Behemoth Boyfriend: Ikshan Part Two (special preview)

“Your mother was in a panic. I got worried.” Ikshan’s voice is soft and gentle as he massages me. “Just relax. I’ll take care of you.”

I sigh with relief, having gotten my selfish wish granted. “Thank you,” I whimper.

“I would do anything for you, Veer.” His voice is low and quiet. “Remember that always. It’s my promise.”

Once I get to feeling better and sit up in bed, Ikshan has breakfast with me in my room. He’s sent for a doctor to come look at my arm, but they are away and it will be night before they arrive, so Ikshan has cancelled his plans for the day to make sure I’m okay.

“I had a dream about you last night,” I murmur.

Ikshan chuckles. “Did you?”

“It was a sort of nightmare,” I grumble as I sip my tea.

Ikshan’s ears flick forward and he chuckles. “Oh, I see, that makes much more sense.” He smiles my way and sets his empty plate down.

“No, no,” I try to quickly cover. “It wasn’t like that, it was-” I hesitate to speak about my dream. But if I can’t talk to Ikshan about it, then who would I?

Ikshan leans towards me. “What was it?”

I sigh and sink down a bit. “You were getting married,” I sigh. I run my fingers through my hair and brush it away from my face. “I kept trying to chase you and stop you. You looked so lost and unhappy. I just wanted to take you away.” I cover my face with my palms. “You kept telling me to go away, go away. And the music was so loud, it was pushing me back farther and farther.”

“What I said really did bother you,” Ikshan murmurs. “I thought it did.” He sighs and bows his head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have burdened you like that, Veer.”

“I want you to, though. I want to help you in all matters, not just battles and war.” I look up at him through tears in my eyes. “It means a lot to me to be able to help you and be your friend through everything. Being your concubine may be an act, but I still feel it is my personal duty to see that you are happy and-” I stop myself and laugh. “Look at me.” I sniffle and wipe at my eyes. “I’m an emotional mess today. Good thing you canceled those meetings.”

Ikshan is quiet and his eyes are downcast. “It shouldn’t be your responsibility to see after my emotions. That isn’t fair to you,” he says softly. “I didn’t ask you to do that.”

“Yes, but-”

“No,” he cuts me off quickly. “Even if you were a regular concubine, that still wouldn’t be your duty.” He looks up at me, and his expression is pained. “No one should have to bear that burden. Not for me. Not for anyone.” He sighs, and his ears smooth back across his head. “It is enough to have you around, Veer,” he whispers. “It is enough for me to have you as my friend.”

Ikshan sounds like he is trying to convince himself more than he is me.

“That is the warrior in you, isn’t it?” Ikshan whispers. “To want to protect and save everyone. Well, you can’t do that. Not all the time.” He looks up at me and gives me a soft smile. “What you do for me is more than enough. I am eternally grateful you would even worry so much over me.”

“But I want to do more,” my throat tightens and chokes my words.