Well this is it. It’s finished. The sequel will be coming soon though, so keep an eye out for it. It’ll probably be R rated.

Thanks to all those who commented, especially the ever-faithful Rae.

            The two warriors sat huddled on the ground, heavy chains keeping them from moving to aid the poor soul that was being dragged towards the massive fire the filthy creatures had built up. The orcs were slowly going through their captives, roasting them alive and then eating their flesh in a sickening manner. Yerin and Resc had caused them the most losses and so they assumed that was why they were being left until last. So they would suffer the waiting and so they would hear all their companions’ screams. It was truly sickening and if either of the warriors had had anything left in their stomachs they would be heaving it up.

            Finally it was the faery warrior’s turn and he was dragged roughly to his feet, despite his struggles and Yerin’s efforts to aid him. It was useless, he was going to die. He was about to be hurled into the fire when he heard a very strange noise. It sounded like the flapping of a bird’s wings… a big bird. He struggled to turn and see what was making the noise and he soon dropped from cruel fingers as the orcs stared in the direction he was trying to look. He finally managed to turn enough just in time to see great black-feathered wings give a final flap before folding back along a sleek and humanoid figure. An angelically beautiful and blessedly familiar figure.

            But his relief and amazement was short lived as several of the orcs charged at the slender figure. He struggled desperately to get free and save his love but only succeeded in tripping himself up. When he managed to lift his head enough to see again he was greeted with a rather surprising sight. Vilya stood with two slender swords in his elegant hands, facing off with the leader of the orcs… the only orc still alive. He was shocked. Had Vilya killed all of them? From the splatters of dark blood that could be seen on the elf’s exposed skin and caked in his silky hair, he had.

            The two circled each other slowly and it was clear that whatever rage had pushed Vilya to be able to kill all the others had left him. He stumbled lightly and the orc laughed at him tauntingly before charging and hitting the elf with a blow he barely deflected. They fought for a few minutes, neither gaining a thing until the orc pulled back again, a mocking and cruel smirk on his hideous face.

            “What the matter, demon?” Resc was a little surprised to hear the creature actually speaking in human, sure it was bad but still understandable. “You all weak now. You feared.” He laughed mockingly. “You sweatin’, scared little demon. Me gonna kill you.” He then once again launched himself at the weakening Tal’larie. Vilya was desperate, that the faery could easily tell or else he would never have tried a move like he did. He threw one of his swords at the creature which the orc easily dodged but the distraction was just enough for Vilya to managed to block his attack and slip his dagger out with his free hand to sink it into the orc’s neck. Unfortunately the orc managed one last blow to the elf’s stomach and they both crumbled to the ground.

            “Vilya! Gods, Vilya!” He glanced to the side to see Yerin struggling desperately to get to their love, his chains impeding him greatly. The human sounded just as fearful as Resc felt, even though the faery knew that blow couldn’t have done the Tal’larie too much harm. He moved forward as quickly as he could, reaching out to grab the keys from the leader orc the moment he was in reach. He swiftly undid his chains before throwing the keys to the other warrior and kneeling next to his fallen love. He turned Vilya over and into his arms. The elf’s eyes were closed tightly and his skin looked shockingly pale against the dark blood staining his smooth cheeks.

            “Vilya, Vilya love… please, please be alright.” He stroked the damp and bloody hair from the beautiful face with shaking hands, only dimly aware of Yerin kneeling on the elf’s other side, running careful fingers along the black-clothed body, checking for injury. As the hands drifted over Vilya’s ribs his body jerked slightly, a pained hiss escaping his soft lips.

            “Vilya?” Yerin paused, glancing at the faery for a moment before looking at the elf’s pale face intently. “Please say something, love.”

            “Ow?” The Tal’larie offered weakly, his large eyes fluttering open tiredly, his gaze settling on the human. “You touch my ribs again, daft human, and I will break more than your nose.”

            “Oh, angel.” Resc let out a soft chuckle of relief. “Thank the Gods you are alright.”

            “The Gods had nothing to do with it… I assure you.” Vilya protested weakly before letting his eyes drift shut again. “Do you think you two idiots can get me back to Kirash before… this kills me?” He questioned before a soft moan of pain left him and more sweat trickled down the side of his face, washing some of the blood away.

            “Of course, love.” Yerin answered quickly but Resc hesitated for a moment before continuing to run fingers across the elf’s smooth skin.

            “Vilya. Why? Why did you come here?”

            “To… to save you two of course.” Dazed emerald blinked open to barely focus on him. “I lied… I’m sorry… I don’t, don’t deserve either of you… let alone both.” His eyes shimmered before more blood was washed away in a salty trail. “But… but I couldn’t let you die. I-I love you… both.”

            “You idiot.” Resc told him gently. “You do deserve us.”

            “Because we want you.” Yerin added, placing a kiss to the elf’s temple.

            “Please…” A shudder ran through his lithe body and he squeezed his eyes shut in pain. “Talk later…”

            “Sorry, love.” Resc hastily apologised, feeling terribly guilty for forgetting the Tal’larie’s pain. He glanced up to see Yerin had already run to secure what horses he could. “We’ll get you back in no time. Fear not.”

***

            “We should keep going. If you want to stay and rest then I’ll take him myself.” Yerin growled angrily, stopping his pacing to glare at the faery. Resc shook his head, continuing to carefully wipe the blood and sweat from the elf’s smooth skin with a damp cloth.

            “The horses need a rest, Yerin. So do we, we are no good if we collapse halfway to Kerck.”

            “But he’s in pain.” Yerin said helplessly. “How can we just let him suffer?”

            “Friend, please sit down. We are doing all we can for him. He will be alright, but not if we push too far too quickly.” He dampened the cloth again before placing it on the Tal’larie’s fevered brow, he then started looking through the supplies they had managed to salvage for bandages. “Some of his ribs are broken, can’t you hear it when he breathes? We have to bind them now. I’m pretty sure he can’t die from the pain but he can die from a punctured lung.” This seemed to finally force some sense into the worried human and Yerin came and knelt on the elf’s other side before starting to undo the ties of the black tunic. He had just pulled the heavy fabric aside and was about to pull the shirt up when a slender but surprisingly strong hand gripped his wrist.

            “Don’t.”

He looked worriedly into large exotic eyes, framed by those beautiful thick silver-black lashes. “Vilya love, we have to bind your ribs, we can’t do that with your shirt on.” He told the beautiful creature patiently, using his other hand to slowly lift the fabric up. The elf froze for a moment, his brilliant eyes getting just a little larger and his breath coming faster as more sweat trickled down his skin. Then just as the fabric went past his navel he jerked away in panic, pushing the human’s hands away and trying to scramble away, despite his pain. Resc reacted instantly, gripping Vilya tightly before he could do himself too much damage and holding him gently but firmly to his chest until his struggles ceased.

“Please! Please let go!” He gasped out in a pained cry, pushing weakly at the faery’s strong chest. “You’re hurting me!”

“Let him go Resc.” Yerin said calmly, a dangerous gleam in his pale eyes. Ignoring Yerin, the faery kept a hold of his love before speaking to him softly.

“Vilya. I will let you go, but you have to stay still. You are hurting yourself by trying to move. Will you stay still?”

“Yes…” Then true to his word he stayed absolutely still as Resc let him go, laying him back on the blanket softly, his only movement a light shivering he could do nothing about.

“Yerin, friend. This is no time for us to fight.” Resc told the angry human calmly and was relieved when the blond gave a slight nod of his head, his jaw unclenching. He then looked back down at his shivering angel, huge green eyes staring at him with frightened intensity. “Neither of us are going to hurt you fair Tal’larie. I promise.” But Vilya obviously didn’t believe him as he flinched when Resc went to touch his cheek. How such a tiny gesture could hurt the faery so greatly he didn’t know. “Vilya. I know you are afraid of my touch but will you let Yerin bandage your ribs, please.”

“I…I’m scared.” The elf admitted, his brilliant eyes shimmering. “B-but I will t-try.”

Yerin proceeded very slowly and carefully, making no unnecessary touches and whispering soothing nothingness the whole time, trying to keep the elf calm even as his shivering got worse. Eventually he was finished and they quickly covered the trembling form in all the blankets they had, hoping to warm him up. The Tal’larie eventually stopped shivering and his eyes started to drift shut, too weary to be scared anymore. Just before he drifted off he mumbled something sounding suspiciously like ‘I’m sorry’ and both warriors frowned at that.

“I don’t understand it, Resc. Why is he scared of us? He can kick both our arses and besides we’ve never hurt him before, why the hell does he think we would start now?”

“I don’t know.” He sighed, shaking his head and carefully trailing his fingertips over some of the silky hair. “Kirash said he was inexperienced, that’s why he acts so cold the way he does. But I’m not sure that’s it at all.” His brow then furrowed in consternation. “Why on earth does he have these little plaits in his hair?”

***

“How could he just go off like that?”

“I don’t know, sweet birdie. But you’ve asked me that question over a hundred times since he went.” He wrapped his arms around his fragile companion. “Please try and calm down, all this worrying can’t be good for the twins.”

“I know.” Kirash tried to stifle a sob but it was no good, he collapsed in his husband’s strong embrace, burying his face in the prince’s shirt. “But how can I not worry? First I get the news that my dear sweet brother is dead and then I find out he is not but then Vilya goes after him. If…If they don’t come back then I’ve lost two very dear people to me. And… and even if Vilya did some how manage to rescue my brother, it has been so long now… I don’t know if he can live being so far away from me for so long.”

“I know what you are thinking, love, but you know I can’t let you go traipsing around the wilderness to try and find them.” Garin told the distraught faery gently. He was actually quite worried himself, considering how fond he had grown of both Resc and Vilya, not to mention Yerin was his best friend but they really were on their own. It would be way too much of a risk to try and go back for them. It would have made their noble sacrifice to help their prince get away all in vain. And for Kirash to risk both himself and their unborn children was unthinkable. No, there was nothing the two of them could do but wait. He just prayed it wasn’t too long because he wasn’t sure how much more of this stress and worry the gentle faery could take.

One of the more merciful gods must have been listening for not a minute later there was a commotion outside in the corridor, which soon spilled into their sitting room. Kirash pulled from his husband’s arms and stood in relieved shock as three dirty and weary beings entered the room. He ran forward to embrace his brother, weeping openly in relief until the larger faery pushed him away gently.

“I’m happy to see you too, Ashie, but Vilya is hurt.” The faery’s attention was instantly switched to the limp and fevered figure in Yerin’s arms.

“Oh, sweet!” He exclaimed in worry at seeing how bad his servant looked. He quickly led Yerin into the other room and directed him to lay the Tal’larie on the bed. “Oh, my poor Vilya.” He murmured as he ran gentle fingers over the fever-flushed face. “What happened to him?”

“It was that stupid leash.” Yerin replied angrily before Resc could say anything. “That damn orc wouldn’t have been able to touch him if he hadn’t been getting weaker by the second.”

“I-I’m sorry… I would do something about it if I could.” The young faery admitted ashamedly, more tears falling down his pale cheeks. “I never wanted him to get hurt.”

“They know that, sweet birdie.” Garin assured his companion, wrapping strong arms around him and pulling him back against his well-muscled chest. “Don’t you?” He added giving the other two warriors threatening glares. Yerin crossed his arms and continued to look angry and worried but Resc sighed giving his brother a small smile.

“Of course we know, Ash. You would never wish anyone harm, especially not people you care about.” He then moved to feel the Tal’larie’s brow. “At least his fever has gone down.”

“You said he was hurt. What happened?” Kirash questioned when it became obvious neither of the two warriors were going to volunteer information.

“He has a couple of broken ribs, but we bandaged them and they seem to be healing alright. He should be fine once he’s had a few good days rest.” Resc said calmly, running loving fingers through the snow-white hair. “As to what happened, that is a tale indeed.” He looked at his brother with curious golden eyes. “He’s not really an elf is he?”

“Yeah, cause I’ve never heard of an elf with wings.” Yerin added wryly, causing Kirash’s eyes to widen in surprise.

“He… he has wings?” He asked very cautiously, wondering how that was possible, he had seen Vilya’s back before and there had been no sign of anything strange let alone wings.

“Yes, beautiful big black angel wings. It was a very odd if enchanting sight to witness.”

“Well that would explain why we couldn’t find any of his tracks to follow.” Garin commented thoughtfully. “Did you know about this, sweet birdie?”

“No… not really. I did find out he wasn’t an elf but I had no idea he had wings. Where do they go?” The last was asked as he leaned over to take a closer look at his servant, as if that would help answer his question.

Resc shrugged. “They just folded back and vanished. It’s probably magic. But if he’s not an elf, what is he?”

“He’s a Tal’larie.” Kirash answered a little hesitantly, he really wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to use the word ‘demon’, he was a very excepting and open-minded person but he wasn’t sure if the three warriors in the room were. “The Tal’larie are a completely separate race.”

“Oh, well I guess that makes sense.” Yerin said, a bit bewildered and though Resc looked sceptical he didn’t say anything, content to let it go for the moment. “Do you think Vilya will mind if we share the bed with him? I’m exhausted but I don’t want to leave him.”

“I don’t see why not.” Kirash answered with a little smile, happy that they seemed to have at least worked out the fact that they loved each other. “He’s slept peacefully with Garin and I before.”

“He-he’s slept with you two!” Yerin exclaimed incredulously, as Resc gave them both death glares. Kirash hastily realised his mistake and blushed vividly.

“Oh, no, he’s never. Not… not with us. I just meant he’s slept in the same bed with us… to sleep.” All three of them then glared at Garin as he started to chuckle, his laughter deep and warm. Kirash spun in his arms and nudged his chest with one delicate hand. “What are you laughing for?”

“You three. Honestly, you are worried over a little cuddling after all the danger you’ve been in the past couple of days. Get over it.” He started leading his beautiful companion to the door. “You two stay here and claim him with some cuddling of your own, then tomorrow if you still want to whine about it, we’ll talk.” That said, the door was closed and the two warriors found themselves safe with their only slightly fevered love lying invitingly in the centre of a very comfortable-looking bed. Prince Garin suddenly seemed like a very wise man.

“Why did we let them have our room?” Garin groaned as he walked over to the bed and flopped down on it. Kirash shrugged before walking over and peering into the bathroom.

“The bathroom is closer to our room, we had better stay close, considering how bad Vilya is.” But his smile was sly as he leaned against the doorframe, casually reaching up to take the clip out of his hair, the softly curled locks tumbling down around his shoulders and down to his waist. “Perhaps I should wash my hair, ryn?”

Garin smiled fondly and once again wondered what he had done to deserve someone so amazingly perfect. “Perhaps I should wash it for you, sweet birdie.” He slowly advanced on the beautiful creature, taking the slender-fingered hands in his own. “I wouldn’t want you to strain these delicate little fingers.” He commented before bringing them to his lips and placing a soft kiss to each milky-white digit. Kirash absently licked his soft pouty lips, a tiny whimper of pleasure slipping from his throat. “Do you like that, sweet one?” He questioned, moving to place kisses against the soft underside of the delicate wrists, loving the silky smoothness against his lips.

“Yes… Gods, I have missed you, and these past few days I have not been able to appreciate you.” He suddenly moved closer, halting his husband’s kisses and looking up into his face intently. “Please tell me you are not going to go hunting those creatures anymore. Tell me we are going back to the palace as soon as Vilya is well enough to travel.”

“The creatures, they are not simply going to go away if I turn my back on them.” Seeing the worried look on his companion’s face he quickly kissed him, long and deep to distract him from too much thought. As they pulled apart, the beautiful creature breathless in his arms he ran strong fingers down the slender back, hoping to keep him distracted with pleasure. The last thing Kirash needed right now was more worry but he couldn’t lie to him, all he could do was try to soften the truth. “We will go back to the palace when Vilya is well. But later I will have to come back. But don’t worry, I will take troops from my father’s army with me and I assure you I will be perfectly safe. These creatures have to be stopped before they can do too much damage. You understand that right?”

“I…I suppose.” He gasped lightly as the fingers trailed down to his little, perfectly shaped rear. “As long as you are with me when I am birthing our children.”

“I will be, sweet birdie, I promise.” He then drew the companion into another long kiss, nudging him into the bathroom and kicking the door shut with his heel. He pulled back after a few more passionate minutes and cupped Kirash’s face tenderly. “I love you so much, Kirash Negal.”

The faery gave a delighted chuckle. “You got it right this time. No more ‘Fairwind’ for me.”

“No more Fairwind for you.” Garin agreed, grinning. “But are you sure you want to be mine?”

“I don’t have a choice, ryn. I’ve been yours since I met you.”

***

He woke up feeling warmer and safer than he ever had before. After a few sleepy moments he realised that was because two strong bodies were pressed to either side of him, yet thankfully no limbs were thrown over him to make him feel trapped. The sharp pain from being away from Kirash was gone so he assumed they had made it safely back to Kerck. It was then he remembered his master’s words. Would Kirash really deny him for what he had done? Surely he had just been bluffing. And then what of the two men next to him? They had seen his wings, hadn’t they? What if they now knew what he was and despised him for it? But if they did surely they would not be here with him now.

“Fair one?” He blinked his eyes open to look up at the owner of that deep and soothing voice. Resc smiled down at him before brushing careful fingers across his cheek and Vilya found himself leaning into the gentle touch, feeling surprisingly comfortable with the faery’s closeness. He looked intently into those enchanting golden eyes, checking for any signs of disgust or loathing but all he saw was affection… perhaps love. “How do you feel, fair Tal’larie?”

“A little scared.” He absently bit his bottom lip. “You… you don’t hate me do you?”

“What?” Resc seemed very surprised by the question. Strong arms slipped around his waist loosely and he froze, relaxing a little when Yerin’s husky voice whispered into his ear.

“Of course we don’t hate you, Vilya. We know now why you said what you did.”

“But… but you’re not disgusted? Y-you saw… I am…” He trailed off as Resc gave him a reassuring smile before leaning down to place a soft kiss to his brow.

“We could never be disgusted with you, love.” He then frowned, as Vilya couldn’t help wincing slightly. “Yerin, remove your arms.”

“Why?” The human murmured sleepily before holding Vilya a little tighter causing him to gasp and close his eyes.

“His ribs, you idiot!” He heard Resc growl angrily and felt Yerin’s arms pulled away forcefully. “Don’t you ever think of anything but your primitive urges?”

“Like you are so damn perfect! Bloody faery!” Yerin yelled back, just as angry if not more. Vilya whimpered and tried to bury himself further in the blankets, holding his hands over his ears but it didn’t help much, as they continued to argue pointlessly. This was why Kirash had wanted him to choose one. The gentle faery was right; the three of them would never work. And to think only moments before he had been so happy. He had honestly thought he wouldn’t have to choose. He had honestly thought that they loved him enough not to fight like this.

“Dear Vilya? Honey, we’re sorry.” Yerin really did sound sorry, and his hands were gently pulled away from his ears and enveloped in large warm hands. He realised the room had gone very silent and he dared to open his eyes, seeing both warriors sitting in front of him, looking ashamed and worried. Yerin held his hands but Resc sat quietly, not attempting to touch him at all. It was strange but he suddenly wanted the faery to touch him… hold him. He wanted it desperately but was so afraid to ask. What if Resc refused? Or what if such a request made Yerin jealous and they started arguing again?

“We are so sorry, love. We didn’t mean to fight like that. In fact we have become good friends and we haven’t had an argument like that for a long time.” Yerin told him gently, Resc giving occasional nods of agreement. “These past days have just been so stressful. We feared for you life… and to see you in such pain, it was almost too much to bear. We just love you so much. Can you forgive us? We promise we won’t argue anymore.”

“I… I forgive you.” He sat up gingerly, looking at them both with hope-filled eyes. “You two really are friends? I… I can really have you both?”

“Of course, love.” Yerin replied, pulling him forward into a warm hug. A moment later another set of strong and warm arms wrapped around him from behind, Resc’s chest pressing gently against his back, effectively trapping him between his two admirers. But this was one of those very rare times when being trapped didn’t scare him, in fact it made him feel very safe and protected. It made him feel loved. He just hoped Kirash and the little voice in the back of his mind were wrong. He prayed the three of them could be happy together.

THE END