Worlds Apart Next Part Sneek Peek.
I live about 25 miles from Moore OK, USA where a tornado just wiped out half the town. All day yesterday and today the radios and the tv stations are showing nothing but the devestation. I tried to escape reality with reading, but I ran out of stuff to read and even tho I am still having writer's block type issues I thought what the heck I would try it. I got this much done and now I'm starting to get close to the time I normally eat and my stomach is making demands. There is a chance I won't have time to write more today and I felt this overwhelming urge to post something anything. So here is a sneak peek for those watch my journal. It's the start of the next chapter raw un edited un spell checked and everything. I will hopefully through the next few days finish the chapter polish it up and send it to my beta. But in the mean time I needed to share.
Neisk felt both invigorated and exhausted at the same time. He had relished the time in Finne’s arms. He held on until the Chef had to push him away explaining ‘dinner was not going to fix itself’.
On his way to the guest rooms he opened a channel and told Oriel he was coming. Oriel politely encouraged him to come in without knocking. Neisk did just that and was surprised to see Oriel and Gorlyn on either side of the low table in the middle of the room stacking cards to make a castle. Gorlyn however stopped and turned around quickly. The man, already on his knees, bent forward placing his hands on the floor and lowering his head. For a brief moment Neisk caught a guilty look on Gorlyn’s face.
“Forgive me master for not greeting you at the door. I didn’t hear you come in.” Gorlyn’s tone was completely emotionless. The other man must have been concentrating really hard on the card stacking if he didn’t hear Neisk come in.
I think he is going to ask you to punish him next. Oriel’s voice carried through the channel he left open. At least that is what he did with me earlier after bowing like that.
Did you punish him? Neisk asked. Although he knew the answer would be no he still felt anger rising up in him at the thought of someone punishing Gorlyn.
No! Oriel answered. It was the first time since he met the boy that Oriel ever raised his mental voice to him. It made him smile.
Good, tell me all about what brought this on over dinner will you? Neisk asked.
Of course your grace. Oriel answered.
The exchange took less than a minute and all the while Neisk kept his eyes on Gorlyn studying his body language. “You are certainly forgive Gorlyn. However you do not need it. You need only greet someone at the door if they knock. I already had Oriel’s permission to come inside.”
“As you say, master.” Gorlyn responded. He did not however move from his prostrate position.
“Stand up.” Neisk ordered firmly, realizing Gorlyn was going to stay like that until told otherwise. He was watching Gorlyn get up when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking up farther he noticed Oriel standing up as well. He must have sounded more commanding than he meant.
He found he couldn’t take his eyes of Oriel.
“Oriel you look....” Neisk paused, the correct word escaped him. Grown up? Sophisticated? Mature? He rejected all the words racing in his mind. While Oriel did look all those things there was something more. Finally Neisk realized what it was and blurted it out. “attractive.”
Oriel blushed bright enough to appear sunburned. “Thank you, your grace.” He responded shyly. “Gorlyn picked out my clothes.”
“Did he?.” Neisk turned to face Gorlyn, who stood with his hands clasped firmly behind him. It was the standard position of a valet waiting to be of service. However instead of the rigid posture Johar and all the other held, Gorlyn’s head was slightly lowered and his shoulders hunched. “You did a wonderful job Gorlyn.” He said gently placing a hand on Gorlyn’s shoulder. Neisk couldn’t help but smile when Gorlyn didn’t flinch at his touch.
“You really like it your grace?” Oriel asked bring Neisk’s focus back to the younger man.
“Yes give me a turn let me see all of it.” Neisk made a twirling motion with his fingers. The boy was so eager for his approval he made a mental note to work more on building Oriel’s self esteem.
Oriel did as told and turned around slowly so Neisk could look at his clothing from all sides. When the boy stopped to face him looking slightly excited Neisk smiled back at him.
“There is just one problem.” Neisk commented grinning at Oriel.
“What problem would that be, your grace?” To his credit Oriel appeared completely serious except the slight twinkle in his eyes.
“I am now completely under dressed to join you for dinner.” Neisk gave a heavy sigh of regret.
“Oh dear would you like me to change, your grace?” Oriel asked and it was hard for Neisk to tell if the boy was still playing along or seriously offering.
“No no this look is just too good to waste. It deserves a night to shine. Even if that night is just dinner with me.” Neisk pretended to muse. “I will tell Finne to expect a short delay and I will go change. You do not mind waiting a short bit longer for dinner do you?”
“Not at all your grace.” Oriel answered.
“It is settled then.” Neisk let his hand fall from Gorlyn’s shoulder. “We will see you at dinner then Oriel. Come Gorlyn let us see if you can do for me what you did for my friend.” Truthfully the last thing Neisk wanted to do was change clothes but he thought perhaps this demonstration would boost the confidence of both Oriel and Gorlyn.