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Akio slept on the floor by the fireplace at the foot of Lord Falqon's large bed. The bed could easily suit three or four dragons, and was covered by luxurious fabrics and quilts in the deepest reds and violets. Falqon slept alone every night, however, and Akio slept on the floor.

The floor was not uncomfortable. The hearth was almost constantly blazing, and at night, when she'd sleep, the fire would die and leave a comfortable amount of warm embers roasting. She had a thick alpaca rug to sleep on. She wanted for little--she was given fair amounts of food, and kept clean. Falqon only used her when he went to meetings or had to sit in on councils for the Lord Tyrran. She would be cleaned by the cloaks, then decorated for whatever the occasion called, and then she'd sit one step to the left and one step behind Lord Falqon, no matter where he was.

On this particular night, Akio was nursing her wounds. The game was two full days ago, and though Nigh said she would be sore, Akio hadn't expected to feel quite so bad. Fortunately, there were no important appointments that Falqon had to attend, so Akio was left on her own, under Nigh's supervision. The petite dragon had cheerfully dropped her off at the door, giving her a wink and hinting that she'd have something for Akio later that night. Akio hoped that it wasn't going to be too strenuous. Sleep was nature's healer.

She was curled up on the pale fur rug, thinking about Anjel, when the door creaked open. She opened an eye and saw Falqon step in. He was wearing casual clothes; leather breeches and a jerkin that laced up the sides. The clean black of the leather complimented his golden yellow scales, but Akio found his deep red eyes as unsettling as ever. She closed her eyes and decided that Nigh probably got distracted. Akio waited for sleep to find her.

Only moments passed, it seemed, before Akio awoke. It was still night, and she felt groggy, as if she'd only been sleeping for an hour or two. Noises were coming from the bed. Falqon had never brought anyone to his bedchamber before. Akio blushed as the sounds became more defined, and she turned over.

There, in the thronelike chair by the door, sat Falqon. He was leaning over, his elbows on his knees, his eyes set unmoving on whatever was happening on the bed. His jerkin was off, but he still wore the trousers. Akio wondered, already knowing, who was in the bed. It was obviously Nigh. Akio's heart raced as she realized that Nigh was going to get in trouble for doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing in the Lord's bed.

A long, pleased moan pierced the dimly lit room. It was Nigh on the bed, but she wasn't alone. Akio glanced over to Falqon, but he hadn't moved. He was still watching the bed.

Akio slowly, silently sat up. She leaned back on her heels and pushed her ears forward as she allowed her eyes to focus. A green dragon, almost a mirror image of Nigh, but male, had Nigh's legs over his shoulders and he was slipping his long tongue deep into her sex. Akio drew in a long, terrified breath before glancing over to Falqon again. The golden dragon was as still as a statue.

Nigh released another of those noises, arching her hips into the green's tiny muzzle. Her talons clutched at the fine bedspread. The green dragon pulled his head back, his hands lowering Nigh's hips to the mattress. He smiled down to her, and she smiled back. Akio noticed for the first time the pink shaft that jutted from his hips, just before he slid it effortlessly into Nigh.

Movement caught the corner of Akio's eye, and she tore her gaze away. Falqon had leaned back, his talons clasping the orb on the end of each of the armrests. At his crotch, the leather strained to contain his manhood.

Akio understood--Falqon was a voyeur. He liked to watch.

The green dragon groaned softly into the night air, a sound that stirred Akio's blood even though her time in season was over. She looked guiltily back to the couple, watching them mate. Nigh's head was rolled back, her hands relaxed. Her whole body gave in to the minute motions necessary to compliment those of her partner. Akio watched, spellbound, as Nigh shifted herself, never missing a beat, so that she was on her knees before the green dragon. Nigh held herself up on the carved headboard, her back arched to display her rear better for both Falqon and her mate. The green had raised to his knees, his hands spread on Nigh's hips, facilitating every thrust. He was getting more vocal, unabashedly emitting long sighs and moans.

Akio's heart had started to beat faster in her chest, a familiar tightening sensation building in her loins. She licked her lips, glancing for a moment from the couple to Lord Falqon. The dragon hadn't moved. Akio felt uncomfortable for him, just seeing his erection pent up beneath his tight laces. She hesitantly began to crawl over to him.

Nigh's cries were heightening, her climax near. Akio slipped quietly to the floor by Falqon's feet before turning to watch. The view was much better from here--of course, Nigh and her mate were performing for Falqon. The green dragon's hips jumped forward, his talons clutching Nigh's loins against him as they both finished together. Akio was dimly aware of a significance there. The couple rocked a couple more times before the green dragon leaned forward and kissed Nigh deeply.

A heavy talon rested on Akio's shoulder. She looked away from the dragons on the bed and up into the disturbing dusky eyes of her Lord dragon. Akio glanced uncertainly down to his crotch, then back up at him. A whimper escaped unbidden from her throat.

"You don't have to do anything, little one," Falqon rumbled. Akio felt all three sets of eyes were now on her. "You do all I require of you. I only entered you into that game to pacify Tyrran's ravens. I have no attraction to wolves, nor do I have any intention of using you for any other sexual means."

Akio swallowed. "Thank you, Lord Falqon." Her heart fluttered wildly.

The large dragon ruffled the fur on her head and smiled genially down to her. "Go to sleep, Akio."

From amidst the rumpled pillows, Nigh smiled to Akio, her eyes sparkling.

Dawn came slow. When she awoke, Akio's muscles were rested and she believed that after a hot bath she'd be back to normal again. She looked around for Nigh. The sapphire dragoness was sitting on the edge of Falqon's bed, her feet swinging girlishly. "Good morning, Akio!" she chirped. "I thought you would sleep all morning."

Akio yawned. Was last night a dream? She studied Nigh now, the playful creature she'd spent the past few weeks under the constant care of, and wondered if she could be the same dragon who had been so intimate in the throes of passion just hours ago.

"Come on," Nigh said, hopping down from her perch. "I could use a good long bath, and I bet you could too. I still have to tell you about my surprise."

Akio's ears pricked up, the sleep gone from her eyes. "Surprise? There really is something?"

Nigh nodded sagely, then cracked a smile. "I'll tell you in the bath house."

Cloaks filled the tiled pool with steaming water while Nigh selected oils from a modest collection. She glanced at Akio from the corner of her eye while she poured some into the bath. "Hop in," she said. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Akio blushed, stepping gingerly into the pool. "Was I staring?" she asked, sinking in to her throat. The warm smell of vanilla wafted up.

"You were definitely staring." Nigh joined Akio, sitting across from her. She leaned back and sighed, but kept her pale blue eyes on Akio.

Akio licked her lips, wondering how to approach the subject. She blushed again, remembering. "I just... I think I had a dream last night."

"That wasn't a dream." Nigh was serious.

Akio looked up at the dragoness, as if she was seeing a new creature there. "That was real? You were really... and Falqon... who was that green dragon?"

A nervous smile broke across Nigh's face. "That was Jem."

"Jem?" Akio was surprised by the uncharacteristic expression on her friend. "Is he your mate?"

Nigh stared into the water, silent. Akio was about to give up on a reply when the dragoness spoke up. "Jem is my brother. My twin. And yes--he's my mate." She glanced up, waiting to see Akio's reaction, both proud and nervous at the same time.

"Isn't that--" Akio blurted, before she gathered her thoughts. She'd seen the results of such pairings--malformed, misshapen offspring... brother and sister matings were strictly forbidden in her pack for just that reason. She licked the warm water beading on her nose, watching Nigh, as she tried to think of a better way to pose her response. "What I mean, Nigh... I mean... won't your babies--"

"Oh, no," Nigh interrupted, a laugh tinkling across the water. "No, no, Akio. We can't breed. When we knew we were meant for each other, we made it clear to Lord Falqon, and he had work done... I cannot bear children, and Jem cannot sew seed."

"Well then..." Akio felt very nervous, for some reason, as if knowing that her only real friend in this place was sleeping with her brother made her a different person. That was silly, and she knew it. Better change the subject for now. "Was that the surprise?"

Nigh pouted, but relented, and the free smile was on her muzzle again. "No," she said, lifting a scaled foot up out of the water to admire her black claws. "Do you really want to know? I don't think you do." The dragoness focused on Akio again, giving a little wink.

Pushing on the wall behind her, Akio moved over to the same side of the bath pool as Nigh. "Please tell me, Nigh--I was so excited last night. I thought..." She bit her lip. What did she think? It had been weeks since the white dragon left her behind in the throne room, and she hadn't seen him since. Her heart gave a painful little throb.

"Don't look so crestfallen, Akio," Nigh said, lifting the wolf's chin with two fingers. "It's about Anjel." The dragoness smiled as Akio wrestled to keep the excitement from showing on her face. "He misses you. He's just returned from his duties, and will be in the city for a few days before they send him away again. Falqon has asked if I would arrange a meeting for you two..."

Akio's eyes were wide as saucers, her ears pricked up and her tail moving slowly beneath the water. She made no attempt to contain her joy now. Her paws gripped one of Nigh's arms. "Really? He wants to see me? I thought... I thought he just... left me behind."

Nigh's eyes sparkled and she smiled widely down at Akio, but she said nothing. Something besides the delight at her friend's fulfillment shaded her countenance, but the wolf was too swept up to notice.

Bathed and dried off, Akio trembled as she watched Nigh dress. A light garb of silk tied about the petite dragon's waist and a bikini-like top matched. Nigh only dressed for formal meetings with Falqon, and this made Akio nervous--when was their secret meeting?

At the same time, in the roomy cavern Anjel called home, the lone dragon was also resting in a steamy bath. His foot had healed quite nicely, but throughout his travels it was a painful and finally itchy reminder of what he was trying to escape. His every night was filled with fevered dreams of his wolf, and every second he was awake, he was keen to her absence. Now, when she was so close, it was all he could do to keep from running into the palace and stealing her away.

The news that Falqon had entered Akio in the games made him shudder. His delicate, innocent young rose, frightened, overpowered by hungry werewolves...

It was done and over. Anjel could never be her master, and he could hope for no more than reassurance that she was as haunted by his memory as he was of hers. Love? He wasn't sure he could call it love. Anjel had never experienced a mutual sharing of such fluffy emotion, not to mention for a creature of a different, incompatible species.

It was impossible to call it love.

True to Akio's suspicion, Nigh had her whisked away by the brown cloaks and soon she, too, was prepped for a proper ceremony. Her heart raced. Maybe today Lord Tyrran would give Anjel his freedom?

She waited, one step to the left, one step behind, the ornate throne in which Lord Falqon sat. The golden dragon ignored her; nothing new there, it was apparent that dragons rarely paid any attention to their wolf slaves. They were usually at such meetings to run errands or to stand as trophies. Akio leaned more towards the former--she'd won no battles or games.

Today, the meeting was in preparation for a celebration this evening. Jugglers and fools came before the dais to offer an example of their art, and were either scheduled a time slot, or dismissed. Bakers and cooks approached with ideas for the menu. Minstrels and poets, puppeteers, magicians, all made their show. Akio watched each with eager anticipation, just waiting for this to be over, to be closer to the secret meeting with Anjel.

Then, the great double doors at the end of the hall opened wide. Four large red wolves carried a covered litter into the room. They were each clad in leathers and chains of a different color; one wore white with silver, one black with iron, and so on. The silks and laces that covered the mysterious box were expensive; it was wrapped like an elaborate gift.

The wolves placed the litter down on the floor slowly, and stepped closer to the foot of the stairs at the base of the dais.

"The wolves of Sunsin Pack present to you, my Lord, Trick the Fool."

The red wolf who had spoken gestured to the litter as his mates pulled the fabrics away in a flourish. Akio stared--it was difficult not to. The litter was actually a golden cage. Inside, on pillows and blankets, lounged a calico cat dressed in black and white motley. Her hat gave a pleasant tinkle as she lifted her head to smile to Falqon.

"What is her specialty?" Falqon asked, leaning forward a bit in his chair.

"She is a pleasure slave, my Lord, trained in all the ways our best slaves are trained." The red wolf clasped his paws behind him. "Though, do not think her disobedient if she does not speak, for she is mute."

"I think she will do perfectly," Lord Falqon said, gesturing for Akio to stand. She did so on stiff legs, standing silently at his side. "Akio, take Trick to Nigh to be prepared for this evening's banquet. She will know what is expected."

Akio nodded, then started down the stairs. As she neared, the feline in the cage slowly rose to her feet, a million bells ringing; she had them on her ears, wrists, ankles and tail, and a large bell dangled from a collar at her neck. A wolf opened the cage and the jester hopped out in a jangle, grinning at Akio.

"Come on, then," Akio said softly, half-aware that the entire room was now quiet. They were waiting for listening ears to be clear. She reached for the feline's hand, but Trick spun away and did a cartwheel right there. The wolf felt her ears lower, an irritated flush warming her cheeks. She walked forward and placed a paw on the door, pushing it forward.

"I wonder where Nigh is," Akio muttered, growing more and more conscious of the cat's silence. Trick was skipping gaily at Akio's side, tinkling and jingling, bopping her head to a song in her head. It was growing increasingly annoying. "We should probably ask one of the brown cloaks," she said, a little louder, watching the cat while keeping her head forward.

Then, Trick stopped, just as if she'd walked into a wall, and she collapsed down onto the ground. Akio whirled around, jaw dropped, worried that the jester had hurt herself or something, to see Trick sitting cross-legged on the floor, tapping her fingers on her knees to the virtual music. "What are you doing?" Akio demanded. "Lord Falqon said to get you to Nigh. Come on! We cannot waste time like this--if you're caught sitting on the floor like that, someone will punish you."

Trick stopped tapping and sat perfectly still, staring up at Akio with mismatched blue and yellow eyes. She smiled, then rose fluidly, dusting the rear of her loose motley trousers. Then, the calico lifted a paw, and pointed down the hallway. Akio turned to look, but Trick was already moving. Curiosity gave way to frustration and the wolf stalked after her.

Realization began to dawn on Akio that Trick seemed to know where she was going. The feline never paused to wonder at her surroundings, and she took every turn without hesitation. They were heading towards Falqon's bedchamber.

Sure enough, they paused at the thick door to the room where Akio had been sleeping. Trick gave three sharp raps with the back of her paw, before stepping aside to give the impression that Akio had been leading. She smiled conspiratorially, winking and further confusing the little wolf, who barely had time to settle down before the door was opened.

Akio had just enough time to hope that Anjel would open the door to be disappointed when it wasn't him. Nigh stood there, smirking as if a wolf and a jester cat was just what she'd been expecting.

"This must be the very important package I've been waiting for," the dragoness said, eyeing Trick. Then to Akio, "I've been told to give you the rest of the day off, Akio. Why don't you get yourself something to eat? I smelled cinnamon this morning."

Grateful to be relinquished of her duties, and the irritating calico, Akio nodded. "I'll do that. Thank you, Nigh."

Nigh's pale sapphire eyes glittered when she smiled. "Don't thank me yet," she whispered, stepping wide of the door to let Trick bounce in. "I'll see you later."

Anjel was in the dining hall when he caught a glimpse of Akio stepping into the kitchens. The cinnamon bun that had made it halfway to his muzzle hesitated, his lips parted the slightest bit as he tried to swallow his heart. He was expecting her to be busy today--the ceremony tonight was keeping everyone abuzz, every spare hand was doing something in preparation. He looked down to the pastry, still warm from the oven. What if she'd come five minutes earlier? They would have ran right into each other. He took a deep breath and dropped the treat into a waste bin on his way out.

Anjel tried to avoid eye-contact with the other dragons as he meandered through the halls. A stray glance could get him in trouble--and trouble usually meant injuries on his part, because of course he wouldn't be allowed to fight back. He wondered if he would have stayed in town if Akio were not here... but he didn't wonder long. It was obvious she was the reason.

He paused at the door to Falqon's bedchamber, warring with himself, when Nigh opened the door. She was with the jester, who beamed up at Anjel like she'd known him her whole life. He attempted a smile in return, but his distress must have shown because Nigh only frowned.

"What did you say to her?" Nigh asked.

"You sent her there? What were you thinking?" Anjel waved his hand at her answer before it was voiced. "Never mind... Nigh... I know you're trying to help, but if..." He sighed, searching for the words. "I'm not ready," was the best he could manage.

The little dragon giggled. She gazed up to Anjel with that wicked sparkle in her eye, and he wondered what he'd gotten himself into. "It's so obvious," she said. "You're in love with Akio."

Anjel scowled.

"Don't worry, your secret is safe with me." She gave him a smile that probably should have been reassuring, but was somehow even more unnerving. The feline next to her just stared at him and grinned. He looked from one to the other, then shook his head. Nigh placed a warm talon on his arm and chuckled, stepping out of the room. "We're going to get ready for tonight. Will you be there?"

"No," he said. He didn't even have to think about his answer. Seeing Akio play her part would be far too uncomfortable. "I have other things that need to be taken care of."

Nigh nodded, looking more serious for a moment, but only that moment. She escorted the jester out of the room and down the hallway, disappearing around a corner.

Akio walked around the bend from the kitchen not five minutes later. She was licking sugar from her fingers, having finished her cinnamon bun shortly before. She noticed that the door to Falqon's chamber stood ajar, and she poked her head inside. Empty. She sniffed, and her heart began to throb.

Vanilla--she smelled vanilla. Akio inhaled deeply and spun around, trying to sense where the scent came from, where it was headed. The smell was heavier in the bedroom. She shoved past the door and ran around, sniffing everything. She was out of breath by the time she realized that the bath she shared with Nigh had been scented with vanilla oil.

A long, desperate whimper escaped her throat as she sunk to the floor at the foot of the bed, staring into the fire. Did she really miss Anjel that much? Sure, he'd been nice to her, but so had Nigh, and Falqon was kind and fair for a master. She didn't have to think about it long to know that she would never miss either of them the way she missed the white dragon.

Suddenly she was very tired, and the heat from the fire made her comfortable. She wouldn't be needed until later this evening, for whatever was going on, so Akio decided to lay down and take a nap. She curled up on the alpaca rug and closed her eyes, listening to the crackling of flame.

Anjel spread out his hand on the door. He'd watched Akio run into the room almost an hour ago, and had spend that much time deliberating whether to go in and see her or not. He'd left the palace twice, only to be so lost in his thoughts that he found himself standing in this very spot again both times. He cast a cursory glance around, making sure that no soul was in sight to see the white dragon stepping into a Lord's bedchamber. Then, Anjel opened the door.

She was asleep. For a moment, he was frozen in the doorway, but he came to long enough to step forward and close the door behind him. She looked even more amazing than he remembered. Her sleek fur looked clean, plush. She'd gained a little weight since he captured her, giving her a more healthy look, taking away that pack edge. He clenched his hands, wishing she were in them.

"Mmmh." A soft sigh came from the sleeping wolf, startling him. He had his hand on the door, ready to pull it open to leave, when he heard her mutter in her sleep, "Anjel."

Nothing else existed in his world. He saw only her. Anjel stepped forward quietly, kneeling by her head. She slept peacefully, open and trusting the world not to do her harm. His hands trembled when he reached out, but became sure the moment they touched her. He pulled Akio to his chest and held her. "My rose," he whispered as she stirred. "My rose, my rose." Her kisses covered the side of his face, his throat; her hands clutched at him.

Anjel laid her out on the rug. The white alpaca fur looked dirty next to hers. He leaned over her, taking in the sight of her, his talons rubbing her legs, her belly, as if he needed constant reassurance that she was real. She stared up at him, those big blue eyes just swallowing him up. Her paw reached down, taking his, squeezing it as she pulled him closer. Her legs opened to him; the loose khaki trousers he'd been wearing were taut around his groin already, and he leaned into her, panting into her mouth as he kissed her deeply. His head was filled with her taste, her scent, her feel; his body burned.

Akio's paw at his breeches sent a little lace of panic through his body, enough to make him push up from her. She paused, looking up to him questioningly, a trace of fear in her own eyes. He hated that trace, and opened his mouth to explain, when the door to the chamber slammed open.

"What's going on in here?" asked a slimy voice. Anjel rolled away from Akio, snapping his head towards the door. Glyph stood there, watching Anjel with a dangerous glint in his strange eyes. Anjel bowed his head, clenching his teeth as the situation was inspected.

Akio had the sense to sit up and close her legs as soon as she was able, but her eyes were guilty, and maybe even a little hurt.

"Well, well... just you wait until m'Lord Falqon hears of this, ghost--they'll skin you alive." The grin across Glyph's face widened, showing his even, pointed teeth. "Come on, girl, time to get you ready for the evening."

Akio scrambled to get up, sparing Anjel the shame of seeing her face. She was sure tears were bubbling over her eyes, if just from the pain of going through so many violently different emotions in such a short period of time. Her legs felt unsteady as Glyph pulled the door shut, closing her off from Anjel. He gave her a severe look before grabbing her by the arm and pulling her down the hallway.

"Damned ghost... thinks he can... I can show him. I'll put that damned ghost in his place." Glyph muttered the whole way down into the dressing rooms. He handed her off roughly to a pretty little black dragoness who was sorting jewelry. "Samsara, dress this whore."

Akio laid her ears flat and watched the dragon stalk away in a flurry of leather. The petite dragoness clucked her tongue, drawing Akio's attention, before she tugged her away by the paw. "We don't have much time," she said. "I don't really know what I'm expected to do, given what I have to work with." She wrinkled her pretty nose, then leaned in and took a deeper sniff. "Ugh. You have dragon musk all over you. I hope you didn't think that vanilla oil would cover it up. We've got to get you a bath..."