Free The Invisible Chains - Part 3: Bonds of Blood by Andrew Ashling Page A

intimate.”

    “So the fox acts all civilized and polite. Doesn't mean he isn't a fox anymore,” Morneck shrugged. “So what if he has only been having sex with his right hand for the last month or so? I can understand him. I'd like to have his right hand around my cock as well. To begin with, anyway.”
    Again they all laughed, except Robrant.
    “What if he means it this time? Doesn't he deserve the benefit of the doubt?” he asked.
    “That's my problem, right there,” Ambrick said. “Doubt.”
    “You could at least give him a chance to prove to you he is serious,” Robrant replied.
    “And if he's not?”
    “Damn, man, if you're that insecure you should just tell him it will never work between the two of you. That's only fair. Make a clean break before someone's feelings get hurt.”
    “Aren't you being overly generous in attributing feelings to Iramid?” Sterff said.
    Robrant rose from his chair.
    “I'm going to my barrack.1em" a balig You guys disgust me.”
    Without another word he left. The remaining three kept quiet for several minutes.
    “Let's not give that kill-joy the satisfaction of having spoiled our evening,” Morneck broke the silence.
    “I agree,” Sterff said. “Morneck is right and not for the first time either. As he said, many people would pay good money for a night with Iramid. You can get him for free. There's no better deal imaginable. What in all the world is stopping you?”
    Ambrick had been staring into his cup. He looked up.
    “There's a lot of truth in what you said. I think I know a way out of my problem with Iramid,” he said slowly.
    “And I have you guys to thank for it.”
    Anaxantis sat at the large table in his chambers. Spread all over it were several maps. He studied them one by one and added a detail on the parchment that lay before him. It was coming along nicely. The map he was making himself contained elements from several others. He had omitted unnecessary embellishments like ornamental curls and drawings of mythical animals. He was pleased with its stark, utilitarian appearance.
    Maps were not supposed to be pretty pictures, but simple and clear instruments to tell you what to expect in a certain region. Roads, hills, castles, villages, rivers, bridges, forests and such.
    He lay down his quill and wiped an ink stained finger with a piece of cloth. No matter how careful he tried to be, he always smudged them.
    The evenings weren't as chilly anymore, still he preferred sitting next to the fire.
    “ His maps... it's the only thing he seems to have any interest in lately. Except yesterday. There was some big feast. I could hear the noise. I wonder what the occasion was. He must have come home very late, because I was already asleep whenever he did.
    “ He hasn't looked me in the eyes the whole evening. Did I do something wrong? Is he planning something?
    He never tells me anything. Now that I come to think of it: he never told me much, even before.
    “ Surely he is not planning to send me away? Maybe he has grown tired of me hanging around here. Maybe I've become a burden to him. Oh Gods, please, don't let him send me to the Royal Farms. I'd rather be dead.
    “ I must try harder. Make him see I'm useful. And be quiet and unobtrusive when he doesn't need me. Useful?
    Everything I do around here, a servant could do as well. Better, probably.
    “ No, no, he won't send me away. He still has feelings for me. I know. Every time he invites me into his bed —”
    “Tarno, bring me a pitcher of watered down wine and a cup, please,” his lord said.
    He stood up as fast as he could and went to the cabinet where they kept the wine.
    “ So much for not touching the stuff ever again,” Anaxantis thought. “ Well, Murno says it is a useful custom as the wine purifies the water.”
    “Only one measure on ten, Tarno,” he called after him.
    “ He's been very quiet this evening. It's as if he knows. But that's not possible.”
    He came, walking briskly, in one hand the