Lotus in the Wild

Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This...

Author: Sutherland Fae

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Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Lotus in the Wild Copyright © 2010 by Fae Sutherland and Marguerite Labbe Cover Art by Anne Cain [email protected] Cover Design by Mara McKennen All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ ISBN: 978-1-61581-223-3 Printed in the United States of America First Edition April, 2010 eBook edition available eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-224-0

For my loyal tweeps. Thanks for the distractions; now get back to work! And for Kiyoshi, for his invaluable advice. —Fae

LOTUS IN THE WILD

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THE streets of Londinium were crowded: afternoon shoppers in the market, soldiers roaming under the pretense of keeping the peace, and slaves bearing their burdens following behind masters and mistresses. To one unused to such excess, it would seem like a world gone mad. Wulfgar, for one, despised Londinium. He came to the city when need be, for supplies or political reasons, but for the most part, he avoided it as much as possible. This time he had managed to stay away for over a year, but in the end, he’d resigned himself to the fact that some things just could not be acquired anywhere else. The thane strolled through the market, having already purchased what spices and other rare items he needed. There was another reason he disliked Londinium, one he would never admit to anyone and more than half the time did not admit to even himself. The city would forever remind him of his treasures. Roman and Aron were long gone. He had neither seen nor heard from either of them since they’d left his hall so many months ago. He hadn’t expected he would; somehow he doubted they gave him a passing thought, and if they did, it was likely not a very pleasant one. Still, he couldn’t say he blamed them, and when he thought of them, it was often with fondness and the hope that they were well. Briefly, he wondered if they were in the city, but then he decided that it mattered not. It was not as if he would seek them out, nor would they welcome him if he did. There was another time he thought of Roman and Aron, however, and it was growing more and more bothersome with every passing day. The fact was, since they had left, he’d been without a regular bed partner, something that hadn’t been the case for over four years. Oh, he had his choice of the slaves and thralls of his hall and lands, but the truth was there was little to tempt him. And after Roman

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FAE SUTHERLAND & MARGUERITE LABBE

and Aron, well, none of the partners he found satisfied him. He was tired of slaves who submitted out of fear of him, and he was even more tired of those who were willing, but not even close to what he wanted. He admitted it. He had been spoiled by his treasures. Wulfgar wanted beauty, he wanted fire, by the gods, at the very least he wanted clean! He wanted the best of both Roman and Aron: Roman’s softness and submission, Aron’s fire and spirit, the unequaled beauty they had both possessed. And the fact was that that was just not to be had anywhere near home. He doubted it could be had even here, in this city that seemed to sell everything. Wulfgar was getting desperate, though. Despite his best efforts— and they had been plentiful—he was no closer to finding someone suitable to warm his bed than he had been when Roman and Aron had left the previous fall. He turned toward the north, the part of the marketplace where the slave pens were kept with the ongoing auction. Maybe he’d find someone suitable there, though he highly doubted it. As he entered the area, the dealers eyed him, sizing up the fine cut of his clothes and the bulging bag at his waist before showing interest in his presence. The thane ignored them for the time being and walked up and down the cages, examining the slaves with a stern eye. There were all sorts, but most were filthy or worn down, and none stood out to catch his eye. For a brief moment, a young Nubian caught his attention. He was well built, with muscles rippling under his midnight skin, and Wulfgar had always had a taste for the exotic. But when the young man saw him watching, he rose and walked over to the bars with a definite challenge in his eyes. Wulfgar shook his head and moved on. He’d learned his lesson with Aron. Despite his earlier belief, he’d learned that some men just couldn’t be tamed, and he had no desire for his household to be turned into a battlefield again. He sighed and turned down into another section of pens, nodding in the dealer’s direction. He’d considered finding a free man among his own people who shared his tastes, but he knew himself well enough to know he would not be able to tolerate a relationship like that. The give and take of it all would give him a headache. A slave would do perfectly; someone he could pamper when he wished and ignore when he needed his privacy.

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Wulfgar sighed in discouragement as he strolled through, looking into each cage. Finally, he turned to face the block where the auction was going on, the trader standing to the side negotiating with a customer. Wulfgar’s eyes drifted to the left and came to an abrupt halt on a smaller cage on its own beside the block itself. His eyes narrowed, brows knitting as he began wending his way through the crowd, eyes locked on that single cage. Halfway there, the figure inside came into view, and Wulfgar stopped for a moment. The boy was like nothing the thane had ever seen. Dark haired, with flawless golden skin and a slim, delicate form. Then the boy lifted his head and wide, dark, almond-shaped eyes met Wulfgar’s through the slats in the cage. He felt the reaction in his body like a fist to the gut. The boy was dressed in an odd manner, brightly colored and threaded silks and heavy brocades, and he had the dark, exotic look Wulfgar had seen on a few people in the city, but he wasn’t sure what land he might come from. He would just ask when he bought him. That quickly, the decision was made, and he worked his way through the rest of the crowd with little trouble, eyes never leaving the boy in the cage, who lowered his gaze demurely. Every so often he would look up through his lashes, and the interest the thane saw in those dark eyes made his cock throb. “How much for this one, trader?” The slave trader looked up at the sound of his voice, glancing at the block, where the last slave he’d sold was being led off to his new owner. “I’m sorry, my lord, that one is sold already. Perhaps I could interest you in another?” Wulfgar shook his head. “Not that one. This boy. What’s his price?” He gestured to the boy inside the cage, who simply smiled and continued looking from under his lashes at him in that way that did lusty things to the thane’s cock. He was even more gorgeous up close, and Wulfgar glanced at the trader impatiently. He wanted this boy, and he would have him; it was now only a matter of how many coins he would have to part with to accomplish it.

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KINTARO regarded this new turn of events with interest. He was heartily tired of being pent up in this cage and shown off for no purpose. Many stopped to gawk at him over the long months, but no one seemed inclined to bite. Not even playful biting. He peered over at the barbarian again, struck by his pale gray eyes and the obvious hunger in them. It made his mouth water. At first, he had been put off by the strange appearance and customs of those around him. It was so different from his homeland and the pampered luxury he’d been brought up in. Not to mention that no one seemed to understand his purpose. Until him. The barbarian argued with the slave dealer in an authoritative voice that sent shivers down Kintaro’s spine. The man’s hair and skin were as pale as his eyes, but Kintaro was becoming accustomed to that. He studied the large man out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t have pretty features, like Kintaro’s former Master, but he was interesting. His face was hard and wild, with that long beard with thin plaits woven into it. He would bet the barbarian was a hard lover, and he had no doubt that was what he intended to use Kintaro for. It was obvious from the heated glances he kept throwing his way. At last. And if he wasn’t inventive, well then, it would be Kintaro’s job to teach him. Kintaro wondered at what price he would finally be sold. He had confidence in the barbarian’s determination and the dealer’s greed. He was desperate for some sort of diversion, and his body thrummed. It had been too long since he’d thoroughly indulged in the kind of pleasure he was used to. Wulfgar couldn’t keep his eyes from flicking back to the boy as he spoke with the trader. He looked shy, demure, but there was a light in his dark eyes that sent desire rippling through the thane. This was certainly no innocent, and Wulfgar was grateful for it. He had no interest in a wilting flower. The trader was reluctant, which made the thane wonder if perhaps there might be some unknown reason he wanted to keep the boy. He quickly decided it didn’t matter and simply kept upping the amount with determination.

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Finally, he seemed to hit the magic number; the trader hesitated in his denial this time. Wulfgar pressed him intently. A wide smile broke when the man finally sighed and agreed to part with the boy. “What is his name?” Curiosity about the boy he’d just purchased belatedly reminded the thane that he might want to know a bit about his new slave. “He calls himself Kintaro, my lord, but of course, his name is up to you. He was purchased in Cathay and was the personal pleasure slave of a general in their army. He is… specially trained, shall we say?” The trader gave a sly smile, and Wulfgar grinned in return. Perfect, absolutely perfect. “Does he understand what I say?” As of yet there was no way to tell, as the boy simply continued to look at him with that little smile and those lit-up dark eyes. The trader shrugged. “Some, I’m sure. He has been with me long enough to have picked up a bit, but he doesn’t speak often.” Wulfgar nodded, plucking his money pouch off his belt and counting out the amount, chuckling to himself to note how very much lighter his purse was now. He gestured to the cage with a bit of impatience. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on the boy. There had better be an inn nearby. Kintaro watched the exchange of money intently, anticipation rising in him. When the dealer unlocked the cage, he straightened his silken brocaded robes and stepped out regally. His head was lifted proudly, though he kept his eyes lowered. The dealer attached a slim leash to the ugly iron and leather collar around Kintaro’s neck and handed the lead to his new owner. That had taken some getting used to. The tender skin around his throat had chafed from the new adornment. Normally, the mode of his dress proclaimed to everyone what his status was, but it seemed everything about the west was different from what he was used to. It wouldn’t be so bad if it were not so unseemly. It did not match the rest of his attire, and that bothered him. How could he look his best with such obstacles in his way? He felt a hand on his chin, the fingers rough and calloused. Just the idea of those hands on his naked body sent a shiver of delight

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through Kintaro. Obediently, he lifted his eyes and met his new owner’s gaze, offering him a brilliant smile. The impact of the smile was a shot to the thane’s gut. He smiled in return without even realizing that he was doing so. “Kintaro?” The syllables sounded strange and awkward on his tongue. The slim boy nodded with another smile, saying something in his own language that Wulfgar took for assent. He pointed to his own chest. “Wulfgar.” “Wulfgar….” The boy made his name into two words, drawing it out, and the alien sound of it made the thane’s cock leap in response. Everything about his new slave made his body stand up and take notice. Wulfgar decided he’d had enough of pleasantries. He knew the boy’s name; his slave knew his. What else was needed? He turned and walked from the marketplace, keeping a firm hand on the leash and making sure Kintaro was following him. It was an immense boon to his pride to be seen leading such a gorgeous creature, and the thane was impatient to find an inn. Kintaro had to take quick steps to keep up, as his new Master was quite a bit taller than he was and didn’t seem to worry about slowing his pace. It didn’t bother him at all, however. He happily followed along behind the barbarian, keeping his eyes trained on Wulfgar’s back. It was a very strange name, he thought, and he wondered what it meant. He was very proud of his own name; it meant “golden boy,” and had been chosen for him because of his exceptional looks. He wondered if the barbarian was taking him to his place of rest now. He hoped so. His body was humming from all the anticipation. Wulfgar was thinking very much along those same lines, with the additional fact that he didn’t like the crowds and was tempted to scoop Kintaro up just to keep him close amidst the throng of people on the street. Before he could reach that point, however, an inn came into view. Wulfgar glanced back at his new slave and found those dark eyes lit up with excitement. One didn’t need to read the language to recognize the sign of an inn. He was surprised Kintaro appeared so eager. Pleased, but surprised nonetheless. His cock certainly liked it, twitching inside his trews.

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As they entered the inn and Wulfgar procured them a room, he couldn’t help thinking about the trader’s comment regarding Kintaro’s “special training.” What did that mean exactly? After all, there were only so many ways to have sex, and he was sure he’d tried them all. He decided it meant Kintaro was very good at those ways and that, as far as Wulfgar was concerned, was more than worth the exorbitant amount he’d paid. The innkeeper led them up the stairs to a decently appointed room. It was clean and private, and that was all Wulfgar was concerned with at the moment. The thane impatiently shooed the owner out of the room and locked the door. He turned to find Kintaro regarding him with avid eyes, his face lit up in anticipation. It had been too long since a bed partner had looked at him in such a manner, and his cock awoke into immediate full life. Those strangely slanted eyes glanced down, and a smile crossed Kintaro’s lips. Wulfgar almost groaned in response. He crossed the room and swooped Kintaro up in his arms, determined to see how he tasted. He expected a brief struggle. He expected a modest show of reluctance, or at the best, maybe sweet submission. He did not expect the boy’s arms to lock around his neck or the enthusiastic way he kissed him back. The minx’s tongue dueled with his own; it darted into his mouth, thoroughly exploring and invited him to taste his own depths. His taste was intoxicating. Wulfgar finally broke the kiss with a groan, setting the young man back down on his feet. He pulled back with a rather bemused expression on his face. The boy literally preened under that look, and Wulfgar chuckled. Here was one who knew his own worth and had no qualms about showing it off. Wulfgar sat down on the bed, eyeing Kintaro hungrily. “Get undressed,” he said, miming the actions and seeing the understanding in Kintaro’s eyes. He couldn’t wait to see what Kintaro’s body looked like underneath all those layers of silk. It felt lithe and strong against him, and he had no doubt it would live up to his expectations. His breath was a little fast as Kintaro moved to the center of the room without a trace of a blush on his face. Kintaro rolled the taste of his new Master around on his tongue. It was a wild taste that set the blood in his veins on fire. He turned his

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body slightly to the side so Wulfgar would have the full benefit of his silhouette as he disrobed. There was an art to revealing the human body, and since this was his new Master’s first experience with him, he wanted to make a lasting impression. He did not intend to ever again waste his time in a cage dying of boredom. He started with the slim sash at his waist, unknotting the silk and slipping it from around his body, smiling as his robes parted. The sash fell to the floor, forgotten. It had often been used to bind him into whatever position his former master had wanted him in, but he could show that to Wulfgar another time. He was too impatient for intricacies right now. Kintaro gave Wulfgar a look through his lashes and an age-old smile as he let the outer robe slide down his arms to puddle at his feet. The garment beneath was a thinner silk, fine and delicate, cut to cling in certain areas to emphasize his body. His slim fingers came up to tug at the silken ties, giving a small half-turn as it too fell open, revealing just a sliver of his naked skin. Wulfgar watched with intent eyes, cock swelling almost painfully. He’d never seen someone turn the simple act of disrobing into something so erotic. He raked his eyes over Kintaro, groaning low when the silk slid off one slender shoulder, then the other, to pool on the floor with the rest. And if the thane thought Kintaro removing his clothes was erotic, it was nothing compared to the sight of him standing there in a pile of silk, nude. Wulfgar’s thoughts ran together as he drank in the vision the slave made. His slenderness was now blatantly clear. The boy looked like he would be broken in half at the first sign of rough treatment: delicately boned, with graceful arms, a narrow chest, and a lithe waist the thane was certain he could span with his hands. By the gods, he’d kill him if he fucked him. Well, perhaps not kill him. Mayhap if he was gentle at first, Kintaro could adjust? He damn well hoped so, because there wasn’t any chance he was not going to have him. The boy made his mouth water, he was so breathtaking. Kintaro continued to give him that small, knowing smile, gracefully moving across to stand in front of him, unhesitating as he climbed into his Master’s lap. He twined his arms around Wulfgar’s

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neck, casting a seductive glance up at him. “Wulfgar….” His tongue slipped out to lick his lips, his own cock hard, eager for those big hands on him. He trailed his fingertips along the barbarian’s neck around to his chest, plucking at the tunic he wore and giving him a pout. Wulfgar was wearing too many clothes, and if he didn’t remedy that soon, or allow Kintaro to remedy it, the slave would just take matters into his own hands. He arched as those calloused hands came down onto his skin, tracing over his nakedness. He imagined those hands would prove to be both gentle and cruel. They curved down his back, following the slim line of his spine to cup his buttocks. He felt very tiny compared to this giant. The men of his world didn’t grow so big, and he was fascinated to find out if he was just as big everywhere. Since Wulfgar didn’t seem inclined to follow his suggestion, Kintaro’s hands impatiently tugged at his laces, pulling the thane’s tunic over his head and tossing it to the floor. His eyes grew big as he took in the breadth of Wulfgar’s chest. These barbarians were incredibly hairy. It was so different from his own smooth skin. It wasn’t as if he had a pelt like an animal. Wulfgar’s chest was covered in fine, thin hair that was almost invisible, it was so pale. It thickened a little in the center of his chest, following a line down that disappeared into his trews. Kintaro perked up, wondering if the trail went all the way, and he attacked the laces on Wulfgar’s trews with relish. He wondered if the entire body would prickle his skin the way his Master’s beard had when he’d kissed him. That would be an interesting new sensation. Wulfgar laughed and tumbled them both back on the bed, watching as Kintaro finished undressing him. He tugged off the barbarian’s boots and tossed them down with his tunic, then drew down his strange, tight leggings. Kintaro’s eyes lit up even further at the sight of Wulfgar’s cock, nestled in a nest of pale curls. He was as big everywhere as the slave had suspected. Eager fingers wrapped around the hard shaft, and he flashed a bright smile up at his Master before shimmying down that big body and dipping his head to trail his tongue across the head, tasting the sharp, musky flavor of Wulfgar’s arousal.

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The thane’s breath caught, and he lifted up onto his elbow to look down, watching as lush pink lips closed over the head of his cock. The boy suckled deeply, and all the while that wicked tongue swirled and flicked at him. He’d been unprepared for such a response, and he knew it was going to take all his willpower to be gentle with the boy this first time. Gods… he’d caught himself a wild one, wanton and yet with a look of innocence about him, the contradiction incredibly erotic. Any amount would have been happily paid for this wild flower of his. One hand reached down to slide into thick, heavy dark hair, intending to guide him, but then Kintaro sank his mouth down on his own, and Wulfgar’s grip never tightened in that shining hair. The boy needed help like Wulfgar needed a woman. Which was to say, not at all. He felt the head of his cock brush the back of Kintaro’s throat, and he groaned deep in his chest. The slave began to bob his head, his tongue working fast and furious on his length. His mouth was wet and hot, suckling him, and he thought that the raw pleasure after so long of a drought would unman him far too quickly into this encounter. Wulfgar drew Kintaro off of his cock, ignoring the look of petulance that flashed across his face. Another day, he would indulge that sweet mouth of his, but for right now he needed to concentrate on relaxing his exotic boy enough that he wouldn’t hurt him when he penetrated him. He grasped his hands around Kintaro’s waist and found that he really could wrap his hands around him. By the gods, he was going to kill him when he fucked him, but there didn’t seem to be an ounce of fear in the lad as he lay back on the blankets, spreading his legs wantonly and giving Wulfgar a heated look beneath his lashes. The thane’s mouth went dry as he watched slim hands skim over a lithe body. Kintaro grasped the backs of his thighs and pulled his ankles behind his head, exposing himself completely. Wulfgar had never seen anything like it in his entire life. Golden fingers teased down the cleft of the slave’s ass, circling around his entrance. He watched the little, puckered, brown hole contract, then lifted his gaze to meet very wicked eyes.

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Kintaro smiled seductively and felt his stomach clench at the look of stunned desire on his Master’s face. Oh, he liked this man. He was the first of these strange people that the slave thought could understand Kintaro and his purpose. Now if he would just hurry and take him…. But suddenly Wulfgar had a look on his face that had nothing to do with desire, and Kintaro frowned. He let his legs lower and sat up a bit, head tilted in question as the barbarian began glancing around the room almost frantically. “Oyabun?” The boy’s voice was soft and musical, reaching one slim hand out to touch Wulfgar’s face. Wulfgar wasn’t sure what the word meant, but the question was plain. Frustrated, he tried to think of how to explain his dilemma to Kintaro. Finally, unable to think of any way to mime the problem, he just shrugged. “There’s no oil, little one.” He sighed at the blank look he got, and then Kintaro was wrapping around him and pouting, tugging at his shoulders insistently. By the gods, the boy was going to be the death of him, but there was no way he could take him without anything to ease the way. It was going to be painful enough as it was for the slave. He shook his head and stilled Kintaro’s hands, sighing at the pout and furrowed brows he got for that. Of all the luck. Naked, with the most beautiful slave he’d ever had the pleasure of touching, whom he owned now, who was eager and willing as the thane could ask for, and now… now he had to put his clothes back on and go find some damn oil. Kintaro’s eyes narrowed as his Wulfgar began retrieving his clothes from the floor. He didn’t understand the sudden mood change in his new Master. He didn’t seem angry, and the slave didn’t think that he’d displeased him in any way. As a matter of fact, the look on Wulfgar’s face was more regretful and frustrated. He cursed the language barrier under his breath, crossing his arms angrily. He had better not be thinking about sending him back to the slave dealer. At least not without fucking him first. He looked for something to cling to if that seemed to be the case. He heard Wulfgar sigh, and then the larger man was taking his hands and saying something in that rough tongue of his, looking at him with entreaty in his pale gray eyes.

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Suddenly, comprehension hit Kintaro, and he tugged his hands out of Wulfgar’s, scrambling off the bed for the little bundle of belongings that he had. He rummaged through the pockets until he found what he was searching for. “Catch,” he said in his own language, tossing the small bottle of oil in his direction. He watched, cocking his head curiously to see if that had been what his new Master was looking for. He certainly hoped so, because his body was thrumming anxiously with the desperate need for fulfillment. He wanted Wulfgar’s hard, thick cock in him now. Wulfgar examined the object that Kintaro had thrown to him and grinned as he realized what it was. He unstopped it carefully, catching the scent of strange, aromatic spices. His wild flower was a gift sent from the gods. Before the thane could say anything, he had a lapful of anxious, wiggling Kintaro wrapping his arms and legs around him. Ah, the slave was a salve to his ego, and Wulfgar caught his breath as Kintaro positioned himself so that his entrance rubbed erotically against the head of Wulfgar’s cock. “You certainly know how to try my willpower.” Wulfgar poured some of the oil onto his fingers and shifted Kintaro so that he could sink one long finger into his tight heat. Wulfgar groaned at the feel of him around his finger, tight and grasping, heat searing his skin, and just the thought of that snug heat around his cock was enough to make the thane lightheaded. The reaction in Kintaro was beautiful to see. His dark eyes fluttered, and he moaned low, his slim body melting against him. The thane crossed back to the bed and sank them both down on it, his finger slowly thrusting into him, dropping his mouth to Kintaro’s arched throat, tasting his skin, which was sweet and faintly spicy, exotic, just like him. Kintaro squirmed beneath his new Master, rocking his hips up to meet the slow thrusts of Wulfgar’s finger. As good as that felt, his body was clamoring for more, hard and fast and deep. He wanted to be taken, and he knew the big barbarian wanted to take him; he could see it simmering in his gray eyes. The slave thought he knew why his Master was holding back, and while it was endearing, it was also very unnecessary. Kintaro could take anything Wulfgar chose to give him, and he would do so happily.

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He just needed to convince him of that, he supposed. He whimpered in need and twisted and arched beneath him, fingers tangling in Wulfgar’s hair. He tugged sharply and smiled up at him when Wulfgar lifted his head to look down at him. “Wulf gar-sama… fuck?” He had learned that word early on, and beamed up at his Master, sure he’d gotten its use right. Wulfgar groaned at the slave’s inquiry. That word came out quite clearly. The slave dealer had been right. The boy did understand some words, at least the important ones. He shook his head. “I do not wish to hurt you, little one.” He wasn’t sure how much of that Kintaro understood, but he clearly realized that he was being denied, because his eyes flashed stubbornness, and his hands tightened demandingly in his hair. “Fuck… fuck… fuck,” Kintaro chanted, thrusting back on the thane’s fingers and clenching hard around them. The thane shuddered. Kintaro was trying to drive him mad. He withdrew his fingers and poured some more oil onto his cock, rolling onto his back. He grasped Kintaro and lifted him easily so that he was straddling him. It would give him the benefit of watching his slave’s gorgeous body as he rode him, and it would allow Kintaro to control the depth and strength of his penetration until he’d adjusted to him. Wulfgar would fuck him afterward. A wide smile broke across Kintaro’s face as his Master positioned him. Thank the ancestors Wulfgar’s cock rubbed against his entrance, and he tightened his thighs around his Master’s hips and drove himself downward with a glad cry. Wulfgar’s cock rived him in two, and he could feel the strength of it throbbing inside of him. It felt so good to be pierced again, to know the pleasure and pain that made up the only world he really knew. Kintaro leaned forward to brace his hands on Wulfgar’s chest and began to drive his hips, preening at the look of stunned awe on Wulfgar’s face. “Fuck Wulf gar-sama….” Wulfgar stared up at Kintaro in amazement. He had clearly told the boy no, and he’d done it anyway. That was… unexpected. But since it was obviously not going to irreparably hurt Kintaro as the thane had suspected, he decided that now was not the time to be discussing following orders with the slave.

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The feeling of being fully encompassed in that tight heat was indescribable. And Kintaro was driving his hips hard in tight circles, and his hands twined in the hairs on his chest. Wulfgar could no more resist the siren call of his wild flower than he could refuse to breathe. Planting his feet, he thrust hard up into him and was rewarded with a ragged, pleasure-filled cry. Kintaro worked his hips hard and fast, every sensation almost overwhelming him, sharp and clear: the tickling of hairs against his palms, the scent of sex and heat coming off them both, as well as the spicy scent of the oil, his Master’s piercing gray eyes devouring him, and most of all, the feel of his Master so deep inside him, filling him up completely. His slim fingers shifted on Wulfgar’s chest, fingertips brushing and lightly tweaking his nipples, unable to help the giggle at the startled look the large man gave him. He gave him a mischievous smile and pinched those nipples a bit harder; his eyes widened with a little squeak and laugh as Wulfgar abruptly flipped them over so Kintaro was on his back, his wrists pinned to the bed. Oh, very nice, he liked that. Kintaro purred and arched against the barbarian, clenching tightly around his invading cock. Kintaro’s instincts about his new Master had not been wrong. He did fuck well. But then, his instincts were rarely wrong in that area. He let the tension build to dizzying heights, carefully watching every reaction from Wulfgar so that he would know when he was allowed to come. The idea that his pleasure was completely in the hands of this powerful man was heady. He loved powerful, hard men. They accepted no compromise. Wulfgar shook his head down at the boy. He was a handful, a gorgeous, seductive handful, and apparently full of impishness as well. He grinned in reply and dropped his mouth to Kintaro’s, kissing him deeply as his hips thrust relentlessly, all pretense of gentleness gone, because his slave was having none of that, and Wulfgar was happy to oblige him. Kintaro kissed him back with abandon, nipping at his lower lip and sucking on his tongue. The slave made no attempt to pull free from his grip; it seemed as if he actually enjoyed being held down and

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fucked. He was like no other that Wulfgar had ever encountered. And he swore right then and there that he was never going to let this one go. Wulfgar shifted his hips until he found that spot deep inside of Kintaro, then drove into him, savoring his sweet, muffled cries against his lips and the sensation of the slave’s panting breath against his cheek. Kintaro’s arching body rubbed his cock between their tightly pressed bodies. Sweet, sweet Valhalla. Wulfgar lifted his head and looked down at Kintaro, watching the unfeigned pleasure, the desperate need and joy on his face. He growled, and the imp flashed him a smile, clenching hard enough to make his gasp. No, they didn’t need words. They understood each other quite well. Wulfgar couldn’t tear his eyes away, and Kintaro didn’t seem inclined to do so either, dark, almond-shaped eyes locked to his, slim fragile-looking body moving just as eagerly beneath the much larger one above him. Staring down at him, Wulfgar had a flash of coherent thought, remembering a time when Roman had shown him a drawing in one of his books. He had said it was a lotus flower, native to the far eastern lands and very rare. Wulfgar couldn’t help but compare his slave to that drawing Roman had shown him… rare and beautiful, exotic and pure. He could feel the pleasure rising in Kintaro as well as in himself, and he was of no mind to make either of them wait. There would be plenty of opportunity to explore his beautiful slave in great detail, but it had been too long to hold back the orgasm he felt clawing to get out. He released Kintaro’s hands, sliding one down between them to wrap around the boy’s cock, smirking wickedly at the sharp cry of pleasure Kintaro gave and the way he arched. He stroked tightly, driving deep into his willing, incredible heat, and within seconds was hovering on the edge. “Now, lotus… come for me.” Wulfgar didn’t think Kintaro understood him, but he could think of no other way to encourage the slave to come with him, stroking him as his thrusts grew erratic. Then he stiffened, head thrown back with a shout as he came hard, flooding deep into that tight heat. Kintaro watched with wide-eyed fascination as the big barbarian came. Everything about him was big and loud. It was exciting. He

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clenched, feeling every hard throb of his Master’s thick cock as he came. He waited until Wulfgar was spent and was looking at him with encouragement in his gray eyes. Since his hands were free, he fisted them deep in Wulfgar’s hair and cried out wildly, tugging on his thick tresses as he twisted and writhed underneath him. He had waited for too many months to feel this alive, and the strength and intensity of his own orgasm left him feeling joyfully languorous. “Wulf gar-sama,” Kintaro said throatily, unwinding his hands from Wulfgar’s hair and brushing his fingertips along his cheekbone. Finally, a Master who might just be worthy of him. He couldn’t stop the little purrs of pleasure as the aftershocks rocked through him, and he had no wish to. Wulfgar eased out, chuckling at the moue of disappointment on Kintaro’s face as he did so. He lay down on his side, and Kintaro curled into him as if missing his warmth. The thane stroked damp strands of thick dark hair back from Kintaro’s face, watching him intently. Possessiveness flooded through him, and he bent his head to capture Kintaro’s lips in a heated, thorough kiss, letting him know without question, without words, just who he belonged to. He was going to stamp himself over every inch of Kintaro and make sure he never thought of anything or anybody else but him.

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THE sun had long since fallen before Wulfgar began to consider stopping for the night. He and his men—the few he had brought with him—could have easily continued on, but Kintaro was sound asleep, curled against Wulfgar, and as much as he liked having the boy looking so peaceful and trusting in his arms, he wasn’t sure how used to hard travel the boy was. So he led his men off the main road and found a likely spot beside the stream the road followed, pulling his horse to a halt. He looked down at the slave and quirked his lips, stroking Kintaro’s cheek. “Wake up, little one.” He watched with amusement as Kintaro wrinkled his nose, furrowed his brows, and snuggled closer against him with a sound that Wulfgar correctly interpreted as, “Let me sleep.” He shook his head, swinging carefully down off the horse, Kintaro cradled against his chest. Kintaro blinked sleepily, tilting his head back and looking up at his Master with a pout on his face that dissolved into a sweet smile when he realized they were no longer on the horse. He slid his arms around Wulfgar’s neck and nuzzled affectionately against his neck, then looked up at him with his dark eyes. “Fuck, Wulf gar-sama?” Wulfgar threw back his head and laughed. His new slave was insatiable it seemed, and he was thrilled with the knowledge. He dropped a kiss to his smiling lips and set him on his feet. “Soon, yes.” He nodded to be sure the boy understood; judging by the brilliant smile he got, Kintaro understood just fine. He was curious about Kintaro and cursed the language barrier that lay between them. He wanted to know his full story, wanted to assure himself that Kintaro wasn’t harboring some lingering love for another master and wouldn’t pine for somewhere or someone else. He was also insatiably curious about the “special training” the boy supposedly had.

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He supposed that part he would have to learn over time, which was hardly a hardship, as he intended to take the boy every way possible. The thane made sure that Kintaro was safely out of the way, sitting him down on a log near the fire pit that Brandr was digging, before he and the rest of his men set about making up camp. In no time at all, they had the tents set up and a merry fire roaring in the circle. He was well satisfied with the pace that they were making. If they kept it up, they would be home before the week was out. Brandr passed out the rations of dried meat and flatbread that they had bought for the trip, and Wulfgar brought Kintaro his share, sitting down with him on the log. The slave’s nose wrinkled up in distaste, but he took it obediently in his hands. “I know, lotus,” Wulfgar murmured. “When we get back home, you’ll have a real feast.” Wulfgar was not a man prone to talking much, but he found himself chatting almost non-stop with Kintaro. He told himself that it was a chance for the slave to learn his new language. There was no doubt he listened. Whenever Wulfgar opened his mouth, Kintaro would focus his dark eyes on him and tilt his head, listening until the thane had stopped. Sometimes he would interject something that was clearly a question, and at other times, he would repeat a word that he understood. He seemed to delight in learning new words. Kintaro tried chewing the tough meat, and the exercise made his jaw ache. He wondered if it was the food of this strange country or if it was just because they were traveling. He suspected it was the latter, and if that was the case, then something needed to be rectified. His Master was obviously an important man, judging both from the way that the others deferred to him and from the fact that he had been able to afford to purchase him. He should travel in some style, not like a common peasant. He tilted his head, gesturing to the other men. “They should hunt for you, bring us fresh meat.” He did not understand how these men, who were obviously Wulfgar’s lessers, could allow him and his Master to eat food that in Kintaro’s land would be reserved for the servant class. But Wulfgar did not seem inclined to put the men to use, so Kintaro sighed and ate what he could of the dried meat and tasteless bread, though it wasn’t much. He felt like an animal gnawing at the

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tough food and set it aside when he felt he’d eaten enough not to appear rude. The slave shifted closer to Wulfgar, snuggling up against him and chattering away about nothing in particular. If the food were lacking, he would make sure the company was not; it was the best he could do under the circumstances. He wished they understood each other; he could spin a tale to entertain his Master. Had there been a yamatogoto he could dance for him, but he had nothing of the sort here in the wild. Wulfgar toyed idly with Kintaro’s heavy, silky hair as the boy spoke to him in that strange, sharp language. Like everything else about his wild flower, his language was unique, unlike anything the thane had ever known. He hadn’t truly been paying attention, so it took Kintaro tugging on his tunic to bring him back to the present. Wulfgar looked down at him, cocking a brow curiously. “What is it, lotus?” Kintaro’s brows furrowed. Why did he keep saying that word? He got the feeling Wulfgar was calling him a lotus, which, while a lovely flower, was not his name. He wondered if perhaps his Master had forgotten what his name actually was. Just in case, he gave him an indulgent smile and touched his own chest. “Kintaro.” He nodded and then pointed toward the stream not far outside of the camp itself, miming bathing and giving Wulfgar a hopeful look. Perhaps his Master would like to bathe with him. The slave’s eyes brightened as Wulfgar grinned and rose from the log, taking his hand. It was a beautiful night for a bath in the open. The air was balmy and warm, and the full moon shone down on them. Wulfgar paused by the saddlebags long enough to retrieve a small vial of oil. His men fell quiet as they left, but soon Kintaro could hear them starting up with their joking and laughter again. As they walked along, Wulfgar pointed out the different trees, speaking in his strange, rough tongue. Kintaro tried to absorb it all, but there were so many words. It made his head hurt sometimes, and right now, he wasn’t interested in speaking as much as he was in touching. They reached the edge of the stream, and Kintaro stepped out of his sandals and dipped a toe in the water experimentally. He squealed when he found the water delightfully cool and hastily shucked off his clothes, tossing them on a bush so they wouldn’t get muddy. He waded

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naked out into the stream, giving his Master a come-hither look over one shoulder. “Wulf gar-sama,” he called in a sing-song voice, splashing playfully in his direction, “come join me.” He crooked a finger and beckoned, making it quite clear what he wanted the larger man to do. His eyes greedily drank in his Master’s powerful body as he began undressing. He had been right; Wulfgar was magnificent in the moonlight. The silver cast made his skin seem paler than normal. Kintaro chuckled and splashed at Wulfgar again, giving a mocking little chuckle as he flashed him a warning glance. Kintaro had never seen so many muscles on a man, let alone a man so tall and broad. It was like belonging to a rough and handsome giant; it made the slave’s stomach clench with desire. He liked how much bigger than himself Wulfgar was. Wulfgar set the oil down on a rock, and Kintaro laughed and darted away as his Master waded into the water toward him. Kintaro dove under the water, coming up and shaking his head, wiping water from his eyes and pushing his sodden hair back from his face. He beamed at his Master and gave him a look from under his lashes that clearly said, Come and get me. Wulfgar arched a brow and growled tauntingly, moving toward Kintaro, but just as he would have reached to pull him close, the minx slipped through his fingers and surfaced a bit further away, giggling at him. Oh, he wanted to play, did he? He couldn’t get over how different this boy was. Not just in looks, though certainly he was unique there as well, but in his personality and temperament. Kintaro had a regal bearing about him, and yet he seemed perfectly happy to be Wulfgar’s slave. Kintaro had no shame in what he was or what Wulfgar and he did; in fact, the slave seemed to relish the petting and touching that Wulfgar couldn’t help, no matter who was present. The thane had never known a slave who was proud to be a slave, who was so unabashed in showing off for his Master. He’d known some who would not resist such affections, who would submit without protest, but never one who eagerly accepted and encouraged it.

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Wulfgar shook off his thoughts, focusing on catching the sleek water nymph that continued to dart around him, splashing at him and giggling. Wulfgar finally managed to capture one slim wrist and hauled Kintaro up against him. There was a breathless quality to the slave’s laugh as their bodies came into contact. Kintaro immediately took the opportunity to wrap his legs around Wulfgar’s waist and his arms around his neck, biting his lip teasingly. “You are going to be quite a handful, lotus,” Wulfgar said under his breath. He could only imagine the impact this slender young man was going to have on his hall. He couldn’t wait to see. Roman had hidden in the shadows, and Aron had scowled and strutted. This one… this one would charm and cajole and command, sure in his own power. It would be a marvel to witness. Wulfgar watched Kintaro’s brows knit. “Kintaro, Wulf garsama,” he said distinctly and firmly. “Aye, Kintaro and lotus and whatever else I choose to call you,” Wulfgar replied, smacking Kintaro’s bare ass lightly. Kintaro purred, rubbing against him, and Wulfgar chuckled, disentangling his arms and legs before tossing him into the water. Kintaro came up sputtering, his almond-shaped eyes wide with shock. Wulfgar grinned, sinking back into the water. “How do you like a taste of your own medicine?” The thane watched Kintaro’s eyes narrow, and Wulfgar wondered idly what he would come up with to retaliate. Kintaro began to sulk, though he had to look down to keep his Master from seeing the laughter in his eyes. His mind turned and immediately latched onto the perfect revenge. He pretended to be ignoring his Master for a second, sinking under the water as if wetting his hair back. Instead, he sliced through under the water and wrapped his arms around Wulfgar’s thighs, taking his cock deep and swallowing him in one motion, holding his breath as he did so. Wulfgar gave a hoarse shout as, suddenly and without warning, his cock was engulfed in a warm, wet mouth and throat, shock rippling through him. By the gods, his lotus was full of surprises! His hand came down under the water into Kintaro’s hair, thrusting his hips several times before drawing him off his cock and up

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out of the water, chuckling at the proud look on the boy’s face. “You won that one, I’ll give you that.” His cock was fully hard now from that brief contact with Kintaro’s heated mouth. The slave smiled up at him, pushing the heavy, wet length of his hair out of his face. “Fuck Wulf gar-sama?” Wulfgar laughed. “And people accuse me of thinking of only one thing.” He tapped his finger against Kintaro’s lips. “Soon. Right now I want to indulge in something else.” Namely rubbing down the boy’s slim body with water in the moonlight and fondling him everywhere. Then he’d fuck him until Kintaro screamed his name for the whole forest to hear. Wulfgar couldn’t take his eyes away from Kintaro’s uplifted face. “You are so exquisite, lotus,” he murmured, running his thumb over Kintaro’s lower lip. He wound one hand in his thick hair, tugging the slave’s head back, and Kintaro’s soft sound of pleasure went right through him. Kintaro looked up at him, water-spiked lashes dark against his cheeks, and then his eyes fluttered shut with a moan as Wulfgar kissed his damp lips. His hands rested on Wulfgar’s shoulders but didn’t twine around him in demand, as if the slave was waiting to see what Wulfgar had in mind for them. Wulfgar broke the kiss and slid his hand from the boy’s dark hair. His hands moved down to his narrow shoulders and over his slender torso. He was amazed at how small Kintaro was. His hands nearly covered the slave’s chest, and when he slid them down to Kintaro’s thin waist, he could easily span the width of it with a bit of room to spare. He shook his head. How on earth the slave could take his cock, Wulfgar didn’t know, but he was bloody grateful Kintaro could. His thumbs stroked over Kintaro’s ribs, up to lightly brush his taut nipples, and his cock twitched at the whimpered sound the boy made. He was so responsive, and not just responsive, but eager, and drew responses from Wulfgar without seeming to try to. Kintaro blinked water from his eyes and scooped his hands into the water. It sluiced over Wulfgar’s hard shoulders and wide, furred chest. He sighed softly in appreciation at how powerful and strong Wulfgar was. “Pretty Oyabun….”

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He gave his Master an impish grin when the man chuckled. “Pretty wrong?” Unsure what other word in the strange new language would work, he fell back on his own tongue easily. “Beautiful, Master,” he repeated, this time in his own language. Wulfgar’s hands cupped his ass, lifting him up out of the water. He wrapped his legs around his Master’s broad waist to anchor him. Kintaro clung to him as Wulfgar ran his hands over Kintaro’s thighs, and he caught his breath as his Master’s large fingers rubbed between the cleft of his ass. To Kintaro’s disappointment, his Master didn’t seem inclined to penetrate them deep inside of him. Wulfgar murmured something in his tongue, and Kintaro wasn’t sure if it was meant to be soothing or teasing, or if he was just saying an endearment. Kintaro looked up at him. Even when he was being lifted up in this manner, his Master was still taller than he was. Wulfgar’s eyes gleamed in the moonlight, and Kintaro felt a shiver of awareness. He was a powerful man. A hunter. A predator. And Kintaro belonged to him. A smile broke out across Kintaro’s face, and he purred in response, rubbing himself against his Master’s body, eliciting a growl in response. Every hair on his body stirred at the rough sound, and he craved more. Kintaro burrowed closer, burying his face in Wulfgar’s neck, his arms tightening around him. He nuzzled, his mouth seeking out that sweet spot where his Master’s neck met his shoulder and biting there. Wulfgar let out a hissing sound as Kintaro’s sharp teeth sank into his neck, not hard enough to break skin, but definitely hard enough to feel. The minx had claws and teeth and no qualms about using them. Wulfgar’s cock throbbed, the coolness of the water doing nothing to ease his erection, and he gripped his slave’s ass harder, fingers biting into the soft flesh. Kintaro moaned in response, and the thane felt a bit lightheaded. He was such an exquisite pleasure. One that would never grow old. Wulfgar began striding for the bank, and Kintaro beamed brightly up at him with those desiring dark eyes as he clung to him, slender body undulating against Wulfgar eagerly.

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By the gods, Wulfgar wanted to devour the boy, wanted to lay him out on the ground and lick every inch of him, taste every secret spot on his body, and fuck Kintaro until they couldn’t move. Finding a mossy spot of ground, he laid Kintaro down, stretched out over him, and none too gently untangled the boy’s limbs from him. He dragged Kintaro’s wrists up above his head and pinned them there with one hand. Kintaro purred and arched toward him, his thighs falling open in blatant offering, and the thane’s stomach clenched in desire. “Don’t move them, lotus.” His voice was rough and his eyes intent as he released Kintaro’s wrists, waiting to see if he understood. He must have, because he kept his hands where Wulfgar had put them. The thane lifted up onto his knees between Kintaro’s legs, staring down at him, eyes raking over him. Kintaro was a vision in the moonlight and shadows, damp and lithe, and for a moment, Wulfgar just admired him. Then sent a muttered prayer of thanks to whatever gods had deemed him worthy of such a gift. The thane reached for the vial of oil and poured a little onto his fingers. He kept his eyes fixated on Kintaro’s delicate features as he searched out the slave’s entrance and sank two fingers deep inside of him. It was amazing how Kintaro took him. There was no tension in him. He was fully relaxed, open and eager for penetration. Kintaro arched his hips off of the ground, clenching rhythmically around Wulfgar’s fingers. He began to thrust, watching the boy, seeing the way that he moved with his wrists pinned above his head as if they’d actually been tied down. He’d never met a slave so self-disciplined, so eager to please and able to find such pleasure in return. Kintaro’s cock was fully erect, brushing against the lower part of his stomach as his body rocked onto Wulfgar’s fingers. The thane watched him, in no hurry to get to the fucking. He wanted a long, slow buildup so that he could fuck Kintaro for as long as he wanted. Kintaro wanted to touch his Master. He wanted to feel the hard strength of his muscles, the ticklish sensation of his hair against his tender skin. But Wulfgar had made it clear that he was not allowed to move his hands. So Kintaro concentrated on visually tantalizing him

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instead. He drew his knees up to either side of his hips and splayed them wide so that no part of his body was hidden. He knew that his Master found him pleasing to look at, as well he should. He arched his hips up in blatant invitation, soft moans falling from his lips. He hoped that this teasing was a precursor to some hard fucking. Despite his looks, he was not delicate, and Wulfgar’s body was not made to be gentle. Kintaro lowered his eyes, looking down at Wulfgar’s thick cock, and he licked his lips in anticipation. Wulfgar groaned at the undisguised lust in Kintaro’s dark eyes, his own gaze dropping to where his fingers disappeared into the boy’s body. His cock twitched at the erotic sight. The tight, slick heat of him was enough to make it difficult to remember he wanted to play with his slave before fucking him. He leaned down over the boy, mouth coming down on his slender chest, and nipped sharply at one pebbled nipple. He grinned wickedly when Kintaro arched and cried out a murmured word in his own language that Wulfgar took to be a soft curse. He was quickly becoming addicted to his lotus. His fingers maintained their steady deep thrusting while his mouth moved over Kintaro’s arching, writhing body, tasting the spicy, sweet, exotic flavor of his skin. He trailed his tongue along his fragile ribcage, tracing each delicate ridge, and then down to nip at his flat, sleek stomach. Kintaro moaned, twisting against the ground and squirming up toward Wulfgar eagerly. His Master was going to drive him out of his mind, teasing him with hints of roughness while at the same time he could feel how Wulfgar was careful with him even still. He wondered what it would be like if Wulfgar let go of that control and shivered at the thought. Oh, that would be lovely. “Wulf gar-sama… Oyabun… fuck Kintaro… fuck Wulf garsama,” he pleaded with him, slim fingers laced tightly together above his head to keep from indulging his urge to touch that powerful body and encourage Wulfgar to give them both what they wanted. Kintaro felt Wulfgar’s lips curve against his stomach and knew that the larger man was enjoying his pleas but not inclined to give into them. His Master’s teeth nipped at his hip where the skin stretched thin

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over the bone. Kintaro moaned and arched into those scraping teeth; he wanted Wulfgar’s hands hard on him. His Master began to push another finger into him, and Kintaro moaned, spreading his legs wider in invitation. Though Wulfgar’s fingers felt good and Kintaro was enjoying the sensation of being stretched, he knew that it was nowhere near as good as it felt to be impaled on his thick cock. Wulfgar’s head dipped lower, and his hair and beard tickled against his skin. Kintaro’s breath hissed as his Master continued to bite, this time at his inner thighs. Little shocks of pleasure spiked straight through to his cock; he desperately wanted to lower his hands and bury them in Wulfgar’s thick, pale hair. “Wulf gar-sama fuck… fuck Kintaro,” he said, his voice alternating between demanding and pleading, but his Master just chuckled and nipped a little harder in response. Well, Wulfgar didn’t say that Kintaro couldn’t touch him with other parts of his body. Kintaro narrowed his eyes and slid one foot around Wulfgar’s body, tracing over the broad muscles of his Master’s back. Wulfgar groaned and began nipping his way back up the slave’s body. Kintaro smiled innocently and drew his foot down, following the path of Wulfgar’s spine. His Master’s breath caught as Kintaro teased his toes between the cleft of Wulfgar’s ass, wiggling them against his entrance, and then, without warning, he pushed his big toe into him, stifling a giggle as the larger man stiffened in surprise and gasped. Wulfgar let out a rough snarl at the sudden penetration, lifting his head sharply to stare down at Kintaro, who just gave him an innocent look. He could see the laughter in his dark eyes. Oh, he was begging for it, and Wulfgar was bloody well going to give it to him. Withdrawing his fingers, he caught Kintaro’s narrow hips in hard hands and flipped him smoothly onto his stomach, pulling him up onto his knees and urging them wide. He could sense the triumph and mischief running through Kintaro, and he shook his head. By the gods, he was more than a handful; he was a pretty little demon all Wulfgar’s own. His voice was low and gruff as he nipped at the soft skin of Kintaro’s nape. “You think you got your way, do you, lotus?” He

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brought one large hand down hard on the slave’s upturned ass, chuckling at the surprised squeak Kintaro gave and the way his body jolted at the slap. The thane’s pleasure in putting Kintaro in his place was shortlived, however, when his wild flower suddenly moaned and arched his back, lifting his ass up higher and wiggling it in encouragement. Wulfgar dropped his forehead to Kintaro’s back and groaned. Gods save him. Kintaro moved against his Master, trembling. The burn from the one hard slap on his ass had his entire body tingling. He circled his hips back and turned his head to try and look at his Master, but Wulfgar had his face buried on Kintaro’s back, and he pouted, wiggling even more. “Wulf gar-sama,” he whined, rocking back toward him. “Fuck Kintaro… fuck now….” His Master ignored his pleading yet again. He had a will of steel, it seemed. Kintaro shivered and then let out another surprised squeak as he suddenly found himself upturned over Wulfgar’s knees, his Master’s broad hand coming down on his buttocks in a flurry of rough slaps. Kintaro moaned and pressed his cock into Wulfgar’s hard thigh. He lifted his ass up into the blows, each one sending waves of fiery pleasure through him. Wulfgar’s heavy breathing told him that he wasn’t immune to this particular pleasure either. Wulfgar gave in. He’d find another way to reprimand him later. Not that he was really displeased with him. He enjoyed Kintaro’s spirit and his unabashed pleasure in sex. But there was no point in having him being completely unmanageable. He’d think about it when his mind wasn’t so occupied with his cock’s demands. He set Kintaro on his hands and knees again, guiding his cock between those sweet upturned cheeks. He could feel the heat from the slave’s abused skin scorching him. The thane pushed the head of his cock slowly into him. Kintaro trembled and lifted his ass higher in response, moaning low in his throat. Wulfgar gripped Kintaro’s hip hard to keep him from taking matters into his own hands. His other hand circled the nape of Kintaro’s neck, holding him in place, before the thane drove his cock sharply into him with a groan of release. He didn’t wait to give Kintaro a moment to adjust, and he highly suspected his plaything would’ve protested if he

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did. He started fucking him, hard and deep, watching the way that his body jolted with each thrust. Kintaro cried out with every thrust, and the sound of it drove Wulfgar even further into his lusty trance. This slave had the ability to push him to the brink, and the thane reveled in it, driving hard into him. The feel of him was beyond words, tight and hot and willing, his sleek body moving under him as much as Wulfgar would allow. His hand covered the boy’s hip, and the one on the back of Kintaro’s neck could easily have closed around it. Wulfgar marveled, yet again, at how such a small man could not only take whatever Wulfgar gave him, but demand more. Kintaro bit his lower lip, and his head arched back, trembling with the desire to move, to thrust his hips back and impale himself over and over on that invading cock. But his Master held him firmly in place, leaving him no choice but simply to take it. And he did, glorying in the sensations, the stinging burn on his reddened ass, the hard pressure of being stretched to the limit, craving more, demanding it loudly in his own tongue. The slave’s fingers dug into the moist ground beneath him. He turned his head to look back at Wulfgar over his shoulder, eyes heated and clearly showing his pleasure, his lips damp and parted and emitting small cries with every delicious, hard thrust of Wulfgar’s hips. Their eyes met, and the thane felt the jolt of the connection to his core. No words were needed here, their bodies more than doing the job of speaking for them. Wulfgar snapped his hips harder, changing the angle to drive into Kintaro’s spot. The slave cried out louder, saying something unintelligible in his own language. Occasionally, Wulfgar would pick out his own name from the garble, or what seemed to be Kintaro’s favorite word: fuck. He moved to sit back on his heels, taking Kintaro with him and groaning as the action sank Kintaro down on his cock even deeper. His hand circled around to the front of his throat, and his mouth dropped down to Kintaro’s shoulder, nipping his tender skin as he fucked him. The slave’s head rolled back onto his shoulder, and Wulfgar could feel his rapid pulse against his palm.

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Wulfgar took one of Kintaro’s hands and brought it down to the slave’s cock. The slim fingers immediately circled around his length, and his lotus began pleasuring himself for the thane’s eyes. Wulfgar groaned and bit Kintaro’s shoulder again, sucking on the skin until he was sure that there would be a mark there tomorrow. He lifted the slave’s chin, baring his neck, and fastened his lips there too. He’d cover him in marks. He brought his hand back to Kintaro’s hip, holding him still as the slave tried to start moving again. “No, lotus,” he said huskily, not caring whether he understood him or not. He would make himself plain in other ways. He held him down, and the more brutally he fucked him, the more Kintaro responded. What a match for him he was. Kintaro gasped and cried out, feeling his skin throb where his Master had marked him. He was grateful Wulfgar had seen fit to remove the ugly collar the trader had given him, wondering idly if he intended to replace it with one of his own or not. Kintaro didn’t care either way; he only cared that it befitted him and his status. The slave reveled in the hard fucking, the feel of Wulfgar’s big hand on his throat, wondering for a second if he would tighten it. A release with breath restricted could be powerful. He arched back against his Master as best he could, but Wulfgar held him so tightly, slamming up off his heels into him. Wulfgar growled low, mouth moving over Kintaro’s sweet, spicy skin, nipping where it suited him, little stinging bites, not necessarily to mark most of the time, but just because he couldn’t resist. The boy inspired him to just take a bite. He stared over the slave’s shoulder as Kintaro stroked himself, watching how his fingers circled and twisted on his shaft, his thumb rubbing the head. It was beautiful to watch, and his own cock throbbed in response at the sight. “Fuck… so tight….” He couldn’t help the breathless chuckle when Kintaro caught the use of his favorite word and began chanting “fuck” at him. “Aye, lotus… I am….” Kintaro didn’t understand what his Master found to be so amusing, but the thought was quickly driven from his mind as Wulfgar’s cock throbbed and swelled deep inside him. His Master’s

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large hand tightened fractionally around his own throat as Wulfgar’s orgasm hit him. Kintaro felt him coming deep inside of him and heard the harsh pant of Wulfgar’s breath in his ear. Kintaro clenched rhythmically around his cock, milking every last drop from it, and continued to stroke himself, moaning when Wulfgar stopped him from rubbing himself back against the larger man. His body was painfully on edge, and he wallowed in the sensation. “Wulf gar-sama?” His Master grabbed his hands, forcing them away from his cock, and Kintaro gasped as he suddenly rose. Wulfgar’s cock slid free from his body, making him moan at the loss. The slave found himself in the air, his feet dangling a good distance off the ground. Wulfgar was holding him up by his wrists and looking at him with a stern look on his face, though his eyes twinkled. Kintaro moaned, trying to arch his body toward Wulfgar’s. His cock throbbed; there was a lingering ache deep inside of him from his Master’s fucking, and he wanted more. “Wulf gar-sama, fuck… fuck Kintaro.” Wulfgar smirked and held Kintaro up easily with one hand around his wrists. With his other hand, he traced his fingers over Kintaro’s cock. No matter how Kintaro arched, the slave couldn’t increase the pressure on his cock. Kintaro mewled and whined, squirming where he dangled from Wulfgar’s hand. The easy show of strength sent shivers down his spine, and the look in his Master’s eyes did so as well. His head fell back, and he muttered softly in his own language, a frantic plea for more, for release, but when he lifted his head back up, he saw clearly in Wulfgar’ eyes that he had no intention of giving him that right then. The slave pouted, his eyes sparkling and full lips twisting as he swung his legs out and around, catching Wulfgar’s hips with his heels. He jerked himself closer and was able to thrust his cock into his Master’s hand with a triumphant smile. “Wulf gar-sama, fuck,” he mewled pleadingly, body writhing as best he could, legs clinging to his big Master. Kintaro’s cock throbbed and glistened with the heavy leak of precum, but no matter how he writhed and undulated, he couldn’t get a firmer touch on it from his Master. Then Wulfgar jerked him close up

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against his body, releasing Kintaro’s wrists and wrapping his strong arm around Kintaro’s waist so tightly the slave had no hope of moving against him. Kintaro panted, clinging to him, hands and legs tangling around Wulfgar, trying to entice him. “Oyabun… Wulf gar-sama….” Wulfgar had come to the conclusion that Oyabun meant Master from the way Kintaro had used it before, and oh, how he liked the sound of that word on the slave’s pretty lips. “Aye, my lotus. I am your Master, and you must learn to obey.” He grinned down at him. He was so beautiful with his eyes dilated and his lips so wet. What amused him was that Kintaro did obey, perfectly, in fact, except when it came to sex. Then he turned into a clawing, biting, hissing kitten, demanding everything. The thane held Kintaro firmly in his embrace, and one hand slid down to cup the slave’s ass. Oh, he was going to enjoy every moment of tormenting him. If Kintaro was as well-trained as he seemed, then there wasn’t a single thing that his wild boy could do for release until he allowed it. He pressed three of his fingers against Kintaro’s entrance and pushed them into him slowly, holding on tighter when the slave tried to move. Wulfgar sought out his spot, pressing against it firmly and smiling in triumph as Kintaro jolted and moaned in his arms. The slave’s head dropped down onto his shoulder as Wulfgar began to thrust and those soft cries of Kintaro’s were so sweet. The thane had a strong suspicion that Kintaro’s show of submission was just that, and he was curious to see what new trick the slave would come up with to entice him to fuck him again, or to let him come. “Sweet lotus. You are a treasure worthy of a king.” “Wulf gar-sama, Oyabun.” Kintaro’s strong arms wound around his neck, and he rained kisses down on the thane’s neck and chest. Amazingly, even having just had his orgasm, Wulfgar felt himself responding to Kintaro, cock twitching and swelling as those damp, soft lips moved over his skin. By the gods, the slave was everything any man could dream of and more. Wulfgar dropped down to the mossy bank, using his body to hold Kintaro still as he thrust his fingers deep inside him. He stared down at him, Kintaro laying his head back on the ground. There was nothing

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hidden in his dark eyes as he moaned and whimpered and cried out in pleasure and longing. Wulfgar wondered if he’d won so easily. Somehow, he doubted it, but the beautiful creature beneath him was supple and pliant in his arms, slim legs spread wide in offering. Kintaro’s cock pressed against his upper stomach, and the thane felt it throb, felt the slick wetness smearing their skin that was obvious proof of the slave’s need. Wulfgar didn’t know how he was going to manage his slave, but his cock was telling him blatantly that denying Kintaro release was not going to be the best way. The thane didn’t seem to be able to stop from wanting him again and again. Kintaro gasped sharply when Wulfgar suddenly withdrew his fingers, but before he had a chance to cry out in loss, they were replaced by his Master’s cock. The slave let out a ragged scream of pleasure as Wulfgar drove hard into him. He could do nothing but hold onto that hard, demanding body above him and let his own needs have their way. He was beyond reason, beyond thought. This Master had the will to match his. Maybe he had finally found someone truly worthy of him. “Oyabun.” Kintaro’s hips lifted in rhythm with Wulfgar’s. Every deep, sure thrust slammed right into the core of him and soon he was screaming with each bolt of lightning that pierced him. His hands fisted in his Master’s thick, blond hair, and he gave unconscious tugs on it as he writhed beneath him. The slave brought his legs up higher, working them until they were over Wulfgar’s broad shoulders and he was bent almost double. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt such complete pleasure. “Wulf gar-sama… Wulf gar-sama… Oyabun… fuck.” Wulfgar stared down at Kintaro, one hand running up and down the outside of a slim leg, feeling how the muscles were tightened and stretched from the slave’s position. His wild flower could bend in ways he’d never seen before. Wulfgar wanted to experiment, see what else he was capable of. But not just then. Now the thane was pounding deep inside that clenching, willing, tight heat, barely feeling the sting of Kintaro’s

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hands pulling at his hair. He slammed his mouth down onto the slave’s and kissed him devouringly. Kintaro had to be on the verge of madness by this point. Wulfgar could feel his cock, hard and slick, but Kintaro made no move to touch himself. He simply clung to the thane and held on for the ride. Kintaro was in ecstasy. This barbarian Master of his was indeed the hard lover he had suspected back at the market, and the slave couldn’t have been happier for it. He kissed Wulfgar back with abandon, wanton and desperate, mewling and whining into his mouth, frantic screams he couldn’t and didn’t even try to contain. The entire forest would hear what a fine lover his Master was and envy Kintaro for belonging to him. Kintaro shuddered as his Master’s large hand closed around his cock. He could feel his own nails cutting into his palms as Wulfgar stroked it hard. Wulfgar’s lips tore away from his own, and the slave drew in a deep breath and screamed until he knew that his throat was going to be raw and hoarse in the morning. He saw just what an effect he was having on his Master too. Wulfgar’s eyes bore into him, devouring the expression on his face. The slave didn’t try to hide one ounce of the sublime pleasure that he was feeling. He offered it all up to his Master. Wulfgar was entranced as the slave writhed underneath him. Kintaro pleaded, he demanded. The thane did not know what exactly he was saying, but Kintaro’s need was clear in the tone of his voice. There was a lot of power in such a slender frame; he would have to take care that Kintaro’s presence and force of personality didn’t turn him into a little tyrant. But that was a thought to ponder another time. Right now, he wanted to watch his slave come apart at the seams. Kintaro had more than earned it. Wulfgar stroked Kintaro’s cock tightly, sitting back on his heels and letting the slave’s legs slip off his shoulders as he drew Kintaro up and close against his chest. His free hand splayed on Kintaro’s back, holding him steady as he drove deep into him. His own orgasm wasn’t far off, but he wanted to watch his lotus find his pleasure first; it was a beautiful sight.

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“Come for me, lotus. Come for me,” he rumbled. The slave’s dark eyes lifted to meet his, and he nodded down at him, making sure he understood, stroking tighter at the same time. Kintaro wrapped his arms tight around his Master’s neck, never looking away from his gray eyes as the pleasure took him over. He wanted his Master to see every bit of what he was feeling. His scream tore through the darkness, and his body arched hard. His hands clutched, fingers curling into Wulfgar’s hard shoulders as he came, and never once did Wulfgar stop thrusting deep, never once did Kintaro stop moving with him. The thane waited, his expression rapt, as Kintaro’s orgasm surged through his body. The slave should not be able to handle such intensity. He looked as fragile as any flower, but there was a heart of steel in him. Wulfgar felt him contracting hard as they moved together. It felt incredible. Kintaro should have been spent and unable to move after an orgasm like that, but he continued to cling to Wulfgar, his foreign eyes demanding the thane’s release. Wulfgar growled deep in his chest as the slave shuddered and cried out every time his cock slammed into his spot. The sensation had to be maddening, with Kintaro’s body so oversensitized. Wulfgar couldn’t help but admire Kintaro’s resilience. Wulfgar’s own orgasm tore through him with a suddenness that left him gasping. He groaned and braced himself on the ground to keep from putting too much weight on Kintaro. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything; just looked down into Kintaro’s dark eyes as the slave looked back at him unblinkingly. He cupped the side of Kintaro’s face, his thumb brushing over one cheekbone, before abruptly pulling away. “Come, little one. We really need a bath now.” Kintaro cocked his head as Wulfgar pulled away from him, whimpering softly when his cock slid out of him, and obediently took his Master’s hand to rise and follow him to the stream. Suddenly a slow smile curved the slave’s lips, and he ducked his head so Wulfgar wouldn’t see it. He wasn’t sure why it would bother Wulfgar, as it seemed to, but whatever the reason, his big barbarian did not like what had obviously been a flash of tenderness.

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Silly barbarian. He wanted to tease, and if he had known his Master’s language, he would have. Instead he washed and rinsed and then climbed Wulfgar like his very own personal mountain, planting a soft, warm kiss on his firm lips before smiling brilliantly up at him. Perhaps his Master had never had a pleasure slave before, but Kintaro was more than happy to teach him how it all worked. Of course, Wulfgar would be affected by him in more ways than just the physical. He was, after all, trained almost from birth to be everything any man could ever desire. And the slave found it unbearably endearing that his big, rough barbarian of a Master was disconcerted. Wulfgar, on the other hand, didn’t find it nearly as amusing, but he was unable to help a slight smile in return. One did not get beamed at like that and not smile back. He shook his head with a wry chuckle and carried Kintaro out of the water. He couldn’t wait to get his lotus home. Perhaps back on familiar ground the thane would find himself in better control. He certainly hoped so. Kintaro was doing a fine job of turning him inside out.

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WULFGAR’S spirits could not have been any higher as they rode through the main gates with Kintaro nestled on his lap. The imp was wide awake and watching the chaos intently, his lips pursed. It seemed as if everyone in the mead hall had turned out for his arrival, and for the first time a long while, Wulfgar did not find himself searching the crowd for two familiar faces. He reined in his horse in front of the hall, pride making him sit straighter in the saddle. He was impatient to show Kintaro his new home, and he could not wait to see what impact his treasure would have here. Wulfgar looked at his son, who was waiting in the doorway with the welcoming cup, and Gaeric’s brows knit as he gazed back up at him. Wulfgar slid down carefully and set Kintaro next to him as a groom led off his horse. “Welcome home, my lord,” Gaeric said, handing him the cup, his lips pressed tight as he watched him drink. Wulfgar wondered what bee had crawled up his arse this time. The thane dispensed with the ceremony and drew his son close for a moment, ruffling his hair. Gaeric was getting a little old for such treatment, but Wulfgar was still bigger than he was, and if his son couldn’t fight him off yet, he had to suffer the indignity. “I see that you let no armies maraud my home,” Wulfgar beamed. “Nay, father.” Gaeric handed the cup back to a waiting slave. “What news? Is it true the Romans are pulling out of Londinium?” Wulfgar nodded and reached back to take Kintaro’s hand, tugging him forward. “Aye. A little at a time, but there can be no doubt of it now. Soon we’ll be the only power of any worth in Briton, unless the tribes to the east wish to give us trouble.”

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Kintaro looked around as Wulfgar spoke with the young man who looked very much like him. Enough that the slave didn’t get jealous when his Master hugged the young man; he was obviously a relative. What was this place? It seemed Wulfgar intended them to stay here for a bit… perhaps to replenish supplies? He lit up at the thought. Yes, that must be it; this young man was a relative, and Wulfgar was stopping for some family hospitality before they continued on to his Master’s home. Kintaro supposed he could tolerate it for a short while. It seemed rough and not very pretty, but then, it was obviously some sort of military holding, so the lack of comforts was to be expected. He looked up when Wulfgar squeezed his hand, smiling up at his Master. Wulfgar quirked a small smile back, then looked back at Gaeric. “Gaeric, this is Kintaro. Spices and weapons were not all Londinium had to offer on this trip.” He grinned, but Gaeric did not return the expression. The thane sighed and shook his head. He looked down at Kintaro and gestured to Gaeric. “This is Gaeric, lotus. He is my son.” He had no doubt that Kintaro would show the proper respect for his son; high-spirited Kintaro may be, but he was also well trained.

GAERIC could hardly believe it. He had thought that his father’s foolishness over such distractions was over with after he finally got rid of the other two. Roman’s influence on the hall had been monumental, despite his quiet nature, and Thunor only knew what havoc Aron would’ve caused if the thane hadn’t finally come to his senses. Now this? He watched as the short, strangely dressed man pressed his palms together and inclined his head, saying something in an unintelligible tongue that sounded somewhat formal. Gaeric gave his father a disgruntled look. Trust him to find one that didn’t even speak a decent tongue; but then, he supposed that all Wulfgar wanted was something pretty that had a tight hole. The young man decided to look on the bright side of the situation. If the slave couldn’t speak, then it couldn’t disrupt. Gaeric gave Wulfgar a sunny smile. “Come. Outriders told me that you were approaching, so I had a meal made. You can give me news.”

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Gaeric cast one last curious glance in Kintaro’s direction as the thane led the way into the hall. He was pretty in a strange way. Gaeric looked away. That was bound to cause undue attention. Kintaro kept his head demurely lowered as Wulfgar led him into the hall, but his eyes darted around, taking everything in. The building was a bit better inside, but not by much. There were three huge fireplaces and a massive long table surrounded by benches. That was unfamiliar to him, but in truth, he had not expected the low tables and cushions for sitting like he had been used to in his homeland. The slave was glad Wulfgar held to his hand with a firm grip. Kintaro was not meek by any means, but being surrounded by this many very large men was a bit disconcerting, and he hurried his steps to be sure he didn’t fall behind. This was another one of those times he wished they spoke the same language. He had so many questions and no way to communicate them. The table that Wulfgar led them to was covered in trenchers and platters of food, cups and pitchers of drink, and the slave’s stomach rumbled. He was hungry for real food, though how he wished for some rice or noodles, neither of which he saw amidst the many types of food spread out. It seemed to be mostly meat, lots of meat, with a few bowls of strange-looking vegetables he didn’t recognize. He didn’t mind meat in small amounts, but in his country, meat was used more as a flavoring for rice or noodles, not consumed in huge slabs at a single sitting. He bit back a sigh. He was going to have to get used to the differences. He doubted Wulfgar’s home was much different as far as cuisine went. Kintaro smiled with happiness as his Master opted to pull him down on his lap at the table instead of placing him next to him. Wulfgar was still talking with the young man who looked like him and one of the guards that they had rode with. He searched his mind for the man’s name… Brandr. They had rather peculiar names in this strange country. The slave drew a pair of slim sticks from his robes and picked at the food in the dish made out of what seemed to be hard bread. He found a few choice, bite-sized pieces and began to eat, aware that eyes were beginning to turn toward him. He saw a look of disdain flash across Gaeric’s features, and his own gaze hardened in response,

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though he made no move to retaliate. He had no idea what had caused such a reaction from the young man. Wulfgar watched Kintaro eat with a look of perplexity on his face. He had never seen such eating tools before, and they didn’t look that conducive to actually getting food in one’s belly. As a matter of fact, the slave was only taking the smallest pieces, and most of them were vegetables. No wonder he had never grown. The thane poured Kintaro some ale and handed it to him, deftly swiping the strange sticks at the same time. He searched for a knife on the table, since it seemed his new slave was as fastidious as Roman had ever been. Kintaro’s eyes flashed as he handed him the knife. “Go on, lotus. You must eat some more than you have,” Wulfgar said, indicating the trencher of food. He set the sticks to the side and turned his attention back to his son. Kintaro scowled as he peered down at the utensil in his hand. He hesitantly pressed his fingertip to the point of it, correctly guessing it was meant to stab the food. Only a barbarian would think of such a thing. His gaze flitted to Wulfgar’s face, but his Master was intent in his conversation. Hmm. He reached one hand out to take back his chopsticks, only to find his wrist encircled by Wulfgar’s fingers. He looked up into gray eyes and the arched brows above them. “Use the knife, lotus.” Wulfgar nodded to the utensil. Kintaro’s mouth formed a small frown, pointing at his chopsticks. “I wish to use those; it is rude and disrespectful to stab at one’s food.” His frown grew when Wulfgar shook his head in refusal. The slave gave his Master an impudent huff and pointedly set the small knife on the table. He crossed his arms and leaned back against Wulfgar’s chest. Wulfgar’s brows arched further when Kintaro refused to eat. He glanced over at Gaeric, who was giving him and his new slave a disgruntled look. Wulfgar looked back down at Kintaro, took the knife, and pressed it back in the slave’s small palm. “Eat, little one.” He knew Kintaro could mistake neither his gesture nor his tone. Kintaro knit his brows but then carefully smoothed that expression away. He did not wish to get wrinkles as he got older. He sighed and delicately scooped with the strange utensil. He’d find a way

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to cajole his chopsticks out of Wulfgar later on. He did not wish to embarrass him in front of his kinsmen. He wasn’t as hungry as he was curious, though, and he kept taking small peeks around him to take everything in. The air was close in the large dwelling, filled with many pungent smells of herbs, smoke, and unwashed bodies. He began to pass surreptitious bits of meat down to one of the dogs that waited underneath the table, stifling a giggle as the massive hound licked his fingers clean. The slave looked up to find Gaeric watching him, and he grinned innocently, picking up the mug that Wulfgar had set aside for him and taking a large swallow. It burned his throat as it went down, it was so harsh. Kintaro choked and hastily replaced the mug as his Master pounded on his back. Kintaro gave him a watery smile at the look of concern on Wulfgar’s face and decided that he would just eat and drink later when something else was laid out for them. He turned in his Master’s lap and laid his head against the barbarian’s chest, enjoying the sound of his voice rumbling in his chest. Kintaro knotted his hands in Wulfgar’s tunic and purred back in contentment. He wondered how long they were going to tarry in this strange place. He was anxious to get to his new home. It seemed like he had been traveling next to forever. Surely it wouldn’t be too much longer now. Wulfgar smiled to himself at the sound of Kintaro’s soft, rumbling purrs. He glanced down and noted that it seemed the slave had eaten a good portion; quite a few chunks of meat were gone, so that was good. His slave was tiny enough as it was; he needed to eat well, though the thane very much liked the frail little frame. Wulfgar just did not want him to get ill from not eating enough. He listened as Gaeric gave him a brief report of what had gone on in his absence, which had been fairly uneventful, and soon the conversation had deteriorated to jests and tall tales. As the night wore on, he noticed his lotus was trying his best not to doze off, and he smiled. It had been a long journey, and he wanted to get Kintaro settled, show him where he would be sleeping. Wulfgar chuckled and made his excuses to the rest of the table, claiming to be worn from the journey. He was fairly sure he wasn’t

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fooling anyone, if the sly, knowing glances he was cast were any indication. He rose with Kintaro in his arms, Kintaro simply curling closer against his chest with a sigh. The thane carried Kintaro to his chamber, kicking the door shut behind him, and looked down at the sleepy slave, who had perked up at the sight of the huge bed. Wulfgar was not at all surprised to hear Kintaro’s favorite word come out of his mouth immediately. “Fuck, Wulf gar-sama?” “Oh yes, lotus,” Wulfgar grinned, setting Kintaro down on the wide bed. “Fuck.” A thrill ran through the larger man as he realized that the entire hall would hear his prowess as a lover. For such a small man, Kintaro was a noisy lover, and it was very gratifying to hear. The slave’s hands plucked at his tunic, and Wulfgar laughed. He had thought about ordering in a bath to wash the dust of travel off them, but he could do that in the morning instead. He finally had his wild flower where he’d been craving to have him this entire time. He tugged at the sash that held Kintaro’s silken robe together, promising himself that he’d have one of the womenfolk measure him tomorrow for some proper clothes. Wulfgar watched with approval as Kintaro shed the rest of his clothes and stood before him on the bed, proudly nude, his cock rising from a nest of ebony curls. With his size, the thane often forgot that he was a grown man and not a boy, but he was forcibly reminded again and again that Kintaro was far from innocent. Kintaro smiled and climbed into Wulfgar’s lap, running his hands over Wulfgar’s wide, broad chest. His fingers tangled lightly in the pale curls, feeling the warm flesh and hard muscle beneath. His Master had such a beautiful, big body; Kintaro could happily touch, play, and explore forever and never be bored with it. Now that was a nice idea. He wondered if his Master would allow that. He grinned to himself and shimmied down out of his lap again to pluck at the ties on his trews, tugging them impatiently down. He liked this room. Most of all, he liked this bed. It was enormous, soft, and warm. He hoped Wulfgar’s home had such a bed for them. If not, he would find a way to talk Wulfgar into getting one. His thoughts on the bed flew from his mind as his eyes landed on Wulfgar’s cock. Kintaro licked his lips eagerly and swooped down to

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take him into his mouth, eyes grinning up at his Master when Wulfgar gave a low groan and sank back onto the bed. His barbarian had such lovely reactions. Kintaro gloried in every one, verbal proof of how pleased Wulfgar was with him. He always strived for more; it was one of the reasons he didn’t hold back the sounds of his own pleasure. He imagined Wulfgar enjoyed hearing it as much as he did. The slave relaxed his throat, taking Wulfgar’s cock all the way into it. He purred around its hard length, letting the vibrations stimulate it more, swallowing around it so that he could hear those rough sounds of pleasure from his Master. He drew his mouth off slowly, his tongue lashing the length, until just the head remained in his mouth. Kintaro shot the barbarian a mischievous look, sucking on it hard, and the flare of lust in Wulfgar’s strange gray eyes made his stomach tighten. Kintaro lapped his tongue around the head, dipping it teasingly into the slit, and then sank his mouth over Wulfgar’s shaft again, hollowing his cheeks. He bobbed slowly, savoring the musky, salty taste of his Master. He just wanted to devour him. When Wulfgar began to move his hips restlessly, Kintaro raised his eyes and met the man’s gaze, cocking his head even as he continued to stroke him. He hadn’t had much opportunity to show his Master what he could do. That first day in the inn, Kintaro had been too impatient and hungry for touch, and since then, too tired. But he wanted to show him now. Wulfgar deserved to understand what a true prize he’d bought. Kintaro lifted his mouth off Wulfgar fully and chewed the corner of his lip thoughtfully. It had been a long journey, and as much as his Master might like a good, long fuck, which he would definitely get, the slave thought some of his more subtle talents might be of use on this night as well. He gave Wulfgar a bright smile and shifted to slip out of the bed, shaking his head when Wulfgar scowled and said his name. Kintaro hurried over to his bundle of belongings and rummaged in it for a moment before withdrawing the small bottle of oil. He nearly burst into giggles at the look of understanding that crossed Wulfgar’s face. No doubt, his barbarian thought he was simply getting the oil to prepare for sex, but that was not all of it, as Wulfgar would soon

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discover. Kintaro crossed back to the bed and climbed up into it, kneeling beside Wulfgar and gesturing for him to roll over. When the thane just gave him an arched brow, Kintaro gave him a light shove to give him the right idea. He had no illusions that he would be able to move the much bigger man, but he didn’t really think Wulfgar would resist him. He was very wrong. Kintaro found himself with a big arm around his body and rolled beneath Wulfgar before he could blink. He squeaked, startled, and then scowled indignantly up into his Master’s grinning face. Wulfgar couldn’t help it; his lotus looked adorable laying there with that scowl on his pretty face and his hands shoving at Wulfgar’s shoulders ineffectually. What on earth he had in mind, Wulfgar didn’t know, but he was obviously quite insistent on it. The thane gave a long-suffering sigh and reluctantly released that warm, naked body and shifted off of him. He stretched out on his stomach and gave Kintaro a “There, are you happy now?” look. Apparently so, because the slave beamed at him and pressed a kiss to his shoulder. Kintaro straddled his waist, and soon his hands come down on Wulfgar’s skin, slicked with warm oil. The thane groaned as Kintaro began to work the kinks of the road from his body. By the gods, that felt good. He hadn’t had a good massage in a very long time. Kintaro knew right where to touch and how much pressure to apply with his surprisingly strong hands. Wulfgar crossed his arms and nestled his head on them, his face turned toward Kintaro. Well, maybe it wasn’t so bad to let his lotus have his way on occasion. Not too much, lest he become spoilt beyond reason, but a little bit of indulgence was a good thing. Besides, Kintaro had more than earned it. Wulfgar hadn’t missed how he had deferred to him earlier despite the slave’s initial petulance, and he was well pleased with that. Kintaro watched the pleasure flickering over Wulfgar’s face and felt a burst of pride. Finally, he had a Master worthy of his talents and regard. His wished that there wasn’t a language barrier between them, and for the first time, he chided himself for not paying more attention in the months since he’d been sold to the slave dealer. He might have a better understanding of Latin, at least.

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He promised to rectify that immediately. He couldn’t serve Wulfgar properly unless he understood him. Besides, he wanted to get his chopsticks back. They were ivory and inlaid with precious woods, a gift from a friend, and he didn’t want to lose them. The slave purred under his breath as he slid down lower. He had never imagined that men could grow this big. In this strange country, it seemed everyone was a giant in comparison to himself. He liked Wulfgar’s size, though. He knew that no one would dare challenge him. Kintaro’s hands kneaded from Wulfgar’s back down to his strongly muscled ass, and then even lower still, to his thighs. He could feel the tension leeching from Wulfgar’s body. Good, now maybe his Master would have the patience for some of his more special talents. Wulfgar exhaled with a soft groan, and when he opened his eyes, he was met with wide, slanted dark ones very close to his own. And the look in those smiling eyes was pure satisfaction. His lotus knew exactly how talented he was. The thane liked that about Kintaro… not so much that he had an ego, but the fact was that having a slave with a sense of high importance and worth was such a novelty to him. He found it appealed to him far more than even Roman when he had learned to accept or Aron when he’d demanded. Kintaro did accept, and though he demanded, he gave just as much in return. He was indeed perfect. Kintaro stretched out beside Wulfgar, his hands skimming down over his own body, and the thane’s attention was grabbed. He shifted onto his side and up on one elbow to watch in rapt fascination as the slave touched himself. It wasn’t so much a sexual touch, at least not at the moment, but more like Kintaro was simply enjoying the feel of his body under his hands. Wulfgar could certainly understand that; his lotus had a beautiful body, so small, but perfectly proportioned. Kintaro watched his Master through slit eyes and saw how enthralled Wulfgar was. He wondered how much time he had before the barbarian simply grabbed him and fucked him senseless. It would be a challenge to teach Wulfgar all the subtle nuances of the bedchamber, but Kintaro had no doubts in his abilities as a teacher, nor did he doubt his Master’s capacity for experimentation. Kintaro slid his palms down his sides and spread his legs wide, his eyes still locked

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on Wulfgar’s face. The thane wasn’t so much looking at him as intending to devour Kintaro’s body with his very gaze. Kintaro arched up, the muscles in his back lifting the lower half of his body without having to use his arms to propel himself. The barbarians were certainly stronger than he was, but they had not learned how to use their bodies to the best of their capabilities. If they did, they would certainly be a force to be reckoned with. Wulfgar caught his breath as he arched even higher, folding the lower half of his body toward his head. It was all Kintaro could do to not smile impishly, but he knew if he did, Wulfgar would put hands on him, and he wasn’t done with his show yet. Slowly, Kintaro lifted his head until his own straining cock was mere inches from his mouth. Wulfgar looked at him in disbelief, and let out a rough groan as his tongue snaked out to lap over the head of his cock. It felt strange, as it always did when Kintaro touched himself with his mouth, but it was a good sensation nevertheless. His eyes were wicked as he slowly began to work his mouth over his cock. Wulfgar stared in shock and amazement. How…? He ran his hand up over the curved bend of Kintaro’s spine, sure he was imagining things. When he realized he wasn’t, his cock swelled almost painfully, harder than he thought it had ever been in his life. His eyes devoured the sight of him; it was not natural for a man to bend in such ways, but then, his lotus had proven already to not be an ordinary man. By the gods, he had never seen anything like it, had never even considered it were possible. Kintaro slid his mouth off his cock and lapped at the head, his eyes locked to Wulfgar’s face, and he knew the split second before it happened that his show was over. He found himself unbent and beneath Wulfgar before he could blink, and two big fingers quickly slicked with oil thrust inside him. He cried out loudly, arching and burying his hands in Wulfgar’s wild blond hair, tugging sharply as he squirmed beneath him. Kintaro’s movements only seemed to inflame the barbarian even more, and the slave whimpered in pure pleasure as his Master’s fingers disappeared to be replaced with a cock that quickly filled him to the

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limit. It stung, and he writhed, every nerve ending humming as he adjusted to the stretch. “Fuck Wulf gar-sama!” He tugged in impatience on his Master’s hair as Wulfgar paused inside of him, as if he was planning on waiting for him to adjust. Wulfgar picked inopportune times to worry about his well being. Hadn’t he already shown him that he was more than capable of taking whatever his big barbarian had to give? Wulfgar’s eyes narrowed at Kintaro’s unquestioning demand, though it was satisfactorily loud enough that he was positive the majority of the hall had to have heard it. His wild lotus had to learn, though, that the thane was the one in charge. He forced Kintaro’s hands to unclench from his hair and pinned them above his head, stretching him out underneath him. Leisurely, he withdrew, then sank back inside just as leisurely. He smirked as Kintaro’s face drew up in frustration, but he didn’t have the weight or the leverage to make Wulfgar move faster, so the thane continued the same maddening pace, despite how Kintaro clenched hard around him in an attempt to make him move faster. “Lotus, you will come to understand. I am your Master in every way.” Kintaro’s brows furrowed, scowling up at Wulfgar at first, but the pleasure was too great for that to last long. He slung his legs around Wulfgar’s hips and tilted himself up to meet his leisurely thrusts. The slave took this to be some sort of lesson. Well, he had a lesson or two of his own to teach his lovely big barbarian. He deliberately softened his face and eyes, whimpering in need and writhing fluidly beneath him, his voice soft with an appropriately chastised look on his face. “Oyabun… Oyabun fuck,” he pleaded, raising his voice with each word to be sure everyone in the hall heard him begging his Master. Wulfgar felt a surge of satisfaction. That was more like it, all sweet seductive compliance and frantic need combined… his perfect wild flower. The thane groaned, and his hips picked up pace. He dropped his mouth down onto Kintaro’s slender neck, completely missing the triumphant look in the slave’s eyes as he clung to Wulfgar.

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Wulfgar released Kintaro’s hands and was not surprised in the least when those fists found their way into his hair again and the sharp tugs stung his scalp. He feasted on his neck, laving his tongue in the hollow of Kintaro’s throat, and groaned in delight at the mad flutter of the slave’s pulse against his lips. He nipped along his collarbone and dipped his head, nipping even harder at one tightened nipple. Kintaro shuddered underneath him, and his voice lifted even higher with pleasured cries. Let everyone choke on their envy. Wulfgar was never going to let Kintaro slip through his fingers. Kintaro’s voice was frantic, filling the thane’s ears with his song. His hips snapped harder in response, searching for the right angle that would send the slave into a frenzy of need. Wulfgar could easily fuck him for an eternity just to hear him yip like that with each thrust. And there it was. Wulfgar shuddered and felt his stomach clench as he found the spot and Kintaro went wild in his arms. The slave’s hips snapped up hard to meet Wulfgar’s thrusts, his fists tugging harder and his cries turning to sharp screams on every thrust. Oh, that was the sweetest sound, the thane thrilled with it. He slammed into Kintaro, hitting the spot that he knew sent twisting shards of pleasure right through his lotus. “That’s it, lotus… you feel so good, little one.” The thane’s teeth nipped back up his neck to Kintaro’s lips, claiming his noisy mouth in a scorching kiss. The slave melted at that, more than willing to surrender to such a worthy Master, clinging desperately to him. His entire body was on fire, trembling and singing with the need to come, but still Wulfgar slammed into him, jolting him so hard that they slid across the huge bed with every thrust. When Wulfgar broke the kiss, Kintaro met his eyes, and his pleading this time was in earnest, whimpering frantic cries, his eyes imploring. “Wulf gar-sama… Oyabun….” He searched his splintering mind for the right word and finally gave up and just let it all spill out in his own language. “Please, please… Master, please… I want to feel you, claim me….” There it was. True, honest begging, from the depths of Kintaro’s being. The thane growled as Kintaro continued to beg, his voice rising

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to a wail. Wulfgar nodded sharply and groaned as the slave clenched reflexively, then came hard, his entrance contracting around him. He continued to buck into Kintaro even as he own orgasm tore through him. The power of it was enough to send chills down his spine. Wulfgar sucked in a deep breath and met the slave’s darkly slanted eyes. “You’re a dangerous one, eh, lotus.” His fingers stroked sweat-damp black hair back from Kintaro’s temple. The slave merely smiled at him and then chattered something in his own language. Wulfgar captured his mouth, cutting off his litany, and kissed him deeply. His.

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KINTARO worried his lip as he sat at the morning meal, listening to the indecipherable words tossed back and forth around him. The night before, he had thought that Wulfgar had been given the chair at the head of the table as a welcoming honor, but it was morning and not a formal meal, and here he and Wulfgar were, while the young man Kintaro had assumed was the master of this hall sat a few spaces down on one side of the long bench. Perhaps it was a strange custom of this land, for important guests to be given the best seat for the duration of their stay? The slave wished yet again that he could communicate better with Wulfgar, so he could ask and find out just how long his Master meant for them to stay in this place. The only thing he truly liked about it was the bed they’d been given the night before. He hoped they got that room for their entire visit, because he very much liked that bed. It was soft, and big enough for his barbarian to roll and move and turn him this way and that. Kintaro glanced up at Wulfgar, fingers lightly gripping his Master’s tunic and one fingertip absently brushing the bare skin at the neck. He liked the prickly feel of the hair that dusted his Master’s broad chest. His barbarian smiled down at him, then went back to talking. The sounds of his strange language were harsh to his ears, though Kintaro liked the sound of his voice. He was beginning to pick out individual words here and there. He’d discovered in the long year that he’d been away from home that he had a gift for languages. He chose not to show his skill often, though. He had few advantages, and until he got to know his new Master better, he preferred to keep some things a secret. So far, though, Kintaro liked his new life. Wulfgar did not keep him locked up; he was a fine and attentive lover; but the most delightful

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aspect of his new life was the realization that he was the only bedslave to occupy his Master’s attention. At least until they got to their new home, he would not have to vie with anyone else for Wulfgar’s attentions. He would just have to make sure that he made himself indispensable to the big barbarian. His own exoticness would be in his favor, and he doubted that any bedslave from this strange land would have half the skills that he possessed. He’d been trained for as long as he could remember in how to please and serve. Kintaro’s brows knit as he looked down at the food in front of him. It looked like boiled grains of some sort, and an unripe cheese that was unappetizing to his stomach. He wished for some water or rice wine to drink, but the only beverage on the table was more of that harsh liquid that he’d tried the night before. The slave was hesitant to try that again, but he was thirsty, so he reached for the cup and took a tiny sip. He managed not to choke this time, though his eyes watered and he grimaced at the harsh taste. He managed a few more sips before setting the cup back down and curling against Wulfgar. Perhaps the servents would bring some fruit out. He was hungry, but he did not think he could stomach what was offered. Wulfgar’s fingers tipped his chin up, and he smiled brightly, obediently offering his lips for his Master to kiss, but Wulfgar didn’t kiss him. Instead, he spoke more words Kintaro didn’t understand and gestured to the food, miming that Kintaro should eat. Kintaro chewed on the corner of his lip, eying the food warily, then looked back up at Wulfgar. Wulfgar seemed to sense his distaste and reached out to spoon some thick dark liquid over the mush in the bowl before nodding to him. Kintaro didn’t see what that stickylooking stuff was going to do to make the mush more palatable, but he obediently reached for one of the utensils and scooped some up, nibbling at the tip of the spoon. Honey! It looked very different from the pale honey from his land, but tasted much the same. He gave Wulfgar a brilliant smile, spooning some more, since it didn’t taste nearly as bad as it looked. Kintaro finished the boiled grains laid out before him and felt comfortably full. He leaned his head against Wulfgar’s arm and looked around the room with curious eyes. He had been too excited the night

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before to pay much attention to his surroundings. The tables were rough-hewn, and the floor was laid with dried grasses that smelled musty. Overall, the dwelling stank of smoke, animals, and too many humans in a small area. He searched the walls, looking for windows that would let in fresh air, and saw none. There had been one in the room that he had shared with Wulfgar the night before. This made the surrounding area almost as dark as night. Some enterprising individual had propped open the main door, and an occasional fitful breeze brushed his cheek. The slave wondered how much longer it was going to be before they got started on the road. If they were staying for another day, perhaps it would be possible to distract his barbarian and get him to go frolic on the bed, or maybe go for a walk outside in the fresh air. Wulfgar glanced down at him, and he tilted his head back, offering him a beaming smile. He cocked his head and pointed to the open door with a questioning look on his face. “Go… Wulf gar-sama?” Kintaro watched as his barbarian seemed to be deciding what it was exactly that Kintaro was after. Then he beamed as Wulfgar set him on his feet, only to nod toward the door with a few words. Kintaro pouted, glancing at the open door, then back at Wulfgar, shaking his head and taking his Master’s hand before pointing back to the door. “Go… Kintaro, Wulf gar-sama….” He hoped that made it clear. He did not want to wander the grounds alone; there were so many men here, and what if one didn’t know he was Wulfgar’s? He could take care of himself, should he be accosted, but he would rather not have to. It would be disrespectful to their host. He pouted more when Wulfgar shook his head and gestured to the door, giving his ass a swat. Kintaro was tempted to stay, to climb back into his big barbarian’s lap and perhaps try and tempt him back to the bed, but he very much wanted to get some fresh air too. Just a short walk would be all right, if he stayed close. Kintaro nodded and gave Wulfgar a small smile before turning to head outside. He blinked rapidly as the brilliant sunshine hit him, eyes quickly adjusting from the gloom of the hall, and his smile grew. He tilted his face up to bask in the sun for a moment before laughing to himself and hurrying down the low steps into the yard.

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The slave turned around in a circle, looking all around him. He hadn’t much of a chance to notice the layout yesterday afternoon when they had arrived. He had been so caught up in the hubbub surrounding their arrival and the excitement of the people within these logged walls. Kintaro decided that he had time to explore, so he set out examining each one of the buildings. The dwelling they had stayed in was by far the largest, and he’d noticed last night that most of the armed men had slept on the reeds in the hall instead of barracks. He did a slow circuit of the grounds. The other structures were low, thick-beamed, and long. They seemed to be designed to store goods. Another series held the slaves and the livestock. The entire conglomeration of buildings was surrounded by a rough-looking barrier that seemed to be made out of whole individual trees. Kintaro shook his head. The lands that they had ridden through seemed peaceful enough, but between the fortifications here and the number of armed men, he figured that this was a warlike culture. That was familiar to him, though some of their methods seemed to be strange. He paused at one of the gates, looked out toward the rolling hills and heavy forests, and sighed, wondering when they were going to leave. He was anxious to see Wulfgar’s palace and find a bit of luxury amongst all of this dirt and raw ugliness. The slave glanced behind him, half-hoping Wulfgar might have changed his mind and come outside, but he wasn’t in sight. Kintaro sighed again and looked back up at the hill overlooking the valley the hall was in. He straightened his spine and pushed open the gate to wander up the hill, glancing back down every so often in case he wasn’t supposed to, not wanting to get in trouble. Kintaro sat down on the hill, his robes spread out around him, and hugged his knees against his chest, resting his chin on them. For a brief moment, he wondered what his friend Takara was doing right then. Had he made it all the way to Cao Wei and Daifang? Or had that two-faced snake Nashonmi sold more than just Kintaro to line his purse? He let himself remember for a little while. He had been so excited and deeply honored when his old Master had told him he was being sent, along with other prized slaves and fine cloths and spices, to the ruler Daifang, far across the mainland in the province of Cao Wei,

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which was rising into great power. A diplomatic gift, they were called, and Kintaro had been happy to be included. He had been even happier when he’d discovered that his friend Takara was being sent as well. Queen Himiko, who many whispered was a sorceress as well, had united many of the tribes of Yamato, and Kintaro’s then-Master had been eager to contribute to the cause of establishing relations with the power of the mainland. And so, with Himiko’s emissary Nashonmi in charge, Kintaro and the others and the caravan of goods had set out on the long journey to their new home. The slave had been sad to leave his homeland, but excited for the adventure. That is, until they had reached a town Kintaro did not know the name of, and Nashonmi had decided to make the trip of more benefit to himself by selling Kintaro to a traveling slave trader in the area. He had been devastated at first. There was no chance of being rescued. His former master was far away and had no way of knowing Nashonmi’s treachery. Nor was there anything Takara could do once he had reached Cao Wei. Kintaro would be far away by that point, and his friend was only a slave, though a highly prized one. As Kintaro had moved out of the lands he’d known and become surrounded by strange cultures and people who ceased to look like him, he’d become even more afraid. He didn’t know the language, he didn’t know the customs, and he had no idea of where he was going to end up. For the most part, he had been treated well. The slavers instinctively recognized his value, so he had been pampered and cosseted within their means. After he became accustomed to his situation, he’d become bored. Every city brought with it new opportunities for him to find a new master, but the slavers seemed content to show him off instead of turning a profit with him. Kintaro had been worried that the skills that had been innate in him since birth, his natural desire to serve, to provide comfort and happiness, would become rusty, and he’d be unable to please his new master. The worst though, had been the sexual deprivation. The slavers had been more interested in women than men, so the only time he’d ever been used was during the exceptionally long stretches between some of the towns. It had not been very satisfying, and Kintaro had keenly felt the loss of being with a skilled lover.

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After such a long drought, he was soaking up the pleasure of belonging to such a wonderfully lusty Master. Wulfgar was almost always willing to accommodate Kintaro’s desires and fucked him often, though Kintaro thought he could have his Master inside of him for a year and not be sated. It had been so long without, and Wulfgar was a fine lover. Kintaro pursed his lips, wondering how many other slaves Wulfgar had at his home. How many would Kintaro have to compete with? He was well used to the cutthroat nature of slaves vying to be the favored one, and he had no doubts he would come out on top in any such battle. But still, he would like to know what he was facing when they left this place and continued to Wulfgar’s home. He sighed and lay back on the grass, staring up at the bright blue sky. It wasn’t all ugly here, he thought, in this land. There were so many trees and flowers that Kintaro had never seen or smelled before. Kintaro’s brows furrowed when he caught a flash of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head, half-sitting up as his eyes peered into the trees and underbrush. But he didn’t see anything; he must have imagined it. He shrugged and stretched back out, having a lovely fantasy about Wulfgar appearing and making love to him there in the sun amidst the strange rocks that were scattered across the face of the hill. How long he lay there lost in his own thoughts he didn’t know, but eventually the sound of clashing steel and laughing shouts dimly reached his ears. The slave stretched and sat back up, looking down into the valley that they were staying in. It seemed as if a good number of the men from the hall had gathered around the strange, fenced-in corral that he had noticed earlier. Most of them stood around the edges, laughing and joking amongst themselves, but three were inside the confines, exchanging blows with swords and shields. Kintaro pushed himself to his feet and wandered over to the crest of the hill, laying his hands on one of the sun-warmed rocks. Again he caught a movement out of the side of his eyes, a flash of red and green that disappeared by the time he turned to catch it. He felt eyes on him, but the sensation he picked up was of more curiosity than anything else. Whatever spirits haunted this place, they meant him no harm.

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Wordlessly, he bowed his head in a gesture of respect before turning his attention back to the activities below. Was this some kind of a contest for visiting dignitaries? Whatever it was, the men below seemed to be enjoying themselves, and they carried on as if they were striplings instead of full-grown men. Barbarians. But a smile flickered across Kintaro’s lips. They were entertaining, in their own way. Kintaro’s breath caught when Wulfgar stepped into the fenced area, waving his sword in a way that almost seemed samurai-like, were it not for the bulk of the sword Wulfgar carried as opposed to a katana. The slave smiled, and, with one last glance around, gathered up his robes and hurried down the hill back into the yard. He wanted to watch, wanted to see his big barbarian sweating and battling, a flutter in Kintaro’s belly at the mental image. He reached the fence and beamed up at Brandr, who stood watching as well. He was a nice man, Kintaro thought, always smiling and joking with Wulfgar and making him laugh. Kintaro approved of anyone who could make his Master laugh. He liked the way Wulfgar’s eyes crinkled when he did. Kintaro tilted his head, standing on tiptoes, but he couldn’t see around the other battle-lords and warriors. He scowled and stomped his foot, tugging on Brandr’s tunic to get his attention. “Brandr-sama… up?” He gestured to the fence and gave Brandr a brilliant smile when the man obediently lifted Kintaro to sit on a wooden rail so he could watch without being knocked off by the rowdy men surrounding the fenced area. Oh, much better. Kintaro smiled, hands folding in his lap, and watched intently. His eyes widened and one hand covered his mouth when Wulfgar took a hard blow to his shield that obviously hurt. The thane shrugged off the massive blow, though, and counterattacked, his massive sword arcing in a deadly swing. The two opponents moved in deadly earnest, as if they really were trying to kill or maim each other. However, the expression on their faces showed their camaraderie. Kintaro’s eyes scanned the crowd before he found the host of this hall. What was his name? Gaeric, he thought Wulfgar had said. He studied his features, finding again the similarities with his barbarian, and wondered just what the relationship was between the two. Gaeric

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looked up and met his eyes, a ferocious scowl covering his face, and Kintaro started in surprise. He looked back at the thane, making sure that his disquiet didn’t show on his face. The slave wasn’t sure what he had done, but it seemed that the lord of this manor viewed him as an unwelcome guest. Maybe he was jealous? That didn’t seem quite right either. Kintaro continued to watch the mock-battle, though his mind was turning. Had he done something to offend Gaeric? He didn’t think so; he was sure if he’d inadvertently broken some important custom or rule, Wulfgar would have reprimanded him. So that wasn’t it. It was disconcerting. He was not used to people disliking him for no reason, and yet, from the moment they had arrived here, it had been quite clear that something about him put Gaeric out of sorts. Yet again, he wished that he could communicate easily with his Master, so he might ask if he had done something to offend, and if so, make amends. He did not want anything he had done or not done to affect how Wulfgar was received when next he visited this hall or needed aid from Gaeric and his men. Soon, however, he became distracted by his barbarian, barechested with sweat sheening his body, his pale hair a wild tumble around his shoulders and a wicked, primal gleam in his gray eyes. The look of him made Kintaro’s belly tumble over itself and a sharp ripple of desire run through him. Maybe they didn’t have to leave today. They could do so easily enough tomorrow morning, and the day was getting later. When Wulfgar was done playing, he would see about trying to lure him off to someplace quiet for a couple of hours. His Master darted in with a quickness that belied his bulk and twisted his sword in a strange manner. Kintaro crowed with delight when he saw Wulfgar’s opponent’s sword fly out of his grasp. The watchers were quiet as the thane laid the edge against the other man’s throat; then, unexpectedly, everyone burst into laughter. The slave shook his head as Wulfgar sheathed his sword and clapped the other man on the shoulder. They grinned good-naturedly and spoke before Wulfgar turned in his direction. Kintaro felt his heart give a flutter, and then he beamed at Wulfgar.

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“Wulf gar-sama good!” He rose, balancing easily on the railing and reaching out for Wulfgar as he came closer. He wrapped his arms around his neck, inhaling the smell of sweat. It fit his barbarian well. Kintaro let his lower lip pout when Wulfgar set him back on his feet and turned to speak with Brandr. He sighed, deciding that Wulfgar did not intend for them to slip off somewhere private. Though just then, Kintaro was not entirely concerned with whether it was private or not. Suddenly, before the pout could truly take hold, Wulfgar turned back to him and scooped the slave up and over his shoulder. Kintaro gave a squeak of surprise but then lifted his head to see Brandr laughing with the other battle-lords at his barbarian’s behavior. Kintaro gave them a cheeky grin and a wave as Wulfgar carried him off. This was more like it, he thought. If there was anything Kintaro knew, it was that his ability to please Wulfgar sexually was the key to making himself indispensable to his new Master. And he needed to do that; he did not want to be sold again, nor find himself anything but Wulfgar’s favorite amongst his other bedslaves. This time, before they returned to Wulfgar’s home, was Kintaro’s chance to solidify his position with him, and the slave intended to do just that. Kintaro saw the battle-lords go about their business again, setting up another mock battle as the others gathered around to watch. The slaves and thralls of the hall were busy enough, going about their business on quick feet. Kintaro grinned, grateful that the spirits of his ancestors saw fit to place him in this role instead. He wiggled, squealing when his barbarian smacked his ass in response and growled mockingly at him.

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WULFGAR took the bundle from the thrall woman, not letting his excitement show on his face. He looked over the new tunics and breeches, designed specifically to fit Kintaro’s small frame. The thane’s mouth went dry at the thought of being able to see his lotus’s body displayed in them. The robes were nice, but they hid too much. The thane laid the garments down on the bed, fingering the dark red tunic. It would look very good with Kintaro’s coloring. He nodded his thanks to the woman. “Fetch me the imp. I wish to give them to him now.” The woman bobbed her head and left the room quietly. Wulfgar smiled, thinking of the slave’s reaction. He would be pleased to receive such a gift. He remembered well how Kintaro had preened when he’d received the collar. This would be no different, and the thane vastly anticipated Kintaro’s reactions. They were in for a lusty afternoon. Wulfgar waited impatiently for Kintaro to come through the door. He was just about to go looking himself when the door opened and the slave glided in. Wulfgar had noticed that about Kintaro, how he seemed to glide everywhere, his movements graceful and fluid. It was lovely to watch. Wulfgar wanted to chuckle at how his lotus ducked his head demurely, when he knew Kintaro was anything but demure, especially having been called to the thane’s room in the middle of the day. He was sure his lotus anticipated a heated afternoon romp. Wulfgar certainly intended to indulge, once he got Kintaro out of his robes and into some decent clothing. Wulfgar gestured that Kintaro come to him. They hadn’t had much luck in the way of communicating, though Kintaro was gradually picking up more and more words. He didn’t think it would be long before Kintaro had a fine grasp of the language.

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As Kintaro moved to stand next to him, Wulfgar couldn’t resist threading a hand through his heavy, dark hair. Kintaro invited touches; that was all there was to it. He grinned and gestured to the clothes laid on the bed. “For you, lotus.” He couldn’t wait to see his face light up. Kintaro looked down at the clothes, reaching out to finger the fine cloth of the tunic. Wulfgar beamed, anticipation rising. It was time that Kintaro forget about his past life and fully embraced his new one here with him. The slave looked up at him, and instead of joy, the thane saw puzzlement. “No fuck, Wulf gar-sama?” he asked, hesitation in his voice as well. The thane smiled. “All in good time, lotus. First, I wish to see you in the new finery that I had made for you.” He gestured to the clothes on the bed and then to Kintaro’s robes, miming taking them off. “For you,” he reiterated. Kintaro gave him another puzzled glance and then picked up the tunic, holding it close to his body. Wulfgar was still amazed at how small he was. He was no bigger than a child, and in many ways, it worried the thane. He could hurt him so easily without meaning to, and it made him extra-careful around him in a way that he had never been before with his bed companions. Kintaro tilted his head, as if wondering something, then smiled and obediently stripped out of his robes, carefully laying them on the bed before he reached to put on the clothes. Wulfgar had a hard time resisting grabbing him and tumbling him to the floor at the sight of that body naked, but soon enough the slave was clothed, and Wulfgar’s eyes heated as he raked them over his lotus. The tunic belted snug around his lithe waist, the trews fitting to his slender legs and the surprising curve of his hips and ass. The thane grinned in approval and nodded. Kintaro didn’t seem too happy, though; more confused than anything. The slave stripped back out of the clothing and reached for his robes again, apparently thinking all Wulfgar had wanted was for him to model the clothes for him. Wulfgar chuckled and shook his head. “No, lotus… for you. No more robes.”

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Kintaro’s brows furrowed, and he gripped his elaborate robes tightly in his fists. “Kintaro….” The thane could see the frustration in Kintaro eyes when he couldn’t seem to find the words he was looking for. Wulfgar placed his hands over Kintaro’s, seeking to soothe his confusion. “They are a gift, lotus. Like the collar I gave you.” His voice was encouraging, and the thane touched the gold and silver links that graced Kintaro’s throat for emphasis. “You look good in those,” he continued, nodding his head toward the new garments. The thane was a little disappointed that Kintaro wasn’t wildly excited about the change, but Wulfgar had to remember that so much was new for him. It was probably an issue of miscommunication rather than his lotus not wanting to wear the new clothes. It was vexing, but something that was easily remedied with time. Besides, that brief image of Kintaro displayed in those trews was enough to heat his blood. Though it was strange to see him in such familiar garb with his alien beauty—out of place, somehow—it would quickly become commonplace. Kintaro kept his fierce grip on his robes, his eyes searching Wulfgar’s face, confusion and a growing stubbornness in them. “No robes…?” His eyes darted to the new finery on the bed. Wulfgar shook his head. “No, lotus, no robes.” He was startled by the flare of stubbornness and the way Kintaro tilted his chin and continued to clutch his robes to his chest. The thane gently pried his fingers from the robes and set them aside. He picked up one of the tunics and held it out to him. “Put them back on, little one.” Kintaro’s pouted, and he shook his head, gesturing to the discarded robes and chattering unintelligibly. He soon abandoned the rapid protesting and simply jutted his chin stubbornly and shook his head again. Wulfgar was, frankly, shocked. This was the first time Kintaro had tried to tell him no, and he scowled, not liking it at all. He pressed the tunic into Kintaro’s hands, and his voice was firm. “Now, Kintaro.” Kintaro looked torn; the thane could see that the tone and his scowl had the slave questioning his defiance, but he still did not put the tunic on, though he held onto it. Kintaro’s voice was soft and somewhat

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cajoling as he looked up at Wulfgar with his wide, dark eyes, and pointed to his robes. “Kintaro want… Wulf gar-sama, please?” Blast him. The slave had recently learned that word—please— and knew very well how it affected Wulfgar every time he said it. The thane felt a stab of hurt that quickly changed to irritation. Why wasn’t Kintaro being appreciative? He was acting as mulish as Roman ever had over a silly point. He was the thane, and he made the rules. Briefly, he considered having the slave burn his own belongings, as he’d had Roman do, then dismissed that thought. Though it would be a symbolic way of leaving his old life and cleaving to his new one here, Wulfgar had no wish to endure days of petulance and accusing looks. Come to think of it, Kintaro would not be petulantly silent. His new slave was loud in all things, and Wulfgar had no doubt that his discontent would prove to be the same. Things were going so splendidly between them, except for Kintaro’s strange, days-long insistence that they get back on the road. That had been odd, but the thane surmised that the slave had not realized that they were already home. The resignation with which the slave accepted that had been a bit galling to his pride, but since it hadn’t extended to Wulfgar himself, he quickly forgot about that. Wulfgar firmed his jaw. “No lotus. I wish for you to wear these clothes.” He indicated the tunic and folded Kintaro’s robes over his arm. He’d make sure they were stowed away somewhere safe. It wouldn’t take the slave long to forget about them. Kintaro frowned, looking back and forth between Wulfgar and the clothes on the bed. The thane could see the reluctance, the urge to have his robes back. He didn’t understand it. Those clothes were of the finest material, the best craftsmanship… they showed off his body to absolute perfection, instead of hiding it like the bulky robes did. He scowled himself, crossing his arms and giving the slave an imperiously arched brow. Kintaro seemed to consider it, sitting down on the edge of the bed and fingering the fabric of one of the tunics. The slave looked up at him, eyes drifting down to stare longingly at his robes, and Wulfgar lost his patience, stalking across the room and throwing the robes into the chest there for the time being, hoping out of sight would be out of mind. He’d move them later, put them

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somewhere safe where his imp could not find them and take them back, as he had no doubt Kintaro would try to do. He turned back to find Kintaro still sitting naked on the edge of the bed, his eyes wide and glistening, and the thane bit back a curse. Now his wild flower chose to show his more womanly side, with the tears and trembling lower lip? He was having none of it and ignored how that expression set his insides to twisting. For the most part, Kintaro was a beautifully behaved slave who catered to Wulfgar’s every wish. It was only on the rare occasion when he showed his obstinacy. Like those silly sticks he kept trying to eat with and was always cajoling to get back, even though the thane had taken them quite a while ago. On second thought, “out of sight, out of mind” had not worked on his lotus then either, though eventually he seemed resigned to not having them. Wulfgar still wished that he’d eat more. He glanced over at the slave, his jaw tightening when he saw that Kintaro hadn’t moved to put the clothes back on but was still watching him with huge eyes. Wulfgar’s heart clenched, and he threw up his hands. “Be petulant if you want, lotus. I am going to be out there where I do not have to watch your tears.” He stomped toward the door. “You can come out when you are ready, but do not even think of putting on those robes.” The thane stopped at the door and gave Kintaro a warning look for emphasis, pointing toward the chest and shaking his head firmly. He turned and stalked out, resisting the urge to slam the door. He was utterly thrown by how ungrateful Kintaro was acting, and he buried his hurt deep down, covering it with irritation.

IT HAD been a good hour since he’d left Kintaro in the room, and the thane began to wonder if Kintaro was going to try just not leaving the room until Wulfgar caved and gave him back his robes. Well, that wasn’t going to happen, and the slave would grow bored quickly with that tactic. His head lifted at the sound of the door opening, a smile curving his lips. As he’d thought, Kintaro would be bored and… his train of thought cut off when his eyes locked on the slave. The bare, naked slave striding gracefully and proudly out into the hall.

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Wulfgar heard the gasps and murmurs, as well as the not-quitemuffled laughter, of some of the battle-lords. Brandr in particular was having a hard time keeping his howls in as Kintaro, with head held high, moved over to the table and stood beside Wulfgar. Any other person, slave or not, would be trembling in fear at having defied Wulfgar like this. Not Kintaro. He kept his eyes demurely cast down, but when he lifted them finally, Wulfgar could see the stubbornness and challenge in them. The thane was at a loss for what to do. Kintaro had defied him, but only to a certain extent. He hadn’t donned his robes. He stood before him, utterly unabashed about his nudity. Knowing the imp, he was probably reveling in it. Wulfgar could not believe the sheer audacity of the man. Never had anyone, much less a slave, defied him so outrageously. Even Aron, for all of his rebellion, wouldn’t have done it. Kintaro offered him a small conciliatory smile, then gracefully sat down next to the thane, refilling Wulfgar’s mug with more ale from the pitcher. Wulfgar gaped. He couldn’t help himself. It seemed that Kintaro was perfectly content to walk around and serve him nude rather than wear the clothes he’d gifted him with. “Lotus,” he growled warningly, bringing his mouth close to his ear. “Why are you not wearing the clothes I gave you?” Kintaro offered him another smile, this one brilliant, then gestured to himself. “Better.” Well now, the thane couldn’t exactly argue with that; there was little that he thought looked better on Kintaro than nothing at all. That, however, was not the point. He did not like every person in the hall getting a look at what only Wulfgar was supposed to see. On the other hand, he had no desire to make an even bigger scene and look foolish in front of his men. So he reached over and pulled Kintaro into his lap as he always did, hoping perhaps everyone would think it was just the thane punishing Kintaro as he had Aron. He hissed in Kintaro’s ear, though. “I told you to wear the clothes I gave you. I am going to have to punish you, lotus.” He didn’t like that idea at all, and the fact that he didn’t like it made him even more irritated.

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But he couldn’t allow this kind of behavior. He finished his meal quickly, not wanting to tarry long, and soon rose, tugging Kintaro along after him before the slave had even finished part of his food. For once, he didn’t care about what Kintaro ate or didn’t eat. The thane ignored the muttered whispers in the hall as he took Kintaro back to his room. The slave appeared unafraid at his promised punishment; he was more crestfallen than anything else. Wulfgar had to admire his lotus’s bravery. He’d never seen him look fearful once. Not in the slave pens in Londinium, not in the long journey to his lands where everything was so different from his homeland, and certainly not when he was about to taste the thane’s displeasure. Wulfgar grabbed a leather strap as they entered the room and turned to make sure that the doors were secure. He didn’t want anyone in the hall to witness Kintaro’s shame, though they would no doubt hear it. He faced the slave again, his gray eyes cold, and noticed how the young man squared his shoulders but made no attempt to plead or avoid his fate. He caught Kintaro’s hand and led him over to the bed, sitting down on it and drawing Kintaro across his knees. “I will not tolerate open defiance in my hall, lotus. I want you to remember this.” Kintaro laced his fingers together at the small of his back, his legs dangling down to the floor and his dark hair curtaining his face. Wulfgar wasn’t sure if he felt more irritated or guilty as he brought the strap down in a series of quick, hard slaps, not hard enough to break the skin, but enough that the impudent imp wouldn’t forget it soon. Setting aside the strap, Wulfgar turned Kintaro in his lap and brushed his hair back from his face. The slave didn’t cry, though his eyes glistened, but Wulfgar suspected those tears were more from the shame at having disobeyed than any pain. Well, good, maybe he would think twice next time. Wulfgar did not like the twisting feeling in his stomach, nor did he like this urge to soothe and coddle that he felt with Kintaro. The slave had earned that strapping, so why did the thane now want to soothe away the tears he saw in his eyes? “Why do you not want to wear the clothes, lotus?” He hoped Kintaro could at least understand the general meaning of his question.

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It appeared that he did, because Kintaro seemed to be struggling to find the right words. When he did speak, it was hesitant and interrupted by occasional small hiccups as his throat clogged. “Kintaro lotus. Wulf gar-sama’s lotus. lotus… rare. Precious.” The slave bit his lip and wrinkled his brow in concentration. “Want be… special. For Oyabun….” Wulfgar’s eyes widened. That was why Kintaro wanted to wear his robes? So he would be exotic and stand out? Perhaps he even thought being exotic would help keep Wulfgar’s attentions, not that there was much chance of those attentions wavering now. The thane had never been as intrigued by anyone as he was with Kintaro. The thane felt less offended. Kintaro wasn’t rejecting his gift high-handedly; he wanted to stand out amongst the other slaves and thralls in the hall. It had not escaped Wulfgar’s notice that Kintaro was proud of his standing as Wulfgar’s bedslave, which was a novelty in itself. “You are the only one that shares my bed, lotus.” Wulfgar’s fingers itched to wipe the tears from Kintaro’s eyes, but he kept his hands still. “Surely you’ve noticed that.” Kintaro nodded, the stubbornness in his eyes changing to pleading. “Please, Oyabun… for Wulf gar-sama,” he said, pointing toward the chest where his robes were hidden. He didn’t even acknowledge the clothes on the bed. Wulfgar felt his gut twisting even more as Kintaro grasped a hold of his tunic and cuddled even closer, tipping his head back so that he could keep his eyes on his face. Kintaro knew his appeal entirely too well and wielded it without mercy. Wulfgar was tempted to give in; he didn’t want any dissension between them when things had been going so well up until now. But neither did he want Kintaro to think that acting so outrageously would get him his way. So he shook his head and reached for one of the garments on the bed, setting it firmly in Kintaro’s lap. He tried to soften the denial when he spoke. “You are special no matter what you are wearing, lotus. Rare and exotic… but no, no robes.”

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Kintaro pouted and fingered the tunic for a moment, then nodded slowly. He scooted off of Wulfgar’s lap and pulled the tunic and trews back on. Wulfgar smiled, pleased that this was cleared up so easily. He reached out and tugged Kintaro back into his lap, the feel of his body with no bulky robes between them making his blood burn, and he had to stop himself from stripping him right out of those clothes. Not right now, not when it had been such an effort to get him into them in the first place. Wulfgar smiled as Kintaro curled into him, the slave’s hands automatically curling into his hair and beard. He played with the ends of Kintaro’s heavy, thick hair, trying to distract himself from the delicious armful that he made. Now this was more like it. Once he’d put his foot down, Kintaro behaved beautifully; he doubted that there would be any further problems. It was sweet that his lotus was worried about standing out. That wasn’t even an issue. Kintaro would be noticed wherever he went. He was perfection. Wulfgar smiled and dropped a kiss down on Kintaro’s lips to show him that he wasn’t irritated anymore. As always, Kintaro immediately responded, dropping his head back and returning the kiss, his hands tightening. It was enough to go straight to his head, not to mention other parts of him. Wulfgar shifted, trying to ease the discomfort in his burgeoning cock. It took so little for the slave to arouse him and even less to get a response from Kintaro. Wulfgar shook his head, his willpower when it came to resisting his lotus nonexistent. He turned with him, pressing him back onto the bed and hovering over him as he kissed the slave, deep and thorough, savoring the sweet, exotic flavor of him. He couldn’t help comparing Kintaro to Roman and Aron. He had been sure that those two were the pinnacle of beautiful slaves, the ultimate prizes, and it had been a boon to his pride to own them both. But Kintaro.. he was very different, and, in many ways, much more to Wulfgar’s tastes. He was an intriguing blend of every factor the thane had ever imagined the perfect slave would have. Oh, the boy was stubborn and obstinate at times, as he’d just proven, but he was also willing to be

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brought in hand quite nicely, and Wulfgar did not truly consider it a fault that Kintaro had spirit. In fact, he rather enjoyed the challenge of a battle without bloodshed or true hurt. Conquest had been more exciting when he was younger. Now Wulfgar did not wish to fight all the time for his companion’s affections. He pulled back and looked down at Kintaro, admiring his coloring against the rich fabric of his tunic. Wulfgar slid his hands underneath, feeling the tightness of Kintaro’s abdomen and the contours of his ribs against his fingers. The boy needed to eat more, but he was a bloody beautiful handful. Wulfgar grinned and flipped Kintaro over onto his stomach, an idea coming to him. He didn’t really need to divest the slave of the new clothes that had been such a bone of contention between them. He would delight in Kintaro’s nakedness later on this eve. The thane urged Kintaro onto his hands and knees, admiring the way that his trews molded to his perfect ass. He pushed the fabric down over his hips, seeing how the slave’s bottom was still red and warm from his earlier spanking. He grinned again and ran his hand over that heat. He would have to spank him again sometime with his hand, just for the pleasure of doing so. He knew that Kintaro would enjoy it when it wasn’t done as a punishment. The thane watched as Kintaro tried to spread his legs, but with the trews bunched around his thighs, he couldn’t. Instead, the slave lowered his chest and shoulders to the bed and lifted his ass in the air, moaning and wiggling it in invitation. Wulfgar shuddered at the sweet vision he made, hand sliding between his thighs and sweeping up to sink a finger inside him. He grinned at the sharp cry Kintaro gave and the way his already tight heat clenched around him. Heat, so much heat, Wulfgar could barely breathe as he remembered just how delicious that heat felt around his cock. He pushed a second finger inside, eager to prepare his lotus, because, frankly, Wulfgar didn’t know how long he could hold out. As much as he might like to torment Kintaro with a long, drawnout session, the thane couldn’t help the intense reaction to seeing his lotus dressed in the clothes of this land, that beautiful body on display like it had never been in his robes.

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As usual, Kintaro was just as impatient as Wulfgar. His body was relaxed, waiting for him, and he chattered non-stop in his own tongue with demand in his voice. The only words that Wulfgar could make out were his own name and Kintaro’s favorite. The thane watched his fingers disappearing inside of Kintaro with fascination. The sight made his mouth go dry and his cock jump in his own trews. Wulfgar withdrew his fingers and impatiently tugged on the ties, jerking the trews down around his thighs. The slave strained the limits of his self-control, but not in a destructive way. He grasped those hips in his big hands, sinking his cock halfway inside and watching the way that Kintaro shuddered in pleasure. His lotus cried out his name and pushed back, driving himself onto his cock. Wulfgar growled as he found himself surrounded by that familiar heat. The thane surrendered to the lust in him and started pounding hard into Kintaro, hearing from his cries just how pleased the slave was to be fucked by his Master. Wulfgar had known many lovers in his life, some better than others. But none, he thought, had ever been as eager as Kintaro; none had ever gloried in it and craved it like his lotus. He wondered if that was something in Kintaro’s training or whether it was just who the slave was, but rational thought was beyond him at the moment, so he didn’t dwell on it long. Either way, it didn’t matter; Kintaro was here, eager and willing, urging him on, and Wulfgar was more than happy to give it to him. And give it to him he did, hard and fast, rough and deep, until the slave nearly sobbed with the pleasure. It was a boon to the thane’s ego, his pride swelling that Wulfgar was able to satisfy and bring pleasure to this gorgeous creature, erotically trained to give and receive pleasure. It was almost better than the pleasure Wulfgar got, though not quite. His hands were hard on those hips, pulling Kintaro back to meet each hard thrust, burying himself completely inside him until he swore he never wanted to leave, never wanted to pull out of this beautiful, perfect man. Kintaro was an addiction like nothing he had never known before.

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The thane reached around, grasping Kintaro’s cock and pumping it with each snap of his hips. This afternoon, he wasn’t interested in forcing his lotus to wait before he allowed him to find his release. He wanted them to achieve it together. Wulfgar’s breath came fast. He felt the tension building up rapidly in him, and from the sound of Kintaro’s sharp cries, he knew that the slave was just as ready as he was. For a moment longer, he savored the connection, the heat, the fury of passion that his lotus raised in him. Then he focused his eyes on that perfect body, strung so taut, and said the words that they were both waiting to hear. “Come for me, my lotus,” his said, his voice raspy even as he let go of the control he had over his own body. The reaction in Kintaro was explosive, though Wulfgar had trouble focusing on it, as he was in the throes of his own intense orgasm. The slave arched his back, the cry he gave sharp and loud, echoing off the walls, and Wulfgar could feel his cock twitching, throbbing in his hand. He had the brief, amused thought that Kintaro’s lovely new clothes were going to be soiled with come now, but he didn’t care. The thane flooded Kintaro’s tight heat with his essence and braced himself on one hand, locking his elbow so he didn’t collapse and crush Kintaro beneath his weight. The slave, however, sagged immediately, panting and making soft, mewling sounds as his body shuddered with aftershocks. By the gods, what this creature could do to him… it amazed Wulfgar sometimes. A lot of the time, actually. He rolled off of Kintaro and sprawled on his back, a smile curving his lips as Kintaro turned and cuddled close against him. It was an endearing habit the slave had, how he never wanted to get away from him when they’d finished. In fact, he was fairly certain he’d have a revolt on his hands if he were to ever try and relegate Kintaro to a pallet at the foot of his bed. He took the time to remove Kintaro’s wet, sticky clothes. They could be laundered and clean by the morning, and there were several more outfits for him to use in the meantime. Wulfgar would have loved to linger there, revel in Kintaro’s close warmth, but the day was young, and he had much to do before he could

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indulge in the lazy pleasure of his slave’s company. He sat up after a moment and leaned down to kiss Kintaro’s slightly pouting lips, knowing the slave wanted him to stay. “Be good, lotus, and I will see you at the evening meal.” He made an eating gesture and Kintaro nodded, giving him a bright smile that said he wasn’t going to pout about it. Wulfgar couldn’t help but be pleased with how well his lotus could behave when he was given the proper discipline. The thane rose from the bed and cleaned himself off from the bucket of water that was kept warm near the fire. He felt Kintaro’s eyes on him as he got dressed again. Wulfgar turned back, smiling at the sight that the slave made, stretched out with cat-like comfort on the thick pile of furs. “You please me, lotus,” Wulfgar said gruffly. Despite Kintaro’s earlier rebellion, the slave pleased him in all ways. Inwardly, he grinned. Kintaro’s spirit enthralled him because he didn’t take it too far into outright disrespect. Kintaro’s eyes lowered modestly, though the thane could tell from the flush on his cheeks that he was happy. “Thank you, Wulf garsama,” he replied softly. “Kintaro make Oyabun happy?” “Yes, little one. I am.” Wulfgar squirmed a bit inside and decided to leave before the imp had him engaging in any more womanish conversations. He opened the door, telling himself that it was ridiculous to miss him so soon. The evening meal was not that far off.

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KINTARO sighed and sat up a few moments after Wulfgar left the room. He eyed the tunics and strange leggings and then slid out of the big bed without giving them another glance. He did not want to be ungrateful, and it was very generous of his Master to have the clothes made for him, but they were not Kintaro’s. Everyone in this place wore the same thing, and the slave did not want to blend in. The slaves, the thralls, the warriors—they all wore these tunics and leggings. Where was the variety, the elaborate, expensive, unique garments to separate one from another at a glance? No, Kintaro wanted his robes or nothing at all. He gave the trunk that held them a glance, but he didn’t dare defy Wulfgar by taking them and putting them back on. He suspected his chopsticks were hidden away there as well, and what he wouldn’t give for those back. He cleaned himself off thoroughly, smiling at the darkening bruises on his hips, twisting to see them better. He liked that, being so marked by his Master. His smile widened even further; now everyone else in the hall would get to see them as well when he went to dinner. Absently, Kintaro rubbed his ass where Wulfgar had spanked him earlier. It hadn’t hurt, not really, and under different circumstances, it would’ve been quite pleasant. He just didn’t like being punished or feeling like he’d let his Master down. For a moment, the slave’s resolve faltered before he jutted out his chin stubbornly. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to obey; he did, but his barbarian was trying to change him into something he wasn’t. There had been so many changes already in the last year; most of them he had little trouble adjusting to, but he didn’t want to lose his own identity entirely.

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It was time to remind Wulfgar just why it was he had chosen him out of all of the other slaves in that marketplace. A demure smile crossed his lips, which quickly turned into a smirk. His Master wouldn’t know what hit him. Serenely, Kintaro brushed his long, thick hair until it shone. Then he squared his shoulders, opened the door, and walked proudly into the main hall. Kintaro heard the shocked murmurs and gasps, as well as some chuckles, and he lifted his eyes to find Wulfgar not looking at him. The slave pouted and then gracefully made his way to the table. Still his barbarian remained engrossed in his conversation with his son; it wasn’t until Kintaro was nearly by his side that Wulfgar seemed to notice the subtle commotion around him and looked over. Kintaro smiled at him and got a stony look in return. He didn’t let it bother him as he reached Wulfgar’s side and leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek before climbing onto his lap as if nothing were amiss. Oh, the slave knew he was going to be in trouble when they returned to the room. He had no doubt of that. But he had a feeling Wulfgar would not cause a scene right now, not after that afternoon. He felt guilty knowing he was using Wulfgar’s pride to make his own point, but he had to. He thought he’d go mad if every last thing about him that was unique in this place was taken from him. He did not understand why Wulfgar wanted him to be ordinary. If he had wanted ordinary, why hadn’t he just chosen a slave of his own people? Kintaro smiled sweetly at Brandr and the others, then up at Wulfgar, blinking innocently at the hard look on his face, how he held himself stiff and still hadn’t said anything. He didn’t like knowing that Wulfgar was upset with him, but he was fairly certain that the thane’s good mood would come back. From what he had observed since joining him, Wulfgar got irritated easily, but it didn’t take much to cajole him back into a good mood. Kintaro looked thoughtfully down at the trencher as it was filled with food. He’d never seen his Master truly angry, and Kintaro didn’t think he was now, actually. He stole another peek at Wulfgar’s stony face; he was willing to wager that his barbarian was magnificent in a full fury. The slave shivered at that thought.

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The hair on the back of his next prickled in awareness as Wulfgar leaned down and whispered in his ear. “Lotus,” and there was a dangerous silky edge to the thane’s voice that stirred his blood hotly, “we are going to have a long talk later this eve.” Then the thane straightened and continued his conversation with his son and Brandr as if nothing untoward had happened. Kintaro took a sip of wine, feeling a little less certain about his position. Wulfgar wouldn’t send him away, would he? He thought that his Master enjoyed his streaks of mild rebellion. He nibbled on a piece of bread and scanned the faces around the table. Most of the curious faces that had been watching him as he’d come in had turned to other interests, save for two. Gaeric was looking at him with an expression between a smirk and a glare. But Brandr gave him a solemn wink. Kintaro bit his lip and suddenly wasn’t very hungry anymore, picking at the food in front of him. He didn’t like the idea that Wulfgar might genuinely be angry with him. It went against everything he’d been trained his whole life to be: the perfect slave. But how could he be the perfect slave if Wulfgar made him into someone no different than any of the thralls or slaves already here? Why spend the exorbitant amount of money the thane had just to have what he could have had right at home? Surely Wulfgar would see that. He might be irritated Kintaro had disobeyed and flaunted that disobedience a bit, but he couldn’t truly be angry, could he? The slave was sure that the thane would see reason; Kintaro would just have to nudge him in that direction until he did. And if that meant being out of Wulfgar’s good graces for a little while, well, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. The clothes might seem a little thing to anyone else, but to him they were very important, a symbol of who and what he was, and he needed to keep that, keep them. All too soon, the meal ended, and Kintaro was sent back to the thane’s room with a negligent-seeming swat on his ass. The slave left with a wistful glance cast back over his shoulder at Wulfgar, who was engaged in a conversation with his men and steadfastly ignoring him. Kintaro sighed but kept his chin raised imperiously as he made his way proudly back to the room. Once inside, though, his eyes began

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to sting, and he dropped his pose. He was beginning to reconsider his stance; then the slave’s eyes fell on the mundane clothes that Wulfgar wanted him to wear, and his resolve firmed. He was not going to lose himself completely. He clambered onto the bed and sat cross-legged in the middle of the furs with his elbows on his knees and his chin propped up on his hands. Kintaro could hear the roars of laughter through the thick door and hated that he was missing out on all of the fun. His barbarian’s hall was so interesting in the evenings, with all of the stories that were told and jokes made at others’ expense. Kintaro wondered how long Wulfgar was going to make him wait before he deigned to join him. He knew that he could cajole the thane into a better mood if he was just given the opportunity. He was, after all, very well trained.

AS IT turned out, Wulfgar had kept him waiting for a long time, and when he had finally joined him in the room, Kintaro had been stunned and outraged when the thane had shooed him from the bed and sent him to the small pallet at the foot of it. There had been no fuck to ease the hurt, either. Kintaro had gotten very little sleep the night before, laying there on the uncomfortable floor listening to Wulfgar snore. He’d been tempted many times to climb into the bed and cajole him into some making-up sex while he was half-asleep. In the end, he’d been too hurt and angry to do so. Kintaro could take punishments just fine; hadn’t he shown that with the strapping he’d received? His bottom still ached from it, as a matter of fact. But to deny him sex? That was cruel. Now Kintaro was even more determined to stand his ground. His barbarian had not forbidden him to leave the room, so Kintaro waited sulkily until after the morning meal was finished before leaving. He hadn’t wanted to join them for the meal. He was too upset to eat. The slave ignored the looks he got, the not-so-subtle whisperings behind his back as he strode from the room naked. He did not care what these people thought. He did, however, care what Wulfgar thought. Where was he? Kintaro decided his barbarian must be out in the yard,

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and he hesitated a moment, unsure if he should take it that far. Then he decided, why not? Anyone who would be in the yard could also enter the hall, so they would see him regardless. Wrapped up in all of his pride, Kintaro strode from the hall and emerged out in the bright sunlight of the morning. He paused in the doorway, his eyes sweeping the yard until he found what he was searching for. Wulfgar stood at the fence, instructing the small group of men that were mock-fighting in the center. The slave tossed his hair back and squared his jaw in determination before moving over to join him. He heard the sound of shocked gasps and a few uncertain twitters as the slaves and thralls bound to the hall noticed his destination. For some reason that awakened the imp in him, and Kintaro felt his mood ease some. He clambered up on the fence next to Wulfgar. “Morning, Wulf gar-sama,” he said with a sunny smile as the thane’s eyes focused on him. His response was most gratifying to his abused pride. Wulfgar’s gray eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. It was all the slave could do not to start giggling. If he did, he was certain to get into more trouble than he already was. His barbarian’s eyes narrowed dangerously as his hand closed around Kintaro’s upper arm. “Lotus, what in the bloody blazes do you think you are about?” Kintaro blinked up at him, an innocent expression on his face. He gestured to the men who had been fighting and were now staring at the two of them. “Kintaro watch.” He smiled, ignoring how the roughhewn fence post dug into the tender skin of his bottom. It was worth it for the reaction he was getting from Wulfgar. Ignore him, would he? Kintaro didn’t think so. He turned his attention back on the fenced in sparring area, only to give an indignant squeak as he found himself lifted off the fence and tossed over Wulfgar’s shoulder. The slave hid his preening smile as he was carted back inside the hall and toward Wulfgar’s room. Oh, a midmorning fuck, that sounded nice. Even if there was likely to be a good sound strapping beforehand. His heart beat rapidly as Wulfgar strode into his room. He realized with a frown that the thane hadn’t shut the door just as he was

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unceremoniously dumped onto the bed. The slave watched, incredulous, as Wulfgar stomped back out of the room and slammed the door behind him hard enough to shake the frame. Kintaro stared at the door agape for a moment, unable to believe that Wulfgar had treated him in this manner. He sputtered angrily. Wulfgar was such a barbarian. The slave bounded off the bed, every part of him seething in indignation. There was no way that he would settle for being locked away and ignored! The slave stalked over to the door and flung it open, fully prepared to do battle with Wulfgar. He moved so fast that he almost plowed right into the thane, who was waiting in the doorway with a grim look on his handsome features. Kintaro got half a step back before Wulfgar scooped him up again. He found himself right back in an ungraceful heap in the middle of the thane’s bed. “You will stay here, lotus, until I send for you, or until you see fit to get properly clothed,” Wulfgar said with a dangerous edge to his voice. Kintaro didn’t understand all of what the thane said, but he knew enough to get the idea. He glared angrily up at him, scrambling to his feet to stand on the bed, though even that didn’t put him at eye level with Wulfgar. But it was closer and better than nothing. He slapped his hands on his hips and set into a tirade the likes of which, from the look on Wulfgar’s face, the thane had never had directed at himself. He was so irate he didn’t remember just then that Wulfgar didn’t speak his language at all, which was of course the language the slave slipped into as he ranted at him. “You understand nothing, Wulf gar-sama! Those clothes do not suit me, and if you wanted someone they suited, then why did you spend so many coins on me?! Oh, you barbarians!” He stomped his foot and scowled. He gestured to himself with pride in his voice and on his face. “I am not some barbaric slave boy, Oyabun… I am special. I am trained to be special, and I will not wander this place looking ordinary!” It was about then that Kintaro realized his point was lost entirely due to the language barrier, and he wanted to scream in frustration. “No! Kintaro not wear! You wear, they wear, not Kintaro!” There; that was as clear as he could be, given the difficulties.

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For a long moment, Wulfgar just looked at him with a stupefied expression on his face. Kintaro crossed his arms stubbornly and looked back, his chest heaving with the strength of the passion that was moving through his body. Finally the thane just shook his head slowly, more from incredulity than anything else, Kintaro thought. Then Wulfgar turned away and walked toward the door. He paused and then spoke, not even looking back at him. “I meant what I said, lotus. Do not think to test me again.” Then he left, closing the door firmly behind him. Kintaro stamped his foot in pure frustration, lifted his head, and screamed at the top of his lungs. He had an overpowering urge to grab something and throw it at the door just so that he could have the satisfaction of hearing it shatter, but he managed to resist the urge. Fuming, he plopped himself down on the bed. It was time to see who could be more stubborn.

WULFGAR froze at the sound of that scream just outside the door, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath before shaking his head and stalking out of the hall. Let Kintaro pout, let him throw things and scream until he lost his voice. Wulfgar would not bend. He nearly ran smack into Brandr as he exited, he was so distracted. The battle-lord gave him a slightly wary look, then gestured the thane to follow him. Wulfgar didn’t move for a second, scowling, and Brandr sighed. “Come, my lord, we will have a talk, you and I.” Wulfgar was more tempted to go back into the hall and give his out-of-control slave a sound beating, but more than Brandr, what stopped him was the memory of how Aron and Roman would flinch from him for weeks after the times he had beaten them. He did not like the twisting he got in his gut at the thought of Kintaro with that look in his dark eyes. The thane followed Brandr, inwardly cursing himself. He’d let Kintaro get out of control. He’d known from the beginning that the slave had the potential to be a tyrant, and Wulfgar had let it happen, indulging him to the point of spoiling him rotten.

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He sighed heavily and shook his head. “I despise admitting it, Brandr, but I do not know what to do with him. He’s out of control.” Brandr waited until they were well away from the others before answering. “He is a strong-willed one, Wulfgar.” He paused as if choosing his next words carefully. “I think the problem is less that he is out of control than that he feels as if he is.” Wulfgar frowned, mulling Brandr’s words over in his mind. “What do you mean?” “I believe that the imp is happy here with you in the hall. More so than others have been in the past.” The battle-lord held up a hand as Wulfgar flashed him a scowl. “Hear me out. I know why you took Roman’s belongings from him, but is it really necessary in Kintaro’s situation? From what I could see, he is a slave, born and bred. He takes pride in his station. He is not rebellious in that sense.” Wulfgar looked pointedly back at the hall, where he imagined that Kintaro was still screaming. “You think that is not rebellion?” he asked. Brandr grinned. “Well, aye, he is in a right terror right now. Come now, Wulfgar, you never wanted a milkmaid. For all his spirit, he is respectful most of the time.” Wulfgar had to chuckle. No, he had not wanted some meek, nervous thing that cowered at his every word. But by the gods, neither had he bargained on his temperamental lotus. “I do not understand it. It is not as if I had him given rags to wear. And yet he acts as if they were.” In truth, he was hurt by it, though he’d never admit that to anyone. Brandr pondered that. “Did he say why he did not want to wear the clothes?” The thane sighed, leaning back against a nearby tree and shaking his head. “It makes no sense. He said something about being rare and special, but in truth I am not entirely sure what that has to do with clothes.” Brandr laughed and then immediately swallowed his laughter with a grin as the thane glared at him. “My lord, I mean no disrespect. And I do not think Kintaro does either. The boy is spirited, there is no doubt, but it seems to me… his want for his own things is as much about pleasing you as it is about pleasing himself.”

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“Now you have lost me, Brandr. I cannot follow your strange logic. How is his bald-faced defiance supposed to be pleasing to me?” “Not the defiance, but I think that the imp wishes to stand out against everyone else.” Brandr looked thoughtful. “He recognizes your status, I think, and respects that. Kintaro probably wants all of your possessions to stand out as a mark of your rank, including himself. The lad has got pride enough for a king.” Suddenly the battle-lord grinned. “You two are well matched in that regard.” Wulfgar pondered that. “So what you are saying is that he is not pining for his old life?” He thought back to the disdain that Kintaro had seemed to express toward the hall when he’d first arrived and wondered if that was a part of it as well. Mayhap Kintaro thought that he deserved better? Brandr shrugged. “I don’t think he is, Wulfgar. Does he seem to be pining? He seems happy here; he is as attentive a slave as I have ever met before. Vain and prideful, aye, but I do not think his disdain for the new clothing has anything to do with that.” Wulfgar hadn’t thought of it that way: that perhaps it wasn’t Kintaro pining for his old life, but that he might want to keep his robes, his silly sticks, in order to be not just another slave, but the prize that he was. Wulfgar smirked. “He could not blend in if he tried. He is as different from those here as night is from day.” But he could see where Kintaro might fret about that. He was a prideful sort. Guilt stabbed at him when he realized another possibility. Could Kintaro be worried that Wulfgar would lose interest in him if he did blend in? However, Kintaro had chosen to test him in front of the entire hall, and he could not be seen to give into his demands. “I see your point. But at this point, it matters not.” The thane felt even guiltier then. He wouldn’t be able to make Kintaro happy in this regard. He had to hold firm. Brandr looked amused. “May I be blunt, my lord?” Wulfgar arched a brow. “Since when have I known you to be otherwise?” “My lord, you put on one mask but act in another manner entirely. You huff and bluff, but when it comes down to it, you indulge your

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slaves shamelessly.” Brandr smiled. “They have all been good lads in their own way. No one will look at it askance if you indulge Kintaro a bit. And if they do think you soft because of it, then they are more than foolish.” Wulfgar cast Brandr a sour look but combed his fingers through the ends of his beard thoughtfully. Mayhap that would work. Though he did suspect that he would have to make sure that Kintaro understood that his antics were not the way to get what he wanted. Brandr chuckled a bit. “Besides, what is worse? Someone thinking you spoil your favorite slave, or the imp strolling around naked from now on?” Wulfgar burst out laughing at that. Gods, and it was true too. Kintaro was a little demon; Wulfgar was either going to look indulgent by giving him back his robes or look foolish when the slave continued to defy him. And by the gods, the thane did not relish the thought of having to punish his lotus any further, nor to be angry with him. “You are right, Brandr. The minx has me twisted up, and it grates, but one must learn to choose their battles, and this is one I am willing to concede. The gods know there will likely be far more important battles in future.” Suddenly he was eager to get back to the hall, to have this dissension over with and to see Kintaro smile happily at him. He shook his head at himself. He had gone soft; there was no other way to put it. Then he smirked. Well, if he knew his lotus, going soft in this case was likely going to mean a brilliant reward. And that made it almost worth it. Without another word, he nodded in parting to Brandr and strode back toward the hall, pretending that he did not hear the ghostly chuckle behind him. If he had the mind to do so, he’d have words with his battle-lord for his fun at his expense. Yet no matter; he could do so more pointedly during practice tomorrow. As he entered the hall, he wondered just what state he was going to find the room in. It would put a damper on his mood if he had to have the slaves put the room to rights before he could indulge Kintaro and receive his just reward. The thane paused at the doors and schooled his expression into a more serious one.

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The slave looked up from where he had nestled himself on his bed. Wulfgar’s eyes widened as he looked at that innocent, childlike expression. The imp was still unclad, but he was in the process of drawing idly on himself with his fingertips and some strange liquid that glistened wetly blue on his skin. Strange lines and dots made a compelling, flowing script on his smooth, flat stomach. Kintaro met his eyes and grinned brightly, setting the dish on the table near the bed. “Wulf gar-sama come,” he said in a low, compelling voice, looking at the thane through thick lashes. He could no more deny that seductive request than he could forget how to breathe. He shut the door absently behind him and moved toward the bed, eyes trained on Kintaro, who smiled at him and let his wet, painted finger trail down his body, skimming his slim thighs. Wulfgar stopped and sat down on the bed beside him, reaching out and dragging a fingertip through the paint on his stomach. He brought it to his nose and sniffed, but it just smelled like oil and spice. He shook his head and let a lusty grin curve his lips. “Is this what you intend to wear from now on, lotus? Paint and nothing else?” Kintaro kept the sultry smile and nodded, sitting up and slipping closer to the thane, licking his lips. “Oyabun like… better.” Wulfgar chuckled wryly and rose to go to the chest. He drew out Kintaro’s robes and tossed them onto the foot of the bed. “You may have them back, little one.” Kintaro’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of his precious robes. Then he looked up at Wulfgar, who had an indulgent smile on his lips. The slave let out a happy squeal of delight and launched himself at Wulfgar, wrapping himself around him and raining kisses down on his bearded face. “Wulf gar-sama best Oyabun,” he said breathlessly, beaming at him. The thane started chuckling, cupping the globes of Kintaro’s ass in his hands. “I know I am.” He was surprised at how much it meant to him to have that light in his imp’s eyes again. “Why don’t you show me how happy you are, lotus,” he said with a suggestive leer. Kintaro’s eyes dropped, and that demure secretive smile that always boded for a good time came to his lips. It was all a farce though;

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the imp did not have a shy bone in his body. Which was proved by his complete unconcern walking around in nothing but his delectable skin. The slave unwound himself from Wulfgar, and the thane watched with intent eyes as Kintaro smiled seductively and sank to his knees on the bed. One hand slid down his chest and over his flat stomach, smearing the strange painted markings, and finally closed around his cock. Wulfgar’s mouth went dry as Kintaro began to stroke himself, undulating, a wickedly sensual look on his pretty face as he stared at the thane the entire time. Then the slave leaned forward, his tongue slipping out to lick the straining length of Wulfgar’s cock through his trews. Were he a weaker man, his knees might have buckled. This slave of his amazed him continuously. He had the innocent face of a lad, the wicked delight of the most brazen whore, and the talents of the most well-trained bedslave. He challenged and defied but never showed true disrespect; he submitted without seeming weak…. The thane was beginning to think Kintaro truly was perfection. Or at least as close to it as was humanly possible. Kintaro smiled again, just hovering on the edge of a smirk. He took the laces of Wulfgar’s trews between his teeth and tugged until they began unraveling. The thane sucked in a harsh breath, winding his fingers through his lotus’s hair as he deftly undid his trews. The slave continued to stroke himself, and the sight was potent. “Oyabun,” his lotus whispered huskily before drawing his tongue again over Wulfgar’s cock, this time without the impediment of clothing. His tongue was hot, wet, and oh so cleverly talented as it danced over his length, teasing more than satisfying. Wulfgar’s hand tightened in his hair, and Kintaro smiled again as he let the thane guide his mouth down onto Wulfgar’s aching cock. Slowly, inch by inch, Kintaro took in his entire length. It never seemed possible, yet he did so with an ease that surprised the thane. Kintaro moaned, the sound sending vibrations of sensation through his cock. By the gods, this man was born to please. Wulfgar was sorely tempted to simply bend the slave over and take him, but he restrained himself. His impatience had kept him from

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truly enjoying Kintaro; he was always so eager to be inside him that he rarely just played with him. He meant to remedy that now. He kept his hand in the slave’s hair, holding him steady as he began to slowly thrust his hips, those slanted, dark eyes full of wicked pleasure staring up at him. Gods, Wulfgar was hard pressed to remember what it had been like without him. The thane groaned, his eyes wanting to close from the pleasure, but he made himself keep them open, not wanting to miss a moment. His lotus was as erotic to watch as he was to touch and taste and fuck. Kintaro gave muffled sounds of pleasure, sucking hard on Wulfgar’s cock. Wulfgar groaned again as the slave relaxed his throat even more, and he felt the tip of his cock nudge against the back of Kintaro’s throat. Kintaro’s convulsive, swallowing motions massaged his length, and then his lotus reached up one hand to massage his balls as well. Kintaro was going to unman him long before he was ready to come. He drew back and smiled as the slave gave him a moue of disappointment before wickedness flashed in his dark eyes again. Before Wulfgar could respond, his lotus’s head was nestled between his thighs again and the slave’s tongue was lashing at his balls, drawing one ever so slowly into the heat of his mouth. Free, unfeigned desire was written on every delicate feature of the beautiful face before him. It showed in the lines of Kintaro’s body, the way that he leaned into him, the way that he was utterly unashamed not only of his own body but of what they shared between them. Wulfgar tugged Kintaro away long enough to pull off his tunic, kick aside the trews bunched around his knees, and climb into the bed with him. He immediately found himself with an armful of beautiful slave eager for more. He happily indulged Kintaro, burying his hand back in his hair and kissing him deeply, turning the slave beneath him and pinning him into the furs. He tasted like spice and heat and Wulfgar himself, an incredibly erotic combination that had the thane growling as he plundered his sweet mouth. He could feel Kintaro’s hard shiver at the sound, and his cock throbbed hard against Wulfgar’s stomach. The thane broke the kiss and reached for the oil, still determined to take his time, especially after the estrangement of the last few days.

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He poured some of the oil onto his fingers and palm, chuckling at the way Kintaro’s eyes lit up. He was insatiable. Wulfgar stretched back out next to the slave, one thigh pinning Kintaro’s leg to the furs as he wrapped his hand around Kintaro’s cock and started stroking slowly. His lotus’s eyes grew heavy, and that lithe body arched as much as it was able with a soft cry of pleasure. Kintaro’s hands went to his body again, delicate fingers running over his torso, tweaking his nipples until he groaned, and the thane felt his lotus’s cock throb against his palm. “I like watching you lost in the throes of your own pleasure, lotus,” Wulfgar murmured. He was never quite certain just how much his slave understood, but the heated look that Kintaro sent him told him that he had gotten the gist of it. Kintaro bent his free leg up and splayed himself wider, his hand moving down to his taut stomach and over the dimples in his hip. Wulfgar watched the progress of those slender hands, his own sliding down further to ease his middle finger between the cheeks of Kintaro’s ass and rub over his entrance. He was so hot and silky there, the muscles contracting as if trying to draw him in. Wulfgar bent his head and dragged his tongue across one nipple, teeth catching the little nub and tugging sharply, gratified to hear the ragged tone of the slave’s cry. He rose up suddenly, and glanced at Kintaro’s robes where they still lay on the bed. He snatched up the tie of one and grinned wickedly down at the slave before dragging his hands above his head and knotting the thin strip of cloth around them, lashing them to the bed. “There, now perhaps I will actually be able to play with you.” Kintaro’s eyes widened for a moment, and then his body just seemed to melt into the furs, a thoroughly indolent, pleased look crossing his features. “My Oyabun,” he purred under his breath in a tone that made Wulfgar’s cock throb. The thane smirked, catching up both of his lotus’s legs and holding them up and spread in front of him as he knelt between his thighs. Wulfgar turned his head and pressed a kiss against one ankle, the hairs of his beard rubbing Kintaro’s surprisingly long legs. He trailed his tongue up the length of the slave’s calf, pausing to lash it at the sensitive area behind his thigh before turning to do the same to the other leg.

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The slave twisted restlessly against the furs, his eyes locked on Wulfgar’s progress. The thane chuckled and nipped the tender skin on Kintaro’s inner thigh, the smell of musk getting stronger the lower he went. “Lotus, I am going to drive you mad.” The same way the imp made him lose all sense of reason when he was around. Kintaro didn’t seem at all bothered by that idea; in fact, he moved restlessly in what seemed to be mostly anticipation. The thane couldn’t help the burst of pride; only his lotus would look forward to being teased and tormented, not only look forward to it but also encourage it. Wulfgar moved his mouth lower, breath fanning across Kintaro’s cock but avoiding it in favor of dragging his tongue over that bit of flesh just behind his balls, flicking firmly and grinning at the gasping cries it earned him. Kintaro was so sensitive. Touching him never failed to elicit just the response Wulfgar wanted from him. He hiked Kintaro’s legs up higher, causing his firm ass to lift off the bed and spread in offering, and dipped his tongue down to lap over his entrance. He could hardly wait to plunge deep inside that waiting heat, so tight and grasping, knowing this beautiful body was capable of providing pleasure the likes of which Wulfgar had never known before Kintaro. The slave mewed helplessly, his lithe body pliant in Wulfgar’s arms. He cupped Kintaro’s ass in his hands, fingers spreading the globes wider, relishing every sound his lotus made. The thane stiffened his tongue, working the tip of it through the ring of muscle, feeling how relaxed Kintaro was for him. As soon as his lotus moaned in pleasure, he withdrew his tongue to lash at his entrance teasingly again. Kintaro moaned low in his throat, a sound of loss, of pleading. Wulfgar smirked and dragged his tongue upward, nipping at the delicate skin over the slave’s balls before returning to what he was doing before. Wulfgar thrust his tongue deep inside Kintaro’s willing body, his hands tightening on his buttocks as the slave gave a ragged cry, his body arching in pleasure. He tasted of musk and heat; a sharp, not unpleasant flavor. Wulfgar thrust again, setting a relentless rhythm, all for the sheer pleasure of making the imp squirm. Wulfgar got exactly what he was after. The slave squirmed and twisted in his hands, long legs spread wide and braced on the mattress

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in the effort to get more friction, a deeper penetration of Wulfgar’s tongue. Kintaro literally made him lightheaded with desire, lust burning whenever he so much as caught a glimpse of those intense, heated dark eyes across the hall. He withdrew his tongue and slid up Kintaro’s body to capture his mouth, groaning when the slave sucked on his tongue and whimpered so sweetly for him. His cock ached to be inside him, to take him hard and fast and Wulgar longed to hear his screams of pleasure. But not yet. Not even close. He broke the kiss and sat up on his knees, his hands coming to Kintaro’s lithe hips and turning him onto his stomach, making sure his bound wrists didn’t twist the wrong way. His stomach fluttered when Kintaro immediately scrambled to his knees and spread them wide, lifting his taut ass in the air. He bent to press a kiss to one silky cheek before grinning wickedly and pulling back, bringing his hand down hard on the smooth expanse. He watched the slave’s body jolt as he cried out sharply. The thane had known he would react this way. Kintaro understood well how just a little pain could heighten pleasure. It wasn’t even pain really. He wasn’t striking him that hard; it only stung, and the plump globes of the slave’s ass turned warm and red under his palm. Kintaro flipped his hair over his shoulder and looked back at Wulfgar, his eyes hot and far older than his face suggested. His tongue flickered out over his lips, and the minx shook his hips again, moaning in entreaty. It was enough to make Wulfgar feel faint. No matter what he did, Kintaro asked… begged for more. The thane began to alternate his slaps, striking each cheek in turn, watching the way the flesh bounced. He reached between those widespread thighs to stroke the slave’s cock, then fondled his balls. As much as he wanted to fuck him senseless, Wulfgar was enjoying toying with him to a degree that surprised him. Soon Kintaro was moaning his name over and over, sliding his ass backward as much as his bound hands would allow. Every once in awhile, Wulfgar let his cock slide wetly between Kintaro’s cheeks to rub against his entrance, and the slave would cry out as he withdrew again. Then Kintaro started begging, and Wulfgar’s willpower was sorely tested by it. The slave alternated between sweetly pitiful and

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sultry seduction, and Wulfgar laughed out loud when, realizing the begging wasn’t working, Kintaro gave a rapidly spoken string in his own language that the thane was nearly certain was not a compliment. Wulfgar slapped his ass extra hard for that, though his eyes sparkled with amusement. “Imp, I do not know what you said, but I doubt it was good.” He bent and licked along the sleek arch of Kintaro’s spine, hands coming to his hips to hold them still and sliding the head of his cock against his entrance, over and over. The slave trembled and shook his head frantically, his fingers clutching the furs. The thane chuckled and nipped his neck, letting the head of his cock slip inside and then back out before Kintaro could even think of breaking his grip to impale himself. Oh, he was enjoying himself greatly, and he wasn’t particularly inclined to stop anytime soon. The hard edge of lust that normally consumed him was muted this afternoon. Not because he desired the imp any less, but because he was thoroughly enjoying teasing the wicked man into insensibility. Wulfgar eased the head of his cock back in again, a little further this time. He held onto Kintaro’s hips hard enough to bruise to keep him right where he wanted him. The slave clutched around him as much as he was able, alternating between what sounded like pleading and judicious curses. The thane chuckled again and withdrew, leaning over that wildly trembling body, and licked a wet trail around the outer shell of Kintaro’s ear. “I am going to make you scream for me lotus, like you have never screamed before.” For a moment, Kintaro went boneless in his grip, and then the imp was nodding his head frantically, looking back over his shoulder at Wulfgar. “Please… yes… my Oyabun.” Wulfgar smiled in an implacable manner. The effect on the slave was amazing. His lotus had showed him he was capable of surrendering before, but this was on a level that he hadn’t seen before. The look he gave him through those sooty lashes, the pliancy in his body, told the thane that he could do whatever he wanted; Kintaro would accept it all. He grinned again. Good, because he had no intention of giving the slave the hard, fast fuck that he was sure Kintaro’s body was

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craving. No, it was going to be relentlessly slow and thorough until they both went mad from the pleasure of it. The thane continued his slow torment, easing his cock in an inch or two and then withdrawing it again. Every time, Kintaro would clench desperately in the effort to keep him inside, to no avail. He still begged, but his body language and the tone of his lilting voice told Wulfgar that the slave was eager to give his Master whatever he wanted, even if it drove Kintaro mad. On some level, he was aware of the clamoring that was going on in his own body. However, his hips continued to thrust slowly and steadily, building the heat between them in degrees. Kintaro’s body was hot and tight; the oil made his passage deliciously slick. It was a glorious madness. Wulfgar grinned wickedly, adjusting the angle of his thrusts so that his cock brushed past the slave’s spot, massaging it lightly. Kintaro made a strangled sound in his throat, his body shuddering down the length of his spine. With a cry, he lowered his head down onto his arms, bracing himself on the bed, thrusting his hips up higher in offering. His ass was rounded and firm, and the sight of them joined made the thane’s heart race. He slid his hand under his lotus’s hips and felt how slick the head of his cock was. Wulfgar wrapped his hand around the slave’s cock and began stroking with the same maddening pace. The sound of Kintaro’s muffled sobs of mindless pleasure reached his ears, and the thane felt a hot stab of pure triumph. He stroked him slowly, his mouth lowering to the slave’s nape, licking and nipping at the tender flesh, moving along his slim shoulders and up behind his ear. Kintaro mewled beneath him, tilting his head to offer Wulfgar better access. He was amazed that Kintaro had ceased trying to drive himself back onto the thane’s cock. The slave’s obedience and willpower were amazing at times. He knew Kintaro wanted to, but more than he wanted to be impaled, his lotus wanted to please him, and that took precedence. He felt like every sin Roman had ever named to him, all those deadly ones all wrapped into one. Wulfgar scraped his teeth sharply across Kintaro’s neck. He would happily burn in the Christian hell, were it to exist, for the pleasure Kintaro gave him.

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Wulfgar paused in his attentions to Kintaro’s cock to run his fingers over his lotus’s balls, feeling how high and tight they were. Oh, the pain-tinged pleasure his imp must be feeling now. The thane began to thrust a little faster, a little harder, groaning at the sensation of Kintaro’s tight passage clutching at him. He started stroking the slave again, milking his cock in his hand, running his thumb over the head. “Lotus… you are perfect, little one,” he said, his voice rough. Kintaro didn’t respond. He was beyond speech or rational thought. His body twisted and writhed underneath the thane, taking everything he had to give and demanding nothing in return. Kintaro’s frame shook with each cry, strands of his dark hair was plastered to his face, dampened from his tears and sweat. Wulfgar was never going to let him go. This one wouldn’t slip through his fingers. He was going to keep Kintaro with him until the end of his days. Wulfgar rose up onto his knees behind Kintaro, eyes raking over him from his tightly bound wrists, his hands clenched into fists, to the long, slender line of his body, prone and taut with desire and pleasure. He took the thane’s breath away. He closed his big hands hard on the slave’s hips, holding him steady as he drew completely out of him. He listened to Kintaro’s frantic sobs before grinning and slamming hard and deep into him, his lotus’s scream rending the air. By the gods, it was incredible, and he was losing his willpower to maintain the long, slow fucking. He gritted his teeth and withdrew again, almost all the way out, and then thrust hard back inside. With every rough movement, the slave jolted and sobbed and screamed for him. It was music to his ears, a rush to his senses. Wulfgar maintained the pace, his eyes hot, and when Kintaro looked back at him, he could see the reaction the slave had to the look on his face. “You are mine, lotus… all and only mine….” Kintaro nodded frantically, words falling from his lips that Wulfgar couldn’t comprehend. He didn’t need to. His lotus’s eyes said it all. Wulfgar’s fingers dug into the slave’s hips as he tried to keep his own control. The tension was rapidly reaching the breaking point. He

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wondered what it would be like to come at the tail end of a slow fuck like this. It wasn’t something he had ever experienced in the past. However, right now, he thought he could achieve release just by watching Kintaro find his own. The thane slammed into him again, easing out, then thrusting hard enough to jolt Kintaro forward. It was a damned obsession. Wulfgar knew that all he had to do right now was say the words and his lotus would explode for him. The thought was a heady one. The ultimate submission, without Kintaro receiving the fucking that he was used to. He controlled every moment of this elegant creature’s passion. Another smirk crossed his lips, followed by a rough groan. For once, he was going to win the ongoing battle that existed in their bed. Not that he hadn’t enjoyed the skirmishes in the past. But this was different. “Lotus,” he said softly, his voice a pleased purr. Kintaro turned his face toward him, his dark eyes wide. Wulfgar stroked him a little harder, still snapping his cock deep into him and withdrawing at the same maddening pace. He kept their eyes locked together, drawing out the inevitable a little longer. Kintaro kept his gaze on him, those strange, exotic eyes that seemed to consume his face. He bent low over him and captured those sweet, pouting lips, kissing him devouringly and swallowing the ragged whimpers and moans the slave let out. He broke the kiss finally and drove his hips hard, their faces so close, Kintaro’s panting breath was warm and sweet on his cheeks, their eyes still locked. His pace quickened, though not by much, and as he shifted his angle just slightly, he was rewarded with a desperate cry from his slave. “Now, lotus… come for me, little one.” He felt lightheaded when Kintaro gave a grateful sob and his body tensed, trembling wildly. The thane watched in awed wonder as his precious one found his release. He pushed back up onto his knees and gripped Kintaro’s hips, his own hips snapping hard and fast now, every thrust drawing a frantic scream of overwhelmed pleasure and pain from Kintaro. The thane growled, and his muscles tightened as his orgasm crested, and he slammed deep and flooded his grasping heat. He nearly collapsed onto him but managed to catch himself on one forearm at the last second, panting and dropping his forehead to the

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bed. Kintaro’s much smaller frame was covered completely by his own; he could feel the rumbling purrs and continued sobbing breaths from the slave. Wulfgar finally recovered sense and wit enough to roll over onto his side. His breath was easing as he reached out to wrap one arm around Kintaro’s slim waist and hauled him over to his side. The slave curled up against him, pressing his face into the thane’s shoulder. Kintaro’s hands threaded deep into his hair and beard, holding on for all that he was worth. Wulfgar realized that he had missed that sweet, stinging pain the last few nights. “Ah, lotus,” he breathed, running his own fingertips down the slave’s spine soothingly. “What you have done to me.” Finally, Kintaro’s trembling eased, though his purring didn’t cease. The slave snuggled in even more, and Wulfgar kissed him on the top of his head. “Sleep, little one.” He knew that Kintaro hadn’t slept well the past couple of nights, and he wanted the imp to be at top form when he returned triumphant to the hall tonight on his arm. Wulfgar rolled his eyes at himself. Kintaro had him neatly twisted around his fingers, and he couldn’t find one damned reason to be displeased about it.

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KINTARO absently kicked at the rushes on the floor of the hall, pouting and looking around as he wandered. He was bored. Wulfgar had gone out to train with some of the men, and while he’d given permission for Kintaro to come watch, the slave had declined, feeling pouty and petulant when his attempts to lure his Master into staying in bed with him had failed. Now he wished he hadn’t been so hasty to turn down the offer, because he was lonely in the hall. The other slaves didn’t like him, he could tell; they thought he was strange and gave him looks as they went about their daily business. The slave scowled. Well, he thought they were strange too. What did he care what some pale-eyed barbarian slaves thought of him? He knew his own worth. Though that was little consolation at the moment, when he would’ve liked to have someone to talk to. He and Wulfgar were communicating much better, Kintaro having made a concerted effort to learn his barbarian’s strange, rough language. He got many words wrong still, but they were able to get their thoughts and desires across fairly well, which was a definite improvement. Kintaro sighed and glanced over at the doors that led out to the yard. The yard where Wulfgar was. Well… perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad if he were to go take a peek. If nothing else, it promised a barechested Wulfgar, and that was always a good thing. Perhaps he could somehow cajole his Master into taking him off somewhere more private for fucking. That thought in mind, he headed for the doors, ignoring the looks and whispers from the other slaves and thralls. It was nice to get out of the stifling hall into the clean air. He’d been shocked and a little dismayed when he’d realized that this was to

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be their permanent home. Kintaro thought that his Master deserved better than this hovel to live in, but in the last few months, he’d learned that, compared to many others around him, Wulfgar lived in a quite spacious place. He shouldn’t have been surprised; after all, he had relocated to a rather unenlightened area. The slave blinked in the bright sunshine and gave his eyes a moment to adjust before making his way over to the practice yard. He climbed up on the fence and seated himself, sedately adjusting his hardwon robes. Kintaro’s eyes focused on Wulfgar, and he beamed as the thane threw him a suspicious look. He would behave this time. He clasped his hands together and greedily drank in the sight of his Master as he began to spar with the other warrior again. He was proud that he had an owner that took such care in practicing his arts. Wulfgar was a leader of men, a general, and he should keep himself sharp. Maybe he should use that as an analogy the next time he wanted to convince the thane to linger in bed. Surely Wulfgar wouldn’t want him to lose his skills. Kintaro felt hard eyes staring at him, and his eyes searched for the culprit. When he found Gaeric leaning against the fence opposite him, he wasn’t surprised. The thane’s son had taken a disliking to him, one he didn’t understand. Kintaro furrowed his brows thoughtfully, then smoothed his features again, his fingers starting to tap together. He hadn’t done anything to Gaeric personally, nor had he disrespected his father. Kintaro couldn’t figure out the reason for animosity, but he was determined to put an end to it. For Wulfgar. He knew that his Master loved his son, and he didn’t want to be the cause of any dissention between them. He looked across and met Gaeric’s eye, giving him a sunny smile.

GAERIC averted his eyes as the slave cast him a bright smile. Kintaro seemed to think all he had to do was flash that smile or bat those eyes and men would fall at his feet to worship him. Gaeric scowled to himself. It’d worked with many of his father’s men thus far. He didn’t understand it. Look at them even now, every one of them puffed up now that the slave was watching. Hardened battle-lords

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sending the boy cheery grins and making good-natured jests with Wulfgar about Kintaro being a good luck charm they should bring to battle next time. It made Gaeric’s jaw clench. He glanced over at the slave again, scanning his strange dress. That had been a battle for his father and a source of irritation for Gaeric. He clearly remembered when, instead of wearing the clothes the thane had graciously had made for him, fine clothes at that, the slave had insolently pranced about the hall and even the yard naked as the day he was born. It hadn’t taken but a few such instances before the slave had gotten his way and his colorful robes were back on his body. The slave also now sported a collar his father had apparently had commissioned when he was in Londinium, bright gold inset with rare stones. Gaeric didn’t even want to think about how much such a trinket must have cost. But the thane was so smitten Gaeric doubted whether Wulfgar had blinked at the cost, just like he hadn’t blinked at the amount he’d paid for the slave in the first place. Gaeric grumbled inwardly. It wasn’t like Kintaro was that special. Oh, he was pretty, Gaeric grudgingly admitted, and from the sounds that came from his father’s room every night, several times a night, and sometimes during the day as well, apparently very talented in bed. Not that Gaeric understood the appeal of another man; he liked women. He didn’t see what would be appealing about shoving his cock in such unnatural places. He’d learned to accept his father’s preference, but he didn’t understand it, and he certainly didn’t share it. And he didn’t understand how it was that seemingly every warrior and battle-lord in the hall, whether he shared his father’s preferences or not, was firmly wrapped around the slave’s every whim. Kintaro smiled, and they all beamed back. Kintaro pouted, and they became sops, looking to earn a smile from him. It was ridiculous. He was dangerous. Gaeric wondered how long it was going to be before the slave tried to influence his father. It was only a matter of time. Roman had put all sorts of strange ideas in the thane’s head, but at least that slave had known his place. And Wulfgar had indulged Aron beyond good sense, letting the thrall have liberties that weren’t

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allowed under the law and putting up with his defiance and impudence at the same time. Now Kintaro was here with his nose up in the air. Gaeric wasn’t stupid. He knew that the slave looked down on them. He seemed to accept his place, but the boy wasn’t fooled. The slave was just waiting for the opportunity to try to twist Wulfgar around to his way of thinking. Gaeric had to admit that he was jealous as well. He’d been away for so many years, though that was no different than any other thane’s son. Now that he was home, he wanted his father’s attention. He was sick of sharing it with some man-woman whose skill in the bedroom was his only value. What did the thane have to prove anyways? “Gaeric!” Gaeric looked up from where he was scowling at the slave and met his father’s piercing gaze. He automatically held out his hand and caught the sword as it was tossed to him. “My lord?” “Do you wish to spar or not?” Wulfgar said. Gaeric grinned and made his way to the inner circle, the slave promptly forgotten. “Aye, father,” he replied, pride filling him at the thane’s attention. Kintaro watched with idle interest as Wulfgar and Gaeric circled each other, swords clashing and the other battle-lords cheering when a particularly good strike was made. These were a very loud people, he had come to realize. It had taken some getting used to, all the noise and people talking over each other all the time. His country had been so different… but for the most part, these were a good-natured people, and Kintaro liked how easily they smiled and laughed and jested. They seemed to feel everything more and expressed it all, their anger just as loudly as their amusement. He remembered the first time a fight had broken out in the hall. The slave had been terrified when suddenly two of the warriors had begun scrapping, but his Master had simply continued his conversation with Brandr beside him until the noise had gotten to him. Only then had the thane told the men to either take it outside or sit down and finish their meal. Kintaro shook his head with a smile. Barbarians were an unfathomable sort; they fought for sport and thieved from each other

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only to steal back whatever had been taken in the first place, like a game. Of course, he had no illusions that they did not battle in earnest at times; their constant training told him they did, though he had yet to see any indication of strife to call for such measures. The slave perked up as Wulfgar disarmed Gaeric and the thane clapped his son on the shoulder with a wide grin. Perhaps now his Master was done with these war-games and would play with him instead. His big barbarian was glorious at the moment, wearing only a pair of snug trews, his hair a wild tangle around his head and shoulders, his hard body glistening with sweat in the sunlight. Kintaro wanted to lick him from head to toe. Wulfgar looked in his direction and Kintaro beamed, straightening as the thane approached him. The slave wrapped his hands around the braids in Wulfgar’s beard and tugged him closer, offering up his lips in invitation. “Wulf gar-sama fought well.” The thane dropped his lips down and kissed Kintaro possessively, knowing that the imp would warm up to that. Finally, he pulled away and shook his head at the hopeful look in Kintaro’s eyes. “Not now, lotus. I have work to do.” Kintaro’s lips started to form that pout the thane found so bloody irresistible, and Wulfgar put his fingers over the slave’s mouth before he could begin his favorite litany. He was going to be the absolute death of him. “When winter hits, I promise you we’ll barely leave the hall.” Now Wulfgar had to head out to the various crofts and make sure that nothing needed to be done before the busy time of harvest. The slave’s biggest problem was that he was bored. Outside of the bedchamber, he had no purpose, and Wulfgar could not spend his entire day in bed, no matter how tempting it was. He contemplated bringing his lotus along, not only for the entertainment but because he also enjoyed his presence immensely. Wulfgar watched as the slave’s face fell, how he ducked his head, and felt a stab of guilt, immediately followed by indignation. Why was he feeling guilty? Because his slave was bored? Kintaro was there to amuse him, not the other way around. The thane didn’t like that thought process and scowled, stepping back from the fence and Kintaro. He gestured impatiently to the hall. “Go back to the hall, lotus. I have things that must be seen to.” He

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turned on his heel, chastising himself for being so soft in the first place; how many times had he said if he wasn’t careful, Kintaro would become a spoiled tyrant? Kintaro blinked in surprise as Wulfgar abruptly walked away with that brusque order. Oh, ignore him, would he? The slave turned and slid off the fence, adjusting his robes and tilting his chin up as he flounced back toward the hall. Had things to do, Wulfgar did? Kintaro pursed his lips and strode into the hall, looking around with a critical eye. Well, Kintaro had things to do as well. After all, Wulfgar hadn’t said to go to his room. A wicked little smile curved the slave’s lips. The slave could hear the sounds of Wulfgar and his men as they prepared to ride out, and as he listened, his fumed. He would’ve enjoyed a ride out on the countryside today, perched in Wulfgar’s lap. He enjoyed seeing more of his Master’s lands. Well, it was time that his hall was seen to. Living in a hovel like this was just not to be tolerated. Kintaro started barking orders to the slaves, who scurried into motion after a startled look. He almost dared one of them to protest taking orders from him. He’d show them right then and there what he was capable of. They had several hours to effect the changes that he wanted. It wouldn’t be near enough to transform this place, but it would be a start. Wulfgar would not dismiss him in such a manner again. He drifted toward the doorway to look out as the thane and his entourage rode through the main gate. Despite his anger, he couldn’t help how his heart flipped at the way Wulfgar looked, leading in the front. Then Gaeric turned around in his saddle and fixed his eyes on him with a baleful glare. Kintaro’s eyes narrowed, and his lips tightened. That one he would deal with on another day. He had a feeling that he knew just what was wrong with Wulfgar’s son, and he was going to put a stop to that nonsense.

IT TOOK Kintaro much of the morning and the afternoon to complete his changes. When he heard Wulfgar and the others returning, he wasn’t completely satisfied with his accomplishments, but it was the

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best he could do under such limited conditions. It was certainly an improvement. Knowing it would take his Master a while to come inside now that they were back, he hurried into Wulfgar’s room and freshened up, changing into fresh robes and washing his hands and face before returning to the improved hall and awaiting Wulfgar there. He smiled serenely as the doors to the hall swung open and his Master and men came inside. Wulfgar froze as he entered the hall. He wasn’t even sure it was his hall for a moment. Gone were the rushes on the ground; in their place were carpets and rugs strewn to cover most of the floor. Wulfgar recognized some of them, as well as other items and realized they were from one of the store rooms, the one where he piled those items either gathered in raid or given in exchange for services from others, as well as the gifts from his cousin the king. The long table was covered in a fine linen cloth, the benches covered in cushions and swaths of fabric. Tapestries he had forgotten existed hung on the once bare walls, flowers of all kinds gathered and placed along the table and around the room in bunches. It looked terribly fussy, and Wulfgar cast several hard glares at the men snickering behind him. His eyes then landed on Kintaro, the slave standing across the hall, his hands folded in front of him, a serene smile on his face. Oh, the thane wasn’t fooled for a moment. He strode across the room to catch his elbow and propel him toward his room, praying the imp hadn’t gone so far as to do this to his room as well. Wulfgar heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that his haven hadn’t been touched yet. He might’ve been capable of violence at that point. The thane was surprised that the slaves and thralls had helped him with the hall’s transformation. He picked up Kintaro and sat him down hard on the bed. “What is the meaning of this latest prank of yours, lotus?” Kintaro stared up at him, stunned. He hadn’t expected this overwhelming anger from the thane; then his own ire set in as he pushed back the hurt once again. Didn’t Wulfgar appreciate the changes he’d wrought in his hall? Was he such an ignorant barbarian that he was content to live in slovenly filth?

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The slave folded his hands together in his lap and looked up at Wulfgar through his lashes. Though the expression was meek, he was feeling far from it. “No prank, Oyabun. I make better.” Barely; there was still much to be done. Wulfgar’s eyes sparked an even hotter gray, if that was possible, and his large hands settled on Kintaro’s shoulders, shaking him slightly. “Don’t give me your games, Kintaro. You’re beyond spoiled, a willful….” He cut himself off, thinning his lips. “I want my hall back the way it was, and you are not to darken this doorway until it is done.” Kintaro hid the hurt that shafted through him, crossing his arms stubbornly and glaring at the floor. He would like to have pinned Wulfgar with that glare, but he was too well-trained for such disrespect. “Is better, Wulf gar-sama. Pretty.” He cut a glance up through his lashes and flinched at the anger in his Master’s eyes. Wulfgar gave him an incredulous look. “I did not ask, Kintaro, I gave you an order. You will follow it, now.” Kintaro couldn’t help the pout, partially in hopes Wulfgar’s ire would ease and partially because he was hurt. He was bored; what did Wulfgar expect him to do to pass the time all day in this room? This was his home too; surely Wulfgar would understand that. Wouldn’t he? Well, he would. Wulfgar had said not to darken his door until it was back the way it was. Well, they would just see how long that took. The slave rose to his feet gracefully, adjusting his robes, and turned to leave the room, head held high as he moved through the hall and outside to the yard. He had only wanted to make his Master’s home more inviting, a nicer place to be. What was the matter with that? Truthfully, he had considered that Wulfgar might not like the changes, but he had certainly never anticipated that his barbarian would cast him from his side over it. Let Wulfgar see how long he lasted without Kintaro to warm his bed. He ignored his knotted stomach and burning eyes as he proudly strode across the yard, heading for the gate, unsure where he was going… but if Wulfgar wanted him gone from his sight, then gone from his sight he would be. The slave could hear the whispers behind him as he walked, but he ignored them as if they did not exist. As he left the gate, he looked

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around for a direction to go. He had not taken the time to explore the area outside of Wulfgar home. He finally decided to head up the hill. The trees looked thinner on that side, and he’d be able to see further. He wondered what the hall looked like from up there. Besides, when his Master stopped being silly, he’d be able to hear him. Carefully he started climbing, keeping a wary eye out for animals. He’d heard of their ferociousness, though he didn’t think that one would attack so close to a place of men. Kintaro paused as he reached the crest of the hill and looked down. The hollow that cradled the hall was a hotbed of activity. He could see slaves and thralls moving about, men sparring as always in the yard. The slave sat down gracefully, crossing his legs and adjusting his robes. He could wait for however long it took.

WULFGAR suppressed an exasperated sigh as Kintaro left with his dignity wrapped around him like an impenetrable cloak. What right did he have to be so upset? He hadn’t come back to find his home in a ruinous uproar. His wild lotus was beginning to become unmanageable, and it was past time that he did something about it. The thane tried not to think about the hurt that had been in Kintaro’s eyes or the way that, despite his anger, he’d still showed him the proper respect. Wulfgar combed his fingers through his beard, making himself remember that Kintaro had done this deliberately in retaliation for being banished earlier. That could not be allowed. He’d just stay in here a while longer, and when he went back through that door, he’d see Kintaro making his hall right again. That would go a long way toward easing his irritation. He frowned. His dinner had better not be delayed because of all of this nonsense. Wulfgar paced, glancing occasionally at the door and once even going over to listen for the sound of his hall being put to rights, but the door was thick, and he couldn’t really make much out. He sighed. He didn’t like being upset with Kintaro, and he certainly didn’t like Kintaro being upset with him. Finally, deciding enough time had passed, he swung open the door and stepped into the hall. The expected easing of his ire did not come, because his hall, his beloved hall, still looked like it had. He

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scowled darkly, looking around for his little tyrant, and found him nowhere to be seen. Brandr glanced at Wulfgar, recognized the expression, and pointed a finger toward the yard. “He left that way, my lord.” He would not want to be Kintaro when the thane caught up with him, that was certain, and he felt a flash of pity for the slave. Wulfgar’s brows snapped together. Left? His first thought was that Kintaro was making a foolish attempt to run away. He stalked toward the hall doors and flung them open. His eyes scanned the yard, but again, there was no sign of Kintaro. The thane bellowed the slave’s name, and several nervous folks nearby all pointed toward the tor in unison. His sharp gaze lifted to the tor, and sure enough, there was Kintaro. Even from this distance, the thane could see him clearly, with his brightly colored robes. His irritation rose even higher, a good bit more than irritation at this point from the belief that Kintaro wanted to run. No matter that the slave was just sitting there. Wulfgar made for his direction, fully prepared to give chase if Kintaro tried to bolt upon spotting him. Kintaro watched the thane stomping his way up the hill toward him. Despite his best efforts to remain angry, he couldn’t help but think what an impressive sight his Master made in his anger. He positively bristled. The slave’s mind darted, trying to figure out the best way to angle his response. He bet that being fucked by Wulfgar while he was in this state was akin to experiencing nirvana. He kept his eyes demurely on the ground in front of him, his hands calm on his knees until he saw the thane pause in front of him. “Yes, Wulf gar-sama. Oyabun.” Wulfgar let out a sound that was a cross between a growl and a snort of exasperation. “What do you think you were doing, running away from me?” Kintaro’s head fell back, and he met Wulfgar’s eyes without even thinking about it, he was so surprised. “Run away? I not run away, Wulf gar-sama. Why would I?” His brows knit in confusion. This was not what he had been expecting. Besides, how could he be running away when he was sitting out here in plain sight?

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“You did not want to see me. So I follow orders.” Kintaro kept his satisfaction carefully hidden. It had not taken Wulfgar long at all to come searching for him; that alone made up for a lot of the hurt he’d felt earlier. But not all of it. Wulfgar’s ire hit a wall with Kintaro’s response, and for a moment, he just stared down at him. There was genuine confusion in those strange, compelling eyes. His lotus didn’t seem to comprehend why on earth he would ever consider running. That went a long way to cooling any remaining frustration, though not all of it. He sat down beside Kintaro, giving him a look. “I did not only order you from my sight, lotus, and well you know it. I also ordered my hall to be put to rights, did I not?” Kintaro had to learn that he could not behave in such a manner. The slave was entirely too spoiled and willful for anyone’s good, let alone Wulfgar’s. Kintaro gave him a small pout and nodded reluctantly. “Hai, Wulf gar-sama. I should asked to do the change. But Oyabun would say no… and is better, is pretty, Wulf gar-sama.” The slave gave him an imploring look. “Can it stay?” Wulfgar sighed heavily, his lips thinning. “It might be pretty to you, lotus, but it is not meant to be pretty; it is meant to be a hall of warriors. It needs to go back the way it was.” The thane didn’t want Kintaro to be petulant all evening; perhaps there was some consolation he could give. He tried to think of something Kintaro could do to, as the slave saw it, to improve the hall without turning it into some soft, girlish place. Kintaro’s pout deepened, but he nodded and took the opportunity to clamber onto Wulfgar’s lap, laying his head against the thane’s chest. “I have fix.” The slaves of the hall were not going to be happy with all of the extra work, but he refrained from saying that. He looked up at Wulfgar through sooty lashes. “Oyabun still mad at Kintaro?” He combed his fingers through his Master’s beard, grateful that he hadn’t pushed him away again. Wulfgar sighed and rolled his eyes. “No, I am not mad, lotus. But you still have duties you have to attend to.” He set the slave on his feet and swatted his backside. “Now get you to the hall and put it to rights. I want to eat afore long.”

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Kintaro suppressed his displeasure. Wulfgar was right, he was supposed to fix the hall, but it didn’t have to be right away, did it? He looked over his shoulder at his Master, rubbing his stinging bottom and giving him a hopeful look. Wulfgar bit back a groan at the look Kintaro sent him, knowing exactly what his lotus was thinking, and by the gods, he was tempted, tempted to pull the minx into his lap again and take him then and there. But he wouldn’t. He would not reward Kintaro for misbehaving, even if it meant denying himself for the moment. But when his hall was back to rights, he would not hesitate to placate his wild flower with a good, hard fucking as soon as the evening meal was finished. Wulfgar shook his head and gestured to the hall in the valley, smirking at the small sigh and continued pout Kintaro gave him before the slave obeyed and turned to head back. He watched him go, admiring the sway of his lithe hips beneath his colorful robes, how the setting sun glinted off his shining dark hair where it lay against his collar. The thane sighed and leaned back on his palms, deciding he needed to sit there for a moment. His body had immediately responded to Kintaro in his lap and that hopeful longing look, and he had no wish to embarrass himself by returning to the hall in the state he was in.

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WULFGAR glanced back at Brandr and the young girl that he held in front of him on the saddle. Moira Leowinsdottir looked forward with blankly staring eyes, not bothering to push back the hair that straggled over her face. The thane sighed and looked forward again, eager to be back at the hall. Mayhap some warmth and food would snap her out of it. It had been a trying time for her, and despite his best efforts, he had not arrived in time to save her hall or her family. What did he know of girls? Gaeric’s mother had died after birthing him, and since then he had invited no woman to his bed, so there was no one in the hall to care for her. He owed it to his friend, though. Leowin had been a good warrior, and in his name, he’d find Moira a good husband. That should fix things. Until then, he’d figure out a way to make her comfortable in the hall. The thane brightened as they turned into the valley that led to his hall. The sun was setting, and the air was cooling. He turned to one of the younger warriors. “Go on ahead and let them know we are coming.” Wulfgar expected hot food, a hall thankfully restored, and Kintaro waiting for him. That was enough to make him want to gallop the rest of the way, but he refrained. Somehow, his lotus had sneaked under his skin. He was grateful now that he hadn’t given in and brought him along. Kintaro didn’t need to see the things that had been wrought this day. Kintaro perked up at the sound of horses outside, and then one of Wulfgar’s warriors was striding into the hall saying the thane was coming, and Kintaro smiled. He looked around the hall, making sure he hadn’t forgotten anything in his rearranging of the room back to its original specifications. He did not want anything to remind his Master of his earlier upset.

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The slave was still disappointed that Wulfgar hadn’t liked the changes, but he had decided that it was certainly nothing for them to be at odds about. His dislike for the look on his barbarian’s face or the tone of his voice when he’d been upset with him had been far greater. Assured that the hall was exactly as it had originally been, Kintaro gathered his robes and hurried out to greet Wulfgar. He knew how much his Master liked to see him when he first returned from any outing, no matter how long or short it was, and Kintaro was eager to make amends and show Wulfgar that he was no longer petulant. He hadn’t understood why the thane had left in such a hurry, only that there had been some kind of trouble. His brows furrowed when he saw the thane dismounting his horse before reaching up to lift down a young girl who was seated before Brandr. Kintaro cocked his head, and assessing eyes skimmed over her. She was filthy—he could not tell if it was with soot or dirt; she had horribly unkempt hair that looked to be a dark blonde hanging in straggling hanks around her face, and her clothes looked as if they had seen much better days. Then his eyes returned to Wulfgar, and he noted that he was just as filthy, smudges on his face and clothes, and Kintaro’s eyes widened. He turned, calling for a bath to be drawn and readied in his Master’s chamber, then hurried forward, looking Wulfgar over worriedly. He wanted to touch him, check him all over for some injury, but he held himself in check. “Wulf gar-sama… what happen?” Wulfgar couldn’t explain the swell of relief he felt at the sight of Kintaro, at the sound of his concern, and reached out to cup his cheek tenderly with a smile. “There was a fire in the village. I am fine, lotus, do not fret. The tale will be told not here, but inside, where it is comfortable.” The thane glanced at the girl and touched her shoulder lightly. “Moira, this is Kintaro. Go with him, he will help you get cleaned up and give you something to eat.” He glanced back at Kintaro, lifting a brow at him, and the slave immediately nodded and stepped forward to smile sweetly at the girl. She didn’t say anything, just nodded and allowed Kintaro to lead her inside. The thane sighed. What was he to do now?

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KINTARO frowned as he looked about the hall. The women were gathered near the fire seeing to the last part of the evening meal, and the room was crowded with thralls, slaves, and returning warriors. No, he could not let her bathe out here. “Follow me, Moira,” he murmured, leading her through the noisy hall. Wulfgar wouldn’t begrudge her his room until they found a more suitable place for her. The majority of the women either slept in the hall with the warriors or, if left to themselves, in either the slaves’ or thralls’ dwellings. The slave didn’t get the impression that was where Wulfgar wanted the girl, so for now, he’d just keep her by his side. Kintaro looked at her sideways as they entered Wulfgar’s sanctuary and shut the door against the commotion. “Are you injured?” He didn’t know anything about healing himself, but he knew some of the slaves were knowledgeable. Moira looked at him dumbly for a moment, then shook her head. She jumped as the fire crackled, and Kintaro patted her hand, murmuring, “You safe now.” He smiled as the slaves came in with the large oaken tub and pails of steaming water. “I wait outside. You get clean, and I find you clothes.” The slave hurried out to waylay Wulfgar before he tried to go to his room. Nobody else would dare. He signaled a thrall woman. “Find clean clothes for girl.” Kintaro would have better things made for her, but for now, clean would do. Spotting his Master coming inside just then, Kintaro felt bad that the girl was in the tub. Wulfgar was unkempt as well, and Kintaro longed to bathe him and comb his pretty pale hair and rebraid the war braids in his long, silky beard. Kintaro would do that, but first Wulfgar had told him to care for the girl, so that was now his focus, as much as he wanted to drag Wulfgar off to the chamber and pamper him. He hurried up to him, waiting beside him patiently as Wulfgar spoke with one of his men and then bestowing a bright, warm smile on him when he finally looked down. “Wulf gar-sama… she bathe now. You next?” Nodding without waiting for an answer, he looked around, brows furrowing. “Oyabun, she not sleep here… is not proper, Wulf gar-sama, so many men.” The slave looked up at Wulfgar, waiting for

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him to tell him where he ought to put the girl for the evening. She needed food and rest. Wulfgar looked down at Kintaro and arched a brow, glancing around the hall. “Kintaro, there is nowhere else.” He could not send her to the slave quarters; she was fifteen summers old, young still, but old enough that he knew many a battle-lord and warrior would be eager to seek her out there. He could not have her disgraced if he was going to do right by her father’s memory and find her a suitable husband. He had thought to set up a pallet for her in a corner by the ovens and enlist Brandr or Gaeric to watch out for her until he could decide what else to do with her. Kintaro gave him a look that said another solution must be found or there would be dissent between them again today. He was too exhausted to deal with another argument. “Very well, prepare her a pallet in my chamber. We will think of something better come the morn, but for now it will have to do.” His tone told Kintaro clearly that this was the best he was going to get at the moment, and the slave nodded happily, lifting up on tiptoes to twine his fingers in Wulfgar’s beard and tug him down the rest of the way to kiss him. “Kintaro thanks, Wulf gar-sama.” He turned then and clapped his hands, directing the slaves and thralls to set out the ready and waiting meal. He took one of the trenchers, filling it with what light fare there was. He didn’t think the girl should consume anything heavy now. He then took a mug of water and hurried off again to Wulfgar’s room to see if the girl was all right. He cast a longing look over his shoulder at Wulfgar, sighing softly. He assured himself there would be time to indulge himself in taking care of Wulfgar as well once he had finished with the task his Master had set him. Kintaro found her still sitting in the tub, and he turned his eyes away from her respectfully as he set the trencher down on a desk the thane never used. “This be here when you finish, Moira.” He laid out some towels and the dress a thrall had given him. It would be a bit large, but otherwise it should fit. “Wulf gar-sama be here soon to bathe and dress. I make you place to sleep here.”

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The slave could feel her eyes on him as he took the softest furs from the bed and made a pallet for her on the floor. “You safe here with Oyabun. He make sure nothing happen to you.” He still didn’t know how he was going to take care of Wulfgar with her here, but given her state, she would probably fall asleep once she’d eaten. He suppressed a sigh, knowing that he couldn’t ask his Master to fuck tonight, as much as he wanted to. They needed to find another place for her soon. She couldn’t stay in here with them; that wasn’t proper either. They would just have to build another addition to the hall, one off Wulfgar’s rooms to ensure her safety. It was getting closer to winter, so they would need to move quickly if they wanted it finished in time. Kintaro continued to chat with her as he moved about the room. He could hear sounds of her eventually continuing her bath, but she still didn’t speak. That worried him still more. The slave looked up to find Moira watching him curiously, and he smiled at her, feeling much reassured when she offered him a tentative smile back. “I leave now, you get dressed.” He took out a comb, setting it near the fire. “You eat, then sleep. We talk in morning.” He nodded decisively, then left again to make sure that Wulfgar had a chance to eat as well. His barbarian had looked so tired. Wulfgar needed to be pampered too. Wulfgar glanced up as the door to his room opened and Kintaro emerged. He silently held one arm out to him, lips quirking at how the slave climbed into his lap and curled against him. The thane sighed; he was tired and sore from a long day, but just the sensation of his lotus in his arms went a long way to improving his mood. He felt guilty for how he had snapped at Kintaro earlier, knowing he had really only been trying to be useful. He would have to make it up to him. For now, it seemed, Kintaro was in full caretaker mode. The slave snuggled for a moment and then reached for Wulfgar’s dagger, for once not complaining about the lack of his sticks as he offered choice bits to the thane. He cut an amused glance to Brandr, who gave him an amused look in return, but to Kintaro, he just smiled. He took the knife and set it down, chuckling at the frown Kintaro gave. “I am not hungry

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anymore, lotus….” His voice lowered, and he ducked his head down to brush his lips against the slave’s ear. “Not for food, at any rate.” Kintaro shivered and his body surged with desire, but then he remembered the girl in their room. They certainly could not fuck with her present. And then the slave perked up. Sliding down from Wulfgar’s lap, he held out his hand, head tilted with a smile. “Wulf gar-sama come with me.” He knew just where he could take his barbarian, bathe him and pamper him and then be fucked by him as they both wanted. Wulfgar arched an eyebrow. He recognized that look in Kintaro’s eyes and wondered where exactly the imp was going to take him. He rose, taking the slave’s hand, and followed him from the hall. When Kintaro led him away from the main gates, it became apparent where he was leading him. The thane smiled; there was a nip in the air and the water would be cold, but he had no doubt that he and his lotus could generate enough heat to keep each other warm. As soon as they reached the river, Kintaro began tending to him wordlessly. The slave’s fingers were deft as he started to undo the crossties around his calves. Suddenly, Wulfgar couldn’t wait to get out of his clothes, which smelled of ash and death. He tugged his tunic off over his head, tossing it down to the ground, then wrapped his arms around Kintaro’s waist, lifting him up and kissing him hungrily. His lotus tasted fresh and new. He was just what he needed this eve. Wulfgar quickly divested Kintaro of his elaborate robes and paused to drape them over a bush so that they wouldn’t get dirty. He knew how upset the slave would be if that happened. Kintaro’s arms and legs wound around him, the slave’s mouth hot on his face and throat as Wulfgar started wading into the water. Kintaro barely felt the cold water lapping at his naked body as Wulfgar carried him into the river. He looked up into his Master’s face, and the expression in his eyes—weary, but not a physical weariness— made the slave’s heart clench. His barbarian had soft edges and was affected by bad happenings to those he considered his to protect. Kintaro knew how the death of the girl’s family must weigh on Wulfgar’s mind and spirit.

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Kintaro smiled softly, reaching one hand up to press against Wulfgar’s cheek. “Oyabun did good today… Kintaro proud.” Wulfgar looked down at him for a moment. He didn’t think there was much to be proud of—after all, he hadn’t been able to save those people today—but even so, he could not remember the last time anyone had said they were proud of him. Come to think of it, he was fairly sure it had never been said before at all. Mayhap someone, his mother or father perhaps, had felt it at one time or another, but only his lotus from his strange land would think to say it. The thane smiled and threaded a hand in Kintaro’s heavy hair. “Thank you, lotus.” But that was enough talk as far as he was concerned. What he needed more than anything was a thorough cleansing. The river would do its part, and his beautiful lotus would do the rest, he had no doubt. Wulfgar kissed Kintaro again, sinking down into the chill water so that it flowed over them. He stroked his hands over the slave’s slim body, pressed so tightly against his own. It seemed that the more he got of his wild flower, the more he craved him. And it wasn’t just the way that Kintaro pleased him in bed either. It was also in how he would seek out ways to ease the thane’s troubles. He was a balm for his mind as well as his body. Wulfgar found the slave’s strange habits and customs to be intriguing and entertaining more than irritating. The thane’s tongue plunged in Kintaro’s hot, inviting mouth, and the slave kissed him back just as passionately. He would never tire of the way that Kintaro both submitted and demanded at the same time. Kintaro panted heavily as Wulfgar’s fingers pressed against his entrance. He contracted around him, pushing back and groaning again as they slid into him. The slave’s fingers worked gently through the tangles in Wulfgar’s hair and beard, untangling the snarls until his fingers could stroke through its thickness unencumbered. There was a difference in the thane tonight. Wulfgar needed much more than a simple fuck. Kintaro murmured quietly in his own language, his hands soothing on Wulfgar’s skin even as he undulated against him. The slave pressed kisses down Wulfgar’s throat and chest, tasting the clean water of the river on his skin. He laved away the stink of smoke with his hands. “Wulf gar-sama… my Oyabun.” The thane was

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by far the most impressive Master that he’d ever had. He would be more than content to stay with him for the rest of his days. Kintaro slid his hands up to twine around Wulfgar’s neck, looking up at him and meeting his strange gray eyes. He smiled softly and lifted up to nuzzle at his firm lips, nipping lightly. He never broke his gaze from Wulfgar’s, threading his fingers through his big barbarian’s hair and sighing with a warm smile. “Lotus happy, Wulf gar-sama… happy with Oyabun.” He thought that Wulfgar should know that, know how much he pleased Kintaro and satisfied him, in more ways than in bed. The thane was kind, loyal, brave, and honest, all traits any good Master should have. But that afternoon, when Wulfgar had come after him and accused him of trying to run away, it made Kintaro realize that underneath the gruff exterior, his barbarian was worried, and Kintaro wanted to ease that worry from his mind, if nothing else. The slave saw a flash in Wulfgar’s eyes, and his head tilted, but before he could decipher what he saw, it was gone. Then Wulfgar was kissing him again, deep and possessive and demanding, and Kintaro kissed him back, holding tightly to him. Kintaro shuddered in pleasure as the thane’s hands gripped his ass, guiding him down onto Wulfgar’s thick cock. He made urgent sounds of demand against Wulfgar’s mouth, unwinding one of his arms from around the thane’s neck so that he could twine his fingers into his beard. He took a deep breath, trying to get air into his burning lungs, when Wulfgar broke the torrid kiss. He flashed the big barbarian an impish look. “Fuck Wulf gar-sama,” he said, his voice breathless. He knew Wulfgar loved hearing those words just as much as he loved saying them. Wulfgar groaned deep in his chest and thrust hard into Kintaro’s willing, supple body. The slave set off a fire in him that was impossible to contain. It didn’t matter to his lotus how rough and demanding he was. Kintaro ate it up and begged for more in a way that was almost impossible for Wulfgar to deny. This young man made him feel more vulnerable and open than anyone had in a long time. It made him uncomfortable in many ways, but he was unable to tear himself away

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from him. He knew that Kintaro hadn’t lied when he said he was happy. His lotus was happy, truly happy to be with him. So why did that make him uneasy? Kintaro whimpered and cried out against Wulfgar’s lips as he drove hard into him, but amidst the pleasure, he was aware that Wulfgar was different. There was something wrong, and the slave didn’t like it, wanted to fix it if he could. But not knowing what it was that was wrong, he had little hope of making it right. He broke the kiss and tangled both hands in Wulfgar’s beard, fiercely meeting his eyes and clenching tightly around him, brows furrowed. “Wulf gar-sama… Oyabun’s lotus… for always Kintaro stay, Wulf gar-sama.” Wulfgar’s brows knit together, barely noticing the sting of Kintaro’s fingers in his beard, wondering what had gotten into the slave. He seemed very determined to make some point. “I know, lotus. I know.” He did, and he couldn’t put his finger on what had come over him suddenly. He wanted Kintaro to be happy, truly he did, and he wanted Kintaro to want to stay. It was a pleasant change not to be worried that he would wake one morn and find his slave gone, having run away. He knew he needed not fear that with Kintaro. He shook off those thoughts—now was hardly the time—and he strode from the water to the damp bank. He lowered them both to stretch out and kissed Kintaro deeply as he began to thrust hard and deep, letting the exquisite pleasure of his lotus soothe him on every level. Kintaro inundated all of the thane’s senses. The slave was wild and sweet, the taste and scent of him heavy and penetrating through him. As Wulfgar angled to hit his spot, Kintaro went wild underneath him, arching his slim hips as much as he was able to, pulling on the thane’s hair and crying out loud enough that every creature along the riverbanks surely heard him. And as Wulfgar fucked the slave, all the trials and frustrations of the day ebbed away. Kintaro’s nails dug into his shoulders and back, scoring his flesh. Somehow, the slave always managed to mark him just as much as the thane did his lotus.

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Tomorrow; he’d talk with Kintaro tomorrow about what he had been so insistent about. When they were alone in bed and half-asleep. Wulfgar lifted up on his hands, looking fiercely down at Kintaro, his hips snapping hard. The slave was breathtaking, barely visible in the faint light of the crescent moon. But Wulfgar could see clearly enough to watch that slim body writhe and arch in response to him. It went straight to his head. He dropped his mouth down on the slave’s throat, nipping at the tender skin and soothing it with his tongue. The tension was rising to a feverish pitch between them, and he wasn’t feeling inclined to let it draw out. Not when he could have his lotus again and again. Mayhap he would carry Kintaro to the barn, make a bed for them in the hay of the loft, and keep them both up all night. That should make the slave ecstatic. Kintaro lifted himself up onto his hands as Wulfgar fucked him, his head thrown back to allow Wulfgar’s mouth to move over his throat. He squirmed and writhed, hips working hard and fast. “Oyabun… Oyabun, please?” The slave’s breath caught when Wulfgar lifted his head and, through the shadows, those sharp gray eyes locked to his. He barely had time to draw a full breath to brace himself before his barbarian locked an arm around his waist and held him steady as he slammed hard into him, directly into that spot deep inside that sent shockwaves through Kintaro’s body. The scream the slave let out might very well have carried all the way to the hall. His slim body dropped back, arched over Wulfgar’s arm, maddening, overwhelming pleasure ripping through him. Tears stung his eyes, one hand clutching at Wulfgar’s forearm and the other digging into the soft, damp earth. With a show of strength one wouldn’t have expected from him, he lifted himself back up, arms twining tight around Wulfgar’s neck, straddling his hard thighs. He stared into his eyes as he drove himself down hard onto Wulfgar’s invading cock. “My Oyabun….” His voice was rough and shaky, thick with the overwhelming things his barbarian made him feel. Wulfgar was utterly bemused at the way Kintaro clung to him and worked himself on him. It made him almost entirely superfluous, but it

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was so erotic to watch. The slave’s face was screwed up in utter pleasure, and the sounds coming from his throat were frantic. It made the thane lightheaded. His arm cradled Kintaro closer, though there was no need of it other than the pleasure of touching him. The slave’s ankles were locked around the backs of his thighs, and his arms showed no signs of loosening. Wulfgar’s mouth came down on the junction between the slave’s neck and shoulder, and he bit Kintaro roughly, though not enough to break the skin. Again, Kintaro’s scream shattered the night, and Wulfgar came undone, pouring his seed deep into the haven of his lotus’s body. He held the slave tight for a few long moments, his eyes rolling back in pleasure as the slave writhed and contracted around him before lifting his head so that he could watch his face. “Come for me, lotus.” The thane had never seen anything as beautiful as Kintaro in the throes of his passion. He doubted he ever would, either, groaning as Kintaro’s body stiffened and arched hard against him and his wild flower came apart for him. A moment later, Kintaro’s grip slackened, and the thane lowered them both to the damp ground, hissing as he eased from the slave’s body and to the side. A smile quirked his lips at how Kintaro instinctively followed his movement and curled close against his chest. His hands moved soothingly over the slim, trembling body beside him, and he dropped a kiss to the top of his head, feeling Kintaro’s soft lips press to his chest briefly. By the gods, he had never dreamed of such a treasure as this, his earlier unease set to rest in the afterglow of their wild coming together. Kintaro, however, was not as easily placated. He had decided that his Master was, for reasons unknown, worrying about things he ought not to be. And Kintaro intended to find out the reasons so that he could stop that worry. Wulfgar had been afraid Kintaro was running from him, and while the slave had assured the thane it wasn’t so, he didn’t think Wulfgar had been convinced. So he needed to find out why Wulfgar had that fear. He lay there against his barbarian, contemplating the best way to go about getting the answers he wanted. He was still pondering it when Wulfgar picked him up again, draping his robes around him. It was getting colder as the

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night progressed, but he didn’t want to go inside yet. Not with Moira in the room; he doubted that his barbarian would be forthcoming about what was bothering him in front of witnesses. “Wulf gar-sama no go back yet,” the slave insisted as he was scooped up and carried back in the direction of the hall. “Please?” The thane’s face split into a wide grin. “I have a private place for us, lotus. Worry not, no one will disturb us this eve.” Kintaro brightened and snuggled into his arms. His curiosity piqued even further as they entered the gates and Wulfgar turned away from the direction of the hall. He wondered what he had in mind until he saw the thane making for the barn. Imperceptibly, he shook his head, smiling. Only a barbarian would seek solace with drudge animals. He didn’t utter a complaint, though; it was warm, and they would be alone, and that was all that mattered to him. He waited until the thane had made a nice nest for them out of the hay and they lay curled up next to each other before finally asking the question that plagued him and had for some time. “Wulf gar-sama? Why think Kintaro run?” Wulfgar’s brows arched at the question, so seemingly out of nowhere. It took him a bit to remember what Kintaro was talking about, and when he did, he shrugged. “Slaves run, lotus, all the time.” Slaves, thralls, sometimes even those who appeared to have no reason to. Kintaro’s brows knitted together, and he shook his head, lifting up onto one elbow, his other hand flat against Wulfgar’s cheek. “Not Kintaro… what slaves run?” He didn’t understand that. Unless a Master was harsh and cruel—and even then—a slave had no right to run. A slave had a right to be unhappy, but to run? Wulfgar was not a cruel Master, so why would a slave run from him? Wulfgar glanced down at Kintaro, noting his determined expression and concluding that his wild flower was not going to let it drop without a fight. And frankly, the thane was in no mood for a fight. “Slaves, Kintaro, most slaves… and if they don’t run, then they want to. It is just the way it is.” He thought about Roman and Aron. The two of them were long gone now, but he didn’t think it was unreasonable for him to be a bit concerned. After all, he had been good to them, and they had still betrayed him. In the end, they had chosen

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each other, so although he believed he was being good to Kintaro as well, he… he was not exactly not worried, but it had crossed his mind that perhaps Kintaro would also run. Wulfgar looked down into Kintaro’s concerned face and was hard-pressed not to smile. He traced one fingertip gently over Kintaro’s cheek. Whatever he had done wrong with Roman and Aron, he was determined not to repeat it with Kintaro. The young man complimented him perfectly, and Wulfgar wasn’t going to lose him too. “Not right,” Kintaro said stubbornly, tapping his fingers on the thane’s arm. He had not liked that troubled expression on Wulfgar’s face. “Not Kintaro. Wulf gar-sama best Oyabun.” He knew that another slave had to have put that expression on Wulfgar’s face, and he was determined to know who so that he could claw their eyes from their face. “Who run Wulf gar-sama?” He cocked his head, fixing the thane with a look. His barbarian shook his head. “It matters not, little one. Roman and Aron are both long gone, and now I have you.” Wulfgar tapped his finger against Kintaro’s nose. “Neither of them was born into slavery, mayhap that was the difference.” Kintaro’s lips pursed, and he looked down so that Wulfgar could not see the fire that lit in his eyes. Roman and Aron? Now he had names. He would ask around and see who these two were, and when he found them, he was going to make them both pay for putting that expression in his Master’s eyes and that worry in his heart. For the moment, however, he pushed it aside and looked up at Wulfgar, needing to assuage that worry to the best of his ability. “They not Kintaro. Oyabun’s lotus, Wulf gar-sama, for always.” He shifted closer, pressing his body against his barbarian’s, fingers sliding up to tangle in his pale hair. “How Kintaro make Oyabun see? I not ever run, I not ever want to run. Not bad slave like those… good slave, Wulf gar-sama.” Wulfgar squirmed inwardly at Kintaro’s words and the fierce look on his face. He was not pleased to be having this conversation, and he didn’t like that Kintaro had obviously come to the conclusion that Wulfgar was afraid. He scowled at that idea and shook his head.

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“No, lotus, you will not ever run. It would be pointless anyway, because I would hunt you down and bring you back. Do not make me do that.” He couldn’t explain it, but the idea of punishing Kintaro as he had Roman and Aron made his stomach tighten. Kintaro arched his brows in surprise at the harsh tone Wulfgar used. A little stab of hurt sliced through him, and he couldn’t help the pout. He didn’t understand Wulfgar sometimes. He could be so gentle and so kind, but every now and then, for seemingly no reason, he would harden, his tone would become biting, and the kindness would give way to snapping. “I sorry, Oyabun….” Though for what, he wasn’t exactly sure. Kintaro talked too much sometimes, especially now that Wulfgar was beginning to understand what he was saying. Still though, he had no wish to see the slave being petulant, not when he had the means to put a smile on his face. “Do not be sorry, lotus. You will not run; I believe you.” And surprisingly, he did. He had spent the entire four years with Roman waiting for the slave to try to run again. He hadn’t believed Aron would, and yet the thrall had. Both of those instances made him rather surprised that he accepted Kintaro’s statement so readily. Maybe it was because of the look of stunned incredulity on the slave’s face when he’d accused him of it earlier. Wulfgar could see that the thought had never occurred to the slave. “Hush now, Kintaro. I did not bring us here to the privacy of the barn so that we could talk.” The thane could see that his lotus wanted to say something further, but he bent his head and captured Kintaro’s lips, effectively silencing him. This right here was infinitely preferable to discussing things that didn’t need to be said. Who cared why the other two had run, or why they had chosen each other over him? They were long gone now, and he’d seal Kintaro to his side for the rest of their lives.

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KINTARO’S slim brows furrowed slightly as he sat snugly curled in Wulfgar’s lap at the mid-day meal, his sharp, dark eyes scanning the table and those seated around it. Moira had not wanted to eat in the main hall with all the others at first, but Wulfgar had agreed that it was not proper for the girl to eat with the thralls and slaves, especially if Wulfgar intended to marry her off at some point, so sit at the table she did, though it was clear that the warriors and battle-lords made her nervous. It was understandable, Kintaro thought; with their bawdy talk and loud voices and great size, it had taken Kintaro a little while to grow accustomed to so many of them in one place as well. He wondered about her nervousness, however. She was from this land; she ought to be used to the barbarians. Yet she was skittish, and he wondered if it was solely her recent trauma that made her that way. A slow smile curved his lips as he glanced up and caught sight of Gaeric, also looking in Moira’s direction. There was one of the barbarians that Moira did not shy away from or seem to sink in on herself in the presence of. His master’s son. Kintaro had noticed it a few days earlier, when he had been not very hungry and taken to watching instead of eating at the morning meal. He had been unable to help noticing how Gaeric’s eyes would stray down the long table to the girl often, how hers would flick up and then skitter away a second later as color rose in her cheeks. But her eyes had kept coming back to the thane’s son, and soon a shy smile was sent his way, and it had been all Kintaro could do to keep from giggling at the way Gaeric’s eyes had widened and he’d fumbled his cup and spilled a bit. He was doubly glad now that the thane had acceded to his request and built on another addition to the hall. It was almost completed. He

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hadn’t feared for her safety. Most wouldn’t cross Wulfgar, but Gaeric was different. He was the thane’s son, and if he wished to seduce Moira, then the battle-lord wouldn’t naysay him. It would be much more difficult to do now with her just in the other room. Kintaro laid his head against Wulfgar’s chest, watching them idly. At least Gaeric’s animosity toward him had vanished. The boy seemed entirely caught up in the new arrival to the hall. Still though, he should encourage his Master to spend a little more time with Gaeric—when they weren’t together, of course. The thane’s son really longed for Wulfgar’s approval and attention. The thane leaned down, his beard tickling his ear as he spoke softly. “How would you like to take all of that frippery of yours and do up the lass’ room?” Kintaro turned his head and beamed up at the thane, bestowing a sound kiss on his lips. “Thank you, Wulf gar-sama.” He wiggled a little bit, anxious to get through the meal so he could examine the wares in the storeroom again. Moira would love the chance to look at everything, though he suspected that he would have to convince her that it was allowed to be used for her benefit. He pulled the new pair of chopsticks from his robe and absently plucked at a roasted turnip. The new sticks weren’t as nice as his old lacquered ones, but they had been carved especially for him, and he’d been well pleased with the gift. He would have to think of some way to properly thank Brandr for them. The big battle lord had chuckled and shook his head when Kintaro had told him just that, and had said that the look on Wulfgar’s face would be thanks enough. Kintaro hadn’t quite understood that, but then, he never quite understood these barbarians. Kintaro glanced up as he popped the turnip in his mouth, watching through his lashes as Moira and Gaeric played their little game of “I am looking, no I am not” with each other. It was romantic. For a second, Kintaro wondered what it would be like to be courted like that. He shook his head a bit, brushing that thought aside and plucking up a small piece of carrot with his new chopsticks. Kintaro’s eyes widened a bit as he suddenly felt his wrist circled and looked up to find Wulfgar’s eyes on him, one of those golden

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brows arched up. He smiled innocently and flicked his glance down to the new chopsticks, then back to the thane’s gray eyes. “Where did you get those, lotus?” Wulfgar’s voice was calm and even, but Kintaro could see the tightness in his jaw. He just continued to smile up at him as he lifted his other hand and pointed one slim finger at Brandr. Brandr didn’t even have the grace to look chagrined; instead, he burst out laughing uproariously, and while Kintaro wasn’t entirely clear on what the joke was, after a moment Wulfgar apparently got the humor and chuckled as well, releasing his hand. “Have your precious sticks, lotus, though I daresay I do not understand how you can eat with the things.” Kintaro giggled a little and shook his head. “Is easy, Wulf garsama. Kintaro could show Oyabun.” The thane only laughed again, shaking his head and spearing a bite of meat on his dagger. “No, Kintaro, I think not. Enjoy them, little one.” Soon the meal was over with and the dishes cleared by the slave women. Kintaro looked up when he realized that Wulfgar and the other men seemed inclined to sit back and talk, their ale cups in hand. It was raining outside in bitterly cold torrents, so he couldn’t blame them, but he had no wish to remain longer at the table. Not when he had a project in mind, and he was sure that Moira would be eager to escape the table as well, despite her game with Gaeric. “Wulf gar-sama, I go fix room now?” he asked, tilting his head up to fix his eyes on the thane’s face. Wulfgar nodded, setting him down on his feet and absently swatting his backside. He’d learned that it was one of the ways that his Master showed his affection. He flashed him a smile and then went over to Moira’s side. “Oyabun said we can move you into your room now.” The young girl glanced up at him and smiled. She looked much better now that she was cleaned up and not so terrified. She rose gracefully from the table, a look of relief crossing her face. “Yes, please.” Kintaro had to stifle a laugh when the girl couldn’t help but give one last look over her shoulder in Gaeric’s direction. Though it wasn’t

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so funny when the thane’s son shot him a vicious glare. He sighed and took Moira’s hand. Silly boy. “Come. I have much to show you.” He couldn’t wait to dive into the treasures. He hadn’t done everything that he wanted to with the hall because he knew that Wulfgar would be furious, but he could with Moira. It wouldn’t be hard to convince her to let him have his way. Kintaro led Moira through Wulfgar’s room to the door that led to the newly finished room she would occupy. The thane had decided, with some nudging from Kintaro, that the only way in or out ought to be through Wulfgar’s room, just in case any of the battle-lords or warriors decided to go looking for a bit of middle-of-the-night “fun.” He smiled brightly at the girl and opened the door, smile growing as he looked around. It wasn’t very big, but then, she was one girl and didn’t need much space. But it would be cozy and comfortable once they were finished with it. Already a bed had been constructed and set against the far wall, and a small table and stool sat beside the fire. Other than that, however, the room was bare, and he gave Moira a conspiratorial grin. “Is not very pretty. We fix that, Moira?” He clapped his hands in excitement when she returned the grin and nodded her agreement. He could hardly wait, tugging her back into Wulfgar’s room and back out to the hall. He smiled cheerily at Wulfgar when he glanced his way and gave an equally bright smile to Brandr and Gaeric as well, though all Gaeric did was glower at him. No matter, he happily pulled Moira along with him to the door to the store room, brows furrowing when he tried to open it and it did not budge. Locked. He turned around and had barely gotten a cajoling smile on his face before Brandr chuckled and shook his head, rising to unlock it for him. “Arigatou, Brandr-sama!” Not only could he not wait to make that small room the prettiest sanctuary any girl ever had, he also could not wait for that evening, or perhaps even this afternoon, when he and his barbarian again had their room all to themselves. He intended to scream for his Master until his throat was raw. The smell of spices struck them as the door was opened: cinnamon and cloves mixed with pepper and saffron. The spice chests were locked in one corner; elsewhere, bolts of fine cloth were stacked

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neatly upon piled rugs. Kintaro drew Moira in deeper and shut the door behind them. The girl’s face was torn between delight at the riches and horror that they had dared invade such a place. Kintaro stifled a giggle and crouched down next to the rugs. “Make room nice, not cold on feet.” He’d tried to talk Wulfgar into one for their room, but the thane had been adamant that it stay the way it was. Barbarians, the lot of them. “Oh no, Kintaro. I cannot.” Moira drew back and looked down at Kintaro’s upturned face. “Are you sure that the thane agreed?” She’d heard stories of the chaos Kintaro had caused in the hall, and she couldn’t bear to have Wulfgar glower at her so fiercely because she’d overstepped her place. As it was, the room she’d been given had been more than enough. She’d never had a place to herself like that, and secretly she was grateful. Many of the warriors in the hall made her nervous, and she felt safer so close to the thane. He’d promised to make sure she’d find a good home, and she believed him. Kintaro just continued to smile brightly up at her, and she was unable to help smiling back. “I sure. Oyabun say….” He pretended to be trying to remember. “Oh yes… he say, ‘Anything so Kintaro stop pouting’.” He laughed at his impersonation of Wulfgar’s voice. He reached up to catch Moira’s hand and tugged gently, bringing her down with him and putting her hand on one of the rugs, smiling wider at the look of wonder on her face when she let her fingers run over the soft, thick pile. “Is nice, pretty for Moira.” He nodded decisively and began tugging rugs down, looking each one over and glancing often at Moira to see which struck her fancy. She seemed to like ones in cooler colors, blues and golds, so he pulled several from the pile that matched. She chewed her lip uncertainly for a moment before nodding. Kintaro beamed. “Good! Here, help Kintaro carry to room.” Between the two of them, they should be able to manage it, though it might prove a bit difficult when it came to the furniture and whatnot. Ah well, they would make do. Moira watched in amazement as Kintaro blithely began rolling up the rugs he’d chosen. He was such a strange little man. He seemed very sweet, but… she wasn’t sure what to make of him, with his strange way

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of speaking, and while he always spoke and acted with respect with Wulfgar, he also had a very familiar manner about him, as if he really didn’t think of himself as a lesser. She blushed and kept her head down as they emerged from the storeroom with their treasures before disappearing into the thane’s room again. She could not believe her temerity. Her mother would’ve been appalled…. She felt a sinking in her gut as she remembered her mother, with her gentle hands and ready smile. She would never see her again, would never see any of her family. Moira focused on the slave as she felt a gentle hand on her cheek. She forced herself to smile as she set her burden down on the bed. “I am sorry, Kintaro. Please do not fret over me.” She looked around the room at the swept boards the slave had demanded be put down instead of rushes. It seemed strange, but at least then the fine carpets wouldn’t get damp or ruined. “I suppose they would be safer away from the fire,” she went on brightly, ignoring the lump in her throat that arose from Kintaro’s look of sympathy. Suddenly she wondered where his family was and how he’d come to be in Wulfgar’s hall. He looked different from any person that she’d ever met before, and she wondered just how far he’d come. “Here, Moira,” Kintaro said, pointing down beside the bed and laying out a rug of dusky blue with golden scrolls around the border. It looked rich, far nicer than anything she had ever had before, certainly more than she deserved. Moira nodded, trying to get herself into the fine spirit the slave was exuding. He was so happy all of the time, and it didn’t seem feigned at all, though how a slave, especially the sort of slave Kintaro was, could be so happy, she didn’t quite understand. She wanted to ask him things: where he came from, how he came to be here, obviously so far from where he was born. She flushed a little, wondering if he might be able to tell her about the feelings that she had noticed cropping up whenever she was around the thane’s son. But now was not the time, not with Kintaro bustling about laying rugs here and there and chattering in a confusing combination of his language and hers. She might gather the courage to ask another time, but not now.

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Kintaro pushed back his hair and looked around the room, beaming. “Better… better. Need more.” He rose to his feet and grabbed Moira’s hand, again bringing her out into the main hall. He was determined to bring a true smile to her lips. She would make a fine mistress to Gaeric’s hall when the boy finally earned one of his own. He paused, frowning, looking back at Moira as they entered the storeroom. He didn’t know how the rules of succession worked in this strange land. Would Gaeric get his own hall, since there seemed to be more than enough room? Or would he have to wait to take the thane’s place? “Moira. Gaeric live here always or does he build his own hall?” He tapped his fingers against his thigh, splitting his attention between her answer and looking through the bolts of cloth. One brocade especially caught his eye; bright crimson it was, with embroidered gold dragons with jade eyes. It would make a magnificent robe for himself. Moira turned to look at him at the question, cocking her head curiously. It was quite the subject change from his previous chattering about rugs and cloths and such. “It depends, Kintaro. Should something happen to Lord Wulfgar, Gaeric would inherit this hall and these lands. But if the thane is still hale and healthy, then Gaeric will go off to find his own land and build his own hall there.” She saw the frown furrow Kintaro’s smooth brow at the mention of something happening to Wulfgar and found it utterly sweet, smiling at him. “The thane is a strong man, Kintaro, I am sure he will be around for many years yet.” Kintaro nodded to himself, setting aside the bolt of fabric he had liked to speak with Wulfgar about it, smiling up at Moira. “Who watch the hall if Gaeric is gone on his own and something happen to Wulf gar-sama?” He did not like even mentioning such a possibility, but Moira was right; his barbarian was healthy as could be and would not be leaving Kintaro anytime soon. Moira settled down beside him and began sifting through the bolts of fabric as well. “There are two options then. Either Gaeric would govern from a distance and appoint someone to handle disputes and such in his stead, or, if he has children of age by that time, he would send a son to rule here.” There was a wistful tone in her voice at

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the mention of Gaeric’s child. He would make lovely babies, she thought, then flushed deeply at her own boldness. Kintaro smiled mischievously at the look on Moira’s face. “Wulf gar-sama find husband for you… and Gaeric-chan need someone teach him manners.” “Kintaro!” Moira flushed again even deeper. “You should not speak so about the thane’s son, nor could I ever even dare to reach so high.” She shrugged and began stacking the bolts neatly again, then continued more philosophically, “Besides, I am sure that he has one of his warriors in mind already.” Kintaro pursed his lips thoughtfully. Moira seemed to really like Gaeric’s company, though he personally did not think that the thane’s son had much to offer. If it would make Moira happy, maybe he should mention the match to Wulfgar. Kintaro mulled that thought over in his mind as he began to look through the various linens and small treasures. He had better not mention that to Moira at first, though. She would be appalled. These barbarians had such strange notions sometimes. “Pick chest for room.” Kintaro pointed to a few stacked in the corner. He wasn’t sure if they were empty or not, but they could always remove its contents. She would probably need to rebuild her dowry of household items, since everything she owned had been consumed in the fire. “Go a see one you want.” He encouraged the girl with a smile as she looked over her shoulder at him, and he made a shooing motion. He would need to teach her to assert herself more. Especially if she was going to be a thane’s woman. He shook his head. Not that he could imagine Gaeric being a believable thane, but the boy was young. He had time to learn under Wulfgar’s excellent tutelage. While Moira was busy looking at the different chests, Kintaro grabbed a swatch of cloth and began gather the smaller items into it so he wouldn’t have to make a dozen trips. Little things like candlesticks and a pretty, gold vase she could use for fresh flowers. He then gathered the corners of the cloth together and began dragging it from the room and through the hall. Wulfgar took note of this, as did everyone else in the hall, considering how much clatter the items made in the bundle as Kintaro

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dragged them. Brandr watched with arched brows and cut the thane a questioning glance, amusement sparkling in his eyes, and Wulfgar simply gave him a quelling glare. Brandr, as ever, didn’t take it to heart, calling out to Kintaro, “Do you need some assistance with that, little one?” The battle-lord nearly burst into laughter when Kintaro simply shook his head and smiled brightly as he continued to haul the bundle into Wulfgar’s chamber. He bit back a grin as he looked back at Wulfgar. “Stronger than he looks, isn’t he?” Wulfgar’s answer was a glare and a slight shake of his head before going back to his conversation. His lotus could upend things without even trying. The thane watched Moira scurry after him with her arms full and her cheeks flushed, her head held down. She was a timid girl, and he was grateful that Kintaro had taken her under his wing. The few times he’d tried speaking with her, she had seemed so taken aback and plainly terrified that he’d given up on the matter entirely. He watched his son with shrewd eyes as he watched Moira’s progress. Gaeric seemed equally outraged that Moira was in Kintaro’s company and pleased that she was being so spoiled. He and Brandr’s eyes met with significant looks. The thane hid a smile. He’d have to keep an eye on that. He wasn’t sure that Moira was right for his son, and if not… well, he could easily distract the boy with a willing wench. Brandr refilled his mug and took a long swallow, wiping the foam from his beard. “Well, now that the lass is settled, I take it we are going to be forced to suffer the sounds of you killing that wee boy of yours again.” The battle-lord couldn’t believe that someone so small could shriek so loud and still manage to convey his pleasure the entire time. Wulfgar was insufferably proud of his lotus, and Brandr couldn’t help but laugh at the look that crossed the thane’s face at his words. That slip of a man had the thane’s affections twisted all around his fingers without effort at all. Wulfgar smirked and leaned back in his chair, taking a long drink from his own mug, grinning unrepentantly. “That you can be sure of, Brandr.” He was tired of having to find spots where he and Kintaro could be together, from the river to the stables to the forest. He wanted

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his wild flower in his own bed, and he wanted those screams of his echoing off the walls in his chamber. His brow arched as Kintaro and Moira came scurrying out of his chamber door again. Kintaro paused as they crossed the hall, Moira hurrying ahead into the room, and made a detour over to the table to bestow an expectant smile on Wulfgar. Wulfgar could hear the muffled snort of laughter from Brandr, but he chose to ignore it as he leaned over and took a kiss from those smiling lips, giving the boy a swat on the ass to send him back on his way. He gave his battle-lord another quelling look. “Cease your snickering, Brandr, envy does not become you.” The thane personally liked how affectionate Kintaro was. It was nice not to have to order or manipulate touches and kisses from him; little things like that were what made it clear to everyone, Wulfgar included, that Kintaro was happy to be where he was. “Envy? Nay, Wulfgar, I am not envious. I am in fact overjoyed by your happiness.” He grinned and lifted his mug. “To the songs I am sure we are going to hear from your room this eve.” “That is something truly worthy of drinking for,” Wulfgar said, ignoring the sour look his son sent him. He would have to take him aside sometime and see what had gotten into him. They all paused and drank deeply, turning their attention back to each other now that the two had disappeared from the hall. His battle-lord shook his head as the door opened again and both Wulfgar and Gaeric turned. “I think I shall go find another table. You two are fair smitten, and it is useless to hold a conversation with either of ye.” Wulfgar scowled furiously. “I am not smitten.” Though he almost had to laugh at the way his son echoed him and the resulting look of comic disbelief on Brandr face. “Sit and cease your prattle, Brandr. I swear by the gods, you are worse than an old woman, with your gossiping and nattering. Might as well put you in a dress.” Brandr snorted and gave the thane a look that said clearly that the battle-lord thought him in denial. Wulfgar determinedly did not look in Kintaro’s direction as he and the girl came bustling back into the hall, clearing his throat and striking up a conversation with Gaeric, who seemed just as uninterested in the pair’s doings.

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“I received word this morn that the king is coming… as usual, with little notice. Think you we can make the hall ready within a week’s time, son?” Gaeric nodded eagerly, and a smile broke across his face. “Aye, Father. ’Twill be good to see cousin Eadric and his men again.” Wulfgar grinned and nodded. Gaeric had spent many years training in Eadric’s household; it would be good for his son to see those people again. As for himself, he looked forward to the visit as well, thinking idly that Kintaro would find it quite the boon that the king himself came to stay at the hall. He got the feeling that Kintaro had been used to such things where he’d come from, of being in the presence of royalty and powerful men. His pride swelled, and the thane cast a glance to where Kintaro and Moira stood with heads bent together, whispering. Yes, the king’s visit would be good; it would show Kintaro that his master was as powerful as any other he’d had and, at the same time, afford Wulfgar the chance to do one of his favorite things: show off his prize possessions. Namely, Kintaro.

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WULFGAR stood to one side of the welcoming party, his face solemn as Gaeric presented the traditional cup to the king. Eadric drank deeply, grinning as he handed it back. “I thank you, Gaeric, for such a fine greeting.” The king turned to Wulfgar, and they clasped arms warmly. “Cousin.” Wulfgar stepped back and gestured to the hall. “Come in, we have food, ale, and entertainment for you.” As much as he would have loved Kintaro to be by his side during the welcoming and feast, his lotus was busy preparing for later on. The thane wanted Kintaro to make the impact that he knew the young man was capable of. Kintaro had made some new robes from cloth he’d found in the storeroom that he hadn’t let Wulfgar see, and the thane was burning with curiosity. Wulfgar led Eadric to the table, yielding the high seat and sitting beside him instead, Gaeric on the other side. Slaves brought steaming basins of water so the king and his men could wash the dirt of the road from their hands and faces. He drew Moira forward, despite her look of panic. She might as well get used to royalty if she had her eyes on his son. “Eadric, allow me to present Moira Leowinsdottir. She is a part of my household now.” The thane exchanged a look of amusement with Brandr as Gaeric’s eyes went wide at the sight of the young girl in her new finery. The king nodded, his face thoughtful as he looked at her. “Leowin was a good battle-lord, you should be proud to be his daughter.” Moira nodded and flushed, her eyes on the floor. “Aye, your majesty.”

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Eadric nodded to her in greeting before turning his attention on Wulfgar. He glanced around, arching a brow. “Your Roman, cousin… have you finally begun letting him out of your sight?” Wulfgar cleared his throat a bit. “Roman is gone, and Aron with him. ’Tis for the best, as I have a new acquisition I think you’ll be interested to see this eve.” The thane’s lips curved into a smile at the thought of his wild flower. Kintaro was sure to make an impression on the king and his men, and his pride swelled at the thought. Wulfgar ignored Gaeric’s slight rolling of his eyes. He intended someday soon to have words with his son regarding his negative attitude. Best the boy get used to Kintaro’s presence, as the thane had no intention of ever letting him go. Platters of food and trenchers were laid on the table. The succulent aroma of roasted duck, suckling pig, and poached salmon filled the air, and mugs overflowed with frothy ale. The occupants of the table waited for the king to fill his trencher before doing so themselves, and Wulfgar started a conversation with Eadric’s battlelords. Eadric grinned at Gaeric. “Well, cousin. Coming home seems to have suited you. I see it hasn’t taken you long to start chasing after the ladies again,” he said with a significant glance toward Moira. Gaeric flicked his gaze to the girl, unable to stop the flip of his stomach. “That is different… she is different.” “Aye. They always are. I love them all.” Gaeric cast another glance at Moira, eyes narrowing when she glanced back toward Wulfgar’s room. He knew she was looking for Kintaro to arrive, and he did not like how his stomach twisted with envy at the knowledge. She spent too much time with that strange man of his father’s, and he was worried what kinds of things she was learning from him. Definitely not things a girl like her should be learning, that was for certain. Just then, Eadric leaned over and gave him a sly glance. “So tell me about the entertainment this eve. Your father has been terribly closed-mouthed, and I admit my curiosity is piqued.” Gaeric stared at Moira for a second longer, watching her cast yet another glance to the thane’s door, and then his eyes flicked to the king. His gaze hardened, and he smiled in a conspiratorial manner. “Oh, I

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believe you will enjoy the entertainment very much… most all have at one time or another.” He clenched his jaw, ignoring the niggling voice that told him he ought to leave it alone, and plunged ahead. “You know how my father likes to show off, and he is a generous man. He has his newest, and finest, according to most you could ask here in the hall, ‘treasure’ prepared for your entertainment, my liege.” The king’s eyes lit up at that, and Gaeric turned his attention back to his trencher, still ignoring that sense of wrongdoing. There was no harm in it; Kintaro was a bedslave, and a foreign one at that. It was common for such to be shared with the king on his visits. It was. He told himself that in his head and cut a sidelong glance down the table at Moira, determination filling him. Slaves and thralls brought out new courses, taking away the empty platters of food and laying more down, refilling mugs of ale. Gaeric spoke briefly with the king’s warriors, catching up on new happenings. It had been almost a year since he’d seen them last, even longer since he’d returned home to his father’s hall. His homecoming had not been what he’d expected at all. Eventually the king ceased his good-natured arguing with Wulfgar to turn back to him again, questioning him on the things he’d learned since returning home. They talked about his training under his father and Brandr’s tutelage, and Gaeric told him proudly of his mastery of the written word. He’d rebelled at first, learning from a slave and his father’s pet. After Roman and Aron had left the thane’s hall, Gaeric had set aside his studies for a time. He’d come to learn how much Wulfgar relied on his knowledge, though, and gone back to studying with a vengeance. He was even beginning to puzzle through the scrolls that Roman had left behind, teaching himself Latin. “I feel skills such as that will become critical later on,” Eadric said, nodding thoughtfully as he filled his trencher with tender venison. “Curiosity compels me to ask. What happened to my cousin’s young companion, Roman? Did he perish?” “Nay, my liege,” Gaeric replied, pausing to refill both of their mugs. “He betrayed Wulfgar and went off with the other one when his service was done and over with.”

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Eadric’s brows arched in surprise. “He did? And my cousin did not hunt them down and punish them for their betrayal?” Gaeric shifted uncomfortably. He did not like thinking or talking about how his father had been fooled by those two, but he continued on despite his misgivings. “’Tis a long tale, your Majesty. Suffice to say my father is an honorable man and made a bargain that cost him his slave.” He glanced back toward his father’s room. “His new pet is a strange one, from a faraway place, and does not even speak or dress properly. My father took a good while to replace Roman with this one, and lets Kintaro, as he is called, run unfettered for the most part. I think he still mourns the loss of Roman and this new distraction is just… not the same, perhaps.” That wasn’t true, and Gaeric ducked his head, eyes on his trencher, and picked at his food. He knitted his brows and silently told himself it might be true. He did not know how his father felt, so it might be true. Still, he felt a bit queasy as he glanced over at the king and noted the thoughtful expression on his face, the way he stroked his beard very much like his father did when he had something on his mind. Gaeric ducked his head again, taking a long drink of his ale in the effort to steady his stomach. Eadric caught Wulfgar’s gaze and grinned broadly as he pushed his trencher away and drew his ale closer. “Well, Wulfgar, what is this entertainment that you prated about? Did you finally find a bard who was willing to linger in your hall?” Wulfgar snorted. “Nay, my liege. My gift to you is nothing so mundane. Wait until you see.” He rose from the bench and waited until the hall quieted somewhat. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Moira slipping off the bench and going over to whisper in the scop’s ear. The thane’s heart pounded a little harder, and his loins stirred. He didn’t know what Kintaro had planned, but Wulfgar knew him well enough to know whatever it was, it would set his blood on fire. He raised his voice so Kintaro could hear him clearly from his room. “We are all waiting breathlessly for your presentation, lotus.” There was laughter in his voice as he said that, knowing Kintaro would

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appreciate his phrasing. The young man was the vainest creature he had ever met. The scop, Irwin the Silver-Tongued, took up a seat near the fire, and several of the warriors moved the tables back, quickly making a large clear space. Wulfgar’s brows rose, and he wondered whom Kintaro had involved in his planning, when the door opened and all thoughts left his mind. For a moment, he could just stare, not even realizing it as he turned, his gaze raking over Kintaro. The young man stood in the doorway with his head bowed demurely, clad in elegant robes that Wulfgar had never seen before: beautiful, vivid red silks with gold embroidery that flowed around his slim body. He had a flower in his hair, and when he lifted his lashes, Wulfgar could see that his eyes were darkened around the edges. By the gods, he looked beautiful. Irwin began to play then, a haunting, lilting tune that flowed through the hall. Wulfgar’s eyes widened when Kintaro drew his hands from behind his back and, with a sharp flick of his wrists, snapped open two elegant fans. Where he had gotten the fans, the thane didn’t know, and, when the young man began to move forward, waving them in slow, graceful movements, he found he didn’t care. He only cared that the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on was his. He couldn’t tear his eyes away as Kintaro gracefully moved toward him. The slave folded one of the fans with a snap and, with a seductive smile, pressed the end of it against Wulfgar’s chest, giving a gentle push. He obediently sat, more than a little dazzled. Wulfgar was enthralled, idly wondering if Kintaro was magic; he felt as ensnared as any human who ever wandered onto a faerie hillock. The hall was dead silent except for the music that ebbed and flowed like a living creature. All eyes were trained on Kintaro, who drank in the attention with a serene expression on his face. Wulfgar knew better than to believe that look, though. He knew just how wild and wanton Kintaro was, and the heated, wicked look the man sent him from under his sooty lashes drove the point home. The thane almost groaned in response, but he managed to stifle the sound. Kintaro danced in front of him, his slim body swaying and gyrating gracefully; for a short while, the rest of the hall ceased to exist.

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The fans were an extension of his hands, flirting, touching, moving in their own sensuous rhythm. It was all the thane could do not to snatch him up and drag him off to a private place. When Kintaro moved away to grace the king and others of the hall with his provocative dance, Wulfgar felt the loss keenly. It was ridiculous; the young man was no more than a few feet away, but he did not like seeing Kintaro give that alluring look to anybody other than him. Nor did he like the looks Kintaro was receiving in return. It was enough to set his primitive side to snarling. He realized this had been a bad idea when Kintaro nimbly untied and let drop his outer robe, revealing another thinner, more fitted robe beneath. The thane wished he’d never thought of showing Kintaro off when, as the song drifted to an end with Kintaro prostrated low before the king, Eadric gave Wulfgar a look and a wicked grin that made Wulfgar’s stomach knot. Wulfgar was on the verge of surging to his feet, a protest already forming on his lips, but before he could do anything, Eadric had risen himself. The king reached down to urge Kintaro up, taking hold of one of his hands. Eadric’s voice rang through the now-silent hall. “My cousin has honored me well this eve with such a lovely and unique performance by his slave.” The king nodded in Wulfgar’s direction, smiling wide. “I thank you, cousin. For the dance and for the continued honor of your slave’s talents.” Eadric missed the sudden hardening of Wulfgar’s features as he turned to draw Kintaro to sit beside him and then clapped his hands once to resume the feast. Wulfgar’s jaw clenched, and his gray eyes narrowed. This was not part of his gift to his king! By the gods, he had not agreed to more than Kintaro dancing for the gathered guests, certainly not what Eadric had taken it upon himself to claim as his right. But the thane could not tell Eadric that, could not do what he wanted and snatch Kintaro from his side and hide him away in his room for the rest of the night. He took a steadying, long swallow of his ale, telling himself that Eadric wanted nothing more than Kintaro’s company for the meal, that

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was all. And then he would be back in Wulfgar’s arms. He did not like how empty they felt now. Gaeric bit back a surge of consternation as the king pulled Kintaro down on the bench between them. Hesitantly, he looked over at his father out of the corner of his eye and almost quailed. The thane was livid, and jealous. He had never seen quite that look on Wulfgar’s face before. Not even after Roman and Aron had so obviously found favor with each other. He looked down at his trencher, unable to eat any more had he tried, so he pushed it away and gathered his ale mug closer to him. He could hear Eadric speaking softly with Kintaro and the young man answering him haltingly with his strange, lilting accent. Mayhap if they were lucky, the king would be so taken with the slave’s charms he’d take Kintaro away with him. Another wave of guilt swamped him. He could tell how upset his father was without even looking. Curse him. Couldn’t Wulfgar see what an unnatural hold the man had over him? So what if the king wished to enjoy his attentions? He was a slave. What other use were they than to toil and warm their beds? Somehow, though, he couldn’t quite convince himself. Gaeric looked back up, and Brandr caught his eye. The battlelord’s eyes were narrowed upon him, and it was all he could do to keep a telltale flush from creeping over his face. Instead he met the gaze coolly and took a long pull from his ale mug. He hadn’t done anything wrong. Then he made the mistake of looking at Moira. Her fair brows were drawn together in distress as she looked between Kintaro and his father. The flush of embarrassment did take him then, even as he cursed himself savagely. He didn’t see why everyone cared so much. Attention from the king was an honor; even an outsider like Kintaro knew that. Kintaro did know that, and it wasn’t until the king looked away and he cast a glance toward Wulfgar that he got a strange feeling in his stomach. His master looked… unhappy. Everything in Kintaro wanted to go to him, soothe the frown from between his brows and cuddle in his lap until he had teased a smile from him. He worried, wondering what had upset Wulfgar. Had he not been pleased with Kintaro’s dance? Had something happened while Kintaro

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had been preoccupied with speaking to the king? His brows knitted briefly, and he flicked his eyes to Brandr, but the battle-lord captain was too busy giving Gaeric a quelling look to notice Kintaro’s questioning gaze. Then the king was speaking to him again, and Kintaro forced himself to pay attention and give appropriate responses. He took care to keep his voice quiet and demure and his eyes respectfully lowered, with only occasional glances up at the king through his lashes. He did not miss the lusty look in Eadric’s eyes, and he knew that before the night was out, he would find himself well ridden by the king himself. A spark of pride lit inside him, and he was unable to help preening a bit, but then he glanced toward Wulfgar again, and the preening was replaced with the burning need to soothe his master. He did not know what had upset Wulfgar, but he longed to make it better. Kintaro wondered how much time he had before the king was going to retire. Wulfgar had given up his room, as was proper, but Kintaro didn’t like the idea of his master sleeping out here on the rushes with all of the other men. It just wasn’t proper for the thane to be treated so. He would have to talk Wulfgar into building onto his hall depending on how often he entertained royal or important guests. Maybe Wulfgar was just irritated because he would have to go to the trouble of finding someone else to entertain him tonight. Kintaro felt a spark of white-hot rage flash through him. If he found anyone else in Wulfgar’s arms, he was going to claw the offender’s eyes out. The thane was his Master, no one else’s. Kintaro looked up through his lashes as Eadric rose, and his heart began pounding a little faster. He’d never had a king before, and again pride swelled as he was drawn to his feet. He admonished himself not to look at Wulfgar again, but he was unable to follow that order as Eadric drew him away. He cast a cautious look back at Wulfgar, and as their eyes met, his heart plummeted down to his toes. Wulfgar was not happy. That effectively upended everything in his world, and it was all he could do to resist tugging his hand from the king’s grasp and launching himself at the thane. Wulfgar would not be pleased if Kintaro embarrassed him in front of his guests. Besides, his Master had given him to the king. Wulfgar was counting on him to make a good impression.

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Wulfgar’s jaw clenched until it hurt as he watched Eadric lead Kintaro away to his chamber. His chamber with his lotus in his hall…. He bit back a snarl and looked away, downing the last of his ale and rising to his feet. The rest of his guests be damned. They were all too inebriated to notice his departure anyway, and he felt not a bit of guilt as he turned and stalked from the hall. He would not stay there and listen to Kintaro’s cries of pleasure as Eadric… he cut off the thought as he stepped out into the cool, humid darkness. He wasn’t entirely clear on where he was going until he found himself outside the stables. Yes, this would do. He made his way up to the hay loft and dropped down to stretch out, arms behind his head and staring up at the beams of the roof. His mind whirled with thoughts that made no sense. Yes, Kintaro was his, but while he might not care for the thought of another touching him, he was, after all, just a slave. It was common for a prize like his lotus to be offered to the king or another important guest in hospitality. So why did it make his stomach knot and his heart thud in his chest and give him the burning desire to put his fist through something? He didn’t know, he just knew that he dearly wished he had never agreed to allow Kintaro to entertain at all, that he had kept him locked safely away and out of sight until the king was gone from his hall. He didn’t fool himself into thinking sleep would come. He tossed and turned and cursed under his breath. All he could see when he closed his eyes was Kintaro, naked and in the king’s arms, begging to be fucked as he was so fond of doing when Wulfgar held him. So he didn’t close his eyes. Unfortunately, the visions were there whether he did or not.

KINTARO was torn. Eadric was sound asleep next to him, the king’s snores filling the dimly lit room. All his training told him he should stay right where he was. He was the king’s property tonight, and what if Wulfgar’s liege woke up and wished to be sated again? Yet this new side to himself, one that he did not recognize, insisted adamantly that he get up and join his Master out there on the

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rushes. He didn’t understand what had come over him. In all likelihood, Wulfgar would just snort impatiently and send him back to the king’s arms. He was being silly, but he couldn’t get the look in the thane’s gray eyes out of his mind. It was not as if the king had been unskilled in the bed. He was a fine lover, but for some reason, Kintaro felt unfulfilled. With a soft sigh, he scooted his body out from underneath the king’s arm and slipped on his robe, tying the sash firmly before he could change his mind. He’d just go check on Wulfgar, and if the thane sent him back, well, then he’d go. Kintaro paused before opening the door, his stomach twisting in knots. What if Wulfgar was not alone? He shook off the thought and firmed his jaw, opening the door. He’d just see about that. Kintaro peered through the gloom in the hall, his eyes making out the slumbering forms of men sprawled out on the rushes. One of the hounds at the fire lifted his head before laying it back down again when he saw that it was only him. Carefully, he began to pick his way through, examining each face. “Little one.” Kintaro’s head jerked up at the sound of Brandr’s soft voice. The battle-lord was half-sitting up over with the rest of Wulfgar’s men, but the thane himself was nowhere to be seen. “He is in the stables.” Kintaro nodded and gave a short bow before turning, gathering up his robes and hurrying from the hall, keen eyes picking out and avoiding dips in the ground as he raced for the stables. He paused outside for a moment to catch his breath and smooth his mussed hair before slipping into the stables and looking up at the hayloft. He felt an odd twinge in his chest at the knowledge that the thane had sought out this place to sleep. He remembered vividly the nights before Moira’s room was finished, when he and his master had made the hay their bed so as not to dishonor the girl with their lustiness. He bit his lower lip as he made his way to the ladder and was halfway up it when Wulfgar’s voice rang out. “Who goes there?” He didn’t sound at all like he’d just been awakened.

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Kintaro took the last few rungs of the ladder and continued chewing on his lip as he lifted his eyes to meet Wulfgar’s, an uncertainty filling him that he did not understand. He was worried that the thane was upset with him, or would think him foolish for seeking him out and send him back to the king. He did not want to go back to the king. Eadric had not hurt him, nor had he been unskilled or demeaning, but Kintaro wanted nothing more at that moment than to curl up with his big barbarian and fall asleep listening to him breathe. “Wulf gar-sama….” He didn’t say anything more, and he felt a great rush of relief and a strange burning behind his eyes when, after a second, Wulfgar reached an arm out to him. Kintaro scurried up into the loft and into his arms, feeling like he could breathe properly for the first time since he’d left the hall with Eadric as the thane’s strong arms closed around him and gathered him close. The thane was stunned as Kintaro burrowed into him. He had been completely prepared to take off the head of whoever dared to disturb him. However, when he’d seen Kintaro’s slim form at the top of the ladder, it was as if the breath had been stolen from his body. Wulfgar gathered him even closer, his heart pounding rapidly. Kintaro should not have left Eadric’s side, but he was not about to reprimand him or send him back. Instead, a wild exaltation pounded in his veins. Kintaro was his, completely and utterly. He was going to make certain he was never in a position to have to share his wild flower again. He had always been a proprietary man, and he had never made apologies for it. He wouldn’t have been happy if Eadric had taken Roman or Aron either, but this… this was different. He shoved his thoughts away, not wanting to think about the differences. It didn’t matter right now. Kintaro was here in his arms, and that was something he could concentrate on.

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THE sun was high in the sky, with clouds moving in on the horizon that promised the cold, freezing rain that was common this time of year. Samhain was coming, and with it, winter. Gaeric leaned against the fence surrounding the sparring area, watching the battle-lords train and practice. His father leaned against the fence beside him, and he basked in the attention as Wulfgar pointed out certain techniques or jested with him amicably. Gaeric was glad there was no sign of Kintaro. The slave was likely off somewhere, discussing who knew what with Moira. Gaeric’s jaw clenched. He did not like how much time the slave spent with her. It wasn’t proper for a girl of her age to be consorting with Kintaro’s type. Sometimes she came out to watch the battle-games. Gaeric kept half an eye on the doors to the hall in hopes she might do so today as well. He tired of the ribbing and jests from the battle-lords and his father, but the truth was Gaeric had come to the decision that when his father and he returned from the king’s after the winter solstice, he was going to speak with Wulfgar in regards to Moira. He knew his father wanted to find her a husband, and Gaeric intended to ask his father to give her to him as wife. Of course, he hadn’t spoken with Moira about it, but there was plenty of time for that. His stomach knotted at the idea of actually attempting to woo her. He did not want to simply ask for her and let that be that. She had already lost so much, and Gaeric did not intend to rob her of a little romance as well. He just had to figure out how exactly one went about romancing a girl. Bedding them, he understood, but wooing was something else entirely. Almost as if in response to his thoughts, Moira came out of the hall minus her annoying companion. He was probably idling the afternoon away in the bed, hoping Gaeric’s father would waste his time

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with him again. Moira wrapped her cloak more securely around her shoulders and looked down with a slight blush as she saw him watching her. Gaeric took a deep breath. Now was as good of a time to start as any other. “Excuse me, father,” he said under his breath, walking away before the thane could start needling him again, though it was impossible to miss the knowing chuckle from behind him. “Good morning, my lord,” Moira said softly as he came abreast of her. She lifted her eyes to meet his for a moment before looking down again. Gaeric was determined to set her enough at ease that she would meet his eyes the way she did Kintaro’s. He reached out and took her hand, smiling when she jumped slightly. “Walk with me a ways,” he said, tucking her hand in his arm. “Soon the rains and snows will come, and we will find ourselves penned up inside too often.” Moira hesitated a moment. Then a pleased smile crossed her lips. “As you wish, my lord.” Gaeric cringed a little at the good-natured laughter he heard from the battle-lords, hoping Moira didn’t notice it. He led her through the gate and decided up the tor was as good a place as any to walk. He was intensely aware of the warmth of her small hand on his arm and the vague scent of flowers from her hair as the breeze caught it. He looked down at her, insides jumping when her pretty blue eyes lifted to meet his before she blushed and lowered them again. He smiled and cleared his throat, glancing around. “I was thinking, Moira… when the solstice comes, Father and I will be going to the king’s for a fortnight or so. Would you like to come? There would be feasts, and other ladies for you to meet.” It would be good for Moira to be exposed to that sort of thing. As his wife, she would have much contact with the king and other nobility. Not to mention it meant not having to go nearly three weeks without seeing her. Moira’s eyes lifted, wide and surprised, and then she smiled, a brilliant sort of smile that made Gaeric’s stomach flip over and his heart skip a beat or two. “Aye, my lord. I would like that very much if… if it is not any trouble, that is. The thane has been so kind to me, I would not wish to inconvenience him further.”

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Gaeric shook his head, lightly squeezing his hand on hers. “It would not be any trouble, Moira. In truth, you would be doing us a favor, really.” He grinned at her quizzical look. “I am fairly certain the others begin to believe we have no women in our lands; ’twould do us good to have a beautiful young lady accompany us.” He gave her a wink. “To show that we do not all share my father’s tastes.” Moira’s eyes widened fractionally at this seeming criticism of his father. Yet as she examined Gaeric’s face, she didn’t see anything but regard for the thane in his eyes, so perhaps she had misunderstood. Then the import of what he was saying struck her, and her heart hammered a little faster. Surely Gaeric could not be interested in her? “It is not something I understand myself, but they are happy,” she said slowly, giving herself a moment to regain her equilibrium. “I am sure being a thane is lonely.” Moira cast a look at Gaeric under her lashes, hoping he didn’t think her too bold for saying so. Gaeric’s eyes narrowed in thought for a moment before he flashed her another easy smile. “Aye, it takes a strong man to hold these borders. One who cannot let himself be influenced by….” Moira looked at him quizzically as he cut off what he was going to say. Gaeric looked uneasy for a moment and would not meet her eyes. She hid her amusement and cocked her head thoughtfully. “Not influenced by tender feelings?” She had not missed the way the attachment between Wulfgar and Kintaro had deepened, nor Gaeric’s seeming distaste of it. “Aye,” Gaeric nodded, a pleased smile returning to his face. “It is foolishness.” Moira nodded. “I assume it will be the same for you, when you find someone to marry and give you sons. It is best to keep a distance, is it not, when you are going to be thane?” Gaeric’s brows furrowed, and he shifted uncomfortably. “Well, no… I mean, there is a certain amount of… such things have their place, but….” He realized he was digging himself an even deeper hole, and Moira just continued to look at him with those steady eyes. He felt foolish. The truth was, he could not imagine how on earth he would ever be expected to relegate Moira to one small area of his life. The girl turned him inside out with just a look or a smile or, gods help him, a frown. But that was different.

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“That is different. A wife who’s borne her husband sons has a certain standing, and a place at her husband’s side that a sla—that another can never have. There is honor in it.” He smiled and nodded. Yes, that had come out right, though his pleasure with his own cleverness faded when Moira simply arched her brows and gave him a serene smile. She wandered a few feet away and bent to pluck a late-blooming flower from the ground, twirling it almost absently, then looked back at Gaeric. “Honor and standing and bearing children have little to do with love, my lord. Or are you of the common belief that love is for women and a warrior does not experience such things?” Gaeric swallowed and squirmed inwardly. He had a feeling of a deer in a hunter’s sight, pinned by that soft blue gaze. “Well, no… it is just that….” Moira cocked her head. “Just that what?” Gaeric sighed. How had this conversation started? He couldn’t seem to remember. He shrugged. “Just that love is a luxury, and it is a foolish person who places it as more important than one’s duty and honor.” From the look on Moira’s face, that was not the right answer. He couldn’t figure out how this was happening. All he wanted to do was to try and woo Moira, and now it was looking more and more as if he was going to shut her out before he ever got the chance to prove that he would make her a good husband. “I fear I am not making myself understood very well.” Moira smiled demurely. “I think I understand, my lord.” For a moment, Gaeric relaxed; then she pinned him with her gaze, and he squirmed anew. “You are speaking of your father, I believe, more so than yourself,” Moira continued, glancing down at the flower in her hand. Gaeric nodded, then realized that she probably hadn’t seen that. “I do not like the regard he has for his new plaything. It is dangerous for him to be so taken by someone, especially a foreigner.” It felt good to spill his worries out to her, completely forgetting her friendship with the slave. “We know not where he comes from, or what his agenda is,” he continued, warming up to his subject. “The thane always allows

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himself to be caught up in his playthings, and I will not see him lessened like he was the last time….” Gaeric trailed off, realizing he may have said too much. Moira’s head lifted, and she tilted it curiously. It felt somehow wrong to be talking about the thane so familiarly, but she had a feeling whatever it was Gaeric was talking about had a great deal of importance to them. She felt a little flutter at the thought of she and Gaeric as a “them” at all. “What happened last time?” Gaeric sighed and moved to lean back against a tree. “Kintaro is not the first bedslave my father has had, as I’m sure you know. Before him was Roman and Aron.” He scowled at the mention of their names, reminded of how they had embarrassed his father. “Love was the cause of my father being humiliated in front of everyone, all his men: those two loving each other. He was good to them, and they betrayed him and played him for a fool.” Moira took a breath. Well, that explained a bit, but she had a feeling there was more. “And how does that apply with Kintaro? He is not a villain, Gaeric, I assure you, but a kind, sweet young man who makes your father very happy.” Gaeric snorted softly. “Aye, Roman and Aron made him happy too. Until they tricked him and shamed him before the entire hall. I do not understand it, but this new one… he has, I fear, more power over my father than the other two ever did, and in far less time than they had. He is a slave, and my father acts as if he is more, as if he….” Moira’s voice was soft when she broke in to fill the sudden silence. “As if he loves him?” Those quietly spoken words froze Gaeric to his soul. His father could not love Kintaro; the idea was ludicrous. They were so different from each other and their standings in relation to each other. It would never work. Still, the look on Wulfgar’s face the night of the feast had him squirming in guilt every time he thought of it. Gaeric did not want to admit that love might have had anything to do with Wulfgar’s displeasure that night. Gaeric shook his head sharply. “The thane cannot love him, Moira,” he said. “He has more sense than that.” He turned to meet her eyes. “That one is too selfish and besotted with his own self to ever return that regard.”

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“Now, there you are wrong, at least partially, my lord,” Moira said firmly. “Kintaro may be vain, but he cares deeply for others and enjoys giving of himself. He has shown me naught but kindness since I arrived, and he had no need to look out for me the way he did.” She paused and took a deep breath, seeming to remember whom she was talking to. She blushed slightly, but her jaw firmed. “I think Kintaro will surprise you. He feels deeply for the thane, more so perhaps than he had expected to.” Gaeric didn’t like the implications of that thought either. He did like the way Moira was meeting his eyes and holding her own, none of the meekness he saw from her so often. He too had momentarily forgotten his own nerves as they conversed. Gaeric pushed aside the bothersome implications and worries that his father had indeed been foolish enough to fall in love with a bedslave. By the gods, he hoped that was not true, though. He did not even want to think about the kind of power such a thing would give to the already-too-high–above-his-station slave. He shook his head and pushed away from the tree. “I did not bring you up here to talk of my father’s love life.” Moira tilted her head, a smile slowly curving her lips. “And why did you bring me here, then, my lord?” She felt a fluttering in her stomach that only increased when Gaeric stepped closer to her. It seemed as if the nervousness she had sensed in him was gone; here was no boy looking down at her, but a man full grown. It made her a bit weak in the knees. Gaeric reached one hand up to tuck a lock of her dark blonde hair behind her ear, noting how soft it was, like spun silk in his fingers. He wondered if her skin was as soft. “I brought you up here so that we might talk… get to know each other better.” He decided he was no good with subtleties and went straight to the heart of the matter. “I find myself intrigued by you, lass. In the best kinds of ways. And I wondered if there might be a chance you felt the same toward me.” For reasons he could not name, looking down into her soft, beautiful blue eyes, Gaeric was not in the least bit nervous. Gaeric watched the play of emotions over Moira’s face, and for the first time since this conversation started, she seemed at a loss for words. A slow, rosy blush covered her face, and her eyes sparkled.

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“Aye, my lord,” she said, so softly that it was barely audible. He smiled in response, encouraged by the fact that Moira didn’t look away from him, though he could tell that a part of her wished to do so. Gaeric slid his arm around her waist, tugging her closer. The lass didn’t pull away, and she was a pleasant armful. He had dreamed about touching her this way since the morning after the fire, when he’d gotten his first good look at her. Well, truth be known, he’d dreamed a great deal more, but there was time enough for that after they were well and truly wed. He had no doubt she was a maiden through and through. “My lord,” Moira said in a strangled gasp as his head bent toward hers. Gaeric paused momentarily, a wicked smile on his lips. “Just Gaeric for you, Moira.” Then his mouth settled on hers, coaxing and possessive at once. She stiffened in his arms, then slowly, oh so slowly, she relaxed. She tasted like spun sugar and a hint of spice, her lips as soft as he’d imagined they would be, and her slender body was warm and supple in his arms. Gaeric slid one hand up into her hair to cup the back of her head as he gently deepened the kiss, not wanting to frighten her or take advantage. This was his future wife, he had no doubts of that, and he would not disrespect her now. That thought in mind, he reluctantly broke the kiss, lips quirking in a pleased and charmed smile at how Moira kept her eyes closed for long seconds after he’d lifted his lips from hers. When they fluttered open, he was struck like a fist to the stomach by the look in them. He cupped her cheek tenderly. “Moira, lass, what is it? What is wrong?” She looked on the verge of tears, and he began to panic that he had done something wrong. She lowered her eyes and shook her head. “Nothing, my lord… Gaeric. I just….” She smiled a little ruefully and shook her head again, looking up at him. “It is nothing.” Gaeric frowned, releasing her when she made to step away and wondering what had gone wrong. She had kissed him back, she had not resisted his embrace… then realization dawned, and he grinned, reaching for her hand to stop her when she would have turned away.

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“Moira… lass, perhaps I did not make my intentions clear. I do not seek a dalliance with you. As tempting as that might be, I want more.” He took a breath, stomach fluttering nervously. “You may, of course, decline, but I would like it very much if you would let me court you as best I can, though I will confess to having little experience in the matter.” He gave her a boyish smile. Her eyes widened again, and Moira gasped softly. Then her eyes flashed and she put her hands on her hips. “Do not jest with me my lord… Gaeric. It is not seemly.” Gaeric wanted to chuckle at her outrage, but some whisper of instinct told him that it would not be wise. “I swear on the gods, Moira, I am not teasing you. You would make any man a good wife, and I want to be that man.” Moira had never been so flabbergasted in her life. “Gaeric, you cannot.” The look in those gray eyes, however, was unflinching. She had not realized that there were so many similarities between the thane and his son, but it was glaringly apparent now. “Think, my lord,” she said, trying to put a little distance between them. “You will be the thane, and I am merely….” “You are a battle-lord’s daughter, Moira Leowinsdottir. That is a proud rank indeed,” Gaeric interrupted, stepping closer to take her hand. “You are cousin to the king. I do not think the thane would approve,” Moira continued to argue, though her resolve was weakening. Gaeric wished to be with her, and Freya knew that she wished to be with him as well. It was a nice dream to have, at least for a little while. “I have the distinct impression that my father more than welcomes the idea.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the inside of her wrist. The lingering touch burned like a brand. Moira could not believe what she was hearing. Yes, her father had been a battle-lord, but her mother was a crofter, and everything she owned was gone. She could bring Gaeric no lands, no property save herself. Gaeric could see the doubts in her eyes, and he found he did not like at all that she did not think herself worthy of him. That was foolish; she was beautiful and kind and brave, stronger than most men he knew after everything she had been through in the last several months.

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He took a breath and gave her another smile. “Will you allow me to ask for your hand, Moira? If anyone were to give my father pause in such a match, it would be me, not you. I fear he thinks me still too much a child.” But he would not be deterred. As far as he was concerned, the only thing that might have given him pause was if Moira did not return his affections, but she did, and that, as Gaeric saw it, was that. The thane would agree, Gaeric would see to it somehow. Moira worried her bottom lip, pressing her free hand to her stomach, the other still held in Gaeric’s with a firm but gentle grip. She looked down at their clasped hands and found her stomach fluttering even harder at the idle thought that he had lovely hands. She flushed and looked back up at him, drawing in a deep breath and forcing a wobbly smile. She did not think anything would come of it. Either the thane would put an end to it before it began or Gaeric would come to his senses… but when he smiled at her like that and held her hand like so, she could not say no. So Moira nodded. “Aye, Gaeric. Aye, you may court me if you wish.” Gaeric grinned in response and leaned in to give her another one of those melting kisses that warmed her down to her toes. They walked for a little while around the tor, exploring the inside of a small cave and finding the remains of a fire long since gone out. She listened quietly as Gaeric told her of the lands where he wanted to build his own hall. His eyes lit up as he talked about his dreams, and it almost made her believe that one day they would share them together. They headed down the hill of the tor hand in hand as it grew later and the chill increased in the air. “A storm will be coming soon,” Gaeric said, and Moira nodded silently in agreement. They paused at the tree line, and Gaeric turned to her, his face serious. “I will talk with my father tonight, Moira. You will see just how eager he is for this match.” Moira hesitated for a moment. She was sure that they were about to bring disaster upon themselves for being so bold, but Gaeric knew the thane better than she did. Finally, she smiled at him. “I believe you, Gaeric.” If somehow Gaeric was wrong, it was better that they all know the truth now rather than finding out before matters went further. Her head lifted at the sound of laughter as they passed through the gate, a smile curving her lips at the sight of Kintaro and the thane. She

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felt her concerns ease when Wulfgar gave Kintaro his usual slap on his bottom to send him back toward the hall. Moira had worried about them for a little while after the king’s visit. She knew most thought nothing of it. Kintaro was a slave, and the sharing of slaves was nothing unusual, but she had seen the hesitance in Kintaro when the king had led him away, and for a week or so afterward his smiles had not been as frequent. She was glad he and the thane seemed to be past whatever strife had been caused by the incident. She glanced over at Gaeric, and her smile faded at the tight look on his face as he watched Kintaro scurrying away, tossing Wulfgar smiles over his shoulder. She did not understand why he disliked Kintaro so. The young man was sweet and made the thane undeniably happy, and yet Gaeric looked at him as if he were his very own personal demon. She put her hand on Gaeric’s arm and gave him a gentle smile when he looked down at her. He smiled back and squeezed her hand lightly. It would all be all right, she hoped. Gaeric was so tired of all the attention that his father gave his playthings. It had been bad enough when he’d finally returned home after being away for years only to find Wulfgar caught up in the drama surrounding Roman and Aron. It had only gotten worse now that Kintaro had arrived. The only time he had the thane’s undivided attention was when they were sparring in the yard. Then Moira smiled at him, and he turned his mind back to her. First things first; he’d ask his father for Moira’s hand. He was sure that the thane would agree. Wulfgar was eager to find Moira settled safely somewhere and have that responsibility off his hands. Then he’d find a way to deal with that usurping young man. He had hoped Moira was wrong, but one look at his father’s eyes this afternoon as he looked at Kintaro, and he knew. Wulfgar really was besotted with the usurper. He was not going to sit back and watch his father be disillusioned by yet another slave whose only worth was what he provided in bed. Kintaro needed to go.

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WULFGAR waved away yet another thrall with bothersome questions. Wasn’t there someone else they could harass with all of the details involved in packing up his entourage and sending them on their way? It had all been so cursedly simple when Roman had been there and Wulfgar didn’t have to worry about anything other than getting to the king’s keep safely. He scanned his hall, looking for Kintaro’s slight figure. His lotus had been quite upset with him when he’d refused to take him on this yearly trip. The slave probably had the notion that he would eventually wear Wulfgar down. Wulfgar’s jaw firmed. There was no chance he would let Kintaro anywhere near Eadric again. He honored his king, but some things just couldn’t be borne. “Kintaro!” His bellow cut through the noise and chatter of the hall, and everyone stopped to look at him. The thane grew even more disgruntled at the stares, but he lifted his voice again. “Cease your petulance this instant and attend to me.” He already knew Kintaro wasn’t hiding in their room. He’d checked there several times. His impatience was growing. They would have to set out soon, and he wished to spend some time with the young man, since they were going to be separated for so many weeks. Wulfgar’s ire eased when Kintaro appeared from behind the hearth women, nibbling on a sweet roll and looking for all the world like he’d just lost his best friend. The thane sighed and held out his hand, the young man sulking as he obeyed the silent order and came to him. Wulfgar drew him close and ran a hand over his heavy dark hair. “It is not all that exciting, lotus, trust me.” He tried again when Kintaro just sniffed. “I am very busy when I am there; you would probably be bored to tears cooped up in the tent all the time.” He caught a bit of a

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quirk of Kintaro’s lips, and a smile began to tug at his own in response. “And then there is the fact that I am so exhausted at the end of the day that, even were I to return to my tent, I would certainly not be able to keep up with you and your randiness.” Kintaro finally gave in to the smile and looked up at his big barbarian. He did not want to be angry with him, and he did not want Wulfgar to leave without the proper farewell. “I am sorry, Wulf garsama…. I will miss you. Is all. Be lonely.” Wulfgar sighed softly and took Kintaro’s hand, leading him toward his chamber and shutting the door behind him. He had no desire to deal with the ribbing and jests he would endure if his men were to see him go all soft on the young man. He sat Kintaro on the edge of the bed and crouched down in front of him, brushing his hair back from his soft cheek. “I will miss you too, Kintaro. Very much. But it is safer here. And you will not be too lonely; Moira is staying, as are Gaeric and Brandr… you will be kept company, I promise you.” Kintaro sighed and nodded, leaning forward to wrap his arms tight around Wulfgar’s neck. “I am sorry, Wulf gar-sama. I stay, be good, promise.” He tried for an impish smile, though it was a bit watery. “Promise I not pretty your hall, Oyabun.” The thane chuckled under his breath, smiling back. “See that you don’t, lotus.” Though, truth be known, he could come back to find out that Kintaro had turned his hall into an indolent pleasure house and he wouldn’t care. For some reason, he was strangely reluctant to part with him. Wulfgar drew Kintaro closer. This trip was probably good for them. He was getting too attached. They both were, it seemed. Some distance between them would allow him to put the matter in perspective. He kissed Kintaro lightly, then deepened it with a low growl as he felt the sting of hands tugging on his beard. When he pulled back, there was a bemused smile on his face. “You are quite the demanding little thing.” Wulfgar hadn’t intended on indulging Kintaro so soon after his sulking this morning. But it was going to be weeks before he saw him again, and the thane hungered to taste him one last time.

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“You like that way,” Kintaro stated proudly. The slave inched back on the bed and rose, his hands going to the tie around his waist and deftly undoing it. “You go with the sound of my screams still in ears.” Everything else Wulfgar had been going to say effectively disappeared at that pronouncement. He groaned, his cock immediately rising to attention. Kintaro sent him a heated look through his lashes as the robe slipped from around his shoulders to pool in a silken puddle atop the bed of furs. “Come, Wulf gar-sama. Fuck your lotus, Oyabun.” Wulfgar pounced on him, tumbling Kintaro back onto the bed, the sound of his delighted laugh rippling along his nerve endings. He loved hearing Kintaro laugh like that, all throaty and low, almost as much as he loved hearing him scream. He dropped his mouth onto Kintaro’s, kissing him deeply, the surge of pleasure and pride familiar by now as Kintaro greedily kissed him back, his hands demanding and his slim body writhing against him. Wulfgar lifted his head, and his smile was as wicked as any Kintaro could give. His hands circled Kintaro’s lithe waist and hauled him further up the bed as Wulfgar slid down, his tongue dragging down the length of Kintaro’s hard cock. Kintaro bucked sharply and let out a wild, surprised cry, eyes huge. Kintaro’s fingers clenched tightly in the thane’s hair and tugged sharply as he lifted his hips insistently. Wulfgar smirked, liking the fact that he was able to surprise his lotus with a few tricks of his own. The thane dipped his head again, closing his mouth around the head of Kintaro’s cock, tongue swirling. The slave’s hands tightened even more in response until his scalp stung. Wulfgar made no other move, sucking gently and ignoring Kintaro’s unspoken demands for more until finally the young man settled back with a soft whimper of pleading. Wulfgar sank his mouth the rest of the way over Kintaro’s length. His precum was heavy and salty against his tongue, and the way Kintaro jolted in his arms was so sweet. He drew his mouth off long enough to nip sharply at one tantalizing thigh before returning to his teasing.

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His wild flower was not the only one who could inflame a man. Wulfgar feasted, alternating between taking Kintaro’s cock into his mouth and running his mouth over his flat, smooth stomach, tasting the sharp indents of his hips and returning more and more to those sweetly spread thighs. Kintaro’s hands tugged at his hair, clawed at his shoulders. He writhed beneath Wulfgar, chanting his name in a soft, needy voice. Somehow, Kintaro had crawled under his skin until the thane could not think of a life that did not have him in it. Kintaro couldn’t stay still, whimpering and mewling as he writhed against the furs, pleasure tingling through him, focusing where Wulfgar’s mouth touched him and spreading outward to encompass the whole of him. He shivered and lifted up onto his elbows, watching in fascination as his barbarian feasted on him. It was the most erotic thing he had ever seen. His roughly handsome master between his thighs, sucking and licking and nipping, looking up at him from under the mess of his wild, golden hair. He felt his heart catch, and it startled him. He instinctively reached for Wulfgar, and the next instant he found himself wrapped up in those strong arms and Wulfgar’s mouth on his. The taste of himself in Wulfgar’s mouth was intoxicating, and Kintaro sucked hard on his tongue in response to the unique flavor. He panted harshly as Wulfgar broke the kiss, blinking huge dark eyes up at him and arching hard against him. “Wulf gar-sama… fuck please… please, Oyabun….” He needed to feel his master driving deeply into him, filling him until he swore there was no room for even himself, just Wulfgar, the way it should always be. Kintaro’s heart skittered as he saw the flash of heat and possessiveness in Wulfgar’s eyes. Then his barbarian was reaching for the oil. He took it out of the thane’s hands with impatient fingers, hoping he really wasn’t going to waste time with the niceties today. Kintaro poured some of the oil onto his palm and stroked Wulfgar’s cock with it. He loved the shape and feel of it in his hands, silky skin around bruising hardness. “Fuck now, Wulf gar-sama.” Wulfgar’s eyes crinkled in amusement. Then… oh blessed relief. Wulfgar pushed into him, surging deep. Kintaro cried out sharply, angling his legs up to drape them over his

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barbarian’s shoulders. Wulfgar impaled him, pinning him down into the pile of soft furs, and Kintaro cried out again. Before he could recover voice or thought to start up his usual demands, Wulfgar had eased out almost all the way only to drive in deep again, fucking him hard and ruthlessly. Even as he did so, the thane looked at him with that expression he reserved only for Kintaro when they were alone together. It was a look that made Kintaro warm and made his heart ache in a way he didn’t understand. Kintaro clung to him, their eyes locked as they moved hard and fast together, but there was something… he could not put his finger on it. Something that, despite the brutal pace and shortage of time, made it seem as though things moved in slow motion. He brought one hand up to Wulfgar’s cheek, lips turning up a bit at how small his hand was against his barbarian’s face. “Remember your lotus, Oyabun, like this.” He worried that some other might catch his master’s eye at the king’s. Jealousy reared up at the thought of Wulfgar making use of one of the king’s slaves, as Eadric had with Kintaro when he’d visited. “I belong to Wulf gar-sama….” Wulfgar’s brows furrowed, and then he grinned. “Aye, lotus, my wild flower.” He snapped his hips, groaning at how exquisite Kintaro felt, so tight it was amazing. Considering how much they fucked, one would assume the young man would loosen, but he did not. Perhaps some eastern trick, but whatever it was, it made Wulfgar never want to leave the perfection of Kintaro’s body. Kintaro seemed assuaged by that and lost the fierce look in his eyes. Wulfgar rolled onto his back, urging Kintaro’s legs down beside his waist, and the slave began to ride him. This was the thane’s favorite position, where he could enjoy the beauty of watching Kintaro move, could touch to his heart’s content. He preferred it to any other. Truth be told, he preferred Kintaro to any other as well. If he could, he would forgo this trip altogether and never again leave the warmth and pleasure of his lotus’s arms. The young man’s head and shoulders were thrust back, his body arched, and high-pitched cries of pleasure that Kintaro never tried to contain fell from his lips. The thane watched, dry-mouthed, as one of Kintaro’s slim hands stroked down his perfect chest before the slave grasped his own cock and began to stroke it.

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Wulfgar groaned and propped himself up so he could claim Kintaro’s lips in a heated, possessive kiss. As they broke apart, he heard Kintaro whisper huskily, the words setting fire to his blood. “Wulf gar-sama… belong to… me.” He said nothing for a moment, their gazes locked, and then finally he nodded. “Aye, little one. I am yours too.” He might never admit it to anyone else, but this strange man who had been in his hall for less than a year was nothing like the others who had graced his bed. His lotus was never going to bore him, was never going to make him wish to bring another to his bed. Kintaro was enough. Kintaro didn’t even try to hide the preening pleasure that rough admission gave him. Yes, Wulfgar was his, and he thrilled knowing his big barbarian knew it. It meant that he did not need to worry that some insipid, grasping whore would find his way home with his Oyabun. Kintaro clenched around the thane’s cock, circling his hips tightly and leaning forward to brace one hand on Wulfgar’s chest, the other steadily stroking himself. He tossed his hair out of his face and gave him a sensual, seductive smile. No words were necessary; their mutual gasps and groans and Wulfgar’s growls mingling with his own frantic cries of pleasure were all the communication needed. They understood each other perfectly and had from the beginning, when there’d been no words able to be spoken. The thane watched him with heated gray eyes, the look on his face a mixture of concentration, pleasure, and possessiveness that was like an aphrodisiac to Kintaro. His body hummed, every surge of Wulfgar’s cock deep into him making the tension string even tauter until he was ready to fly apart. Wulfgar’s head lifted, and a stinging nip on Kintaro’s ear sent a violent shudder through him, making him cry out wildly. “Lotus,” his barbarian’s voice hissed in his ear, and if it weren’t for Wulfgar’s large hands supporting him, Kintaro swore he would have toppled over. He cried out again in demand and felt the thane’s lips curve against his ear. “Come for me, little one.” Kintaro could only obey, the pleasure already so high it took just those rough words to finish the job. He lifted his head so he could

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watch the pleasured awe on his master’s face as he came, the tension draining from him in long, wracking waves. Wulfgar snarled at the sight of it, both arms coming around Kintaro and holding him tight against his chest, planting his feet and surging hard and fast up into him, his own orgasm spiraling closer. The sound of Kintaro’s frantic cries as he slammed deep drove the thane on, and within seconds, he stiffened with a rough snarl that grew into a roar. His cock throbbed inside the slave and marked him with his seed. His grip eased gradually, and he rolled Kintaro beneath him and stared fiercely down at him. One hand slid into his heavy, dark hair and tangled there as his mouth came down hard on Kintaro’s. Kintaro only whimpered in pleasure and kissed him back with equal fervor. When the thane finally broke the kiss, he didn’t move for a second, breathing hard, then pushed away, giving Kintaro’s flank a good slap as he rose and began tugging his clothes back on. Kintaro didn’t stir for a moment, watching, a smile playing on his lips. He considered getting up and dressing as well, to see Wulfgar off, but he decided against it. This was how he wanted his big barbarian to think of him every time he closed his eyes while he was gone: naked and thoroughly fucked and waiting for him. Kintaro smiled a bit wider. That would bring him home as soon as possible. Wulfgar pulled his hair and beard out of the tunic and looked down at Kintaro sprawled out naked on top of the furs, the winter light from the one window playing over his skin, his hair a tangled mess over his shoulders. The thane felt a sharp tug in his chest, and he faltered for a moment. It would be so easy to stay… too easy. He smiled and leaned down, dropping a kiss down on Kintaro’s proffered lips. “I will be back soon, little one. Try not to cause too much havoc in the meantime,” he said gruffly. Kintaro smiled widely. “I will be good, Wulf gar-sama.” With those soft words ringing in his ears, Wulfgar strode out of the room before he could change his mind. He paused in the main hall, his eyes scanning the room before he located his son near the hearth with Moira near his side. He knew Gaeric was chafing at being left behind, but this time would do him some good. Wulfgar made his way

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toward him and his betrothed. He needed to say a few words before he departed. Wulfgar bit back a sigh when, as he approached, Gaeric noticed him and his face grew sullen. He shook his head. “Do not look at me like that, Gaeric. I am trusting you to look after my hall, my men, and my prized possessions.” It was an honor, if you asked him; besides, the boy needed to gain some experience in running a hall, as soon enough Gaeric would have one of his own. Of course, Wulfgar thought as he flashed a smile at Moira, his son would have the benefit of a wife to see to such womanly things. Really, this was good for the both of them, being as Moira was staying behind as well. He was amused by the thought of the two of them playing house with his hall. He chuckled and ruffled Gaeric’s hair. “Stop yer growing.” Gaeric’s brows arched at that cryptic and unexpected comment. Then he just shook his head. “The men and horses are ready, Father, whenever you are.” In truth, they had long since been ready; for the last half an hour, they’d all been standing around the hall attempting to pretend they didn’t hear Kintaro’s pleasured screams. At least the upstart hadn’t convinced his father to bring him along. Although Gaeric half-wished Wulfgar would, partly so he himself did not have to deal with him these next few weeks, and partially in the hopes that Eadric might take a deeper fancy to the slave and keep him. Though the thought of having Kintaro underfoot with all of his pretenses and airs was enough to make him grind his teeth, Gaeric didn’t mind staying behind to guard the hall. In fact, he’d felt a swell of pride when his father had ordered him to do so. He would miss the celebrations and the chance to show off his intended, but to run the hall would more than make up for it. If only Kintaro wasn’t part of the package. He supposed that he only had himself to blame. If he hadn’t planted the seed in Eadric’s ear, then he would never have claimed the slave for the night and made Wulfgar too wary to bring Kintaro along on this trip. He still felt twinges of guilt over that one, and it didn’t even have the effect that he’d intended.

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Wulfgar arched an eyebrow at the coolness of his son’s tone. He knew Gaeric didn’t approve of his relationship with Kintaro, or perhaps it was Kintaro that he didn’t like. No matter. He would get used to it, and at least the boy had the sense not to let his insolence overtake him. Gaeric rose, and they exchanged a quick hug. “I will be gone some weeks. When we get back, we can start making preparations for your hall and your wedding feast.” He winked at Moira, grinning at the sudden blush that covered her cheeks. He was well pleased with the match between the two, if for no other reason than that he had never seen his son behave as he did when he was in Moira’s presence. He became a man in her presence, less the petulant child that still lurked beneath the surface. Wulfgar glanced a last time toward the room he shared with Kintaro. He realized suddenly that somehow it had indeed become their room, not just his. That was yet another first; no other had made such a mark on his hall or his private space as to lay any kind of claim to it. Kintaro did. He was more than half-tempted to go get him, bring him with him, and find some way to keep him hidden from the king. But he knew better; Kintaro would be miserable cooped up and hidden away. No, his lotus was meant to be displayed, and Wulfgar would not take him where he could not display him safely. “Be well, son. Care for my property as if it were your own.” He cast a last smile and a wink to Gaeric before turning and heading out to the yard where the horses and wagons waited. It was only a few weeks, and then he would be home, with his son and his men and his wild flower. The homecoming that would greet him from Kintaro alone was worth the leaving. He chose not to examine the unfamiliar little knot in his chest and did not look back again as the group rode out.

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CATE stepped out from among the sacred rocks upon the tor and looked down at the peaceful sight below. It had snowed since the thane departed with his men, and for the most part, the snow around the compound was undisturbed. Lazy smoke drifted up from the chimneys on the mead hall, and somewhere ensconced within was the object of her interest. She’d tried to go back to her quiet and uncluttered life after Aron and his Marcus had left the island’s shores, but that brief sojourn into her former lands had awakened a longing in her. This wasn’t the first time she had found an excuse to peek in on those that had shaped the direction of Aron’s life either. The fae woman had rejoiced when Wulfgar had decided to stop being petulant, as he was so wont to say, and find someone new to occupy his attention. Though, humans being humans, they couldn’t help but muddle up the waters. Neither the thane nor his young man seemed willing to alter the unspoken lines of their relationship, though clearly they both wanted, nay needed, to. There was also the festering anger and resentment of Gaeric that needed to be addressed. Even the balancing light of Moira’s influence was unable to deter his biased hatred of Kintaro. He had his reasons for jealousy, but still, Kintaro did not deserve his spite. It had been just over a year now since she had been pulled back to this place by the magic of the stones. A smile curved Cate’s lips as she imagined how shocked young Aron Sverrison would be to know that his impromptu plea to the gods of his people had set the wheels of so many lives into motion. Her duties to Aron and his Marcus were fulfilled, barring any more mucking up that they did. Her duties to Wulfgar, however, were just beginning. Young Aron had asked that Wulfgar and his slave meet

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a fitting end. Well, the slave, Marcus, had been handled; now it was on to the thane. He was going to be a bit more problematic. She’d watched him and the foreign man, and it was clear Kintaro was Wulfgar’s match in a way Marcus or Aron never could have been. The problem was that they both were content to leave things as they were: indulgent Master and devoted, happy slave. Never exploring the possibilities of what more they could have if they just bent their roles a little. Cate gave a determined sigh and straightened her spine. Well, she would just have to give them a strong nudge in the right direction. She’d managed it with the other two; she could with these as well. A slight frown furrowed her smooth brow, and she pushed her heavy, dark red hair back from her face. There was something else, though. Something else in this place that tugged at her, though she could not place just what it was. She frowned deeper and closed her eyes, trying to get a grasp on whatever it was that was niggling at the edges of her peripheral consciousness, but a few moments later she opened her eyes, frustrated. She disliked surprises and had a feeling there was one here, for her this time. But regardless, she had a duty, thanks to Aron’s ritual plea for help, and she would fulfill it. Fulfill it and be gone from this land that held so many painful memories for her. Perhaps she’d pay Aron and his darkling a visit one day. She chuckled to herself to imagine their faces were she to appear on their doorstep. Cate mulled over the problem some more, not noticing the chill in the air or the heavy snows that hampered her skirts as she moved. A wicked smile curved her lips as she finally thought of a solution. It would serve a three-fold purpose. Wulfgar and Kintaro needed to understand truly the impact that they had on each other’s life. The incident with the king had awakened them to it, but they both chose the safer route of ignoring rather than exploring the revelations of unexpected feelings further. Mayhap a longer, forced absence would make things clearer for them. As for the interfering brat that Wulfgar called a son, well, it was time that his eyes were opened as well. Wulfgar had doted on him without restraint since his wife’s death, and it had spoiled the lad. Yet he was not completely rotten; once he realized the true depth of the

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thane’s feelings, he would come around, especially when he admitted that they were reciprocated. In truth, much of Gaeric’s animosity lay in a desire to protect his hardheaded father. Cate’s plan formed almost instantly, a grin curving her lips. Slavers didn’t often work in the winter months, but it was not completely unheard of. And it would be poor form for a thane, even a proxy one like Gaeric, to turn out a traveler into the snow and cold. Of course, Gaeric might refuse to sell Kintaro to her. If that unlikely event were to happen, then she’d just have to snatch him. At least they didn’t have to travel all the way to Londinium by normal means. A little magic would make the trip far quicker than was normal, and far quicker than Wulfgar could ever catch up. Not until she wanted him to. A smile crossed Cate’s lips. She wondered how long it would take the thane to track them down to Rome. Mayhap she should arrange for a little surprise for him while he was there. She laughed out loud, rubbing her hands together gleefully. She might have rather not gotten involved at all, but she had to admit it did have some entertaining moments. There was a part of her that had compassion for the mortals—she imagined there was going to be a lot of anger and upset going on before it all was over with—but then, she had dealt with that before with the other two. This certainly could not be worse than the angst and beating of chests Marcus and Aron had indulged in over each other. Cate shook her head and with a mere thought shifted her glamour to that of a rough-looking, travel-dirty man, the clothes worn, patched here and there, but of good quality. She would have to insert a few impressions with the mortals of the hall to make them believe they had seen her—or him, as her new form was male—arrive with a group of slaves she’d sheltered in the stables. It would hardly do for her disguise to be found false, nor did she think Gaeric would allow a single traveler into the hall if he didn’t think something might be gained from it. She grinned to herself and slipped back into the trees. She would wait until nightfall, perhaps just after the evening meal, to make her entrance. And with any luck, before the night was over, she would have Kintaro in her possession and they would be well on their way. She wondered how much of a fuss the young man would put up, then decided she could handle it. She was fae, after all, and no matter the boy’s temper and spirit, Cate was sure it would be fine.

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KINTARO wanted to stay in their room. He wanted to curl up and mope until Wulfgar came back. Their parting left an ache inside of him that he didn’t quite understand. Masters had left before, and that was usually an indication that it was time to play. Not that he had ever betrayed his owner, but still, there was an easing of the rules. With the thane, however, it just felt wrong. He was empty in a way that he had never been before. Added to that, he was worried for his barbarian. Wulfgar often did not pay attention to his own wellbeing. Who would be around to make sure that he didn’t drink himself into insensibility each night, or that he ate more than just the meat on his trencher? Who was seeing to the thane’s bed? Wulfgar was a lusty man. King Eadric might see to his pleasure the way that Wulfgar had gifted the king upon his visit. That made him burn with a furious jealousy that went beyond his norm. Still though, he couldn’t just hide himself away in their room the entire time. He had appearances to maintain, after all, and the thane would not be happy to know Kintaro had been miserable in his absence. So he carefully combed his hair and donned a fresh robe so he could join the others for the evening meal. It would make Moira smile, and maybe Brandr’s jests and casual teasing would ease him out of his melancholy thoughts. He drew a breath and straightened himself regally before leaving their room to enter the hall. There was no need for everyone else to know just how adrift he felt. The first real moment of that feeling came when he approached the table and Gaeric was in Wulfgar’s spot. Kintaro knew it was customary, as Gaeric was taking the thane’s place for the time being, but his steps faltered as he pondered what to do about it. He had never sat anywhere but in Wulfgar’s lap or beside him. And he was fairly sure Gaeric would have himself a fit should Kintaro try and sit in his lap, though the thought did give him an inner giggle. The young man paused beside Gaeric and waited for him to direct him where he should sit for the moment. But it seemed Wulfgar’s son was of no mind to pay any attention to him at all, for he continued his

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conversation, even after Kintaro cleared his throat softly a couple of times. The swell of sadness threatened to crash over him again. He missed Wulfgar so much right then he could hardly stand it, but then Brandr, bless the kind man, reached out and took Kintaro’s arm, tugging him to sit beside him and giving Gaeric a dark look for his trouble. The battle-lord leaned down and gave Kintaro a wink and a smile. “I have something for you.” He reached to the side of his trencher and handed the young man his confiscated chopsticks, the ones the thane had taken from him his first night here. Kintaro gasped and took them reverently with a wide, dazzling smile as he looked up at Brandr. “Thanks you, Brandr-sama!” And then the smile faded and he shook his head, pushing them back toward the man. “Wulf gar-sama say I can not have these back yet.” He had no doubts he would get them back, but for some reason he wanted his barbarian to give them back, since he had been the one to take them. Brandr smiled and urged the delicately carved sticks back into the young man’s hand. “He told me to give them to you, little one.” Kintaro’s eyes lit up, then softened before he took the chopsticks and ran a fingertip over them. Suddenly they seemed far more precious than they had before. He looked up at Brandr with a small bow of his head. “Arigatou, Brandr-sama.” It was almost like Wulfgar was there. He could feel his Oyabun’s smile on him as he nestled the sticks between his fingers again. This was so much less awkward than stabbing at the food the way the others did. He wondered what the thane was doing at the moment. He was probably gathered around the campfire with the other warriors, trying to get something warm in his belly. Kintaro sighed. He had never felt this ache before, an ache that went beyond a mere empty feeling in his chest. It spread throughout him, overwhelming each thought and action. It had never been like this with any of his other Masters. Always before, their periods of absence had been sort of like a holiday, when he didn’t have to worry about anyone’s happiness other than his own. This was different. He picked at the food Brandr set aside for him on the trencher, though he wasn’t really that hungry. He ate mechanically, more

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because he knew Wulfgar would fret if he heard that he hadn’t than out of any real desire to do so. Kintaro responded automatically every time Brandr said something to him in a low, compelling voice, but his heart wasn’t into their usual banter. Moira sat on the other side of Gaeric, and other than an occasional word or smile for him, the thane’s son occupied most of her attention. Silently, Kintaro started ticking off the days in his head until the thane’s probable return. The time seemed to stretch on endlessly before him. He needed to do something special for Wulfgar’s return. The wheels started spinning in his devious mind, and he started to perk up as he made and discarded ideas. The meal seemed to pass with agonizing slowness, and Kintaro decided he was going to go mad if every meal, every day, was like this. He needed something to occupy his mind. He squirmed a little, wishing Wulfgar were there to occupy his body as well. A thought came to the young man, and he sat up a bit straighter, a slow smile curving his lips as he pondered the idea. Yes… it was perfect. It would occupy him as well as be a pleasant surprise for Wulfgar when he returned. He would need to look in the storeroom to get some more fabric, but he knew there was much more there; he’d just have to pick the prettiest, the most elaborate. Kintaro smiled to himself, remembering how Wulfgar had reacted that one time, months ago, when he had worn the clothes of this land. Kintaro had won that battle and won back his robes, but wouldn’t Wulfgar be surprised and pleased if he were to return and Kintaro had a special outfit all made? He would use the heavy brocaded silks and embroidered satins and make a tunic and trews the likes of which this hall had never seen before. And not only would he please Wulfgar by wearing the clothes of his people, he would also stand out as he should. Yes, that was perfect, and he felt a bit more in good cheer having something to think about other than how very much he missed his Master. Lost as he was in his plan, Kintaro didn’t notice the gate guard that had come in from the door until the man was almost upon the table. It was the sudden quiet that pulled him out of his reverie. Unease

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stirred in him. They hadn’t been expecting visitors. His time here with the thane had been peaceful, but he hadn’t been in this land long enough to know if anyone would try to raid while Wulfgar was gone. A glance up in Brandr’s direction reassured him. The battle-lord looked curious to see what had brought the gate guard away from his station, but he was unalarmed. Kintaro looked over at Gaeric, who was gesturing the guard over. “My lord,” the guard said, nodding his head to Gaeric. “A slaver has arrived on his way to Londinium and requests shelter for the night.” “Of course,” Gaeric replied. “See that there is room in the stables for his men and animals. Is it a large party?” As the guard and Gaeric continued to talk, another stab of uncertainty struck Kintaro. Why, he could not say, but it was strong, and he found himself pressing closer to Brandr instinctively. Of everyone in the hall, it was Brandr Kintaro trusted most. This was an entirely different set of circumstances than the last time he’d run into a slaver, and though the situation had led him to Wulfgar, a Master who made him happier than his wildest dreams, Kintaro was still grateful that the slaver wasn’t going to be brought into the hall. Kintaro relaxed when the guard left and it was apparent the slaver was going to stay in the stables. He nibbled a bit more at some food, sighing softly and wishing for just a bit of rice or some noodles. He missed the food of home; the food here was so heavy and rich, and he was going to get soft from eating it all of the time. That wouldn’t do at all. He glanced up and started to notice Gaeric watching him. The young lord scowled, as was normal, but his gray eyes, so like Wulfgar’s, were thoughtful as well. Kintaro tilted his head and looked boldly back at him. He refused to be intimidated by this man who behaved like a boy so much of the time. Finally, Gaeric looked away, but there was a sly sort of smirk on his face that Kintaro didn’t understand and didn’t like. The thane’s son leaned over to murmur to Moira and then got up from the table to walk over to the doors and speak quietly to the guard there. Kintaro’s brows furrowed when Gaeric returned, his eyes widening slightly when the young man announced that he had called for the slaver to join them for the remainder of the meal as a show of

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hospitality. His heart pounded a bit faster, though he wasn’t sure why, and he nibbled on his lower lip. No one at the table seemed to think anything of the gesture, though, and after a few minutes, another man came into the hall and took the place pointed out to him at a table near the other end of the hall. The man bowed his head briefly at Gaeric before sitting, and Kintaro felt a little better that he wouldn’t have to share his table with him. The young man felt eyes on him and looked up involuntarily across the tables to find the slaver watching him steadily. That was something that he’d gotten used to while he’d been with the old slave traders. Others would come and often offer for him. He knew that he was a rare commodity, especially in this land. Kintaro shivered slightly. He wasn’t going to give the man an opportunity to steal him. He knew that if the thane were there, nobody would dare even thinking about it. But Gaeric was not the sort to inspire any dread. At least not yet. Kintaro decided that after the meal his best option was to return to his room and stay there until the slaver was gone in the morning. Nobody here would think anything of it, and the stranger wouldn’t dare violate those chambers. Once that was decided, Kintaro felt better. He peered back over at the stranger, but he wasn’t watching him anymore, his attention having switched to Brandr. The battle-lord’s presence was a comfort to him. Briefly, Kintaro thought about sharing his worries, but he decided that he was being silly, and Brandr wouldn’t appreciate hysteria. Kintaro carefully wiped his chopsticks and tucked them inside his robe, shifting restlessly in his seat. He looked up when Brandr nudged him lightly, blinking. The battle-lord smiled good-naturedly. “Dare I ask what you are daydreaming about, little one?” His smile was engaging, and Kintaro couldn’t help but smile back. The young man shook his head. “I am tired. Is all, Brandr-sama.” He let that sentence hang, knowing Brandr would assume it was from his farewell with Wulfgar. Kintaro feigned a yawn, just wanting to go back to their room, curl up in the big bed, and sleep. The more he slept, the quicker his barbarian would return to him.

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Brandr nodded with a rakish smile and gave his back a light pat. “The meal is mostly finished… go on and get some sleep. Wulfgar would have our hides if we did not take good care of you.” Kintaro preened a little, knowing that was indeed true, nodding and rising to excuse himself. Only Gaeric did not acknowledge his departure, but the rest of the table, most of them men deep in their cups by now, gave him cheerful and bawdy goodnights. He gave a last glance at the slaver from under his lashes and felt a shiver down his spine to see him watching. It wasn’t a scary shiver, but more of a feeling that the slaver knew something he didn’t. Kintaro shook it off, hurrying back to the room he shared with the thane. Once inside he took a deep, calming breath. He was being ridiculous; nothing was going to happen, it was just his bad memories of the last time a slaver came calling unexpectedly, that was all. The young man chewed lightly on his lower lip and stripped out of his robes. His eyes fell on the trunk that held Wulfgar’s clothes, and he impulsively tugged the heavy lid open. He let his slim fingers smooth over the fine fabric and smiled, picking up one of the tunics and bringing it to his nose, inhaling the faint scent of his Master before tugging it over his head and wrapping his arms around himself. The tunic hung to just past his knees. The neck of it, wide on Wulfgar, bared a good bit of his chest and hung most of the way off one shoulder. He had the idle thought that his big barbarian would likely fuck him senseless if he saw him right now. A pang of loneliness hit him, and he sniffled a bit, shutting the trunk and crawling up into the massive bed to curl up. “Good night, Oyabun,” he whispered quietly, hoping sleep would come quickly.

GAERIC could hear the snores of the others around him in the hall. The fire had burned down to embers, and the light was low. He shifted restlessly on the rushes, looking to find a comfortable spot. By all rights he should be in the lord’s room, taking his comfort in the large bed piled with furs. Wulfgar had denied him that right, saying that he didn’t want him in temptation’s way. True enough, he would’ve been

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distracted with the idea that Moira was resting in the very next room, but he wouldn’t dishonor her in that way. No, the truth was the thane was placing his slave above his son. The thought filled him with fury. Kintaro should have been relegated to the slave’s quarters while Wulfgar was gone, or at the very least out here with the men instead of laying in solitary glory in the thane’s room. His father had sent his previous slaves to the barracks when he hadn’t taken them on the road with him. What was so special about this one? That was what was really bothering Gaeric. Kintaro was different. His father made that dreadfully obvious, the way that he doted upon him beyond good sense. Gaeric had been forced to sit back and watch as, month after month, the strange little man’s hold over Wulfgar grew. It needed to end before things went too far. If they hadn’t already. A possible solution lay at hand, but Gaeric didn’t know if he dared. Again he turned restlessly and gnawed on his knuckle. Happenstance had landed a golden opportunity in his lap. He might never again have such a chance to rid his home of the interloper and wake up his father from the dreamland he had entered into. Even with the opportunity the slaver provided, it would not be easy. Kintaro had endeared himself somehow to many in the hall, and if anyone were to catch the slaver taking him, there would be an uproar. Brandr most of all. The battle-lord captain doted on the slave nearly as much as his father did. But Gaeric had to do something. His father was going soft with this odd man in his life, and Gaeric feared how much more dramatic the changes would become the longer Kintaro stayed here to weave his web around the hall. No, he had to go, and the traveling slaver was the perfect chance to accomplish that. Gaeric sat up slowly and looked around to be sure the others were either asleep or occupied, paying him no mind. He slipped through the darkness of the hall, his eyes watchful, and his gaze fell on the shadowed figure of Brandr on a pallet near the thane’s door. Gaeric would have to warn the slaver about Brandr especially. There would be no end to the fury if Brandr were to awaken and catch the slave being taken.

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For a second he had a flash of guilt. Moira would be crushed; she was so fond of the young man. He refused to think of how his father would react, but he was sure it would pass quickly. After all, it’d been well less than a year; how much of an impact could Kintaro have made, really? Besides, once Gaeric planted it in his father’s ear that the slave had run away, he would be too furious to miss him. Mayhap then Wulfgar would not be so quick to give his heart to another bedslave. He didn’t think his father would open himself up to being hurt a third time. Sexual gratification was one thing, but leaving yourself vulnerable to one who wasn’t worthy of you was quite another thing. What Gaeric had with Moira was different. She would never betray him, but with his father and Kintaro, it was only a matter of time. No one in the hall stirred as he exited. Gaeric wasn’t quite sure how he would get Kintaro out of the thane’s room without anyone in the hall noticing. The man was small; perhaps he could just subdue him and hand him out through the window. That thought warmed him as he made his way through the snow to the stables. Gaeric didn’t doubt that the slaver would want him. It was midwinter, and pickings were likely to be slim. Kintaro, with his unusual looks, would fetch a high price. With any luck, he would be sold to the Romans and sent so far away that Gaeric would never have to lay eyes on him again. The thane’s son slipped into the stables and looked around. It was quiet, the animals sleeping in their stalls. Gaeric went to the ladder to the loft and started climbing. “Slaver, are you up there? I would have a word with you.” He wanted the transaction done and the slaver gone at first light. That would give him several hours before anyone really noticed that Kintaro was missing.

CATE shed her glamour and hid her presence as she left the stables and neared the main hall. She had known Gaeric would rise to the bait, but even still, she was a bit shocked that he would risk so much to get rid of Kintaro. She shook her head. No matter, it suited her plan much better.

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Using her faerie magic, she was able to project her presence to more than one spot at once, a sort of splitting of her consciousness. With Gaeric in the stables was her glamoured slaver, making promises and bargains for the price of the young man’s sale, while the other half of her shifted off to lure the troublesome battle-lord Gaeric had warned her about from the hall. She had noticed him immediately upon entering the hall, sitting there beside Kintaro. Brandr had drawn her gaze more than once, and she scowled thinking of it, unsure what it was that tugged at her, but whatever it was, it had gotten stronger in Brandr’s presence. She did not have time for complications. She would just have to make sure the big, admittedly handsome battle-lord did not become one, that was all. This wouldn’t be difficult at all; men were so easily distracted. Cate laid another glamour over herself, making her appear more ethereal and fae than normal. She also took pains to make herself invisible to everyone but her intended target. She slipped into the hall and easily found her prey sleeping near the thane’s private chamber. Cate paused at his feet, looking the broad-shouldered man over. Something quickened within her, and she almost turned to walk away. There were other ways of ensuring that he wouldn’t interfere. Then she squared her shoulders. She was not about to be run off by the thought of any man. Especially a mortal one. “Brandr,” she whispered softly so that the sound reached no ears but his. The warrior stirred, then sat up quickly, speaking of how welltrained he was. His eyes widened as he took in the sight of her before him. He opened his mouth, whether to say something or shout Cate didn’t know. She laid one ghostly finger against his lips and smiled impishly as the sound died. The faerie woman drew back, beckoningly invitingly with her finger. And just like any red-blooded male of this land, Brandr could not resist the come-hither look and inviting smile of a pretty woman. Cate giggled at how simple mortal men were… well, mortals in general. But particularly their males. She glanced back frequently to make sure Brandr was still following. He was, with a puzzled and interested look on his face. She

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was surprised she didn’t have to use a faerie lure to get him to come with her, but she didn’t really think about it. Once outside, Brandr sped up, trying to catch up to her. She laughed and danced just out of his grasp, her smile beguiling, and he shook his head and frowned, trying again to catch up to her, calling quietly for her to stop. She cast a quick magic over the gate guards so they would not see them, and Brandr was too focused on following her to notice that the guards did not hail them as they should have. Once well into the trees surrounding the hall, Cate slowed, turning to face Brandr and holding up one slim, pale hand to stop him. He did pause, a befuddled and intrigued look on his face. “Who are you?” he asked with a soft, rough voice. Cate was startled by the shiver that raced down her spine at the sound of it. Cate pushed away that feeling and gave him a teasing smile. “You are a brave warrior indeed to follow me in the dead of a winter’s night. What if I had been intent on causing mischief?” A wry look entered Brandr’s eyes, and for a moment, Cate wanted to laugh in sheer delight. She had not had this much fun in a very long time indeed. The battle-lord took a step closer, his eyes narrowing as he spoke. “I believe you might be up to some trouble, that is for cert, lass. You have the look of trouble about you.” Then his lips curved in a roguish smile. “A very pleasant sort of trouble, I would imagine.” Cate widened her eyes and took another playful step backward. Brandr exuded an aura that both attracted and worried her. The man seemed utterly unafraid and entranced with her, which had been her intention, but now that she had accomplished it, it was slightly unnerving. She was struck with the urge to make him feel as unbalanced as she was feeling. The fae woman gave him a saucy smile. “I think I am more trouble than you can handle, my lord Brandr. I guarantee that I am going to haunt your dreams until the day you lay down forever.” She slipped deeper into the trees with a ghostly laugh, heading up in the direction of the cave on the tor. That would be a good place to let him sleep. He would be sheltered from the cold and wind, and he wouldn’t

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be harmed by the elements while she made certain she and the little imp were far away from here. Cate laughed as Brandr gave chase, though he didn’t seem all that intent on catching her just yet; it was more that he was simply following her lead. The trust—or foolishness—in that gesture startled her a bit. She had expected he’d be trying to tackle her to the ground by now; instead, he seemed content to follow where she led. That also spoke of an incredible confidence, as if it never occurred to him that she might elude him. She entered into the circle of sacred stones on the tor and looked back to see how far Brandr was behind her. As it turned out, he wasn’t at all, but right there less than an arm’s reach from her. How he had managed to catch up to her without her sensing him, she did not know, and she was so startled that she stumbled, only to find herself caught in strong arms with a triumphantly grinning barbarian towering over her. That she could break free at any time, or simply disappear, didn’t matter; what mattered was she definitely did not like the way it felt to have this human’s arms around her. Or, more to the point, she liked it a little too much, and she made to shove away from him, heart pounding. Brandr chuckled, and the sound rippled down her spine. Cate paused, frowning up at him. There was something very off, and she had the distinct feeling this roughly handsome man had everything to do with that instinct. Unfortunately for Cate, her pause gave Brandr what he took as the opportunity of a lifetime. He hauled her tight up against his broad chest and grinned wickedly at her before dipping his head and claiming her lips. She was so stunned that for a good long moment she didn’t think to struggle. The barbarian didn’t give her an opportunity to respond. His hand was braced against the small of her back, the heat from his fingers burning through her thin clothes. Brandr cradled her against him with arms that were unmoving, yet somehow still gentle. She made a muffled sound of protest against his lips, stamping her foot. Instead of breaking the contact and stepping backward, the oaf tugged her closer, curving her spine back, and deepened the kiss. His lips were persuasive and warm, and before Cate realized what she was doing, her own lips had parted.

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Brandr took immediate advantage, sweeping his tongue into her mouth in a devastating, thorough kiss. She moaned softly, her body inundated with sensations that were all the more sharp after such a long deprivation. The fae woman found herself clinging to the battle-lord instead of freeing herself. She would, in just one more minute. As soon as the waves of heat stopped engulfing her body. Cate felt a warm, callused hand cup her breast, a thumb brushing over her taut nipple, and her knees turned liquid. Then she heard the rough chuckle against her lips, and her eyes flew open. “Ah, lass, somehow I knew you would be all fire and ice,” Brandr murmured, his eyes locked to hers. “You are most certainly the kind of trouble I like.” Cate gaped at him for a second and then shook her head and squirmed out of his arms. He looked very confused about how she had gotten out of his grip. She would have laughed, but she was too shaken by that unexpected kiss to do so. “I am not your kind of anything, warrior.” Her chin tilted, and her eyes narrowed when he just chuckled again. “Aye, lass, you are. Come here that I may show you.” Brandr reached for her again, and she shook her head with a sigh. Stubborn mortals. She ignored how her body shivered at the thought of being pressed against him again. The battle-lord was more dangerous than she thought, at least to her peace of mind, and a thought was all it took to have him slumping to the ground in a deep sleep. Cate exhaled softly and pressed a hand to her stomach to calm its fluttering. What was the matter with her? Well, whatever it was, it had passed now, and she had to use some more magic to get the unconscious barbarian into the nearby cave. She bit her lip as she stood over him, unable to help admiring. He was a breathtaking man, big and solid, muscles earned from years of hard training leaving not an ounce of soft on him. His hair was a golden color she hadn’t seen often, just the slightest hint of red to it, and it tumbled in messy waves around his face. She bent and brushed a tendril back from his cheek, then snatched her hand away. “Stop being foolish, Cate,” she told herself sternly. “There is a job to finish.” With a short nod to herself, she spun on her heel and hurried

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from the cave. Halfway down the tor, she found herself looking back and actually wondering if he’d be safe there. Foolishness; of course he would be. She had enough on her mind as it was, and no mortal, no matter how comely he might seem, would distract her from her purpose. She had an obligation to fulfill, and she meant to do so. As the fae woman neared the peaceful-seeming mead hall, she managed to push the troublesome battle-lord from her mind. Inside was a young man, distraught by the absence of his lord and unaware of the extent of Gaeric’s malice toward him. For a moment, Cate hesitated. Kintaro wasn’t as stubborn and blind as the other two had been. He had been wounded as well, though the cuts didn’t run so deep. He wouldn’t resist the revelation of love when it came to him. Was this really the best way to go about it? Cate nodded, then slipped through the door without anyone in the hall discovering her presence. Kintaro might not be as stubborn, but his lord and master was enough for ten men. A wicked grin crossed her face as she reached the doorway into the thane’s inner sanctum. Besides, Wulfgar’s young lordling should reap what he sowed. Gaeric wanted Kintaro out of his father’s life; let him deal with the consequences. Mayhap then he would learn not to meddle in affairs that were best left to those wiser than him. The fae woman slipped through the door and approached the bed, looking down at the slim form huddled underneath the furs. The fading firelight cast shadows across his face, and standing so close to him, she could clearly feel his anguish reaching out to her the same way Aron’s had done the morning he’d stood in the stone circle and demanded vengeance, setting the wheels in motion for four lives. Cate gently brushed Kintaro’s dark hair back from his face. “Sleep, little one,” she murmured softly. “I fear you have a hard road ahead of you, but rest assured that when you find your barbarian again, nothing else will ever sunder you.”

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KINTARO was unsure what had woken him, but he felt… odd. His brows furrowed, and he turned onto his side, curling in tighter on himself in the attempt to fall back asleep, but something niggled at his subconscious. Finally, it penetrated: why was the bed hard and cold? His eyes flickered open slowly and widened with every passing second. He sat up as if in slow motion, looking around in shock. He was in the center of a small forest clearing, one blanket around him and another underneath him, both doing little to stifle the biting cold of winter. His heart pounded, and he stared around him in confusion. What was going on? “Wul… Wulf gar-sama?” His voice was shaky as he called out, though he did not think his barbarian was near. He couldn’t sense his presence as he always did. Then who, or what, had gotten him here? Where was here? Panic slipped in when he realized he did not know where he was, nor how to get back to Wulfgar’s. It had been so long since the trip there, and Kintaro had not been anywhere else. He didn’t think he could find his way home if his life depended on it. Fear filled him, and he scrambled to his feet, heart pounding as he looked around with wide, scared eyes. He heard a rustle in the trees behind him and spun around, clutching the blanket tightly around his shoulders and trembling. “Hello?” His fingers tightened convulsively on the rough weave of the blanket as the slaver emerged from the trees to stand before him. “No!” Kintaro wailed, launching himself at the other man without conscious thought. He wasn’t going to let this happen again. He wasn’t going to be taken so far away that he’d have no chance of ever seeing Wulfgar again.

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Kintaro dove low at the slaver’s feet, tangling him up and knocking him down. The larger man made a startled sound of surprise as he went down, the breath rushing from his lungs as he hit the ground hard. Kintaro didn’t give him a chance to get back on his feet. Smoothly, he rolled and rose, placing a couple of well-aimed kicks before turning to dart into the trees. First things first: he had to get away from the slaver. Then he’d find someone to help return him to Wulfgar. Branches slapped against his cheek and tangled in his hair and clothes. He barely felt the cold against his bare feet; the sound of pursuit behind him drove all other thoughts from his mind. Kintaro scanned the area, seeing nothing but bare, gray trees in all directions, snow on the ground with an overcast sky. No signs of smoke, no signs of anyone else. Kintaro turned to look behind him to see how far back the slaver was when he ran into something so hard that he bounced back. For a moment, he was stunned; then he felt strong hands grasp his arms, and the slaver’s eyes narrowed on him. “You little fool,” he rasped. “Are ye trying to get killed?” Kintaro snarled, his teeth bared, and struggled wildly, kicking with all his strength right between the slaver’s legs, but though the man stumbled, he did not collapse as he should have. Terror swept through him, and he fought not to let it overcome him. He had to get away, get back to Wulfgar, he had to! He was too small to do much damage hand-to-hand, but he was quick, and with swift reflexes, he managed to free one hand, which snatched out to grab the knife at the slaver’s belt. There was a flash of admiration in the slaver’s beady eyes as Kintaro pressed the blade with menacing threat against the other man’s throat. “You let me go,” he hissed, chest heaving with his heavy breaths. The cold stung at him; in some corner of his mind, he realized that he still wore only Wulfgar’s tunic, and he was oddly grateful for it. It felt like a little piece of his barbarian was with him as he stared down the man who had tried to take him from his rightful owner. In a blink of his eyes, he found himself empty-handed and the slaver grinning down at him. Kintaro shook his head, stunned, and tried

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to run, but he was caught up in strong arms that clamped around him, squeezing the breath from him and locking his arms to his sides. “No! No, no, no!” Kintaro could feel the tears threatening as the chance at freedom faded away and he was carted unceremoniously back toward the clearing where he’d awoke. “Wulf gar-sama….” His master’s name was a pitiful whine, and the young man knew there was going to be no answer. Not now, maybe not ever. His heart cracked at the thought. This was the nightmare happening all over again. Only this time, it was so much worse. The first time he’d been stolen away, he’d lost his friends and the excitement of a new home in an interesting new land. This time, he stood to lose so much more. The very thought of not seeing his barbarian again filled him with despair. Wildly, he kicked out again, searching for any weak spot that he could find. They would be careful to keep from damaging him, and that gave him some leeway. “I belong to Wulf gar-sama!” he howled, twisting around and sinking his teeth into tunic and flesh. “Stop that,” the man said sharply, twisting back until Kintaro was forced to let go. He found himself dumped on the ground, and Kintaro shoved his hair out of his face to glare up at his captor, who stood over him with his arms akimbo. “Listen here,” the slaver continued. “I bought you fairly. I didn’t steal you. So now, you belong to me. What happens now is entirely up to you. We can do it the easy way or we can do it the hard way. It’s your decision.” Kintaro’s eyes narrowed, and he snarled. “I belong to Wulfgar. You bring me back.” Blindly, his hand searched for a weapon on the ground, anything he could use to get out of his predicament. His mind spun, wondering where the others were. Slavers never traveled alone, but as far as he could see, it was only himself and the odious man in front of him. His fingers curled around a rough, uneven stone, and he held on tightly, coiling himself, ready to spring. The slaver gave him an impatient look. “Throw that rock at me and you will regret it, boy.” Kintaro glared hatefully and scrambled to his feet, shaking his head. “You not buy… Wulf gar-sama not there to sell! Take me back!” Even as he demanded it, he knew it was futile. The slaver had

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obviously stolen him and had no intention of returning him. So it was up to Kintaro to get himself home. He stiffened his spine in determination. He would, he would get back. He just needed to get away from the slaver and find others. Surely someone would know of Wulfgar; he was a great man, very important in this place. They would return Kintaro to his barbarian. He felt a little better thinking about that and turned his attention to how to get away from this man. The young man still didn’t know how the slaver had taken the knife from him, which he could see was back on his belt. The other man snorted. “The young lordling gave me quite the bargain in price for you, though now I see why he was so eager to be rid of you.” The slaver gave Kintaro a narrowed look. It was as if he’d been struck in the stomach as hard as possible. Kintaro stared in disbelief and for a moment forgot about needing to escape. Gaeric had sold him? But… Wulfgar would be furious, surely Gaeric knew that. Unless… Kintaro’s eyes burned, and his lower lip trembled as the thought occurred to him. No… Wulfgar would not…. His mind whirled as he processed that thought. Wulfgar wouldn’t do that to him. Great tears welled in his eyes and fell unheeded down his cheeks. Gaeric had to have acted on his own… but that was insane. As much as he didn’t get along with the thane’s son, he knew Gaeric cared for his father. He also rightly feared him. He wouldn’t do anything to bring Wulfgar’s wrath down upon his head. That thought, however, brought him back to the idea that Wulfgar was behind it. Was that why he was so insistent that he stay behind? Kintaro hugged his arms around his chest. No, no, no. He couldn’t believe that. There was a gaping hole in his chest, a gnawing pain that loomed darkly before him. Wulfgar gave him his chopsticks back. He sent Brandr to look over him. Desperately Kintaro searched the trees, searching for some sign of the battle-lord. If Gaeric did do this on his own, then Brandr would come after him. He wouldn’t let Kintaro be carted away like this. He had to believe that Wulfgar felt about him the way he did about the thane. The young man stifled a sob as the slaver threw a bundle at him. Automatically, he caught it. “Get some more clothes on ye,” the slaver

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ordered roughly. “And the shoes as well. Can’t have you shivering out of your bones.” Kintaro looked down at the bundle, remembering for a second when he had first come to Wulfgar with his own little bundle, and he couldn’t stop more tears as they fell down his face. Was it because of the redecorating of the hall? Or the refusal to wear those clothes made for him? Was he not exotic anymore, and had Wulfgar become bored with him? He wanted to curl up and cry for a hundred years. No, he shook his head to himself. No, Wulfgar was as enamored of him as ever. He had been so sweet and kind and soft just before he left. Kintaro had seen in his eyes how much the thane had wanted to change his mind and bring him. Or had the longing in those steely gray eyes been instead knowing that, when he returned, Kintaro would be gone? Had it been Wulfgar’s way of saying goodbye? He didn’t know; he was so confused and so scared and so very angry. He did not deserve this. Kintaro snarled and threw the bundle with force at the slaver, glaring at him and throwing a healthy string of choice curses in his native tongue at him as well. Part of him said he should do as he was told, stay healthy and strong for when Wulfgar came for him or sent someone after him. But he was too angry, too afraid, and he refused to make anything easy for the nasty man. The slaver’s eyes narrowed. Then he tossed the bundle back at Kintaro’s feet. “Put on the clothes or I will tear that shirt from your body and burn it. Then you will have nothing left of your precious barbarian. You have a choice, Kintaro, take it or leave it.” Kintaro glared at his enemy, his lower lip trembling. He meant it, Kintaro could see that easily. He took a step backward, clutching the precious shirt in his hands, and cried out involuntarily as the man took a step toward him. Kintaro snatched up the bundle and glared at him, retreating back another couple of steps. He would play along for a while. If it were only he and the slaver, the man would tire. He’d fall asleep eventually, and Kintaro needed to be healthy to get away. Slowly he started getting

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dressed, keeping a wary eye on the man, who had started putting a pack together once he seemed to be obeying. The slave pulled on thick, woolen hose, then found his heavy robes wrapped up in the bundle. His lungs constricted as he pulled them on over Wulfgar’s shirt, and it was hard to breathe. Kintaro cast a look at the slaver as he sat down on a fallen log to tug on his shoes. “Where are you taking me?” Mayhap it was someplace close. He heard that there was a market at King Eadric’s keep. That would be a logical place to travel midwinter. He bent his head as he wrapped the crossties around his legs, his hair obscuring his face as a wild hope filled him. Wulfgar would be there. He would rescue him. The slaver seemed to debate for a second whether to tell him or not, then shrugged. “Rome.” Kintaro’s heart sank. He wasn’t sure where Rome was, but it was not a place he had ever heard mentioned at Wulfgar’s home. It sounded vaguely familiar, but he could not place why. He was sure it wasn’t a part of the king’s lands, however. He huddled on the fallen log, watching the slaver warily. His mind spun, torn between despair, thinking perhaps Wulfgar would not be coming for him because he had sold him purposely, and fury, thinking Gaeric had betrayed his father and Kintaro both. Either way, he was in more emotional anguish than he could ever recall feeling. It seemed so hopeless. What would happen to him now? More months on end in a cage or, even worse, being sold to some new Master and being lost to Wulfgar forever? He wanted to tear his hair out. This could not be happening again, it could not. Wulfgar needed him; he would be lonely and angry with no one to make him smile and laugh and tumble in his big bed. The thought that the thane might replace him in his bed sent fresh rage through Kintaro. He would kill whoever it was without hesitation. Wulfgar belonged to Kintaro, his barbarian had told him so. The slaver watched him for a few moments with a look in his eyes that made Kintaro feel as if the man understood all of the raw emotions that were flooding through him. The young man squared his chin and turned his back on the odious man. He had no wish to share such private, intimate feelings with him.

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Wulfgar belonged to him, and if he could not escape, then he had to lead the thane to him instead. He was not going to let anybody else worm their way into Wulfgar’s bed or affections. Kintaro felt a pang in his heart, despair swamping him. Even more than the thought of Wulfgar fucking somebody else, the idea of him showing another the kind of attention and care that he reserved for Kintaro hurt. It would not happen. All fear that Wulfgar had ever known about this plot to steal him faded when he recalled the look in beloved gray eyes just the day before, his barbarian telling Kintaro that he belonged to him, that he was Kintaro’s. There had been no ounce of dishonesty in those eyes. Kintaro drew in a deep breath. He trusted Wulfgar more than he ever had anyone before, and he always would. He would get back to him somehow. Now he had another puzzle to attend to. How was he going to warn Wulfgar? How was he going to let him know where he was being taken? He had a sneaking suspicion that Rome was even farther away than Londinium, and that was very far away indeed. The trip in the middle of winter would be slow and uncomfortable. If he had his way, he would make it even slower indeed. That might buy enough time for Wulfgar and the battle-lords to catch up with them. The young man smiled savagely as he thought about what the slaver’s fate would be then. For a few moments, he relished his fantasy, his blood running hot. If Wulfgar ran out of ideas, he’d be happy to supply a few of his own. Kintaro didn’t have long to revel in those thoughts, as the slaver gave a whistle and a horse came out of the stand of trees to their left. Kintaro stared at it; it was a beautiful, snow-white horse with a flowing white mane and tail, not at all what he would imagine a slave trader would ride for such a trip. “Get on the horse, boy, we have a long journey ahead of us.” Kintaro bit his lip, an idea coming to him, and he spun around, lowering his eyes with a modest demeanor he didn’t feel. “Kintaro use… trees?” He gave the man a look from under his lashes, hoping he was stupid enough to fall for it. The slaver hesitated, looking at the young man with shrewd eyes before finally nodding and following him to the trees, gesturing to one

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large one. “That one, and don’t even think of trying anything stupid, boy.” Kintaro hid a smirk and nodded obediently, ducking behind the massive trunk. He was relieved to find that the tree hid him from view completely, and he crouched down, gathering up some fallen sticks and twigs and hurriedly arranging them. He did not know if Wulfgar could read his language, but if nothing else, the symbols would tell his barbarian clearly that Kintaro had been here and perhaps help him follow their trail. He would do his best to leave him such a message at every stop. He hesitated and then added one last symbol, the one for love, his lower lip trembling and touching it lightly. “Hurry, Wulf gar-sama….” Then he rose and stepped out from around the tree, chin held high as he stalked over to the horse and awaited the slaver. The man was going to regret the day he ever laid eyes on Kintaro, he vowed. For some reason, there was a faint smile on the slaver’s face as he reached down and grasped Kintaro’s hand, setting him on the saddle in front of him. Was that satisfaction in his eyes? Kintaro wanted to claw the expression from his face, but instead he wrapped his hands around the bow of the saddle and leaned forward so that he had to touch the man as little as possible. The beautiful white horse leapt forward at the softly spoken command of the slaver, the tone oddly musical. His gait was smooth and unbroken; they seemed to almost flow over the snowy ground without misstep, despite the condition of the path. Had it been any other circumstance, Kintaro would’ve thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Instead, he stared behind himself through the trees, willing his spirit back toward Wulfgar, hoping that, somehow, his slight clues would lead the thane to where he was. The young man continued to stare despite the way his eyes burned. He couldn’t stand the thought of looking forward when everything he loved was being left behind.

WULFGAR scowled as he waited impatiently on his horse, his men working to clear the road of a massive fallen tree that blocked the way. One thing after another had delayed them, and he was beginning to lose his patience. As if he weren’t already wishing he’d never decided to

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make the trip, it just kept getting worse. They’d made little progress, and he kept telling himself that as much as he wanted to, he could not turn around and make the less than half a day’s ride back to the hall and just stay there with Kintaro. Suddenly, there was a shout from the men guarding the rear of the party, and the thane turned in his saddle, brows snapping together to see a lone rider streaking toward the group, bearing the colors of his hall. Wulfgar cursed, knowing it could only be bad news, and spun the horse to ride out to meet the man. His face was stony and determined as they drew up beside each other. The look on the man’s face, one that told him clearly he did not want to give the thane this news, did little for Wulfgar’s already sour mood. “Speak, man. What happens?” The young man jumped in his saddle at the sharp tone, rushing to give his news. “My lord… your slave, Kintaro, is missing… he was not in your rooms this morn, and a search of the grounds has….” Wulfgar cut the man off with a low snarl and snapped his head around to shout to Alric, who was leading his men on this trip. “Leave the blasted tree. We return to the hall, now!” He didn’t wait for a response before driving his heels into his steed’s side, galloping full tilt back toward his hall. He pushed the entourage hard, yet still the shadows were lengthening toward evening before he thundered through the gates, his horse lathered and blowing hard from the long ride. A terrible stillness had gripped him the entire journey. He refused to think about the events surrounding Kintaro’s disappearance; it would have driven him to madness. There would be enough questions to ask when he found someone to put the questions to. The thane was roaring for Brandr even as he threw himself out of his saddle before the doors to the mead hall. Thralls rushed to take the reins of his charger even as the rest of the hall folk scurried out of his way, intent on any task that would take them out of Wulfgar’s sight. Gaeric strode out of the hall, took one look at his father’s face, and blanched. “My lord, Brandr has taken a few others and is even now out searching the trail.”

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“What happened, Gaeric? I want to know exactly what happened.” Wulfgar strode into the hall, barely glancing around before striding back to their room. He threw open the door so hard that it crashed against the wall. His eyes scanned the chamber; the bed was mussed and empty, yet everything else was still neatly away. “We are still trying to figure that out, my lord,” Gaeric replied softly. “We are not sure when he slipped out….” His words faltered as Wulfgar turned terrible eyes on him. “You are sure, then? That he ran?” The rage on his face, the pain in his voice, seemed to steal his son’s answer from his lips. Gaeric hesitated on that, seeming to weigh his answer before finally shaking his head. “No, my lord, but his things are gone, his robes and such, and no one heard him leave the hall, so he had to have gone out the window, whether willingly or not.” Wulfgar’s jaw clenched and he stalked over to the chest and flung it open, heart pounding when he saw that, indeed, everything Kintaro had come with was gone. He slammed the lid shut and spun on his heel to storm from the room. “Which direction did Brandr take?” The thane pinned his son with a hard look when he hesitated. “Speak, boy!” Gaeric took a deep breath and gestured to the southeast. “He thought since that was in the direction of Londinium, it would be the most logical trail to take….” Gaeric paused and then seemed to make a decision. “I am coming with you, my lord.” Wulfgar nodded shortly. “Very well, just do not hold me up any longer!” He stalked for the stable with his son to get a fresh horse for him and one for Gaeric as well. He determinedly did not look up at the loft. He would not believe that Kintaro had run. It made no sense. Even if the young man had wanted to, the thane did not think he would be foolish enough to make such a dangerous journey in the dead of winter. On the other hand, he could not deny the fact that he had been very wrong about slaves before. For some reason, this time, there was less fury and much more pain. He did not like it at all. Before much longer, two more horses were saddled and provisioned. Wulfgar fumed at the delay, and the preparations were made in a deadly silence. As the light in the sky deepened toward

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twilight, they were leaving the compound again and thundering down the road toward Londinium. Gaeric cast several sideways glances in his father’s direction; he looked worried, but whatever he wanted to say, he kept to himself. Finally, Wulfgar drew rein and slowed the horses. It was too dark to continue at a full gallop, and despite his anxiety to find Kintaro, he couldn’t risk laming the horses and slowing their progress even further. “Speak, boy, what is it that is grating on your mind?” Wulfgar ordered gruffly, his eyes straining the darkness on the road. He tried to gauge how much longer until the moon rose. At least it was a clear night, and the moonlight on the snow would allow them to go a little faster. Gaeric hesitated, then shrugged. “There was a slaver that came to the hall the night before, my lord. The guards at the gate didn’t see anybody with him when he rode out, but that doesn’t discount the possibility that he took him.” At first, Wulfgar felt a wave of relief that almost made him giddy. Kintaro hadn’t run from him. He wasn’t like the others. Somehow he’d known it, but to have it confirmed meant more to him than he could express. On the heels of that thought came another that was more troubling. If Kintaro had been stolen… by the gods, he couldn’t imagine the terror that his precious lotus was going through. “We will find him, Gaeric, and when we do, I will make it my personal duty to carve every moment of anguish that Kintaro felt from the man’s bones,” the thane promised in chilling tones. Gaeric said nothing to that, and Wulfgar let himself sink into his own thoughts. He could barely contain the fury at the idea of his lotus in the hands of some unknown slaver. The thought crossed his mind the man might hurt Kintaro, and he nearly roared before reasoning with himself that the young man was far too valuable. Surely, no slave trader would risk his value being lowered by damaging him in any way. That did not preclude the man using Kintaro, however, and that thought was equally infuriating. It had been bad enough when it had been his cousin, the king, but this… he spurred his horse a bit faster, trying to maintain his composure. He’d do his lotus no good if he did not find him, and to find him he had to focus.

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A shout had the thane drawing his horse to slow, and relief surged through him when Brandr appeared from the trees. Wulfgar’s eyes eagerly scanned the men and horses with the battle-lord, and his heart sank when he did not see Kintaro’s small form amongst them. “My lord, we’ve found something.” Brandr’s brows were furrowed in a frown, and Wulfgar felt his stomach pitch in fear of what it was they had found. Please gods, don’t let it be a body, please. “What?” he demanded, impatience ringing strong in his voice. Brandr shook his head. “I cannot be sure, but I think it might be a sign from Kintaro. Come, my lord, I will show you.” Wulfgar felt faint with relief… a sign. Pride filled him as he thought of Kintaro being brave enough to leave a trail for them. The thane swung down from his horse and followed Brandr into the thicket, vaguely aware that his son was following behind him. The battle-lord held up a hand, halting Wulfgar in his tracks; then Brandr pointed to something on the ground, bringing the torch closer so that the thane could see the odd formation of sticks on the ground. “I have not seen its like before, my lord,” Brandr said. “However, I know that the bastard rested here with wee Kintaro, so I know not how else to explain it.” Wulfgar’s heart lightened as he studied the strange pattern on the ground. It was rough and crude, but he had seen something similar weeks ago, painted on Kintaro’s bare golden skin. “Aye, it is from him, Brandr. He has shown me symbols such as these before.” At least Wulfgar could hope that the young man had been unhurt when he’d taken the pains to leave this sign for him. He wished he knew what Kintaro was trying to tell him, but the meaning eluded him. Perhaps it was nothing more than a way of telling Wulfgar he’d been here. The thane growled and rose to his feet. “Let us search on. If I know my lotus, there will be others whenever he gets the chance. It will help save some time on the journey.” Brandr caught his arm as he started to look away, and he met Wulfgar’s eyes fully. “I am sorry, my lord. I should have been more alert; this would not have happened if I had been doing my job.” Wulfgar’s eyes narrowed, and he started to reply when a startled exclamation from Gaeric caught his attention. He looked over to his son, who was crouched down in the snow, one finger brushing over the

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sticks. “What is it, Gaeric? Do you understand what it says?” A wild hope filled him as he remembered that Roman had been the one to teach Gaeric. Who knew what manner of other things the slave had taught him? Gaeric nodded, and Wulfgar crouched down beside his son, his eyes intent, willing him to speak. “What does he say, Gaeric?” How much could be conveyed in a few symbols? But as much as the thane hoped for a clue to their destination, the symbols themselves were proof enough that Kintaro was at least alive and coherent. That would have to be enough for now. Gaeric’s brows furrowed, and he glanced over at his father, his gray eyes so like the thane’s now filled with fear and worry, though Wulfgar did not know what the cause of those emotions was. He gestured impatiently. “Gaeric?” “I know not how to explain it, the symbols seemed to be nothing more than sticks arranged in a pattern.” Gaeric glanced back down at them and spoke in a whisper. “But somehow, when I look at them they started to make sense.” “On with it boy,” Wulfgar snapped. “What do they say?” The young man shook his head as if from a daze and nodded. “It says he is being taken to Rome.” Gaeric hesitated and then gestured to the last symbol, set a slight bit away from the others. “That one… it says ‘love’.” Wulfgar’s eyes narrowed, and he peered down at the sticks as if they would give up their secrets to him and tell him everything about the young man who had so bravely arranged them there. Love? What did Kintaro mean by that? It stole his breath to even consider what might have prompted such a message. The thane shoved the imaginings aside, determined to find his lotus. All would be understood then. He pushed to his feet, for some reason oddly hesitant to turn away from the symbols in the snow. It felt like turning his back on Kintaro and walking away, when what the thane wanted to do was cling to the small piece of him and will him to his side. He shook the feeling aside and clapped his son on the shoulder as he rose as well, giving him a fond, grateful look. “You learned well, lad. I am proud.”

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“Father, I…” Gaeric started, the expression in his eyes deepening. “I pledge to you that we will find him. I will do anything that I can to help you.” He hesitated, then faltered. “I am sorry that this has happened.” “Do not fret, Gaeric,” Wulfgar replied, his voice turning grim. “Nor you either, Brandr. We will find Kintaro, and we will find the one that took him. When we do….” The thane left that thought hanging as he strode back to where the horses were. “Brandr, how far ahead of us do you think they are?” Wulfgar asked as he gathered the reins and swung up into the saddle. “I would say about half a day, my lord. They are traveling light. We might save some time if we cut across country instead of sticking to the road. If the bastard is heading to Rome with the little one, then he can only be heading toward Londinium.” “Aye, let us do that, then. He cannot risk trying to sell Kintaro anywhere in King Eadric’s holdings. He is unusual, and word of him has gotten around. Londinium is the only place that he can go.” Wulfgar waited until everyone had settled in their saddles. “We will ride for a couple more hours, then take some rest and food. Not long, though. I mean to catch the bastard as quickly as possible.”

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KINTARO was still in a state of shock as the slaver ushered him aboard the ship that was swaying on the river. The journey to Londinium had taken the space of a day, when he remembered that it had taken him and Wulfgar weeks of travel to traverse the same distance. How had they arrived so quickly? He was caught up in events that were beyond his understanding, and it terrified him. The young man had had the opportunity to leave one more clue for Wulfgar as the slaver had paused outside the city walls, waiting their turn for entry. In the confusion of the crowd, he had managed to slip away back toward the trees, where he’d left Wulfgar’s shirt on the winter-bare branches and another hurried message, laid out with sticks. Parting with the tunic had been difficult, and he’d almost snatched it back, but he had heard the slaver looking for him and managed to lead him on a merry chase away from the clue before he was finally apprehended again. The slaver led him down into the hold to a small cabin that held two bunk beds, a tiny table, and a small chest nailed to the floor. Dispirited, Kintaro scrambled up onto the top bunk and curled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them. At least the man had not shown any interest in him. That, he thought, he wouldn’t have been able to bear. He was Wulfgar’s. Never again would he want another man to have what solely belonged to the thane. Kintaro sniffled, unable to stop the tears from spilling again. He was exhausted. Though the trip had been greatly shortened, it had been a long day indeed, and the thought of all those leagues between himself and those that were searching for him filled him with despair. With a choked sob, the slave buried his face on his knees. He was going to be taken so very far away… Wulfgar wouldn’t be willing to go so far for one single slave, no matter how Kintaro pleased him in his bed.

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Kintaro lifted his head and saw the slaver watching him with what appeared to be sympathy in his beady eyes. The young man felt hope spur, and his lower lip trembled. “Please, do not take me away, please?” Demands had not worked; perhaps appealing to the man’s sympathy would. He didn’t think he could survive being lost to Wulfgar forever; he felt so empty and hollow inside, though the hollowness did not lessen the pain any. The slaver seemed to hesitate, and Kintaro pressed on, wiping at his wet cheeks. “Gaeric-kun should not have sold me. Wulf gar-sama give much coins to get back.” He didn’t mention what would happen to the man were Wulfgar to find him and have to take Kintaro back. The young man was desperate, though. If this ship set sail with him on it, he knew there would be no hope, and just the idea was enough to make him go mad with grief. The slaver didn’t say anything, however, and Kintaro sagged as hope left him, tears falling in heavy trails down his face. Then the fury hit, and he subconsciously decided that if Wulfgar was not going to be Kintaro’s Master any longer, then no one would be. He would get off this ship or die trying. He’d held himself in check for the journey, hoping Wulfgar and the battle-lords would catch up to them, but this was the point of no return, and the young man refused to go without a last fight. He launched himself off the bunk and at the slaver, clawing and snarling, kicking and hitting. “You must kill before I go with you! You die too!” He ignored the pain as the man tried to defend himself without injuring him, but Kintaro had no such concern for himself or the evil man he struggled with. “I love Wulf gar-sama!” With every breath in him, he loved his barbarian, and he would sooner die than have to bear being apart from him for the rest of his life. The slaver’s eyes widened as he attacked, but Kintaro didn’t let up. The man made no attempt to block the blows, nor did he seem to be hurt by them either. Sobbing in desperation, shouting curses in his own tongue, Kintaro snatched the dagger from the man’s waist before retreating backward again, resting the point of the dagger against his chest and glaring hatefully at the man. He didn’t care; if he couldn’t be

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with Wulfgar, then he wasn’t going to be touched by anyone else. He wouldn’t shame his true Master that way. “Stop that at once,” the man ordered in a stern voice. Then, before Kintaro’s startled gaze, he seemed to shift and change, the coarse features of the man disappearing into the face of a beautiful woman. Kintaro would have leapt back in shock if he had been able to move, but suddenly he felt his muscles lock, and he was unable to move even though he tried. “If you commit suicide, little one, you will leave your barbarian bereft, and I know you don’t want to do that.” The woman strode forward and snatched the dagger out of Kintaro’s grasp, and Kintaro’s heart leapt as, abruptly, it vanished as if it’d never been. What was happening here? She stood looking at him for a moment, and Kintaro’s mind raced, trying to grasp what he’d just witnessed. In the next instant, he could move again, and he stumbled back, panting hard. “Sit down, Kintaro, and I’ll explain a few things to you. But I promise you this: you’ll see your Wulfgar again. Even now, he is making his way toward the city to recover you.” The woman watched Kintaro expectantly, but he crossed his arms over his chest and gave her a narrow-eyed, wary look instead. The woman sighed. “Fine, don’t sit, then. My name is Cate, Kintaro, and I must say it is a pleasure to finally meet you.” Kintaro said nothing. What was going on? What he was seeing was not possible, and he didn’t dare believe her when she said he would see Wulfgar again, even though it was his greatest wish in all the world. Cate gave him a gentle smile. “I am sorry I went to such lengths, but at the time I thought it the only way to make you and your barbarian see reason.” She tilted her head in a thoughtful manner, and Kintaro glared warily at her. She only continued to smile. “But it seems I didn’t need to convince you of anything, did I, little one? You already know you love him.” Kintaro felt the desperation inside him ease a bit, and hope started to rise again. “Take back now.” Cate sighed again and sat down in the one chair. “I’m afraid I cannot, Kintaro. Not yet.” She held up a hand as if to forestall his protests and rising anger. “Listen to me. I am not of this world, as you

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just saw. I was summoned to help your Wulfgar, and now that I consider it, I believe you can assist me in helping him.” Kintaro scowled at her. “I take just fine care of Wulf gar-sama. You leave alone.” He did not need anyone’s help; he knew what his Master needed, not this strange woman who might not even be a woman at all. The woman laughed. “Yes, that you do, Kintaro, that you do. But… don’t you want him to return the feelings you have for him? Don’t you want Wulfgar to love you as well?” Kintaro tilted his chin with a brash smirk. “Wulf gar-sama love me. He just… not know it.” He didn’t doubt how Wulfgar felt about it him, and this silly woman, with her odd way of speaking, was not needed. “Yes, he doesn’t know it yet, because he is the most stubborn, exasperating man I’ve ever dealt with. More so than two others I could name, but that is in the past.” Cate cocked her head. “What it comes down to is that I am bound to interfere. Wulfgar will come around, mayhap not until he lays eyes on you again, but it will happen. One way or another.” “Why Rome?” Kintaro asked desperately, flying to the small porthole as he felt the current catch the ship. Land was drifting by on the shore as they headed downriver. “Wulfgar find me here! In Londinium!” He glared at the woman over his shoulder. The woman sighed and came closer, resting one gentle hand on his shoulder. Kintaro stepped to the side, knocking her hand away contemptuously. “Rome is necessary, small one,” she said with no trace of irritation in her voice. “Wulfgar needs to see that you are different from the others. What he felt for them and what he feels for you are two different things. He also needs to recognize how you feel about him, Kintaro. You don’t feel just affection, or lust, or see him merely as a protector. You love him in a way that no one has before. Wulfgar needs to recognize that for what it is.” “We do not need you!” Kintaro said, turning around and shouting the words, waving his hands in her face. “Take back home!” Cate arched a brow. “Is that so? Don’t you want to know more than you do about him, Kintaro? You love him, that is clear, but how well do you truly know Wulfgar?”

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Kintaro blanched and frowned angrily. He didn’t understand what she meant. He knew Wulfgar; he was kind and exciting and rough and perfect in most ways. The woman continued. “You asked him once about his former slaves, did you not? And did he answer you truly? Because he may love you, Kintaro, and I do not doubt that he does, but your barbarian is just that, a barbarian.” She gave him a sly smile. “You and I both know that with you by his side, your Wulfgar would be even more of a force to be reckoned with. But until the both of you change the way you look at your life together, he will never allow you at his side, always behind him instead.” Kintaro bit his lip, brows knitting together and for once not worrying about wrinkles. But that was where he was supposed to be. However valued a slave he was, however much he took pride in himself, he was still a slave, and there were firm limits to how far a slave could, or should, rise in station. He nibbled on his lip thoughtfully, looking up at the woman curiously. “I not understand… why so far? How will this help, I still a slave, not… more.” He might idly daydream what it could be like to rule with Wulfgar, but he knew it was just a daydream. What would going all the way to Rome do to change that? “So far because Rome is where Wulfgar’s former slaves are. He needs to see them again as much as he needs to find you,” Cate stated. Kintaro drew himself up, hissing in fury. “Wulf gar-sama is mine! Not theirs! Mine.” “Hold on, Kintaro. Believe me when I say that they want no claim on your Master. They love each other. It’s just that the memories of what they were and what they meant to Wulfgar are a little skewed in his mind. Meeting them again will make certain truths clear to him. Such as, you are the man that is meant for him. No other.” Kintaro fumed silently for a few minutes, jealousy riding high in him. He didn’t want Wulfgar to see the others who had hurt him, the ones he’d touched and played with. He wanted to claw out their eyes at just the thought of it. The strange woman didn’t say anything, merely watched him with cool amusement on her face as if she could read every thought in his mind.

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“I am happy being slave. I was born slave.” He decided not to pursue the previous topic in case he lost his temper again, so he went back to the one that still perplexed him. What did his status matter? “Actually, Kintaro, you’re a slave more in name than anything else. Wulfgar gives you leeway, far more than he’s ever given anyone, and you’ve taken the reins as far as he’ll let you. You enjoy testing your boundaries. Don’t you?” Kintaro thought about that. He knew logically that yes, Wulfgar had given him far more free reign than he would another slave, even more than Kintaro had been afforded when he lived in his homeland in pampered luxury. He pursed his lips in thought and gave Cate a sidelong look. “So I go to Rome, far away from Wulf gar-sama. What if Wulf gar-sama does not follow?” His heart ached, and the tears sprang back into his eyes. It was so far, it would take so long… what if Wulfgar forgot about him, or decided Kintaro was not worth the effort it would take to retrieve him? He liked the idea of getting his barbarian to admit he loved him. He liked it very much, and he thought he’d give anything to hear Wulfgar say it. But the risk was too great; he was afraid to take a gamble like this. Wulfgar was not just another master, he was Kintaro’s whole world, and to lose him—by his own design, if he agreed to this—was terrifying. Especially when he was perfectly happy with things the way they were. He shivered and bit his lip. “You promise. You promise it works. If Wulf gar-sama not follow… you take back anyway. Promise.” “Oh Kintaro, little one. Wulfgar will follow. He will not be able to help himself. He’ll follow you to the ends of the earth.” Cate touched his face gently, wiping away his tears. “If it will ease your mind, though, I will give you my solemn vow to return you if it is necessary.” Kintaro’s breath came out in a shuddering sob, and he nodded, dabbing at his eyes with the sleeve of his robe. It would be so long, so long until he saw Wulfgar again, but this was so much better than it had been just moments before. His mood lightened fractionally, knowing that it wasn’t completely hopeless. “Even if works. I will not thank for taking me.”

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The strange woman laughed. “I hadn’t expected you to, Kintaro. Think of this as an added bonus. Your barbarian is not the only one who needs a lesson. Young Gaeric also needs to learn that his father’s life is Wulfgar’s own. Despite how he may want to protect his father, his anger toward you is biased and wrong. I do not think you will find the same problems with him when you return that you faced in the hall before.” Kintaro’s eyes narrowed. Gaeric. Anger churned in his belly. He had his own words for the thane’s son when he went back home, and nothing was going to hold him back from saying them. Then another, more troubling thought struck him. What would Wulfgar do if he found out that his son had been the one to betray him so? Wulfgar loved his son. Kintaro knew that, but this… Wulfgar would be enraged. He wondered if Wulfgar knew yet that it was Gaeric behind Kintaro’s disappearance. He hoped not; he did not want to think of the anger and hurt his barbarian would feel when he found out, let alone think of him going through it without Kintaro there to reassure him and take care of him. The young man sat down on the lower bunk and curled his legs against his chest, looking curiously, and a good bit suspiciously, at Cate. “Why you do this? Why want to help?” He was still unsure if any of this would help at all, or if it would just ruin what was already a nearly perfect situation. Cate sighed and seemed for a moment as if she would not answer, then sat down beside him and gave him a weak smile. “Because I have to, little one.” She appeared to think for a moment, then smiled. “You have heard the tale of Aoyagi and her samurai, I’m sure? I am what she was, in a way, a creature of nature, not mortal like yourself and Wulfgar. Not so very long ago, one of your master’s former slaves made a request of me. I must fulfill it, because it was made in a place sacred to my kind.” Kintaro stared, amazed, as he watched her form change again, not as drastically this time, but even more fantastically; a shimmering, fragile pair of wings unfurled from behind her, and she seemed to glow with an otherworldly light.

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She nodded slowly and then resumed her previous form. “Now you understand a bit more. But please believe me when I say that I mean neither you nor Wulfgar any harm, little one.” Kintaro was quiet, mulling what she’d told him over. “The others you helped. Did it work?” he asked, giving her a curious look. “Eventually. They tried to muck things up a time or two that I had to correct.” Cate rolled her eyes. “Whatever you do, Kintaro, when you are returned to your barbarian lover, don’t try to keep things from him, especially if they are important to you.” Kintaro blinked in surprise. “Why want to lie to Wulf gar-sama?” Cate merely smiled and patted his hand. “Good, just continue to think that way and you’ll do fine. Now if we can just get your pigheaded Master to understand.” Kintaro gave her an impish smile. “I make Wulf gar-sama understand. I very good at that.” Cate burst out laughing, then gave him a quick hug that startled him. She smelled of flowers and summer breezes, despite the weather. Kintaro glanced toward the porthole, feeling the water rocking the boat as they sailed away, then sighed. “I wish could see Wulf gar-sama. Know that he is safe,” he said wistfully, dropping his chin down onto his knees. He wondered where the thane was now, who was with him searching. Kintaro sighed and closed his eyes for a second to gather himself. He was going to have to be strong, brave like Wulfgar was, if he was going to make it through the next… however long it took to get to this Rome. The young man opened his eyes and he gasped, looking around. He was no longer on the ship, but in a forest clearing. He couldn’t feel the cold, but the snow blanketed the ground, and in the distance, he could see the glow of a campfire and the faint sounds of men talking. He frowned when Cate appeared beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. “Where… where is this?” Cate smiled and gestured toward the fire. “You wished to see your barbarian again. You may see him.” She held up a hand when Kintaro cried out and started to move away toward the glow of the fire. “He cannot see you, though, little one. Nor will he hear you or feel your touch.”

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Kintaro shook his head with a brilliant smile. “Is all right. I just want see him. I thanks, Cate!” He would be satisfied with this, especially since he had been sure it would be a very long time indeed before he again laid eyes on his beloved Master. He gathered up the hem of his robes and bolted toward the glow and the sound of the voices, slowing as he approached and pressing a small, shaking hand to his stomach when he easily picked out, even from a good distance away, his barbarian. Wulfgar was seated on a log beside the fire, staring sullenly into the flames and not participating in the conversations going on around him. Kintaro made a soft, choked sound and hurried closer, sinking to his knees beside the thane and reaching up a hand to hover over Wulfgar’s lips. Tears filled the young man’s eyes and spilled unheeded down his cheek, though he smiled through them and rose up onto his knees to get as close to Wulfgar’s ear as possible, closing his eyes and whispering to him. “I here, Oyabun… I always be with you.” When he opened his eyes again, Wulfgar was staring right at him, unseeing but searching, as if his whispered words had somehow brushed over his soul. The thane’s hand came up, fingers blindly reaching out before his gray eyes clouded over and his face fell. Kintaro’s breath hitched, and he involuntarily reached for Wulfgar, making a startled exclamation as his arms passed through the thane. Kintaro struggled to his feet, the snow and his robes hampering him. So many emotions were roiling inside of him that he felt as if he were going to explode. He wanted to thank Cate for giving him this gift, while at the same time he wanted to stamp his feet and throw a fit until she agreed to leave him behind where he belonged. The young man paused to look down at Wulfgar again. He looked so sad behind his sullenness, and it tore at Kintaro’s heart to see him so. He paused, hovering his hand over Wulfgar’s pale hair. He remembered so clearly the texture of it between his fingers. He looked back at Cate, but she wasn’t paying him any attention. Instead, her eyes were on Brandr, and she had a thoughtful frown on her face. Kintaro glanced at the battle-lord, whose normally cheerful face was grim, but he didn’t see anything out of the ordinary otherwise. “What is it?” he asked, his voice curious.

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“Nothing, little one,” Cate replied with a slight edge to her voice. “Just one very troublesome man.” Kintaro shook his head and looked back at Wulfgar, biting his lip and settling himself on the log next to him. He would stay as long as Cate would let him, and sitting here like this, he could almost pretend it was like that first night on the road, when he’d chattered on and on to amuse Wulfgar and then his barbarian had gone with him to that river and fucked him so well. His voice was thick with emotion when he started talking, pretending to himself that Wulfgar was listening as intently as he usually did. “Wulf gar-sama… I did not mean to get taken. But will be alright, I promise. And I try not to claw those other boys’ eyes out when Oyabun see them again.” He bit his lip and nodded a little to himself. He would try. As long as those two did not think to even dare touch his Master, perhaps he could refrain himself. “Do not be sad, Wulf gar-sama. I promise never to go away again. I promise.” The young man looked over, and his breath caught to see that Wulfgar’s head was tilted and his brows furrowed, as if he was listening to something far off and too quiet to make out. Kintaro bit his lip and glanced over at Cate, but she was paying him no attention, so the young man leaned in again. He could have sworn that he could feel the heat of his Master’s skin just beneath his lips. “I love Wulf gar-sama… for always.” Once again, those gray eyes flickered in his direction, filled with a vast frustration. Kintaro’s heart caught again. It was so real, as if he could reach out and touch him. He could see every detail of the thane’s face, but he couldn’t feel him, just ghost-like brushes now and then. “Kintaro, it is time to go now.” Cate’s voice broke him out of the spell that Wulfgar had woven around him. Kintaro’s throat tightened. “Do we have to… already?” Cate nodded sympathetically. “Yes, we’ve tarried too long already. I only meant you to see him quickly. Lingering here only causes the both of you more sorrow.” Kintaro almost balked, his heels digging into the snow in front of the log where he and Wulfgar sat. Then he came to the realization that if he caused Cate no trouble, mayhap she would let him see Wulfgar

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again. Slowly he rose, reluctance in every line of his body as he made his way back to the strange woman who had turned his life upside down, all for the sake of an ungrateful slave who couldn’t realize what a great man Wulfgar was. Kintaro looked back at Wulfgar, his heart aching, and bit his lip hard to keep from crying out. He wanted to scream, to demand to be returned to his Master so that he could make that horribly sad expression go away and see his barbarian smile at him and hold him close. Cate said this was what Wulfgar needed. And though he had no reason to, Kintaro believed her. He would do anything to give his barbarian what he needed, but that it was Kintaro going away from him hurt. Even if it was just for a little while. Kintaro took a deep, steadying breath, assuring himself that Wulfgar would be fine; he would be safe. Brandr-sama was with him, as well as Gaeric, and whatever Gaeric’s animosity toward Kintaro, he adored his father and would protect him with his life. He hung his head. Wulfgar didn’t need him right now. Then he straightened and firmed his jaw. But he still wanted him, Kintaro could see it. He knew now that Wulfgar would move mountains to have Kintaro by his side once more. The young man consoled himself with that knowledge. Cate might say Wulfgar needed to see these other slaves, but Kintaro knew that his Master wanted only him. Wulfgar belonged to Kintaro, and the young man pitied anyone who thought to change that truth. He nodded and looked at Cate. “I ready.” Before he could blink, the forest and Wulfgar were gone, and he was back in the dingy little ship cabin, feeling the roll of the waves and smelling the sea. He bit his trembling lower lip and curled up on the bunk, legs drawn up against his chest. He had a feeling this trip would feel like an eternity. Kintaro felt Cate watching him for a bit before she took a blanket and covered him gently with it. “Sleep, little one. You’ve had a harrowing day,” she said, sitting down on the bed next to him and brushing back his hair. “Dream of your barbarian.” “It is going to be so long until I see him again,” Kintaro said forlornly, blinking back tears. He’d been devastated at the thought of

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not seeing Wulfgar for the weeks that he was going to be at the king’s. That had been a blessing compared to this. “Aye, that it is, Kintaro. I will try to speed the passing, though, so it’s not as long as it normally would be. Truthfully though, the length of time depends on the thane and his stubbornness.” She smiled faintly. “All he has to do is listen to his heart for once instead of his head.” Kintaro didn’t know what to say to that, so he closed his eyes, picturing the thane in his mind. The way he seemed to fill up the room, the way the light caught his hair making it shine, the way his voice would rumble when Kintaro was curled up against him with his head on Wulfgar’s chest. His scent, his touch, all haunted him. He ached all over; he needed to see him so badly. Just to hold him. Never had he wanted to be with anybody for anything more than sex. No, he wanted to be with Wulfgar, up in the hayloft, naked and safe and holding him close.

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WULFGAR stalked into the inn, slamming the door behind him in an excess of rage. The patrons of the establishment looked up but immediately put their heads back down in their various drinks, not eager to attract his attention. Despite their best time, they’d gotten to Londinium too late. Slavers along the dock easily remembered Kintaro. He would stand out even if he weren’t so exotic. The ship had left for Rome some time ago while they had been floundering behind. Wulfgar cursed under his breath, stomping over to a table. All the inhabitants save two hurriedly got up and found another place to occupy themselves. Brandr and Gaeric exchanged guilt-filled, worried glances, which only made the thane’s mood worsen. He was tired of those sidelong looks. Wulfgar poured himself a mug of ale and downed it. They were going to drive him crazy if they kept it up. “The word is bad, my lord?” Brandr questioned in a quiet voice. Wulfgar scowled, and the battle-lord fell silent. The thane knew that he was being unfair. Brandr worried about Kintaro as well. The little imp had befriended many in the hall. Wulfgar pressed his hand to the pouch at his side. He hadn’t come up completely empty: he’d found the place where Kintaro had rested before continuing into the city. His lotus had found the opportunity to leave him another message: one of Wulfgar’s own tunics dangling from a tree branch like a tattered beacon. His heart tightened in his chest at the thought of it, and he could only hope it was the exposure to the elements that had made the material so frayed and torn, that it wasn’t a sign of Kintaro having been hurt. Wulfgar sighed and nodded. By the gods, this was a nightmare he had never anticipated. Rome. A world away, it seemed. Or might as

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well be, from his perspective. He sat back in his chair and narrowed his eyes into his cup. “He’s sailed for Rome, well over a fortnight ago.” He did not want to see the defeat that crossed Brandr’s face, nor the guilt that flashed across his son’s. The thane wanted someone to tell him it wasn’t bloody well impossible to get Kintaro back… it couldn’t be, because he refused to accept his loss. If he had considered turning back before, his lotus’s second message to him had snatched that idea right out of his head. He’d managed to tell them what ship he was being taken aboard, which, if they could get to Rome, would help locate him. Kintaro had again left the symbol for love, as well as one that Gaeric said indicated ownership. Wulfgar knew very well that the young man was referring not just to himself belonging to Wulfgar, but to Wulfgar’s promise that day of belonging to Kintaro as well. Gods, was he actually going to Rome? To retrieve a single bedslave? The thane’s jaw tightened. Aye, he was. Kintaro had become far more than just a bedslave who was easily replaced. Though Wulfgar was not exactly ready to examine what the young man had become instead. “I follow him there. With the next ship to sail.” Brandr’s eyes went wide, but it was Gaeric who spoke first. “Father, you cannot be serious! Rome? It is leagues away, and dangerous, considering the state of affairs with the Romans leaving this region! Surely you do not mean to….” Wulfgar cut him off with a sharp tone. “What I mean to do is get Kintaro back, at any cost. Am I clear? He did not run; he was stolen, he is afraid, and I will not abandon him to whatever kind of monster stole him from me.” Already just knowing how frightened his lotus must be, as well as not knowing if he was all right, if he was being hurt or abused in some way, was driving Wulfgar to madness. Gaeric blanched and fell silent, staring down at the table. Wulfgar turned his belligerent gaze onto Brandr, silently daring him to object as well. Unlike his son, however, Brandr didn’t look away. “Well, if you are set on this course, you cannot go alone. I will go with you.” “No!” Wulfgar’s response was immediate. “You are needed here, Brandr. Gaeric will need your aid back at the hall.” Then there was the matter that he did not want his son traveling back in midwinter alone.

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Mayhap he coddled the boy too much, but Wulfgar could take care of himself. “My lord… Wulfgar. It is madness to go on your own!” Brandr’s fist slammed down on the tabletop. “You do not know the country. There will be no one there to help you if you get into trouble. The Romans have no love for us, and you well know that.” “I know the language well enough, Brandr. I understand the customs. I will get by.” Wulfgar’s gaze hardened. “I know where I have to go and who I will need to talk to. That will have to be enough.” “Father.” Gaeric’s eyes lifted, meeting Wulfgar’s steadily. “I agree with Brandr. You will need someone else by your side. If you will not take him, then take me, but by the gods, don’t go alone. This man has got your thinking all turned around.” Wulfgar’s eyes flashed, and Gaeric held up a hand to forestall him. “I did not understand what he meant to you; now I think I do. If something like this happened to Moira….” He stopped and looked down again. “Go… but do not go alone.” Wulfgar scowled darkly and then gave a short nod. “Very well. Brandr will accompany me. The rest of the men will see you safely back to the hall, Gaeric, and I trust you will take care of my home in my absence.” He did not know how long he would be gone, just that it would be some time. Just getting to Rome would take what seemed like an eternity; then he could only hope that Kintaro was still there and had not been taken elsewhere in the meantime. His hopes sank as he considered that. He told himself he would follow the boy to the ends of the earth to get him back, but how long could he really keep to this merry chase he was being led on? How long could he chase the slaver before he was forced to admit defeat, however much he would not want to? He would not think that way; he could not. If he did, he would go mad, and the last thing he needed was to lose his senses right now. He needed to be calm and focused. He looked to Brandr. The battle-lord had told him the tale of the strange woman who had been in the hall that night and lured Brandr from his post. At first, the thane had been furious that Brandr had let a woman distract him from his duties. But in the telling, the thane began to wonder if it weren’t all intertwined somehow. He did not know how,

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but something about the woman his captain had described rang familiar to him, though he could not place it. “The next ship sets sail in two days. We will be on it.” He glanced at Gaeric, then back at Brandr, his face determined. “We do not return until we have him.” Brandr nodded. “Aye, Wulfgar. We will bring the little imp back to where he belongs.” He drained the rest of his ale. “Have you already made arrangements for passage?” “Aye. It will not be too much trouble to add you. Go and explain to the rest of the men what is happening. Let them know to be ready to return home on the morrow. The hall has been unattended too long as it is,” Wulfgar replied. His battle-lord nodded and rose from the table. Wulfgar turned his gray eyes on his son, studying him for a moment. Gaeric looked troubled and did not meet his eyes; that seemed to happen often lately. “Is there something you wish to tell me, Gaeric? You have been acting oddly these last couple of weeks.” Gaeric flinched, glancing up at Wulfgar. He seemed to hesitate, then took a deep breath. “Father. This should not have happened. It is my fault….” Wulfgar waved a hand impatiently, and Gaeric stopped. “Cease, boy. I am heartily tired of you and Brandr blaming yourselves, looking at me sideways and jumping every time I speak. The slaver was a sneaky bastard, make no mistake. He tricked you both. I have gotten over my anger with you two.” He shook his head, lost in thought as always, consumed with images of Kintaro. “I suspect you will want an early start tomorrow. You should get some sleep, son.” Gaeric looked as if he wanted to speak again, but then he nodded and rose, disappearing upstairs to the rooms of the inn that Wulfgar and his men had occupied since their arrival. Wulfgar slid down a bit in his chair, staring moodily into his mug of ale and exhaling heavily. Was he making a fool of himself yet again, he wondered? He had to consider the weakened state he was leaving his lands and his hall in, with him gone and not returning anytime soon. But he couldn’t make it matter nearly as much as retrieving Kintaro did. The little imp had him utterly enthralled, and sometimes he was sure it was a bad thing, because how could it be good to have one’s

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thoughts so consumed by another? And it wasn’t just because of his kidnapping that Kintaro occupied his every waking moment… if he were honest, the thane had to admit that it had been the case for a long time. And that only made it worse. He was supposed to be above this. He’d managed all these years to keep himself from being captivated by one of his bedslaves, and now it had happened. And somehow, now that Kintaro had been taken, he couldn’t seem to make himself care. What did all his lands matter if his lotus was not there to share it with him? What kind of a man would he be if he just went back and left Kintaro to his fate? He was a slave after all, used to being bought and sold, used by whoever owned him. Wulfgar’s hand tightened convulsively on his mug, denting the soft pewter. No, Kintaro hadn’t wanted this. The young man was utterly devoted to him, and the idea of him being with anyone else enraged the thane. He was so much more than a slave. Wulfgar didn’t know how or when it happened, but it had. He remembered feeling the start of it the night Eadric had Kintaro, that all-consuming rage and helplessness. He thought that Kintaro had felt some measure of the wrongness of it as well, or why else would he have sought him out the way he did? To be honest, the thane had stopped thinking of Kintaro as a slave some time ago. He was the man that Wulfgar shared his life with. What belonged to him belonged to Kintaro as well. The men in the hall treated him with utmost respect, and the other slaves and thralls in the hall obeyed his orders. For a moment, the thane allowed himself to wonder how things might be, were they different. What might it be like to have Kintaro by his side truly, the way a wife was by her husband’s side, ruling with him? He wanted no wife, but he could imagine Kintaro in that role; in truth, the young man already was. The thane sat back heavily, surprise rippling through him. His mind spun with images of Kintaro smiling at him and teasing him and loving him… gods, loving him. He couldn’t deny it; the symbols Kintaro had left were clear. His wild little flower loved him. He had never before demanded or wanted a slave’s love. That they honored him and obeyed him and respected him was enough. But

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he couldn’t help the swell of pride at the thought of Kintaro loving him. It made him… oddly warm inside. The thane wasn’t sure what to do with that information. Kintaro loved him, and it was a staggering discovery, but what did it change? Kintaro was a slave, Wulfgar a thane and cousin to the king; that his lotus loved him, as he saw it, did not truly change anything. It only made him even more determined to find Kintaro and bring him back home. He’d see to it personally that this never happened again. Kintaro belonged to him, and every man throughout the land would understand that. Wulfgar wondered what Kintaro was thinking of now. The young man had a complex little mind. He was probably worried for him. That would be like him. Despite the uncertainty of the position that he was in, Kintaro would fret that Wulfgar wasn’t taking care of himself properly. He’d be jealous that Wulfgar might find someone to warm his bed, though the idea was ludicrous. Oh gods, had his lotus given up on him following after? It had been so many weeks, and he was far away; it would be only natural. The thane felt a tightness in his chest that he could not breathe around. The idea of Kintaro doubting him at all hurt more than he could express. Bah, he was getting nothing accomplished sitting here getting maudlin over his ale. Wulfgar rose from the table, tossing a few coins on the scarred wood for their drinks. He should head back to the ship, let them know that Brandr was going with him. There were a hundred small things that he could do. He needed to keep his mind occupied, because every time he drifted, he saw Kintaro’s eyes, black as midnight, beckoning him on. Their roles were reversed. Now his lotus was the Master, silently commanding Wulfgar to follow after, and he could no more disobey that order than the meanest slave could. Hold on, little lotus. I am coming for you.

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Cate stared out of the small porthole, then glanced over to the bunks at the sound of a soft whimper of distress. The fae woman sighed quietly, moving to crouch down beside the bed and reaching out to brush back a lock of heavy dark hair from Kintaro’s cheek, her heart tugging when he made another soft sound and tossed a little bit. It was harder to keep her distance and keep from feeling pity this time than it had been with Aron and Roman. Perhaps because Kintaro did not fight his feelings and was suffering because of his Master’s stubbornness, not his own. Aron and Roman… those two had fought it until the end. Perhaps… perhaps she could do something to ease the young man’s distress. The last thing she wanted was for him to grow despondent and apathetic because of the separation. She thought about it for a moment and then smiled, nodding to herself and placing a gentle hand on his head. “Sleep, little one. Sleep well and dream of your barbarian… for he dreams of you.”

KINTARO stirred, rubbing his eyes and sitting up slowly, gasping when he came fully awake and looked around at not the tiny, ugly ship cabin, but a clearing along a riverbank, his heart pounding when he recognized it as the same riverbank where his Master had taken him the first time on the trip back from Londinium. What was happening? He did not see Cate anywhere, and the stars and moon and surrounding trees were hidden by a dense cloud of fog, giving everything a very dreamlike appearance. Was this a dream? The young man was not sure until he heard a noise and scrambled to his feet,

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spinning around. His heart stopped beating at the sight of his barbarian emerging from the fog. “Oyabun!” Kintaro cried, snatching up the excess of his robes and running for him. Wulfgar’s eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks before swooping down to gather Kintaro in his arms. For a moment, the big barbarian did nothing but hold him so tightly that it was hard to breathe. Kintaro didn’t care, though. It felt so right, so real, and if it was just a dream, then he was determined to linger here until Wulfgar really did come to wake him up. Kintaro longed to say all of the things that that were bottled up inside of him, but he couldn’t. They lodged in his throat, refusing to come out. The young man tilted his head back, peppering Wulfgar’s face with kisses, twining his fingers deep in his beard and hair, holding on as if he were afraid Wulfgar was going to disappear back into the mists. Wulfgar chuckled roughly, looking down at him with relief and affection in his eyes. “Now I know ’tis you, lotus. Only you pull my hair out by its roots. I am surprised you have not plucked every hair from me until I am as bald as an egg.” “Love you… Kintaro love you.” The words finally tumbled from his lips, tears welling in his eyes as he clung to Wulfgar harder. Wulfgar’s gray eyes darkened. Then his barbarian kissed him like he had never kissed him before. It wasn’t rough and hungry, as they were so often with each other. It was gentle, but so all-consuming that Kintaro was utterly lost in it. Kintaro clung to his Master and kissed him back with just as much emotion as he could feel in the thane. His heart swelled until he was sure it would explode, tears spilling from his eyes, and he hiccupped a little when Wulfgar broke the kiss and gently wiped the wetness from his cheeks. “Kintaro… miss Wulf gar-sama so much… please, Oyabun, take home now? Please?” Kintaro’s voice broke, and he trembled, so afraid he would awake and be alone again and even more afraid that all he would ever have now were dreams of Wulfgar, that his barbarian might somehow never come for him. Something could happen to him and…. Kintaro shook his head, unable to even finish the thought.

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Wulfgar’s lips pressed tightly together, and Kintaro could feel the tension in him, wanting to cry, because he should not have said anything and ruined the lovely dream when he knew that was all it was, that his barbarian could not take him from this place and whisk them home where it was safe. Kintaro felt his chest tighten unbearably, and he swore he saw moisture glimmering in Wulfgar’s gray eyes for a moment before they cleared. “Oyabun… Kintaro love Wulf gar-sama… that all that matters. Always, Oyabun, your lotus, for always.” He tugged on Wulfgar’s beard and hair until his Master lifted his head and his gray eyes opened, and Kintaro lifted up to kiss him again, pouring everything he felt for him into it, legs and arms clinging tightly to him. “Lotus,” Wulfgar moaned against his lips, his arms cradling him safely. The thane started to carry him away, fog enveloping them. The sound of water rushing over stones broke the silence, and then Wulfgar was laying him back on a bed of moss near the river. He should feel chill, but all he could feel was the warmth of his barbarian over him. “I am not going to let you go, Kintaro,” Wulfgar promised as Kintaro clung. “You belong with me. You will always belong with me.” Kintaro’s heart slammed against his ribs, but before he could respond, Wulfgar was kissing him again, his large hands gently divesting him of his robes. The heat of Wulfgar’s palm scorched his skin through his thin under-robe. Half-sobbing, Kintaro tugged at Wulfgar’s own clothing. It would all be better when they were naked and there were no barriers between them at all. They fumbled, unwilling to part long enough to make the job easy, and finally they sprawled out naked, and the familiar roughness of Wulfgar’s chest was against his own. It felt so right and familiar that it brought even more tears to his eyes. “Wulf gar-sama… Oyabun,” he whispered. Wulfgar looked down at him, for a second a tender smile curving his lips, and he cupped Kintaro’s cheek. “Aye, lotus. And Kintaro is Wulf gar-sama’s Oyabun as well.” Kintaro’s eyes lit up, and he gave a choked little laugh, arms tightening around Wulfgar’s neck. “Yes… for always.” He moaned raggedly when Wulfgar dropped his mouth down to his neck, and he

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savored the rough scrape of his beard and the sharp sting of his teeth, trembling and holding tightly to him. He finally eased the grip on his Master when Wulfgar slid his hand down between Kintaro’s thighs. Kintaro eagerly unwrapped his legs from Wulfgar’s waist and spread them wide. It felt like it had been an eternity since he had felt his barbarian’s touch, and he craved it as he did his next breath, even more than that. “Please Oyabun… Kintaro need Wulf gar-sama… please….” For the first time in Kintaro’s entire life, he meant those words as far more than needing someone for sex. Oh, yes, Kintaro wanted Wulfgar, his body ached for him, but even more than that, he needed the closeness, the feeling he got when Wulfgar held him and called him his lotus and had that look in his eyes. He needed that far more than he needed Wulfgar’s cock plunging deep inside him. Wulfgar watched him now, his gray eyes alight and intense as the thane wrapped his hand around Kintaro’s cock. He ran his thumb over the head, stroking, and Kintaro got the strong impression that Wulfgar was just savoring touching him. In the past, that had driven him wild. He wanted more, craved it, begged for it, screamed at the top of his lungs, demanding it. Not this time, though, for now he understood the importance of just touching, savoring each other’s presence after what seemed an eternity without. With wonder in his eyes, Kintaro ran his hands over Wulfgar: the strong muscles in his arms and back, the light covering of hair over the thane’s chest. Kintaro’s fingers sought out hard nipples, rolling them between his fingers until he heard Wulfgar’s breath catch, the rough groan deep in his barbarian’s throat. Kintaro’s hands moved down, skimming over Wulfgar’s hips and solid thighs. The man was so huge. By all rights, he should crush Kintaro, but Wulfgar had never used his strength to hurt him or demean him. Even when he’d disciplined him, Wulfgar had been far easier on him than he had initially thought he would. Kintaro’s heart ached as Wulfgar caressed him. He wondered if Wulfgar felt the same. He wanted him to, so much now that he ached with it. He didn’t realize how much he wanted Wulfgar to love him in return until this moment, where they lay naked in a dream by the riverbank.

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Kintaro didn’t know if Wulfgar would remember this dream, or if he would for that matter, but he knew that Cate had told him they could not be reunited until Wulfgar came to his senses about something. The young man suspected love might be that something. Was that it? She wanted Wulfgar to realize he loved Kintaro? If so, that meant his barbarian must already love him but had not admitted it to himself. The thought flooded him with warmth, and he lifted up onto his elbows, tilting his head and kissing him gently. He rocked his hips steadily, but his eyes were soft and calm, full of love. “Wulf gar-sama. Kintaro love you… Kintaro meant just for you. And you meant just for Kintaro. Hai?” Wulfgar’s brows furrowed a bit, and he slowed his gentle touches on Kintaro’s body. He appeared to think about it, and the young man held his breath. Finally, Wulfgar nodded with a grin. “Aye, little lotus, I am meant just for you.” Kintaro exhaled sharply in relief and nodded with a beaming smile, arms tight around his neck. “Hai… Kintaro love Wulf garsama… meant just for Oyabun.” He left the two thoughts connected, unwilling to dare anything bolder, and decided he’d given his barbarian enough to think about for one night. It was time to make it so he could not think at all. If Wulfgar had intended to say anything else, it was lost when Kintaro kissed him. He didn’t give the thane an opportunity to collect his wits. Kintaro sank his hands deep in Wulfgar’s tawny hair, undulating slowly against him in a manner that he knew Wulfgar understood quite well. “Fuck, Wulf gar-sama,” Kintaro whispered huskily against Wulfgar’s lips. His eyes opened slowly, and he gave his barbarian a heated look through his lashes. “Fuck your lotus.” Wulfgar’s gray eyes blazed like starlight, and he chuckled, dropping his forehead down to Kintaro’s. “I had not realized how much I have been waiting to hear those words from your lips. I knew that if I heard them everything was….” He broke off, sadness flickering in his eyes before he smiled at Kintaro. “Yes, little lotus. I will fuck you, until we cannot feel anything but each other.” Kintaro’s breath caught as Wulfgar sat up, sitting cross-legged on the earth. He took Kintaro’s hand, his larger one engulfing it and

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silently urged him to sit down on his lap. One strong arm cradled his back, then Wulfgar’s blunt fingertips pressed against his entrance. Tears sprang to Kintaro’s eyes as the thane penetrated him slowly, so as to give him time to adjust, or maybe it was to savor the moment, he didn’t know. All he understood at that moment was it was right. It felt so normal and perfect, like he truly had come home. Wulfgar was giving him exactly what he’d asked for. Kintaro burrowed his face into Wulfgar’s neck, arms tight around his neck, and rocked his hips slowly as the thane pressed his fingers deep inside of him. It felt so good, but so far beyond simply physical pleasure that Kintaro could not even explain it. Luckily, he did not need to; his barbarian understood perfectly and held him close as he gently and leisurely stretched him, his other big hand stroking up and down Kintaro’s side, curving at his waist, fingertips caressing his ribcage. “Wulf gar-sama, my Oyabun….” Kintaro whimpered, eyes burning, and he knew he would give anything in the world, anything, to stay there in his Master’s arms and never leave. At that moment, he thought he hated Cate for taking him away from the only place he had ever truly wanted to be, the only person he had ever wanted to be his. He would not think of leaving Wulfgar right now, however. Instead, he would love his big barbarian so well that he would not falter in his mission to retrieve Kintaro, would not give up until he had succeeded and they were together somewhere other than their dreams. Kintaro lifted his head, meeting Wulfgar’s eyes and smiling at him, slim hips circling and entire body trembling with desire. He cried out when Wulfgar’s fingers firmly manipulated that spot deep inside. His small hands slid down between their bodies to wrap around Wulfgar’s cock, the feel of it so hard and hot in his hands, familiar and perfect. The young man maneuvered his hips, groaning as Wulfgar withdrew his fingers. He positioned the thane’s cock against his entrance, staring deeply into Wulfgar’s eyes as he sank back on it. “Wulf gar-sama,” Kintaro cried out softly, his head falling back. His hair brushed against the small of his back and Wulfgar’s hands where they were steadying his hips. He relaxed, accepting his barbarian into him fully until he was settled on his lap.

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For a moment, neither of them moved; they just looked at each other, locked into the moment where they were fully joined again, both of them afraid to break the spell. Then Wulfgar’s fingers flexed against his hips, and Kintaro contracted around him in response. Wulfgar groaned, wrapping his arms around Kintaro to support him before drawing slowly back out. Kintaro cried out, the sense of loss almost overwhelming; tears pricked at his eyes again. Then Wulfgar was snapping his hips, surging back into him with a familiar force that had the young man crying out in pleasure. From that first night in the inn, no one had ever fucked him like Wulfgar. Sublime pleasure turned his core into molten liquid. He brought his mouth down onto Wulfgar’s neck, crying out against his skin. Kintaro wrapped his arms tightly around his barbarian’s neck, clinging to him. He lost himself in the sensations swamping him so he would be able to carry them with him when they had to part again. Wulfgar’s eyes were hot on him, and Kintaro reveled in the focus, moving with him, lost in his eyes. He was so beautiful, his Master. Not pretty or soft or anything close, but so very beautiful to Kintaro. Just the way he looked at him, the way he spoke to him, the care he had taken with Kintaro from the very beginning. No other would ever be to him what his barbarian was. He wanted to speak, to tell him how he felt, and hear the words returned to him, to curl close against Wulfgar’s side and be secure in the knowledge he would never have to be away from him again. Almost more than the pleasure he was feeling, Kintaro just wanted to soak up Wulfgar’s presence. Oddly, Wulfgar seemed to share that sentiment, because though his thrusts were deep and hard as always, they did not speed up nor did they aim for his spot to drive Kintaro wild. The thane did not look away from Kintaro’s face and seemed far more interested in saying something to him with his eyes than with his body. Kintaro struggled to decipher it, wishing he could look into his mind and see everything his barbarian thought. He pressed one hand against Wulfgar’s chest, just above his heart, his gaze unblinking. “For always, Wulf gar-sama,” he whispered.

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Wulfgar pressed his lips to Kintaro’s forehead. “Aye, little one,” he responded, his voice thick. “For always.” His barbarian kissed his nose, his cheekbones. “Ah, lotus, I am coming for you. I know not how long it will take, but I am coming.” Kintaro nodded, his chest aching with the force of tears yet unshed. “I wait, Oyabun….” It all seemed so unfair. What they had with each other did not seem broken to him, so why did it have to be fixed, as Cate said? Those questions haunted him more the longer they were separated. The thane kissed him, his mouth settling against Kintaro’s possessively. The young man instinctively responded to Wulfgar’s need, surrendering to him totally, letting him know without words that he was Wulfgar’s… no other’s. Somehow, in his surrender, he felt the same from Wulfgar, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that there was no one else replacing him in Wulfgar’s bed. For his barbarian, he was it. The thought encouraged Kintaro, sending a warm blaze of energy through him. They couldn’t be parted. Not for long. Somehow they would always end up together, because they had already become a part of each other. When they had to part, he would carry that with him until they were reunited again. The pace was slow and hard, steady and deep, and it sent wild shudders through Kintaro, continuous trembles wracking his body, and he clung desperately to Wulfgar, his small hands fisted in his hair and his beard, their eyes locked as they moved together. He couldn’t remember ever having felt this way, this kind of pleasure. He’d known many lovers, many different types and many different ways to achieve the same goal, which was orgasm. But for what was probably the first time in his life, this was not about the end result but the present moment, the closeness of being a part of Wulfgar and his barbarian a part of him. Kintaro cried out with every delicious thrust and held on for all he was worth. Before he could even begin to attempt to catch his breath, Wulfgar shifted them, stretching Kintaro out on the mossy ground and rising up over him, his hips moving harder, faster, driving into him until Kintaro was sure his barbarian was going to split him in two, and he couldn’t have cared less.

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His body arched, his cries turning needy and demanding, and he relished the knowing smile that curved Wulfgar’s lips, knowing his Master was enjoying every sound he made and also knowing how much Wulfgar had missed those sounds. Oh, how much Kintaro had missed giving them to him. He was completely surrounded by his barbarian. It was at times like this when Kintaro really loved the difference in their sizes. Wulfgar was so much bigger that he overwhelmed all other outside influences. He was all that Kintaro could see, could smell; he inundated Kintaro’s senses completely. Just as Kintaro started catching his breath again, getting adjusted to the hard, pounding rhythm that he always craved, Wulfgar shifted again. Kintaro lifted his head, crying out wildly as the thane’s cock hit his spot directly. Ruthlessly, Wulfgar did it again, and Kintaro could almost sense him savoring each broken cry that grew higher with each sure thrust. Kintaro clenched around him with every withdrawal and relaxed again as Wulfgar drove deep. His heart pounded, and Kintaro slid his palm over Wulfgar’s chest so he could feel his Master’s heart doing the same. Mayhap it was just his imagination, but they seemed to be beating in concert with each other. Wulfgar groaned in his ear, and Kintaro shuddered. He loved the sounds coming from his Master just as much. He wasn’t as loud or demonstrative as Kintaro was, and that made each sound wrung from his body that much more precious. “Kintaro yours… Kintaro yours.” He met his barbarian’s eyes, willing him to feel everything he wasn’t saying as well. He didn’t know if his meaning got across, but Wulfgar smiled down at him and nodded. “Aye, little one… you are mine… I will keep you forever with me.” Kintaro’s breath caught at the amount of emotion in Wulfgar’s voice, shining in his gray eyes. Forever. Surely, Wulfgar would not promise such a thing if he did not love him. Kintaro’s smile in return was dazzling bright. “For always, hai… Wulf gar-sama… please, Oyabun….” His body was clamoring, and at the same time as it sought completion,

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Kintaro railed against it, not wanting to wake up and face the real world, where he was not with the one who gave him a reason to draw his next breath. The thane nodded sharply, his hips thrusting harder, never wavering from the angle that tore short, sharp screams from Kintaro with every movement. His breath came in panting sobs, and the tears surged up to threaten him again as he shook his head and stared into Wulfgar’s eyes. “No… no, Wulf gar-sama… Kintaro stay… stay always, please….” The young man fought to keep the desperation to come from taking over. Not yet… not yet, please. “I will not leave you, Kintaro.” Wulfgar promised, not breaking their eye contact even as his hips moved faster. He brushed the young man’s tears away. “I am right here, Kintaro. Feel me. Right here.” Kintaro sobbed, his body writhing under Wulfgar’s, his hands fisting hard in the thane’s hair. He couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think, beyond the sure knowledge that his precious short time with Wulfgar was going to end. His body was going to betray him; even now, he could feel the impending signs of Wulfgar’s orgasm, and he clung desperately tighter. “Oyabun… Oyabun… I love you. Wulf gar-sama, please.” He buried his face against the thane’s shoulder, nipping him hard then sucking, wanting to leave his mark before it all ended. Wulfgar’s hands buried in his hair, tugging his head back. “It is alright, lotus. Shhh, I am here now. Come with me, little one. I need to feel you. I need to hear you.” That decided it right there. There was no way Kintaro could or ever would fight against something his Master needed. Even if he wished this never had to end. The young man nodded helplessly, unable to look away from Wulfgar’s piercing gray eyes, clinging tightly to him as he consciously let go of his fight for control and let the pleasure take over, slim form bucking up and taking Wulfgar as deep as he could, clenching down tightly around him as he stiffened and arched. His scream of pleasure rent the fog around them, but any who could have heard would also have heard the pain in it. Not physical, but emotional.

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Wulfgar held him as he shattered, and within seconds, his Master was following him into that bittersweet oblivion. Kintaro savored every sensation as Wulfgar flooded him deeply, locking it all away in his mind to remember when he awoke, determined he would remember; he would not forget this dream, and he prayed Wulfgar would not either. They didn’t move for several long moments, holding each other tightly, faces buried in damp, sweaty necks, breath fast and ragged. Kintaro’s tears did not stop, but they were silent, wetting Wulfgar’s skin as he felt like his heart was tearing right out of his chest. “Wulf gar-sama….” Kintaro tried to be strong, but knew his voice was thin and pitiful-sounding, choked with tears and anguish. Wulfgar lifted his head, looking down at him and brushing back his tangled, damp hair, smiling gently, and the look of that gentleness was Kintaro’s undoing. He flung his arms around his neck and let the tears spill freely. Kintaro felt himself being pulled away, or maybe it was Wulfgar becoming insubstantial beneath his grip. “No… no… Wulf gar-sama stay. Stay with Kintaro!” He screwed his eyes shut, not wanting to see him leave, sobbing so hard that his chest was heaving. “Kintaro… Kintaro, wake up, little one.” A feminine voice came to him from far away. Kintaro rolled on his side, trying to pretend that he didn’t hear it. Surely, that was still Wulfgar’s hair clenched between his fingers and not a rough blanket. “I know you’re awake, Kintaro.” There was a world of sympathy in that voice. “We’re here, little one. It’s time to disembark and find a place to stay for the next couple of weeks.” Kintaro’s eyes flew open, and he almost choked on the force of his rage and sorrow. He flung himself at Cate, striking at her face with his fists. “Take Kintaro back now!” he raged. “Wulf gar-sama need me. Now, Cate!” Kintaro sobbed as Cate caught his wrists and held them in a gentle but unbreakable grip, her face soft with pity that he did not want. What he wanted was his Master back. “Kintaro, you must stop this. You will get your barbarian back, I promise you. But not before it’s time. Otherwise, you’d have him back, but Kintaro, you would not have him forever. Stay with me just a little while longer, Kintaro, so that you may stay with Wulfgar always.”

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Kintaro closed his eyes, sagging on the bunk, tears flowing freely down his face. He missed Wulfgar so much it hurt, a physical wrenching pain he could not tolerate. He wanted what Cate talked about, wanted his barbarian to love him and let Kintaro share his life as maybe something more than a slave. It was just… it hurt so much. Cate gave Kintaro a gentle smile, releasing his wrists and brushing back his tangled hair. “You will have everything you want, little one, I swear to you. Your Wulfgar isn’t going to let you slip away. He’s coming, isn’t he?” Kintaro nodded, feeling a swell of love thinking about what Wulfgar had said: that no matter how far or how long, he would come for Kintaro. “He come. He not stop.” Cate chuckled. “No, I don’t imagine he will. And we don’t want him to. So come, let’s get off this ship, find us a comfortable spot to wait, and let him come to us, shall we?” Kintaro wiped at his eyes until the tears finally stopped flowing. Cate handed him a cool, damp cloth; he washed his face and brushed his hair and felt a slight bit better. At least he wasn’t going to be moving away from Wulfgar anymore. Now that they were here, it was just a matter of waiting for his Master to catch up. That in itself was heartening. He rose from the bunk, fixing Cate with a look. “Promise? Promise Kintaro we stay till he come?” Cate smiled gently, touching the side of his face. “I promise, little one.” Then she gave him an impish grin. “Besides, think of the fun you’re going to have in the meantime. Rome has a marketplace much larger than Londinium’s was. There are goods here from all over the known world. You can get some silk for new robes, buy some things that Wulfgar’s home is lacking.” Kintaro’s eyes narrowed as immediate outrage filled him. “Hall not need fixed. It is perfect way it is!” Cate threw back her head and laughed. “You didn’t always think so, Kintaro. As I recall, didn’t you originally think it was a hovel, far below Wulfgar’s and your own worth?” Kintaro blushed as he followed her outside and onto the teeming deck of the ship. That was different, and he had come to love the roughhewn look of the hall. It suited its people. Besides, Wulfgar was so proud of it, and that made Kintaro proud of it in return. Still though,

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she had a point. He could at least pick up some seeds for herbs that he’d been missing, if nothing else. Then his eyes widened, and he stopped in his tracks. He could get some seed pods of the lotus flower. That would be his gift for Wulfgar. He could have Brandr help him find a pond nearby. Kintaro crowed with delight, clapping his hands together. It was perfect. Kintaro stayed close to Cate as they exited the ship, feeling his skin crawl a bit looking at her in her false visual of the slaver. It felt unreal, to be in the presence of a creature he’d only ever heard tales about and to witness with his own eyes the magic that was whispered of behind nervous hands. No one tried to stop them as they made their way through the city, and Kintaro found himself relaxing, looking around with curious eyes at everything. It was very different from Londinium, or any other city he’d been to. Bigger, grander, with pillars and temples and people the likes of which the young man had never seen. He thought he would enjoy a place such as this, a trip here, if he were with Wulfgar. But the lack of his Master dampened his enjoyment a great deal. He consoled himself with the knowledge that Wulfgar was coming for him; it wouldn’t be too much longer now. And then he would never be parted from him again.

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“HALT, Wulfgar,” Brandr protested as he came up beside Wulfgar, who was about to dive into the crowd again. Their ship had arrived this morn, after a slow crawl up the river that had him chafing from the delay. Since then, Wulfgar had dragged him all over the city, stopping to speak to every slave trader he saw. Wulfgar paused, giving him a glare over his shoulder. “What? Daylight is failing. We need to keep moving.” “Precisely, my friend,” Brandr said, catching up to him and laying a hand on his shoulder. “We have not found a place to stay, a place from which we can start our base of operations. You are not thinking as clearly as you should. We will not find wee Kintaro by dashing about desperately.” His face softened. “I know you are worried. I am too, and I know you are happy to finally be doing something. However, we should find an inn. This place… I have heard stories of here, and it is not safe to be strangers here, I think. We will do Kintaro no good if we are hurt. Let us find a place, eat, and then come up with a plan.” Wulfgar scowled. He hated to admit it, but Brandr had a point. It was enough to drive the thane mad, however, being so close but so far away at the same time. Kintaro was here, somewhere in this city, or had been at least. He brought his hand up to his shoulder, to that spot just under his tunic where, three weeks earlier, he’d awoken from a dream with his lotus’s mark on him. It had given him hope, even as it’d confused him. He hadn’t bothered questioning it, though; he had instead clung to the hope that perhaps the dream had been more than a dream and his lotus had somehow gotten another message to him, this one not of where he was or where he was being taken, but of hope and love. Wulfgar pressed his lips together tightly and nodded to his captain.

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“Aye, you are right. Come, we find a place to sleep, and then we will take this city by storm in the morn. Kintaro is coming home.” Wulfgar didn’t let doubt enter his voice. He was determined it would be so; he refused to allow anything else. Brandr nodded. “Aye, you are right. He will.” The same note of steely determination colored his voice. “Did you by chance happen to see any place while we were walking?” Wulfgar asked, looking around and changing the subject. He knew Brandr was sympathetic, and sometimes it only increased his ache. “Not really any place I would care to stay,” Brandr returned. “However, they may be inexpensive, and we should conserve our funds. We know not how long this search is going to take. Besides, I am certain that many of the slavers probably stay in such locations. Kintaro is unique enough that we might hear of him while we take our food and drink.” Wulfgar brightened. That was a brilliant idea. He clapped his second on the shoulder. “Lead the way, then.” As he followed Brandr through the crowd, he couldn’t help another look around, searching the faces in the pens, straining his ears to hear Kintaro’s voice. As they broke through the crowd and entered a wider boulevard that wound through the streets, the thane did hear his name, called in a ringing, authoritative voice. Brandr paused, looking over his shoulder, and Wulfgar scanned the street and people. For a second, his heart beat faster as hope sprung in him; then he found it dashed again. It was not Kintaro’s voice, with his odd accent. “There, my lord,” Brandr said, pointing to a palanquin making its way down the street carried by four burly men. A slim hand had parted the curtains surrounding it, and a somewhat familiar face was looking out at them, but at first Wulfgar could not place him. He knew no one in Rome. The thane frowned, and hope burgeoned. Perhaps Kintaro had managed to meet someone here, described Wulfgar to them; perhaps this young man had information. Wulfgar strode forward, and it wasn’t until he was close enough to see wide, dark eyes fringed in thick lashes that recognition hit him like a fist to the gut and he skidded to a halt in the middle of the road.

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“R… Roman?” The thane saw the young man’s face flush at that name and realized his mistake immediately, shaking his head. He had thought perhaps his former slave would have returned to his homeland, but it had never occurred to Wulfgar that in a city this size their paths would ever cross. To be honest, the thought had not even crossed his mind that this was where Roman—Marcus—might be. His thoughts had been, and still were, completely occupied with finding Kintaro. He could not help the wide grin, though, and stopped in front of the transport, hands slapping on his waist, shaking his head with a chuckle. “By the gods, look at you. Not the same boy I knew, are you, pretty?” His tone was fond, having not realized how well he had missed the young man. Marcus smiled faintly. “I am back where I belong, Wulfgar. I have taken over my father’s estates and duties. I must say though, I am surprised to find you here. A bit far afield from home, are you not?” There was a slight flicker of old fear, old tension, in his eyes. “Aye, I am.” Wulfgar felt his sudden joviality vanish as quickly as it came. “I have not come seeking you or the boy. I assume Aron is still with you?” The tension vanished as if it had never been, and Wulfgar felt a flicker of sadness, knowing that he’d been the cause of it. Marcus smiled wider, a gentle look crossing his face that the thane had never seen before. “Yes Wulfgar, we are still together.” Wulfgar was surprised to realize he felt no jealousy at the revelation, no possessiveness or anger as he used to feel when he thought about them. He found himself feeling happy for them, despite everything that happened. “That is good.” “Hello, Brandr,” Marcus said, looking beyond his shoulder and smiling at the battle-lord, who smiled back and nodded in greeting. He gestured to the bearers, and they hunkered down, allowing him to slide out of the palanquin. He was dressed finely, as many of the upper class in this city were. “What brings you to Rome, then?” It occurred to Wulfgar in an instant that perhaps Marcus could help. Marcus lived here, likely knew those who came and went with regularity, just as he would spot those who were unfamiliar more easily. Hope swelled, and the thane’s voice took on a note of sadness

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when he spoke. “My… a young man I know was kidnapped recently, and we are searching for him. Last we know, he was alive and well enough to leave us signs and messages along the way, and we know he was being brought here.” Wulfgar sighed heavily and shook his head. “I know not if he is still here. A slaver stole him from my hall while I was gone to the king’s.” The thane could see the surprise on Marcus’s face; probably that Wulfgar had come this far in search of one young man. Wulfgar squirmed a little under the dark young man’s thoughtful perusal. “His name is Kintaro, and he is not from anywhere close to here. He is….” Wulfgar swallowed, pushing down the worry as best he could. “He is young, and brave to leave us the signs, but I fear time is passing too quickly and we are running out of opportunity to recover him.” Marcus nodded, appearing thoughtful. Finally, he spoke. “You have checked the market, I assume? Then it is possible he was sold locally already. I can find out for you if any new slaves were acquired that match Kintaro’s description, at least among those that we associate with.” Wulfgar smiled, feeling more in control now. The bands of tension around his chest started to loosen; this was certainly better than trying to search an unknown place alone. “Yes, we have started to check, though I know not if we got them all.” He paused, then continued on before he could think of what he was saying. “Thank you, Marcus. You did not have to offer to help us.” Marcus looked startled again, but then he smiled in return. “No, I did not. But the past is the past.” He gave the thane another considering look that made him uncomfortable again. He had forgotten just how penetrating those dark eyes could be. “He means something to you, this Kintaro, more than we did, I think.” Wulfgar flushed slightly, feeling irritated. He cast Marcus a baleful look, which did not have its desired effect. Instead, his former slave merely looked even more amused. “Where are you staying, so I can get in touch with you?” Brandr stepped forward before Wulfgar could respond. “We actually have not found a place to stay yet, my lord. We had just started looking when we found you.”

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Wulfgar’s eyebrow rose slightly at the way Brandr addressed Marcus; he had always known on some level that the lad he’d called Roman came from power, and now he wondered just how much power his former slave wielded in this, his homeland. Wulfgar watched as Marcus drew his upper lip into his mouth, chewing thoughtfully, the way he had always done when agitated or thinking hard. He seemed to be weighing options, and when he finally spoke, he said the last thing Wulfgar had ever expected him to say. “You can stay at my villa. We have plenty of room there, and it will be safer for you than wandering the city by yourself.” Wulfgar stared at him in shock. He hadn’t expected Marcus to offer to help them, let alone this: offer to share his home? He suspected that young Aron would have something to say about this, but they had nowhere else, and it seemed the most practical, if Marcus was going to help find Kintaro. The thane nodded slowly. “Aye, Marcus, thank you. It is just Brandr and I, so we should not take up too much space or cause too much of a burden for your staff.” Marcus nodded and shook his head with a rueful smile. “You came all this way alone, the two of you? I look forward to meeting the boy who is worth such an effort.” Wulfgar couldn’t help the small smile as he thought of Kintaro. Yes, the young man was well worth this effort, and any other effort he had to make to return him home. “With the gods’ favor, you will.” Marcus said nothing else, though he kept that thoughtful look of his as he gestured to his accompaniment to free up two of their horses for Wulfgar and Brandr. “We’ll head back to my villa and figure out a plan of action from there.” Wulfgar couldn’t help but notice the great change in Marcus, how easily he now wielded authority and took charge. Silently, Wulfgar and Brandr mounted the horses and followed Marcus’s palanquin through the crowded streets. Eventually they entered a quieter part of the city, with stately residences set back behind high walls. “He seems to be doing well for himself,” he finally noted in passing to his battle-lord.

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Brandr cast him an amused glance. “Aye, that he does, Wulfgar. Though I do not suppose the arrogant wolf cub is going to be pleased to see you.” Wulfgar snorted. “I doubt that not, though I suppose Marcus would not have suggested it if it was going to be a huge problem. It matters not. I am here for one thing and one thing only, and that is Kintaro.” Brandr looked at him thoughtfully, then nodded, not saying anything else. Wulfgar had a good guess at what he was thinking. The thane eyed Marcus’s palanquin as they continued. There had been a time when he swore he would never let the dark-eyed man go. He had cared for him deeply, him and Aron both; however, he had to admit, even if only to himself, that if Marcus had managed to escape and get back to Rome, he never would’ve followed him that far. And if anybody had tried to trick Kintaro away from him the way Aron had, well, promise or no promise, he never would’ve let it happen. Kintaro was meant to be his, and he saw now that neither Roman nor Aron had ever been. His lotus complimented him in ways Wulfgar had never imagined it was possible for a slave to do, not just in bed, but out of it as well. Wulfgar quirked a smile. The little imp made him laugh, which was something very few could or would even try to do. Kintaro with his naughty smile and impudent air, taking charge of his hall as if he were born to rule. The thane did not want to imagine his life without him; he had lived that life for the past weeks, and he had never been so miserable in his life. He would not be happy until Kintaro was back by his side. All these thoughts ran through his mind as they rode, and suddenly, the realization hit him. Frowning suddenly, Wulfgar looked over at Brandr with shocked eyes. “Brandr. I think I love him.” He did not appreciate the howling laughter he got from his captain. “By the gods, cease,” Wulfgar growled, casting his battle-lord a furious look. “It is not amusing in the least.” Brandr had a taste for humor, but this was carrying things a bit far. “Ah, but it is, my lord,” Brandr replied, still chuckling, wiping tears of mirth from his eyes. “I could have told you that you loved the

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little imp months ago. You would not have listened to me, though.” He shook his head. “It does my heart good to hear you admit it now.” Wulfgar continued to glare before finally seeing the humor in the situation himself. Slowly, he started to chuckle, and before long, he was laughing too. “Aye, well. You have always had too much fun at my expense.” He glanced at Brandr, knowing his friend probably had a quick comeback for that as well, but then they were pausing in front of one of the homes, the soldiers opening a pair of ornate gates. The palanquin swept through and stopped in the courtyard in front of a fountain, lowering so Marcus could slip out. Wulfgar noted the heavy defenses: the soldiers remaining at the gates, the barracks to the west of the home. An older man stood deferentially to the side, and Marcus addressed him. “Please see that two rooms are readied. Where is Aron?” There was a smile of anticipation on his face, a look in his eyes that Wulfgar had never seen before. As if in answer to his question, the heavy doors of the home itself swung open, and there was Aron, heading down the stairs toward the group, his eyes only for Marcus. Then that crystal-blue gaze flicked over the rest of them and froze on the thane and Brandr. Wulfgar wanted to chuckle at the look of horror that crossed the boy’s face, but he had a new appreciation for what it was like for the one you loved to be threatened, and he could imagine his own reaction were he confronted with one of Kintaro’s former masters. Wulfgar glanced over at Marcus, who was hurrying forward with a placating look and cajoling tone as he assured Aron that everything was fine. The fiery boy was having none of it, though, and met Marcus halfway. He snatched the darker young man behind him, giving Wulfgar a deadly glare. “By the gods, I will kill you myself if you think to take him.” Just from the tone in Aron’s voice, Wulfgar didn’t doubt that he meant it. “Cease, boy, I have not come for him or you. ’Twas pure accident that our paths crossed at all.” Wulfgar made no move toward the two of them, though he wanted to laugh again at the indignant look Marcus was giving his lover from behind his back.

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“I am not a boy,” Aron snarled, ignoring Marcus’s attempts to extricate himself. “And if it was just an accident, you will not mind turning around and leaving again.” He gestured toward the gates. “You can leave the horses behind too.” “Aron,” Marcus hissed. “I invited them to stay. They need our help.” Wulfgar shook his head at the incredulous look that crossed Aron’s face as he looked back at his lover. He took care to hide his amusement at the scene, but there was a part of him that couldn’t help feeling a measure of vindication after all of the times Aron had managed to throw his life into chaos. “Surely, you jest,” Aron replied, disbelief in his voice. “Marcus, of all the strays to bring home. Them?” He shook his head. “I care not. I do not trust them; they can stay elsewhere.” Wulfgar leaned over to Brandr. “Perhaps we should go,” he suggested softly. “I do not relish the idea of having to sleep with one eye open.” It seemed that Aron’s animosity toward him had not lessened one whit in the last year. He watched as Marcus drew Aron off to the side, arguing with him quietly with a firm look on his face, and from Aron’s own disgruntled expression, he was not liking what Marcus had to say one bit. Brandr smirked a little, leaning in. “Do you suppose quiet Roman will be able to talk the boy into letting us stay?” Wulfgar chuckled under his breath. “You remember how Roman was… quiet, yes, but determined. I’d pit him against the cub any day.” His eyes sparkled with humor that had been rare these past weeks. “Do you care to wager on the outcome?” His captain grinned. “Aye, my new shield against your newly born colt that the boy gets his way and we are sent packing.” Wulfgar nodded with a grin on his own. “Done. I hope you were not overly attached to that shield of yours.” The two of them watched the discussion in earnest now. Wulfgar truly did not care about the wager; what he cared about was the fact that Marcus had resources here in Rome that could help greatly in finding Kintaro, and finding him quickly. He did not care to think of

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what would happen if they were left to their own devices to search the entire city alone. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Marcus leaned up on tiptoes and kissed Aron lightly, smiling gently at him before coming around and, still holding his lover’s hand, addressing them. “You will stay with us. In the morn, we will begin our search, but in the meantime, let us get you both settled in your rooms and have a meal. Over which you will give us all the details, that we can search more easily for this Kintaro of yours.” Wulfgar arched his brows curiously, glancing at Aron. The young man gave him a disgruntled look, and then, at a sharp look from Marcus, sighed and nodded. The thane smiled broadly. “Thank you… both of you.” The next several hours were spent being shown to their rooms and washing up for the evening meal. The rooms were spacious, and far more luxurious than anything Wulfgar had ever been privy to. He looked around at the fine silks and gold accents and ornate carvings and thought to himself that he had once made a slave of a prince, it seemed. Guilt stabbed at him, even more when he realized surroundings like this, this kind of luxury and opulence, were what his lotus was used to. Hadn’t Kintaro tried his best to bring some of this to Wulfgar’s hall? And Wulfgar had scorned his efforts when, in fact, it should have been Kintaro scorning the sad state of the hall he called home. The thane sat down heavily on the silk-covered bed, rubbing a hand over his face. There were many things he would change if he could do it over again. If he could have Kintaro with him now, he wouldn’t care if the boy turned his hall into a pleasure palace, so long as Kintaro was happy and with him. Wulfgar tilted his head back, staring up at the ceiling with its painted mural and gilt trim, and whispered quietly, “Come home to me, lotus and I will give you anything you desire. Any treasure I have is yours, little one.” A knock on the door snapped him from his reverie, and he straightened his fresh tunic, still stunned by the presence of a huge sunken pool in the room itself that the slave who’d brought him here had told him was for bathing. What manner of people had ever heard of such a thing?

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Wulfgar opened the door to find Brandr standing there, equally as clean and freshly shaven and looking just as thunderstruck as he was by the villa itself. “My lord, dinner is in a few moments.” Brandr peeked around the door and then at Wulfgar, whispering conspiratorially. “Is there a pool in your room as well?” Wulfgar chuckled and nodded, slapping his captain on his back and following him down the hall. Halfway there, they were met by the same older gentleman who had greeted Marcus at the front of the house. He bowed slightly with a smile. “My lords await you. This way.” Wulfgar still could not quite get used to Marcus and Aron as nobility, but in this strange land, he supposed they were. Curiosity poked at him, and he wondered what it was the two of them did here. There was no army of battle-lords to govern or crops to be sown—not that he had seen, anyway. The villa appeared well fortified, and he wondered why that was, since Rome was rumored to be the center of education and enlightenment and other such womanly notions. What did the Romans in the city need with such fortifications? Wulfgar’s questions faded into the background as they were led to the dining hall, which wasn’t really a hall at all but more of a very large room, with wide, open windows that let in the cool evening breeze from outside. Wulfgar filed away the thought that perhaps such a thing might be good back home; the hall got hot as Hades in the summer months. Marcus and Aron were both there already, though Wulfgar’s brows furrowed to note that when Marcus rose to greet them and then sat back down, he did so somewhat gingerly. Aron had a knowing smirk on his face. The thane shook his head and sat, nodding to the servant who brought a goblet of wine out to each of them. Marcus broke the somewhat awkward silence first. “Wulfgar, I told Aron what I know, but I do not know much, besides the fact that you are seeking a boy who was kidnapped from your home.” Marcus gave him a thoughtful look. “Perhaps you’d care to tell us the rest of your tale?”

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Wulfgar took a great swallow of the wine, thinking idly he liked his ale better; this was watery stuff with no kick. He nodded to Marcus’s question. “Aye. The boy is not… just any boy, as I am sure you’ve gathered, being the clever one you are.” He gave Marcus a rakish grin and immediately found himself pinned with a dark glare from Aron. The boy was as territorial as ever. Marcus nodded with a smile and a squeeze of Aron’s hand. “Yes, I assume he is not just any boy, considering the trouble you are going to for his return.” Marcus hesitated, then continued after a moment of brief silent debate with himself. “He is your lover? Or a new slave of yours?” There was a slight note of bitterness in his tone. The thane sighed. “Aye, he is a slave. But Kintaro is different. He is from the far eastern lands, born and raised as a slave; he knows nothing else. He is….” Wulfgar’s lips quirked. “He is not what you would expect of a slave. Opinionated, stubborn, troublesome, and a small tyrant when he wants to be, which can be often. But he is also kind. And sweet. Gentle-natured and caring for those around him; those who show him kindness receive nothing but the same in return.” Wulfgar broke off his little speech and looked up to find three sets of eyes on him. One set was gently amused, one was sparking with mocking humor at his expense, and the last was shocked. Marcus, who was the shocked of the group, spoke first. “My lord, you love this boy, do you not?” The thane squirmed uncomfortably, glancing over at Brandr for some aid, but the traitor just chuckled under his breath and became suddenly very interested in his goblet of wine. Wulfgar looked back at Marcus and Aron and sighed heavily, nodding reluctantly. “Aye. Do not mock, I am in no mood for more of such.” Aron had the poor taste to burst into howling laughter, going so far as to have to rise and walk a bit back and forth to get it under control when Marcus gave him that quelling look of his. Marcus took the news better, blinking a bit in startlement and then smiling. “Well then. We really must find this Kintaro, because I will not rest until I meet the boy who has tamed the thane himself.” The former slave reached up for Aron’s hand and tugged him back into his seat, giving him an indulgent smile. “Behave, imp.” Then he looked back at Wulfgar. “Tell us everything. We will find him together.”

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WULFGAR could not get used to the differences in this strange place. When they sat for dinner, he found that they ate while reclining back on couches around a central table. It was a strange way of going about a meal, he thought, though he could see some of the appeal in it. Marcus and Aron shared a couch, feeding each other various finger foods. Kintaro would probably love the idea. The talk had drifted away from Kintaro’s abduction as they began to catch up with each other’s lives in the last year. Aron slowly lost his animosity, either from the fine wine that was passed around, or from Marcus’s cajoling, or perhaps even because he recognized now that Wulfgar was no longer a threat to him or Marcus. It was strange watching them together. At one point he’d craved it, orchestrated it. He remembered quite clearly how beautiful they looked together on his furs as they pleasured one another at his command. The entire scenario had eventually come back to haunt him, but as he watched them verbally tease each other, exchange quick kisses, he didn’t feel the stirrings of desire even once. It only made him ache for Kintaro more. He realized, even more clearly now, what he had with the young man was something special, something like what Marcus and Aron shared together. Despite the regrets he was having about their past, he was glad he had the foresight not to stay between them any longer. After Aron had won the boon from him, he could’ve found a way to force Marcus to stay. It would’ve been easy. Only he saw now that Aron would’ve died to defend Marcus, and Marcus would have constantly run to find Aron, until he either managed to escape or died in the process. It was good that it hadn’t come to that. As they rose from dinner, Marcus cast him a look with a small smile playing on his lips and deep understanding in his dark eyes. He

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always saw too much. As they walked back into the chamber they’d originally been entertained in, a small frown creased Marcus’s forehead. “Back to your plight, Wulfgar, there is one part which keeps nagging at me. It makes no sense.” “Which part would that be? For the whole lot of it makes no sense to me.” Wulfgar settled back on the divan. He felt the melancholia again, knowing that Kintaro might be somewhere close and yet he couldn’t touch him. “The whole bloody affair is senseless.” Marcus glanced at Aron, drawing his upper lip into his mouth. He nibbled on it for a moment before continuing. “It was too well thought out. I think it was not a random occurrence. You were targeted.” Wulfgar scowled. “Who would dare?” The idea was ludicrous; everyone in the surrounding area knew his reputation, knew his relationship with the king. Why for one slave? Surely, his worth couldn’t be enough to risk that. Aron snorted softly, shaking his head, but Brandr looked thoughtful. “I think you probably have more enemies than you think, Wulfgar,” Aron said. “You are arrogant and have an overweening pride. It would not surprise me in the slightest.” Wulfgar arched a brow in surprise. He? He was arrogant? Aron had no room to say such things. The prideful brat had more arrogance than any other man he’d met. He opened his mouth to deliver a cutting reply when it occurred to him he’d just referred to Aron as a man, not boy. His gaze turned thoughtful as he took him in. Yes, that term did apply to him now. Aron looked surprised when he didn’t respond to his derisive remark. “I think Marcus has a point, Wulfgar,” Brandr cut in. “The slaver was not working alone. That woman didn’t lure me out by mere happenstance, and she was not among his people when he came. They had to be working together.” Wulfgar scowled, remembering how his battle-lord had let himself be distracted. Still though, there was no law that said he could not go off for a kiss and a tickle. Brandr had not been on duty when the kidnapping occurred. The blame was on the guards. Marcus and Aron exchanged glances, surprise and suspicion on both of their faces. “What woman?” Marcus asked.

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“You did not mention a woman before,” Aron said with asperity, fixing his startling blue gaze on Wulfgar’s captain. “What did she look like?” “What does it matter?” Brandr asked, looking embarrassed. “We have not caught a glimmer of a clue about her since. ’Twas like she vanished in mid-air. One moment we were talking; the next, I was waking up in the cave on the tor.” Wulfgar watched in confusion as Aron’s eyes suddenly gleamed. Marcus shook his head at him. “What did she look like, Brandr?” His expression was troubled. “It may be important,” he continued as the battle-lord hedged. “Though I think we are reacting to nothing.” He looked pointedly at Aron. “She was a wench,” Brandr said with an irritation that was unlike him. Wulfgar looked at him in surprise. “She had long, beautiful red hair, a bloody sassy mouth, and for a woman so small, she was surprisingly strong.” “Aye,” Aron breathed, turning and grabbing Marcus’s hand in excitement. “It was Cate. I know it was.” Wulfgar scowled again as Aron laughed. “I thought we had not heard the last of her.” Marcus looked troubled, gnawing on his upper lip, his dark eyes enigmatic. “’Tis possible,” he finally said. “It would explain why they never seemed to catch up, and… other strange happenings you had mentioned.” Aron crowed with delight, jumping up from the divan. “Mayhap we could see her again, darkling. We never had the chance to….” “Who is Cate?” Wulfgar roared, standing up as well. “And what does she want with my lotus?” They knew something, and it ate at him. Right now, he didn’t care so much for the why or how: he just wanted the where. “I am sorry, Wulfgar,” Marcus said, recovering his composure and giving Aron, who was still chortling, a glance. “Cate is… I know not what she is, other than a strange woman who aided Aron and me in her own odd fashion. Aron has the notion she is fae, though that’s nonsense, I think. She is definitely… unusual, and possessing of talents I’ve never witnessed before.” Wulfgar scowled. “What has she to do with all of this? She aided you, yet stole my lotus from me? What manner of woman is she?” He

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wanted to bellow his rage at the not knowing, the fact that everyone seemed to have more information than he did about Kintaro’s wellbeing and whereabouts when he was the one who needed the information most. By the gods, if he did not get answers soon, he was going to start ripping heads from their shoulders. Marcus seemed to sense that and gave him a soothing smile. “Sit, my lord. If Cate has your Kintaro, then he is well and truly safe.” The young man chuckled softly. “And, by my estimation, he should also be returning to you soon.” Wulfgar made an impatient sound. “Cease your riddles, Marcus. What I need now are answers. Or is this your idea of help?” Marcus sighed, giving the thane an admonishing look. “No, my lord, it is not. I mean to say that Cate is not like us, but she is a good woman with a kind heart. And while her methods may seem excessive, believe me when I say she will not harm Kintaro, nor will she keep him from you forever.” Marcus chuckled again. “I’m afraid you won’t find him until she is ready for you to, however.” “What?” Wulfgar bellowed, surging to his feet again. “My lord, cease. I say he will likely be returned to you soon, since, by my guess, Cate’s agenda was met. You love Kintaro. You’ve admitted such, and I assume he loves you as well?” Marcus continued at Wulfgar’s short nod. “Then I have full confidence he’ll be coming to us, not the other way around. Or, at the very least, a trail to his whereabouts. Cate’s main concern seems to be, for whatever reason, love. ’Twas she who helped Aron and I to seal our bond. My guess is she is doing the same for you.” His eyes were thoughtful. “She must be somehow linked to the tor, I think, to your land. Intriguing.” Wulfgar didn’t understand what his loving Kintaro had to do with anything, especially when it came to this strange woman. Just as he was about to press for more answers, a guard hurried into the room and whispered in Marcus’s ear. Wulfgar frowned at the amused grin that spread across the young man’s face. “Send them in, thank you.” Marcus rose, gesturing to the doors that led to the entryway of the villa. “Come, Wulfgar, Brandr as well, I believe you both will be interested in what has just arrived.” Wulfgar scowled, giving Brandr a questioning look, but the battle-lord just shrugged helplessly and rose to follow Marcus and

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Aron, which left Wulfgar with no choice but to do the same. He stomped as he did, however, but his steps came to an abrupt halt when he passed through the doors and was met with a joyous shriek. “Wulf gar-sama!” A flurry of bright silks and shining dark hair, and he had an armful of clinging, crying, trembling Kintaro. The thane felt his heart constrict painfully, strong arms closing tight around the tiny form, dropping his head to bury in sweetly scented dark hair. By the gods… his eyes burned and his throat felt tight, feeling his lotus’s tears wetting his tunic as he clung to him. “Lotus….” His voice was thick with emotion, and he buried his hand in Kintaro’s hair, tugging his head back and slamming his mouth down on his, kissing him until they were both breathless, swallowing his sobbing whimpers and tasting the salt of Kintaro’s tears as they continued to fall. When finally they broke the kiss, Kintaro drew a heaving breath, wet, dark eyes staring up at him and his sweetly swollen lips trembling as he spoke hurriedly, as if afraid Wulfgar would disappear again. “Kintaro love Wulf gar-sama, please Kintaro stay always please?” The young man looked back over his shoulder, and Wulfgar followed his gaze to a slender, smiling, red-haired woman. “Cate, Kintaro stay now, please? No more, stay now!” Wulfgar snarled in fury, swiftly setting Kintaro on his feet behind him and giving Brandr a sharp look. The battle-lord followed suit and pulled Kintaro behind himself as well, putting the both of them between the young man and the woman. Wulfgar glared with deadly intent, but the woman seemed unperturbed, simply arching her brows in amusement. “You will not find it nearly so amusing, woman, when I part your head from your shoulders.” He reached for his sword at his waist, only to remember he had left it in his rooms for the evening meal. No matter, his bare hands would do just as well. He had taken no more than two steps when Kintaro cried out to him and darted swiftly past Brandr’s grasp. The young man latched onto Wulfgar’s arm, tugging frantically. “No, Wulf gar-sama… no, not hurt. Kintaro fine now, Kintaro never leave again, promise, Wulf gar-sama… stay always.”

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Wulfgar stared down at him in shock. “Kintaro, little one, she must pay. Brandr, take him.” Kintaro clung tighter, and, for such a tiny thing, his grip was incredibly strong. “By the gods, lotus, she stole you from me!” He felt a stab of hurt that Kintaro was protecting this devious woman who had played them all for fools and led them on this merry chase. Kintaro shook his head, tears brimming in his beautiful eyes. “No… yes she steal, but Wulf gar-sama need it, she say so. She say Wulf gar-sama never say the words otherwise….” The young man broke off suddenly, crying harder. “Wulf gar-sama? Tell Kintaro… please? Please, Kintaro need stay… please.” Wulfgar was utterly confused, not knowing what it was his lotus was begging him for. What words? Tell him what? He cupped his small cheek and brushed the tears away with fingers that trembled slightly. “What, little one? What is it you want me to tell you?” Kintaro just cried harder, clinging to him. “Kintaro love Wulf garsama… please?” Wulfgar stroked his hair gently. “I love you too, Kintaro. Do not cry, tell me what….” His words cut off when Kintaro’s head snapped up and his wide eyes pinned Wulfgar. “What?” He did not know what that look was for. Kintaro laughed and threw himself into Wulfgar’s arms, scrambling up him to wrap around his neck and waist with his arms and legs. His smile was dazzling. “Wulf gar-sama love Kintaro?” Wulfgar squirmed a bit inwardly but nodded. “Aye, little one.” He gave him an admonishing, amused look. “Do not tell me you doubted such?” Kintaro giggled and shook his head. “Kintaro knew. Wulf garsama just had say the words, admit it. Kintaro stay always!” The young man’s joy was tangible as he hugged Wulfgar tightly, and the thane gave Brandr a questioning frown over the dark head. Brandr just shrugged, shook his head, and turned his attention back on the woman. Marcus and Aron stepped forward and spoke to Cate briefly, but Wulfgar paid them no mind. In fact, he paid no one any mind except the beautiful boy in his arms, forgetting all about slaughtering the woman, instead turning and stalking quickly down the hall toward the

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room he’d been given. Niceties be damned, he had his lotus back, and they could just forgive him for his rudeness in leaving unannounced. The door to the huge rooms was kicked shut behind them, and the thane closed his eyes with a breathless sort of sound when the first word out of Kintaro’s mouth upon seeing the massive bed was the young man’s favorite. “Aye, little lotus, definitely fuck.” Kintaro clung to him, and Wulfgar gently laid him back on the bed, brushing back his heavy silken hair, thumb brushing along his cheek as for a moment he let himself look down at him, soak him in, just his presence there with him. He was speaking before he could even really think of what he was saying. “I do not know what I would have done had I lost you forever, lotus.” The thought had crossed his mind several times in the darker moments of the past weeks, and it had stricken him with terror every time. Kintaro’s face went soft, and he gave Wulfgar a watery smile, shaking his head. “Never lose Kintaro forever, Wulf gar-sama… we have kizuna kagirinai… eternal bond. Nothing ever take us away for always.” There was such conviction in the young man’s voice, and Wulfgar felt eased by the fact that he clearly had not had the worries the thane had. He still couldn’t believe Kintaro was really here and in his arms again. “This is not another strange dream is it?” he said, not realizing he had done so out loud. Kintaro’s eyes lit up from within. “No dream, Wulf gar-sama. Kintaro dreamed too, but this not the same. This real.” He clenched his hands in Wulfgar’s beard, tugging hard so that it stung. “Kintaro here. You here. All good now.” Wulfgar thought of the spot where Kintaro had marked him. It seemed as if they had the same dream. Who was Cate, and what kind of power did she wield? Wulfgar shook his head and laughed, leaning down to rub his whiskers over Kintaro’s smooth cheek. “Ah, little one, I do love you. I know not what you meant about making me realize it, or why you had to go. It matters not now, though. You are here.” The thane kissed Kintaro, rewarded with his immediate response, the way he wrapped his arms tight around him and clung. The young man’s cock pressed through the thick silk of the robes, and Wulfgar

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suddenly couldn’t wait to have them both naked and wrapped around each other. Wulfgar sat up, undoing the sash at Kintaro’s waist, drinking in the sight of his unblemished golden skin as he disrobed him. He was perfect, so perfect. The thane could stare at him forever, but Kintaro had other ideas. The young man was tugging Wulfgar’s tunic over his head, and then he attacked the ties on his trews. Wulfgar let Kintaro undress him, running his fingers through the heavy, thick softness of his midnight hair, unable to stop watching him. Kintaro pulled his trews down around his knees and grasped his cock. Wulfgar groaned, cock throbbing even harder under the slave’s ministrations. Impatient now, he pulled away long enough to undo the ties around his calves, kicking off his boots and trews so he was as naked as Kintaro. The young man pounced on him, sending him tumbling back onto the softness of the bed. He would’ve laughed if he didn’t feel the same urgency to renew their bond. “Kintaro love Wulf gar-sama. Oyabun love Kintaro,” Kintaro said, straddling Wulfgar’s thighs, rubbing the cleft of his ass against the thane’s cock. “Wulf gar-sama fuck Kintaro.” Wulfgar made a ragged sound, not quite a chuckle, not quite a sob either, somewhere caught between both. He hadn’t heard that demand in far too long. “Aye, little one.” There was no denying him, no teasing him tonight; maybe not for a long time, either. Kintaro’s little hands fished through his robes and produced a vial of scented oil. Wulfgar poured some of the contents onto his hand and rubbed them together until it warmed. He was struck with an idea and unable to resist acting out on it. He brought his hands down to Kintaro’s chest, rubbing the oil in, watching the way the lamplight and oil made his skin sheen even more golden than it was. He was an exotic god laid out before him, and he loved him so much it made his chest ache from the force of it. He had never been in love before. He had never wished to be. To do so would mean giving another some control over his life, leaving him vulnerable. To him, it always seemed to be a weakness. Now he knew better, and he couldn’t imagine not loving Kintaro. It just wasn’t possible. From the moment the imp had danced into his life, he’d laid a

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claim on him with his laughing dark eyes, his sometimes-unintelligible chatter, and his absolute wild passion in bed. Kintaro arched into his hands, the slave’s eyes locked onto his face. Wulfgar slid his hands down to his hip, rubbing more oil onto his skin before bringing his hand to Kintaro’s cock. He stroked it slowly, watching every twist of Kintaro’s body, every sinuous arch. Just the sight of it was enough to make his heart beat faster, his breathing labored. Wulfgar poured some more oil onto his other fingers, pushing one deep into Kintaro, drinking in the sound of his soft cry. He knew they wouldn’t remain quiet for long, and he relished the idea of Kintaro’s voice carrying throughout the villa. “Kintaro will not break. More, Wulf gar-sama,” the young man demanded, pushing his hips down against Wulfgar’s hand, his eyelashes fluttering in pleasure as the thane massaged his spot. “Aye little one, you will not break. I just want to savor you. It has been so long,” Wulfgar replied, pushing another finger in just to hear Kintaro’s pleasured cry. He thrust them in again, scissoring them to stretch him wider. Kintaro’s knees were splayed wide open, his hips lifting to rock between Wulfgar’s stroking hand and the one penetrating him so deep. The thane felt himself start to tremble. By the gods, he was going to unman himself just watching his lotus. He withdrew his fingers, his heart flipping over at the sound of Kintaro’s distress. The little man owned him, body and mind. He poured the rest of the oil onto his palm, slicking his own cock. Kintaro’s eyes were heavy-lidded, the heat in them evident through his thick dark lashes. The young man wrapped his hands around his own thighs, lifting himself high in offering, spreading himself wide. “Please, Wulf gar-sama. Need you.” And that did it. The thane could not deny him anything, not anymore. With a groan, he settled himself between those widespread thighs, guiding his cock against Kintaro’s entrance. It was hot and silky against the head of his cock, beckoning him deeper. Wulfgar began to push inside of him, catching Kintaro’s hands in his own and twining their fingers together as he sank home.

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As nice as the dream had been when it happened, it had still been stained with their separation, not knowing if they were ever going to see each other again. This was perfection, with their future spreading out before them. Their eyes met, and for a long moment neither moved. They savored their joining, the renewal of their physical bond. Then Kintaro smiled and arched against him, clenching around his cock. “Wulf gar-sama….” The sound of his name broke the spell his wild little lotus had on him. The thane started to thrust, slowly at first. He’d almost forgotten just how tight and hot Kintaro was, how well they fit together despite the size differences. Wulfgar dropped his mouth down to Kintaro’s, kissing him deeply. He could lose himself in his lotus forever and be a happy man. This was what it meant to be in love: not the fear of leaving himself open, but the joy of sharing. He released the slave’s hands so that he could touch him and be touched in return. Kintaro’s clever fingers tweaked his nipples, sending ripples of fire through him. His other hand dug deep in his hair, wrapping it around his fist and holding on. Wulfgar braced himself on the bed, levering himself up so that he could thrust with the deep, sure strokes Kintaro loved so much. His lotus’s cries trembled against his lips, and Wulfgar broke the kiss so he could hear them clearly. He wrapped his hand around Kintaro’s cock, starting to stroke him again in time to his movements. Kintaro’s dark eyes opened; his mouth parted, wet, sharp, pleasured sounds coming from his throat. “Kintaro love Wulf gar-sama,” he chanted, sending the thane’s mind spinning. He didn’t think he would ever get enough of hearing Kintaro say that. Just knowing that he felt it… toward him… it was mind-boggling. “I love you too, lotus,” he said gruffly, seeing Kintaro’s eyes fill with tears. “Do not cry, little one,” Wulfgar said, kissing the tears that spilled down his cheeks. “I do not ever want you to cry because of me.” “Kintaro not sad,” the slave responded, wrapping his legs around Wulfgar, holding onto him tighter. “Kintaro happy. We together for always now. Kintaro home with you.”

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“Aye, little one,” Wulfgar replied, feeling a tightness in his own chest. He pressed his forehead against Kintaro’s. He didn’t want this night, this reunion, to end. If he could reach out with his hand to halt the sun, he would. By the gods. He closed his eyes as Kintaro stroked his chest, his small hand so light and loving. The long separation fueled the desire running rampant between them. Every sharp cry from Kintaro spurred him on. He paused ever so briefly to change his angle and was rewarded with the young man’s scream of pleasure as his cock found Kintaro’s spot. Wulfgar let the sound wash over him. He shuddered in response, thrusting faster, burying himself over and over in Kintaro’s grasping heat until he thought he would go mad from the pleasure his lotus gave him. He felt Kintaro’s balls drawing inward, his orgasm impending. His own body was taut and ready. Ah well, the night was still young, and they had the pool they could try out next. Wulfgar raised his head, meeting Kintaro’s bright eyes. His breath caught, his heart flipping over again at the sight. Then Wulfgar smiled. “Come for me, my love.” Kintaro’s hand dug harder into his hair, stinging his scalp. His legs tightened around Wulfgar’s, and his throat was corded as he screamed one last time. Wulfgar groaned, completely lost. He hoped the entire city of Rome heard that cry. He felt Kintaro’s come warm against his hand and stomach as he buried himself deeply into his lotus, letting go of his own control. The thane slid his hand under Kintaro’s ass, holding him in place as he rolled around onto his back. He wasn’t ready to separate from him yet. He just wanted to lie here a bit, with Kintaro sprawled on top of him as they both recovered their breath. He still wasn’t quite sure why Kintaro had been taken from him, but he was bloody well determined to figure it all out, because he never again wanted something similar to happen. Whatever it took, Kintaro was never going to leave his side again. It was several long moments before either of them could breathe normally, let alone speak, the silence punctuated only by the content little purring sounds Kintaro made and the occasional rough rumble from Wulfgar in return. Finally the young man lifted his head and looked down at him, worry in his dark eyes, and Wulfgar tensed.

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“What is it, lotus?” Was he afraid? That they would be separated again, or something else? After the events of the past many weeks, the thane was not eager for any more surprises. Kintaro bit his lip lightly, then sighed. “Kintaro must tell Wulf gar-sama… but will hurt Oyabun and Kintaro not want to.” Well, that certainly didn’t ease Wulfgar’s mind any. He sat up, bringing Kintaro with him, stroking back his tumbled dark hair. “Tell me, little one.” He could not protect Kintaro if he didn’t know what was in the young man’s mind, why he looked so worried just then. Dark eyes lowered, and another sigh was heaved before Kintaro looked back up at him and nodded slightly, as if to steel himself. “Cate not… steal Kintaro alone. Cate had help.” There was a long pause, and Wulfgar braced himself inwardly. No amount of bracing could prepare him for what his lotus told him next, though. “Gaeric sell Kintaro to Cate. Cate pretend to be slaver and Gaeric-kun sell Kintaro to her.” The thane froze, inwardly going deathly still, almost numb, before his mind kicked back in, as did his emotions. Confusion was first, followed quickly by fury. “He did what?!” His bellow echoed, and Kintaro flinched, wrapping himself tight around Wulfgar, little hands fisting in his beard to make the thane look at him. “Kintaro sorry, Oyabun, so sorry… Gaeric-kun not know, Kintaro think, that Wulf gar-sama love Kintaro. He not do it otherwise, maybe.” The young man seemed not to be entirely convinced of that, and Wulfgar could hardly blame him. His own son had sold the only man Wulfgar had ever loved out from under him. By the gods, what had possessed him to do such a thing? The thane seethed inwardly. He had dealt with betrayal before; his presence here in this villa was evidence of another betrayal he’d been dealt. But this… his beloved and only son had willingly cost him the most important thing in his entire life. He had lied to him as they’d searched. All along, Gaeric had lied and had known exactly where Kintaro was, could have made the search quicker, but instead had perhaps led them astray to give Cate time to make good the escape with Kintaro in tow. His emotions were in too much of a roil to consider the fact that Gaeric had translated Kintaro’s messages, had in fact offered to come with him to Rome to find him, had clearly been plagued with guilt to

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have done so. No, Wulfgar didn’t think of any of that just then. His only thought was that his son was going to have a great deal to answer for when the thane returned home. Kintaro cuddled closer against Wulfgar, attempting to soothe him with his nearness. The only soothing to be done, however, was accomplished when the thane rolled Kintaro beneath him. Within minutes, the young man’s cries of pleasure were again disturbing the inhabitants of the villa.

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KINTARO kept his head demurely lowered, eyes resolutely on Wulfgar’s feet as they stood in the outer courtyard entry of the villa. Roman, or Marcus, as he was apparently now called, and his lover, Aron, were saying their goodbyes to Wulfgar, and the young man determined he was not going to disgrace his Master by clawing the offenders’ eyes out. Oh yes, they seemed entirely entranced with each other, and that alone was what saved them from Kintaro’s wrath. But the young man did not forget the hurt in his barbarian’s eyes that night in the loft, the fear Wulfgar had fostered that somehow Kintaro was like these two and would run someday. No, the young man had not forgotten the hurt these two had caused his Wulfgar, but for Marcus and Aron’s help and because they had the good sense to not show even the slightest interest in stealing Wulfgar from him, Kintaro kept his calm and said nothing. Though he was grateful for it, it also irked him that they showed no interest in Wulfgar. Did they think they were better than the thane? Kintaro’s lips pressed tightly together, and he clenched his fists behind his back where they were hidden in his robes. He was so busy keeping himself from being rude that he did not notice at first Wulfgar speaking to him. When he did notice, his head lifted, and his dark eyes were apologetic. “Kintaro sorry, Wulf garsama… I did not hear?” The thane just smiled at him, and Kintaro felt a warm flutter in his stomach at that soft look. So incongruous, but so lovely to see it directed at himself and know there was truly love behind that look. “I was just telling Marcus and Aron that they were welcome in our home should they ever be back that way.” Kintaro’s eyes widened, and he glanced over at the two, noting that Aron had a “Not in this or any other lifetime” look, while Marcus

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had the look of a man torn between being polite and being honest. Kintaro’s eyes narrowed, just daring either of them to disgrace his Master by refusing his hospitality. Kintaro might not like the idea of either of them setting foot in their home, but… suddenly Kintaro stopped mid-train of thought, and his eyes flew back to Wulfgar, a brilliant smile on his little face. “Wulf gar-sama… our home? Kintaro and Wulfgar’s?” He couldn’t help the happy squeal and flung his arms around Wulfgar’s neck, hugging him tight. He could tell Wulfgar was unsure what had brought on such a display, but the young man couldn’t help it. Their home. His own home. He had never had one of those before, not one of his very own. He beamed up at his barbarian. “Wulf gar-sama best Oyabun… best….” He wracked his brain, attempting to think of another word that encompassed more than just Master. He could not, and finally just shook his head with a bright smile. “I love, Wulf garsama.” The thane cleared his throat and set Kintaro back on his feet, looking a bit uncomfortable. Kintaro correctly surmised that, unlike the day before and the emotional circumstances around their reunion, now Wulfgar was uncomfortable expressing such soft emotions in front of others. The young man pouted and put his hands on his slim hips, tilting his head back and narrowing his eyes up at him. He was having none of that. “Wulf gar-sama…?” His tone was appropriately expectant. Kintaro paid little attention to the muffled snicker followed by a low curse that came from Aron’s direction. He did not care if the king himself were standing there: Kintaro wanted the words he had sacrificed weeks with his barbarian to get. He would have them now, and any other time he wanted them, which would undoubtedly be often. Wulfgar shifted uncomfortably, shooting a glare in Brandr’s direction, then Aron’s. Both of them were trying to hold back their laughter, though Aron was rubbing a spot on his ribs. He looked down at Kintaro, who stared back at him, his expression adamant. His eyes narrowed, and he leaned down until they were nose to nose. Kintaro looked at him with large, unblinking eyes, a slow warmth creeping through him at the sparkle in Wulfgar’s gray eyes. “Aye, I love you lotus,” Wulfgar growled softly, but still loud enough for the entire room to hear. “And it is our home.”

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Kintaro laughed again and threw his arms around Wulfgar’s neck, clinging tightly to him. He had not realized the bands had tightened around his chest until this sudden release. He hadn’t been sure Wulfgar would bare himself like that, especially in front of those two. He shot them a triumphant look, noting the look of surprise on their faces. He pulled back and flashed Wulfgar a bright smile, bubbling over with joy. “Wulf gar-sama take Kintaro home.” Wulfgar grinned, the self-consciousness disappearing from his face. “Yes, my demanding wild flower. We will go home.” Kintaro watched as Wulfgar turned back to those two and made his goodbyes, thanking them for their hospitality. His eyes narrowed slightly as Marcus and the thane clasped arms, then Aron followed suit more grudgingly after Marcus shot his mate a glance. He would be happy to be away from them and all the little signs of disrespect they showed Wulfgar. He waited impatiently as Brandr followed suit, then looked up as Wulfgar nudged him. Surely, Wulfgar didn’t expect him to do the same; he’d stretched the limits of his civility as it was. The look in Wulfgar’s eyes was kind but firm, and the young man sighed. He stepped forward, lifting his chin imperiously, and fixed them both with a steely look. He bowed slightly, just enough that it would’ve been an insult in his own land, though he doubted either of them knew. “Kintaro thank you for helping Wulf gar-sama,” he said distantly. Though he highly doubted the thane needed their dubious help. Cate would’ve made sure they found each other without them. Kintaro was dying to know why it was Wulfgar needed to see them, and he was determined to ask once they were alone again. Marcus bowed as well in the manner of Kintaro’s people and met his eyes frankly. “It was an honor to meet you, Kintaro-san.” He hesitated as if he were going to say something else, but then he merely smiled. “Have a safe journey home.” Aron shook his head slightly, looking between Kintaro and Wulfgar; finally, he shrugged. “Good luck, Kintaro.” Kintaro bristled at the apparent insult to Wulfgar, but the thane merely rolled his eyes and took the young man’s hand in his own. “Let us go home, lotus.”

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The sound of that word and the loving tone in Wulfgar’s voice immediately soothed Kintaro’s ire. He turned away from Aron and Marcus, heading out of the villa toward the ship he knew was waiting for them. Home. Excitement and joy rose in him again. Their home; he would never get enough of hearing Wulfgar say that. Aron and Marcus followed them out to the courtyard; then Wulfgar was helping him up onto a borrowed horse and swinging up behind them as some of the interlopers’ soldiers took their places around them. They were to be escorted to the ship. Kintaro settled himself back against his barbarian as they set out, enjoying the warmth of his embrace and their closeness. He rubbed his fingers over Wulfgar’s arm. With this all behind them, they now had to face the truth of Gaeric’s betrayal. It made Kintaro sad to know how much Gaeric’s actions had hurt his father. Though Wulfgar had yet to speak of it, Kintaro saw the terrible injury in those gray eyes every time his son’s name was mentioned. The trip to the ship was uneventful, and Kintaro stood off to the side with Brandr as Wulfgar spoke with the captain about their passage and belongings. Kintaro eyed his chest with the precious seeds he’d managed to garner inside. He hoped the months at sea wouldn’t hurt them so they wouldn’t bloom. “I have not had the chance to say it, imp,” Brandr said, startling him out of his reverie. “But I am happy we found you. You were sorely missed, and not just by the thane himself.” Kintaro smiled up at the battle-lord. “Kintaro miss you too, Brandr-sama.” He couldn’t wait to see everyone again. Moira must’ve fretted something terrible. He bit his lip. She was going to be upset too, and though he felt Gaeric deserved their anger, he didn’t want to see her hurt as well. “All good now, though,” he continued. Brandr smiled, “Aye, little one. It is well.” Kintaro searched the docks, looking for some sign of Cate. He hadn’t seen her since Wulfgar had taken him up and carried him to their rooms. Somehow, he wasn’t surprised he didn’t see her again. He sighed softly. “Kintaro wish could say farewell to Cate.” The young man looked up as Wulfgar came up behind him, sighing and leaning his head back against his Master’s chest.

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“I am fairly certain that woman knows that were she to show her face, I would still attempt to sever her head from her shoulders, lotus.” The thane gave him a wry smile, and Kintaro laughed softly, nodding. Yes, his barbarian was likely not going to get over the taking anytime soon; it was probably best that Cate had not come. He must have looked melancholy still, because Wulfgar bent and kissed the top of his head. “I am sure she knows, little one.” Kintaro smiled, turning and slipping his arms around Wulfgar’s waist, nodding. “Kintaro think so too.” He looked up with impish eyes and a bright, teasing smile. “Enough of Cate, Wulf gar-sama… show Kintaro where we sleep.” He found himself caught by the wrist and dragged below faster than he could blink, grinning to himself the whole way.

THE journey was long, much longer than Wulfgar remembered, and by the time they neared his lands and the valley where his hall lay, the thane was convinced more than ever that the woman, Cate, had truly been magic. He looked down where Kintaro rode in front of him, sound asleep and curled trustingly against him, glad it was dark so none could see the utter tenderness that crossed his face as he gently brushed a lock of heavy dark hair from the boy’s cheek. He had changed so much since Wulfgar had first ridden this path to bring him to his home. Kintaro was a bit meatier, though not much; he suspected his lotus would always be so thin as to worry him. His dark hair was much longer, falling straight and heavy to the middle of his back. But most of all, he thought the young man had changed inwardly, as had he. Now that he thought about it, Kintaro had been so afraid when he’d come here initially. Afraid he would be sold again, sent back to traveling from town to town with nowhere to call home. That would explain the adamant determination to remain unique, to retain his robes and his sticks and his customs. Wulfgar’s eyes roamed over Kintaro, and he grinned. The young man had made certain accommodations that he never would have before.

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Instead of his heavy, brightly colored robes, the young man wore now the tunic and trews of Wulfgar’s people. Though, as with everything about his lotus, the young man had made even that his own, taking the time of their journey and using silks and brocaded satins Wulfgar had procured for him to make himself the most colorful, outlandish tunics and trews the thane had ever seen. In truth, he looked beautiful. And Wulfgar dared anyone to say otherwise, remembering how proudly the young man had beamed when first trying them on for him. Wulfgar looked up from his thoughts at the sound of Brandr’s low call from up ahead, grinning. They were nearly there; riders had met them and were even now racing back with word of their approach. The thane’s smile faded when he thought of his son awaiting him there. His son, who had carelessly endangered the one thing that meant as much to him as Gaeric did. Had the slaver not, in fact, been Cate in disguise, Wulfgar shuddered to think of what would have happened to his precious lotus. But over the months of travel returning home, Wulfgar’s fury had abated a good deal. It was lucky for Gaeric that he and Kintaro had come to the conclusion that, even if Gaeric had not sold him outright, Cate would still have taken Kintaro. That did not excuse his betrayal, however, and Wulfgar had come up with what he thought was the perfect punishment. He could only hope that his son’s irrational hatred of his lotus had faded, that he would learn from this and no longer harbor such ill will toward a young man who had never done anything to deserve it. Because may the gods help Gaeric if he ever endangered or so much as hurt Kintaro’s feelings again. Wulfgar would have no mercy then. The hall came into sight as they crested the tor, and Wulfgar bent to brush his lips against Kintaro’s temple, murmuring softly. “Wake up, lotus… we are home.” The thane felt his heart swell at the sight of the hall nestled in its valley, torches burning along the outer walls, the hall itself dark but for the light spilling from the single window and the open door. It was hard to believe it had been the dead of winter when last he had been home; now the heat of summer was hard upon them. Kintaro’s eyes fluttered open, and he smiled softly up at Wulfgar before turning his head to look down as they descended the hill toward the hall. The young man beamed and looked up at Wulfgar. “I am

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looking forward to seeing our bed again, Wulf gar-sama….” His dark eyes sparkled in promise. The young man had also spent a good amount of the trip focusing hard on learning the language and dialect of his new home, which Wulfgar had taken with great pride, knowing it meant that Kintaro truly felt this was his home now. Wulfgar chuckled. “Aye lotus, as am I. But first we must make our homecoming memorable.” He and the young man shared conspiratorial grins, and then there was no time for talk as the gates swung open and the hall began to empty into the yard to welcome home the thane and his lotus.

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THE small party drew rein in front of the large hall, and Wulfgar looked over the congregation of his people with pride. For all of the splendor of Rome, he’d missed the quiet simplicity of their home in the valley. Gaeric stood at the front with Moira by his side. The thane could see the relief in his eyes, as well as the apprehension. Once again, he felt the pain of his son’s betrayal, but he was no longer overwhelmed with anger. Abandoning ceremony, Kintaro scrambled off the horse. “Moira!” he squealed, flinging himself into her arms. His son’s betrothed burst into happy tears at the reunion, and Wulfgar felt his heart ease some. He had been fairly certain Moira had nothing to do with Gaeric’s plan, and her reaction confirmed his belief. Kintaro would’ve been deeply hurt if she had played a role in his abduction. Wulfgar swung himself down as Gaeric approached with the brimming cup of wine. “Welcome home, my lord,” he intoned, handing the chalice to him. The thane took the cup and drank solemnly before turning to hand the wine to Brandr. Then he enfolded his son into his arms. “It is good to be back, lad.” Kintaro and Moira’s rapid chatter filled the background, and Gaeric chuckled roughly. “I see you have recovered him safely.” He paused and looked at Moira and Kintaro. “I am glad,” he said, his voice slightly strained. Wulfgar paused, but what he was going to say was lost in the cheering from the people of his hall. One by one, the other battle-lords and warriors came forward to offer their own welcome, and for a time all was chaos. Moira broke through the crowd and came before him, curtsying gracefully. “I am sorry, my lord,” she said. A faint blush

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colored her cheeks, but she met the thane’s eyes. “Welcome home. I have been derelict in my duties, I should have greeted you first.” He laughed. “Do not worry. I know my lotus,” Wulfgar glanced over at Kintaro, who was gesturing animatedly, talking with the people he’d befriended in the short time he’d been at the hall. “He talked of nothing but seeing you again for the last five leagues.” “I am sure there are other things here he is just as excited to see.” She smiled, and it lit up her face. “It is good you are home, my lord.” Wulfgar felt a surge of pride. She would be a good woman to keep his wayward son in line. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I do not think I have ever said it before, but I am well-pleased with you, daughter.” The color rose in Moira’s cheeks again as she recognized his implication. “Thank you, my lord,” she finally said, recovering her speech after a moment. “I have not missed the way you have treated my lotus. You gave him friendship and understanding when he sorely needed it.” Wulfgar grinned as she shifted uncomfortably. He raised his voice addressing the throng. “Come, let us go inside. Brandr, Kintaro, and I are hungry, and we have much news to impart.” As they started filing through into the hall, Kintaro winnowed his way through the people to his side, falling in beside him. His dark eyes sparkled with mischief as he slipped his hand in Wulfgar’s. The thane curled his fingers around it. “What have you been up to, little lotus?” “I went and looked at our room,” he announced, giving Wulfgar the demure look through his lashes that never failed to heat his blood. His wild imp did not have a modest bone in his body. “There is a fire set in the fireplace, and the bed is piled high with soft furs.” Wulfgar laughed. “Soon enough, Kintaro. It would be quite rude of us to disappear as soon as we arrived.” He reached over and brushed his finger over the young man’s pouting lower lip. “Do not fret, we will properly bless our bed to Freo when we retire for the night.” The thane looked around the hall, feeling the rightness of being here again. It looked strange to him after being away for so long, but the hearth fires were lit, with succulent smells coming from the pots and spits. The long tables were laid out in the same pattern on the rush-

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strewn floor. There were a few minute changes here and there, but it was still home. Kintaro laughed delightedly as the hounds surrounded him, snuffling at his hands and threatening to knock him over with their weight. “Git,” Wulfgar said, wrapping a steadying arm around Kintaro’s slight shoulders and waving the dogs away. They had always been over-fond of his lotus, and he suspected it was because the young man slipped them some of his dinner from time to time. Wulfgar sat down at the table nearest the fire and drew Kintaro onto his lap. The slave and thrall women began to bring laden platters and mugs of foaming ale, serving the thane first. Moira smiled and drew out Kintaro’s slim eating sticks and handed them over, much to the delight of his lotus. “I have saved them for you, Kintaro,” she said. “Waiting for your homecoming.” “Thank you, Moira,” Kintaro said, clutching them happily. Wulfgar still could not understand how someone could manage to capture food with those things, but Kintaro handled them deftly, with nary a sliver of food falling. He shook his head and planted a kiss on the top of his lotus’s head, enjoying the sensation of him snuggled against him so close. They talked about the trip and Rome, but neither mentioned how Kintaro was found, nor of meeting up with Aron and Marcus again. Wulfgar privately suspected the young man didn’t mention them because he wished never to think of them again. As the meal progressed, he could see his son becoming more agitated. He was happy to note, however, that Gaeric’s animosity toward Kintaro seemed to have disappeared. He did not have the easy camaraderie with him that so many others did, but he did speak to him courteously and show him deference in a way he never had before. Finally, the suspense must have gotten the better of him, for Gaeric leaned over to him and cleared his throat softly, his eyes fixed on the trencher before him. “What of the slaver? You did not say what happened to him when you caught up with him.” Kintaro’s head lifted, and he looked up at Wulfgar, lightly stroking his hand. Wulfgar kept his voice quiet, though there was a recognizable tension in it. “We will discuss it in private after the meal. You, me, Kintaro, and Moira.”

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Gaeric’s head lowered further until his betrothed’s name was mentioned; then it came up again with a sharp jerk. Wulfgar saw the sick fear in his son’s eyes and nodded, then turned back to finishing his meal with his companions. He would give Gaeric another hour or so to stew before departing the table. The meal passed quickly, with tales of what had gone on while they were away and many toasts in honor of their return, and by the end of it, Wulfgar was amused to see his lotus was well into his cups. He could not wait to get him alone, strip those clinging clothes from him, and make love in their bed yet again. It had been too long. But first, he had other, more pressing matters. He rose, setting Kintaro gently on his feet, though he kept a steadying arm around his shoulders. “Come, Gaeric. Moira, you as well; there is much we must discuss.” Gaeric’s eyes, so like his own, were wide and worried, though Moira didn’t seem to sense anything amiss as they all four headed to Wulfgar and Kintaro’s room. The thane shut the door behind them and turned, arms crossing over his wide chest and eyes narrowing on his son, who shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “Gaeric, do you wish to tell Moira what is going on, or shall I?” Wulfgar hoped Gaeric would; it would show a strength of mettle that his son had not shown before now. Gaeric lifted his head and exhaled softly, nodding in resignation. Moira’s blue eyes were confused, and she looked between the two of them and then at Kintaro. Wulfgar could feel the sympathy for the girl’s plight in his lotus and gently ran a hand over his dark hair. Gaeric took a deep breath before facing his betrothed. “Kintaro… was not stolen from the hall, nor did he run away.” His gray eyes pleaded silently with her to understand and not hate him. “I sold him.” Moira’s horrified gasp cut the silence, and Gaeric rushed to try and explain, looking back at his father and Kintaro as well. “I know it was foolish and wrong and cruel of me, I knew it at the time, even. But I was worried! Father, the others played you for such a fool, and Kintaro… I could see how much stronger his hold on you was and knew if he were to do the same thing, it might break you. I couldn’t let that happen!”

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Moira cut in, indignation and anger in her normally soft, calm voice. “How could you do such a thing, Gaeric?! I told you Kintaro was not like that, he loves your father!” She sucked in a breath then, eyes wide, thinking she might have let slip a fact the thane was not aware of. Wulfgar chuckled quietly. “It is alright, Moira. Aye, he loves me, and I him as well.” His voice hardened, and his eyes narrowed on his son. “And that makes your betrayal that much worse, Gaeric. I am not the child in this relationship, you are, and I had thought you were becoming a man, a man I could be proud to call son. But this… it was the act of a boy, not a man, a jealous little boy who coveted his father’s attention. Well, Gaeric, you got my attention.” His tone made it clear that Gaeric might not find that such a good thing. Gaeric’s eyes lowered, and he nodded slowly. “I know, father.” He looked up. “But I did not know, truly I did not, that you loved him. I did not intend to hurt you, I swear it.” Wulfgar sighed a bit, nodding. “I know, but you must know also that I cannot allow this to go without repercussion, Gaeric. You know what might have happened to Kintaro, and, had a hair on his head been harmed, I cannot say I would be as lenient as I am about to be.” Kintaro had been silent this whole time, but now the young man laid a hand on Wulfgar’s arm and looked up at him, his gaze determined. The thane nodded his permission for Kintaro to speak his mind as well. The young man drew himself up regally and stepped forward, peering up at Gaeric, who met his eyes with much guilt in the gray depths. Kintaro’s voice was soft but firm when he spoke. “You love Wulf gar-sama, Gaeric-kun, and wanted to protect him. I understand that very well, I would kill anyone who hurt him.” The young man tilted his head. “Do you hate me?” Gaeric sighed and shook his head. “Nay. In truth, I never have. What I hated was a slave who I thought wanted to govern my father.” The young man smiled a little, shaking his head as he looked at Kintaro now. “But you are not his slave anymore, are you?” Kintaro drew himself up proudly and shook his head, then nodded it as well. Wulfgar frowned a little, wondering at that. “I am and I am not. I will always belong to Wulf gar-sama; he will always own me. But love changes those rules, I think. I am more as well, just as he is far

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more than just my Master.” The young man touched Gaeric’s arm. “I will never betray him, Gaeric-kun. I swear that to you.” Wulfgar watched as his son’s and his mate’s eyes met, and he thought there was a good beginning of understanding between them as Gaeric nodded. The thane cleared his throat. “Good, now that that is settled, there is the matter of consequences, Gaeric.” His son stiffened slightly but nodded solemnly as well. The thane looked over at Moira, tilting his head curiously. “Would you have him still, Moira, as your husband?” The girl glowered at his son, her jaw tight and eyes blazing, but she nodded shortly. Wulfgar nodded as well. “Very well. It has been half a year I have been gone from my home, half a year lost to myself and Kintaro both. That is your punishment, Gaeric, and from the looks of your betrothed, you will need every moment of it to win her over again.” Gaeric’s head came up and he frowned, obviously confused. “My lord?” Wulfgar arched a brow. “It was intended for you to marry upon my return from the king’s. However, because of your childish act, half a year was lost, and now you will lose that time as well. When the spring equinox is upon us again, should Moira still wish to marry you, I will allow it. But not a moment before.” He could see the urge to protest rising in Gaeric’s eyes, but then it was gone, and the young man sighed heavily, nodding. Wulfgar looked down at Kintaro and then back at Gaeric and Moira. “Go now, we are done here. Moira, I do not envy you the challenge you would take on with my son, and I encourage you to make the next six months as difficult for him as you please.” He grinned and waved his hand toward the door. Moira glared at Gaeric and turned in a huff to leave, though she paused to take Kintaro’s hand and tell him one last time how happy she was that he was home before she left the room. Gaeric said nothing as he slunk out, and Wulfgar shook his head, hoping his son truly had learned his lesson and would become the man the thane hoped he would be. Kintaro looked up at him once they were alone, his head tilted and wide, dark eyes full of worry. “Are you all right, Oyabun?”

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Wulfgar nodded, his hand cupping Kintaro’s small cheek for a moment. “Aye, lotus, I am fine. I believe all will be well given time.” The young man broke into a bright smile, stepping back with a seductive look on his face as his little hands came up to begin untying the laces of his colorful tunic, backing slowly toward the bed. “I am glad… now I believe something was said about blessing our bed?” The thane’s mouth went dry as the tunic slipped off and his wild little flower’s thin, frail body was partially bared to him. A wicked grin of his own curved his lips as he advanced on Kintaro, nodding. “Aye, I did indeed mention just that very thing…” By the gods, it was good to be home.

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KINTARO beamed proudly as he stepped back and looked Moira over. Tears stung his eyes, and he smiled at her, though his smile was a bit watery. “You look beautiful, Moira.” He winked at her. “Far too beautiful for the likes of Gaeric-chan.” Moira giggled and gave him a censoring look, though it was well known that Gaeric and Kintaro had come to a tentative friendship of sorts. Gaeric might not dote on him like the others did, but at least he was no longer wishing him gone. The young man had clearly accepted that Kintaro was here to stay and made his father outrageously happy. Kintaro sighed and fiddled with Moira’s veil, straightening it where it did not need to be straightened, then looked up when she caught his hands, sighing softly at the questioning, concerned look on her pretty face. He shook his head slightly. “Do not fret, Moira. I will miss you, that is all.” That and he wished so much that he could have his own ceremony, binding him and Wulfgar forever. He straightened a bit. Well, ceremony or no, his barbarian loved him, and they would be together for always. That was more than enough. Moira squeezed his hands gently, her eyes soft and her voice kind. “I will miss you too, Kintaro. But we will not be so far away, and if there is anyone who could cajole and wheedle frequent visits out of the thane, it is you.” They both laughed at that, and Kintaro knew she was right; there would be many visits, and he would see his friend often. Gaeric had begun building his own hall on the bordering lands east of Wulfgar’s holdings, less than two days’ ride away. Kintaro nodded and gave her a careful hug, so as not to muss her beautiful dress and her hair, which had been twisted and plaited and tumbled down her back. “Come, Moira, your husband waits for you.” He took her hand in his and led her from Wulfgar’s room, which had been turned into a preparation room for the bride, much to the thane’s

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grumbling chagrin when he’d seen the multitude of flowers and ribbons and other paraphernalia strewn about. Wulfgar had made a beeline for the yard and the other men as soon as he’d seen the goings on. Kintaro peeked out of the window from the hall. There were many such windows now, as Wulfgar had them installed soon after their return from Rome; they would make the hall so much cooler and breezier in the summer. It would soon be getting hot again, and Kintaro was grateful there would not be another summer of cloying heat and sweat inside the hall. He could see through the window that the yard was empty; it was the tor just beyond that was flooded with the occupants of the hall. Servant and battle-lord and noble alike had all gathered there to witness and celebrate. He smiled brightly and nodded, looking back at Moira, who looked a bit green around the gills from nervousness. “Is time, come, let us make a man of your boy.” He straightened his tunic, which was newly made of deep gold brocaded silk and more elaborate than anything he’d ever made… but then, he had a habit of the elaborate. The wedding was everything Kintaro had hoped it would be for his friend, and he stood beside Wulfgar, their hands linked, and wiped his eyes in happiness. Afterward, the celebration took over the hall, and Kintaro was so busy making sure everything was running smoothly that he had barely the time for a quick kiss from his barbarian every so often as he hurried past. Kintaro was in the process of panicking over the shortage of sugared nuts when he felt his arm grasped and he was turned around, blinking up at Wulfgar. “Wulf gar-sama….” He smiled and lifted up onto tiptoes, tugging Wulfgar down by his beard to kiss him before turning away again, thinking the thane had simply wanted some affection, but Wulfgar tugged him back around, shaking his head. Kintaro’s brows furrowed, and he glanced back as Wulfgar silently tugged him along behind him toward the doors of the hall. “Wulf gar-sama… there is much to do, no time to fuck.” Gods, how often did those words come out of his mouth? He could count on one finger the number of times, actually. But his barbarian would not be deterred, and Kintaro scowled, stomping along after him, annoyed that Wulfgar still held his arm as if

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afraid Kintaro would disappear if he didn’t hold onto him. “Where are we going? Oyabun?” No reply, and he scowled deeper, huffing under his breath. Barbarians, always with the impatience and lack of informing anyone what they had in mind. Kintaro looked around as they walked, recognizing the path to the pond immediately and softening a bit. The pond was their special place; it was where he had planted the lotus pods he had brought back from Rome. He’d been so busy preparing for Moira and Gaeric’s wedding that he had yet to check and see if they were blooming yet. He nearly plowed right into Wulfgar’s back as, when they’d cleared the trees and stepped into the small clearing around the pond, Wulfgar came to an abrupt halt. Kintaro placed a hand on the thane’s back to steady himself and frowned up at him, though the frown faded the instant Wulfgar turned toward him and looked down at him. There was a look on his Master’s face that he had never seen before. Tender and loving, but also tense and uncertain. He did not believe he had ever seen Wulfgar looking uncertain, and he wanted immediately to soothe whatever was worrying him. “Wulf gar-sama? Are you all right?” Wulfgar nodded, a small smile quirking his lips. “Aye, lotus, I am fine. Better than fine, actually. Come here, love.” He led him closer to the water, pointing. “They bloom.” Kintaro’s breath caught, and he smiled slowly. Indeed, the lotuses bloomed, almost glowing, white and ethereal in the moonlight. He sighed softly, leaning his head against Wulfgar’s arm beside him. Wulfgar looked down at him and ran a gentle hand over his hair, crouching down so they were eye level with each other, one big hand cupping Kintaro’s cheek. Kintaro blinked at him, a hard fluttering starting in his stomach, though he wasn’t sure what caused the feeling. Perhaps the seriousness in Wulfgar’s eyes. “They bloom here just like you did, lotus. Beautiful and exotic and rare, making this strange land their home. Just like you.” The thane swallowed, and his gray eyes were suspiciously shiny. “You are my greatest treasure, Kintaro. When I thought I’d lost you, it was a blow such as I have never known. I want….” He paused and seemed to be steadying himself.

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Kintaro brought his little hand up to cover Wulfgar’s where it rested against his cheek, tilting his head in concern. “Want what? Wulf gar-sama?” He would give his barbarian anything, anything at all he asked for. Wulfgar smiled and dragged Kintaro into his arms to hug him tightly for a moment before determinedly setting him away again, exhaling sharply and nodding as though to himself. He chuckled at Kintaro’s wrinkled brow. “I apologize, lotus, I have had no practice with marriage proposals.” He immediately scowled and closed his eyes briefly. “That was not how it was supposed to come out.” Kintaro was too busy gaping at him to try and soothe his self-ire. He stared at Wulfgar and blinked, mouth opening and then closing, then opening again, though no words came out at first. Marriage? But… that was not possible. How he wished it were, but it was not. “Wulf gar-sama, I don’t… understand,” he finally managed to say. “I thought marriage not allowed.” He was forgetting the language skills he’d learned in his growing excitement at the idea. Wulfgar drew a deep breath, visibly pulling himself together. “There is another ritual that my people practice. It is just as binding as a marriage contract. It’s called a handfasting.” He reached out, taking Kintaro’s hand in his larger one. He smiled down at him, and Kintaro’s breath caught. There was such emotion in his gray eyes: hope, love and a tender vulnerability he rarely saw. “Would you do the ritual with me, Kintaro?” For a moment, Kintaro couldn’t speak. It was all he could do not to burst into tears, he was so overwhelmed. He knew that the others in the thane’s hall saw him as something more than Wulfgar’s bed slave, but the outside world didn’t, and though Kintaro never said anything, it bothered him. He didn’t want a repeat of the last time the king had come to visit, or something similar. Kintaro loved Wulfgar, and he longed to be bound with him permanently. The closer they got to Moira and Gaeric’s wedding day, the more the wish had grown inside of him, and now Wulfgar was telling him it was a possibility. His heart beat wilder. “Truly, Wulf garsama?” he couldn’t help but ask. His eyes stung as Wulfgar nodded solemnly.

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Kintaro threw his arms around the thane’s neck, happiness so strong in him that for once he was unable to vocalize his joy. Finally, he murmured quietly, “Yes. I want to be bound to you, Wulf garsama.” He pulled back and settled again on his heels, beaming up at Wulfgar. “Can we do it now? I don’t want to wait.” It would be nice to have a splendid affair like Moira had, but he didn’t want to wait one more moment before he was bound to Wulfgar. “I don’t feel much like waiting either,” Wulfgar said, threading his fingers through Kintaro’s hair as he was always wont to do. “And I do not think there is a more fitting place where we should bind ourselves to each other.” Kintaro smiled and looked around the grove. It had become a very special place for them, ever since the day he’d come out here to plant the pods. He remembered how impatiently Wulfgar had waited for them to bloom. Almost every day he had badgered Kintaro into going with him to check. He laughed softly. “It is perfect, Wulf gar-sama.” “I’m going to have to change the altar in our room from Freo to Freya, I suppose,” Wulfgar chuckled as he drew a length of silken ribbon from a pouch at his waist. Kintaro shook his head. “I think Freo still suits us well, Oyabun.” Who better than the god of erotic love to celebrate their bed? As much as he loved the thane, he lusted for him as well, and he knew it was reciprocated. He frowned, looking around the empty grove. Save for the low music of the night creatures that inhabited the pond, they were alone. “Do we not need a witness for our union? Is someone going to meet us here?” “Nay, lotus.” Wulfgar looked around the grove as well. “There is an ancient power here, I feel it. Let the denizens of the woodlands be our witness. It is only fitting.” Kintaro felt it too: a low throbbing in his veins, the katydids’ and nightingales’ song lifted higher in response. It seemed as if every living thing was waiting. His brows drew together, and he exchanged a perplexed frown with the thane. The very air seemed to be alive, humming against their skin. Cate stepped out into the clearing, her true form wrapped around her like a mantle. Kintaro wanted to squeal with delight and run to greet her, but the solemnity in her gaze stopped him. Tonight, she

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wasn’t the woman who had taken him from Wulfgar and befriended him. Tonight she was the living embodiment of the grove. Wulfgar stared at her, his mouth agape for a moment. His hand tightened convulsively around Kintaro’s. “What are you about?” he asked, looking at her suspiciously. “You invoked the power of the woods, Wulfgar,” Cate replied with a small, impish smile on her lips. “Trust me when I say that none of the others are likely to respond.” She cocked her head, looking between them both. “Who better to witness and bind you? I set you on this road before you met. I would like to bless this union.” Kintaro looked appealingly up at Wulfgar, gently squeezing his hand and stepping back around to stand behind him. “This is fitting,” he said softly. After a moment, the thane nodded. “You are right, lotus.” He gave Cate a stern look. “Do you think you can perform the ritual with no tricks?” “Believe me when I say that I am committed to your joining like no other, outside of the two of you,” Cate replied, reaching out to take the length of ribbon from Wulfgar’s hand. In the faint glow that outlined the fae woman’s body and wings, Kintaro saw that it was a rich red color. The little man turned to face his mate, his right hand clasped around Wulfgar’s right as the thane’s other hand clasped his left. His heart beat faster, and he couldn’t take his eyes off Wulfgar’s face. “In perfect love and trust, I bind myself to you, Kintaro, through joy and pain, in peace and war, to live with you faithfully for all our days. May the gods give me the strength to keep these vows.” Kintaro repeated the words, each one etching into his heart. Wulfgar’s thumbs stroked over the backs of his hands; for a moment, it seemed as if he could feel his barbarian’s breath as his own, their heartbeats in tandem with each other. He felt Cate drape the ribbon over their left hands, winding the ends around up to their wrists. He looked down, watching as she tied it into an elaborate knot that looked as if it could never be severed. He felt complete in a way he had never known before. He looked up again, staring into Wulfgar’s eyes. “Kintaro love Wulf gar-sama forever,” he whispered softly.

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Kintaro heard Cate saying something in the background. Later on, he would reflect back and add her blessing to the vows written in his heart, but now, with Wulfgar’s eyes shining like the stars overhead, he couldn’t think of anything but this strange barbarian who had altered his life completely. As Wulfgar’s lips descended on his, sealing their union, he knew he had come home for good.

FAE SUTHERLAND writes exclusively M/M erotic romance of the “sexier the better” variety. She currently resides in the nation’s capital with two polar opposite kitties, a laptop named Pocket, and her hetero lifemate of three wonderful years. When not tapping away at the keyboard on new books for her readers, Fae spends her time playing Sims, indulging in mindless reality TV, and dabbling in web site/graphic design. You can e-mail Fae at [email protected] and visit her web site at http://chasethedream.net.

MARGUERITE LABBE has been accused of being eccentric and a shade neurotic, both of which she freely admits to, but her muse has OCD tendencies, so who can blame her? Her husband and son do an excellent job keeping her toeing the line, though. Together with her coauthor Fae Sutherland, Marguerite has found a shared passion for beautiful men with smart mouths. When she’s not working hard on writing new material and editing completed work, she spends her time reading novels of all genres, enjoying role-playing games with her equally nutty friends, and trying to plot practical jokes against her son and husband. Her son is learning the tricks too quickly and likes to retaliate. You’d think she’d learn. Visit Marguerite’s web site at http://chasethedream.net/.

Read Roman and Aron’s story in

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