spending theprevious night with his consort was a balm to his aching heart. Tyrdemight be Rohyrs legally acknowledged spouse but Lassen was hisfreely chosen lover of many years standing.Cometo mine, he whispered.WhileRohyr undressed, Lassen poured himself a cup of mirashand hurriedly downed it. They would need to prolong foreplay orinitially engage in anal intercourse to give the suppressor time totake full effect. No matter. It was not the mere joining of theirbodies that Rohyr wanted but the exquisite intimacy born of theentire experience from seduction to final consummation.Lassenshed his robe and joined his lover. Rohyr pulled him flush againsthis body and virtually stole the very breath from Lassen with a spateof kisses more scorching than the fire that crackled in the hearth.Lassen hungrily clung to him.Midnightwas long past when they finally succumbed to the pull of sleep, theirbodies spooned together and still joined for Rohyr had not seen fitto withdraw from Lassen after their last bout. Lassen drowsilylistened to Rohyrs breathing as it lengthened and deepened. Heinhaled the aroma of their mingled scents and found it as soothing asit was intoxicating.Justbefore slumber overtook him, he smiled at the thought that he wouldprobably find it quite uncomfortable to sit for long the coming day.But he counted the discomfort well worth it after having been sothoroughly owned by his beloved. He suspected Tyrde had known only afraction of the passion Rohyr had lavished on Lassen all these years.His smile widened when Rohyr drew him back even closer against histall frame, his shaft securely harbored within Lassens body.ChapterThirteenDiscordHowlong do you think before he shows his fangs? Hes alreadybegun.RanaelMesare frowned. Not that Tenryon Hadranas reply was unexpected.But for Rohyrs sake, he had nursed a faint hope that the Herunheld a different opinion from him.Thetwo watched Ylandres Ardis as he walked about the gardens, agaggle of admirers in tow. Half hidden behind a blossom and foliagecovered trellis, they could observe Tyrde and freely make comment onhim.Youdidnt have to agree with me, Ranael grumbled.Andthereby perjure myself? Tenryon said, his soft northwestern burrcontrasting markedly with Ranaels lower midlands drawl. Hefollowed Tyrdes progress down the main garden path a while longer.What do you ken about him that led you to expect the worst?Ranaelstared. How did you? He broke off and shook his head. Itsunseemly to steal a peek into anothers mind for no good reason.Idid no such thing, Tenryon demurred. Your demeanor whenever youare in his presence betrays you, Ran. He gestured in Tyrdesdirection. You conceal your animosity toward him very well but Ican sense how you truly feel. And since its not your habit to makefoes of virtual strangers, it stands to reason that you have previousknowledge that prevents you from making a friend of him now.Thetribune folded his arms and leaned against the sturdy trellis frame.I visited Vaeren at the Velarus constabulary base some years ago.Javan Kardova was ailing and he sent for Tyrde. Vaeren and I paid acourtesy call on Javan when we heard of his poor health and arrivedsoon after Tyrde. He was pleasant and charming enough, Ill givehim that. Yet I was uncomfortable with him.