a reminder of mirashsmedicinal purpose. Needless to say, by the time dinner ended, Lassenwas so high-strung he could barely utter coherent goodnights to theothers.Hisbedding that eve had been markedly different from the first time helay with Rohyr.Hislover often turned him when they coupled to heighten Lassenssensitivity and pleasure. But this time, with genital penetration athand, Rohyr had lengthened their foreplay to ensure Lassen wouldreceive him with a minimum of discomfort. The prolonged stimulationleft the youth in such a state of anticipation and need that, whenRohyr finally entered him, Lassen no longer gave much thought to thesharp sting that came with the tearing of the vestigial membranewithin his seed channel, so focused was he on the throbbing emptinessinside him that begged to be filled. So happy had he been tocompletely belong to Rohyr that hed shamelessly reached downbetween them to ascertain for himself that they were at last joinedin reproductive intercourse. It had thrilled him to the core to feelRohyrs shaft move beneath his fingers as it slid in and out of hissheath.Lassensnatched up his robe and pulled it on as he walked to the balcony.The night air slightly cooled his heated cheeks and he let out ashuddery exhalation. The memories were too stirring for comfort. Hesqueezed his thighs together, cursing under his breath.Despitethe mild soreness therein, his body yearned to be pierced once more.Therewas no helping it. He was hopelessly addicted to the joy of Rohyrspossession of him.Heblunted the sharp pang of wanting by turning his thoughts back to theproblem of Imcael and his youngest son. Lassen worried that theiractions were only the beginning of something else. He could not shakethe sense of foreboding that Imcael was hatching some scheme thatwould have a profound impact not only on his nephew but also on hisnephews leman. He had no grounds to explain why he felt so, hesimply did.Lassen.Helooked back. Rohyr was awake and watching him.Comeback to bed.Thesummons was enough to make Lassen forget his anxieties for themoment. Hereturnedto Rohyrs side and slid into his embrace. Rohyr rolled him beneathhim and sealed their lips together.Intruth, the Ardan was just as much a refuge to his leman. There was noroom for thoughts or feelings other than rapture when Lassen lay inRohyrs arms. The world and all its problems receded before therelentless tide of his passion.ChapterElevenBargainTorrentsof water lashed at the windowpanes with the fervor of end of summerstorms. The second wet season of a northern Aiseni year had begun andwould hold sway for the next month or so until the cool dry weatherof autumn supplanted the rains.Lassenchecked the window latches. A strong gust of wind could wrench aninsufficiently secured window open and smash it against the keepwalls. He stared out at the greyed vista to see if the Azira wasswollen enough to cause concern.Thegreat river that wound its way through the very heart of the capitaldid not overflow its banks as a rule, even after near endlessdownpours such as they had experienced in the past few days. But onthe rare occasions it did, flooding in the low-lying districtsoccurred.Hasit risen overmuch?Lassenturned around. The waters are still safely