Huge Ajax's Arc

Chapter 259 of 619

The riding party stopped near dusk at a stream a half day north. Rowan watered the horses. Chalam studied the coast marks on the old map. Ajax walked apart to think, and found Kael there ahead of him, watching the trees. Kael was one of the newest sworn men, a fighter Tucker had vetted at the port. He was tall and tan, dark-eyed, with a stubble beard. He had joined for wages and a share, but Ajax knew he still hunted some relic he had left a woman behind to chase. Ajax hadn't ordered Kael on this ride. "Grayson send you after us?" "No," Kael said. "I followed. I want to see the coast door." He did not explain further. That was his way. He said a thing once and left it. Ajax studied him. The man had earned no chain yet. Every sworn member wore one, gold across the chest, a mark of the brotherhood. Ajax carried a spare in his saddlebag for the day he judged a man ready. He had not planned to give it here. But Kael had ridden out alone, without leave, because he wanted to stand at the door with them. Ajax fetched the chain and came back. Rowan and Chalam had moved downstream. The two men were alone. "Take your shirt off," Ajax said. Kael unbuckled the leather without a word and pulled the shirt beneath it over his head. His chest was hard, hairy and sweaty. He stood still and met Ajax's eyes. Ajax laid the flat gold chain around his neck and ran his hand down Karl’s hairy chest. "You ride with Black Oak now. You answer to me and no one else." "I know," Kael said. The chain settled cool against his skin. Ajax kept his hand on it a moment longer than he needed to. Kael did not step back. He looked down at Ajax's hand, then up. "You held on," Kael said. "I did." Kael took Ajax's wrist and did not let go. His grip was firm, sure, the way his hand found a knife before his mind caught up. "I've watched you a month," he said. "I know what I want." He pulled Ajax in and kissed him. Ajax did not pull away. He gripped the back of Kael's neck and returned it. Kael pressed against him, bare chest to Ajax's, the gold chain between them. Neither man spoke. When they broke apart, Kael's breath was quick, but his eyes were steady. Kael pulled his shirt back on, grinned and flexed his bicep at Ajax. “Our secret, okay? Ajax nodded. Ajax picked up his father's blade from the grass. He had ridden out for a treasure mark on a map. He had bound another man to him instead. Kael's want was open to him now, spoken and plain, hidden from the others.