Rooftop

AN: PLEASE READ.

This is NOT an update. I reformatted the story (edited some sex scenes to make them better, changed the way Fen's thought-speech was expressed, altered some text and dialog, and added a few things). This "new" chapter is just the previous chapter split into TWO chapters, so, this is NOT a new chapter.

But, I urge all fans to go back a reread, because I feel the story (now that it's been edited) is MUCH better and more fluid. Thank you!



Fen was made to stand and then kept between two men on either side of him, still bound with the rope. Ethan quickly stepped after Fen, not wanting to be left behind in this strange wood. No one paid him much notice, though Gevi was walking towards them.

Once close enough to them, Fen lifted his head and glared. “Don't tie him up.” He rumbled, gesturing to Ethan. “He won't run.”

Gevi turned towards Fen with a deadly smile, lifting one brow. “Tie him up? Why would we? There's nowhere for him to run here anyway. If he so chose to 'escape', the creatures of our lands would kill him.”

Glaring, but hiding his eyes, Ethan hung his head. Gevi obviously didn't expect an answer from either of them, and he turned and began laughing. The sound was nothing like Fen's laughter. It was dark and malicious and angry.

Evil.

With a quick one-handed motion, Gevi hailed the troops to follow as he took the lead and began walking into a high opening between two thick trees which seemed to grow into each other nearer to the top. An opening, or a doorway, and beyond, was a well-trodden path of dirt. Even in the near-dark of the forest, Ethan could see the soil was a deep rich color. Reddish brown and spots every few feet where it was black. Ethan had never seen dirt that color. It looked healthy. Full of nutrients, most likely. Not like the dirt in the city, or even where their cabin was in Canada. And to the side of the path, was grass so thick and green, it looked mutated. It was also darker in color than normal green grass. But again, due to the poor light, it was hard to really tell.

“It will soon be night, men. We should be back at the royal house by sun down, but get your torches ready.”

Gevi announcing the time made Ethan gasp. Almost nighttime?! They'd been asleep for over 24 hours then. A whole day!

{It has not been...a day, Ethan...Time here is different. Technically,} Fen whispered telepathically, sounding even more weak than before. {It has only been several hours since we were captured.}

Oh, well...that was kinda a relief. The rest of the journey was mostly silent, with the exception of bare feet on ground. Large taloned feet, just like Fen.

Ethan tried to keep his eyes on the other male, but the trees and foliage around them was simply too fascinating, and he found his gaze slipping away from his mate more than once.

All around them, the trees, taller than anything he'd ever seen in his life. Taller than redwoods even, though Ethan had never seen one personally. And vines wrapping around most of the bases of those trees, creeping into beautiful little circular patterns.

No animals yet, though Ethan was sure if the wildlife here was anything like that skilhever-thing, then he'd be sure to notice it.

Several types of flowers were blossoming on the side of the tree, and Ethan was positive he saw something that looked like a giant lily, but...with teeth.

Looking back, it wasn't visible anymore.

{A valblossom...Like a flytrap, but much more...dangerous.} Fen must be watching what he was exploring to know what he kept seeing. It was quite helpful.

But he hoped Fen wasn't exerting himself too much.

{I...am fine. Just...need...to sleep soon. Or...see a healer...And I know where...we are. Home is...close.}

Ethan's eyebrows lifted at that. Fen had referred to it as 'home'. Which was surprising. Because he'd never referred to it like that before. Only 'that place', in a quiet voice.

Never 'home'.

But Ethan didn't have time to dwell on it. Because everyone had stopped, and without paying attention, he bumped into the guard in front of him.

Instead of turning around and killing him, like he'd expected, the guard merely grunted and swatted him away.

“To the ramp.” Gevi announced, to general mutters of dissent from everyone.

“Why can't we just fly up, Captain?” One of the guards asked, trying not to sound too disrespectful but voice full of frustration.

Up? They were going up? Ethan craned his neck back and tried to see what was supposed to be up. But, nothing was visible to his eyes.

Gevi sneered at the man who'd spoken. “Do you want to carry that on your back?” His thumb he pointed at Fen, one brow lifted in question. “All the way to the top?”

The guard looked to be debating it for a moment, but then he averted his face. “No, Sir.”

“Thank you.” Gevi turned to the rest of his men. “Troops, you can all go back to the barracks and get to sleep. We've been gone for a long time, and I won't push you any further.”

Murmurs of pleasure rushed through the men, and they all motioned to go. But Gevi stepped to the guard who had complained before.

“Except for you. You will stay and guard the Prince, until he is delivered to his quarters. Is that clear?”

With obvious depression, the guard nodded.

The sound of air rushing alarmed Ethan, and he whipped around to see all of the various guards spreading out their wings and beginning to beat them against the wind. One by one, they all took off, raising rapidly into the air and heading off to whatever was supposed to be up. They were soon no longer visible.

Ahead of them, Ethan was pretty sure he could see this ramp Gevi had spoken of. On a massive tree, thicker than a house, there was a small wooden platform. Even from here, it was obvious the platform continued to wrap around the tree, all while angling upwards, creating a ramp to the top of the tree. So, they really were going up. Good thing Ethan was okay with heights. The thought made him remember being on his rooftop back in the city.

Alone with Gevi and the guard, Ethan grasped Fen's hand, lacing their fingers together. Neither paid attention to them, but Gevi started to ascend the twisting wooden curvature. Expecting some creaking or shaking of the wooden boards sticking out from the tree, Ethan was pleasantly surprised when neither happened. It was sturdy as stone.

As expected, the hike up to the top was uneventful and arduous, with Ethan's legs burning painfully by the time the ground was almost gone from view. But, when he ventured another glance upwards, breathing heavily, he saw them.

Structures in the trees.

Many of them. Huge buildings of some sort, like houses, balanced on thick branches like streets. And in between each structure, there were walkways, like the one they were on now. Too many to even count. All with railings and wide enough for several people to walk side by side.

The amount of work that must have gone into all that...It was astounding to even consider.

So amazed with what was above him, Ethan didn't even realize how close they were getting to the top, and before he knew it, the ramp was evening out onto a level walkway. They'd made it.

From here, lights were visible through windows in the buildings. No other people yet though. In fact, other than the guards from before, Ethan hadn't seen any other Luftleutians.

Up here, in the leafy tops of the trees, Ethan stole a peek over the edge and almost fainted. The ground below was barely visible, and the air was so clear, it made his lungs swell. Though the wooden plankings beneath his feet were quite solid and didn't even shake under the heavy steps of the others, Ethan still didn't trust it. With a death-grip on the railing, he slowly followed.

Fen spared him a glance, a slightly teasing smile giving him a small curve to his lips. But then he was lead forward again, and he had to turn back around.

The nearest building was the one they were aiming for, and the distance was short. In moments, they were at a door. More like an arch though, with a great wooden panel that began a slow steady slide to the side as they approached. Inside, there was a vast room.

Lights adorned the walls, shedding a soft luminescence across the floor, but other than that, there was nothing there. No people either. Gevi continued further into the room, and then down a hallway. Ethan paused to look back at the large door, to see who had opened it, but the room was really deserted. How the hell did the door open then? Were there no other people here?

But, then he realized that at the end of the hallway, there was another person.

A thin Luftleutian watching them approach. And male, though very willowy. He was tall, taller than Fen possibly, and the color of dark blue gemstones, almost purple in its darkness. Ethan almost stumbled at the sight of him. He'd never seen a blue person before. It was...interesting. Not that these people were human or anything, and therefore, they were allowed their own plumage, of sorts.

Dressed in dark, regal robes made of a shimmery fabric, the new male regarded them calmly through his glasses. He was quite the spectacular sight. There was an intelligent aura surrounding him, an air of superiority, almost mocking Ethan as he traveled closer.

But then again...as they came within speaking distance of each other, Ethan could sense that it wasn't an air of superiority. It was more...a nervousness. An attempt to keep a calm facade the closer they got. It would have been unnoticeable if not for that small tremble had by the blue male.

And he had purple eyes. Gorgeous purple eyes.

The group came to a stop, and Ethan stood by Fen.

The azure Luftleutian peered down at them from behind square-framed spectacles balanced on his long nose. “Welcome back, Prince Urure, I am Asterac. On behalf of us here at the-” He paused, brow knitting together tightly, and asked in an icy voice, “Captain Gevi, may I inquire as to why the prince has a broken wing?”

Gevi merely smiled, a little guardedly, but still full of malice. “He hurt himself struggling against my guards when we tried to...contain him.”

Asterac blinked, frowning. “Why would you have to contain him?” Turning slightly, he addressed Fen directly once more. “Your highness, was there an issue with your return?”

Fen, for all his injuries, managed to straighten up in such a way that hid his hurt, and Ethan watched as his mate suddenly looked much more majestic. “I remember you.” Was all he said.

Asterac shook his head slightly, blinking rapidly again. “What?”

Fen coughed wetly and spat on the floor. It was red. “I said, I remember you.”

Lips curling in disgust at the spittle on the floor, Asterac pointedly ignored it. “What do you mean, your highness?”

“Oh knock it off!” Fen roared, making Ethan jump in surprise. “You know exactly what I mean! I remember you, as a page, learning how to do what you're doing right now. And you remember me,” Fen growled. “Living out in the middle of the Barren Flats, dressed in tattered clothing and living off of crumbs! Don't you dare, don't you dare, call me that. I am not 'your highness' and I never will be. I refuse.”

Asterac's calm demeanor faltered for a moment, and Ethan caught a brief flash of hurt and remorse in those pretty purple eyes, but then it was gone, and the blankness returned. “I apologize for any of your discomfort caused by these men, and I'm sorry for your confusion, but we have never met before. Now, your highness, please come with me, and we shall take care of your wounds before we meet your father. I have already alerted him to your presence.”

He turned swiftly then, briskly stepping away from them towards another high-sweeping arch leading to more halls. Fen was shoved forward, made to follow and Ethan trailed after them. No one gave him much notice, and he resented that. Sure, he was out of place, but he was still Ethan's mate.

That had to mean something.

At the end of the passageway, a new door, with a snugly fitted door already opening for them, led them into a room with rows of odd medical supplies and tools. Fen was led to one of the tables and made to sit upon it. The guard had to help him, as his wing was most assuredly causing him great pain. He was even starting to limp slightly, and his face was pinched tight. With one arm draped over the aide's shoulders, Fen was able to get seated properly

Almost immediately, a man came into the room, this time a dull green color, dressed in white flowing clothing.

Without preamble, he stepped up Fen, grabbed his head and closed his eyes. “Ah, well, that shouldn't be too difficult to patch up.” Then he was moving away and walking towards one of the cabinets to slide a small cabinet-like door out of the way. Inside were splints and other such wooden instruments. But the male didn't seem to see what he needed, so he wordlessly left the room.

Their little party all waited in awkward silence for the doctor to return. The only sound was Fen's labored breathing, raspy in the stark quiet of the room. Ethan watched him with worried eyes, unsure of what to think.

“Now, your highness, once you are healed, you can clean up and I shall acquire new clothing for you. After that, we shall go see the King. There won't be much discussion tonight, as I know you have had a long journey, so after that, I will take you to your chambers where you can rest. Other than the unfortunate injury to your wing, I assume you had a good journey?”

“What?!” Ethan fumed, drawing the attention of the whole room to him. “No he hasn't had a good journey! He's had a horrible journey! They treated him like dirt! Like scum!”

{Ethan...} Came Fen's warning sigh.

Gevi was watching him with amusement. “My my, what strange little noises. What did he say?”

Fen didn't answer, and Ethan remembered they couldn't understand him. All he had managed was to make them all think he was a loon. How odd his words must have sounded to them.

The one called Asterac was watching him intently, though. “Your highness, who is that?”

With an irritated growl, Fen spoke. “That is my Bonded. His name is Ethan.”

“Your...Bonded? Oh dear...” Asterac swallowed heavily and glanced back and forth between them. “This is not going to go over well with your father. Your highness, you know the laws. He can't...be here. Not with you.”

Fen spoke again, voice pained and angry. “He's my Bonded. Where he goes, I go. Where I go, he goes, unless I find someone I think is trustworthy to keep him guard.”

The blue male adjusted his spectacles and grimaced, biting the inside of his lip. “What are you implying, your highness? No harm will come to him. No harm could come to him. Your father needs you by his side. Alive.” He added pointedly.

Fen growled once more, looking away.

Ethan watched the exchange silently, and absently rubbed at his arms. The cold was getting to him, it seemed, and he shivered.

His slight discomfort was noticed immediately, and Fen straightened. “My Bonded is cold. This climate is not what he's used to and he needs to get some new clothing to keep him warm.”

The bookworm glanced back at Ethan, a new look in his eyes, and he seemed to think for a moment. “That's fine. We can due that right now. Of course, that all depends,” He stared with a look at Fen, an unspoken message in his eyes. “-on whether his highness trusts me.”

Fen regarded the spectacled male for a moment, then he nodded. “Yes, that's fine. But he does not leave your sight. Understand?”

In the middle of this, Ethan felt like he was being bartered for. “Don't I have a say in this?” He asked Fen, eyebrows high. “You just said I go where you go.” With one finger he pointed at the new supposed ally. “Is he really trustworthy?”

Fen merely nodded, exhaustion finally starting to show.

“Fine then. But...will you be okay without me?”

That elicited a soft chuckle, and Fen met his eyes once more. {Yes. They can't kill me, for the same reason they can't kill you. They need me alive.}

Ethan stared at Fen for long moments, unwilling to part with him.

“Would you come with me, little one? I shall find you some new clothes, if you like.”

Due to the earlier exchange, Ethan was a little hesitant to go alone with the blue male, but Fen cracked a reassuring smile at him and spoke in his mind.

{My love, do not worry. He will not harm you, and you can trust him. Despite his...} Fen glanced at Asterac. {Faulty memory.}

Ethan glanced at Fen, trying to search his expression for any hidden meanings, but Fen wasn't trying to tell him anything. And even if he was, then he could just tell him telepathically anyway, so Ethan relaxed.

“Alright.”

Asterac gave him a knowing smile, as if he'd understood Ethan's and Fen's silent exchange, and bowed slightly. With a nod to Ethan, he turned to leave the room, and Ethan, with a last look at Fen, followed reluctantly.

Down the hall, and then down another, Ethan was swiftly lost. “This place is a damn maze. I don't know how you bird-people find your way about.”

Asterac suddenly laughed. “You get used to it, don't worry.”

Ethan nodded.

Then stopped dead.

“You understood me?!” He screeched, suddenly very nervous.

Asterac stopped as well and smiled back at him. “Why yes.” He smiled mischievously. “I can speak your language.”

Ethan gaped and did a double-take. When Fen spoke, he was distinctly not speaking English, but due to the Bond, Ethan could translate (somehow) and understand him. The same with the people around them. Through Fen's ears to his brain, as Fen had said. But, here was a stranger speaking to him in English, though with an odd accent.

So freaking cool.

“You...You do?”

Asterac gave him a friendly smile, nodding. “Yes, I've been to your side before, many times.”

His...side? Why did everyone keep saying that? What was it about sides?

“Come, Ethan. We don't have time to dilly-dally. The faster you change, the sooner you get back to Fen.” And the blue male was off again.

Ethan followed stupidly, quite overwhelmed.

Asterac stopped suddenly and stepped up to a large wooden door, built into the wall, or maybe...grown into the wall. So far, Ethan had noticed that there were no seams between walls or ceilings, no split in the woodwork. It was like...the walls had merged together to form a single layer. It opened to another tunnel.

“If you missed it before, my name is Asterac, and-”

“No, I heard you. I could understand you through Fen.”

“Ahh,” Asterac smiled slyly. “So you really are Bonded.” He chuckled. “Either that, or you're a linguistics genius.”

“Huh?”

A snort, and the blue-toned male shook his head. “Nevermind. As I was saying, I am the King's private Secretary. I attend to all his needs and make sure the royal house is run smoothly. If you have any requests, or if something is not to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to call for me. Now, here we are.” They stopped before another massive door. Ethan didn't know how anyone told them apart, for they all looked the same to him. “This is the surplus room, and I'm sure we can find you something suitable to wear.”

Inside, it was dark, and Asterac said something in his language, clapping his hands once. Soft light flared from the corners and illuminated the room, showing off shelves and shelves of cloth. “Hmm, now let's see, there should be something here for you. It might be difficult due to your size, but...Hmm.”

Ethan approached a nearby bundle of cloth, fingering the material lightly and surprised at its texture. One side felt very much like fur, but softer than any animal Ethan had ever felt. The other side was smooth and durable like, cotton. Or denim, maybe. But plaint and soft to touch.

Asterac made a sound from a hidden corner, coming out into view and quirking his lips at Ethan.

“I apologize, little one, but the only clothing we have for you is child-sized.” Asterac murmured, his voice kindly and sweet. “It shall keep you warm enough, though. Come, you can change and wash up in my quarters.”

Once more, Ethan followed the long-legged male, almost skipping to keep up, and in a few minutes, they came to another door, which slid open like the others had. In they went.

The room was vast and lighted softly by those glowing pods that lined the rooms. Artwork, or at least what Ethan assumed was artwork, decorated the walls. It was beautiful but odd, swirling and colorful in the way that some artists did, but Ethan never understood. It was kinda ugly, truth be told.

“Are you admiring my artwork?”

“Your artwork?” Ethan spouted, blushing. He'd just been thinking the most awful things about it. “Uh...yeah, it's...very...”

“Hideous, I know.” Asterac laughed, turning to Ethan with a grin.

“What, no! It's nice! Like...The way it...swirls and...blends...”

“You don't have to pretend.” The spectacled male sighed. “I could see your face.”

Ethan paled. “I...Uh...”

“Don't worry,” He clarified quickly. “I agree with you. This isn't what I like to paint. But, the King likes these kinds of visuals. Great swirling colors with no meaning or thought put to them. Truthfully, I think most anyone can do a painting like this, but...” A sigh left him. “Since I'm the only official artist on his staff, I have to do anything he asks.” They both regarded one particularly vibrant one, with angry reds and blacks merging into one vortex of darkness. “Sometimes I feel as if his majesty sees something in these images that I just don't get. Maybe something symbolic he can't help but think of, something that haunts him...”

Ethan was silent, taken aback by the way Asterac spoke of the King. Asterac was nice. He was kind. He was intelligent. Yet, he worked for the king, and spoke of him with...affection in his voice. Respect, even.

In Ethan's mind, he'd already had a picture of what the king would be like. Mean, cruel, cold, ruthless.

Not...someone who was spoken of with reverence. Especially since Asterac showed no sign of being like Gevi. Yet...Gevi, a ruthless individual all by himself, seemed to think the king a joke.

There was great conflict in Ethan's mind now. What kind of man was the king, to have people like Asterac respect him, yet people like Gevi ridicule him? Reason said then he must be a good man.

But...Fen hadn't wanted to come back. And he'd never spoken of his father, and he certainly didn't seem to think coming here as a prince was a good decision, so...

Trust Fen and Gevi, or trust Asterac?

Either way was a loss.

“Now, see this is what I most like to paint.” Asterac noted proudly, dragging Ethan out of his thoughts. He held up a medium sized canvas, with a breathtaking forest scene painted on it. In the background were those vast sky-high trees that Ethan had seen coming close to the royal house, and in the middle, was a glowing portrayal of a young girl. “I painted this one many years ago, before I was promoted to the King's private Secretary.”

It was a gorgeous painting, so life-like and yet so ethereal. Not really one to understand art, Ethan nonetheless appreciated it as a work of art. “That's beautiful! You really did that?”

Asterac beamed at his reaction. “Yes. Didn't take me long either. I find the paint brush to be an extension of my own arm. When I find the inspiration,” He paused a moment, gazing at the girl in the center of the painting. “-it just flows through me. I can't stop it.”

Regarding his tender expression, Ethan couldn't help but wonder. “Is that your wife or something?”

That had the other male turning back to him, surprise plain on his face. “What?”

“That girl. In the painting. Is she your wife? Or, uh...your Bonded? Like me and Fen are?”

Sadness came into Astrerac's eyes, and he averted his face. “No. Not quite. She's not my wife. She's just a girl I know.”

This was definitely a delicate topic, but Ethan still couldn't help himself. “Why not? Did she...Is she...gone?”

Without turning around, Asterac shook his head. “No, she's alive and well. For that I am grateful, but...” He sighed. “We were kids together.” Finally, he faced Ethan once more, something bittersweet etched across his features. “Childhood sweethearts if you will. But, I never got up the courage to ask her to...to...Anyway, when I came to work here, I wasn't allowed to see her anymore, so...we've grown apart. That was about...15 years ago. I doubt she'd even remember me if she saw me.”

“Oh, that's not true!”

Behind his glasses, Asterac lifted a brow and smirked. “Oh? You think so? What makes you so sure, Ethan?”

Something about the way the larger male said his name made Ethan feel...comforted. If he'd had any doubts about the other before, they were now completely gone. To use such a comfortable tone made Ethan feel like he'd made a new friend. So, with a broad grin, he stepped close to the other and lightly touched his forearm. “Because when people are in love they don't just forget about it. Even if she doesn't feel the same anymore, she'll not have forgotten you. She couldn't.”

With a heavy breath, Asterac studied Ethan intently. “And how do you know this?”

“Easy. Because-” He paused, blinking. He'd never actually said it to Fen. Instead, he'd been coy and sneaky. Saying things like, me too or you know I do. And sure, he'd even admitted it to himself. But...never out loud to Fen, and never out loud to anyone else. Asterac was the first person Ethan had even had a real conversation with in a long time.

The other male was waiting.

It was a shock how easy it came to his lips. “Because I love Fen. And...If for any reason I ever stop, I won't ever forget about him. When you love someone, really love someone...it's forever.”

“Hmm...” Asterac regarded him calmly, face blank, then he gave a small grin. “Those are wise words for someone so young.” Placing his hand over Ethan's, Asterac squeezed gently. “Thank you.”

Then he moved away, still smiling softly, and he made his way to the door, pausing and turning back. “In the next room, there is a basin carved into the wall, and there are two openings above, where the water will come out. They each have a lever next to them, so just pump to get hot or cold. When you are done, I will be waiting outside.”

“What do I do with my old clothes?” Ethan asked, gingerly holding the bloody front of his shirt up.

“I'll send a maid up to gather them to be washed.” Then he left, the door sliding shut silently behind him.

Alone for the first time, Ethan felt adventurous and he walked around the room, examining everything. There was a bed, large and very comfy looking. Upon closer inspection, the mattress was just a cloth bag of sorts stuffed heavily with what was most likely feathers.

Did they...Did they use their own feathers? That was kinda...creepy actually. It'd be like if Ethan stuffed his pillows with his own hair. Or skin.

He shuddered, moving on to the bedside table. It was made of wood, as all the items in this room were, and most everything he'd seen. No metal yet, that he'd noticed. No fastenings, no hinges, no supports. Not even the handles coming off the drawers. At least, nothing made from any metal. Everything was wood. Looked to be carved or whittled by masters, because it was smooth and flawless. Or maybe...like he'd thought before...it had grown that way. Which was quite impossible, cause no tree could grow into a door.

Then again, Ethan had never seen trees like he'd seen here in this place, so what did he know anyway?

There were other things of interest in the room, but Ethan was suddenly sick of looking down and seeing the blood on his shirt and on his hands. In the next room, like Asterac said, there was a large basin, carved into an outcropping of wood. Two notches in the wall above it, had levers next to them, and Ethan pumped both with each hand. They moved quite easily.

The notches slid up to reveal a slim tunnel in the wood, which was promptly filled with water on both sides. Steam rose from one tunnel, and the other was most likely cold water. It poured into the basin, and spun down the drain. A cork was tied to the top of the basin and he plugged the basin with it. To his left were several shelves with what looked to be towels folded in them. Gratefully, he grabbed a couple and dunked them in the quickly rising water in the basin.

The level kept rising and Ethan panicked for a moment, because he didn't know how to turn the water off, and he almost pulled the cork back out, but then the panels slid shut on their own, and the basin was only half full. With the water being luke-warm, Ethan stripped off his soiled clothing and began to wash himself. There was no soap that he could see, but the water did well enough on its own. Once all the blood and dirt stains were gone, he dried himself with another towel, and then wandered back out into the main room.

The clothes for him looked to be the right size, but...they were weird. The pants went on easily enough, with a tie to cinch it around his waist. They came to his ankles and were very very warm. But the shirt was just a rectangular piece of the same material, but with four long ties on all four corners.

“Uh...Asterac?” He called to the door, frowning at the item.

“The short ties go around your neck, like an apron, and the longer ties wrap around your back, like a belt.” Came the male's muffled voice from the other side of the door, filled with amusement.

“Oh!” With those directions, Ethan was able to properly put on the shirt. And once he had it on, he realized why it was like that.

The ties were for Fen's people's wings. Because they obviously couldn't pull shirts over their heads, since their wings would get in the way. The material was very light, and didn't pull on his neck, and by cinching it around his waist, the material met around his back, giving him most coverage. There was still a gap where wings would protrude, if he had them. Dressed, he retrieved his shoes from the bathroom, and then went to the door, opening it up to show Asterac.

“Very nice, young Sir. They fit you well.”

“Thank you.”

“Let's go see Fen now.”

About to leave the room, Ethan couldn't help asking, before they went out with those other Luftleutians, a probing question. “Um, Asterac, uh...what did Fen mean about...living in a barren field? Why did he say he remembered you?”

To that, the private secretary hesitated. “I...I do not know.”

Ethan frowned. “That's not true, and you know it. I saw how you reacted. What's going on?”

Asterac gave him a brief guarded look, then laughed once, grimly. “I'm beginning to think that there are too many answers to such a simple question.”

He left without another word and Ethan could only follow, trying to get used to the clothes. They were undeniably comfortable, and Ethan felt his arms raise into goosebumps from the luxurious feel.

“Hey, what are these made of?” He asked, trying to keep up with Asterac's large strides. “I've never felt something so soft.”

“They're made from seed fibers, much like your cotton on the other side, but weavers line it with the fur of an animal we have here called the Pauw. It would probably remind you of a cat if you saw it.”

“Cat?” Ethan paled, suddenly feeling very itchy. “I'm wearing cat?”

With a snort, Asterac turned them down another corridor. “I assure you it was nobody's house pet. And I didn't say it was cat. I said it looks similar to your cats where you come from. But...it's about four times larger.” He chuckled.

That made Ethan feel a little bit better. Very little. At least he wasn't wearing some cutesy little feline called Mittens, or Boots, or something like that.

A door came into view but Ethan had no idea where they were. He'd been completely turned around. Thank god Asterac was guiding them. The guard from before was standing outside where they were heading, and Ethan felt his heart start to pound. Fen must be behind that door. No. He was behind that door. Ethan could feel it now. That knowing in his head. Every step brought them closer. Once there, Asterac motioned to the guard and dismissed him. When the muscled male actually left, Ethan was surprised. Looked like Asterac had more power than Ethan originally thought. It'd be good to have an ally like this against that villain, Gevi. The door opened on it's own, sliding into a notch between the walls, and they walked through together.

Inside, Fen was alone, sitting on a bench, head hanging down and face tense.

“Fen!” Ethan cried as he raced forward, tears in his eyes without his knowing why. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed Fen for the brief time they'd been apart, with Fen with strange men.

Fen whipped his head up and opened his arms, suddenly smiling. “Ethan.”

They embraced, with Ethan throwing himself at his mate's chest desperately. “Fen!” He whispered urgently, face pressed to Fen's neck. “You're okay. Thank god, you're okay.”

Fen snorted, squeezing Ethan closer and almost choking the air from him as he buried his nose in Ethan's hair, nuzzling. {I could say the same to you, my love.} He kissed the top of Ethan's head and drew back, gazing down at him hungrily, eating up his features. {I have been worried sick.}

“But you said we could trust Asterac. I've been with him the whole time.”

Fen looked grim. {It is not him I was worried about hurting you. There are people in this castle that I do not know, and they are the ones who are dangerous.}

“Well then, I won't leave you again. We won't be apart again.” Ethan vowed fiercely, seizing Fen's neck and yanking him forward into a kiss.

Fen reacted, pulling Ethan closer and resting his palms against Ethan's exposed back, claws faintly scratching over his spine. It sent chills through him, and he moaned, pressing tight to the other male and biting at his lips.

A noise from the doorway, drew them away, and they blinked over to see Asterac.

“I hate to interrupt this tender moment,” Asterac muttered, clearing his throat and blushing faintly. Or, more than faintly, since Ethan could see it through the blue skin. “-but it's time to go see your father. He's been waiting ever since we came over the wall.”

Ethan turned back to Fen to see him with his eyes closed and looking weary. He reached up to stroke Fen's cheek softly, and for the first time, he noticed Fen was wearing clothing. Being his size and with the wings, Ethan had never seen him in anything but a loincloth. Now that he thought about it, Ethan had assumed Fen's race to be somewhat of a prehistoric people, running around in loincloths and whatnot.

Now, he sheepishly realized Fen was just not one for clothing.

But, he sure did look fantastic dressed like this. The same sort of shirt Ethan had on, with the ties in the back, and it fit so nicely against his wings. The opening of Fen's back wasn't even visible because of those massive appendages. The pants were like normal pants, just larger, and more fitted to Fen's legs.

Though...how did he get them over his feet?

Then he saw there were laces on the sides too, up to the knee. The thighs of the pants were loose enough to pull over those large clawed feet, and then lace them the rest of the way, so they fit correctly. It was really quite clever. His pants didn't have any laces on them though, and Ethan wondered if children didn't need them, due to small size.

While Ethan was dressed in blue and white, Fen had a lovely maroon colored shirt, with a paler red for the pants. Quite stunning, really.

But then Ethan's gaze traveled upwards to Fen's wing, where a white bandage was visible against the stark darkness of his black wings.

“What's that?” He asked indignantly. “I thought they were supposed to heal you?”

{The doctor did a fine job, and yes, he healed the bone. That is just a brace, to make sure it does not break again until it strengthens.}

“Can I help you with that? Healing it more, I mean? Or making it stronger?”

Fen smiled at him. {Actually, yes. You have got more healing power than that doctor for me, because of our Bond. But, we do not have time for that right now.}

Asterac coughed again, louder this time. “Gentlemen, please.”

Fen tensed, waiting just a moment before standing and exhaling loudly through his nose. “Fine. Let's get this over with. The sooner I tell him off, the sooner we can leave.”

Asterac eyes grew wide at this, but he said nothing. Instead he beckoned them to follow and turned to lead them to where Fen's father was.

“Come. This way, please.”

The walk was silent and tense, and Ethan was grateful that it was only the three of them. Gevi was nowhere to be seen ever since they'd all split up at the doctor's office. Though...with only three of them, each of their footsteps fell heavy in the quiet. Asterac's efficiently spaced steps, and Fen's heavy trudging ones, mixed with Ethan's quick efforts to keep pace with the longer legs of the other two.

Nothing was said and Fen kept a tight grip on Ethan's hand, showing no sign of letting go, and even squeezing every few seconds nervously.

“Fen?” He breathed, trying not to break the silence too much. “It's going to be okay.”

Glancing bleakly down at him, Fen's eyes were cold.

Ethan didn't know what was worse. The way Fen looked, or his refusal to reply.

They came to a large door, the largest yet Ethan had seen, and there was a small party of people waiting outside its arch. What looked to be a few guards, though none of the ones from the traveling group of before.

Gevi was there as well. Looking bored and dull. But as soon as he saw Ethan and Fen, his eyes brightened. Well, more like when he saw Fen, because Ethan didn't even think Gevi noticed him walking besides the larger male.

There was another strange look between the white guard and Asterac, same as before. Gevi, once meeting eyes with the Secretary, sneered and turned away, eyes hidden behind his short sharp bangs. Maybe Gevi and Asterac had some bad history. Or maybe they just disliked each other since Gevi was a huge asshole.

From the depths of one of the many pockets on Asterac's robes, he withdrew a thick key, and, fitting it into the little notch on the sizable door and pushing it open soundlessly. The group waited, and Ethan realized, with a glance up at Fen, that they were all waiting for him to enter first.

But Fen showed no signs of moving, and Ethan fought his curiosity, standing beside his mate and trying to be supportive.

“Your highness, please, the King awaits.”

With a loud angry sigh, Fen shook himself, shivering, then tightened his grip on Ethan's hand again, stepping forward through the arch. As if it were choreographed, the men followed behind them, all filing into the room and taking positions at opposing ends.

The room was vast, with lush decorative wall hangings and numerous paintings, Asterac's of course. This was also the first room that Ethan had seen with a color other than wood on the walls. It looked to be some sort of staining, too rich for regular paint. Although, they had to have paint, since Asterac used it for his artwork.

Up on a raised level of floor at the end of the room, was a bed. Massive and with four canopy beams hanging heavy draperies. If there was even a person beneath all those sheets and quilts, Ethan couldn't see it.

Fen stopped at the foot of the bed, his hand so tight around Ethan's now, that it almost hurt. And so close, Ethan could hear it. The heavy breathing. The rasping. And there was a slow movement to those sheets, a barely noticeable rise and fall from under the layers.

From the depths of that decorative, thickly sheeted bed, came the voice of a King both weak and powerful at the same time, belying a long-past strength that undoubtedly ruled ferociously in it's prime.

“My little Urure...You've finally come home.”


TO BE CONTINUED