The Ice Prince by J C Owens

The Ice Prince by J C Owens

Author:J C Owens [Owens, J C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: fantasy romance/gay
ISBN: 9781941692189
Publisher: Etopia Press
Published: 2014-08-15T04:00:00+00:00


* * *

Aidan followed behind Torin, eyes wide, his fingers clenching upon the reins of the horse he led. He could not believe in such good fortune, and he fully expected Heratis’s troops to burst from the trees, showing it to be a trap.

He had no belief in kindness, no experience of compassion from others. Torin was the closest he had come to trust, and even there, he had no expectation of Torin’s favor continuing. Once they had escaped, once the general was back with his people, he would forget all about Aidan, for in the end, he had no hold on the general and his good will. He had been a burden from the beginning, and although Torin had stated he would find him a place, he had difficulty truly believing such a thing.

More likely he would be forgotten in the turmoil of the coming conflict.

The farmer’s family was waiting, flushed and overwhelmed at meeting the legendary general. They stared questioningly at Aidan, but he ducked his head and looked away nervously, uncertain how to handle their interest. Torin simply introduced him as his companion, and Aidan was fine with the anonymity. If these people knew of his past and what he had been raised for, they would scorn him. Better that he blend into the background then face certain hostility.

Torin changed into the clothing the family provided, obviously pleased to be rid of the hated uniform.

Aidan was glad in his own right, for every time he glanced at the stolen clothing, he remembered blank, dead eyes—and the fact that he himself had killed a guard, a man who had, personally, done nothing to Aidan except be there at the wrong time.

He argued mentally, they had held him there, against his will. He had to believe that what he had done was right, in some fashion he did not yet understand. His thoughts shied away from the memories and back to the present.

They were ushered to a large farm wagon filled with fresh hay. The farmer, Nyton, showed them where they had laid a soft pallet on the bottom of the wagon, with wooden boxes edging it, and then prepared a large canvas tarpaulin to lay over it to keep the hay from pressing upon them. Aidan scrambled up into the wagon gracelessly, then hesitantly sat upon the pallet, watching as Torin thanked each member of the family, smiling and shaking hands.

He joined Aidan in the wagon. Nyton passed them two large jugs of water and a large basket of wrapped foodstuffs, then gestured for them to lie down. The tarp blacked out the light, and Aidan felt Torin wrap an arm around his waist, drawing him close so they lay spooned about each other, Aidan to the front.

There was the rustle of hay above them, and weight began to press down upon the boxes and then finally on them.

Aidan felt his breath begin to speed up with impending panic at the dark closeness, but he felt a soothing touch upon his arm.



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