********************

 Dinner began quietly.

Fox joined Alexei a short time after he'd entered the great room. The other man waited for him to speak, but he merely seated himself and began to pick at his dinner. Drumming his fingers softly, Alexei watched and waited.

Nothing.

Finally, he sidled over to Fox and plucked a morsel from his plate. Tentatively, he held his fingers to his lover's mouth, chewing on the corner of his mouth as he waited.

Fox raised his eyes to Alexei's as he considered the offering. Finally, he opened his mouth and allowed the other man to feed him. When his entire dinner was eaten that way, he sat back against a mass of pillows, staring sedately at his lover.

Alexei shifted his body and lay before Fox. He wrapped his arms around his lover's legs and resting his head on his knees, looked up at him. "Is my lord still angry with me?"

"No, I'm not angry."

"Am I still being punished?"

Fox considered his question, then nodded. "Yes, you are."

Alexei gave him a beautiful pout. "Then...you will allow me to give you no pleasure tonight?"

"I haven't decided."

Alexei moved upward, burying his face in Fox's chest. "Please, lord. A night without your love would be a torturous thing."

Fox petted the sable head for a moment, then closed his fingers around the satiny strands, lifting Alexei's head until their eyes met. "Even I do allow you to pleasure me, there will be none for you."

Green eyes stared up at him, pleading. "You...you would torture me this way?"

"It's not torture," Fox corrected him gently. "It's punishment. A punishment you asked for."

"I would rather be whipped by my lord's own hand than endure this type of punishment. I beg you to reconsider."

The corner of Fox's mouth twitched. "I suppose it's possible that you could somehow convince me."

Alexei stared up at him for a moment, then rose to his feet and slowly began to remove his clothing. When the last bit of material slipped from his body, he lowered himself to the floor, kneeling beside Fox's outstretched legs. He bent at the waist, laying his torso and arms out in front of him.

From the comfort of his pillows, Fox cocked his head, admiring the body stretched out before him. His eyes followed the strong, clean lines of the muscles, imagining feeling them tighten and relax under his touch. He mentally caressed the smooth, tanned skin and heard the faint sigh that drifted up from the floor. Realizing that Alexei must have been tuned in to his thoughts, he attempted to shut them off and leaned forward, placing his hand on the other's back, stroking up and down its length. Enjoying the twitch of muscle beneath his fingers, Fox continued for a bit longer, then slid his hand down under Alexei's jaw and lifted, coaxing the other man upright.

Alexei remained on his knees, staring into Fox's eyes as his lover caressed his jaw. As the hand drifted closer to his mouth, he gently grasped Fox's wrist and placed a soft kiss in his palm. His tongue followed, slithering up toward Fox's fingers where he then drew one into his mouth, delicately sucking at the tip.

Mesmerized, Fox pushed his finger forward, watching as it disappeared into Alexei's mouth, then pulled it out, adding a second finger. Alexei accepted the addition, licking and sucking with increased enthusiasm. He moaned in protest when the fingers were suddenly removed, and Fox sat back, staring quietly at him, waiting.

Alexei pitched forward, supporting the weight of his upper body on his hands, and crawled torward Fox. When he was almost parallel to Fox's chest, he reached out and parted his lover's robes, baring his chest. Gentle fingers danced across the warm skin before Alexei leaned in and began scattering soft kisses over the same area. When Fox's head fell back and his eyes closed, Alexei's tongue inched out to take his pleasure a step higher.

A servant came in to clear the remains of dinner and gasped softly at the sight of her prince, naked and sprawled over the master, thoroughly bathing his upper body with his tongue.

Not entirely oblivious to the girl, Alexei continued his task, lingering over one puckered nipple, drawing breathy moans from the man beneath him.

Completely oblivious, Fox lay amongst the pillows, accepting the intense pleasure of his lover's caress. The warmth moved lower, flowing over his taut belly, teasing and tickling every inch of skin. He removed Fox's pants, and finally, what seemed like ages later, his mouth gently brushed the glistening head of his rigid erection.

Sounding a tiny, shocked yelp, the girl gathered up the last of the dinnerware and vacated the room, leaving Alexei smiling as he lapped at the pearl of bitter fluid at the tip of his lover's swollen shaft.

Fox twitched and released a small grunt at the most intimate touch. He breathed deeply, willing himself to relax and enjoy every caress, but when he found himself engulfed in wet heat, all good intentions evaporated like so many drops of rain on the desert floor. His hips bucked as he sought to push himself deeper into that wonderful heat.

Alexei relaxed his throat muscles and took all that Fox had to give him. His tongue fluttered over the long shaft each time it slid into his mouth, and his deep groans of pleasure vibrated along the thrusting muscle. As Fox's movements became more erratic, Alexei regained control, grasping his hips to hold him still, and slowly began to back off.

Fox issued a sharp hiss as Alexei pulled away, but the protest died a quick death as his lover's tongue moved to the fragile skin of the sac that hung heavily between his legs. He squirmed within Alexei's firm grip, his soft whimpers conveying his need.

Gently rolling the sac on his tongue, Alexei slipped a hand underneath his lover, his fingers burrowing between the rounded muscle, and then ever so gently, first one then two digits teased their way into the tight opening. Fox cried out and began to rock his hips, but Alexei's free hand once again steadied him. Knowing that Fox was now teetering very close to the edge, he licked his way back up the length of his erection. Once at the tip, he teased the tiny slit for a brief moment, then abruptly swallowed his lover to the root.

Fox's mouth fell open, and a tormented sob tumbled out. Somewhere between heaven and madness he floated, aware of nothing more than the exquisite torture that his lover was inflicting on him and the desperate need to bring it to a shattering end. His fingers clenched in the pillows around him as Alexei increased the pressure, and each labored breath left his lips in a loud hiss. The fingers sliding in and out of him slipped deeper, stimulating a spot that made his back arch high off the floor and a long, broken cry rip from his throat.

Alexei's head rose and fell faster as he felt Fox's body hit its peak. In an instant, the man beneath him began to lurch and scream incoherently as hot fluid hit the back of his throat. A thin line ran down one corner of his mouth as he swallowed his lover's seed. When Fox collapsed in utter exhaustion, Alexei lifted his head. Slitted hazel eyes watched as he lifted his hand to his mouth, wiping the moisture away, then licked it from his fingers. That done, he again lowered his head and began to gently clean his lover's spent organ. Golden-brown eyelashes swept down, and the other man sighed softly.

When he'd completed his task, Alexei rested his head low on Fox's belly and one hand on his hip, drawing lazy circles on the skin there, with his thumb. His eyes drifted shut, but he did not sleep, could not until the screaming of his own body was silenced.

Fox opened his eyes long minutes later and looked down at the top of the sable head resting on him. He raised a weakened hand and combed his fingers through Alexei's hair. The other man lifted his head and looked up at him expectantly. A weary smile trembled at his lips, and he tugged at the hair beneath his fingers, prompting Alexei to slide up until they were face to face. He pulled the other man down for a soft, lazy kiss then murmured against them, "Let's go to bed."

Alexei gazed down at him, a soft smile playing at his lips. "As you wish, my lord." He rose to his feet, helping Fox up, and the two walked together to their bed chamber.

Fox dropped to the mattress first, then Alexei, right along beside him. He reached over and lovingly caressed the other's cheek, provoking the gentle nuzzling of his palm. His eyes sparkled as he attracted and held his lover's gaze.

"Goodnight, love."

Alexei's mouth fell open as he watched Fox settle onto his back and close his eyes.

//No. He....he *would* not...he...//

Fox heard what sounded like a soft gasp and opened his eyes halfway. "Did you say something?"

"N-no, but..."

"But, what?"

"You truly mean to sleep?"

"Yes..."

Alexei shook his head slowly. "You could be so cruel?"

"My love...I would never be cruel to you. But if you recall, I told you from the beginning..."

"But you said I could convince you. Did I not please my lord?"

"Of course you did. Very much. But I believe my exact words were it was *possible* that you could convince me." Fox brushed his fingertips across the other man's lips. "You have not. Your punishment will continue." He moved his hand from Alexei's mouth to his own, kissing his fingers, then bringing them back to press against his lover's. "Now go to sleep. We will re-evaluate the situation in the morning."

Alexei watched, disbelieving, as Fox removed his hand, draping it across his chest and closed his eyes. For over an hour he watched in silence, waiting for Fox to open his eyes and tell him that he was only joking, throw him onto his back and make passionate love to him.

Nothing.

Coming up on an hour and a half, he gave up and curled up on his side, facing away from Fox. His body begged for relief, but he denied it, refusing to interfere with his lord's punishment. Despondently, he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Just as he had begun to finally drift off, he felt a hard warmth press up against the length of his body. He shook off the darkness that was just about to claim him and came to full consciousness. He shuddered uncontrollably as a soft mouth kissed the back of his neck. The warmth ebbed, and Fox turned him onto his back. The other man smiled down at him in the near-darkness of the room.

"Did you really think I would sleep tonight without hearing you scream my name?"

Alexei shuddered at the soft words. "I...not at first, but..." He fell silent and turned his best wounded look on Fox.

"Ohhh," Fox cooed, petting Alexei's hair, "is my love suffering?"

Alexei looked away and nodded.

"Well. Let's see what we can do to remedy that, shall we?"

Dark eyes rose warily. "You are not going to tease me then tell me to go to sleep, are you?"

Fox lowered his head, brushing his lips against Alexei's. "No."

Alexei wound an arm around his lover's neck and writhed against him. "My love...my body aches for you. Please..."

Before he could utter another word, Fox's mouth came down on his, muffling his pleas. His lover's weight settled over him, pressing him deeper into the mattress and pulling a strained whimper from his constricted chest. Fox slithered against him, feeling the full extent of his arousal and leaving no doubts in Alexei's mind about his own renewed passion.

"My beautiful Jade," Fox murmured against the other's mouth, "you must know that I would never let you suffer the entire night..." He slipped a hand between them, stroking the column of velvet-sheathed stone. "So hard," he moaned, lightly fingering the shaft.

Alexei stared up at him through glazed eyes. "For you, my lord."

Fox squeezed him gently. "It is a lovely gift. Might I ask for another?"

"Your slightest wish is my command."

The words brought a smile to Fox's lips. "Open yourself to me."

Without question, Alexei spread his legs and wrapped them high around his lover's waist. He waited, trembling as Fox positioned himself at his entrance, then stopped. He turned pleading eyes up to Fox's face but remained silent.

Fox looked down into his lover's eyes, glowing with love...and deep, uninhibited lust, and he could hold off no longer.

Alexei's head pressed back into the pillows, and a loud, sobbing wail escaped past his lips as Fox drove into him.

Every bit as overcome, Fox shuddered, gritting his teeth in a valiant effort to stave off the violent rush of sensation that rumbled through his body. He froze, struggling for composure, but Alexei would not be quieted. The other man bucked impatiently beneath him, sobbing his name, and he lost the struggle. Taking his lover's stony erection in one hand and anchoring the other in his hair, Fox pulled out almost to the tip, then surged forward again.

Alexei's fingers dug into the muscled padding of Fox's shoulders as his lover remained deeply embedded inside him and rocked forward then released the pressure, allowing his body to lurch back to where it had been. He repeated the process several times, never leaving the heat that surrounded him, and each thrust brushed over that magical, mysterious spot, leaving Alexei quivering beneath him, delirious with pleasure.

"Fox..." Alexei panted, "...my....my love...please...I..." He stiffened, groaning through clenched teeth as Fox increased the tempo of his thrusts and matched it with the movement of his hand.

"Are you..." Fox swallowed hard, trying to hold on for just a second more, "...are you ready, love?"

Alexei whimpered and nodded as he clung desperately to his lover.

"Then show me," Fox hissed as he began to slam into the other man. "Let me feel it...let me...hear..."

And at that moment, the damn burst, the flood of sensation carrying both men screaming over the edge.

Fox's name rang in his own ears, cried out again and again by the man who shuddered and thrashed endlessly beneath him, and he was never more sure of Alexei's love than at that precise moment. When the storm had finally passed and Fox's weakened arms could hold him up no longer, he lowered his trembling body to rest on top of the one he loved so dearly and wrapped Alexei in his arms.

 ********************

The shrieks and wails coming from their masters' bedroom died down and brought knowing smiles to some of the servants and looks of profound embarrassment to others, but all went about their duties quickly and professionally and never spoke a word of it to each other...while working. In the privacy of their quarters, they often discussed their prince and his chosen mate...the one he referred to in their presence as the master. Privately, they'd heard him call the other 'Fox' and assumed that this was his name. In some of the more intimate moments that they often bore witness to, he was heard to call Fox 'my lord', and they thought that even if this man was indeed a nobleman, he was still human, and therefore not anyone that their esteemed prince would or should bow to. Still, in light of all they did and did not know, one thing was crystal clear. Prince Alexei loved this man with his whole heart and soul, and the feeling was more than mutual. That knowledge brought happiness to the attendants, and they vowed to serve both men well and maintain the blissful atmosphere that reigned on their home.

 ********************

 The two men lay clinging to each other, Fox's head nestled against Alexei's shoulder, and all was quiet except for the soft purr that rumbled in his ear. He smiled wearily and lifted his head to gaze down upon his beloved. Luminescent green eyes stared back and perfect lips attempted to form a word. Unable to resist temptation, Fox moved in for a long, tender kiss. When he'd drunk his fill of his lover's sweetness, he slid down a bit and laid his head on Alexei's chest. The other man raised a hand to his head and lazily stroked the damp, golden-brown silk. After a long silence, Fox's voice drifted up to the other's ears, soft and weary.

"Jade?"

"Yes?"

"Do you feel better?"

"So much better. I cannot believe my astounding luck to have the world's greatest lover fall in love with me..."

Fox shook with silent laughter. "There's sarcasm in there somewhere, I think."

"Oh no, lord. I say this to you in all sincerity."

Fox laughed again, this time audibly. "That isn't what I meant, anyway."

"No?"

"No. I'm actually referring to last night."

"Oh. Truly, Fox, I do not know what happened to me, but I feel fine now."

"No more anxiety? No unexplainable fears?"

"None."

"You aren't just saying that so I won't worry?"

"No, I promise you, everything is fine. Now it is time that you slept or you will be falling over your desk tomorrow." Alexei wrapped his arms around Fox and dropped a number of soft kisses in his hair. "Goodnight, my treasure."

Fox mumbled a sleepy goodnight and in no time was soundly asleep. Alexei stayed awake a bit longer, enjoying the peaceful sounds of his love's slumber and the comforting warmth of his naked body resting on his own.

//The world will never know a more perfect love.//

He fell asleep finally, smiling at the thought.

 ********************

 The next morning, Alexei sent Fox off to class with a lingering kiss and a promise to behave himself, then drew a deep breath and went to see if his father had returned.

Indeed he had and was anxious for his son's visit.

Alexei entered the grand salon, followed by Daniel, and found the elder reading.

"Father."

"Well," Malik closed his book and smiled on his eldest son. "I was beginning to think you had run away from home."

The young man strolled past his father, stopping at the edge of the doorway that led out to the balcony. "I realize that I have been spending quite a lot of time away."

"Yes, you have. I have given you your privacy, my son. I have not questioned you or Daniel, but now I must ask. What is it that keeps you away for such long periods of time?"

Alexei inhaled deeply, then released the breath slowly. "You remember you told me that if I had found myself a companion, you hoped that I would bring said companion before you?"

"Yes, son. I remember well. I am an old man but still perfectly capable of recalling something that I said only a matter of weeks ago."

Alexei gave him a brief smile. "Well...it is time I did that."

Malik broke into a wide grin. "Wonderful! Bring her to me this evening. We shall dine together..."

"Father."

"Yes?"

Alexei shook his head. "There are two things you must know."

The smile faded from Malik's face. "Your solemn expression tells me I may not be pleased with whatever these things are you must tell me." He sat down and looked up at his son. "Say what you must say."

Alexei nodded. "You said 'she', Father. My companion is not female."

"Oh?" Malik paused thoughtfully, then spoke again. "Oh. Well, my son, you know that from birth we are taught that in matters of love, gender is not an issue. Your grandmothers were very happy together all their lives and raised me in love. Now, I admit that I am a bit surprised, considering all the females I have seen you with in the past, but if this man means enough to you that you would have him stand before me, then I accept your choice."

Alexei executed a shallow bow. "Thank you, Father."

Malik nodded to his son. "You said there were two things."

"Yes."

Daniel tucked himself into the nearest corner and watched warily.

"Father, I know your feelings regarding humans, but..."

The older man stopped him cold. "*Humans*?"

"Yes..."

"Alexei," Malik's voice took on a warning tone. "Surely you are not going to tell me that this companion of yours is a..." His hand tightened on the book he still held. "...*human*."

Daniel watched his friend's chin take on a defiant tilt and the green of his eyes all but disappear, and he wished he could do the same, but he had given his word that when Alexei told Malik his news, he would be there for moral support.

//Were you *insane*?//

"Yes, Father. He is."

Malik closed his eyes, and the room began to quake. Or maybe it was just Daniel. At this point, he really couldn't be sure.

"Why," the older man asked softly, "do you insist on defying me at every turn? *Why* do you find my rules so difficult to follow? No one else seems to have a problem with them."

"Everyone *else* fears you and the punishment you will bring down upon them if they do not adhere to your stupid rules."

"And you do not."

"Father, I cannot obey a law that is so blatantly unreasonable. Contrary to what you may believe, I do not do this to spite you."

"No? Then tell me why!"

"I love him, Father. Deeply and completely."

Malik's eyes widened and turned blacker than coal. His response came out in a barely audible hiss. "Nooo."

"Yes, father."

"Alexei...son...*please*...tell me that you are not mated to this...this...*human*."

"I will thank you not to refer to him as though he were some contemptible monster. His name is Fox, and yes, we are lovers."

There was a loud crack as a large vase behind Malik cracked and exploded into hundreds of pieces. Daniel trembled in his corner, too afraid to move or speak, but Alexei stood unblinking before his father, completely unwilling to back down.

"Did grandmother not give you that vase as a wedding gift?" Alexei scolded softly. "She would *not* be pleased."

"Your impudence is *not* helping your situation, boy," Malik warned. "Now you listen to me. You are not to see your human pet again, is that clear? If you walk away now and make absolutely no contact with him again, I will forget this whole sordid incident."

Alexei shook his head. "I will do no such thing. My place is with Fox. And if you cannot accept that, Father I am sorry, but I will not give him up."

"That was not a request, Alexei."

"No, of course it was not. All you know how to do is issue commands and proclamations. You are not listening to me, Father. I *love* Fox. Does my happiness mean nothing to you?"

"*Yes*! Which is why I insist that you put an immediate stop to this!"

Alexei's voice raised to match the volume of his father's, shaking the entire house. "What is it about humans that makes you so unreasonable?"

"I do not need to explain myself to you, Alexei. I say that you will not see him again, and you *will* *not*."

"I *will*." Alexei raised a hand to his head, then lowered his tone. "Father...this is getting us nowhere. Please. For me...let me show him to you. Watch him for a bit. Listen to him..."

Malik closed his eyes and turned away.

"He is a teacher, you know. A very intelligent man. He is handsome and he is kind...he makes me so very happy, father. Please just see him."

Malik's failure to answer was interpreted as consent, and Alexei moved to the large mirror in the far corner of the room and waved his hand across it. An image of Fox appeared, and an immediate smile came to Alexei's lips. He watched quietly as Fox taught his class, moving slowly, up and down the aisles between the desks. He turned to Malik and called softly.

"Father, please. Come and see the man I adore, and you will understand."

Slowly, Malik moved before the mirror and raised his eyes to the image. Daniel unfolded himself from the corner, now standing to stare, amazed at what his friend was able to accomplish. Malik watched in silence, then turned to see the look of pure devotion in his son's eyes. Daniel's tentative smile vanished as he saw Malik's face harden and twist into a mask of frightening emotion.

"Fine. I have seen him. Now get rid of this image and erase him from your mind, or so help me, Alexei, you will never assume the throne. I will strip you of your birthright and pass the crown on to your brother Amed."

Alexei stood his ground. "You are forcing me to choose."

"Yes."

"Then there is only one choice I can make..."

Malik nodded, finally happy that he had gotten through to his wayward son.

"I choose Fox."

A look of sheer fury washed over the king's features, and objects all over the room began to shudder and break. "Very well, Alexei. I give you a new choice." He waved his hand at the mirror, and Alexei watched in horror as Fox suddenly fell to the floor, hands clenched in his hair, writhing in agony.

"Father! What are you doing? *Stop*!"

"I will stop," Malik hissed. "But you must agree never to see him again."

"*No*!"

"Then you choose for him to die."

Alexei flattened his hands on the mirror, watching helplessly as his Fox screamed out in pain. "*No*," he sobbed, knowing that there was no way for him to undo what his father had done. "Father, *please*! *Stop*!"

"Do you agree?"

Tears sprung to Alexei's eyes, and he shook violently. "You are killing me as well!"

"You will get over it, Alexei. Now, what is your decision?" He raised a hand. "Do I finish him?"

"*NO*!"

"Then you agree?"

"*Yes*," he dropped to his knees, leaning against the mirror. "*Yes*, I will stay away from him. Please...do not hurt him anymore..."

The tears steamed down Alexei's face as he watched Fox stop writhing and lie panting on the floor while the children surrounded him. Seconds later, Dana raced in, followed by the youngest of the boys. She hovered over Fox for moment, then helped him to his feet. They spoke a few words, then she helped Fox from the room.

"Say goodbye, Alexei."

Alexei gripped the mirror and pressed his face to it. "How can you be so cruel? You are not my father. You could not be."

Malik spoke softly to his son. "You hate me at this moment. But soon you will come to realize that it is best."

More tears rolled down Alexei's face. "Never," he said in a choked whisper. "You have taken my only love. I will never forgive you."

Malik blinked and pressed his lips together in a grim line. "You are my successor. The future king. You must learn to behave as such."

Alexei turned red-rimmed eyes to the man standing over him. "I do not want your crown." He shook with rage. "I do not want your house or your lands. I do not want your subjects, and I do not want your power. The only thing I ever wanted, you took from me." He rose unsteadily to his feet, and Daniel came to his side. "From this day on, you have one less son."

"Do not say things you do not mean."

Alexei took one shaky step forward, his eyes blazing with hatred. "I mean it," he whispered through gritted teeth. "You have seen me for the last time."

Without another word, Alexei disappeared, leaving a stunned Daniel alone with Malik. The old man looked up at the other man, reading a look of profound sadness in his eyes. He drew himself up straight and tall and gave the younger man a hard stare. "I will be watching him every minute. You would do well to tell him that."

Daniel merely lowered his eyes.

"He *will* get over this."

"No, sire." Daniel hesitated a second, then doing something he'd never done, looked up and gazed steadily into the king's eyes. "He will not." And he was gone as well.

Malik paced the room, shattered bits of glass and china crunching beneath his feet. "I am right," he told himself, "I *will* do what is best for him whether he likes it or not..."

Having again worked himself into a high state of self-righteousness, Malik whirled around and was gone.

 ********************

 A group of servants watched as Alexei stumbled blindly past them on his way to his bedroom. One began to follow to ask if there was anything he required, but a voice from behind stopped her.

"Leave him."

The girl turned to face Daniel. "But, sir...he does not look at all well!"

"I know. But there is nothing at all that any of you can do for him."

"The master then? Can he help?"

Daniel looked from the girl to the direction in which Alexei had gone. "Would that he could," he whispered softly.

 ********************

 Alexei entered the room, closing the door softly behind him. He wandered the room slowly, his shaky legs doing a less than adequate job of holding him up. Pain seared his chest as he looked around.

Such joy in this room. Such love.

He moved to the bed and sank down amongst the pillows, burying his face in them. He inhaled deeply, taking in Fox's lingering scent...memorizing it so that when it faded from the material, it would still be vivid in his mind.

He turned over, clutching a pillow to his chest and stared up at the ceiling. Tears again welled up in his eyes and spilled over as he recalled helplessly watching his beloved suffer the agony inflicted on him by Malik. He was sure that Dana was caring for him sufficiently, but that was *his* place. Fox should be here. Home. In bed resting while Alexei attended to him...held him and kissed him and promised that no harm would ever come to him again...

He sat up suddenly, trembling as his name sounded in his head. A number of seconds passed, and he heard it again.

Fox was calling to him. Wanting to come home.

Violent shudders coursed through him as for the third time the voice sounded, this time laced with a tinge of anxiety. His fingers clenched in his hair, and he rocked back and forth. Tiny whimpers began to push their way past his compressed lips, and the fourth and last time that Fox called to him, the fear in his voice coming through loud and clear, it finished him.

Daniel and the small group of servants looked up, more than a bit startled as the floor beneath them shook with Alexei's roars of anguish. Daniel instructed the servants to keep their distance, and he rushed to his friend's room, throwing the door open to find Alexei lying across his bed, heaving great sobs. He approached cautiously and seated himself at the edge of the bed.

"Alexei," he called softly. "I...I am so sorry. So very, very sorry. I wish with all my heart that this had not happened.."

Although his loud wails had begun to abate, Alexei issued no response. He lay face down in the pillows, intermittent tremors wracking his body.

"I must tell you..." Daniel lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. "...in case you are entertaining any notions of trying to contact...him. Malik is watching and will be every minute. To insure Fox's safety, you must not have any contact with him...none."

Still, nothing.

Daniel squeezed his friend's shoulder. "I can only imagine the pain you have to be suffering, Alexei. I feared something bad would come of this, but I never imagined...I never dreamed..." He took a deep breath and went on. "If there was something I could do to ease the pain of this, I would. Please know that."

Alexei remained still and relatively quiet, giving no indication that he'd even heard Daniel's words. The other man rose and drifted silently from the room, leaving his friend alone with his grief.

 ********************

 "Fox, are you sure that you are not in any more pain?"

"Yes."

Dana sat quietly for a moment, stroking his brow with the cold cloth. Then, "He's probably just someplace where he can't hear you."

"He can hear me anywhere. He said that to me once."

Dana shook her head, starting to speak half a dozen times, then rethinking her words. "I don't...I don't know what to tell you. He's all right, I'm sure he is. If something was wrong, you would have heard from Daniel."

Fox nodded.

Dana patted his hand reassuringly. "You'll be home soon. And you'll see that there's a reasonable explanation for this."

No answer.

"Now tell me again what happened."

"How many times must you hear it?"

"Until I can make some sense of it."

"How can you if *I* can't?" Seeing Dana's insistent expression, he sighed and went through it again. "All right. I was in class. Everything was as normal as usual...except that Jeffrey was not there disrupting the lessons. I *felt* fine. Then all of a sudden this pain came out of nowhere. It was so bad that it knocked me to the floor. I'd never felt anything like it. I could barely see, and I couldn't hear at all, and then it got worse. Excruciating doesn't even begin to describe it. I thought I was dying. And then it stopped. As quickly as it began, it just...stopped. You came in a while after, how long I have no idea. I was very disoriented, and it took a while for my vision to clear and my hearing to return, but now, aside from complete exhaustion, I'm perfectly fine. Now what do you get out of that?"

Dana shook her head. "Nothing."

"Right. Now why don't you go on? You've been here for hours."

"I'd really rather not. Not until you're back with Alexei and *he* can look after you."

Fox lowered his eyes at the mention of his lover. "But we don't....we don't know when that will be," he said barely above a whisper. "Please, Dana. Go. I'll be fine. I really think I'd like to be alone anyway."

"To do what? Brood?"

"No..."

Dana rose and leaned over him, hands gripping his shoulders. "I don't know what's going on in that mind of yours, but I do know that it isn't good. Fox, you will be home before the night is out, and tomorrow you'll tell me how foolish you were for worrying."

Fox released a stuttering breath and nodded. "You're right. Now, go. I'll see you tomorrow."

Reluctantly, Dana walked to the door, looking back once more to see Fox give her an unconvincing smile and a wave. Once she was gone, he rose from the bed and sat in his favorite chair. Taking a few calming breaths, he closed his eyes and concentrated.

"Alexei...Jade. Can you hear me?" He waited for long moments but received no response. His heart began to thud painfully in his chest, and he blinked back the tears he felt stinging his eyes. "I don't...I don't understand. Why won't you bring me home? What...have I done something...something to upset you?"

Still no answer.

The tears won the battle and began their lazy trek down his face. "Please," he issued a broken whisper. "I'm so tired. I want...want to come home..."

More silence greeted him.

He bowed his head and wept softly.

 ********************

 "What is this place?"

Daniel spun away from the window he'd been staring blindly out of and took a step back. "S-sire..."

"I followed you," Malik answered the startled man's unspoken question. "But where is here? And where is Alexei?"

Daniel clasped his hands behind his back and remained silent.

"Like my son, you are developing quite a stubborn streak," Malik observed. "There is only one difference. "*You* are not my son."

The implied threat visibly shook Daniel, but he stood his ground.

Malik ran a hand through his silver hair and sighed deeply. "Your loyalty to your prince is commendable. Foolhardy, but commendable. I give you fair warning, Daniel. If he is with that human..."

"He is not, sire. He will do as you command. Not out of fear or loyalty or sense of duty, but out of deepest love for the one you have forbidden him to see."

Malik stared at the young man for long seconds, then, "You have not answered either of my questions. What is this place?"

"Alexei created it. For his love. It is...was...their home..."

"Their *home*," Malik spat the word from his lips. He has but one home."

Daniel lowered his head. It was quite obvious that Malik could not and would not be reasoned with. Still, for the sake of his friend, he had to try. The old man's venomous tone snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Where is he?"

Daniel straightened up and again risked looking his king in the eye. "You wish to see him, sire? Follow me."

Malik walked with Daniel through the grand house and stopped at a room at the far end.

Daniel placed his hand on the doorknob and spoke. "He has been in here since he left the palace." He opened the door and stepped aside, allowing Malik to enter.

The older man took two steps in and stopped. At the other end of the room on the oversized bed, lay the crumpled form of his son. He studied the motionless heap for a time, then stepped closer, calling Alexei's name. When he received no response, he moved in a few more steps.

"Alexei. Get up and stop behaving like a child. I am not asking you, I am ordering you."

Still, the figure did not move.

"Sire," Daniel called softly. "You can order him all you like. It will do no good. He has stopped speaking. I have tried three times since we have been here. He will not even so much as look at me. He just lies there."

"Well, I will not put up with this. He will come home with me now."

Daniel shook his head. "He will not, sire."

"He will when this place is in ruins..." Daniel's shocked voice cut him off.

"His heart is shattered. He is completely and utterly destroyed."  The fear of what Malik would do to him had somehow become less important than what he had done to his own son, and Daniel continued to speak his mind. "You have seen to it that this is all he has left. How much more would you hurt your own son?"

Malik stared at the other man, amazed at his bravery. Giving no immediate response, he looked once more to the tormented shell that was his son. His jaw clenched and unclenched, and he turned toward the door. "Inform me when he tires of this little drama."

Once Malik was gone, Daniel nearly sank to the floor with relief. He moved to the bed on wobbly legs, and sat at the edge. "Alexei," he called softly to his silent friend. "Congratulate me, friend. I have won a reprieve. For how long I do not know, but for now at least, I have prevented him from laying waste to this house."

Alexei lay motionless, eyes closed, his face pressed to the pillow he hugged to his chest. It almost looked as though he might be asleep, but Daniel knew better. He was awake, and he had heard all that had gone on. He was merely refusing to respond.

Daniel sighed softly and stroked the side of Alexei's head. "I will be here in the house if you should need me." He rose and vacated the room quietly, leaving Alexei to the deafening silence that surrounded him.

 ********************

 "Fox! My God, you're here!" Dana squatted in front of the man slumped in his chair. "And from the looks of you, you haven't *left* here. What happened?"

Fox's head remained at downward tilt, and his voice was barely audible, but Dana strained to hear his words.

"Did you think he loved me, Dana? I know...you haven't kn...known him for more than a few days, but...would you have thought him capable of doing this?"

"*What*, Fox? What do you think he's done?"

"Do you think he loved me? I thought he loved me..."

"Oh, my God." Dana gently rubbed the spot on his leg just above his knee. "Yes, Fox. I only knew him for a very short time, but I was positive that he loved you."

"You haven't seen Daniel either, have you?"

"No."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, Fox. I liked him. I thought that *maybe* we could have a nice relationship, but I wasn't in love with him. I'm not hurt, I'm angry. *You*, on the other hand..."

"He was just...just toying with me...is that possible? Could the things he did and the things he said to make me fall so deeply in love with him be nothing more to him than careless lies? Could this all have been just an elaborate plan to get what he wanted from me, and when he tired of the game, he just..." Fox leaned forward, pressing his face into his hands. "No...noooo. Dana..." he raised his head and tangled his fingers in the folds of her dress. "...please...wake me up. This is a dream. I'm dreaming and I can't wake up. Please..."

Dana gathered her friend into her arms and hugged him tightly. "I wish that were true. I would give anything in the world to fix this for you. Or at least to explain it. I can do neither. I'm sorry, Fox. I am *so* deeply sorry..."

Fox released her and nodded. "I'll be all right." He gave her a tremulous smile. "Good lesson, yes? Don't believe a handsome stranger when he swears undying love and devotion. And whatever you do, don't let yourself fall in love with him."

"Fox..."

"You're going to be late for class, Dana."

"I can't leave you this way."

Fox rose from the chair and took a few shaky steps over to a window. "I'm fine. Go to class."

Dana cursed softly under her breath, wishing that there was some way to cancel class, but the master would not be at all pleased. "I'll...see you later, all right?"

"I'll be here," he said softly, making her heart ache.

The click of the door signaled Dana's departure and set off a series of violent tremors in Fox. He took several large gulps of air and fought to steady himself. When the shaking diminished, he turned toward the bedroom and lowered himself to the mattress. He pulled his knees up to his chest and, hugging a pillow to himself, lay staring at the wall.

 ********************

 Morning light filtered into the room, casting its cheerful glow on the one who lay oblivious to its presence.

Slumped in a large chair beside the bed, Daniel blinked and stretched. His eyes fell on Alexei, who lay on his side, hugging a pillow to his chest. He got up and moved cautiously to the bed, peering over the lump of green satin, surprised to find matching eyes open and staring.

"Alexei? How long have you been awake?"

The other man continued to stare down at a spot low on the wall and said nothing.

"Alexei? Please...you are frightening me now. *Stop* this. I know how much you love Fox. I *know* it hurts, but what are you going to do? Lie here and let yourself wither away?"

No answer. Not even a blink.

"Fox would not want you to be doing this..."

The soft croak startled him into the silence.

"What must he be thinking?"

Daniel took a seat at the edge of the bed. "I do not know."

"He must be so confused...so hurt. He....called to me yesterday..as he did everyday when it was time for him to....come...home. I could hear the fear in his voice." A single tear rolled from the inside corner of his eye, tracking a lazy path to his nose. It disappeared over the bridge and dropped off onto the pillow. "And there was nothing I could do.....how will he ever understand? How can he ever know that I deserted him because I love him?"

"Do not torment yourself this way, Alexei," Daniel pleaded. "Undoubtedly, Fox is suffering just as you are. But in time, the pain will fade, and he will pick up and go on. Just as *you* *must*."

"*Why* must I? What reason do I have?"

"You have an entire kingdom at your feet."

"No."

"*Yes*. Assume the throne when it is time, Alexei. Change the laws that you detest so much. See to it that this never happens to anyone else."

Alexei shook his head and closed his eyes. "Amed will make a fine king."

"He will be adequate, yes. But you, my friend, would be a great king. Amed is a fine man. Earnest, intelligent...but you have so many qualities that he sorely lacks. For one thing, I do not think he knows the meaning of the words fun or humor. Remember that story that I told you once about the three Bedouins and the camel? Remember how we laughed until we cried? And Amed just stood there looking at us like we each had two heads? And what of the time when we were young boys...we ignored your father's curfew and did not come in until almost dawn? Malik never would have known if not for your brother. I never knew a boy who followed every rule down to the last letter..."

Alexei lay quietly unresponsive.

"My point is," Daniel rambled on, "he is much too straight an arrow. He does not know *how* to bend. He would more than likely adhere to every law Malik ever laid down and never deviate from them an inch! And you, my friend, are living proof that this would be a very, very bad thing."

The other man tightened his arms around the pillow he held and said nothing in reply.

Daniel ran a hand over his face. "All right. I know it is much too soon to be discussing such things. You need time. It will get better, Alexei." He touched his friend's shoulder. "I know that seems impossible right now, but it *will* happen.....Alexei?"

Alexei did not hear Daniel's last words. He had again retreated into himself, and no amount of coaxing would draw him back out. As was quickly becoming habit, Daniel quietly slipped out of the room, leaving him alone with his misery.

 ********************

 Fox sat in the gathering darkness, staring out at nothing in particular. The day came and went without much notice, and when Dana appeared after class, he barely spoke to her. Almost three hours passed before she finally gave up and went home, leaving him sitting in the same chair she'd found him in.

He sat mentally torturing himself, reviewing every word, every look...analyzing every minute of the time he and Alexei had spent together, trying to pinpoint a time when he should have realized that it had all been a ruse. He could recall not a second when he might have detected a shred of insincerity. But then, was there not a saying pertaining to one being blinded to the truth by love?

"No," he whined softly, hands clenching painfully in his hair. "I was so sure you loved me, Alexei..." He rose from the chair and moved to a window, staring out into the burgundy sky.  "My..." He tried to swallow past the burning lump in his throat. "...my beautiful Jade. Did you never feel even the slightest bit of something for me?"

The thought of Alexei laughing at his stupidity brought a rush of tears to his eyes.

"No...you wouldn't. I can't believe....we made love...so many times. I saw your face. I heard your words. How could they be false?" The tears flowed freely now. "How could I have been so foolish?" He closed his eyes and bit his lower lip, fighting the sudden urge that had bubbled up inside him, but he was overwhelmed by it, and he had to. He could not stop himself from opening his mouth and calling out once more.

 ********************

 Alexei sat bolt upright, startling the man in the chair by the bed. Even in the dark, Daniel could see that he was shaking.

"Fox..."

Daniel moved quickly over to the bed, and touched Alexei's arm. "You were dreaming."

The other man shook his head and spoke, his voice quivering with restrained anguish. "He called to me."

"Alexei. You were asleep. It was just a dream."

"*No*. He called me." He buried his face in his hands. "I feel him." He began to rock back and forth. "So much pain."

"That is your own pain that you feel, Alexei."

"*And* his." Alexei wrapped his arms around his middle, squeezing as tightly as he could. "It is unbearable......my love," he whispered to his absent mate, "my precious Fox...I am so sorry. I promised you nothing but happiness, and look at the misery you are now suffering. If I could take it away...if I had the power to erase the past weeks from your memory, I would do it and suffer this eternal misery alone..."

 ********************

 Dana stood at the head of the classroom as the boys filed in. When all were seated, she smiled and spoke to them.

"Good morning, boys. How is everyone today?"

The boys looked at one another in confusion. Amir popped up from his seat, questioning her in typical vociferous fashion. "Where is Mr. Fox? This is *his* class."

"Yes, Amir, I know. But Mr. Fox is not feeling well. I will..."

"Thank you, Dana, but I'm all right."

All eyes turned to the door.

"Fox," Dana went to him, speaking confidentially. "You look terrible. You shouldn't be here. I can handle your class for a day or two. Go home and get some rest."

Fox shook his head and brushed past her. "Can't." He placed his books down on the desk and turned to the class, trying to give them a smile. "Good morning, gentlemen."

"You look sick," Amir pointed out, accusation in his tone.

"I have not been well, it's true. But I will feel better if I'm here with you boys." He looked around. "How is Jeffrey?"

"Miserable!" Amir piped up. "He is driving everyone mad with his whining and complaining."

Fox nodded. "Sounds like Jeffrey." He glanced over to Dana, standing in the doorway, staring at him and shaking her head in disbelief. He gave her a smile that did not reach his tired eyes and turned back to the business of teaching his class.

That night in his little house, Dana tried to get him to eat, but her success was extremely limited. Trying to get him to talk was an even more challenging mission. "I'm all right," was all he would say when she attempted to confront him.

For many days he went on that way. Little food, less sleep, and there was nothing Dana could do or say to change it. The mention of Alexei's name never failed to bring a stone wall down between them, and she quickly learned to avoid the subject.

At night he lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling or out at the window, wrapping himself in the memories of soft whispers and loving touches and the mesmerizing passion he found in the green depths of the eyes that burned into his soul. And then the pain. The consuming, agonizing pain that left him exhausted and more withdrawn with each passing day.

Even his students had begun to worry that their normally good-natured, exuberant teacher was no longer himself. One day, almost three weeks later, Amir tried to draw him out as class was ending.

"Mr. Fox?" The young boy approached warily.

Tired amber eyes rose to meet wide brown. "Yes?"

"We wondered...my brothers and me..."

"I."

"I...could you bring Jade to visit us one day soon? With Jeffrey not here, there would be no trouble..."
 Fox stared, frozen in place.

The boy went on, a little less hopeful than before. "Please? We miss seeing him." He pulled a small object wrapped in a bit of white silk out from between his books. "I have a present for him."

Fox looked down at the small bundle in the boy's outstretched hand. Slowly, he reached out and took the offering. He pulled the edges of the cloth back, and an immediate lump formed in his throat.

"I noticed that he does not have a collar, so I thought I would make him one. Do you think he will like it?"

Gingerly, Fox picked up the string of green glass beads and draped it over his fingers. He stared at the collar until hot tears blurred his vision, and powerful tremors shook his body. Unable to speak, he curled his hand into a fist and rose from his chair, practically toppling it in his haste to leave the room. Blindly, he made his way to his house and throwing the door open, staggered inside. Stopping in the middle of the room, he stood looking dazedly at his surroundings, then back down at the object still clenched in his hand. He choked back the beginnings of a sob and sank to the floor, leaning back against the chair behind him. Another strangled sound pushed past his lips, and another, and then he couldn't hold it in any longer. Loud, sorrowful sobs echoed in the silence of the room as the emotions he'd tried so hard to hold in check exploded to the surface. He wept uncontrollably for long minutes, and when the sounds slowly faded into soft, shuddering gasps, he turned sideways, laying his head upon the cushion of the chair, and placed the beaded collar down in front of his eyes.

A simple gift.

The innocent, thoughtful gesture of a small child.

How could the boy know the unbearable ache it would cause in his heart?

 ********************

 "Miss Dana!"

Dana turned around just in time to catch the boy as he ran at her, just barely avoiding a collision.

"Amir! What's wrong?"

"I meant no wrong!" The child sobbed. "I only wanted to make him smile. I wanted to see him happy again..."

"What are you talking about?"

"Mr. Fox." Tears welled up in the big brown eyes. "He has been so sad. I only wished to make him feel better."

"Of course you did." Dana hugged the boy to her. "What do you think you did wrong?"

"I gave him a gift. Well, it was not for him, exactly. It was for Jade."

Dana groaned softly. "Jade?"

"Yes. I made a collar for him out of green beads. I thought Mr. Fox would like it, but I think I just made him more sad."

"Why, Amir? What happened?"

"He started to shake, and then his eyes filled with water, and he left the classroom. I do not understand. I thought it would make him happy!"

"Oh, sweetheart." Dana kissed the top of the boy's head. "How could you know? Amir, Jade is no longer with Mr. Fox."

The boy blinked up at her. "He...is he dead?"

"No, no. He just...he left."

"You mean he ran away?"

"Yes. He ran away."

"No! He would not! Why would he run away from a place where he was so well loved?"

"I...I don't know. Cats are odd creatures, Amir. They are not always easy to understand."

The boy shook his head. "I do not believe it. Something must have happened to him. He may have gotten accidentally locked up somewhere. Or he got lost on his way home. We should look for him..."

Dana stroked the boy's hair. "He didn't get lost. And he isn't locked up anywhere. He's just...gone. We have to accept that. And so does Mr. Fox."

"*No*. Jade loves Mr. Fox. He was always on his lap or sitting on his shoulder...as soon as Mr. Fox spoke to him or touched him, he would begin to make all those little cat noises. You can tell me that he ran away from now until forever, and I will never believe it."

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I know you liked Jade very much. So did I..."

"He will come back," Amir insisted, unwilling to believe what he was being told. "If it is possible for him to do so, he *will* come back."

Rather than upset the boy further, Dana broke off the discussion and changed the subject. "Why don't you come with me back to the house? I'm sure your dinner is almost ready."

The boy went along with her, walking a few steps, then stopped. "But...what about Mr. Fox?"

"I'll take you up to the house, and then I'll go and check on him. All right?"

"All right. Please tell him how sorry I am."

Dana slipped her arm around the boy's shoulder and led him in the direction of the house. "You had no idea, Amir. Mr. Fox knows that your gift was from your heart."

As soon as she saw Amir enter the house, Dana went off to see to Fox. She walked through the open door to find him on the floor, head on the seat cushion, fingertips gently tracing the circle of green beads.

"Fox."

No response.

She kneeled beside him and slipped a hand under his cheek. "Fox, look at me."

Bloodshot eyes shifted and gazed up at her.

"I know what happened. Poor little Amir is so upset."

"He didn't know," Fox rasped, his voice hoarse from crying.

"I told him Jade ran away. He refuses to believe it. Maybe if you told him."

Fox closed his eyes and turned his face back down to the chair.

Dana sighed and hooked a finger in the ring of beads. "I'll...do something with this if you like...so you don't have to look at it."

Before she could lift it away, Fox's hand came over hers, stopping her. "I want to keep it," he whispered.

"Fox...you shouldn't. Look what it's done to you."

Fox pulled the collar from her grasp and closed his fingers around it. "I want it."

She'd tried. For weeks now, she'd been patient and sympathetic and understanding, and finally, Dana lost her temper. "*Why*? Why do you want to torture yourself with a reminder of a man who *used* you for his own selfish pleasure....who...who thought of you as nothing more than temporary entertainment? You should be angry, Fox! You should be furious! I know you loved him, and for a long time I hoped and prayed that he'd come back and offer a simple explanation for why he'd disappeared, but I've come to the realization that it just is not going to happen! He manipulated you, got what he wanted from you, and now he's gone. Off probably doing the same thing to some other poor unsuspecting soul..."

Dana rambled on, but those were the last words that stuck in Fox's mind. 'Doing the same thing to someone else'...

In his mind he saw Alexei naked and drenched in perspiration. Writhing in the bed they'd shared, with some faceless man...doing the very same things that Alexei had done to him. Crying out a name that was not his...

Fox's hoarse cry interrupted Dana's rant and startled her into silence. He slid away from the chair and down to the floor, curling into a ball of abject despair.

"Oh, God." Immediately regretting her tirade, Dana crawled toward her shuddering companion. "Fox...please. I'm sorry, I just...I've tried everything to help you. I don't know what else to do." She lightly caressed his head. "It hurts so much to see you suffering like this. I want to kill him for what he's done to you, and I guess I just wanted to see a little of that anger in you too. But it isn't fair to expect that. You loved him. I can't know how deeply this has affected you. Please, Fox. Tell me what to do. Tell me."

After a long silence, she strained to hear the two barely audible words.

"Leave me."

She didn't want to. Her mind screamed at her to stay, but she'd asked, and he'd told her.

Dana kissed the back of Fox's head and quietly left the house, closing the door behind her.

 ********************

 Daniel walked through the house, checking room after room. When his search had not turned up his friend, he went to the kitchen where the servants were preparing the evening meal. "Where is Prince Alexei?" he asked when the two women and one man looked up.

Concern creased all three brows, and Ali stepped forward. "You have searched the whole house, sir?"

"Yes. I cannot find him anywhere."

"That is strange. He never leaves the house...only wanders from room to room like a wraith."

Daniel raked a restless hand through his red hair. "I'm going to check the grounds. If anyone sees him, call me immediately."

The young woman bowed as Daniel blew past, and went back to the pointless task of preparing dinner.

 ********************

 Alexei sat by the stream, hypnotized by the lazy push of the water. He had not been here since he and Fox had been together, and now, over a month later, he felt an inexplicable pull...an urge to leave the shelter of his house and come here.

He stared into the sun-dappled water, hearing the sighs of his beloved Fox carried within the tinkling rush of the current. His eyes drifted closed, and he saw them together, the day's dying light washing over their bodies as they moved together in such perfect harmony.

His respiration quickened and his tongue flicked out to moisten suddenly dry lips as he imagined the velvety slide of skin against skin...the flow of golden-brown silk through his fingers...the sweet shock of urgent possession...

"*Alexei*."

Glazed, nearly black eyes snapped open and stared dazedly up at the man who loomed over him. Alexei struggled to control his breathing and fought off the sensual lethargy that had turned his bones to fluid.

Daniel sat beside the other man. "I am sorry, I hope I did not startle you."

Giving no answer, Alexei looked back out over the water.

"This is the first time in many weeks that you have been out of the house." He placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "This is good. We are making progress."

Alexei's eyes searched the flowing water. "He liked it here by the water," he whispered hoarsely. "We made love here...here is where I asked him to share a home with me...and he said yes." He closed his eyes and lowered his head to his bent knees. "We were so happy..."

"Alexei..."

"He does not call to me anymore."

"...What?"

"He does not call me. The last time was one morning a little over two weeks ago. I have not heard him since."

"He has come to accept what has happened, Alexei," Daniel reasoned. "As you must."

As usual, Alexei was not listening to him. Moisture spiked his lashes, and his lips trembled. "If he has accepted it and he is no longer thinking about me, then I am glad for his sake. I do not want him to suffer, but....I miss his voice..." His shoulders slumped, and he began to cry.

Daniel sat trying to console his inconsolable friend while something bubbled up inside him. The emotion could only be described as anger, and the longer Alexei cried, the angrier he got. When the other man's sobs finally faded, he coaxed him back to the house, put him to bed and instructed the servants to leave him undisturbed. Fury securely in place, he left the house, spoiling for a fight he could not possibly win.

 ********************

 "Sire."

Malik and his second eldest son Amed looked up from the table at which they sat. Daniel strode purposefully into the room, stopping when he stood directly in front of the old man.

"Daniel. To what do I owe this unexpected....unannounced visit?"

"I must speak with you."

"Speak."

Daniel looked over at Amed. "Privately, sire."

Malik studied the determined young man for a moment, then waved his son away. "Now," he said softly, sitting back, folding his hands in his lap, "What is so urgent? Has Alexei finally come to his senses? If so, it is not a moment too soon. I was just discussing Amed's training with him."

"I am here to discuss Alexei, yes, but not to tell you that he has come around to your way of thinking, because he never will."

"Then we have nothing to discuss."

"Fine, sire. Then I will talk and you may listen." He took a breath and plunged on. "Your son has become completely unraveled, and it is your fault."

Malik's face reddened with quiet rage. "You are indeed a brave man, Daniel."

"Do to me what you feel you must, sire, but I will remain silent no longer. Is a grossly unreasonable rule and your pride worth losing your son and heir over? Because that is exactly what is happening. Every day he slips farther beyond reach. He refuses food, he speaks only a handful of words to me if I am lucky...if he is not sleeping, he is wandering aimlessly through the house or sitting and staring at nothing. He was strong and enthusiastic about life, once. His eyes held a mischievous glimmer. Now they are dull and vacant, and only one thing can make them shine again..."

"Do not say it."

"The return of his love."

"You said it."

"I had to say what I came to say, or my punishment would be meaningless. Sire, please. I implore you. You can put an end to this tragedy. Let me go and get Fox..."

"You will do no such thing!" The house shook so hard, Daniel was nearly knocked off his feet. "*Why* can he not understand that this is for his own good?"

"*How* is it for his own good, sire? It is killing him!"

Malik stormed the length of the room. "The little bit of pain he is suffering now is *nothing* in comparison to the pain he *will* feel!"

Daniel shook his head in utter confusion. "I do not understand. *What* pain?"

Malik stopped pacing and sank heavily into a chair. "The pain I must endure every day of my life."

"Sire, I must repeat. I do not understand."

"I have never told this story to anyone," Malik rasped. "But  if my son is ever to understand, I suppose now, I must." He took a great, heaving breath, and began. "I was in love once. With a human..."

Daniel sat quietly, gaping at the man who now seemed so much older than he ever had.

"She was exquisite. Long, dark hair and the deepest green eyes..."

The younger man raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

"She had...an adventurous spirit and an infectious laugh, and I adored her. I made her my queen, and we could not have been happier. But after forty-one years together, her time on this earth grew short. I watched her decline...grow old. She became frail. Her hair grayed. Skin wrinkled." He smiled sadly. "But her eyes never changed. They remained as green as ever. She...slipped away from me one night, and as powerful as I was, there was nothing I could do." He looked up at Daniel through watery gray eyes. "You see, nothing can stop the progression of time. And time is something humans have very little of in comparison to us." He looked away and went on. "I loved my Katarina with all of my heart and soul. Losing her was devastating. It hurts as much today as it did those many, many years ago. You see, Daniel? I am not the heartless, unreasonable monster that you and my son think me to be. Alexei means the world to me. I do not want him to suffer the heartache that I did when I lost his mother..."

Daniel heard the words, knew they were coming, but still they shocked him.

"No, Daniel," Malik answered the question he saw in the young man's eyes. "Alexei does not know that he is half human. The djinn blood runs strong, and he has inherited all my power, so I supposed I thought there would never be any question." Another sad smile curved his lips. "He looks like her. He is the only one of his brothers and sisters who does. He has her eyes. Her heart...her fire."

"The fire is fading, sire," Daniel said gently, then paused before resuming. "Sire?"

"Yes?"

"A question if you please. Now knowing that you would most certainly outlive Katarina for many, many years and knowing the pain that you would have to endure when she was gone...would you have preferred never to have loved her?"

The king drew himself out of the chair and whirled toward the window. "*Never*!" He turned back to Daniel, eyes glittering. "If I had only a year to spend with her, it would have been worth every..." He stopped, locking eyes with Daniel for a moment, then bowed his head. He stood quietly for a time, then spoke in a weary voice. "He loves this Fox that much?"

"Yes, sire. As much as you loved his mother."

"You say you know where he is?"

Daniel's eyes lit up. "Yes, sire."

"Go get him. Take him to Alexei."

"Daniel emitted a gasp of relief. "Thank you sire."

Malik nodded. "I do not expect that he will ever forgive me for what I have done."

Daniel rose from his seat. "I cannot speak to that. Only Alexei knows what is in his heart."

"I understand that....you are a good friend to him, Daniel. Thank you for standing by him."

"Thank *you*, sire, for not turning me into anything with six legs."

The old man gave him a weary smile. "Go."

"*Yes*, sire." Daniel bowed deeply and was gone, leaving Malik alone with his regrets.

 ********************

 Fox had just shifted position for the fourteen time. It had been over two hours since he'd come to bed, and he was no more tired now than he was then. He flipped onto his back and folded his arms across his chest, one hand absently playing the with the string of beads he now wore around his wrist.

After his last breakdown, Dana had forced him to take a week off to rest, and he did, but all that time off with nothing to do but think only succeeded in making him crazier. He went back to class this past week and at least had his mind occupied during the day.

Nights were as bad as ever. He lay awake as he did tonight, thinking about the beautiful, green-eyed man who had literally blown into his life, turning it upside down, and blown back out just as suddenly as he had come.

It made no sense to him. Yes, he was inexperienced, and yes, he was naive, but how could he be so amazingly stupid? He was completely taken in...so in love he couldn't see straight, and it was all a lie. He had been in love with a lie. He knew it, and yet he couldn't stop. The beads he wore around his wrist attested to it. He loved Alexei still. Even knowing that he was out there tonight, in someone else's arms, giving them all the pleasure he thought was reserved only for him, he couldn't help himself. And the pain of it was unimaginable.

He closed his eyes and again tried to sleep, but the sound of a soft voice brought him into an immediate sitting position. Heart pounding, he blinked rapidly, trying to adjust to the darkness.

A figure stepped out into the band of pale light that fell across the floor in front of the bed, and his heart leapt into his throat.

"Daniel."

"Hello, Fox."

"What are you doing here?"

"I have come to talk to you."

"About what?"

"You...Alexei..."

A hard shudder ran through Fox, and he shook his head. "Go...go away, Daniel. There is nothing for us to talk about."

The other man took a step forward. "But there is. There are things I must explain..."

"No, there aren't. I understand perfectly. He used me." A bright gleam coated Fox's eyes. "I was nothing more than a plaything for him. And given enough time, Dana would have become the same to you. Get out of my house."

"No, Fox, you do *not* understand. It is a long, complicated story. Please allow me the time to tell it to you."

"What happened, Daniel? Was his latest toy smarter than I was?" He fought to keep the tremor from his voice. "Did they figure it out, and now he has no one to play with?"

"No. There is no one else. There never could be. There is no one for Alexei but you."

Fox laughed bitterly as two tears dropped from his eyes. "Really? Is that why he deserted me without a single word?"

"There is a very good reason for what he did. Fox, your life depended on it."

"What? You expect me to believe that?"

"I wish you would. It is the truth. You see, for as long as we can recall, Alexei's father was always dead set against any relationships between our kind and yours. He laid down the law, and everyone heeded it..."

"His...father?"

"Yes."

"He never talked about family."

"No. He did not. But he was going to."

"What stopped him?"

"He was not sure how you would take it. And then when he *was*, he wanted to break the news of your relationship to his father first..."

"Take *what*?"

Daniel bowed his head. "Wait. This is...let me say this to you so that hopefully it makes sense..."

"What's wrong, Daniel?" Fox croaked, "The lie not going as smoothly as you'd hoped?"

Daniel ran a hand through his hair and walked away. When he came back, he sat on the edge of Fox's bed and looked the other man directly in the eye.

"Listen to me. This is *no* lie. The last morning you were together, you went off to class, and Alexei came to tell his father about you. Malik was furious. He insisted that Alexei not see you ever again or he would never assume the throne..."

Fox's eyes narrowed. "The what?"

Daniel closed his eyes. "The throne. Malik is our king. Alexei is his first born son and crown prince."

Fox's head began to swim.

//You're not actually believing this, are you?//

"Alexei suspected that his father might make such a threat. He did not care. He was ready to give up his birthright to be with you, Fox, and he told that to Malik..."

//Don't listen to him. Don't *believe* it...//

"Malik did not expect that Alexei would be willing to renounce his crown. Alexei tried to make him see reason, but he would not be persuaded." Daniel paused, making sure that he had Fox's full attention. "You collapsed in class that day. You were in tremendous pain..."

Fox's lips parted, but he remained silent.

"Malik was livid. He caused your pain. Threatened to kill you if Alexei did not give you up immediately."

Fox blinked in disbelief.

"Make no mistake, Fox. He would have done it, and there would not be a thing that Alexei could have done about it. Remember once I told you that Alexei is much more powerful than the rest of us? But Malik's power is even greater. Once he does something, there is no undoing it, however much Alexei might wish to. Can you see what I am saying to you?"

Fox lowered his head and stared at the sheet pooled between his legs, trying to process all that Daniel was telling him.

"You would have died on the floor of that classroom, Fox, unless Alexei agreed to leave you and never have any kind of contact with you whatsoever. He had no choice. As soon as he agreed, Malik broke off the attack, and you were allowed to recover. Alexei turned away from his father. He told Malik that he was no longer his son and fled to the house you shared. He has been there ever since, grieving for his lost love. He will not eat, he barely speaks...and every day it gets worse. He is dying a slow, painful death, and he will do nothing to stop it. As far as he is concerned, living without you is pointless."

Fox felt the tears again begin to sting his eyes. "No...you're lying..."

"I am *not*," Daniel whispered harshly.

"Then, what are you doing here? Isn't this considered contact?"

"Yes. But I have not finished my story. Today, I had had enough. I could not go another day seeing the agony Alexei was in. So I took my courage in hand, and I went to see Malik. Truly, I never expected to walk out of our meeting in one piece, but I guess I must have said the right things to him, because he explained his very personal reasons for wanting to keep Alexei from you, and somehow I made him see the harm he was causing. He agreed to let me come here and take you to Alexei."

Fox's heart pounded frantically in his chest, and he felt the room begin to spin.

"Fox? Did you hear me?"

Fox shook his head, and the tears began to flow freely. "Don't....please don't do this to me..."

"I swear on all that is holy that I am telling you the absolute truth. Alexei has never for a second stopped loving you, and he never will. He will go to his grave loving only you. And the way he is declining, Fox, that should be very soon."

Fox bit back a whimper and rocked himself back and forth.

"Fox, I am begging you to believe me. Come home. He saved your life, and now you can save his....*please*."

Fox stared at the blurry figure before him. He clenched his hands together in front of him and closed his eyes, releasing the residual moisture that had pooled in the wells of his lids. Afraid to trust his voice, he simply nodded.

 ********************

 Alexei dozed fitfully, awakened every so often by the haunting images of him and Fox in happier times. Laughing. Sharing a meal. Kissing by the stream...

He moaned at the thought.

He'd kissed and been kissed by many, but no one did it the way Fox had. Hungry...always as though it would the very last time, yet tender. All his love...all his soul went into every kiss, and Alexei could never seem to get enough.

He missed those kisses. And his touch. And that soft, low tone in which he spoke when they were alone.

Alexei whimpered in the darkness, softly crying his name.

"I'm here."

Alexei jerked himself up against the pillows, his eyes immediately finding the dark figure near the doorway. Any distinguishing features were obscured by shadow, but he did not need to see the man's face to know that this was his beloved Fox.

As if in a trance, he rose from the bed, willing shaky legs to take him closer. As he moved, a few candles flickered to life, lending just enough illumination to allow to him to see, for the first time in over a month, the face he'd thought he'd never see again.

Except for the uncontrollable trembling of his body, Fox stood motionless, waiting for Alexei to reach him. The other man stopped mere inches away, and they searched each other's eyes, one man looking for understanding, the other for truth. Both looking for the love that neither was sure existed.

Finding what he sought, but also tremendous hurt and uncertainty, Alexei reached out to touch his love's face and make the dream real. But just before his fingertips could brush the stubbled surface of Fox's cheek, the thought of the terrifying consequences of such an action came crashing down on him. He recoiled as though he had been burned and began to back away. "No," he whimpered softly, "I cannot, I...what are you doing here, Fox? How did you come to be here?"

Before Fox could speak, a voice sounded behind him.

"I brought him."

"Daniel?" Alexei stared in shock at his friend. "*Why*? You know what will happen. You *know*!"

Fox turned away from Daniel and watched Alexei. The fear in his eyes and in his voice was undeniable and, in Fox's estimation, could not be faked. In that moment, he decided.

"Alexei..."

Wild, green eyes turned back to him.

Tears again filled Fox's eyes. "It's all right."

"No! You do not understand, Fox. You cannot be here!" He choked on his next words. "Daniel, take...take him....take him back..."

Daniel stepped forward, holding up a hand. "Alexei. Listen to me..."

"No," Alexei grated. "If anything happens to him because of what you have done, I swear to you, Daniel, there will be no death slow enough or painful enough for you!"

"So..."

Alexei broke off his threat, and all three turned in the direction of the new voice.

Malik stepped into the room, giving Fox a brief glance, then focused on Alexei. "...this is the one whom my son would give up an entire kingdom for."

"Father."

In an instant, Alexei was standing between Fox and Malik. "Please...I did not bring him here. I did not *ask* to have him brought here. He will be sent home immediately, and I promise I will never..." He stopped to take a sobbing breath. "...never see him again. Please...*please* do not hurt him."

Malik looked into his son's tear-filled eyes and despised himself for all that he'd done.

"My son," he began gently, "no harm will come to him. Now, please. Listen for a moment to a foolish old man who regrets with all his heart the hurt he has caused. I sent Daniel for Fox...after he forced me to stop and see the harm I was doing."

Alexei's head snapped around, and he stared at Daniel in amazement. Malik's voice brought his attention back.

"There are so many things I must tell you, Alexei, if you ever decide to speak to me again. But for now, just please know that I am sorrier than you could ever know for what I have done to you." He looked at Fox. "Both of you. I would certainly understand if you never forgave me. If someone had done to my love what I did to yours, forgiveness would be the last thing on my mind."

Alexei simply stared at him.

Malik began to move away, then stopped. He looked again to his son.

"One other thing before I go. Whether or not you decide to forgive me, I wish with all my heart that you would reconsider assuming the throne. It is your birthright, child, and you should not allow my mistakes to keep you from claiming it. I have decided that at the end of this year I will step down. I have been considering this for some time, and now I am sure that it is right. Before I am too old to enjoy it, I would like to see my son become the great king I know he will be. Please, Alexei. Take your place on the throne." He looked past Alexei to the man who stood behind him. "With your Fox by your side."

Without another word, Malik vacated the room, followed by Daniel, leaving Alexei and Fox very much alone.

Alexei stood with his back to the other man, almost afraid to turn around for fear that this would turn out to be yet another dream. Finally, he gathered his courage and slowly spun to his right, stopping when Fox came into view. Hesitantly, Fox raised his head, and their eyes met. Alexei took two steps forward and raised a shaking hand to his love's face.

The touch of Alexei's fingertips on his skin released a tiny gasp from Fox's lips, and he attempted to swallow past the large lump that had formed in his throat. His eyes refused to stay open as gentle fingers traced the line of his jaw, then wandered over to his mouth.

"Will you ever forgive me?"

Fox willed his eyes to open, and he attempted to blink back the deluge that threatened to flow. He looked into sorrowful green eyes and slowly shook his head. "There is nothing to forgive. You did what you had to do."

Alexei's hand slid from his face to the front of his robes, joining the other that had anchored itself there, and he leaned forward. Fox did the same until their foreheads rested together. His own hands slid up to Alexei's back, and he felt a tiny tremor begin in the other man's body. The tremor grew into a violent shudder, and Alexei began to cry.

The tears Fox fought to hold back sprang forth then, and he let them come. He pulled Alexei into his arms, and they clung to each other, crying themselves into exhaustion.

When their sobs faded, each man lifted his head from the other's shoulder and gazed into watery, bloodshot eyes.

Fox studied Alexei for a moment, brushing away his silently falling tears, and suddenly he felt very ashamed.

"Fox?" Alexei saw Fox's expression change, and his heart leapt into his throat. "What is it, my love?"

"I..." He shook his head, lowering his eyes. "I thought..." He couldn't finish.

Alexei sniffed and swiped at his own cheek with the back of his hand. "What did you think?"

"I thought that...you were...toying with me. That you had used me, tired of me, and moved on to someone else..."

Alexei shook his head as Fox spoke.

"...It killed me to think of you in the...in the bed we shared, with s-someone..."

"*Never*." Alexei plunged his fingers into Fox's hair, curling them around the golden-brown strands. "You are my only love. *Always.*

"I'm sorry," Fox murmured. "Please forgive me. I should have known. I should have..."

"You could *not* have. I left you without a word...without a clue. And when so much time passed, what else were you to think?"

"I...I don't know..."

Alexei leaned forward, brushing their noses together. "It is all right, love. We can talk it all out later." His lips hovered near Fox's but never touched them. "For now, I am just happier than you can know to have you back."

Fox nodded silently and leaned forward for a kiss, but Alexei pulled away. He turned his head to the side, looking in the general direction of the bed.

"Will you come back to our bed, lord? It has been so lonely there without you."

Fox's fingers clenched, squeezing the muscles of Alexei's back. "Oh, yes."

Gently but efficiently, Alexei rid Fox of his upper garments and backed toward the bed, pulling the other man with him. When he reached his destination, he unfastened Fox's pants and let them drop to the floor. Fox kicked them aside and stood trembling while Alexei began to reacquaint himself with his body.

Soft, warm lips grazed his collarbone, followed by the gentle flick of a moist tongue, and Fox moaned softly, letting his head roll back against his shoulders. Loving hands stroked and massaged everywhere they could reach, and his respiration grew shallow. His hands began to tug at Alexei's light clothing, and when the other man was completely stripped, Fox returned the touches, licking and nipping hungrily, pulling identical moans from his lips. He pushed Alexei onto his back and immediately covered him, both men groaning at the feel of their bodies pressed together.

"Fox," Alexei breathed, barely able to speak coherently as the other man bathed his chest. "Mmm...Fox..."

Fox raised sparkling eyes to the man who was once again his lover.

"Kiss...kiss me...."

Fox pushed himself up, stopping when the rock-hard length of his erection pressed up alongside Alexei's. He moved in slowly, exchanging breath with his lover, then their lips touched, tentatively at first, brushing ever-so-lightly, then his mouth opened and covered the one beneath him.

Alexei's fingers dug into Fox's shoulders as his lover claimed his mouth as only he could. He squirmed beneath Fox's weight, rubbing their erections together and drawing a desperate moan from the man on top of him.

Fox fed hungrily on Alexei's mouth as he ground their hips together, sucking on his lower lip and tongue, probing the warm interior, and pulling away momentarily, only to move right back in for more. Alexei whimpered into his mouth, his hands stroking restlessly over Fox's back and buttocks.

Insatiable.

That's what Alexei called him, and right now, Fox could not argue with that assessment. He felt like a starving man before whom a banquet had just been placed. He devoured Alexei's lips, his desperation ringing loud and clear in every touch...every sound.

Alexei broke from the kiss, breathing raggedly against his lover's mouth. "It has been far too long, lord. I need you...please...my body cries for you...take me now."

More than willing to oblige, Fox nodded and kissed his lover once more. "Prepare me," he requested softly and gasped at the feel of a warm, slick hand encircling his erection. He forced himself to keep from squirming as Alexei completed his task, and as his lover raised his legs and wrapped them high around his back, he pressed forward.

Alexei cried out with joy as he felt himself being stretched and filled. He clutched at his lover's back, whimpering frantically as Fox lay panting on top of him.

"Fox," he wailed, "Please...I cannot wait....the ache...the ache...it is unbearable..."

Fox trembled at his lover's words, feeling them skitter along every raw nerve in his body. As much as he wanted to draw this out, to stretch out every second...linger over every touch, every tingle, he knew that it was impossible. The long weeks of torture they'd endured without each other built their desire to such a feverish level that holding back was an impossibility. He drew back just far enough to look down at the man beneath him, and a deep shudder passed through his body.

So beautiful.

Alexei writhed under the weight of his lover's body, the pale candlelight reflecting in his heavy-lidded gaze...absorbed by the thick tangle of sable mane that flowed over the pillows beneath his head. His mouth...that perfectly bowed, kiss-swollen mouth begging for the relief only Fox could give him...

Fox plunged one hand into his hair and tucked the other under his hip and began to move. His mouth again found Alexei's, joining it in a desperate kiss as he repeatedly pushed his lover's body into the mattress.

Alexei arched against Fox, meeting his steady thrusts and contracting his muscles every time the other man withdrew. The increasingly harsh groans that vibrated against his mouth told him that Fox was very close to completion. He found the hand at his hip and encouraged it to wrap around the shaft that throbbed between them. Fox's hand began to move, milking him in time with his thrusts, and Alexei's head snapped back. His eyes, glazed and unfocused, stared up into the near-darkness, and clipped, incoherent sounds fell from his lips.

"Yes," Fox choked, "yes my...my Jade...been so...long...." He gritted his teeth and increased the strength of his thrusts. His hand moved faster along Alexei's swollen shaft, and seconds later, his lover's strangled cries rose into the night air. Warm, slick fluid coated his hand as it continued to slide up and down the still-rigid length. Fox thrust into Alexei a few more times, and his own climax rumbled through him, rocking his body with a series of bone-jarring explosions. He sobbed his lover's name over and over as he emptied every last little bit of himself into the trembling body beneath him, then collapsed, his hand still wrapped firmly around the softening muscle.

Little shocks of pleasure still rippled through Alexei's body as Fox lay limply on top of him. Weak arms rose and wrapped themselves around the other's back, and when the residual tremors faded, his body began another kind of trembling.

Gathering up the strength to move, Fox lifted his head and found tears filling Alexei's eyes.

"My love...what is it? What's wrong?"

Alexei shook his head and pulled Fox against him, holding him as though he would never let go.

"I n-never thought w-we would be together again."

Fox squeezed his eyes shut, holding back tears of his own. "I know," he whispered. "But we are...we are."

"The agony of every...every day was worse than the one before..."

Fox nodded against his lover's chest. "It was unbearable. In such a short time, you'd become my entire world, and suddenly you were gone. The pain was like nothing I'd ever known. Even that day in the classroom didn't compare..."

Alexei rolled, depositing Fox on the mattress beside him. He combed his lover's hair back away from his face and looked him in the eyes. "I never felt so powerless in all my life as I did that day. Malik insisted that I give you up then and there, and there was no way out of it. The only way to stop him from hurting you was to agree to his terms. My heart stopped beating that day, Fox. I merely existed from day to day, living inside my head. It was the only thing he could not take away from me..." Alexei's eyes took on a cold glint. "I will never forgive him. He has finally righted his wrongs, but only because Daniel confronted him, and not before he caused you a tremendous amount of pain."

"What about you?"

"If it was just me, I could accept it and possibly find a way to get past it, but he *hurt* you. He almost killed you. I cannot find it within myself to forgive him."

Fox lowered his eyes. "Would...would you think me crazy if I asked you to please reconsider?"

Alexei's brow wrinkled, and he stared in astonishment. "Yes," he said softly, "I think I would. He would have *killed* you, love. You are saying to me that you could forgive that?"

"I'm merely saying that he has things to talk to you about. Things to explain. Why don't you go and hear him out? Then if you still want no part of him, I won't say another word about it." Fox let the backs of his knuckles slide down the side of his lover's face. One golden-brown eyebrow arched upward as he held Alexei's gaze. "You must consider carefully whether or not you really want to give up the throne...Prince Alexei."

Alexei's eyes dropped quickly from his lover's. "Is my lord upset with me?"

Fox kissed the downturned head. "No. I just don't understand why you didn't tell me. And you know, it's now *very* strange to be called 'my lord' by a man poised to become a king."

Alexei burrowed into the warmth of his lover's arms. "I could rule the world, Fox, and you would still be *my* lord and master."

Fox hugged him tightly. "Why didn't you tell me?

"I did not want to throw so many shocks at you all at once. I wanted to give you time to adjust to me being djinn. And when the time came that I thought you were ready, I realized that I had to tell Malik first. Knowing how he felt about humans, I thought that he might try to make me choose between you and the crown. If he did that, I would have chosen you, and then there would have been no need to tell you anything."

"You would have kept such a secret from me?"

"Yes." Alexei pushed back so he could see his lover's eyes. "Fox, what would you have done if I had come to you and told you what I had given up in order to be with you?"

Fox lowered his head, knowing where Alexei was going with this.

"You would not have wanted me to make such a sacrifice." He slipped a hand under Fox's chin and lifted. "Your unselfishness is one of the hundreds of things that make me love you." He bestowed a single, tender kiss on the other's lips. "It would have disturbed you greatly to know that I had given up my birthright. That is why I would not have told you. I would not have wanted you to go through life feeling any guilt over my decision."

"But now your father brought us back together, and you still don't want anything to do with him or the crown."

"After what he did to you...I want nothing from him."

Fox sighed softly. "He's not giving you a gift, love. You said it yourself. It's your birthright."

"I don't care...Amed can have it."

"Amed?"

"My brother. He is second in line."

"You have a brother..."

"Three brothers." Alexei glanced apologetically up at Fox. "And five sisters."

Fox closed his eyes for a moment, then reopened them. "Is there anything else I should know? Any other surprises?"

"I...do not think so." Alexei thought for a moment. "No, I think that might be all. Are you sure you are not angry?"

Fox kissed his lover's lips, then the tip of his nose. "How can I be?"

Alexei gave him a beautiful, heart-melting smile, then snuggled into his arms. A tiny flash of green caught his eye, and he turned to get a better look at the string of glass beads that Fox wore around his wrist. He linked their fingers together and lifted Fox's hand before his face.

"What is this?"

Fox smiled and kissed Alexei's hand. "It's yours."

"Mine?"

"Well...it's Jade's. A gift from Amir." He removed the adornment from his wrist and fastened it on Alexei's.

"That was very kind of him."

"He's a good boy."

Alexei grinned. "I assume, since you said this was for Jade, that it is a collar?"

Fox nodded. "He actually thought it would make me smile. I hadn't exactly been myself, and he was concerned. He thought a gift for my cat would cheer me. Poor child. He didn't know that it would affect me the way it did." He stroked Alexei's back, lulled by the soft purr that rumbled against his hand. "Dana explained to him that Jade ran away from home, and he wouldn't accept it. He kept saying that something must have happened to keep him away. Looking back, he had a lot more faith than I did. I should have believed in you."

Alexei pulled away, taking Fox's face in his hands. "Stop. I will not allow you to take any guilt upon yourself. It is not yours to bear. Malik is to blame." He searched the beautiful ocean of blue and green for some sign of capitulation and found only love and profound exhaustion. "It is very late," he whispered, brushing his fingers over the magnificently pouty lips that he loved so much. "Sleep now. We have all the time in the world to talk."

Fox smiled, turning onto his back and pulling Alexei into his arms. "So we do," he replied softly, and in no time at all, both men were soundly, peacefully asleep.

 ********************

 Fox blinked sluggishly, only vaguely aware of his surroundings. He grunted softly, attempting to rouse himself from slumber, but before he could lift his head from the pillows, a warm, hard weight settled itself over his back. A voice, smoother than fine silk, stroked his auditory nerves.

"Good morning."

He smiled and snuggled deeper into the pillows. "It wasn't a dream."

"No, lord," the voice moaned into his ear, then a soft, moist presence made itself known, gently probing and tickling.

Fox shuddered at the sensation and felt himself go hard immediately. The tongue continued to tease as Alexei's hands now also took an active part in this early morning seduction. One threaded through his hair, gently tousling the silken strands, and the other stroked up and down his arm and the side of his torso and hip.

"I adore making love to you in the morning," Alexei purred, "when you are so sleepy and easily taken advantage of..."

Fox chuckled into the pillow. "I'm easy in the morning?"

"Mmm hmm. So sweet..." Alexei pressed his erection against his lover's rear. "...and submissive."

Fox gasped and wiggled against the hardness that pushed against him.

"What is it, my love?" Alexei's voice sent a twinge of fresh desire rushing through him. "Tell me what you need."

"You," Fox grated, never ceasing to be amazed at the desire this man could stir up in him so quickly, "I need you..."

"I am here..."

Fox whimpered and shook his head. "I need you inside me. *Please*."

"Ohhh," the amused voice tickled the spot just behind his ear.

"Please."

"Soon, my treasure. Very soon. Just relax and let me love you."

Fox's arms closed around the pillow that his head rested on and he moaned into it as his lover's mouth wandered the span of his shoulders, his tongue flowing over the flexing muscles then down, kissing and licking...tickling the downy hairs that trailed down to the base of his spine.

The lower Alexei moved, the more frantic Fox's whimpers became. Gentle hands glided over his lover's firm buttocks as Alexei's tongue stroked over his lower back. His fingers pressed into the twin mounds of muscled flesh and separated them, allowing his tongue to dance into the crevice and over the small, tight ring hidden within.

Fox clawed at the sheets, groaning into the pillows as his body reacted to this new stimulation. Gentle hands held his clutching hips steady while Alexei's tongue continued to flick over the puckered muscle, and Fox found himself teetering closer to the brink of orgasm than he ever had. He begged. He sobbed for Alexei take him over the edge, but the other man ignored his pleas, and when he felt that fleshy instrument of sensual torture breach his entrance, he screamed, attempting to drag himself away from the unbearable pleasure.

Alexei held Fox securely, pulling his hips back and up so that his lower body had no contact with the mattress. His tongue plunged deeper, fluttering within, and his overwhelmed lover's shrieks faded until only tiny choked gasps fell from his open mouth.

The room spun around Fox at breakneck speed, this thing Alexei was doing to him, robbing him of the ability to sob or scream. All he could do was clutch at the sheets by his head and hold on. Violent tremors ran through him as the presence inside him withdrew and pushed back in slowly, again and again. To increase the torment, gentle fingers reached beneath him to stroke over the fragile surface of the sac that had begun to pull up close to his body. Fox sobbed inaudibly, his weak attempts to free himself easily kept under control by his tormentor.

Very well aware that Fox was at  his limit, Alexei withdrew, smoothing his tongue over the opening once more before licking and nibbling his way back up. Once he reached the small of Fox's back, he deviated from his course for a moment, moving back down to one quivering cheek and sucking at the flesh. Leaving his mark, he then moved on.

Too wrung out to do much more, Fox lay trembling and softly whining into the pillow as his lover played his body with masterful precision.

Slowly, Alexei moved up the length of his spine, leaving a tingling trail of gooseflesh. By the time he reached the back of Fox's neck, he was draped over his back, and his erection was again pressed up against the place his tongue had just been.

A gentle hand swept the hair from Fox's neck and over his shoulder, and he felt the warm, sweet breath fanning the sensitive spot just at the hairline.

"Now," Alexei growled against his skin, making him flinch at the sensation, "I will have you."

Fox's cries pierced the morning air as Alexei sank into him with one stroke. His muscles failed him, and his lower body began to drop to the mattress, but a strong arm came up under him, lifting him again to his knees and holding him there while his lover established a steady, driving rhythm. A small sob was forced from him with every thrust, and when Alexei shifted slightly and drove into him from a different angle, a wild scream tore from his throat.

Alexei answered Fox with a low snarl, and grasping his lover's long-ignored erection, he began to pump it in exact time to his thrusts. Loud, angry grunts made their way past his gritted teeth as he moved faster and harder, taking Fox with him into the sweet madness that they only knew together.

Wave upon wave of excruciating pleasure washed over Fox, and his cries joined Alexei's as both men weakened and fell to the mattress. They lay twitching together, both too drained to move. The weight of Alexei's relaxed body crushed Fox to the bed, but he had neither the strength nor the inclination to push him off.

Alexei lay stretched along the length of Fox's back, purring softly with every breath. His tongue inched out to lap at the droplets of perspiration that dotted his lover's shoulder, and he smiled weakly at the soft moan.  "Did my love enjoy that?"

"Mmmm. You're wicked. Wicked, wicked...wicked..."

"I shall just take that as a yes."

"Please do."

"Ready to go again?" he asked, gently nipping at the slick skin.

"Are you insane?" came the muffled answer. Fox lifted his head just far enough to speak clearly. "I'll be lucky if I can *walk* after that."

"Ah, my beautiful jewel," Alexei whispered softly against his skin, "there is so much I want to do to you."

"Will I survive it?"

"Of course." Alexei gave him an evil little chuckle. "But just barely."

"Well, *that's* comforting."

The smile that Fox could feel against his shoulder faded, and Alexei looked down at him. "I love you, my precious Fox. More than you will ever know."

Fox called up the energy he needed and rolled Alexei off of his back. He turned onto his side and snuggled into the other man's arms. "I know. After yesterday, I know."

They fell silent for long moments, then the sound of Alexei's voice brought Fox back from the edges of sleep.

"Do you really believe that I should see my father?"

They shifted again, and now Alexei was on his back, Fox pressed to his side, golden-brown head resting in the cradle of his arm. He lightly traced the faint scars on his lover's chest. "Yes. He's your father, Jade. What he did may be reprehensible, but he regrets it now. Don't you want to know why? Not to take any credit from Daniel, but there's *got* to be more to it than what he told you tonight."

Alexei heaved a long sigh. "I..I am really having a very difficult time getting past the fact that he almost killed you. I could have lost you for all eternity. I could not have lived knowing that you were not on this earth. How can I forgive that?"

"But it didn't happen..."

"Because I agreed to never lay eyes on you *again*...which was a death sentence in its own right."

"He's remorseful, Alexei. He listened to Daniel and sent him after me. He didn't have to do that."

Alexei's eyes rolled up into his head, and his lids closed over them. He lay quietly for a few minutes, then opened his eyes, turning them to the man who watched him intently. "You are a truly remarkable man." He bent his head to capture Fox's mouth in a tender kiss, then released him. "All right. I will go to see Malik....will you accompany me?"

"Do you want me to?"

"Yes." Alexei brushed the hair back from Fox's face. "From here on out, whatever happens, happens to both of us."

Hazel eyes sparkled up at him. "I'm glad you feel that way. *We* need to see Dana."

"But...does she not wish to murder me?"

Fox laughed softly. "Oh, yes she does."

Alexei drew back, eyes wide. "And you would just throw me to the lions?"

"Aww, my love. I promise I'll be standing right behind you."

Alexei sank down amongst the pillows. "Why do I not find that particularly comforting?"

 ********************

 "Fox?"

Dana moved from room to room looking for her friend, growing more frightened with each step.

"Fox? Oh God, please. Where did he go?"

"Dana."

The petite woman whirled around and practically fell into Fox's arms.

"Thank God! Where have you been? I..." She cut herself off in mid-rattle and set an icy stare upon the man standing a few feet away. "What are you doing here?" She stepped between Fox and Alexei. "Why are you *here*?"

"Dana..."

She turned to face Fox, saw the look in his eyes, and shook her head. "No...oh, no. Don't tell me..."

Fox smiled reassuringly. "Dana, there's so much to explain."

"And who's going to do the explaining." She turned back on Alexei. "*Him*?"

Alexei's gaze lowered to the floor.

"Dana, listen to me." Fox touched her arm, drawing her attention back. "There were very good reasons for him to stay away."

Dana sighed sadly. "Oh, Fox. I know how much you wanted him back. But you can't *do* this. You're setting yourself up to be hurt again."

Alexei spoke for the first time. "No, Dana. I love Fox. I would never do anything to hurt him."

"Oh, *no*? What do you call what you've done for the last several weeks? That wasn't hurt? I was afraid every single day that he would go and do something *stupid* because of you! And now you're back. Why? You haven't tormented him enough? Maybe you can do a proper job and *really* kill him this time!"

Alexei flinched at her words and looked away. Fox was at his side instantly, pulling him into his arms.

"Dana...you don't understand. If he *hadn't* left me, I would have died."

"*What*?"

"Please..." Fox waved her toward a chair. "Let's sit down. Let us explain it to you."

At the end of their story, both men fell into silence, watching the woman who sat across from them, waiting for some reaction.

Dana looked from Fox to Alexei then back again. "That is one fantastic tale."

"Any more fantastic than Alexei being a genie?" Fox challenged.

"N-no, that was quite unbelievable."

"Yet, you believed it."

"The proof was in front of my eyes. I couldn't dispute it. All I have here is this...story."

"A story that *I've* told you. It's true, Dana. Every word."

Dana looked back to Alexei, studying the expression in his eyes. "I can't believe I'm going to trust you again."

"I do not know how to prove to you that I live for this man, Dana. Every breath I take...every beat of my heart is for him, and I was every bit as devastated as he was while we were apart."

Dana sighed heavily, then nodded. "All right. You've got another chance. But I'll not take my eye off you, and I will not hesitate to advise Fox if I feel that something is not right."

"I am very glad he has a friend as devoted as you."

Fox rose and drew Dana up and into his arms. "I'm happy again, Dana," he whispered. "Please don't worry. He *does* love me."

Dana pulled back and gave him a soft smile. "It's so good to see you back to yourself. But I mean what I say. If I see something I don't like, you *will* hear about it."

"I'd expect no less." Fox kissed her cheek, then turned to his lover who had come to stand a few feet behind them. "We must go now. Alexei has to prepare for the meeting with his father."

"All right."

Alexei kissed the side of Fox's head and gave Dana a wary smile. "May we have your company one day soon for dinner? Daniel will be so pleased to see you."

"I'll let you know."

Alexei nodded and bowed. "Goodbye, Dana. Thank you."

They vanished before her eyes, and Dana raised her hands to her face, covering her eyes, and groaned softly. She stood quietly for a moment, then walked slowly from the house.

 ********************

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