Those three days went by faster than any in my entire life.� It seemed no more than a few hours before I stood in Merja�s front hall, one of his slaves scurrying off to retrieve him.� My two rather small suitcases stuff on either side of my legs, looking rather dirty in comparison with the immaculate manor.�
����������� Within moments, I saw Merja emerge from beyond the large double doorway at the end of the hall, all smiles as the small Human woman behind him tried to keep up with is longer strides.� �Gideon!�� I promptly found myself in a warm embrace, with the older man�s lips upon my face for just a moment before he took a step back, holding me by the shoulders.� �I�m so glad you�ve arrived.� Come, come Elisa, we must show him to his room at once!�
����������� The Human girl smiled.� �Yes sir,� she said with a small chuckle, as though she was quite used to her Master�s eccentricities.� She moved to pick up my suitcases, and I would have stopped her, but Merja had me by the wrist now and was all but dragging me up the wide, gently curving staircase.� My sense of balance wavered for a moment as I was finally brought to a stop outside yet another set of large, wooden double doors, and Merja turned to face me, his back against the entryway.� �This will be your room,� he said with a childish smile.� �I had it prepared just for you, so I do hope it�s to your liking.�
����������� With that he opened the door and ushered me inside.� For a moment, I could only gape.� The room was enormous, far larger than the one in which I stayed with my parents.� The carpet was a pale off-white to match the cream-colored walls, and thick, allowing my feet to sink into it nicely.� But the bed was what immediately caught my attention.� It was certainly larger than a bed meant only for one person needed to be, and round.� The comforter and overstuffed pillows that adorned it were light tan, as was the sheer curtain that ran around the black metal rods that ran around the edge of the bed, allowing the transparent fabric to fall gracefully around all the bed�s edge with only a slit on either side for entry and exit.� To the right of the bed was a window that stretched from the floor to the high ceiling, which apparently was also a door, as it was opened slightly to allow for passage to a balcony, the breeze gently causing another set of sheer curtains to billow into the room.� To the left, in the corner, there sat a large, dark wooden armoire, obviously meant to hold far more clothing than I owned.� Next to the dresser was a more modest-looking door, but leading to what, I did not know.
����������� �Merja�� I breathed in disbelief, taking a hesitant step into the room.� �This cannot be for me��
����������� �But it is, my boy,� the larger man answered, taking a step up behind me and placing his arm over my shoulders.� �Didn�t I tell you I would provide for you well?� This is what I mean by providing for someone.� But you haven�t seen the best part yet,� he said with a sly smile, his hand once again drifting to my wrist, where he took a firm but gentle hold, and led me to the modest door.� I could hear the girl behind us, placing my things near the bed as Merja opened the door into yet another well-furnished room, this one obviously made for the purpose of bathing.� The corner bathtub took up much of the smaller room.� Surely you could have bathed six people in it!� It was even so deep as to require small seats around the edge, built into the side of the tub across from where the ornate faucet hung over the edge.� The wall around and next to the tub was entirely mirror, blocked only by a counter containing a sink.� Across the room, there was another small door, presumably leading to a bathroom luxury more private than a bath.
����������� Again, I found myself bordering on speechless.� All of this could not be mine.� I wasn�t dead, and I wasn�t dreaming, as far as I knew.� �Oh Lord Merja, you must pinch me!�
����������� He chuckled, and lightly bonked me on the head instead.� �You aren�t asleep, you silly boy.� I take it this is all to your liking?�
����������� �Oh yes!� It�s so much more than I need!� I can never repay you for this��
����������� �Your happiness and good schooling are the only thanks I require, Gideon.�
����������� �My Lords,� the girl�s soft, high voice spoke up from behind us, making us both turn, �dinner shall be ready in about an hour, if that is to your liking.�
����������� I smiled as I watched her.� She really was a pretty little thing, and Merja obviously treated her well.� Her long hair was a dark brown, and slightly wild, held back from her face in a loose ponytail at the base of her neck.� She idly fiddled with the ends as she awaited our answer, her other hand smoothing the skirt of her dress.� It was a nice dress for a slave to wear; in fact, it was nice for a common Wingly.� My smile widened a bit at the thought that Merja was infamous for �spoiling� his slaves.� Of course, in normal terms, that meant treating them like they were a real person.
����������� �Of course, Elisa, that will be just fine,� Merja answered while I mused.� �There�s no hurry.�
����������� �Yes sir.�� The girl gave a small bow before leaving the room, leaving Merja and I alone once again.
����������� �Well then,� he began after a moment, turning to me, �why don�t we get you settled in here, and then you can have the grand tour?�
����������� I smiled happily up at him.� �All right.�
����������� He made his way to where my suitcases had been laid, setting them on the bed and opening them up.� I tried to help him, but he fretted so much over my clothing, mumbling to himself how some of this just wouldn�t do; we would have to go shopping for me very soon.� He flitted back and forth between the armoire and my things, occasionally pausing to touch my head or smile at me or reassure me.� In so many ways Merja made me feel like such a child; it wasn�t until I stayed with him longer that I came to realise how much of a child he was himself�a child deprived of most everything early in life, and now determined to live his life exactly the way he wanted.
����������� When he finally finished arranging my clothing in a way that suited him, he led me out of the room, instantly looping his arm through mine.
����������� �Rakari�s room is just opposite yours, and mine is at the end of the hall.�� He gestured to both of them respectively.� �If you ever need anything, you can come and see me, Gideon, no matter the time of day or night.� Do you understand?�
����������� �Yes sir,� I answered, and he lightly patted my hand.
����������� �We must discuss this �sir� business as well.� You are my equal in this house, and my friend.� Do you think you could find it within you to call me by my name?�
����������� �Of course, s�I mean, Merja.�
����������� �He shot me a playful glare, but then he smiled.� �Good.� Now then, we can look around for a bit and then get something to eat, how�s that?�
����������� �All right.�
����������� The rest of the estate was no less impressive than what little I had seen.� The home itself was full of high ceilings, smooth marble floors, and grand, arched doorways leading to seemingly endless rooms.� Behind the manor stretched a beautiful garden, filled with flowers and towered over by willow trees, with pathways winding through the greenery to the occasional bench.� The sun had gone down a while ago, and the walkways had been gently illuminated with torches as tall as I was.� Through these paths Merja led me, chatting to me about various things to which I probably should have been paying attention, but I admit that I wasn�t paying him much mind.� I was actually beginning to get a bit anxious�I had been here for a while now, and had neither seen hide nor hair of my Lord�s beautiful sister.
����������� He either sensed my discomfort or read my mind, but either way he began to lead me back towards the manor, giving me a knowing, scheming little smile.� �I believe I heard a call for dinner.�
����������� We reached the dining room, and my entire countenance surely brightened as I saw Rakari sitting near the head of the long table.
����������� A bright smile graced her lips as we entered, and she shook her head.� �Late again, Merja, really!� Is it so impossible to come to a meal on time?�
����������� I blinked, and looked up to the man who still held my arm captive.� �Are we late?�
����������� �My apologies, love,� Merja ignored me, �we got a bit distracted.�
����������� �Is no one outside your reach, brother?�
����������� �Certainly not.� But I resent the implication.�
����������� The exchange confused me, but before I could request an explanation, I was in my seat with a plate of sweet-smelling food in front of me, and the conversation had turned to more common things.� I was too timid to speak much, and frankly too flustered from sitting so near my secret love.� By the time I nerved myself enough to join the conversation, the others were standing.� I vaguely heard Merja tell me that I ought to get an early night, and felt him brush a lingering kiss across my cheek before leaving the room in a flurry of energy.
����������� �He�s made of lightning,� his sister mumbled, shaking her head as she looked to me.� �But he�s right.� You�ll need a good night�s sleep; it�ll be a big day tomorrow, doubtless.�� She leaned close to me, and bade me goodnight with a gentle kiss.
����������� I almost went after her, desperate for some kind of conversation, or even her presence alone would have been enough to satiate me.� But she was gone as quickly as her brother, so I trudged wearily up to my room.
����������� I don�t believe I had ever had a better night�s rest.�����
����������� In the morning, I was woken up early, and taken out by Merja to meet tutors, buy clothes, but my favorite foods, and any other extravagances he felt I needed.� My classes were to begin immediately, and life seemed to rush by me faster than I could take it all in.� I was nearly drowned in luxuries that I assured Merja were unnecessary, but he paid me no heed.� When it was all said and done, I looked the part of any high-ranking noble�well dressed and well mannered, with Merja by my one side and a slave at my other.� We surely made quite the pair walking down the streets of Aglis.
����������� By the time things slowed down a week later, I received an unexpected explanation for the conversation I had all but forgotten.
����������� It was the middle of the night, late even for someone like myself, who was known to stay up to all hours reading or studying.� All of the lights in the manor, save the small candle in my corner of the library, had been extinguished, and darkness was my only companion as I silently crept up the stairs.� Everyone else had gone to bed hours ago; I didn�t want to wake them.� As I made my way to the bedroom, eager for a chance to rest my eyes, I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Merja�s door was ajar.� I knew how it irritated him to wake up with it open�it gave him the feeling that someone had been snooping around, even as he recognized how silly such a notion was�so I went to close it for him.� But before I did, a quiet sound reached my ears, and I peeked inside.
����������� My eyes widened as I realized that Merja was neither asleep nor alone.� I was ashamed for watching, as I am now, but I still shall never forget the pure beauty of the scene before me.� I could see my benefactor�s back, silver curls cascading freely down the bare skin to tickle the flesh at the small of his back.� His spine arched quite suddenly, his head thrown backwards, and I could see that his eyes were squeezed shut, his lips parted to allow him his shallow gasps of breath.� His slender hands were firmly gripping the shoulders of the man in whose lap he sat, a soft sound escaping him.
����������� The other man was what really caught my attention.� He was a Human, one of Merja�s slaves, and quite a beautiful one at that.� His perfectly straight ebony hair spilled just a bit past his tanned shoulders, contrasting sharply with Merja�s milky skin.� The man�s deep green eyes were open, and for a moment I thought he might see me, but it soon became apparent that he was far more focused on his lover than on the open door.� His hands held tightly onto the Wingly�s hips, helping them to rise and fall back down with a quiet grunt from both men.
����������� Both of them has a thin sheen of sweat covering their bodies, and I could hear each breath come out in a gasp.� I couldn�t urge my feet to move, though I knew I shouldn�t watch.
����������� Of course, I hadn�t the slightest idea what they were doing.� Sexual education wasn�t exactly a part of my private curriculum.� All I knew was that I found them both beautiful, and I rather liked it.
����������� A somewhat loud cry ripped from Merja�s throat, and his back arched for a moment before he slumped forward against the Human�s more muscular chest, his back rising slowly with his shuddering breath.� The other man seemed to calm down as well, and his arms moved up to touch Merja�s loose curls. �At this point, I thought it would be wise to make my exit, so I closed the door as silently as I could and sped back to my room.
����������� My sleep was not very restful that night; too many visions of Merja and his slave turned lover danced through my mind�s eye, torturing a part of me I was unaware could be tortured in such a way.
����������� The next morning, however, I awoke with the figure of Merja looming over me, and I let out a squeak, scooting to the side in alarm before I realized that he was only sitting on the edge of the bed.� �M-Merja��
����������� �I�m quite sorry; did I startle you?�
����������� �No, it�s fine.�� I sat up sleepily, running a hand through my hair, which was of course even more wild than normal, tousled by my restless sleep.� �Good morning,� I offered with a lazy smile.
����������� �A very good morning it is.� I trust you slept well?�
����������� �Yes,� I murmured, once again images of the Lord of the house with his hair free flowing, clutching the Human man rushing past my vision.
����������� �I was only concerned, because I noticed you were up quite late last night.�
����������� At that I froze.� �Yes,� I answered after a moment, �I was studying in the library.�
����������� �You saw.�
����������� I let out a soft sigh, lowering my eyes.� �Yes sir, I did.�
����������� Merja smiled, and teased his fingers roughly through my messy hair.� �Don�t look so guilty, boy.� There�s nothing wrong with you seeing.� And don�t call me sir,� he added with a playfully stern look.
����������� �Nothing wrong?�� I gave him a quizzical look.� �Isn�t it something private?�
����������� His eyes widened for a moment in a sweet expression of shock, then he laughed.� �You don�t mean to tell me that you don�t even know what you were seeing.�� When I gave him only guilty silence, he laughed once more, but now his eyes took on just a touch of a predatory glint.� �Poor deprived child.� Would you like me to show you?� Demonstration is the best form of explanation, after all.�
����������� And, being the poor innocent thing that I was, I accepted.� I didn�t go to classes at all that day, and for once I didn�t particularly care about my studies.
����������� I did, however, get a visit from Rakari later that afternoon.� She seemed rather upset about something, and I was surprised that she came to me in place of her brother.
����������� �Gideon�I didn�t see you at all today.� I thought perhaps we might go somewhere together, but you were in your room until after midday�were you ill?�� Her sweet face reflected disappointment and concern, and I instantly felt guilty for my little exploration with her brother.
����������� �No, Rakari, I wasn�t ill.� I had business to discuss with Merja.� Very important business.�� I smiled gently to reassure her.� �I�m quite fine.�
����������� �My brother was with you all day, wasn�t he?�
����������� �Well yes, didn�t I say that?�
����������� �Then you weren�t discussing business.�
����������� �Excuse me?�
����������� �I know my brother.�� She sighed, and touched my cheek. ��He never learns�another one corrupted,� she teased, and I felt my cheeks flush.� How could she have even thought that sort of thing of me?
����������� �He�does this often, then?� I asked meekly, feeling a little silly for being pulled into such an apparently obvious seduction.
����������� �Seduce young boys?� No.� Sleep with everyone in the manor�yes, I�m afraid so.� My brother is quite�affectionate.�
����������� �I see.�� My blush deepened, and I lowered my eyes, pretending to notice something interesting on the floor.
����������� �I do wonder though, Gideon,� she began quietly, her hand moving under my chin to make me look into her face, �if you would allow me to show you true affection.� Not the kind of merciless sex that Merja would provide.� I would love you, Gideon.�
����������� My eyes must have widened to twice their size.� It couldn�t be true.� This vision of perfection standing before me, closer to me already than I deserved, and now offering her love?� I knew that if I spoke, I would stutter, so I only remained silent, staring at her in slight disbelief.
����������� She chuckled.� �My brother obviously has no intention of allowing either of us out of here if we don�t at least attempt courtship.� Surely he has spoken to you of this.�
����������� �A-As a matter of fact he has,� I managed softly.� �And I could consider it an honor if you would allow me to court you.� I can�t describe how I�ve felt about you from the moment we met, Rakari.� You�re so beautiful and charming and kind and�"
����������� She hushed me with a delicate index finger placed gently against my lips.� �Please spare your compliments, Gideon.� We should base our relationship on less superficial things, should we not?�� She smiled, and lightly kissed my mouth before taking my hand.� �Let us talk.� I haven�t walked in the garden for ages.�