Beats

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.

. . .

Ero stared up at The Huntsman with pure shock on his face. The glow of The God marred the beauty of Lan’s quiet beauty. The smile on Kan’s face was disturbingly different than Lan’s own expression. The whole situation felt eire that the same men and women who sneered at Lan now fell over themselves to serve him the food of their feast or ask his blessing.

Hanging back in the edges of the crowd, Ero watched the slight and joyous God speak and bless his people. The Chief stayed by The God’s side, obviously enjoying the presence of the deity. Kinma caught Ero’s eye and attempted to wave him over; Ero shook his head and turned his gaze to the circles of dancers.

It wasn’t long before The God moved to the group of drummers and began to take his place in the dancing mob of people. The body of Lan twisted, turned and shimmered in the light of the fire. Ero found the sight surprisingly unattractive given the look on Lan’s face wasn’t his own, but was the visage of the higher being. The body was the same but the sense of detachment and divinity defiled the natural beauty of The Healer.

“Which one of us will he choose?” Rosh’s question lured Ero from his internal deliberation.

“According to what Lan said earlier, neither of us.” Ero smirked and shook his head. “I suppose we will find out before the morning comes.”

“It sounds as if you’re giving him up.”

“Don’t get me wrong, Lan wouldn’t touch you with the sharpened end of a shear.” Ero grumbled. “Tonight will be in the hands of The God.”

“He will make the right choice.”

“The God will make a choice for Lan. It’s not quite the same.”

“I’m going to pay my respects.”

Ero nodded and watched Rosh head toward the laughing God.

. . .

“You are one of this host’s suitors.” The God smiled at the bowing man before him. The smile was knowing and secretive.

“Yes.”

“Have you come to ask my favor or my host’s body.”

“Both.”

A chuckle rolled from those soft lips. “Hmm. You have my blessing. As for my partner this evening, I have yet to decide.”

“Do you really intend to pick who Lan wants.”

“I can do nothing other than what the host will allow me.” The God shook his head merrily. “It amuses me how easily you all question the motives of The God. You pray for my guidance and protection one moment and then question the answers I give you when I speak.”

“Forgive me.” Rosh ducked his head, afraid he’s angered the divine God.

“None of that. We all know that bowing and pleading means little to me. You have an honest heart. I brought you to Lan for a reason. I will not forget that reason now.”

“And that reason is?”

“You will know when you are ready and not before.” The God’s smile was not mocking but serene and calm with the comfort of deep understanding.

“Perhaps you are more patient than your tribesmen.”

“You are correct in that. Tonight I am eager though. Perhaps it is this body, but I would very much enjoy the revelry of the night.” The God stood. “Come, dance, enjoy.”

. . .

Sometime between watching The God dance lightly with the tribesman, and the herd of women that sought and receive kisses of favor, Ero left the center of the village rather than jeopardize the tribe with his jealousy.

The sounds of drums faintly called through the night breeze over the distant voices of the village. The spacious hut smelled heavily of the freshly burning fire. The warm cooked meat tasted savory on his tongue as he chewed slowly. The chanting rose and fell again.

The night grew old and Ero hung his head, knowing that a decision would be made soon. His jaw tightened as he set aside the bowl in his hand. Only a flurry of hides warned Ero of The God’s sudden entrance into the hut.

“Why is it my lead hunter has not come before me tonight.”

“I meant no disrespect.” Ero bowed his head. Lan’s sandaled feet came into view.

“But you are too jealous to watch me in this body.” The God smiled.

Ero turned his head away.

“The night grows late, Ero.”

“Does this mean I am Lan’s choice?”

“Would you have it any other way?” The God laughed. “We both know how much you want him. You just didn’t realize having him would mean handing him over to me for the night.”

“And this is how you deliver what I want.”

“I can only do as my host allows.” The God smirked knowingly before sitting beside Ero. “You don’t approve of me taking this body.”

“You give The Naltuk one more reason to distance themselves. They would not be near him for fear and jealousy before and now they will not befriend him for divinity’s sake.”

“You underestimate the hearts of my tribe, Ero. You are protective of him. He can defend himself.” The God reached out and traced the bandage of the healing wound on Ero’s stomach. “He wounded you.”

“I have rights to protect my mate.”

“He is not your mate yet.”

“But he will be. Isn’t that why you’ve come?”

“I approve of your mating, yes. I can not force his hand though. He will come on his own terms, as must all my people.”

“I will not take him while you control his body.”

The God laughed heartily. “You think you can defy The God for the sake of your stubbornness. I could take you myself.”

“But you won’t.”

He made a soft nod. “I can only do as my host allows. He would fight me. He will fight you.”

“I will win.”

“You would ask that I possess you so you may take him against his will, but not that I give him to you against yours.”

“Coming to him as The Huntsman would prove that I want him as a mate and not just for rut.”

“You think he doesn’t realize that already. He knows more about you than either of you realize, but it is not my place to give away the hunt. It must be earned.”

“He’s not in control. I don’t want him to naming his force and not choice.”

“All things are a matter of force. No decision is arbitrary, especially ones of this nature. Regardless, I can not leave this body without performing the great rite. I have forced your hands but not your desires.”

“Than I will be the vessel.”

The God raised an eyebrow.

“I will take you in my mouth.”

“The last time I walked among your people I do not remember them being quite this difficult.”

Ero knelt before the god and wasted no time in unwrapping the woven cloth from his waist. There was something oddly perverse about untying the bands on Lan’s hips that held the cloth that covered him.

“Lan is still here. He knows you’re trying to help.”

Spreading the lean thighs before him, Ero took a deep calming breath. The smell of fire and heat assailed his lungs. It was warmth and life and the forest: the scent of The God. Lan was a beautiful as he imagined. A paler, long length thickened under his gaze. Running his hands up smooth thighs, the hand tilting his chin upward surprised him.

The God’s smile faded and the shy look that overtook it made Ero groan.

“Lan.” Ero knew it sounded more lustful than sincere but he couldn’t’ help it. The sight of Lan spread out in front of him brought him from flaccid to hard in five quick heartbeats.

“Just get this done with.” Lan’s impatience was clear as he lay back into the pillow of the hides and turned his head away.

Ero crawled up the lean body, planting kisses as he did so. “Look at me.”

Lan couldn’t ignore the order and looked down to the strong gaze starring up at him. “I can’t… just let this be done.”

“If that’s what you want.” Ero sighed and caressed his way back down Lan’s body. Part of him wanted to stop and convince the other man, but time grew short and he couldn’t keep his hands off the beauty in front of him.

The warm breath over his skin made Lan’s back arch and hips jump. “Hurry up!” He snapped.

Ero took his time running his fingers through the soft curls over Lan’s pelvis and balls before placing a kiss at the tip of Lan’s cock.

“Stop playing around.”

Chuckling, Ero nodded and swallowed the beautiful length into his moth.

Lan let out a muffled gasp but The God within purred contentment. ‘Give in’ The God’s voice echoed in his head. “No.”

“Let go Lan. Just enjoy it.” Ero grumbled. Licking a wet stripe up the treat in his hand before kissing and nibbling his way up and down until little moans broke through Lan’s lips. The headier grunted moans of The God occasionally broke through those slighter whimpers. He took Lan into his mouth again, pleased to find the dig of fingers in his shoulders. At fist the digits would push him away and then pull him back, unintentionally setting a rhythm Ero picked up readily.

Lan thought he would go crazy. The God within him moaned and urged him to thrust up into the suction and heat of the mouth offered. The level of wrongness and dishonesty washed through him. “Nnh” Lan tried to push Ero away by the grip on his shoulders, but strong hands wrapped around his legs and yanked them open further.

“Let him out of here so it’s just you and I, Lan.” Ero whispered. “I want you to myself.”

The God chuckled through Lan’s lips and a gasp replaced it as Ero cuked him in with renewed passion. “You’re good.” The broken groan made Ero grimace.

Lan couldn’t believe the way Ero’s tongue snaked against the underside of his cock with suck vigor, and the firm way the hand massaged ever inch of skin it could reach made him groan. His hips pushed up into the warm wet cavern of Ero’s mouth, demanding further pleasure.

Ero tasted the salty, bitter drops signaling how close Lan was to orgasm. The urge to have Lan alone in his arms, grew strong as Ero picked up his pace.

“Unnh… God…” Lan moaned loudly as he spilled into Ero’s mouth.

Ero continued to suck him, making Lan buck and grunt through the remainder of his orgasm. The glow of The God disappeared in front of his eyes, the exhausted and limp body of The Healer remained.

Gently, Ero picked up the slighter body and lay it next to him in the pile of hides. “Finally we are by ourselves.”

“Yes.” Lan’s soft reply came out as a sigh. Rolling over, Lan buried his face in Ero’s arm.

The sleeping man beside him murmured something and Ero looked at him for what felt like the first time in forever. The soft creases on the man’s forehead felt like ripples of the finest cloth under his fingers. The younger man felt light and limp as he wrapped his arms around him. Wrapping Lan in the leftover cloak of The God, Ero pulled Lan to his chest. Tonight he would sleep beside his mate without the weight of the tribe on their shoulders.

. . .

The sun, peaking up into the sky, trickled into the huts f the village. Ero stared down at the sleeping man in his arms. Sometime in the night, Ero rolled onto his back. Lan followed, pillowing his head on Ero’s cheat. Closing his eyes, Ero let the smell of herbs fill his lungs from the soft silk of Lan’s dark hair.

. . .

Lan pushed down the hides only to find the heat came from under his cheek and not the animal skins. Immediately he pulled his hand back from the naked flesh. A firm arm pressed against his back, pressing close as Ero turned to face him in his half slumbering state. Lan’s fingers caught on jagged cabs and the large body sucked in a breath as the torn muscles under his hands tensed.

Slipping away from the warmth and comfort of sleep, Lan gathered the long cloths that made up his wrap.

“Heading out so soon?” The sleep husked voice sounded like a purr in Lan’s mind.

“I have to get back to Phena.” Lan explained as he tossed the end of his wrap over his shoulder.

“You really don’t want to go out their yet.” Ero yawned and stood up, stretching his long limbs.

“I have to go.” Lan glared over his shoulder and pulled The God’s abandoned clock over his head.

“Because half the village is probably outside the hut waiting for us.”

“What?” Lan spun around.

“It’s tradition. Those that aren’t taken wait for the God’s pairing to show themselves.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“You were The God last night. Of course they waited. Someone will have seen you come here.”

“I can’t go out there.” Lan’s face paled and he sat down, the weight of his decision heavy on his shoulders.

“Calm down. There is not going to be a problem.” Ero crouched down and locked eyes with Lan. “No one will blame you for the God’s choice.”

“That’s fine for you, but I don’t want this. I just wanted to save my sister. I ddin’t come here to be fought over by more men and shunned by a tribe of women. I didn’t come here for you.”

“No one will shun you. We’ve been blessed by The God. Our mating is holy. You were The Huntsman; you are our Healer; The God honored you last night in a way he hasn’t honored our people in generations.” Ero put an arm around Lan’s shoulder.

“So I have to mate with you?” A heavy sigh streamed from Lan’s lungs.

The silence cut into Ero’s chest. “No.”

“What do you mean, no?” Lan shouted. “The God chose us. Your village expects it.”

“I lost our bet.” Ewro stood and pushed the dead pile of ask into the center of the hut. “I kissed you last night while you slept.”

“You don’t have a choice.” Lan shoved Ero forward. “We have to now. You have what you wanted.”

“I made a promise,” Ero deadpanned, “I won’t touch you again. Get out of here. I’ll tell the tribe.”

“I can’t go out there alone.” The vulnerability in the soft words hurt.

“I’ll walk you back to Phena’s than I’ll announce things.” Ero pulled Lan’s cloak straight. “Let’s go.”

“You don’t have to.” The stern tone in Lan’s voice was a surprise.

“I’ll do it.” Ero pulled back the hide flap of the door. “Let’s go.”

A quick, hesitant nod and Lan joined him.

The bright morning sun sat high in the sky overhead as Lan walked out into the crowd. Villagers chattered and gossiped loudly. Bits of flowers and leaves were tossed into the air amongst praises and well wishes. Drums pounded off to one side as men and women offered gifts and praises. Lan kept his head down, the blush burning his cheeks as they made their way to Phena’s hut.

The walk dragged on forever until Phena greeted him at the hut’s entrance with a big smile and a long hug.

Ero nodded his way and Lan nodded back. Inside the hut was cool, the smell of spiced meat filled the air. Lan sat in his small corner of the hut.

“I can’t believe you’ll be leaving us so quickly. I’m glad you and Ero worked things out. To be chosen by The God, how amazing.” Phena handed him a bowl of the spiced meat. “I’m sure you’ll need a hardy lunch after last night.” Lan stared at the bowl rather than her eager face.

“There won’t be any mating.”

“What?”

. . .

“Lan and I shall not mate.” Ero’s voice boomed through the open market. Dissention rang out in worried tones. “I have decided that Lan and I will not mate. The God blessed us all with his presence and though he has chosen us, we can not mate. I have already promised not to do so. I can not break my honor.”

The look on Kinma’s face was beyond surprise. “Ero, what are you saying?” Gripping Ero’s shoulders, Kinma turned the hunter to face him. “You wanted him… you still want him.”

“Yes, but I won’t force him into this. This morning it was clear that is all I have been doing.” Ero’s voice was low.

“The God blessed your claim.”

“Lan does not bless it and that is all that matters.” Ero ducked into his hut and grabbed his weapons. “I have hunt to catch.”

Kinma watched Ero head into the shadows of the forest.


. . .

R&R