Ash and Echoes by August Li

Author:August Li
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub, pdf
Publisher: DSP Publications
Published: 2014-11-13T00:00:00+00:00

SASHA OPENED the tent flap and lit the lantern that dangled from the wooden supports. For his part, he hoped to enjoy the limited time he had with the other two men. After he dispatched Prince Garith, he knew nothing he could do or say would redeem him in their eyes. But if not Garith, another assignment would sour Sasha for the others. They’d never understand the ways of Thalil, and Sasha didn’t expect them to fathom the depths of those shadows. He harbored no delusions, but he did hope they might consent to an evening of pleasure. As he carefully peeled his leather from his limbs, folded it, and placed it neatly at the foot of the coarse blankets, he prepared himself for disappointment. The conversation during their meal didn’t bode well for a bout of lovemaking.

Finally Sasha set his undergarment atop the rest and climbed into bed. The ground felt cold and hard beneath his back, and he tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. Small rocks stabbed his flesh. Posing as the prince had at least afforded him a cot.

Before long Yarrow and Duncan entered the tent and disrobed, Yarrow to nothing and the knight to his shorts, stockings, and padded shirt. At least it would be warmer when they joined Sasha in the makeshift bed. They settled in, Yarrow in the center. Heat radiated from the mage, and by the Cast-Down, he had soft skin. Though he didn’t know if he’d be welcome, Sasha cuddled up to Yarrow and turned on his side to drape his arm across Yarrow’s chest. Yarrow patted his elbow. While not the reaction Sasha had hoped for, it could have been worse, and he nestled his brow into Yarrow’s white hair.

Duncan, too, reached across the mage and stroked Sasha’s shoulder. The knight kissed the apple of Yarrow’s cheek, and Yarrow smiled. As a test, Sasha kissed his temple and Yarrow’s grin widened. A gust of wind struck the side of the tent, and the canvas cracked and the candle sputtered and went out. The three men drew closer as the gale shook the walls of their shelter. Dry snow infiltrated the enclosure at the bottom and powdered their coverings. Sasha’s knee bumped Duncan’s when their legs crossed over Yarrow’s thighs. They pressed together as tightly as possible for warmth.

Yarrow shivered next to Sasha, and Sasha tried to cover more of his mage’s chilled flesh with his body.

“I don’t like being cold,” Yarrow whimpered. “Especially not at night.”

Duncan chuckled, the sound warm and bright in the frigid gloom. “I’ll never understand you. You say that, and yet you sleep outside on the ground.”

“Don’t laugh at me,” Yarrow said. “I hate being closed in, but—being in the cold and dark like this brings back bad memories, is all.”

“I apologize,” Duncan said. “Do you want to talk?”

“No. I don’t want to be mocked, either.”

Sasha felt the encouraging mood tumble downhill. Yarrow tensed beneath his arm, genuinely affronted.

“I said shut up!” the mage snarled. “Stop laughing at me, damn you.

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