Liege

9. Twin daggers

Jeff calls his mare, mounts quickly and rides away at a good pace, the golden light of dusk casting long shadows on the road.

Bible feels torn apart seeing Jeff's silhouette getting smaller and smaller in the distance. He didn't answer immediately for reasons he doesn't really understand. Maybe he's always been too slow.

He knows he's going to follow Jeff wherever he wants to go - even to the depths of hell - there's no way he will stay apart.

Not anymore.

He turns around and quickly but carefully gathers some of his things, prepares  a document giving away his house, lands and cattle to those who have worked for him these last years, and he's ready to set off. 

He doesn't even remember when was the last time he had this feeling of excitement running through his veins.

Luckily for Bible, a big harvest moon illuminates the way.

***

Jeff can't sleep. He turns around, making a mess of his bedding. He's too hot, so he takes his shirt off, drinks some water and lies down again to try and fall asleep.

Jeff replays the conversation in his head. He can't believe he has given Bible the choice, he should have ordered him to come back, to never leave his side again.

He turns once again in his bed, watching the pale light of the big full moon filtering through a small opening. Even the birds are restless: he can hear the insistent hoot of an owl under his window.

Jeff definitely can't sleep. Now he's not hot anymore. He stands up to stoke the fire.

A gloved hand covers his mouth, a strong arm wraps around his waist.

He recognises the sensation, the scent of his lover.

"Shhh"

Bible's nose buries itself in Jeff's hair.

Jeff is in a daze. He closes his eyes, every single cell in his skin reacting to Bible.

Bible is hugging him, kissing him, making a mess of his clothes.

Jeff's body remembers him, his heart is beating so fast and loud he thinks Bible can hear it.

Bible cages him on the wall and starts talking with the raspy voice of someone who is not used to speak much:

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you all these years. I couldn't bear to see you married. First, I thought it wouldn't matter if I died in battle."

Bible takes a deep breath before continuing. He rarely speaks for so long, so Jeff holds his breath, not wanting to interrupt him. He draws very soft circles with his fingers on Bible's back instead.

"I thought I was going to die, I was ready for Valhalla. But an old man found me and healed me so I didn't die. I started helping him in the farm as soon as I was better. Then he left and said the house was for me if I wanted it. I heard about the royal babies and her mother's death. I thought she was your wife."

Bible makes a pause, looking mortified:

"I've been living in shame because I swore to protect you with my life..." 

"...But I couldn't bring myself to look out for you."

Bible looks directly into Jeff's eyes, his expression almost angry.

"But I was able to get to you tonight, so easily, what if I was an assassin instead?"

He takes a small package from a bundle he brought with him.

It's a dagger, identical to the one Jeff has seen Bible using so many years ago. He puts it in Jeff's hand.

"To protect yourself" says Bible.

Jeff likes the cold metallic touch of the dagger in his hand. He strokes the handle briefly.

Bible looks at him for a moment, then clings to Jeff as if he would vanish if he doesn't embrace him. After the long speech it's time for his hands do the talking.

***

(Five years later)

Jeff has inherited the throne since his father died peacefully in his bed about a year ago.

The little prince Erik and the little princess Freya are fond of Jeff and they idolise their teacher Bible. The girl wishes to take fighting lessons as well, and Bible is teaching her in secret. 

His nephew Erik will succeed Jeff. But for now Jeff is konungr, the king.

Unfortunately, Bible cannot be king consort, so Jeff is bestowing the title of jaðarr to him ("the foremost one") for his invaluable services to the kingdom.

It's a relatively small ceremony, but then they follow it with a banquet and many jars of mead.

Bible has become one of the most powerful people in the whole kingdom. Their entourage is aware of this fact, sometimes trying to attract Bible to their cause to persuade Jeff.

Some of them also know that after a feast like this, Bible and Jeff will lock themselves together in Jeff's chambers.

***

Bible holds Jeff's thighs up, pressing his back to the wall, his cock piercing him with a fast, relentless rhythm.

Jeff is trying to suppress the moans, unsuccessfully.

He ends up whining, asking Bible to stop...

"My liege, I have to live up to the title you just gave me" whispers Bible to Jeff's ear.

Under the covers of the bed, a few hours later, Bible and Jeff are sweaty and still connected as one being with eight limbs moving at the same tempo.

"The thing is... all those years ago, you left me, you didn't come and look for me" says Jeff.

Bible is mortified, he feels genuine shame and regret, then he realises there's a playful look in Jeff's eyes.

"I think I need to punish you"

THE END