The Duke of Tremont II - Bloodspell

Chapter 40
 

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"It was a nice ceremony," Justin commented to Brian as they lay in their bed. Justin tucked his head under Brian's chin. "I still think he deserved more." Brian let out a sardonic chuckle and Justin lifted his head. "What?"

"Only you, Sunshine." He brushed a piece of blond hair out of Justin's eye. "Only you could think a man who tortured, and almost killed you and many others, should have a state funeral."

"Kipton saved me, and you, Brian. He saved us all."

"I know," Brian answered with a small sigh. "But he was still a criminal and a traitor, Jus. A small ceremony here on the battlefield was all Tristan could afford to do and keep his credibility. It's probably even more than Kipton expected."

Neither man spoke for a little while until Justin finally broke the silence. "So we're heading to the capitol of Maynor tomorrow?"

"Yes. Jonathan wants to help Tristan weed out any of those who were loyal to Duke James and get him settled on his throne."

Justin nodded. "That makes sense." Justin shivered a bit and snuggled in closer to Brian.

"Hey, are you all right?" Brian asked, kissing Justin's hair. "Does it make you nervous to think about going back there?"

"Does that seem silly? It's not as if they'll make me go to the dungeons, and that's the only part I ever really saw."

"It's not silly at all. I felt the same about Westlake for a time."

Justin frowned, knowing that Brian had come to so much harm at Justin's beloved childhood home. "I keep forgetting how much you really do understand what I'm going through."

“I’ll always understand you, and I’ll always be here for you.”

“Thank you.”

Brian snorted. “No. Thank you, Justin. Thank you for loving me and changing my whole world.”

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"Are you certain you must leave so soon?" Tristan asked King Jonathan.

Both men were standing in the courtyard in Tristan's castle, along with Brian, Justin, Bishop Vic and the rest of the Pennington contingent.

"It's time to return to my own kingdom, son," Jonathan replied kindly. "We're leaving you with our Captain Strayhorn and his battalion, and a good group of advisors. And your subjects seemed to accept the dispensation for you to take over your rule now instead of on your eighteenth birthday."

Tristan sighed. "Yes, I know, it's just..." he trailed off.

Jonathan wrapped an arm around the young king. "You're feeling very unsure of yourself." He finished the sentence for him.

Tristan nodded sheepishly. "Yes."

"I'll tell you a secret. I was in my twenties when my father died, and had been well trained for my role as king, but to this day I still have my moments of insecurity."

"What do you do?"

Jonathan glanced across the courtyard to where Brian and Justin were talking with Blake. "I talk it over with someone I trust." He smiled at Tristan. "My brother has been my rock, and since they have grown, my sons also fill that role for me. You have good people to rely on, Tristan, not the least of which is your uncle."

Tristan nodded. "He is my rock."

"Then use him and lean on him," Jonathan replied. "Father Ryan seems like a good man, and don't forget Sir Drew."

Tristan smiled. "I could never forget him."

"See, you'll be fine. You've even stolen Theodore from Brian, and I know he's a very reliable ally as well."

"You don't think Brian is really angry with me, do you?" Tristan looked at Jonathan with wide eyes. "Uncle Blake was so happy that he was coming here to live."

Jonathan chuckled. "No, Brian's not angry. He just likes to put on a good show. I believe he is extremely happy for Theodore and Blake." Jonathan clapped Tristan on the shoulder. "Now come, let us finish our goodbyes. We need to get on the road."

Blake smiled as Tristan and King Jonathan moved toward him, Brian and Justin. "Well, I suppose this is it," he smiled as he held his hand out to Brian.

"I suppose it is," Brian replied, taking Blake's hand and shaking it firmly. "Thank you for everything you've done for us."

Blake ducked his head. "I think the thank you is mutual."

"Well you are taking the best seneschal I've ever had away from me," Brian glanced over to where Theodore was speaking with Bishop Vic and Tim.

Justin stepped on Brian's toe. "Stop it, My Lord." Justin looked to Blake. "Ignore him, Tristan, we're both happy for you and Ted." Justin ignored Blake's still outstretched hand and pulled him into a warm hug. "We shall miss you. Do you promise to visit?"

Blake nodded. "Of course, and you must visit as well."

"We all will." Jonathan interjected and he and Tristan walked up. "I expect many visits to keep our alliance strong."

"I look forward to it, Your Highness," Tristan smiled.

They all finished their good-byes, and then King Jonathan and his army began their journey back to Pennington.

 

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Brian stood on he and Justin's balcony as he pondered the sky. There were clouds, but still not hint of rain, much to Brian's displeasure.

Tremont's army had returned to Lofton the day before and Brian and Justin had been extremely busy all day dealing with all the mundane business that came with a large landholding. Lindsay had done an admirable job taking care of things in their absence, but there were some things only Brian could take care of and that's what he had been non-stop since he return.

Brian smiled when he felt two warm hands run up his back, and then he groaned in pleasure when the hands began to rub his shoulders. "What are you thinking about out here?" Justin asked as he continued to knead his lover's shoulders.

"The drought." He turned around, pulling Justin into his arms. "I'm worried about how we're going to feed everyone this winter."

Justin looked into Brian's eyes. "It will rain, Brian. Blake said now that the balance of power has been restored in Maynor that the weather will go back to normal."

"But rain will only save the late crops and fruit trees. So much has already been ruined."

"We'll deal with it, Brian. We won't let anyone starve or suffer. We'll just have to ration and make sure everyone gets equal shares."

"You make is sound so easy, Sunshine."

"That's because it is." He rose up on his toes and placed a gentle kiss on Brian's lips. "You're just tired. You know you always over complicate things when you're tired."

"I do, do I?" Brian asked with a smile as he let his hands wander down Justin's backside.

"Yes, you do," Justin breathed out as Brian cupped his ample rear. "I have just the thing to fix it, though."

Brian began to move forward, causing Justin to back up. "What do you have in mind?" Brian asked as they kept moving toward the door that led into their bedroom.

I think you know, Justin answered into Brian's mind as he reached up to undo the collar of Brian's shirt.

Brian's only reply was a searing kiss, as clothes were quickly removed and they soon they were enjoying the comfort of being back in their own bed.

Brian teased Justin relentlessly, bringing him to the brink of release several times, until the younger man was begging wantonly. Finally, Brian could not control himself any longer and thrust into Justin, hitting the spot that he knew would send his lover over the edge even as he stroked Justin's cock to insure it. Both men froze for a moment as the sweet release of their orgasms swept over both of them.

Outside there was a flash of light and a loud clap of thunder and then both men stared at each other in surprise when they heard the unmistakable sound of rain pounding against the castle. They leaped out of bed, and raced out to the balcony, into the shower, letting the life giving water pour over their bare flesh while Brian let out a loud whoop of joy.

"Uh...my lord? Are you all right?" a voice called down to them from one of the battlements.

Brian and Justin peered up to see one of the guards holding an oil lantern up so he could see. "It's raining, Drake," Brian replied matter-of-factly, as if he and Justin being naked on their balcony was the most normal thing in the world.

Justin's blush went all the way down to his toes as he ducked his head into his hands. "Brian, let's go inside."

"It's raining!!" was all Brian said in reply, ignoring Justin's imploring look.

"That it is, My Lord," Drake replied with a small smile as he moved on to continue his patrol with a small shake of his head.

"They must be outside already," Justin heard a voice coming from their room.

He grabbed onto Brian when he saw their whole family traipsing out of their bedroom door. "It's raining, Br...oh my!" Lindsay exclaimed as she noticed the two men's nudity. Kelton covered Daphne's eyes as did Mel for Gus.

"It's raining!" Brian replied to Lindsay's exclamation, and Justin was beginning to think perhaps Brian was not in his right mind because here they were naked in front of the world and all the idiot could do was comment on the weather.

Justin grabbed his lover's arm and pulled him towards the balcony doors. Deb smacked Justin hard on the rear as he hurried by. "Celebrating already, Sunshine?"

Justin rolled his eyes and yanked Brian into their room, swiftly finding their discarded pants he shoved Brian's to him as he struggled to pull on his own over wet skin. "My God, I don't think I've ever been so embarrassed."

"Who in the hell cares?" Brian asked. Justin looked up at his lover, who at least was pulling on his own pants. He couldn't help but smile at Brian's brashness.

When they were at least semi-decent, they rushed out to join the others, who were all still outside whooping and dancing their relief and joy. Brian swung Gus up into his arms and lifted him high in the sky, as he spun around.

"Raining, Papa!" Gus giggled, enjoying his father's silliness immensely.

Brian brought Gus down and cuddled the boy to his chest. "That it is, son," he sighed happily. "And we're all going to be just fine." Brian wrapped his free arm around Justin, and held both of his boys close.

 

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