"First Meeting" by S. ´Silvestris´ Strand

Rylerion ZanTaoyaka absently lifted his glass and sipped the sweet wine, his eyes gazing across the crowded room. Laughing, surrounded by a small group of people, the subject of his attention cast a glance in his direction, smiled, then turned back to his friends. The young king quickly turned away, frowning. What was it with that man that sent such strange vibrations of electric tension through him whenever their eyes met? He’d never felt anything like it before, and it unnerved him. To keep emotions in check and avoiding any closer contact with people - surely that was the only way to keep from getting hurt? He had already known too much pain and shame in his life.

The blue wine was sweet and intoxicating, and crowd grew noisier as the night wore on. Over and over the young man found his gaze straying to the elegant blue-haired lord across the room, something like envy flashing through his heart every time someone else had the man’s attention. Several times, though, those vivid blue eyes would seek his own across the room, burning with something Rylerion knew but didn’t want to acknowledge, lest he had to admit the response it stirred within himself.
Time passed, the noise reached an almost painful level, then began to subside as more and more people left the room, together, or in pairs - or more. The wine and incense made him a bit lightheaded, yet his mind was strangely clear and focused when he turned to find the tall, beautiful lord of Machra-la standing behind him.
“ Enjoying yourself, your highness?” asked the man, pouring himself another glass of wine. Rylerion shrugged, turning his own glass around and around, watching the indigo liquid swirl inside.
“ It’s been an interesting experience. I’m not really a party person.”
Raising his now full glass to his smiling lips the other man asked,
“ Then what kind of person are you, your highness? Are there other games you’d rather play?”
Yet another teasing challenge. He refused to rise to it, just as he had with all the previous ones.
“ I came here to discuss politics. That is my only concern.”
“ All business and no pleasure. Politics is for daytime. When the sun sets, we leave such tedious business behind here in Machra-la."
“ So I see.”
They both leaned back against the table, sipping their wine, watching the emptying room in thoughtful silence.
“ I don’t know what it is with you, your highness,” the blue-haired man said suddenly.
“ I have known more men and women than I can possibly remember, but you are different. I hope you will not take offence, but I think you feel it too.”
The other stared fixedly into his glass, not answering. After a long moment of heavy silence, the blue-haired lord sighed, pushed away from the table and bowed.
“ I am sorry if I have offended you; that was not my intention. If politics is what you came for, then we shall negotiate as promised, in the morning. Until then I bid you good night. Your highness.”

As he turned to leave the paler man raised his eyes from his glass, hesitated, then called out after him.
“ Lord Lazuli, please wait.”
As the other turned he almost regretted his words, then put his glass down on the table and covered the distance between them. Banishing all hesitation and fear, he looked the handsome lord in the eye, seemingly all relaxed and casual.
“ I wonder… Could I still take you up on your offer from this afternoon?”
A wide smile appeared on the man’s lips.
“ You most certainly can. You have changed your mind?”
Almost no hesitation at all before the answer.
“ Obviously. My scars are a weakness. A king can’t afford those. If you think you can help me heal, I will go with you.”
The other’s smile turned soft, and he reached up with a long-fingered hand to stroke some raven strands from young king’s face.
“ I can show you miracles, your highness. You won’t regret this.”
Together they left the now empty room, echoes of their footsteps lingering for a moment, then fading.

Lord Lazuli’s bedroom was large and comfortable; rich silken hangings fluttered lazily as the night breeze breathed through the open windows. Shirae spread a soft light through the room, and golden bowls heated by candles let out thin tendrils of luxurious perfumes and oils. Despite his firm determination, the young king clenched and unclenched his hands nervously as he carefully sat down on the large bed. Sensing his tension, Lazuli sank down beside him and started playing with his hair again, filtering its darkness through his fingers, bringing thick coils to his face, drawing in its scent, kissing it. His touch sent shivers down Rylerion’s spine.
“ Remember, your highness,” the lord mumbled as he leaned forward to kiss the back of the younger man’s neck, “ that you can get up and walk away whenever you want. But should you decide to stay, I will show you pleasure such as you have never known before.”
The younger man let out a breathless sigh and closed his eyes as the other man skillfully began unbuttoning his shirt, still planting teasing butterfly kisses along his neck and cheeks. As the shirt fell forgotten to the floor, the blue-haired man leaned forward and planted his firm lips on the other’s mouth, kissing him deeply. They both tasted of sweet wine and smoky incense, spicy and intoxicating.

Soon their other garments had joined the shirt on the floor, and they were naked on the bed. Rylerion lay back, vulnerable and uncertain, as the other man used his fingers and lips to send tingling shocks of pleasure and lust through him. Long slender fingers traced the muscles of his chest; caught up in pleasure, all hesitation was gone as the young king moaned and writhed under Lazuli’s skilled hands and lips.
As the blue-haired lord pulled back, the other man was breathing hard, shivering with lust. Their eyes met, and Lazuli smiled and bent down to kiss his lover, teasingly nibbling his lower lip before he straightened again.
“ No rush,” he whispered. “ We have all night.”
The young ititshi’s eyes were husky with need, but he forced himself to relax. As the racing of his heart subsided and he regained his breath, a vestige of doubt clouded his mind once more. What was he doing? Rape; the pain and shame of his childhood, his darkest memories… And yet here he was, voluntarily seeking such depraved pleasure?
He almost got out and left then, hadn’t it been for the call of an inner voice unheeded until now. Maybe Lazuli had been right, and only through an act of pleasure rather than pain could he find peace.
Besides, he could leave anytime he wanted. He might as well stay and see what else would happen. He could change his mind at any time. Any time at all.

When it was over, and they lay together upon tangled sheets he knew something had changed, changed forever, deep inside. Pain he hadn’t been aware of until it was gone had finally left him, after so many years.

Lazuli grinned and reached out to stroke a few raven strands out of the young man’s perfect face.
“ Still only interested in politics, your highness?” he asked. Rylerion slowly smiled and playfully tugged on the man’s earring.
“ Oh, I don’t know. It’s many hours left until morning…”