just glad
you're all right."

"Where are we?"

"In Elaine's room. I couldn't get you back to ours last night. Jon helped me move you in here."

Justin nodded, but did not reply for a moment as he looked into Brian's eyes. "I remembered everything."

"I know."

"You saved my life."

"No. You saved your life. I just helped."

"I would not have been able to do any of it without you."

"I guess I was returning the favor."

Justin nodded and after a moment he spoke again, almost in a whisper. "He didn't rape me."

"I told you that."

"I thought maybe…"

"You thought I was protecting you?" Brian finished for him, and Justin nodded in reply.

"I wouldn't do that. I would never lie to you."

"I'm sorry, I know." They were both silent for another few minutes until Justin spoke again. "I can't believe we broke the spell like that. All that power; it was amazing."

"It was," Brian replied simply.

He ran a gentle hand through Justin's hair and Justin leaned into the touch, resting his cheek against Brian's palm. "I love you, Brian."

"And I, you," Brian answered softly.

Brian, make love to me, Justin spoke into his lover's mind.

Brian sucked in his breath and studied Justin closely. Are you certain?

Yes, Justin smiled. But go easy.

Like our first time? Brian smiled back.

Justin nodded and leaned in for a kiss.

They undressed each other slowly and Brian eased Justin down onto his side, running gentle hands over his lover's body. He lay behind, spooning him, and gently prepared his lover . Justin relaxed under Brian's ministrations, opening their link to its fullest.
When Brian entered Justin they both gasped, for they finally felt fully connected again for the first time in days.

When they reached their completion they let themselves bask in the double orgasms they always experienced with one another, and then they simply lay quiet for awhile, Brian still inside his lover.

Justin turned his head and pulled Brian down for a sweet and gentle kiss. I love you, Brian. Always, he whispered into his lover's mind.

And I love you, Jus. Forever. Don't ever forget that.

No, I'll never forget.

 

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