Chapter Three

Pain exploded in Kay's head when he moved. It felt as though it would blow up at the slightest provocation. His vision blurred and he almost fainted from the effort. His leg was wet with something warm. A quick glance downward confirmed what he suspected . He was loosing a huge amount of blood from his wound.

He could distinguish a huge form hovering over Mirial. It had to be Butraz.

Kay had to stop him before he killed Mirial. Before he could open the gate.

Gritting his teeth he pulled himself up from the floor. His legs weakened by the blood loss buckled underneath him. He was panting on the floor when he heard Mirial's frightened protest to whatever their son was doing.

He made a final desperate effort.

.................... ...................... ......................... ..................... ....................... ......................

The gigantic hall was filled with courtesans and nobles of all ages and ranks. Gathered to revel in what was supposed to be the sixteenth birthday of their beautiful Ragghyr. The real purpose was to announce who would be chosen to be the King's mistress.

Mirial , at the moment, was pacing along the upper most of the three balconies surrounding the room. Quietly he scanned the room looking for his spouse, whom he happened to spy near a tall woman. They were apparently enjoying their conversation . Mirial felt an immediate aversion to her which he knew was mostly jealousy.

A strange aura emanated from her directed towards the king. He was appalled. She was casting a love spell on his husband. How dare she?

Obviously she thought no one could notice her spell. He had to acknowledge her skill. The weave of the spell was so fragile and delicate it left only the slightest trace. To most it would be invisible.

With incredible ease he reached out and made the smallest alteration to her spell. For a brief moment he felt compelled to use the spell against Kay, to awaken his desire for Mirial. He wanted Kay's love and this was not the way to achieve it. Instead he did a counter spell that effectively rendered it harmless.

He smiled as she reeled from the backlash. Two men immediately rushed to her side. He recognized the Lord Chamberlain at once, the other one, a redhead , was familiar, though he could not place him.

" Elra ! What happened? " Nias's embraced his giddy sister.

" Someone disrupted my spell." She murmured in his ear.

" His eyes roamed over the gathering searching for the unknown attacker. Far above them Mirial's angry visage stared at them, a silent threat in his eyes.

" Mirial! That bitch! " Nias hissed.

Kay overheard his last remark and looked up to be rewarded with a glorious sight. His beautiful "wife" made even more beautiful by anger .

A proud smile touched his lips. So, Mirial was willing to fight a witches duel over him!

He had sensed the spell . Easiest thing in the world. Mirial saved him the trouble of neutralizing it.

He pitied the girl. She had just lost whatever hope she had of been more than just a brood mare in his eyes. After all, he had already chosen her. In a little while it would be announced to all the guests. The only thing he needed from her was a baby, a boy.

Catching sight of Mirial heading out of the hall Kay decided on following him. He would not survive another tedious conversation with some vacuous girl.

Mirial entered his room in a rage. Kay's infatuation with Lady Elra was unmistakable. After she fainted he could not keep his eyes off of her. He was certain she was the chosen one.

He was tugging so forcefully on his clothes that it was a miracle he did not rent his garments. He put on a robe which he did not even bother to tie up.

" I should go out there and denounce her for what she tried to do. He would not find her so thrilling if he knew the truth. " He spoke out loud to no one, but someone was listening to him.

" The truth is such a relative thing." Dreian's smirk only infuriated him further.

" Not now, Dreian!"

" My, but we are angry! " Dreian was smart enough to know when it was prudent to scram. This was definitely such a moment. In the blink of an eye he was gone.

With no one left to fight with he attacked his hair. He was fuming. Mirial stopped in mid- stroke when he remembered the promise he had made earlier.

A servant would arrive soon to request his presence. It was his duty, a Ragghyr's duty, to present the chosen mistress. He could not do that. He would not debase himself in such a way. His reflection on the mirror narrowed his eyes dangerously.

Dying was such a tempting idea.

Someone else was in the room with him.

" Dreian I wish to be alone."

" He is not here." That voice! It was Kay Salgis. What could he possibly want? He usually avoided this room like the plague.

" To what do I own this honor, Your Highness?" he tried to sound nonchalant, but it was hard. " You never visit my chambers."

" I know , but you must recognize that it is partly your fault. Somehow my visits always end up with us lying on the bed."

" Yes, and it seems I am too inferior for your tastes." A sharp gasp escaped him when he felt Kay's strong arms around his waist.

" No, that is not the reason and you know it. There is no one more important to me than you."

" I think The Lady Elra might resent your saying that." He spitefully replied.

" Mirial do not be jealous. She is merely a breeder to me..." Mirial stepped out of his embrace. He rapidly moved to the other side of the bed so it stood between them.

" That is more than I will ever be to you! " He screamed. " Look at me Kay. We have been married four years and I am still a virgin. I need you ! I desire you as a man , as a husband."

He walked in small circles slipping his hand through his hair. " You are going to fuck with her just so she can have your son, fantastic!" He looked at Kay straight in the eyes. " If you want a son so badly make love to me ! Let me give you a son!"

The young king turned away vigorously shaking his head. " No! That is the one thing I can not give you. Can you not understand that? Ask for gold, jewels, power, my very blood, anything, but that!"

Mirial broke down in tears. Kay felt so impotent in sight of Mirial's ache.

"Why must he hurt his beloved like this? He had a duty to his people, but he also had a duty to his heart."

He knelt beside him. His own heart was heavy . What he intended to do, though right, was painful.

With great gentleness he lifted Mirial's chin . "Mirial, please..." He whispered. " Never doubt my love. There is nothing I want more in the world than your happiness. I... " Kay closed his eyes to block the tears welling in them. "I will not object if you... find love with someone else. I could not begrudge you your happiness."

" How can you ask me to give myself to another man?"

" My love..."

" Never! I will never do it!" He desperately held Kay's shirt in his clenched hands. " I love you and if I you wont have me I would rather die!" The intensity he saw in Mirial's green eyes frightened Kay. He could not loose Mirial. He loved him too much.

Before he knew it , he was devouring Mirial with wild, ardent kisses. Their bodies urgently pressed against each other. Both harbored a hunger that could no longer be denied.

Mirial's hands had a will of their own as they roamed with abandon over Kay's chest .The lust he felt was overpowering. He needed to feel the strong, muscular body concealed beneath the fine garments. He wanted to taste that taunt, suntanned skin.

He made a small desperate sound as he fought with his husband's gown. Kay gently removed his wandering hands from his chest and stood off from the bed.

Mirial froze, terrified that the passionate moment had come to an end, leaving him unfulfilled as was usual.

Kay gave him an enigmatic smile and then proceeded to divest himself of his clothing. His heart beat wildly as he watched Kay stripping before him.

Suddenly Mirial felt very inadequate. How could he please such a man. Unconsciously he gathered his robe tightly around him.

Tremors ran through his body when Kay sat next to him on the bed. He was paralyzed with a mixture of fear and intense desire.

Soon his robe laid next to the young king's clothes.

Mirial lost himself in a wave of pleasure as Kay explored every inch of his body with his lips.

Nothing else mattered. Only the consummation of their love. To love and be loved .To finally become one with his beloved.

.......................... ........................ ......................... ...................................

A very irate couple stood outside Mirial's room. It had taken them a while to localize the King's energy signature. His destination was less than pleasing.

Lady Elra was not one to give up easily. If she was going to be the King's mistress, she wanted his full devotion and no less. So she had opted for a second try on her spell, but now it was useless.

She wanted to scream out loud

" Are you certain he is within? " Nias's was a bit nervous. It would not be wise to be found spying outside the Ragghyr's bedroom.

" Oh! I am quite certain. Not only is he within , but he is making love to that witch ! "

"What?"

" You heard me, dear brother." Nias hated when she was patronizing, especially to him.

" Now what? Your spell wont work if he is getting his kicks somewhere else."

" We wait."

" For what, Elra?" The sharp lines of her face contorted with malice making her look like a predator on the prowl.

" He is a cocky one. He will try to bear Kay's son. Obviously he holds himself above the law."

The siblings stared at each other and voiced the thought they were sharing in unison , "The price for his crime will be death!!"