to overflowing followed by the swift rush of heat in hisbellyDylens love made tangible.Neitherspoke for some time afterward. They were content to simply lie closetogether, Dylen resting his head on Riodans shoulder. Riodangently wove his fingers through Dylens hair. When Dylen pressedkisses to the shoulder beneath his cheek, Riodans body respondedwith a faint tremor of delight.Theirpost-coital reverie was rudely interrupted when the door openedsuddenly, banging sharply against the wall as it did. Quickly pullingthe covers up higher over both of them, Riodan stared incredulouslyas Guyon Barath barged in over the protestations of his butler. Thebutler on the other hand gaped in horror when he realized what he andthe uninvited visitor had stumbled upon.Imso sorry, Dyhar!he anxiously told Riodan. I told him you were indisposed, but hewouldnt heed me!Ican see that, Riodan grimly said. You may go. I will tend toBarath-tyar.He regarded Guyon with annoyance as the butler hurried out. Whatin heyasare you doing here, Guyon? he snapped. You were told I wasntavailable.Guyonwas staring at him and Dylen in turn, eyes bulging in disbelief.What am Idoing? he blurted. What about you?Whatabout me?Icame here to forgive you!Riodanalmost choked. Forgive me? he repeated.EyeingDylen with dudgeon, Guyon scrunched up his nose in disgust. I wasready to overlook your indiscretion and reinstate our betrothal,he huffed at Riodan. And this is how you reward me?RewardRiodan glared at him. This wouldnt have anything to do with myrumored elevation to ambassador-at-large, would it? hesarcastically suggested. Verily, I find it hard to believe thatyou want to renew our troth out of mere affection.Ido hold affection for you! Guyon cried. That I am willing todisregard your sordid affair with himshould be proof enough of that.Riodangrabbed the heavy timepiece on his bedside table and hurled itstraight at Guyons head. Guyon yelped as it hit him squarely inthe face. He gingerly rubbed his bruised nose, wincing as he did.Howdare you! Riodan shouted at him, indignation thrumming in everyword. It wasnt sordid, and it was no mere affair, Ill haveyou know! We loved each other and even more so now. He snorteddisdainfully as Guyon continued to stare at him in apparent refusalto believe his assertion. And I seriously doubt youd still bewilling to wed me were my appointment withheld.Guyonsmouth fell open. He looked like a fish out of water gasping forbreath. Withheld? he finally croaked. Then it hasnt beenconfirmed? He uttered an imprecation. Confound your sire. Heassured me it was a sure thing and Guyon stopped in dismay,realizing his error. You misled me!Riodansmiled. And you wouldnt be interested in binding to me anylonger were that true. How predictable. He snuggled suggestivelyagainst Dylen, turning his face into his lovers neck to nuzzle it.Now would you mind? he murmured. Dylen was about to fuck meagain.*Theslam of the door was deafening. Dylen listened to the petulantstomping of feet outside until it was abruptly cut off by the closingof the parlor door. He let out a relieved sigh then looked at Riodan.He noticed his lover was shaking rather violently and kept his facehidden against Dylens neck. Concerned, Dylen slipped a fingerunder Riodans chin and lifted it to look closely