his nose in distaste. Im quite satisfied with my levelof potency, thank you. And, verily, were I forced to eat so repulsivea dish, I would more likely shrivel than swell up down yonder.Dylenburst out laughing. The sound of it thrilled Riodan to the core.Why,Ambassador, I never knew you hid a salty tongue behind that demureexterior of yours, Dylen teased. Who would have thought it?Riodansnorted. You shouldnt be so surprised. After all, it was youwho got me started down that road.Ah,by dint of my sterling example?Hardlysterling. Really, Dy, some of the terms I learned from you wouldreduce a worldly-wise harlot to blushes.Dylenseyebrows rose in tacit skepticism. And you know this becauseyouve bandied lewd words with bawds?Riodanhesitated. Well, actually... yes...Youdid? Dylen grinned with abject delight. For shame, RiodanLeyhar. How came you to keep company with such disreputable company?Itwas an accident! Riodan protested. There was this ball inQatare. The host actually brought in whores to entertain his guests,but he didnt inform us of their professions. I thought the Deir Iwas talking to was only a particularly filthy-mouthed, questionablydressed blueblood and so I matched him jest for bawdy jest. How was Ito know he was the premier attraction at the biggest brothel in thecity?Afterthey laughed over Riodans misadventure, Dylen suddenly said, Wegot along so well in Asmara, didnt we?Riodanfelt his heart go thump.He had not expected Dylen to speak so soon of their time together inthe southern kingdom.Yes.Yes, we did, he murmured, conscious of how breathless he sounded.Dylen sat back, a faint smile curving his lips. Thank you forgranting my belatedrequestthat we be friends again, he said unexpectedly.Youthank me? Riodan swallowed. Im the one whos deeplygrateful. If you count me even as the least of yourfriends, it will be enough for me and so much more than I deserve.Henearly choked when Dylen reached across the small distance betweenthem and gripped his hand. Dylen gazed at the fire a while beforespeaking again.Rohyrtold me it was more difficult to nurse my resentments than to forgiveyou and move on, he softly said. He was right. I found iteasier notto keep my distance fromyou.The effort it took to stoke my anger far outstripped being civil withyou. And I didnt feel as lonely. He drew a deep breath thenslowly released it.Riodanturned his hand over to weave their fingers together. When Dylen didnot balk, he tentatively asked, Then... may I assume that youveforgiven me?Dylenssmile warmed considerably. You may.Hisheart beating madly, Riodan assayed another question. Could youalso learn to trust me again?Ithink I already do, Dylen admitted.MercifulVeres... Riodan closed his eyes, willing his heart to slow down abit that he might think a little more clearly. He opened his eyes andlooked at Dylen, hope and fear and barely leashed wanting collidingwith each other inside him. And...love? he whisperedhesitantly. What of love?Dylenshook his head. Nay. That I cant do.Riodanwas crestfallen. Swallowing hard, he mumbled, Of... Of course...That was... presumptuous of me.Hestarted when Dylen pulled his hand to his mouth. He mutely stared asDylen pressed a kiss to his fingers.Itwould be a waste of time learning something I already know. Dylenlooked squarely at Riodan. What