Alexander was laying on the bed in his chambers. Sleep was slowly drifting over him. His eyes were heavy and his breathing steady and calm. He'd stripped his outer clothing off so that he was clad only in his tunic. He lay on his side, one leg slightly bent at the knee and tucked beneath his out stretched leg. His arms rested against his chest with his hands folded beneath his head. His long hair, undone, had been lifted up and spread out over the pillow and mattress. The woolen blanket was turned down with one corner folded neatly at his back, leaving his body exposed. A fire burned in the hearth, casting the room in a smouldering warmth. It was comfortable but also made it just a bit too warm for the blanket.
Alexander wasn't used to living in such lavish comfort but he was enjoying every moment of it. The only problem that he foresaw now was the fact that his bed felt much too large for him. It was lacking the warmth of another person. He'd stopped sleeping with his grandmother when he was twelve. But she'd always been in the room with him. He would fall asleep to the sounds of her breathing and he would awake the next morning knowing that she was there. But, the companionship of his grandmother was different from the companionship he now sought from Christian. It had never even occurred to him before that he would ever take a lover, but now that it had become a real possibility, he couldn't imagine living any other way.
As the horned God, Reeyr, so elegantly taught the people, "Be ye united unto each other, and seek out unity when there is none, for united lovers stand stronger together."
Alexander never quite understood that commandment until he'd met Christian but now it was made perfectly clear to him. The purpose of life was to find a partner with whom you could share the most intimate parts of yourself. It was sound advice and after all, who was Alexander to question the wisdom of a God?
Alexander smiled as he watched the dancing flames of the fire. It occurred to him then that the fire before him burned as hot as the fires of his heart. Christian was one that who had lit that fire, and it burned on within Alexander. With Christian at his side Alexander was stronger. He could face an uncertain future with his head held high and and without fear in his heart for the first time in months. With Christian, anything was possible. He closed his eyes finally and allowed sleep to take him. In the morning he would awake anew, and be ready to face his future with a new found strength.
"Embrace who you are, Alexander. And never fear the man you were meant to be." Those were the last words his grandmother had spoken to him and suddenly their meaning seemed so very clear to him. Christian's love had ignited more than just his heart. There was a fire which burned deep within him. A fire that until now he had tried so desperately to put out. His grandmother's words had urged him to embrace that fire and to accept it as a part of himself. Until now, he hadn't had the strength. Until now, he was terrified of what it would mean. But now, with Christian in his life, he was ready to let that fire burn on. It was part of who he was and after all, how could he expect to be accepted by others, if he couldn't even accept himself?
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All of his life, Christian had believed his father to be a fair and just ruler. He thought his father wise and never before had he questioned him. But now, it seemed that he had placed his faith in a man who was not worthy. How could he be when he was so ready to extinguish a life so precious?
Christian stood in the doorway watching Alexander sleep and he knew that he would always protect him. Even if it meant sacrificing his own life for Alexander's. That's what love was wasn't it? Sacrifice, devotion, and unbridled compassion. Christian felt all that and more. Alexander was a part of him. He felt it, deep in his soul. He could no more part with him than he could his own heart. Not if he planned to survive.
As he walked into the room, dimly lit by the fire, he felt a strange pull towards Alexander, and so he allowed himself to be drawn in, like a moth to a candles flame. He looked over Alexander's sleeping form and a new sensation gripped him. Even as his eyes drifted over his exposed flesh, Christian longed to reach out and touch him. He wanted to slide his hand beneath the tunic and touch his belly as he slept. He wanted to kiss the insides of his thighs and rest his head between them. He wanted to take him into his mouth and taste that sweet nectar.
Christian's body was suddenly alive with desire as he realized that he wanted to devour every inch of him. He wanted to press their naked bodies together, and wake Alexander with his kisses, but there was no time for that now. They had to flee before the guards arrived and so he had to suppress his desires for the time being, and concentrate on the situation at hand.
Christian touched the side of Alexander naked hip, trailing his fingers along it until Alexander opened his eyes and groggily looked up. "Wha...what's going on?" Alexander yawned. "Is it morning?"
"No." Christian whispered. "It's not morning but you have to get up."
Alexander blinked, confused. "Has something happened?"
Christian nodded. "Yes, now wake up and get dressed."
Alexander sat up on the side of the bed, his legs folded beneath him. He was still partially asleep as Christian started handing him his clothes.
"Be quick." Christian told him. "We haven't much time."
As Alexander became more aware of himself a panic suddenly gripped him. "Christian, please. What's going on?"
"I don't have time to explain." Christian said, growing a bit agitated. "Just please get dressed, we have to go."
Alexander nodded and quickly began to dress himself.
"Gather your things. My horse is waiting out back."
"Will you tell me what's happening?" Alexander touched Christian's arms and looked up into his eyes. He saw real fear in them and Alexander's heart began to race.
"The palace guards are coming for you." Christian told him. "If they find you, it will mean death."
Alexander was dumbstruck. Suddenly his mind was ablaze with so many questions. Why him? What had he done? But Christian silenced him, insisting that they had to hurry and once they were safe, he would answer all his questions.
Alexander did as he was told and within minutes they were ready to leave. Christian led him down the stairs and out the back through the kitchen. Mrs. McGowan was waiting there for them. She hugged Alexander and bid them each a safe journey. Christian thanked her and then quickly ushered Alexander out the door to where the horse was waiting.
Alexander's heart was pounding nervously. His hands were shaking and he was close to tears. "Where are we going?" He asked, once they were outside.
"I have to get you out of the city." Christian told him. "After that, I'll find some lodging for you. Some place that's safe."
