delayed so long in deciding who to send toAsmara.Rohyrseyes widened then softened as he gazed at Lassen. He raised his handand caressed Lassens cheek.Howwell you know me, he murmured. Small wonder I feel I canaccomplish anything with you at my side. Yes, I did delay my decisionfor that reason. I was debating whether their having to work togetheron a mission might help things along. Dylen would never allow hispersonal prejudices to interfere with the performance of hisobligations. He would force himself to be accommodating with Riodanfor dutys sake. And, Veres willing, he just might make a habit ofit.Therebyopening himself to Riodans attempts to reconcile with him,Lassen mused out loud. Yes, twould be a point from which theycould start anew. Provided Riodan takes advantage of the opportunity.But think you hell stay the course?Rohyrnodded. To the bitter end. I think the outcome will lie in Dylenshands. In whether he can forgive Riodan or not.Lassenbit his lip. Saints, I hope he can, he whispered.Theylay in comfortable silence for several minutes. Lassen shifted aslender limb and laid it across Rohyrs lap. Within seconds, hefelt Rohyrs shaft stir and firm up against his thigh. Before hecould tease his mate, Rohyr rolled him over and lodged his hipsbetween his splayed legs. Lassen moaned as his throat was nibbled andsucked and his nipples thumbed to tiny peaks while down yonder, Rohyrthrust against him, sliding their hardened shafts against each other.Rohyrreached down and gingerly stroked Lassens sheath until his bodywas ready for reproductive intercourse once more. He slid a fingerinto the slippery passage, caressing it from within.Lassenlet out a shuddery exhalation. Yes, he whispered.Rohyrwithdrew his finger and pressed the tip of his shaft against theglistening entrance.Iwont restrain myself, he huskily promised. And neither willyou.Aflamewith anticipation, Lassen raised his legs and wrapped them aroundRohyrs waist. He gasped Rohyrs name as he was deeply penetratedthen braced himself for a nice hard ride.** * *Rohyrwatched Dylen and Riodans faces as they listened to Gilmaelexplain the current situation in Asmara.Thecountry spanned the main route between Ylandre and the SouthVihandran nations. All travellers passing through Asmara had to gainpermission to do so from its government first. Ruled by the powerfulHalvan clan, the wealthy and influential South Vihandran kingdom hadbecome a cause for some worry thanks to the marriage of the reigningAsmaran kings son to the heir of the current Varadani pretenderJubal Ferrenda.Itwas an ongoing thorn in the Ylandrin monarchys figurative side,this constant cropping up of Ferrenda claimants to the rulership ofthe defunct nation of Varadan.Despitehaving lost both crown and country in the war of conquest theyinstigated centuries ago, there seemed no end to rebellious Deira whoclamored for the restoration of the Ferrendas to the Varadani throne.Theyabided for the most part in the northwest of the Autonomous Provinceof Tenerith, which, along with the royal fief of Vireshe, had beencarved out of Varadan. Though few, and largely lacking cohesivenessin method and purpose, the separatists tended toward violent means ofachieving their goals. So every few years, the royal armies were sentto crush them before they had a chance to swell to less manageablenumbers.Rohyrhad led more than one campaign