flashed him a warning look. Hegritted his teeth and sat back, folding his arms in patentdisapproval.Dylengazed at Malkon from under half-lowered lids, his mouth curving everso slightly upward with just a trace of a pout emphasizing thelushness of his lips. It was a look that very rarely failed tobeguile whoever it was bestowed on. Malkon did not prove theexception. He caught his breath and licked his lips, his eyessweeping over Dylens body with even more blatant lust than before.Riodan bristled inwardly, wondering what in heyasDylen thought he was doing.Ofa sudden, Dylen sweetly smiled. I dare say youll have need ofPrince Sivars attention tonight, judging from the state of yournether parts.Hissmile widened as the others all but spat out their drinks. Malkonstared incredulously at him. Dylen smoothly rose to his feet,prompting Riodan to do the same.Leyhar-tyarand I must retire for the night, he said apologetically. Itsbeen a long day, and we face an even longer one tomorrow. Hesuddenly leaned over Malkon as he passed him, preempting whatevervituperative words the Deir might have uttered with a huskilymurmured, I will think on your suggestion. It has been a whilesince I last educatedanyone.Heswept out of the room. Riodan followed him, chancing a backwardglance at Malkon as he exited the chamber. The Ferrenda heir wasred-faced and looked fit to burst, as much from sexual excitement asfury if the painfully prominent bulge in hiscrotchwas indication of his wretched state.Riodanhurried to catch up with Dylen. They did not talk until theircarriage left the palace grounds. Riodan could not help grinning atthe memory of Malkons discomfiture.Malkonwas on the verge of a bout of conniptions, he commented. Youveprobably put him off from importuning you again.Dylenshrugged. Perhaps. It will depend on whether he wants my backsidemore than he hates my guts. No matter. I can always seduce him ifnecessary.SeduceRiodans grin vanished.AndI confess to some curiosity as to whether his arse is as untried ashe claims. Dy! How can you jest about such a thing? Riodanprotested.ButIm not jesting, Dylen replied. Sivar doesnt strike me assubmissive in bed even if hes generally soft-spoken in public.Verily, I believe its Malkon who plays the mare in their marriage,his claim to the contrary notwithstanding.Well,surely youre not serious about finding that out for yourself.And why shouldnt I be? It isnt something I havent donebefore. Riodan stared at him. Youre actually consideringit?Dylennodded. We need to know what he knows. Its very easy to plumbsomeones mind when hes lost in sexual pleasure. Were it not forthe possibility of offending Sivar beyond repair, I would havepropositioned Malkon long before this. In any case, it may still cometo that if we want to discover the truth soonest.Saints,I hope not! Here we are.Riodanstarted when he realized they were at the embassy. They both alightedand entered the building. They did not speak again until they reachedtheir quarters. Dylen courteously opened Riodans door for him andgestured to him to enter.Illsee you in the morning. DyGoodnight, Rio.Hestrode off, seemingly oblivious of Riodans anxious gaze.ChapterTwentyAtonementThree-quartersof an hour later, Dylen answered the insistent knocking on his door.He had been wrestling with indecision since he returned to his roomand