T. A. Chase

Firebird- Part Twenty-Seven

Firebird copyright (c) 2006 TA Chase

Part Twenty-Seven:

Rue helped Vlatko on to the bed and then headed to the bathroom to see if he could find anything to use as bandages. What the fuck kind of dream left burn marks on bodies? That’s what Rue wanted to know. He found a first-aid kit. He set it next to their bed and went out to the kitchen, getting a bowl of warm water and a cloth to clean the wound. Heading back to the bed, he stopped when he saw Vlatko had wrapped his arms around the pillow Rue had been using. The big man had his face buried in it as if trying to breathe in Rue’s scent.

“Hey there, I don’t want to have your dreams if you can get injured in them.” He gave a shaky smile.

Vlatko rolled over, grimacing as the sheets rubbed against the wound. “I don’t normally dream even when I sleep, but strange things have been happening since you got here.”

Rue bit his lip, dipping the cloth into the warm water and started cleaning the angry burn. “Maybe I should leave. I’m not stupid. I know I won’t find the files unless you want me to.”

Vlatko started to say something, but Rue placed a finger over his lips to stop him. “We’ve shared our bodies and maybe there’s something more between us, but I don’t expect you to hand over anything that could get you killed. The only reason the I.U.M. hasn’t come after you is because of the information you have. Even if I have to leave you, I want to know that you’re still alive in the universe somewhere.”

“You’ll be leaving soon.” Vlatko took Rue’s hand and pressed a kiss to the knuckles. “She said you would have to go and I would have to decide whether to go with you or stay here.”

“Who said that?” Rue leaned down, brushing a kiss over Vlatko’s lips before he finished cleaning the wound and bandaging it.

“The firebird. She was a woman in my dream. Which might not have been a dream after all.” Vlatko touched the bandage and shrugged. “I’ll have a scar there for life now.”

Rue sat cross-legged on the bed and frowned. “The firebird? The one that lives in the clearing we go to all the time? The same bird that winks at me when I look at her?”

Laughter shook Vlatko’s body. Rue smiled, but he was surprised when Vlatko curled up with his head in the thief’s lap. That position implied a huge amount of trust on the part of the big man. Rue caressed the braids, moving his hands over the uninjured shoulder down the man’s back.

“The same one. If I believed in gods, I would think she was one, but I think she’s just an alien to this planet like us.” Vlatko sighed, his body relaxing with each stroke of Rue’s hand.

“Why did she call you to her?” Rue believed in gods and powerful beings that could ruin his life on a whim. That’s why he prayed to any and all of them.

“I don’t know. Just to show herself to me maybe. She’s lonely.” Vlatko turned his head so he could look up at Rue. “I asked her if my going with you would mean I’d live. She didn’t know.”
Rue’s heart felt like someone clenched their fist around it. “I think you’ll die either way, Vlatko, but imagine what a ride you’d have if you came with me. I can show you things you’ve never seen before.”

“While we’re trying to avoid the I.U.M. and you’re carrying around a gem worth a planet. Every other thief in the universe will be after you once they figure out where you’re at. I’m not sure I want that much excitement. I should be spending my time trying to find a way to stop the deterioration.” Vlatko closed his eyes.

Rue stared down at the man in his lap. Time slowed and Rue knew he had a decision to make. “Rest.” He whispered a kiss over Vlatko’s forehead as he eased out of the bed.

“Where are you going?” Vlatko rested his head on Rue’s pillow.

“I need to think. I can’t do it here. You’re too distracting and I need to have a clear head for what I’m going to do.” Rue waved and headed out of the underground chamber. He knew where he had to go.

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