"Young man, what are you and your lover doing on the streets at night? Have you eaten your evening meal?" An elderly woman narrowed her eyes at us. She uses her small candle to inspect every inch of us.
"You have blood on your faces, are you from Vales? Xishun has made peace with Vales, but have not apologized to our king. You must be exhausted!" The woman crouched, her old back cracking.
She continued to shine her light on us. Then, her eyes lit up as they fell on Lorica. "Oh, you two have a daughter?"
"No, we are not a couple. She is his daughter and he is my slave. Well, in name, that is." I see her chapped lips form a smile. I did not understand her intentions. "I'm serious, we are not in a relationship!"
The woman whose hair is greying nodded lazily. She doubted my words instantly. "You are so quick to deny him. I see, but you should not be afraid to reveal your relationship. Vales is an odd place. However, Mesoa is open to all forms of consensual relationships. You have a chance to be yourselves. Love is love."
"I swear," I held onto Zoticus and shifted uncomfortably on the cushion. "I don't love a man, especially when he is my slave. Grandmother, do you happen to know a nearby inn? We are all tired and looking for a place to sleep."
"Of course, that building right there is the best inn, famous amongst Mesoans. The price for one night is hefty, do you think you have enough money?" The woman chuckled. "We accept Valesian coins too. It is helpful when merchants wish to trade in Vales."
"Thank you," I quickly gathered Zoticus and Lorica to rise to my feet. I almost lost my balance a few times, but I knew that I was carrying precious cargo. I cannot risk letting go.
"Please tell your general to help us defend against Xishun! We will be grateful if he delivers us from Xishun." The woman hollered after me as I walked straight to the inn she had pointed out. "Have a good night!"
"You too, Grandmother!" I snicker, wondering what she would say if she knew my identity. I raced towards a tall stone building. I barely read the wooden sign hanging above the doors but I did see the word "inn".
Using one leg I kick the door open. Out of breath, I stood in the doorway with opened eyes. I stumbled over to a clerk holding a glass of crimson wine. I leaned over the countertop to grab his attention.
"Ah, welcome new customer!" The man wiped his mouth with a white cloth and studied me from head to toe. His eyes roamed over Zoticus and Lorica. "You must be in the wrong place. Look at the sign here."
The man stepped aside to reveal a carved sign hung behind him. The sign read "Sex is Inn", and I turned red. The man swirled the wine in his cup, smirking.
"You see, this is an inn for lovemaking. I assume you have passed that stage since you've adopted a child already?" The man pointed at the baby girl in Zoticus' protective arms.
Why are strangers assuming I have a sex life? It is absurd to think I would be pictured in bed with Zoticus! Why are Mesoans ready to paint us as a perfect family without knowing our identities? How are they so calm seeing two men and a child?
"Oh," I said softly to avoid waking both man and child. I lean closer to the innkeeper. "I do not know what an inn for lovemaking is, but do you have two rooms available? I will pay for both and we will be staying for a night."
""Let me see," the Mesoan flipped through a record book and after scanning the pages for a few moments, he slammed the book closed. He shook his head, remorseful. "I apologize, all our rooms are full -except one. Why would you avoid sharing a room? You'll have to pay more money."
"If it's money, I have it!" I could feel Zoticus slip out of my arms and my heart stopped when his head rested on my chest. I may have forgotten how to breathe.
The clerk shook his head, "We do not have two free rooms. Only one, but the room is quite big and luxurious. The three of you will be able to rest well."
I eyed the key he slid over the counter with two fingers. As my hands were full, I let gold coins drop onto the table. "I'm making a mess but I cannot put them down for a second. Do you think you can escort me to the room?"
"Ah, that will be no problem! Do not fret, your requests and raining money seems to be able most normal things visitors ask for." The Mesoan winked, "after all, this place is for lovemaking. Not so much for simple sleeping."
I shuddered, imagining myself participating in sexual activities with the man in my arms. I shook my head to clear my thoughts, feeling disgusted with myself. How can I see such a thing!
"Do not be ashamed, sex is a normal thing in life and especially for strong men like yourself. Your partner may be too delicate for our routines." The man called to a woman sleeping with a scroll draped over her face. He snatched the piece of literature. "Haotzl, take care of the front while I guide these Valesians to their room."
The woman named Haotzl grinned as she inspected us with snake-like eyes. She raised an eyebrow at her colleague and then, a knowing look spread across her face. "I see, go ahead. Don't forget to provide lubricant!"
The man led me away from Haotzl, chuckling to himself. His head bobbed up and down for a reason known only to him.
"How many times will people assume that we are together? Why did you think we are a couple?" I grunted when Zoticus' fist hit my chest. I am fairly certain that we are nowhere near to being lovers.
I am merely infatuated with him, curious about him.
He keeps to himself, almost invisible until he moves to attempt an assassination.
We are not going to be lovers any time soon. We are two men living together. Nothing more, nothing less! Or so I keep telling myself.
"Here is our free room. Should I call a cleaner to remove typical items? I do not think leaving aphrodisiac substances with you will end well." The innkeeper jammed the keys into a hole, shaking the metal object with the face of a constipated man. "Since you insist that you two are not together."
He turned his head to face me with a sheepish smile. Seeing my expressionless face, he gulped. "The inn is quite old and heavily used. Can you hold him any longer?"
"Yes, just focus on opening the damned door! I do not like speaking to strangers about my personal life." I bunched up my arms, hoping I will be able to hold Zoticus until the incompetent guide manages to open a door.
Eventually, he succeeded and threw open the mahogany doors to glide through the doorway. His shoes slapped against black marble floors. With a quick wave of his hands he invited me into the room.
"I have taken risky items out of their places so you can rest without interruptions. No temptations and noises." He placed the key on a bedside table, almost dropping a clear jar of a strange liquid.
The Mesoan winked after he exited the room. Then, he closed the door behind us. He snickered as he retraced his steps to the front of the inn. "They are not together? How hilarious when one man is carried like a bride!"
I rolled my eyes, too exhausted to think about the Mesoan. I was too tired to care about his words. There are so many perverted souls in this world that the best I can do is ignore them all.
I surveyed the room, satisfied with the large space. I hobbled over to the bed to toss Zoticus and Lorica onto the mound of blankets. I see a ghost of a smile appear on both faces.
Despite the great urge to sleep, I should check out surroundings. The Mesoan had been acting strange when he walked out the door, his eyes were hiding secrets that I wanted to see.
I tucked Zoticus and his baby into the bed, cursing as my head smashed into a canopy frame. I looked up to see shimmering red fabric that looked similar to the fortune-teller's table cloth. I narrowed my eyes, thinking about touching it.
I reached up with my fingers, poking the magical fabric with my index finger. Wherever I touched it, the fabric shone brighter. "It is like her cloth! Was she a Mesoan?"
I lost my balance for a moment before placing my hands on the bed, on the other side of Zoticus. I held a laugh when his arms automatically tightened around Lorica. I glanced down to stare at his rising and falling abdomen.
It was oddly soothing to see. I slapped my face to bring me out of my thoughts. I did not delay my sleep to watch a man younger than me do what I want to do! I pulled away to stand upright and stretched my arms.
Several loud pops echoed in the large room. I grinned sheepishly at the empty room, realizing the noises were my joints popping as I stretched my body. I have almost forgotten my plan to inspect the room.
Getting down to my knees, I thrust my face against the rug under the bed and used one hand to waft. I choked immediately. A strange smell attacked my nostrils. "By the gods, was this carpet ever washed? How can an inn be so filthy?"
I covered my face as I continued crawling around the bed, tapping the carpet to listen for telltale sounds I usually hear in strange places. For example, I have discovered dozens of secret hiding places by finding hollow spaces in the floor. Often times, my enemies were waiting beneath my bed!
Once I confirmed the floor was clear, I raced over to an open window. I leaned over the windowsill to survey my surroundings. Off in the distance, I can see the silhouette of a large forest. Perhaps Mesoans know who I am and are hiding in the dark woods?
If I travel alone, I would spare no effort to find signs of danger. Being immortal does have some benefits but now that I have normal companions, I must be careful for them. I placed a hand to my chest, struggling to breathe.
I have noticed that a gigantic butterfly comes to life within my chest the moment I start thinking about Zoticus and his daughter. I pulled my head back into the room, then I checked the windows could close and lock properly.
As the windows were made of a slab of wood, I do not have to worry about arrows passing through tiny slits. If I ever visit Xishun, I would be wary of their paper doors and windows. If I return to Cithen, I have to fret about glass windows.
Finding that the windows were acceptable, I left them open so I can see the suspicious forest. I could swear I saw a figure move between the mass of dark trees. I could feel someone was out there, looking in as I am looking out.
With Zoticus, I felt less powerful than I would be without him. I could not comprehend this feeling of anxiety and paranoia. I should not care about assassins or poisoned items!
I raced over to the bedside table, finding a strange spherical container from which smoke oozed out like a fog. The scent matched the aroma of incense, but I was shocked to see under the lid.
I had removed the metal lid from the strange device to see a purple powder burning by magic. I could not identify the substance and so, I snatched the container from the table. To avoid losing some powder, I cautiously stepped around the room to reach the window.
I was sure my paranoia had hit an all-time high, but I was not taking any chances with Zoticus' health. I cared enough for him to wish he sleeps peacefully after helping me escape the phoenixes. I threw the whole metal orb into the forest. I saw that I used more strength than I should have.
"Master," a soft voice groaned behind me. Blankets were ruffled and I didn't need to turn to know he was awake. Zoticus made a noise as he stretched. "Where are we and what were you doing?"
I turned to lean against the window, slapping a smile onto my rigid face. I dragged a hand from my forehead to my chin. "Zoticus, what did I say about calling me that? Correct yourself and I'll answer your questions."
Zoticus' honey eyes blazed fiercely, making it clear that he wished to argue but he quickly submitted. He blinked slowly like a cat preparing to sleep. "Marik?"
"Is it so hard to call me that?" I muttered beneath my breath. As soon as I finished acting unlike myself, I smiled for him once more.
I approached the bed, stopping in my tracks when the man in the bed raised a hand to his forehead. I knew he was feeling feverish when he wrapped himself in the blankets. I continued towards him.
"Well, Zoticus, we are in a lovemaking inn situated in the kingdom of Mesoa. As for my activities prior to this conversation, I was only being suspicious." I watched Zoticus reach for Lorica's tiny hands, feeling a shiver slither down my spine. "You should go back to sleep. You do have a fever."
Zoticus shook his head but did not move a limb. "It is nothing, I used one of my most extreme abilities. As I have never used the method my body is not used to the spell. For most forms of light magic, users experience fatigue or sickness."
I nodded in agreement. I have been a prick when I was a dumb lad who passed the military exam. I thought it was strange when peers wielding light magic fall ill after training. I did not know their magic was so risky to use.
Zoticus uses magic from the sun and natural light. If he is like my boys, I should urge him to use low level spells. He should not damage his health for magic.
It has taken me a long while to get my thoughts out as words, but Zoticus quickly shut me up by holding up a hand. "Truly, I am fine. I slept enough."
My jaw hung open. "Did my shuffling around wake you up? What about Lorica?"
Excited as a puppy, Zoticus pointed a finger at me. A huge smile lit his face. "See, you do care! No, I was awake when we were greeted by the innkeeper. I saw you look for signs of danger."
"You're saying that like what I am doing is unnecessary! You have been weakened by the battle, I should do everything I can to help you rest." I quickly shut my mouth and pointed at the tiny lump beside him. I worried about Lorica too!
As much as I would love to deny I felt the urge to protect them, I knew the truth in my heart. My hard heart made of obsidian and filth. It was the same heart beating rapidly for a younger man!
His eyes were full of light, beauty and wonder. His orbs slowly morphed into a pair of hypnotizing crystal balls, tugging at my soul. His full lips changed shape while he yawned quietly. Like an angel, he rose from the clouds.
"Don't come closer!" I held my hands out, feeling that I would not be able to handle another intimate encounter with him. I was already frozen in my spot, what would happen if we are standing a hair's width apart?
"Are you afraid of me?" Zoticus grabbed my wrists to pin them at my sides. His sparkling eyes searched mine although I attempted to look away. He hissed, warning me to look up. "Marik, are you afraid of me?"
I focused on his captivating lips until I forced my eyes shut. My insides twisted as thousands of tiny butterflies fluttered to life. I winced when the younger man brushed my collarbone with his bottom lip.
"You are afraid," he whispered darkly into my ear. A chuckle escaped his throat, sending chills down my spine. "I suggest you keep your eyes closed for the time being. It's time you are my slave."
"Wait, Zoticus! What? No, please Zoticus!" I quickly opened my eyes to see his golden eyes have become filled with an unthinkable emotion. I gasped when my back pressed against the wall. "Zoticus, let go of my wrists!"
The younger man shook his head, pinning me to the cold wall. His strong legs trapped me more than his hands holding my wrists. He dared to handle me in such a way? This man must be mad!
"Zoticus, I will not repeat myself. Let go of my wrists." I could no longer breathe as I forced myself to stare into his dangerous orbs. I admired his exotic beauty, wondering what possessed him to put us in this position.
I considered the possibility of another entity using his body but I knew Zoticus was still here. This Zoticus was not like the purple-eyed Zoticus on the battlefield. I could feel the same soul, but I did not recognize his wolfish face.
His upper lip lifted into a snarl. He quickly released my wrists to pin me by the waist. The feeling of his hot hands clamped on my body awakened a beast inside of me. Zoticus glanced down, grinning.
Speaking with his husky voice he leans toward my ear. He released a throaty chuckle, fingers digging into my sides. "You are afraid of me, aren't you? Afraid of the emotions you feel because of me. Marik, tell me what I should do."
"No, I will not! Zoticus, I know you must be bored living with me but please don't do this. I will admit," I dug my hand into his bright hair. I did not plan to pull him away, but his voice and scent melted my mind. "I will admit that I feel more towards you and Lorica. Everyone else is different."
He raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Have you forgotten about Sebastian?"
"What about him?" I blinked rapidly, thrown off guard by his sudden question about my friend. I did not see what he was insinuating. "We are only friends but you are not exactly my friend or foe. We have an odd relationship, don't you agree?"
"I'm sure you had been together with Sebastian for some time. Why else would he kiss you?" Zoticus' warm breath fanned my neck. He held me up with his hands. "I know everything about you."
"Zoticus," I squeaked as I slowly looked away. I needed to rip our eyes apart before I go crazy. My blood was already boiling! "Zoticus, you are not you. Stop trying to scare me."
"Why did you kiss Sebastian?" His hand left my torso to grab my jaw. Although it was painful, the pain was quickly driven away by warmth. Zoticus searched my eyes.
I gulped, feeling uneasy in his hold. I shouldn't be allowing him to have dominance, but I am not going to move against him. I don't wish to harm him. I won't die if he forces me up against a wall or ask me questions about kissing another male.
"Why are you curious about what we did? So what if I did kiss him?" I saw his eyes flash for a brief moment. What was the emotion? "I didn't make the move, he did. He was drunk and forgot everything. I thought we could not speak about it ever."
Zoticus brushed my collarbone with his thumb, glowing brightly to entice me. "I'm curious because I was thinking about asking him how good you were. Unfortunately, you are the one with memories."
I hear his giggling, a strange sound that frightened me more than the sounds of the royal trumpets. I stared into his eyes to see his pupils were dilated. I felt irked by his current expression.
"Well, it was your first kiss so I understand your embarrassment. I know you two had a past together, but it wasn't erotic. That's too bad because you are handsome and he is pretty." Zoticus slipped his hands into my tunic, placing his right hand on my left chest.
"What do you think you are doing?" I grab his wrist and pulled the young man closer. Finally, I felt his fear. "Perhaps you were only teasing me but do you know? I've been thinking more about you. You have become my prey that I intend to hunt."