Disclaimers:
Summary:
Warnings:
Notes:
|
"
by
Fire sliced along Tao's side and he gasped, staring stupidly at the blood now staining his tunic. It was dark and hot and thick against his hand as he tried to stop the fast flowing stream. Dizziness and pain assaulted him simultaneously and he fell to his knees, dimly hearing the laughter of his attacker moving in for the killing blow. He looked up and saw the man's sword raised, poised, probably to cut off his head.
A sound of pain and fury echoed through the clearing and the man stopped, turning towards the sound. Too late, he couldn't move his weapon in time to counter the stunning blow from a white bone staff that slammed into his head, spinning the man around before dropping him to the ground. The staff pounded twice more into the man before Dar stopped, standing still and quivering with unspent rage.
Tao was frightened at the blood lust in Dar's eyes as they turned to him, the warrior shaking as he tried to calm himself. After only a second, Dar dropped his staff and stumbled to Tao, one hand cupping Tao's face while the other pressed over Tao's hand to help slow the bleeding. "Tao, what do I do?"
Still stunned by the specter of Dar utterly losing control, Tao couldn't find his voice right away. "M-my bag. Bandages and herbs." Dar nodded and scrambled the short distance to recover the bag while Tao painfully pulled off his belt and tunic. The cut was long but not deep, not life threatening, just painful, he observed critically. Very painful, he gasped to himself, moving too quickly to sit.
Dar's hand was suddenly there, holding him steady, helping him to lie carefully on the ground. The powerful hands that had just savaged one man's life now moved gently over Tao. "The purple herb, remember? The one that dulls pain. I need that one first. Then I need you to clean the wound and stitch it up."
Dar looked at him helplessly. "Tao, I don't know how to do that. You're the healer."
Grinning faintly, Tao asked, "What better time to practice?"
Frowning, Dar replied softly, "This isn't funny, Tao. He was going to kill you."
Smiling gently, Tao raised one hand to grasp Dar's shoulder. "And you stopped him. But if you don't do this, I could die anyhow from infection. Which is actually a much more painful death than the one he was going to give me."
When Dar's face went totally blank, Tao thought he might have gone too far with his words. But Dar pulled out the purple herb, along with bandages and needle and thread. Tao chewed on the plant and it wasn't long before the pain dulled and he nodded. "It's okay, Dar, you can start now."
He could still feel tendrils of pain running through him but held perfectly still, not wanting to show it and disturb Dar's sewing. He wondered idly if blankets and clothing felt pain when they were being made or repaired. Then he wondered if perhaps he'd taken too much of the purple herb. But he couldn't have taken too much because it still hurt: a lot. He felt the sweat gathering and dripping, stinging into the cut as Dar continued to work.
Finally Dar said, "I'm finished."
"Good," Tao grunted. Swallowing, he held up a hand and said, "Help me sit. You should wrap the bandage tight around me."
"That much I know," Dar said wryly, helping Tao to sit.
"Sorry," Tao muttered. Sound was starting to grow muffled, as though something were put over his ears just as Dar was bandaging his chest. Shaking his head to clear it didn't help.
"What's wrong?" Dar asked.
"Nothing," Tao replied. He breathed a sigh of relief as the pain in his side faded altogether. Then he noticed that Dar was surrounded by a golden hue and grinned, observing, "You're looking a little fuzzy around the edges." He suddenly wondered if Dar felt as fuzzy as he looked and began running his hands over Dar.
"Tao, what are you doing?" Dar demanded.
"Feeling you."
Dar laughed and gasped as Tao found a sensitive spot then grabbed the wandering hands. "I can see that. Why?"
"Hey wait! You're ticklish? You never said you were ticklish!" Tao accused, trying to free his hands to rediscover exactly where that spot was.
"Tao, don't you think you should be resting?" Dar asked, trying another tactic.
"Nope. I feel fine. Really good, matter of fact," Tao said firmly. "Matter of fact, I feel good enough to um.do this."
Dar suddenly found himself shoved backwards to the ground because Tao had tackled him landing, fortunately, on Dar and not the ground. He could feel Tao's hardness pressing into his belly and moaned as Tao began licking his way across Dar's chest to his nipple. Moving Tao's head so he could see into his lover's eyes, he saw that the green and brown were almost completely gone, eaten away by the black inner circles. "Tao. Just how much of the pain-plant did you eat?"
Tao paused to think, which was difficult through the incredible sensations of being on Dar. He ground down against Dar, causing them both to gasp, then answered, "I don't know. Just enough, though, because my side doesn't hurt anymore."
Dar closed his eyes, head falling back, groaning as Tao attacked his nipple with a hot mouth. He carefully rolled them over so that Tao was effectively pinned to the ground. "Tao, you don't know what you're doing."
"Sure I do. Tasting you. I want to taste all of you like a big cat or no, dogs lick more than cats, right? So a big wolf, licking and tasting all of you," Tao answered brightly, proceeding to do just that.
"Tao, wait, no, stop that!" Dar ordered, pulling up and away from Tao. He sat, the hurt look in Tao's eyes making him sigh. "Look, Tao, the pain-herb is clouding your judgment right now so we shouldn't do anything until it's passed through your body."
"But you love me. I love you. We both know it so what's the problem?" Tao asked reasonably.
Dar hated it when Tao used that tone because it usually meant Dar was about to lose an argument. And just how could he be rational when he was being so influenced by the pain-plant? That irritated Dar almost as much as needing to fight off Tao's advances. "I just don't feel right doing anything while you're not thinking clearly."
"Usually you don't want me thinking at all," Tao pointed out, inching closer.
"That's besides the point," Dar said, keeping a firm look on where Tao's hands were.
"Why?"
"Because it just is," Dar insisted.
"Dar, you're being silly," Tao said sliding close enough to feel Dar's heat. God, he was like an open flame with all the heat coming from his body. Hard body, soft skin, very tasty and Tao wanted more.
Dar barely rolled out of reach just as Tao sprung. "You weren't this.physical the last time you used this plant, Tao. What's different?"
Tao shrugged. "Actually I was. It's just that at the time, well, you certainly weren't looking at me like you are now and then there was Leila occupying my.attentions."
"The demon."
"Right. Beautiful woman, golden hair, blue eyes, beautiful."
When Tao's voice grew dreamy, Dar grew jealous. He knew it was the herb talking but he couldn't help a possessive growl from slipping out. Tao's eyes flashed to his and a wicked smile curved his lips. Dar swallowed, fast losing the urge to fight off Tao. He wanted Tao, had never seen him this aggressive before and it was getting him so hot and hard that he shifted uncomfortably.
There was also the energy left over from fighting that man and the need to make sure that Tao was truly all right. He wanted to touch Tao all over, make sure the rest of him was in one piece and not in any danger. He wanted to kiss every bruise or scratch inflicted in his absence and make Tao forget his pain more thoroughly than any plant.
That was the problem, he realized. He didn't think Tao would remember any of this once the herb ran its way through his body and Dar would regret that. He wanted Tao to remember every encounter they ever had, as detailed and vividly as Dar remembered them. So while he desperately wanted to pull Tao into his arms and kiss him even more senseless than he already was, he wouldn't.
"You sit. I'm going for food and water. If you move from this spot, I'm going to tie you up, is that understood?" Dar ordered firmly.
Tao scowled, the decisive tone reaching through even to his foggy mind. Knowing there was no arguing with Dar in this mood, he could be quite stubborn when he made up his mind, he sat. He watched Dar leave, concentrating on the play of muscles in Dar's back and legs, enjoying the sight very much. He sighed and yawned a few minutes after Dar disappeared, feeling sleepy now that he had nothing to concentrate on. And his side was starting to hurt a bit more as well so maybe it was a good thing they hadn't started anything physical.
He hated it when Dar was right.
Dar cautiously peered through the leaves and heaved a sigh of relief to find Tao sound asleep. He'd hoped that by staying away long enough, Tao would do just that. He smiled, looking down at his friend sprawled on the ground. He looked so innocent and peaceful, sleeping like that. His gaze turned towards the body lying a good distance away and his mood darkened.
The first life he'd taken. Dar was sorry that he'd had to do so but knew he would do it again to protect Tao. His memory of the actual fight was unclear. All he remembered was returning to the clearing to find Tao half on the ground, blood spilling from his side and this man about to kill him.
Dar had thought he'd felt hate before but it had never been so intense, ripping through him so completely. There had been hatred for those responsible for Kyra's death. Hatred and darkness that Dar had hoped never to feel again. Yet when he'd seen Tao on the ground and the blood, Dar was instantly brought back to that darkness. The last clear thing he remembered was screaming and running towards the man, his staff raised to intercept the blade about to kill Tao.
Looking regretfully at the body now, Dar saw that he'd done far worse than just stop the sword. The man's head was partially caved in thanks to Dar's staff. Despite what this man had been about to do, Dar felt deep remorse for taking his life. He had lost control and this man had paid the price. Resting his hand on the cooling body, he murmured, "I'm sorry."
A menacing growl sounded from the surrounding jungle and Dar's eyes flashed to Ruh, hidden amidst the trees. Their eyes locked, the heavy connection to the tiger established. Images mixed together, becoming understanding and thought between the two in their odd form of communication.
"Defended your mate. Good kill."
"Lost control. Shouldn't have needed to kill."
"Attack against the Pride is defense. Attack against Mate is death."
"Not necessary."
"Yes. Necessary. Vital."
"Why?"
Golden eyes glittered dangerously in the afternoon light, unblinking and inexorable. "Threat to Mate is not allowed. If threat is spared, threat will return. Threat may succeed in killing Mate second time. All attacks against Mate defended with death."
Ruh released Dar's thoughts with a roar to emphasize his point before prowling invisible into the jungle. Dar watched him leave, feeling a little better though his soul was still heavy. Ruh had a good point. Dar didn't know if the man had acted on his own or if others were even now waiting for his return. If Dar had let him live, he might have brought others and succeeded in killing Tao. Which brought up the question of why the man had attacked Tao in the first place.
His gaze settled thoughtfully on his sleeping friend.
Tao groaned in pain even before his eyes opened. His side and head were throbbing and his mouth tasted like.he didn't even want to think about what his mouth tasted like.
"Tao? Are you all right?"
"Don't talk so loud," Tao moaned, holding his head. He had definitely taken far too much of the purple herb. If he'd known the results would be this bad, he might not have taken any. Definitely had to figure out a measuring system for herb ingesting before anything like this happened again.
Dar's eyebrows rose curiously. "I'm not talking any louder than usual."
"Then whisper, please," Tao pleaded. He cautiously opened an eye then wished he hadn't as sunlight stabbed into his brain. Dar chuckled and if he'd had the energy, Tao would've hit him. As it was, his stomach was joining the fray and he thought he might throw up.
"Tao, here, drink some water," Dar offered, keeping his voice low.
Tao blindly reached out and felt the water-gourd pressed into his hand. He drank slowly, taking tiny sips, making sure it didn't react badly to his stomach. Finally, after a long, silent battle with his body, Tao managed to sit upright and finish the water. He did feel better for having the water, if only marginally. Opening his eyes, he found Dar looking at him with concern. He managed a smile and said, "Thank you."
"You're all right now?"
"I wouldn't say all right, exactly, but better," Tao answered. "I think I'll just go back to sleep for awhile."
"It's almost midday. We could rest in the shade together," Dar suggested.
Startled, Tao asked, "Are you sure?"
Smiling gently, Dar said, "We haven't had much time for ourselves lately. I'd like to make sure that you're really all right."
Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Tao nodded eagerly then wished he hadn't, clutching his head. "Just.give me a second here."
Instead of waiting, Dar scooped Tao into his arms and walked into the shade of the trees where he'd already laid out their extra blankets. Tao was dizzy with motion until Dar knelt carefully, cradling Tao so that his slighter form was held firmly on top of Dar as they lay on the ground. Tao shifted until he was comfortable against Dar then heaved a big sigh of contentment and soaked in Dar's warmth.
It helped his head to keep his eyes closed so he did, resting his cheek against Dar's chest. The heartbeat beneath his ear was strong and soothing, the arms around him comforting and solid as firm hands massaged his back and shoulders. Sleep wasn't long in claiming him, this time with soft wings.
Dar felt Tao fall asleep and sighed, enjoying his lover's reassuring weight in his arms. Between traveling all the time and helping whoever needed help, they certainly hadn't had much time for one another. Tao would say it was ironic that the more the helped others, the less they helped themselves. As witnessed by the previous day's events.
Forced to bury the body or end up with a foul smell and predators, Dar had discovered what he'd thought was the reason behind the attack. There had been a slip of parchment in the man's pouch depicting various Eiron symbols, including the ring that Tao wore. It was entirely possible that he'd happened upon Tao, seen the ring and taken it upon himself to rid the world of another Eiron. With the blood priests no longer in power in Xinca, hatred from the remainder of the sect for the Eiron was strong.
Of course, it could also be that Tao was now a target of the blood priests because of his role in bringing them down. That was something Dar truly didn't want to think about.
There was a way to find out for sure though. Dar knew that Arina was keeping a close eye on the blood priests. If he found her, she would be able to tell him what they were doing. They weren't going anywhere, however, until Tao was healed, beyond the obvious after- effects of the purple herb, he thought with a grin.
Dar shook his head a bit regretfully that he hadn't let Tao follow through on his oddly aggressive tendencies. The healer was not one to take the lead when it came to their physical relationship. Not that they had done a lot for him to know what to take the lead in, Dar thought ruefully. His incredible reaction to Dar taking Tao in his mouth half a cycle ago proved that beyond a doubt. Dar knew that Tao had been in love before but also knew that Tao had never mated with either woman. Dar always felt ridiculously pleased to know he'd been the first.
He hardened slightly at the thought of everything he wanted to do with Tao that, so far, they simply had not had the time for. Even though it had been two moon cycles since their first night in Jano's home, they hadn't shared more than a few uninterrupted nights together. It was time to change all that, time to make time to get to know each other even more intimately than they did. Tao was so precious to him, Dar wondered if he knew just how precious he was.
Resolving to make sure Tao knew that, Dar closed his eyes and drifted into sleep.
Tao woke slowly, feeling a little stiff in his side but otherwise warm and comfortable. A little too warm, actually, feeling the sweat sticking his body to Dar's. It wasn't a bad sensation, just not one that he was used to. He moved just enough to stretch his side, testing his injury and finding it only faintly sore, the stitches strong and easily holding.
"Good morning," Dar greeted softly.
Tao looked up into golden eyes and smiled. "Morning."
"How are you feeling?" Dar asked, smiling.
"Much better," Tao answered, echoing the smile. He kissed the hot skin closest to him then continued, "Thank you. You did a good job with the stitches."
"Not much choice," Dar said simply. "Tao. What happened? Why did he attack you?"
Tao sighed. "I'm not sure. He showed up and asked where you were. Knew who I was, definitely. I told him you weren't here but you'd be back soon and not to do anything stupid. He pulled free his sword and said something about doing the smartest thing in his life by killing me. I did manage to duck the first few blows, you know, he didn't get me on the first try."
Dar soothed Tao's irritation by rubbing his shoulder, massaging the tense muscles. "I believe you, Tao. So then what?"
"Then I didn't move fast enough, I thought that was fairly obvious," Tao answered wryly.
"I found parchment in his belongings. They had Eiron symbols on them but I don't know what they mean," Dar said.
"His belongings. He's dead?" Tao asked.
Dar nodded silently.
Tao remembered the sight of Dar running towards him, the hard, implacable look of death in his eyes. To know that he was ultimately responsible for a man's death.Tao wasn't sure how he felt about that if he were honest.
"What are you thinking?"
"That a man is dead because of me," Tao whispered.
"He chose his path, Tao, when he attacked you. You warned him not to but he did it anyhow. If he knew who you were then he knew I would be close by and what the consequences were likely to be. He would have killed you without a second thought," Dar said firmly. He repressed a shudder at the image of the man succeeding and held Tao tighter. "I will never let that happen as long as there is strength in me."
Which is what scared Tao. "Dar, you can't protect me from everything. We've had this discussion."
"I know. But what I can protect you from, I will," Dar replied firmly. He hesitated then continued, "Tao, I haven't been completely honest with you."
Tao froze, afraid to look up into golden eyes that might not want him any longer after being forced to kill to protect him. "What do you mean? About what?"
"Tao, look at me," Dar ordered softly.
Reluctantly, he did so. Instead of finding anger or even uncertainty over what had happened, Tao found clarity and love. He breathed a lot easier and smiled faintly. Whatever Dar hadn't been honest about, it couldn't be that bad. "What weren't you honest about?"
"You know I love you."
Tao tensed, sensing a "but" about to be revealed. "Yes."
"I don't think you know how much I love you. I don't consider this a temporary thing, Tao. I consider you.to be my mate," Dar said slowly.
Tao had definitely not been expecting that. Relief flooded through him sharply then he slapped Dar's chest.
"What was that for?" Dar exclaimed.
"For making me think you were going to leave me! You took years off my life, Dar!"
Startled, Dar apologized, "Tao, I'm sorry, it never occurred to me you would think that."
Tao put his hand over Dar's mouth to shut him up. Leaning on Dar's chest, he looked down into those incredibly clear eyes and wondered how to say what he needed to say. "Dar, I love you. I will stay with you for as long as I can but I know that your destiny is greater than mine. You deal with spiritual forces and sorcery and demons as a way of life, you're connected to them in ways I will never be. I think, one day, that those things will separate us, through no one's fault. Until that day comes, I am yours completely, Dar, your mate and you are mine."
Dar wanted to say that mates knew no separation, that it was impossible to even think that way but didn't. Tao was obviously troubled about this, had obviously thought a great deal about their future together or, rather, their lack of one. It would belittle Tao for him to make light of, or lessen, Tao's feelings and thoughts about this. He would just have to do everything in his power to convince Tao otherwise. They would start with some serious time alone. Dar kissed the palm still over his mouth and smiled as Tao pulled his hand back. "That's all I needed to know, Tao."
"Beastmaster: The Legend Continues" is the property of Tribune Entertainment Co.
All series, movies and characters are the properties of their respective owners. No infringement of those rights is intended. All fics on this site are the copyrighted property of their respective authors.
Site and design copyright © the other g.m.
All Rights Reserved.
