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. There is, in the pitcher there. He finished washingquickly, wrapping his loincloth around him and emptying thebowl so Quan might use it.Quan pulled two small cloths out of his pack and poured atiny bit of water into the bowl, using one of the small cloths towipe the bowl down.Then his new ki'ita poured the rest ofthe pitcher into the bowl and, after removing his strange71Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaellayers, began to clean himself thoroughly, even his pits andgroin were wiped down, soaped, and then rinsed.He was going to need a bigger pitcher.Maybe two.Quan searched through his pack again and pulled out along, white garment made of a soft, thin material.It was adress of sorts, which Quan pulled over his head: the sleeveswere long and the material reached down to Quan's ankles.He was offered a soft smile as Quan then settled himself inthe furs.Jael extinguished the torches and poured out thebowl again, hoping Quan would sleep, would find his rest,stomach tight with knots.When he returned to the bed, giving Quan ample room, hisnew ki'ita rolled back until their bodies were touching.Hestiffened, surprised for a moment, then forced himself torelax.He shared warmth with this man before they wereki'ita, he could do so now. Di'ben sur, Quan.May you restwell. Thank you, Jael.I do believe I shall. A hand reachedback and petted his thigh gently. Di'ben sur and rest well toyou as well.His thigh muscle jumped, stomach churning.A'chaffa, thelast thing he needed was for the wine to vinegar inside him.He focused on the celebration outside, the laughter of thewomen, the beating of the drums, anything but the handupon his skin.Quan's hand slid up his leg, finding his own and tugginggently. Would you mind? Quan asked as his hand waspulled over to his ki'ita's stomach. It feels so good when youtouch me here.72Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelHe nodded, hand moving immediately to ease Quan's pain. I would have no pain for you.Sleep. Thank you, Jael. The words were quietly, but sincerelyspoken. It is as it should be. He closed his eyes, sinking intosleep much easier than he would have imagined, dreaming ofthe hunt.73Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelChapter 4Quan woke with the dawn, as he often did.Today wasdifferent though, for today he felt rested and more at easethan he could remember feeling in a very long time.Jael andhe had spooned closer together in the night, and he wastucked in under the big man, warm and safe and feeling sogood.Oh, this was nice, good.Right.Jael looked relaxed, worry and anxiety eased as his ki'itaslept.One of Jael's hands still rested against his belly, stillmoved slowly.He was a very lucky man to have searched sofar for the one who was made for him, to have all but givenup hope of ever finding that one and then to be gifted withhim at the hands of a bear.It was quite astounding and verywonderful.He raised his hand and stroked Jael's cheek, eyes travelingthe increasingly familiar features.Jael snuffled, moving awayfrom and then into the touch, as if his body didn't understandhow it was supposed to react.He pulled his hand away, notwanting Jael to wake up and think he was trying to takeadvantage.There would be time enough for them to cometogether and he wanted Jael to know what he was doing.He slipped out from Jael's arms, put on clean clothes andthen began to set the small tent to rights.Everything wasgoing to need to be scrubbed.The tent was filled with bizarreodds and ends tortoise shells and strings of teeth, stonesand flint being formed into weapons.Quan found a roll of fineskins beneath a pile of torn clothing, each one covered in74Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaeldrawings of animals, maps, one of a beautiful woman withgreen eyes and a soft, sweet smile.He touched the picture,this must be Jael's lady, the one he had been trying so hardto impress.The woman had been waspish at the ceremony,snapping rudely at him obviously not worthy of his hunter. That is my mother. Jael's voice was sleep-rough andrumbling, his hunter unfolding himself from the furs. Or mymemory of her.She has been long gone. Oh! He gave Jael a happy smile and turned back to thepicture, noticing now the similarities between this lady and hisown sweet man. Are you hungry? I will start a cook fire, if you wish.Thereis meal and berries. Jael's hand was casually cupped over hismorning erection, the loincloth tented.He raised an eyebrow. Why don't you take care of yourneed first, my hunter.My hunger can wait. My need? Oh! Jael flushed dark, eyes fastened to theground. I.Oh, I.Perhaps I should bathe first.Bring freshwater.Wood. Jael, he said gently, keeping his soft chuckles to himself, we will spend the rest of our lives together you have noneed to be embarrassed in front of me. I.it's just morning.dreaming and I usually.butyou're.A'chaffa! I'll be back with wood.meal.food. Jaelstumbled towards the entrance of the tent. Very well and I will see what I can do to bring some sortof order to this mess, he snapped, trying not to be hurt,reminding himself that this was not a pairing of Jael's75Where Flows the Waterby Sean Michaelchoosing.He still could not understand why the bond thatsang so readily to him continued to elude his ki'ita.Jael blinked over at him, eyebrows lowering. This is not amess.This is my tent, our tent. Not a mess? There are things piled here and there, sandand dirt everywhere your clothes need to be washed, as domany of my own.The furs need airing. He twittered andshook his head. It needs cleaning and I have said I will doit.Jael gave him an incredulous look and shook his head,muttering softly.Then without a word, he grabbed up a fewof the finer furs and his stack of tortoise shells. I will tradefor a larger tent, so you may have room.I will send a womanwith your meal and honey and the day's milk. A larger tent will be most appreciated, Jael.But surely itwill not take you long to trade for it will you not havemorning meal with me? I will, if the wind allows it. Jael backed out the tent, eyesquiet, unhappy. I must speak to the hunters.If you are to bewarm and fed this winter, I must hunt and provide.Quan caught a glimpse of the woman Jael pined for,standing outside their tent, eyes triumphant even before Jaelsaw her and paled.The pain in his stomach returned fullforce, and he nodded quickly at Jael, returning to his cleaningwith sharp, economical movements.He blinked furiously,refusing to let the tears fall.Jael was his and one day thehunter would not only believe so as well, but would take joyin their bond.76Where Flows the Waterby Sean MichaelHe had stacked all the clothing to one side when the tentflap shifted again. I brought meal and milk and berries,Quan.Grandmother found me and agreed to barter for thetent in my stead.Jael's hands were filled with bowls and a pitcher.Ahandprint glowed bright red upon his cheek.His own misery faded at the sight and he slid gentlefingertips over his hunter's cheeks. Someone hurt you, hesaid softly, having a fairly good idea who the handprintbelonged to. It will fade with the moon. Jael blushed, juggling thebowls. Have you thought were the new tent should go? It is your tribe, Jael you would know the best place for itto go.I can feel the water in the ground no matter where wego. He slid his fingers along the handprint one last time,making a soft, clicking noise.His ki'ita should not be treatedso [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]