Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 2

the palm of his right hand. Gently, Arick lifted his hand, looking at the odd, star-shaped scar there.
    It had healed.
    The lash marks on his back were the only injury Arick had sustained. They itched, but he was accustomed to discomfort.
    "How did it heal so quickly?"
    Sai looked at him, a slight smile in his dark eyes. "As a metal mage, I have a natural affinity for heat and flame. I always heal up quickly, but never like this."
    Arick slipped his hand into Sai's and looked away, out over the valley. "The Gods, perhaps? Earlier, I prayed for a storm, a deluge to wipe away the blood and pain."
    Sai squeezed his hand. "Perhaps the Gods, or perhaps my magic responded to the attack of the hostile power. I don't know, but I will make offering in thanks. For many things."
    Hope began to warm Arick's heart. It had been so many years and such a terrible betrayal. Could they move past it? He began to have faith, not only in Sai's love, but in himself. In tomorrow. But still…
    "What now?"
    Sai took a deep breath, his dark eyes steadily scanning the horizon. "We go home. We go straight to King Conrad and tell him everything. Not only about what happened to you, but about the Delphines: their magic, their numbers and fighting strategy."
    Arick laughed sadly. He was the strategist, and yet Sai had it all worked out. His faith was complete. Arick wasn't so confident.
    Down the hill, a flash of white caught his gaze and as he watched, a magnificent pale horse broke out into the open, picking its way up the rocky hill. "That's our signal to leave." Sai rose, sheathing that monstrous sabre and strapping it on his back. His clothing had been drenched and was now drying; the cape he wore was brilliant, blood red. Between the sword, the white horse and the red cape, he'd be impossible to miss on the battlefield.
    Arick rose and took Sai's arm, gently turning him so they faced each other. "Why, Sai? You made a target of yourself. Your horse and cape, the fiendish sabre… that was all designed to draw the attention of all you fought. Why? Did you wish for death?"
    For the first time since they'd been reunited, Sai smiled. He shook his head and watched the horse approach. "There were many times I missed you so bad that I felt my heart had been torn away. But always— always— I knew you were alive. As long as you lived, I had no option but to search for you." He turned back to Arick, reaching out to cup his cheek in a gnarled, rough hand. "I thought perhaps I was going about it wrong. Perhaps you needed to find me."
    "By the Gods, Sai!" Arick thought of the stories he'd been hearing, tales of the berserker on the white horse. He'd heard of Blood Raine, who fought with the frightening, jagged sword. When he'd spotted him on the battlefield, he'd been drawn to him like a moth to flame. In his heart, he'd always known the identity of the berserker. He swallowed. "You could have died!"
    "But it worked." Sai leaned forward, pressing a kiss on Arick's mouth. The kiss started gentle, lips brushing and tasting. Within moments, Sai nipped, pressing his tongue into Arick's mouth. He drew closer, reaching out to clasp those rugged arms, pulling him close. Leather and steel crushed him. Arick grew hard and desperate, for it had been so long, so very long.
    Sai's hand was buried in his hair, tugging and stroking; his other hand dropped to Arick's hip. He pulled him close, their bodies eager and needful, their hearts racing.
    And then he stopped.
    Blinking, Arick pulled back, looking into Sai's face.
    "You were gone so long, Arick. There were times… I wasn't faithful."
    Arick's heart twisted, but not from his own pain. Sai's guilt weighed him down. "I know, Sai, and I would expect nothing else. I, too…" But he didn't want to talk about that just yet. There was time for the painful stories later.
    "I used the Sylphs."
    Arick nodded. "I understand, Sai. I accept that your needs and your loneliness…" He stroked Sai's face, his thumb lingering over his full, cruel lips. He leaned forward, gently kissing him. He then leaned back, letting Sai finish what he had to say.
    A look of intensity came over his expression. He'd seen that look before. It usually came with inspiration, when a creative urge came over the Sword Master.
    "There is a young couple— Sylphs. They wish for a child. They are siblings, so they need someone to father that child."
    "You?" The idea was odd. Why would two of the magical prostitutes choose Sai, a huge, rugged metal