I CAME AWAKE TO FIRM BUT GENTLE SHAKES from a soft-spoken ambassador.

  “Open your eyes, we’re coming into the docks of Yaza Kee,” Teryn said, gently easing my head back to a cushion as I battled through the foggy quagmire of sleep. My stomach roiled slightly as I stared up at a clean-shaven Teryn. “You will wish to see this.”

  Swallowing roughly, I eased to sitting, my sight touching on the clouds streaking past as we bounced over rough swells that rocked the boat. The foulness in my gut raced up my throat. I crawled at speed to the side of the ship and emptied my stomach. Not much came up other than red tea, which burned slightly.

  “Porgo, may we ease back on the speed?” Teryn called as he joined me by the railing, rubbing my back as I dry heaved a few more times.

  “Mainlanders,” the sea captain growled. The ship slowed, the winds eased, and my insides eased marginally. The sun warmed my back as I knelt there prone like a landed fish. If I never stepped a foot onto another boat, I would be the happiest elf in all of Melowynn.

  “There, now let’s get you upright.” Teryn helped me into a seated position. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing, as he placed a folded slice of dry cake into my hand. “Nibble on that. Then have a sip of tea. You did much better last night with the aid of the pearly barnacle.”

  “I slept through the night,” I mumbled around a bite of bread. It was light and slightly sweet, different from the other flatbread we’d been eating so far. This had the slightest tang of lemon and ginger. My eyes opened slowly to land on Teryn kneeling beside me, smiling.

  “That is what the paste was meant to do.”

  “What if pirates had beset us?” I asked, chewing sloppily, crumbs falling to my chest.

  “Then we would have dropped your useless pale arse into the head and let the waves wash you away,” Porgo shouted over his shoulder and broke into an amused titter.

  “Ignore him. He likes to tease. He truly does admire you, or he would not have gifted you the sea illness paste.”

  “Hmmm.” I was torn whether to believe Teryn or not, but the paste had helped. Somewhat. One episode of vomiting was far better than several, so I said nothing in reply to the barb. Instead, I raised a hand to touch Teryn’s satiny chin. “Why did you remove your whiskers?”

  “To ensure that we remain unseen as much as possible. Many people on the isles know me as I travel wide and far to settle squabbles for the vahasi. Without the whiskers, I look less like me. Also, when we set out into Yaza Kee, we will be traveling as a wealthy merchant and his hired bodyguard.”

  “Not so much of a stretch from reality,” I said. He rubbed his hand over my chest to knock the crumbs free. That small touch made my skin heat.

  “No, not much. The best fabrications are steeped in truth.” His gaze held mine for a moment before his hand dropped. He pushed to his feet. Rich green robes with fashionable white threads woven into the fabric billowed around his lean form. His feet were clad in sandals with shimmery ivory beads. He offered me his hand. I took it. Standing made my head swim for a moment, but it eased once I found the far-off docks of the city of Yaza Kee coming into view.

  I gaped at the beautiful sight. This looked nothing like the docks of Celear.

  Giant palm trees lined the black sands. Ships of various sizes with banners of yellow, red, blue, and lime fluttered atop a dozen or so mainmasts. The docks ran upward from the sea, into what appeared to be a vibrant marketplace packed with people. Awnings of peach, magenta, cool blue, as well as striped ones, stood out sharply against the dark wooden decking. Stairs led from the docks and market to white and tan buildings with graceful arched doorways. Blue and gold embellishments ran along the walls and gardens of the homes. Lush flowing plants with blooms of deep purple and pale pink danced in the wind. Large golden domes adorned many of the portside buildings.

  “What a glorious sight,” I whispered, my stomach bubbling softly as I clung to the rail. I glanced at Teryn. He nodded with a pleased twist to his lips. “As is the port.”

  Something heated ignited in his eyes. He wet his lips but said nothing. I should not have complimented him on his beauty. We had said we would keep our heads on this covert mission, but some things needed to be said. The man was stunning. I did prefer him with his sleek goatee though, but even without, he stole my breath.

  “You are speaking with the tongue of a man delirious from lack of drink.” He padded over, lifted a cup of tea from a small table under the awning, and brought it to me. “Here, drink. It will wash away the lingering taste of the paste while refreshing your mind.”

  I took the cup and returned my attention to the port as we sailed into one of several open berths. Smaller ships sat tied to the dock, little things that held perhaps two or three fishermen. Around the side sat larger ships, some with three or four sails as well as oars numbering in the dozens. The calls of the port workers reached my ears first. Several hastened to catch the ropes Porgo tossed to them. The ship thudded into the dock, and the noise of the marketplace could just be heard now.

  “My name on this journey is Omid Emani, and I deal in importing lavender from the steppes of Celinthe.” He explained as our ship was secured and a gangplank laid out. “Your name is Farris Blackfire. I hired you just recently when we stopped at the port of Galesdi Gulf.”

  “Understood.” I watched Porgo make his way to the gangplank to greet whoever was striding across it. A port master, no doubt, coming to check our paperwork and cargo, both of which I knew nothing about. “You may get dressed. Please wear the armor that you were given as well as your weapons. An intimidating guard speaks loudly without saying a word.”

  “What of the cargo?” I asked in a whisper as a tall elven man in deep blue robes strode onto the deck. His face was lean, skeletal almost, but his pale blue eyes were sharp. A silver pin adorned his left shoulder, clasped to a small half cape. It appeared to have some sort of seal pressed into the metal.

  “The hold is full of lavender,” Teryn whispered. I thought to ask how that had happened and then recalled this mission had the full backing of the king. Aelir probably emptied the royal stores of lavender to give our story credence. “Just get dressed. We will have to find our lodgings and arrange transportation for the night.”

  With that, he left me standing at the rail, clad only in some light trousers and shirt, as he, Porgo, and the port master fell into conversation. The port master repeatedly glanced at me as I pulled on the coil root armor. Perhaps he had not seen many pale-skinned elves before. The armor was a pleasant surprise. It was lighter than my customary full plate. The wood had a slightly pungent smell. Or that could have been me. I’d not bathed in a few days. And I had been sick. Even now, tied to the dock, the motion under my booted feet made my belly churn. We could not exit this ship quickly enough.

  When I was fully suited, I planted myself on the right side of Teryn, three steps back as I did for the king. The conversation was in Sandrayan. They seemed to have reached an accord. Teryn placed several gold coins in the port master’s hand. With a nod, the man gave me a long look before trundling down the walkway to melt into the dockworkers.

  Teryn glanced at me, nodded his approval, and laid a hand on Porgo’s shoulder. “Now that the docking fees have been paid, would you be willing to oversee the cargo being unloaded, my friend? Then go find a nice room to rest. We will meet up in three days’ time on the other side of the Rajaz Mountains. Meet us at the port city of Shar-Aab where we discussed.”

  “Aye, Mahouk.” Porgo gave me a tired-looking glance before heading off to meet with the dockworkers to begin toting the crates of precious lavender from the hold.

  “Come then, Farris. I wish to wash the salt off my skin,” Teryn barked in a sharp tone. “Grab my bags.”

  I did as told, fetching his bags and mine, then falling in behind him. The gangplank was thin and bounced when stepped on. My gut clenched with each step. When I stepped onto the dock, I felt a wash of relief. There was no rolling to and fro. If I’d not been playing the part of a hired sword for a man of great privilege, I would kiss the soggy boards. Leaving the ship behind, praise Ihdos, I followed Teryn. He had pulled a bit of his robing over his head to protect himself from the blazing sun. I was already soaked in sweat. The temperature here was quite high, much hotter than Celear, which was pleasant and temperate. The air was thick with moisture that clung to the skin, making it hard to cool off. Thankfully the armor eased the heat.

  We climbed a long set of wooden stairs to enter the marketplace proper. The calls of dozens of merchants shouting out to us in a language that I did not understand floated past my ears. The plain wooden helmet I now wore exposed my ears. Glances from people milling about touched on me, their eyes darting to my pointed but shorter and much whiter ears. They stared openly, many with looks of disdain, others curiously. Now I knew how the wood elves and Sandrayans felt walking among the mainland elves. I kept my hand on the hilt of my sword, a silent but clear message, as I walked behind Teryn. I took note of many wealthy-looking people—men and women in robes, the men with various sorts of facial hair, robes adorned with jewels, milling about with stout men in similar types of light armor at their heels. Teryn and I did not stand out other than my pale face, for that was all that showed. Even my hands were covered in weathered leather. Whoever assessed my size for this armor had done a fine job. The gauntlets fit well, no small task as I had larger hands than most male elves.

  Rich smells of roasted meats and grilled vegetables mingled with the aroma of spices. Caws of caged birds rang out. We passed several shaded stalls holding several quadoth, the humped beasts of burden used here in the Black Sands. Smaller cages holding spotted wildcat cubs were found across from the quadoth pens. The stall next to the cats had ginger monkeys on leashes that danced about for passersby who tossed coins into a cap their owner held out. The monkeys were entertaining. I’d only seen them in the menageries. Those did not dance. Those flung feces at people while baring long fangs. These seemed more docile.

  Teryn stopped to talk to a heavy woman wearing a patch over one eye. I moved closer to the ambassador, wary of everyone who passed too close. They bartered quickly. Coins changed hands. Teryn walked off without saying a word.

  The fat woman spat at my foot. I moved off, keeping up with Teryn throughout the maze of stalls and people. We climbed tall stairs and then entered one of the gold-domed buildings. The shaded interior was much cooler. A fountain bubbled merrily as well-dressed Sandrayans lounged on padded chaises, fanning themselves with brightly painted palm fronds as servers carried drinks and foods to them. A lovely young woman smiled at me from a blue chaise, her breasts easily viewed through the sheer robe of soft rose she wore.

  “You are not here to gawk at whores!” Teryn spat loudly. The terseness surprised me, but then I recalled who we were playing. I ripped my sight from the woman and lowered my head to offer an apology. “Stupid mainland oaf.” Those around us tittered. “Stay at my side, or I shall send you back to the sisters where you can spend your miserable life hauling flower petals.”

  “My apologies,” I mumbled as he strode off. I followed like a duckling waddling after the mother duck. Teryn did not glance back as he stopped at a desk. I waited, feeling much like one of the woodland beasts that used to be on display at the menageries of Melowynn. They had all been freed a season ago, the last cage emptied, the animals returned to their native lands. That had been a happy day for the wood elves. When Teryn left the desk, I fell in line at his heels, gawking at the smooth, cool walls as we climbed up four flights of steps. We stopped at an arched doorway, smaller than the exterior ones. With the turn of a key in a brass lock, Teryn threw open the door and disappeared inside. I entered, closed the door, and glanced around the room. It was pleasant and airy, with only one large bed with soft white sheeting draped around it from four tall posts at each corner.

  “Pasil.” Teryn sighed, removing the linen robing from his head. “I am so sorry for the vile way I have treated you so far. Sadly, it is part of the ruse we must endure.”

  “There is no need for apologies, Mahouk,” I said just as the door eased open. Turning quickly, sword leaving its scabbard, I looked at the terrified face of a serving girl with two buckets of hot water. Her dark eyes widened in fear.

  Teryn rushed over, sliding in front of me, and spoke to the young woman in his native tongue. I eased back, slid my sword back into its scabbard, and removed my helmet. Another servant appeared. A stout man with huge ears carrying a hammered brass tub. Things were said as I eased to the far corner by a set of white open doors. Teryn joined me, melting into a small space that pressed his arm into mine.

  “They are bringing us a bath and then a meal,” he explained as the staff of what I assumed was a hostelry toted bucket after bucket of water in and backed out when the tub was filled. The big man with the large ears gave me a saucy wink before leaving. “That is the second man who expressed an interest in you since we have arrived. I’m not sure if I should be flattered that they find my taste in protection so good or upset that so many people are lusting over your milky skin and stubby ears.”

  I stared openly. “My ears are not stubby,” I parried and got a soft, amused laugh from Teryn as he slid his earring back in and gave his head a shake. The charms rang out subtly. “And who was the first?”

  “The port master asked if I would be willing to let you pleasure him in exchange for skipping the docking fee.” My mouth fell open. “Oh, I forgot. There was also the young woman with the large breasts in the lounge eyeing you, and now that hulking man has winked at you. You’re causing quite a stir. Although I cannot fault my fellow Sandrayans. You are a striking man.”

  It would be a lie to say I was not pleased to hear the people found me attractive, even though I had skin the same color as goat milk curd, to quote Porgo.

  “I have no interest in any of them,” I stated as I removed my helmet and placed it on a small table beside the steaming bath. “My greatest desire is to soak in that bath while the ground below the tub stays calm.”

  Teryn chuckled before waving at the tub. “Then please, wash the trip away.” He began to shimmy out of his robing, baring a shoulder, then his back, then finally his high, tight ass. My gaze drank him up. Like a man on the burning sands with no water, I glutted myself. A glance over his shoulder sent blood coursing to my groin.

  “You should bathe first. You are a higher ranking than I,” I replied, glad for the tight bark codpiece compressing my cock. Hopefully, it would squeeze my fattening prick flat.

  “Nonsense. That is only for show.” I cocked an eyebrow while working at the lacings on the side of my chest to free the breastplate. The ties were knotted firmly. I cussed at the cluster of thin leather strips. Teryn appeared at my side to brush aside my fumbling fingers. “Let me aid you.”

  “That is not a role fitting an ambassador of the Black Sands,” I said. He rolled those amber eyes as he began working on the knots. One arm up over my head, my sight lingered on his hair, how black it was, how thick, how it needed to be washed and combed by someone who would do so with tenderness and care. The codpiece was not working. My cock was firm and aching now. “You will find the smell there unpleasant.”

  He pulled the laces free, his sight rising from his task to my face. There was fire in his gaze. “You smell as a man should smell.”

  “Always the diplomat,” I croaked as he lifted the chest plate free. The sticky air blowing in off the sea felt cool on the thin undershirt clinging to my skin. Moving gently as a wren, he peeled the undershirt free and lifted it up over my head. Perhaps I should have moved away or spoken out against this intimacy—we had said we were trying to keep our heads—but I found that I could not. Teryn tossed the sodden garment to the floor before reaching a tentative hand to the rerebraces covering my upper arms. I nodded; my sight locked on his lips and knew that the notion of remaining composed when in close proximity to each other was faulty. There was no power on either the mainland or these mystical islands that could keep us apart. Perhaps we should just acknowledge that weakness in ourselves. The rerebraces hit the floor, followed by the smoothly carved vambraces. Teryn glanced up after each bit hit the floor to seek permission. Each look through thick black lashes made me weaker with want.

  “I wonder,” he said in a voice as soft as the whisper of a dove’s coo in their cote, “if our vow to abstain from each other was a foolish one.”

  His fingers skimmed my belly as he toyed with the stays holding the codpiece to the thin girth belt. Loosening it would divest me of my sword as the sword frog was attached to the girth belt. It would also give him access to the ties of my thin trousers. He wet his lips again. His sight locked with mine.

  “I suspect it was half-witted to be sure,” I replied with candor. How could I be anything but forthright with this incredible man?

  He rose to his toes to place his mouth on mine. Without care of the half-hearted pledge we had made, I opened for him, falling into the exquisite taste that was one part tea and the rest Teryn.

  “Then we are two besotted simpletons.” He freed me of my armor and underpants, my cock springing up to slap my belly as the last bits of cloth and coil root armor dropped to the worn floorboards. Besotted. Yes, that was how I felt around him. Enamored to the point that I could think of nothing else.

  His tongue tangled with mine as he climbed up over me like one of the dancing monkeys might a tree, locking his heels around my back as his fingers clamped tightly to the sides of my sweaty head. A subtle scent of sand sage floated from his skin like a welcoming gift for a warrior gone long to war. It spoke of things like home. Things that I should not be feeling but could not deny were taking root in my breast.

  With a grunt, I carried him to the bed, forgoing the bath. Then I paused, his teeth now tugging on my lower lip, sharp white teeth making a sting that sent a jolt to my stones. I pulled my lip free. He buried his face in my throat, biting tiny little nibbles along my neck.