of speculation. Which should not have been the case given Keiran’s social class and bloodline. Yet rumors abounded that it was Keiran who did and, even more shocking, lustily so, and that had been enough to reduce many a hidebound blueblood to outraged speechlessness.
The elder Arthanna brother oft declared he was not interested in a union of convenience, but in the remote event that he did end up in one, his spouse would have to put up with all the talk sparked by Keiran’s liaison with his brother’s lowborn Half Blood adjutant. Despite this encumbrance, Keiran did not lack for suitors. Naeth could only suppose the double-barreled lure of espousing a scion of both Clan Arthanna and House Essendri would more than make up for said encumbrance.
Naeth ceased his musings when the shouts of onlookers suddenly escalated. A glance told him the excitement stemmed from Reijir’s employment of a manner of fighting little known in this part of the world. He gaped when he realized his guardian had taken on two Deira and was now using a combination of precise fist and foot movements that enabled him to lengthen his reach and utilize his entire body’s strength in besting his opponents.
Within minutes, he defeated both Deira, knocking one down with a lightning-fast open-handed blow to his chin and turning the other into a crumpled heap of whimpering Deir with a high backward kick on the chest. The resulting applause increased in volume when he took the time to solicitously check his opponents for worse injuries than the usual cuts and bruises one expected of an encounter with him.
Naeth hastened to him with a towel and cool water, his hands trembling just the slightest as he wiped the sweat from Reijir’s face, neck and arms. He did fumble a bit when Reijir bent and hitched up a leg of his trousers to check a welt on his calf. The neckline of his shirt gaped open to treat Naeth to a clear view of his torso from chest to navel. Naeth gulped at the sight of a chiseled chest deliciously damp with sweat and nipples slightly peaked from the sudden brush of cool air as the Herun’s shirt fell away from his skin. He just managed to keep from discourteously snatching back his hands lest they wandered into forbidden territory.
“Has Keiran left?” Reijir asked when he straightened up.
Naeth nodded. “Several minutes ago.”
He watched Reijir pick up his tunic from a nearby bench and put it on.
“Why don’t you change your shirt first?” he murmured, handing Reijir his belt. “It’s terribly wet.”
Reijir shrugged. “It can wait until we get home.” He suddenly smiled at Naeth. “It’s your last day, isn’t it? How would you like us to celebrate your graduation?”
“Oh! I wasn’t expecting anything special.”
“Come now, surely you were hoping for something.”
“Nay!” At Reijir’s disbelieving look, Naeth admitted, “Well, dinner with you and Lord Keiran would be nice. And mayhap you’ll finally let me have a taste of that drink you like to have after a meal.”
Reijir chuckled. “Ilmaren cordial is quite potent for all its sweetness. You can actually get drunk on it if you haven’t the stomach for strong drink. But I suppose there’s no harm in a small glass on a full belly. Very well, dinner it is with all your favorite dishes, and if you can handle the cordial, I’ll let you try some Sidona brandy as well.”
Naeth grinned with delight.
Others might make fun of his idea of a good time, but as far as he was concerned, the simple pleasures of life were more than enough to make for good memories. Of course, sharing those pleasures with Reijir Arthanna made those memories absolutely unforgettable, and Naeth happily savored and stored up each and every moment with his adored guardian that he might have a veritable larder of them to draw from in days to come.
“How do you plan to spend your gap year?” Ruomi asked.
Naeth paused in the act of putting away his schoolbooks. The yearlong hiatus
The elder Arthanna brother oft declared he was not interested in a union of convenience, but in the remote event that he did end up in one, his spouse would have to put up with all the talk sparked by Keiran’s liaison with his brother’s lowborn Half Blood adjutant. Despite this encumbrance, Keiran did not lack for suitors. Naeth could only suppose the double-barreled lure of espousing a scion of both Clan Arthanna and House Essendri would more than make up for said encumbrance.
Naeth ceased his musings when the shouts of onlookers suddenly escalated. A glance told him the excitement stemmed from Reijir’s employment of a manner of fighting little known in this part of the world. He gaped when he realized his guardian had taken on two Deira and was now using a combination of precise fist and foot movements that enabled him to lengthen his reach and utilize his entire body’s strength in besting his opponents.
Within minutes, he defeated both Deira, knocking one down with a lightning-fast open-handed blow to his chin and turning the other into a crumpled heap of whimpering Deir with a high backward kick on the chest. The resulting applause increased in volume when he took the time to solicitously check his opponents for worse injuries than the usual cuts and bruises one expected of an encounter with him.
Naeth hastened to him with a towel and cool water, his hands trembling just the slightest as he wiped the sweat from Reijir’s face, neck and arms. He did fumble a bit when Reijir bent and hitched up a leg of his trousers to check a welt on his calf. The neckline of his shirt gaped open to treat Naeth to a clear view of his torso from chest to navel. Naeth gulped at the sight of a chiseled chest deliciously damp with sweat and nipples slightly peaked from the sudden brush of cool air as the Herun’s shirt fell away from his skin. He just managed to keep from discourteously snatching back his hands lest they wandered into forbidden territory.
“Has Keiran left?” Reijir asked when he straightened up.
Naeth nodded. “Several minutes ago.”
He watched Reijir pick up his tunic from a nearby bench and put it on.
“Why don’t you change your shirt first?” he murmured, handing Reijir his belt. “It’s terribly wet.”
Reijir shrugged. “It can wait until we get home.” He suddenly smiled at Naeth. “It’s your last day, isn’t it? How would you like us to celebrate your graduation?”
“Oh! I wasn’t expecting anything special.”
“Come now, surely you were hoping for something.”
“Nay!” At Reijir’s disbelieving look, Naeth admitted, “Well, dinner with you and Lord Keiran would be nice. And mayhap you’ll finally let me have a taste of that drink you like to have after a meal.”
Reijir chuckled. “Ilmaren cordial is quite potent for all its sweetness. You can actually get drunk on it if you haven’t the stomach for strong drink. But I suppose there’s no harm in a small glass on a full belly. Very well, dinner it is with all your favorite dishes, and if you can handle the cordial, I’ll let you try some Sidona brandy as well.”
Naeth grinned with delight.
Others might make fun of his idea of a good time, but as far as he was concerned, the simple pleasures of life were more than enough to make for good memories. Of course, sharing those pleasures with Reijir Arthanna made those memories absolutely unforgettable, and Naeth happily savored and stored up each and every moment with his adored guardian that he might have a veritable larder of them to draw from in days to come.
“How do you plan to spend your gap year?” Ruomi asked.
Naeth paused in the act of putting away his schoolbooks. The yearlong hiatus
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