Snowbound

Chapter Fifteen

“He told you to leave?”

Wesley sounded incredulous and Giles smothered a smile. “He was teaching me a lesson. Very successfully, too. After that, I never doubted that when he told me he would do something, he would.”

“But he must have wanted you as much as you did him! And he’d kissed you, tasted you...” Wesley drew his finger over Giles’ lips and brought it to his own. “I could not have done that.”

Giles slipped his hand behind Wesley’s neck, feeling the soft tickle of Wesley’s dark hair against his skin. “After last night, you’ll forgive me if I have difficulty in believing that,” he said, his voice fuf mef meaning. “You have as much resolve as he, as I found out to my pleasure and delight.”

“That was different,” Wesley protested. “I would never have denied you your release.” He paused. “We had but a few hours though,” he said slowly. “Perhaps ... yes, I might have done just that if I knew it was but the start of a relationship.”

Giles gave him a rueful smile. “Do you see now why you reminded me of him?”

“That still troubles me, but it is not so strange after all that two of your lovers have similarities.”

“You are not mine, Wesley,” Giles reminded him, “though I love you dearly.”

Wesley’s face mirrored the desolation in Giles’ voice. “I will not leave you while you need me, Giles, I swear it.”

He leaned forward to kiss Giles and after a moment, Giles returned it, letting the passion mount within his body as Wesley responded eagerly to his touch. If it was to be the last time...

A sharp knock at the door went unheeded but openopening of the door and the entrance of Angel and Spike was less easy to ignore. Giles muttered a soft curse against Wesley’s shoulder and then sat up, the sheets draped across his lap, his hands in sight. Wesley, with a poise Giles could not but admire, remained as he was, with his back to the door, giving the visitors an excellent and unimpeded view, as he was outside the sheets, with one leg flung wide. He turned his head and the look he gave Angel and Spike was not a friendly one.

“Do please come in,” Giles said pointedly. “Spike, if you wouldn’t mind closing the door? Thank you.”

“We woke and we expected him back,” Spike said, frowning as his gaze wandered over Wesley’s body, seeing the scratches on his back. “You should have – why is Wesley hurt? What have you done to him?”

Giles reflected sourly that if this was what Wesley had to endure from his lovers, his behaviour the night before was easy to understand.

“I have not taken his tongue from him, so I suggest you ask him. Angel, if you wish to continue glowering, please take yourself and your fit of the sullens into the corridor. Wesley, sit up and bid your friends good morning. They’ve seen your arse before, you know.”

Having reduced all three to speechlessness, Giles permitted himself a small smile and then nodded at the table. “I do not imagine you have had time to breakfast. Please help yourself. There is sufficient left to take the edge from your hunger and I can ring for more.”

Angel, who, like Spike, was clad only in a robe, let his lips part only to say, “No, I thank you. I am not hungry.”

A growl from his stomach belied his words and he flushed.

“Angel, I am not your rival, nor am I anything but your friend,” Giles said, refusing to allow himself to be angered. Angel’s distress was patent.

“That would be easier to believe had I not just seen you with Wesley’s cock in your hand,” Angel said crudely, all his usual respect towards Giles absent.

“I was under the impression that he was sent here for me to touch as I wished.” Angel was silent and Giles gave him a cold smile. “Ah. You slept peacefully, assured by Spike that I would be honourable and spurn him. How foolish of you. I am not, and never have been, quite that noble. And you, Spike; tell me, how long did it take for you to realise that your plan would hurt Wesley more than me? You have a marvellous insight into people but I’ve yet to see you apply it wisely.”

The look he got from Spike was wretched. “I thought to wound you, yes – I am sorry.”

“Tell Wesley, not me,” Giles said grimly.

Spike took three steps forward and knelt beside the bed, looking up at Wesley with imploring eyes. “I meant no harm, Wesley. Believe that.”

“You should have told me of your stratagems, Spike,” Wesley said, speaking for the first time. “I would have been given something I was denied. A choice.”

“You were not forced to agree,” Angel said, his eyes on Giles and his voice bitter. “You wanted this, Wesley. Be honest.”

“Why should I give that which I do not receive? How honest was Spike? And if you thought I wanted this, you were wrong. I love Giles and you have always known that, but I would never have risked losing you two for a few hours of pleasure. Never.”

“’Pleasure’?” said Spike, rising and sitting down on the bed beside Wesley. His fingers brushed a bite mark on Wesley’s shoulder, showing black against the pale skin where the bruises had risen. “This gave you...pleasure? Wesley, if anything was done to you against your will, I shall call him out.”

Wesley lost his temper and Giles was torn between amusement and concern.

“Will you have done treating me as though I were in the nursery or addle-pated! Spike, would you like me to tell you exactly what I was doing to Giles when I got that mark? Or do it to you and see if you choose to bite rather than scream for mercy?” Wesley was sitting bolt-upright now, his words clipped and curt, his eyes blazing in a pale face.

Angel let his gaze drift from Wesley to Giles, a question in his eyes. “Last night, you let Wesley –?” Giles nodded. Angel looked at Wesley. “Did you like it?” he asked bluntly. “Giving orders, instead of obeying them?”

Wesley flushed, his quick anger fading. “It was...different. I’m not certain I wish it with you, but –”

Again, Angel glanced at Giles but Giles kept his face impassive. Let Angel discover for himself what changes one night had wrought in Wesley. Giles did not think Wesley would challenge Angel, precisely, but Spike might find himself kneeling, pretty mouth shaping Wesley’s name and Giles was human enough to find that a pleasant thought.

“But none of this matters,” Wesley said suddenly. “Giles – tell them of the new threat, of what you fear.”

Giles sighed, wishing Wesley had not been so frank. “I cannot persuade you to leave and allow me to handle it?” he asked.

“Easily,” Angel said, allowing a smile to flicker over his face and relaxing for the first time. He turned and filled the two tankards Wesley and Giles had used with ale, handing one to Spike and drinking from the other. Giles appreciated the symbolism of it and wondered if Angel had done it deliberately, or simply because he was thirsty. Either way, Wesley’s softened mood seemed catching.

Angel sat down on the bed so that all four of them were close enough to touch each other and stared at Giles. “I doubt, however, that Wesley will leave if you are still in danger. What’s amiss?”

“I was just telling Wesley about it when you came in,” Giles began.

Spike snorted. “I beg you find a different manner of imparting knowledge then. I cannot speak for Angel, but were I to see you and Wesley...conversing again, I’ll need more than ale in my belly to keep from sobbing.”

It was said lightly enough and Giles answered it with a small smile. “I was telling him of it and we got distracted,” he allowed. “I think I can talk without kissing Wesley again, if that eases your fears.”

“I cannot,” Angel said heavily. “Wesley, you were angry and I know such feelings will not be lightly put aside but you have not yet– ” His eyes fell and then he glanced up. “I do not wish to cause you pain, but –”

“Angel,” Wesley said gently, leaning across the bed and kissing him. “Good morning, love.”

Giles closed his eyes, less from delicacy than to hide the emotions that flooded him. Arousal, yes, because Wesley’s back, curved and bowed was before him, still bearing the marks of his nails; a certain amount of possessiveness, understandable enough, no matter how misplaced, and a sympathy for Angel whose face had lit up as Wesley bent to him. He heard Wesley repeat the kiss and the greeting with Spike and was about to open his eyes when lips brushed his. Startled, his eyes flew open and he stared, not into Wesley’s deep blue eyes, but Angel’s brown ones.

“Good morning, Giles,” Angel said with deceptive politeness, struggling not to smile as Giles gaped at him.

Spike did smile, launching himself at Giles and kissing him soundly, a broad grin on his face. It was as if Wesley’s forgiveness had restored their good humour in an instant, as though being at outs with him had been causing them real distress. Giles turned to look at Wesley and saw that his face too was filled with a deep happiness.

“You need not kiss me again,” Giles said, a little diffidently, not wishing to chance the loss of the new accord between them all.

“I do need to,” Wesley said. “Very much.”

His lips met Giles’ in a kiss that did not linger but was hard enough to send a shiver down Giles’ spine. He cleared his throat and said abruptly, “I was speaking to Wesley of a man I once knew. One with somewhat of a reputation as a practitioner of magic and, for some time, my lover.”

“Lord Rayne?” Angel asked.

Giles raised his eyebrows, more shaken by that than the kiss. “How do you know that? Wesley did not know the name and it has been many years since Eth – since Rayne was in London.”

Spike and Angel exchanged glances. “I have access to means of acquiring knowledge,” Angel said evasively. He sighed. “Oh, ‘tis useless to hedge. My father ran a network of spies, working for the government, but reporting to him. I inherited them in a way. When I saw how drawn Wesley was to you, I –”

“Investigated him?” Wesley’s voice rose high. “Angel, that is precisely the style of behaviour that –” he took a deep, calming breath, “you will never do again, am I correct?”

“I cannot promise that I will cease to care for your well being, Wesley, but I will never hide my actions from you.” Angel looked at him appealingly. “I am telling you now, am I not?”

“Your disclosure is noted,” Giles said dryly, “but I find myself curious as to why, given what you must have been told, that you allowed Wesley to continue as my friend.”

Spike answered for Angel. “We were told nothing to make us think of you as other than a good man, Giles. What happened so long ago – well, we could see nothing to make us fear for Wesley.”

“Rayne, though...” Angel’s voice was dubious. “Of him, I have heard little that is good. What bearing does he have on your problem?”

Giles felt deeply weary but he forced himself to tell them of the bond he felt certain had been reforged. They heard him out in silence and he finished, waiting for them to roundly condemn him and insist on leaving.

“I am not clear on the nature of this link, Giles,” Spike said. “Is it like the connection we three share?”

“Kin, but not close kin.” Giles tried to put into words what could never be described. “He and I shared more than just our bodies. As we grew deeper in love –” He bit his lip, letting the small pain distract him from the ache in his heart. “It was not love. I know that now. It was – oh God, I cannot do this –”

He struggled to leave the bed, conscious of a need to be alone but Wesley’s hand wrapped around his wrist and Angel shifted just enough to block him.

“Would it be easier if you told just me?” Wesley said, his voice anxious.

“No,” said Angel. “I’ll not leave you alone with him until I am certain it is safe.” He stared at Giles, his gaze searching. “I trust you, Giles but until I know the extent to which you and Rayne are linked, I will not –”

“You are doing it again!” Wesley said, his voice bitter. “Making decisions for me. I’ll not have it, Angel.”

“Angel has the right of it,” Giles said. “Time was, Ethan –” he paused, the name tasting strange on his tongue after so many years – “Ethan and I could see through each others eyes. I do not think he has that power now but if he has seen you, if he thinks he could wound me by hurting you, then you are not safe. I would have you all leave. As soon as possible.”

“You lead an exciting life, Giles,” Spike said, scratching his cheek and looking amused rather than apprehensive. “From what you say, this Rayne cannot hope to arrive before nightfall, unless he can fly. He cannot, can he?”

Despite his concern, Giles smiled at that. “No. His horses were always fast, but their hooves stayed on the ground.”

“And, forgive me, but he is older,” Angel said. “Not perhaps so inclined to race? He might travel by easy stages?”

Unbidden, the urge to tell Angel roundly that if it were to come to a race, he, Giles, would back Ethan against any of them, rose within him. Taken aback at the discovery that even a shred of loyalty remained within him towards a man he thought he cordially detested, Giles simply shrugged and found his gaze moving once again to the window.

“Well, no matter.” Angel’s voice was firm. “It might pain you but I feel you should continue your tale.”

“I – it deals with much that is private,” Giles protested.

“You were telling Wesley,” Spike pointed out.

“I too would like to know what happened between you,” Wesley said, a little diffidently.

“Wesley and I are – we have –” Giles could not think of a way to phrase it that would not shatter the fragile truce between him and the two men who loved Wesley.

“Wesley is one of us,” Angel said. “In a way, though I beg you will not take this in a manner I do not intend, when you had him, you had us too.”

Giles raised his eyebrows. “Well, that’s a novel way of looking at it,” he muttered. “No wonder I feel exhausted.”

Spike laughed and reached over to pat Giles’ hand reassuringly. “You did not seem so when we first came into the room,” he reminded him. “Truth be told, I’m impressed that after a night with him, you still had the energy.” He turned to Wesley and grinned. “So, did your tutor teach you anything new, Wesley?”

Giles silenced Wesley with a stern look as he seemed about to answer and cast up his eyes. “Given a choice between baring my secrets from the past and last night, I choose the first.”

“Spike will get every detail of the latter from Wesley,” Angel said, with an indulgent glance at them both, “but I promise it will go no further. You can trust our discretion, if only because we would not wound Wesley.”

“And we like you, Giles,” Spike put in. “We came to rescue you, didn’t we?”

Giving up any attempt to understand them, Giles shook his head and then stiffened as someone tapped gently at the door.

“Yes?” he called.

“Would you care for more food, sir?”

Spike jumped off the bed and pulled open the door, beaming at Merrin. “Of a certainty,” he said, taking a heavily laden tray from the butler.

“Thank you, Merrin,” Giles said, “We are not to be disturbed again until I call for you – but if a visitor arrives, send word at once.”

Merrin bowed, his face impassive, and left. Spike turned the key in the door and walked over to help himself to food. “Didn’t seem too surprised to see the four of us in here,” he commented. “Can he be trusted?”

Giles nodded. “His grandfather and father were butlers here before him. He’s practically family.”

Spike climbed back onto the bed after passing around more ale and Giles flushed as three expectant faces turned to him.

“I – oh, there is little to tell! I became Rayne’s lover, he taught me magic and eventually we underwent a ritual that bound us, in much the same way you three are bound. Then I discovered –”

“Giles, that will not do!” Spike protested. “You became his lover? Tell us!”

“You cannot want to know more than that!”

“I do,” Wesley said indignantly. “You told me of the first night you went to him and he turned you away; I would know how that tale ended.”

Giles looked at them helplessly. “I cannot see – oh, very well. You three are the most – ”

Spike smiled broadly and stretched out, his robe falling away to reveal a well-shaped leg. “I know,” he said complacently. “We’re incorrigible.”

Giles felt suddenly very aware of the fact that Wesley was still naked and beside him under the covers and that Spike and Angel were clad only in robes. “Should we not, perhaps, get dressed?” he suggested.

Angel bit deeply into an apple Spike had tossed over to him, chewed and swallowed and then casually pulled Spike to him for a kiss, “I’m quite comfortable, thank you.”

Giles glared at him. “And the point of that kiss was -?”

Wesley moved closer and slid his hand into Giles’. “He’s doing what he would do were you not here. No; that’s not it. He’s saying –”

“You’re quite correct, Wesley,” Angel interrupted. “It is annoying to have some one speak for you. My sincere apologies.” He looked at Giles. “This will never happen again, Giles; one of us going to another. But it did happen with you and I think that was not by chance, nor simply due to our anger. If Wesley links us to you, as he undoubtedly does, there’s a reason for it. You are not – I do not wish to hurt you – you are not one of us-”

“That I know,” Giles said quietly. “I do not expect to be, or to ever touch Wesley again. You need not fear that.”

Angel nodded, accepting Giles’ words graciously and Giles felt Wesley draw a sharp breath of indignation.

“I will go to Giles’ bed whenever he asks,” Wesley said, in a tone that brooked no argument. “I do not expect that it will be often; once this is over, well, we all have duties that must needs be attended to; your estates in particular must be in dire need of you, Angel.” He glanced at the three men, his face filled with a cool resolve. “But Giles has but to say and I will go to him. Is that understood?”

“No, it is not!” Angel sat up abruptly, spilling ale on his robe. He glanced at the tankard he held, as though wondering what to do with it and then drained it and tossed it to the floor. “I will not have that, Wesley. Nor would you allow it were Spike or I to do likewise.”

“’Allow’?” Wesley said softly. “Am I a servant, or a child that you speak of ‘allowing’?”

Giles opened his mouth and caught Spike’s eye. A small shake of his head warned Giles to be still.

Angel and Wes were kneeling up now, facing each other, eyes flashing with anger.

“You sent me to him! You sought to make him suffer and in the instrument used to wound him! I will not let such pettiness succeed in its object, Angel. You teach Spike, with the flat of your hand, that actions bring with them consequences. Learn that lesson yourself. I will not move on this.”

“And I will not have you away from my side one night longer, Wesley. I cannot bear the thought of you with him when you should be with us. We love you.”

“So does he! And it is an unselfish love, that never sought to do more than exist in silence, in secret. You dragged it out into the light and now you seek to imprison it once more. I’ll not have it.”

“You cal sel selfish because I do not want you in another’s bed? This is madness, Wesley. I have been more than understanding of your feelings for him, but this is beyond anything. Do you know how I felt when I came into this room and saw you with him?”

“No. I do not. You have not told me. You did nothing but glare. Did it hurt you, Angel? Then I am glad, because it was nothing to the pain I felt last night!”

Spike slid off the bed, unnoticed, and picked up Giles’ robe. Walking around the bed, he held it out to Giles who took it and got out of bed.

“Through here,” Giles said softly, opening a door that led to a small parlour. Spike followed him in, closing the door on the argument raging in the bedroom.

Giles looked at Spike as he fastened his robe. “Do they – is this usual for them?” he asked a little weakly.

Spike grinned. “No. Usually it is Angel and I who squabble and Wesley who makes peace. What did you do to him lastht, ht, Giles? He seems...different.”

Giles ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “I gave him a taste of command – but I think it is simply that he chafes at so much babying. Do not lay this change at my door.”

“Angel will,” Spike said simply. “You’d best hope this ends with him as your friend. He makes a bad enemy.”

“As do I,” Giles said, allowing a certain hauteur to creep into him voice.

Spike smiled. “Do not bother,” he advised. “I’ve known the Devil Duke for years; airs and graces roll off me.”

The voices from the other room cut off abruptly and Giles moved forward to open the door, alarmed by the silence as he had not been by the angry words. Spike’s hand fell on his arm, halting him.

“Best not.”

“Why? What is he doing to Wesley?”

Spike shook his head. “And you say we baby him! What do you think they’re doing, Giles? Angel’s been on fire for Wes since we came in.”

Giles swore. “In my Oh, Oh, that’s bloody charming!”

“If he wanted one of us, Angel’d fuck us in the King’s bed without thinking twice,” Spike said. “It’s not that he doesn’t know about consequences, he just prefers to deal with them later, you see?”

Anger warred with the desire to laugh and Giles gave way to the latter. “Oh God, Spike, you three make me feel old! Listen; no matter what Wesley says, I’ll not have him again. I love him, yes, but I made the decision not to try to take him from you years ago. Nothing has happened to change that.” Concern quenched his amusement. “And now, Ethan is coming – oh, we must have done with this foolishness and begin to prepare! If you three will not leave, then you shall help. There are spells we might do that can lay wards around the house and each of us, but they take time to prepare –”

Spike was still standing close to Giles and he leaned forward and kissed him, stemming Giles’ words most effectively.

“Giles, you fret too much. Now; as those two will doubtless be occupied for some while yet, let us sit and you may tell me of Rayne. As much or as little as you like, but I want to know the one thing you have not touched upon.”

“And what is that?”

Spike gave him a look wiser than his years. “You know the answer to that Giles, but I’ll give it you. Tell me why you left him. Tell me how you managed to spend twenty years apart when I cannot be away from those two for a week without feeling as though I’ve lost a hand.”

Giligheighed. “Must I?”

Spike took his hand and drew him over to a low couch, placed so that those who sat on it could watch the restless sea far below.

“Yes, you must.”

Giles sat, and was surprised that Spike’s hand stayed warm within his. “I can tell you in one sentence,” he said. “I discovered that he had Jennifer killed so that he could have me.”

Spike’s grip tightened and that small comfort shattered two decades of silence. In a rush of words, Giles began to speak, pouring out feelings of bitterness and despair that burned as bright as they had so many years ago.