Persistence

A/N: Thanks kylee for reviewing *hugs* Hopefully you all enjoy the next chapter! :)

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- Ice -

Feeling intense hunger Syran decided he could afford to eat first. He held back from shivering in disgust feeling the guard so close behind him, smelling him! Instead he glanced at him from over his shoulder and smiled as seductively as he could manage in the situation. “I knew you were the right man to fulfil my desires.” He purred before taking a seat. The prince’s eyes devoured the food in front of him; fruit, fish and meat! Fruit must have been difficult to get seeing that it was mid winter so he concluded that the guard must have wanted him pretty badly and it almost made him feel sorry for the man, almost. His hand trembled when he reached for the piece of meat, never in his life had he felt such hunger before, never in his life had he been forced to go without food for the whole day. He bit into the delicious meat, table manners forgotten completely, plus Syran didn’t think his current companion would really mind it.

Aimo grinned when the prince ate - it didn't look royal but he knew from experience what hunger could do to an Ylvas. He uncorked a bottle of red wine, smelled it and tasted it. A bit sour but it would do to loosen up the prince further - there was no need to hurt the small man and he was sure Corrav wouldn't like his trophy battered and damaged. He poured a glass for the blond, gave it to him, and took one for himself. "Cheers, my prince."

Syran raised his glass, smiled again and drank. It certainly wasn't the best wine he had but a few sips would make him calmer. He ate some more, savouring the fruits and wondering just how long it had been since he had eaten. The kidnappers from before had only given him little to eat and after that... nothing. He looked back at the man. "I wonder, Aimo, is there a chance I could... clean myself a bit? You know... I would just feel... more comfortable that way." He allowed the tip of his tail to touch the man's thigh playfully.

"Oh, I wouldn't mind licking you clean, my prince." The guard grinned, but then he poured some water from a large pitcher into ceramic bowl that had a small crack. "I am sorry, but there is nothing better for now. I can't let the beauty of his majesty out of my eyes, right? And there is no need to get too clean because I will make you sweaty soon again."

Syran cursed in his mind; the odds were against him, the man was bigger than him, but then again he would not expect... Syran tried to think fast and got up slowly, scanning the room as he approached the bowl. "Oh I'm sure you will." He winked at the man allowing the blanket to fall down next to his feet's while he brought his hands into the water. "Why don't you strip for me? It would turn me on to watch..." He grinned, "I've always found guards... so... sexy." Syran thought that the glass of wine had indeed been a good idea – it made talking like this so much easier.

Aimo licked his lips when the blanket fell and he could see, soft, white skin shimmering in the light, a nice back, a wonderful tail and the buttocks he could see pressing against the silky white fabric of the underpants. His mouth watered with the view and his cock hardened with the prospect of his hand massaging the sexy mounds of supple flesh while he was sinking in the prince's most private place. "Oh I am not good at dancing, my prince. But I will undress for you so that you can see what awaits you." With this he turned and started to strip out of his coat and armour.

'Now! Now!' Syran's mind screamed when the man turned away and he grasped the first object in sight; the water pitcher. His heart beating fast, adrenalin rushing through him, he approached the guard, raising the pitcher up and aiming at the man's head. With the first strike, the guard growled but did not fall and in slight panic Syran hit him again which finally caused the man to drop to the floor, unconscious. Syran's hands trembled as he searched for the keys. When he found them he quickly looked around the room for clothes. Dressing was difficult when he was trembling so bad and the clothes were too big for him but they would have to do. He packed the remaining food and a bottle of rum he found it would help keep him warm later.

For a moment his mind contemplated whether he should leave Jaromir behind for being such an idiot to him earlier, but… No, no he couldn’t do that, there was no telling what they would do to Jaromir. And… Well, Syran was terrified, he didn’t want to go alone, they might catch him and he was quite sure that the next time they wouldn’t be so…’nice’ to him. And so he went through the room to look for some clothes that Jaromir could put on before he snuck out of the room.

Jaromir tried to nap, chasing away unwelcome thoughts and trying to block the cold that crept back into his body. He should be fit for the night when he was going to carry out his plan. He heard footsteps running towards the cell and looked up. There was Syran, fully clothed, a bundle of clothing and something else in his arms, trying to open the door with shaking hands, his breath coming out in hurried pants.

Syran cursed, finally getting the lock undone and he threw the clothes and extra shoes at Jaromir. "Hurry, put them on..." Syran said looking nervously behind him. He had wrapped the food and the rum inside a blanket that he still held.

Jaromir was astonished. "So you planned that... Didn't want to sleep with that guy..." He shut his mouth - he didn't sound relieved no! And if so, it was only because they could flee now. He put on the clothing, glad that they smelled only a little. "Okay, did you bring the guy’s weapon?"

"Of course I didn't sleep with him, ew!" Syran snapped...wait... a weapon? Sh*t, he knew he forget something. "No..." He was still shaking. "Just hurry we need to go before he wakes or before someone notices."


Jaromir stepped out of the damned cell and followed Syran down the corridor when he suddenly remembered something. "Stop, Syran," he called out and then entered a small room whose door was hidden in an alcove. The taller man smiled when saw his clothing and weapons - and it grew into wide grin when he saw the pendant with his belongings. This day is starting to get better, he decided and changed into his own clothing, fastening the weapons and hiding the pendant.

Syran gave annoyed look at the taller man, seeing the pendant that he hid. “You are going to leave me behind, aren’t you?” he said, unable to hide the bitter tone from his voice. “Now that you have your freedom and the stupid jewel there is no need for me.”

Jaromir blinked, then smiled at the young man. "You know, you saved me. I am sure I could have done it myself, but that was a great stunt you pulled here and I am grateful. So before we start to fight like an old married couple let’s get some kilometres between us and those guys. I am sure they won't be dancing in joy finding you and the pendant gone!"

Syran nodded slightly relieved. " I don't have any weapons," he noted nervously and looked at the clothes that hung on his lithe form and the items he still carried. "But I have food and...rum."

"Good!" Having his clothes and weapons back on him and starting to feel warm lifted Jaromir's mood and he teased: "So, you are the nice housewife and I will be your man to protect you." He couldn't but chuckle and then turned to the door.

Syran growled. "Do not tease me," he warned. "Let's just hurry," he said growing more and more nervous. He definitely didn't want to be captured again.

"Alright, alright." Jaromir slipped through the door and then walked down the hallway he used when he emptied his bladder earlier. When they entered the castle yard there was no one in sight and they sneaked along the wall to a smaller building that looked like horse barn and entered it. The brunet spotted Preeno at first sight and went to him, calming the nervous stallion by petting his nose and whispering some words into his ear.

Syran looked around nervously. "I don't see Valo, where's my horse?"

Jaromir lifted his gaze and then looked around. It was dark in the stable and he couldn't see well, so he cast a small spell that enhanced his night vision and could see the white, gorgeous horse in the other end of the room. "He's back there, just call him and he will answer," he told the small man, who appeared more nervous with every second.

Syran called him and sighed with relief when he heard the familiar neigh. He immediately went towards the sound and patted the animal gently who responded to his touch. Syran didn't waste much time with starting to prepare him.

Jaromir saddled his horse and they rode out of the stable to the gate. The gate was closed but the smaller door set in the gate could be opened so the two dismounted and led their horses through it. When they re-mounted there was a loud call and when Jaromir turned he could see a figure looking over the castellation, pointing at them.

"Follow me!" Jaromir called and spurred his horse into a full gallop, leading them into the forest. They would be easily tracked but for now they had to get out of shooting range and then they could worry about the other stuff. He ducked when an arrow swished over his head - much too close to his liking, but then he reached the edge of the forest, the trees making it impossible for the archers and crossbowmen to aim. Jaromir turned and was glad to see that Syran was right behind him.

Syran followed Jaromir, quickly casting a spell that turned the field behind them into clear ice; it would make it more difficult for them to be followed. His heart was beating fast; it seemed that the men tried to aim for their horses and Jaromir, perhaps he himself was still too valuable to be caught dead? At the same time Syran felt relieved when Jaromir had managed to move away from the arrow that flew by him. Soon they reached the forest; the shadows seemed safe now, but still there was a chance to get caught if they didn’t pay attention.

Jaromir turned and saw a group of six men starting to follow them and then the horses staggered and fell, some pain filled neighs could be heard when their legs broke. Jaromir looked at Syran impressed. "Can you do that again later on?" he asked while starting to steer Preeno through the trees.

Syran gave a small nervous smile and nodded. "I think so." He answered. That was if he wasn't too tired or panicked to concentrate; he thought to himself. Syran glanced behind them and saw the tracks on the snow. "Wait..." He said. Magic was something he had been practicing, but for that he needed energy: though the ice trick was something he was good at, it still left their tracks in the snow, this other trick however.... it would be better but he would have to stop and concentrate on it.

Jaromir turned. "We have to hurry, Syran. They will send others and we need to set up a trap."

"But I can cover our tracks!" the smaller man panted, trying to calm his breath. Jaromir furrowed his brows. "Right now they can follow us from scent and broken branches because we have to run!"

Syran was somewhat disappointed and annoyed but nodded and followed the thief. Perhaps he would have needed more practise anyway, at least his cousin would have said so after a failed practise they had shared not too long ago.

They kept riding two hours and dusk was already coming when Jaromir could hear a torrent and soon it came in sight, the path bending just a meter from the cliff parallel to it. "Perfect!" Jaromir muttered. "Listen Syran, can you make the path icy here after we pass it?"

Syran looked at the path measuring it. "I think so," he said already feeling exhausted. He wanted his own bed! A bath! And... hot chocolate! But he needed to concentrate; he couldn't let the guards catch them now. When they passed the spot, Syran stopped in front of it and muttered the familiar low chant, focusing all his concentration it; it worked but made him feel even more exhausted. "I want to rest," he whined.

"I know, I know." Jaromir led them a little farther down the path where they could hide behind a few trees and watch the path. When another group of pursuers galloped along the path, the first of the eight slipped and with a shriek toppled over the cliff, and the rest tried to stop but only one could stop before the slope, struggling not to fall down. Jaromir threw a knife and although it only hit the guy against his helmet it was enough to make him fall over the edge, following his friends down the hill into the ice cold torrent -definite death. "Okay Syr, I know you want to rest, but we need to cover our tracks, so please, try your best!"

Syran sighed, feeling the cold getting to him. He wanted to say he was too tired, but at the same time wanted to make the man impressed with his skills. 'Now or never' He thought and closed his eyes muttering another chant over and over again, his voice growing slightly louder. Every time he chanted a small draft got stronger, gathering the snow and blowing if forward until it formed almost a virgin like layer where the tracks had once been. Syran released a breath he had been holding and slowly opened his eyes; it had worked! He felt a rush of proud joy; the result wasn't perfect but it was enough to fool whoever would be after them. The joy lasted only a brief time, his body felt heavy, begging for rest. "I'm tired now," he muttered trying to hold himself up and not allow his eyes fall shut.

"That was good, Syran," Jaromir smiled at the smaller man, seeing how exhausted he was. "Can you keep yourself up for another two or three hours or..." Jaromir tilted his head. "You can ride with me and I keep you steady if you fall asleep and tie the reins of your horse to Preeno so that he follows us."

Syran looked at him sleepily, two or three hours? It felt too long. "Too long..." He muttered... "I won't forget... or forgive...so easy... but... I'm too tired.... so ... I ride with you," he decided. Plus if he did this then Jaromir couldn’t abandon him as easily as he might if he was too sleepy to stay up riding on his own.

"Okay, then come here," Jaromir dismounted and helped Syran off his horse and up on Preeno and then secured the reins of the white horse to his black stallion. He mounted the horse behind the smaller man and then they rode. Jaromir had to use his little magic trick to enhance his night vision for an hour before a shabby cabin came in sight. "Hey Syr, wake up. There is a place we can stay the night!"

Syran felt oddly comfortable resting against the man but he wanted to assure himself that it was only because of his sleepiness. He had dozed off when he heard Jaromir's voice and perked up slightly. He had never been happier to see such a humble cabin before.

Jaromir dismounted and again helped the exhausted, white eared man down, letting him lean against a wall while he quickly cared for the horses. They entered the house afterwards and it looked like there was no one here for ages but at least the wind, that had gotten stronger during the last hours, was kept away. "Okay, no fire. It would give us away over a longer distance." He looked around. "Oh, and there is only one bed."

"It figures." Syran sighed. "Well... I guess we have to warm each other anyway..." he said, "...and I want to sleep." He nodded. "So come on." He walked towards the bed briefly glancing at Jaromir.

Jaromir was surprised with Syran's nonchalant act but he was okay with it, too. He took off his trousers, coat and shirt and then slipped under the covers with Syran, laying at his side. "Good night, Syran." He hesitated for a moment. "That was really good work today, Syr...."

Syran had his back turned against Jaromir and his tail resting against his chest; not wanting to repeat his earlier mistake. He heard what Jaromir said, felt his warmth, but didn't want to let the man think it would be that easy. "Yeah..." He muttered. "'Night," he added. They had escaped, the danger was over and now.... He definitely didn't want to give Jaromir the satisfaction of thinking he had him wrapped around his little finger and could make him forget the previous morning, or the cold words that the man had used.

Jaromir nodded. He could feel and hear the hard undertone in Syran's voice. Well, it wasn't completely undeserved and so the tried to fall asleep, back to back with the smaller man.

He woke up the next morning, with a warm body pressed against his chest and the black-haired man realised, slowly ascending from the mist where sleep was settled, that he had turned in the night and snuggled close to the other, most likely to get some more body warmth. He slowly rolled away, not wanting to wake Syran while being in this awkward position.

Syran had felt the warmth against him and then it disappeared. Still fast asleep he mourned for the lost of the contact and moved to relocate it again. When finding the warmth he sighed with content wrapping around it, still continuing to sleep, a small smile on his lips.

Jaromir blinked in confusion and tensed a bit when Syran's lithe form wrapped around his body, the tail snaking along his thighs. The dark Ylvas looked into a smiling face and sighed. 'What do you want, prince of the North?' he asked himself but relaxed in the hold.

Syran enjoyed the scent, his tail flicking happily; expressing his content, it felt good where he was at, safe and warm and hot and.. He moaned slightly, and then started to purr as he squeezed the warm body closer to himself, nuzzling his chest with his cheek.

Jaromir gulped. That felt good and right - to him. And it got to him, he felt a strong pull in his groin, his dick slowly waking up to the affection. He gently combed his fingers through long blond hair. "Syran..." He more purred the word than said it.

Syran opened his eyes slowly, licking his lips; it had been such a pleasant dream. Then he blinked at the surroundings, everything returning to him. He sat up quickly looking at Jaromir. Moment later his eyes narrowed and he got up from the bed instantly mourning the loss of pleasant warmth, yet his pride was too strong. He didn't want Jaromir to think he would still have those same illusions as before, oh no, Jaromir had made sure to break them. He wrapped his arms around himself. "I'm hungry," he complained not looking at the other man, not mentioning the intimate position that they had shared.

Jaromir took a deep breath, then got up, too, not hiding his half-bothered state. "We brought some, remember? You stole it from the castle." He put the food that was wrapped in a blanket on a small table.

Syran glanced at the man, his gaze drifting down; he felt his cheeks grew hot and quickly looked away, folding his arms over his chest. Did Jaromir like him? He wondered and soon after scolded himself for going to that direction with his thinking. He sat down, looking at the unwrapped pieces of fruits, bread and meat and rum... He had never tasted rum before either but he had seen people drink it. Again he gave another glance towards the man no words leaving him yet.

"You said you were hungry, so dig in!" Jaromir pulled his clothes on before he cooled out and then sat on the table, helping himself to a slice of bread before rummaging through a closet and bringing in some snow from the outside. "It melts and we can drink it," he explained, taking an apple and biting into it.

"It melts? Does it really?" Syran couldn't help but to snort in sarcasm. "I wasn't born yesterday." He groaned and reached for the meat and bread, this time remembering manners and arranging everything neatly; taking small bites of his meat sandwich and at times glaring at the other.

Jaromir shrugged at the hostility and then took a slice of meat, eating it quickly, taking a sip of the cold water and grimacing a bit when his teeth ached lightly. "You do? Seems they educated you in your palace." With this he got up and started to leave but then he turned. "Where did they capture you?"

Syran glared at him for a moment. "Why do you ask?"

"I just want to know how big that territory of your step uncle is and that could help me to get an idea."

"It was...at the forest... " Syran mumbled, shrugging his shoulders. "Not very far from..." He started. "It doesn't matter." He said embarrassed. "He has lots of men it seems." He reached for an apple and took a bite.

"Did you ride south or east? And for how long?"

Syran wasn't sure to be honest; his emotions had been a mess. "East... I don't know how long!" he snapped and got up, holding the apple and chewing it slowly.

"East. I rode south and they brought me north-west when they had me and we rode for three hours." Jaromir pondered. "Most likely the castle is near the centre of the territory he controls. That means it is kinda large. Huge even..." He looked at the prince. "Where do you plan to go now?"

Syran didn't look at Jaromir, shrugged helplessly. "I don't know... I don't know how to get home!" he snapped. "Happy?!" He wanted home, felt like crying, everything had gone so wrong, even his silly crush for the idiot. And he most definitely shouldn't show a single tear in front of him!

"Actually, no, I am not." Jaromir sighed. "You may not believe me, but it is not my intention to hurt you or see you down." He looked up at the white eared Ylvas. "If you want, you can follow me southwards till you can find another way home. It would be safer than trying to get through their lines because if you get caught again, they won't treat you as royally as they did." His face contorted to a sarcastic mien.

Syran wrapped his arms around his chest, composing himself and hardening his gaze; managing to push the tears aside before he turned. "Very well, I will follow you," he said. "Since I saved your ass from the prison I expect you to treat me with respect. Also, without my magic, had you been alone you would have been captured quite easily," he added wanting to feel confident and better, superior, after all he was the prince! "You help me, I help you."

Jaromir tilted his head and then stood up, a small smile playing over his lips. "Sounds like a deal." He spat into his palm and offered it to Syran. "I agree - we help each other out."

Syran glared at the others hand; did the man just spat spit on it? He raised his brow looking between the thief and his hand. "Are you serious?" Jaromir really spat on his hand? And expected him as the PRINCE to take it?!

"Um... You proposed it, didn't you?" Jaromir looked a bit puzzled at the reaction.

"You just...spat... on your hand!" Syran pointed out, his eyes wide; to him it was weird. "Why would you do that?"

"Um... I don't know..." Jaromir shrugged. "We do it in the South this way. You want me to brush it clean?"

Syran opened his mouth. "So there is no reason?" He asked after awhile. "You just... like it?” He raised his brow.

"Hmmm... I never thought about it. It is just a gesture - it makes the deal perfect."

Syran thought about it for awhile, it was silly, but it was new, so...he spat on his hand as gracefully as one could and then took Jaromir's hand and shook it.
"If it makes it perfect, if this is some honour code for you, then...ok."

Jaromir shook the other's hand and grinned a bit. "So, then we have a deal and are partners." He went back to the table. "You done eating?"

"For now I have." Syran nodded. "I wonder what other strange habits you people have."

Jaromir shrugged and packed the food together. "I don't know what of my customs are weird to you because they are normal to me." He walked to the door, looking out. "The wind is strong but that is good for us, because it will cover our tracks faster without wearing you out." 'But bad for me, because I will freeze to an ice block...' he thought.

"Better dress up warmly then." Syran said starting to pull his outdoor clothes on. "How long of a journey are we expecting?" He asked casually.

'Dress warm, I already wear all I have...' Jaromir shook his head, no use cursing the unchangeable

"Well, it's about a month and a half to my home. If you don't find another way home till then I have lots of friends who can help you."

'Month and a half?!' Syran's mind screamed; his mother would have a stroke by then! He hoped there was someway to let them know that he was... somewhat safe.... He finished dressing and turned to Jaromir sighing when seeing his clothing in proper light. "Take that blanket," he said pointing to the bed before walking to the door.

Jaromir nodded thankfully and wrapped the blanket around his shoulders. "Then let’s start moving to get out of the reach of this step uncle of yours!" With this he walked outside and mounted his horse.

Syran followed, prepared his horse and mounted it as well. The wind was indeed harsh; he glanced at Jaromir from time to time. "Were you always a thief?" he asked at some point, riding beside him.

"No, I was a kid before that," Jaromir grinned at the other. "But talking about thievery, do you have any money on you, Syran?"

Syran frowned. "Oh don't you do that," he warned getting angry. "You are not stealing from me again!" That question alone brought up all the reasons of why he should hate the man.

Jaromir held up a hand. "And what would it help me to steal from you? Did you forget that we are partners now and help each other out? But we need money to buy supplies for us and the horses and to pay the stay at an inn which hopefully will be our next stay. But if you do not have any money - and I guess you don't because you wear stolen clothes - then we will have to... organize us some."

"And more fitting clothes would be welcomed..." Syran muttered, unhappy of the clothes that made him realise his own small size. In his own clothes he could fool himself to believe that he was taller than he was. "And what do you mean organize?" he asked.

"Well, I guess you are no bard or firedancer or play an instrument. And during the winter no one needs a day labourer... Well, I can pickpocket and perhaps a small burglary here and there could bring us some needed money," Jaromir replied casually.

Syran eyed him, not really liking the idea but...he didn't have a better plan, not really. "Where do you plan to... do what you do?"

"The bigger the crowd and the bigger the town the better the chances. So a full tavern or a small city would be good hunting territory. Is there one close by?"

Syran sighed. "We're far from my castle," he said. "But we shouldn't be too far from a town for riding as long as we have." He didn't approve Jaromir’s ways, but under the circumstances…

"Well, then lets hope we reach one soon." Jaromir shivered a bit - the blanket helped but the wind grew stronger.

Finally a town came to view, it wasn't a big one but still a town. Syran glanced at Jaromir who was shivering. "You are in no condition to... do what you do." He sighed. They needed to get warm and Syran tried to think the possibilities.

"I still have some money with me. It should b..be...." Jaromir gritted his teeth and tried to will his shivering down. "...be enough for a few d...days..." Okay, he needed a hot bath - and because he knew he wouldn't get one most likely, he needed a hot soup and lots of hot wine. Yeah, lots of it. And he hoped Syran would be nice enough to warm him during the night - after all they were partners now, right? He pressed his thighs into Preeno's flanks, willing him into a faster gallop.

Syran felt sorry for the southern man. It was cold but he was more used to it than Jaromir. They arrived in front of what looked like an inn of some short. "Ok. This will do," Syran decided and got down. He looked up at Jaromir and waited.

"Fi... Fine." Jaromir dismounted. "I kn.. know you a..are the prince, but c...could you?" He held his reins towards Syran with a pleading look.

Syran gritted his teeth but nodded. "Go inside." He told the other and took the reins. His voice might have been cold yet inside he did feel the worry that he felt the need to hide: He didn't want Jaromir getting sick... and he wanted to assure himself that it was simply because logical reasons not more.

"Thanks," Jaromir muttered and went inside. The inn looked okay, not overly clean but not dirty either. He went to the counter and ordered two helpings of a stew and a hot wine for himself. On second thoughts he ordered a mug of beer for Syran and sat down as close as possible to the fireplace, holding his hands against the flames, ignoring the curious stares he got. After all he was used to them since he entered Atanva.

Syran found a stable boy and made sure he took care of the horses; the boy, his age or younger kept staring at his face. "Sorry sir, you look familiar sir," the boy said and Syran forced a dry laugh. "So they keep saying," he said before entering the inn. It wasn't difficult to find the thief since most people kept stealing glances of the darker Ylvas; it almost made Syran jealous. He realised he didn't like others looking at Jaromir this way. "You don't look too good," he pointed out with a sigh. His comment was more to point out that the man looked ill... not looking too good in other ways might be quite... impossible.

"Well, thank you a lot," Jaromir rolled his eyes. The last days he was exposed to the cold almost the whole time and he felt the cold in his bones. Then the stew was served together with their drinks and Jaromir dug in and drank the hot wine, not caring if the hot liquids burnt his mouth or tongue. He signalled to the waitress for another mug of hot wine and leaned back - and looked into astonished faces from the inn's guests and Syran's. "What?"

"You look different, exotic. That's why they stare at you." Syran sighed. ”We need to get you warmed up."

Jaromir nodded and wrapped his hands around the next mug of hot wine, warming his fingers. "Warmth and sleep, yes." He looked up hopefully.

"Okay, so um, we need to get a room, I suppose." Syran said looking around. "I have never gotten a room from such a place, how does one... do it?" It might have been a silly question, but Syran honestly wasn't sure.

Jaromir first blinked confused but then he chuckled though his teeth still chattered slightly. "Okay, I will get us a room. You eat and drink in the meantime." The dark Ylvas got up and went to the landlord, asking for a room. The prices were fine but there was only one room left and of course it only had one bed but that worked for Jaromir because it meant he would have his source of warmth close all night.

"Are you cold, Sir?" The landlord asked, startling the brunet out of his thought.

"Yeah, a bit," Jaromir admitted.

"I will tell the maid to bring a pan with embers in it that you can put under the bed." Blue-black ears perked up and a big smile grew in Jaromir's face. "That would be wonderful!" He exclaimed happily - that meant warmth from under him and from above when he could convince the prince to be his blanket.

Syran carefully tasted the foaming drink he had grown to like and sighed with content before carefully reaching to taste the stew; it was…okay enough, but not great in royal standards by any means. Still, food was food when one was hungry.

Jaromir paid the landlord and thought about getting another hot wine but then realized how tired he was. The cold must have worn him out so he returned to Syran. "I have a room for us but... Well, see for yourself." The tall man took his backpack and went upstairs.

Syran left his beer eyeing the other before following. "What but? Does it have... creatures?" Syran asked with a shudder.

Jaromir laughed softly. "I hope not, but I think it will be clean enough." He opened the lock and the door and then stepped inside the room, putting his things on the floor in a corner.

Syran looked around. "Where's the other bed?" he asked.

"No other bed. It was the last room available and it is a room with only one bed." Jaromir shrugged. "If you don't want to sleep with the horses it will be here with me."

"I won't sleep with horses!" Syran snapped. "I am the prince!" Sleeping in one bed with Jaromir worried him for what it might lead to, he seemed to be so...weak near the darker male.

"Well, I won't either since I paid for the room. And it's not as if we haven't slept together in the past," Jaromir added with a smile.

Syran glared at him. "No funny stuff then," he warned. "It was your choice," he added and approached the bed.

Jaromir tilted his head. "If you say so, partner. But it is a shame..." The brunet started to undress, looking at Syran from the corner of his eyes, wanting to see if there was a reaction. Syran looked away, starting to undress and letting the oversized clothes fall on the floor, not even trying to cover up when standing completely naked.

"You got what you wanted and you seemed to believe it was enough." Syran said and glanced at him from over his shoulder. "Now... that is a shame." He nodded, reaching to move the covers aside to slip into the bed. Yes he wanted to make the other regret his earlier actions.

Jaromir sighed. He wanted a reaction but not this one. He stopped his slightly exotic stripping and just disrobed and then slipped under the covers. He wiggled and squirmed till he was half under the prince who glared at him but before the white eared man could say something there was a knock at the door and Jaromir called out for them to enter. It was a maiden who blushed when she saw the two men so close together in one bed with all their clothes on the floor. That meant they have to be naked. She had seen them downstairs and thought they were completely and utterly sexy, both in their own ways but she didn't know they were lovers.

"Excuse me, I don't want to interrupt..." she trailed off, the blush intensified and she held up the pan with the embers in it.

"Its fine, come in." Jaromir replied with a bright smile. "Too bad the bed is so small and already occupied, sweetie." The maiden who was now beet red, put the pan under the bed and almost ran out of the room but took a last, fast glance at the sexy scene before closing the door.

Syran glared at Jaromir but didn't attempt to move away, he groaned slightly at the woman's reaction and Jaromir's words. "So she would please you better as a bed partner?" he asked unable to completely hide the slightly jealous tone.

Jaromir sighed contently with the warmth from beneath and then squirmed a little more till Syran covered most of his body with his own and then wrapped his arms around the others waist and shoulders to prevent the smaller Ylvas to move away. "No, I told you that I like men much, much more than women. No need to worry or be jealous of her," he added with a small grin and then rested his face in the nook of Syran's neck, drifting off to sleep. The warmth from beneath making him sleepy and the warmth from above making him feel secure and good. "I even like you much better than other men," he mumbled sleepily without thinking or recognizing what he said.

Syran at first had tensed at Jaromir's hold, wanting to move but the hold was secure and warm. And then with Jaromir's words he found himself smiling and relaxing. He glanced at the other; how evil to make him this weak; evil sexy man! But he had said he liked him better! And finally Syran saw no reason to pull back and instead snuggled against the man, making himself comfortable and falling asleep there.

TBC.