Prince Kelton mounted his horse then waited for Captain Sendak to give the order to move out. He ignored the puzzled gazes of Gailan, Sir Hett, Sir Thomas, and Sir Juleack as they left the castle. He didn’t dare open his mouth with so many of those loyal to Queen Leona around. All he could do, for now, was hope that Hamnet had found Mȧthair, Nathaniel, and Ponderosa. That the four of them were on their way to Ghrot Town or at least somewhere safer for the time being. He turned his attention to watch the snow covered trees and hills while they started their trek back to Greywolf Castle.

The wind stirred and dark storm clouds began to gather overhead. They stopped at a post station and gathered inside. After a hearty meal, whipped up by Dawson and the other kitchen hands, Pince Kelton was escorted to a room and soldiers were posted outside for his protection. If he didn’t know any better, he would say he was the prisoner, not the one under protection. However, he wasn’t concerned about the soldiers’ presence, he was concerned about Mȧthair, Nathaniel, Ponderosa, and Hamnet. Did they have sufficient shelter? Was this storm going to affect wherever they were?

He fisted his hands as he turned away from the window. He hated not being able to communicate with her. Hated not being able to feel the comfort her voice brought to his heart, because he was surrounded by more magic sensitive individuals now. He sat on the bed and rested his arms on his legs. He brought his folded hands up to his mouth. If not for Hamnet being willing to go after them, he didn’t know if he could accept the situation he found himself in as calmly as he was.

He was grateful that he could feel where Mȧthair was through the resonance between the seven semi-precious stones in her chest, and the Garnet and engraved rings on his finger. A soft, but steady, pull that allowed him to feel less concerned. The stillness of Mȧthair’s soul allowed him to feel less concern, as well. However, not knowing if all had gone according to what he hoped for, left him a little on edge still. He said nothing to Gailan when he came in to stoke the fire for the night and see if there was anything he needed.

Once he was alone again, Prince Kelton sighed. He turned the lamps off then climbed into bed.

He found himself in a warm loft. The roof above him was partially broken to reveal a clear, star-filled sky. Human Mȧthair lay alone, but stirred when he approached her. Her blue-green cat and light brown dog eyes turned toward him and a soft smile graced her lips.

‘Nathaniel, Ponderosa, and Hamnet?’ he wondered.

‘Asleep on the main floor,’ she replied.

Prince Kelton lay beside her. She kissed him deeply before he could say anything more. The salty taste of her tears wet their lips as they continued to kiss and hold tightly to one another. He shifted his arm down to pull her closer. She hooked her left leg around his waist and brought him in. He didn’t know when their clothes had vanished, but he didn’t try to think about it. His connection with Mȧthair felt as real as the soul space they had shared at the castle, that he cared for nothing more than this much desired space.

They rocked and grasped and moaned as they dove hard into their pleasure. As they burrowed deep into the all encompassing love and bliss that surrounded their connection. They loved, and loved, and loved some more. Each peak they attained together both soothed and aggravated the reality of their physical distance. They rolled and tumbled, licked and nipped each other as they continued to ruminate in their passion-filled soul space.

After they had tumbled through yet another blissful high, Prince Kelton held Mȧthair against him. He felt exhausted and could hear in Mȧthair’s breath that she was as well. He nuzzled his face between her breasts and stayed there while her muscles lightly massaged his aching and swollen member. Mȧthair combed her fingers through his hair. She rested some as he kissed the gems in her chest and suckled on both of her beasts. Her massage became more firm and rhythmic, painfully pushing them to yet another peak that was followed by the most satisfactory bliss they had experienced thus far.

He lay over her, resting his head on her shoulder while cradling her neck in his hand. ‘Thank you, Beloved,’ he thought as he panted. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you, too, Beloved,’ she whimpered. ‘I’m so sorry.’

Prince Kelton wearily lifted himself up onto his left arm so he could see her face. He wiped her tears away and kissed her beautifully swollen lips. ‘Forgiven, Beloved,’ he thought back. ‘I’m glad to know that the four of you are safe.’

‘Nine of us,’ she whispered.

‘Right,’ he said before resting his forehead against hers. ‘How are our pups?’

‘Fine so far.’

Kelton nodded before he kissed her sweaty forehead and drew her more securely against him. They took several deep breaths together while they rested for a time before pushing for and through one last release before the feel of their physical union started to slip away.

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“I look forward to being with all of you again soon,” he whispered.

‘We very much look forward to the same,’ she thought back.

They kissed several times before Prince Kelton felt her presence slip out of his arms completely.

He woke somewhat to the sound of Gailan building up the fire in the hearth. He moaned and shivered. His whole body ached. His night clothes and bedding were soaked with his sweat and his seed. He grunted softly when he tried to roll over, but he found he couldn’t even do that. He felt very weak. Even the smallest of movements was laced with pin prickling pain and fatigue. Something he did not expect to feel after energetically making love to his Beloved Mate, no matter how many times they had managed to reach the peak together.

After several attempts, he stopped trying and did his best to pull the blankets tighter around himself. Gailan came over to check on him. Prince Kelton felt Gailan press a cold hand against his forehead. He managed to peel his eyes open enough to see Gailan’s concerned face.

“You have a fever,” he said.

Prince Kelton nodded slightly. “And wet,” he rasped, before he shivered some more.

Gailan hurried from the room to get Sir Droyn. The two of them dragged the bed closer to the fire. Gailan covered Prince Kelton with a second blanket. He filled a bowl with cold water then handed it and a cloth to Sir Droyn. Prince Kelton felt his eyes grow heavy and his mind start to wander from the room again as Sir Droyn dabbed a cold wet cloth across his forehead and down his neck. What Gailan was doing, he had no idea, nor did he care. He closed his eyes as Sir Droyn continued to tend to his fever. He stopped trying to stay awake and allowed himself to drift back to sleep.

Prince Kelton stirred again sometime later. His body still hurt and he still felt cold, despite knowing he was burning with fever. His night clothes still felt wet and he was still as filthy as he was when he woke after making love to Mȧthair. The bed he lay on had been shifted once more and a large tub filled with steaming water sat nearby. He took and let out a deeper breath before Gailan stepped into his line of sight.

“Do you think you can get up, Your Majesty?” he asked.

He nodded weakly then tried to roll over.

It took a lot of effort to breathe through the discomfort of rolling to his side. Gailan pulled the blankets back. The cold air assaulted his body forcing him to inhale sharply. He shivered more, which made it more difficult for Gailan to help him sit up. Booted steps approached. Prince Kelton lifted his head a little to see Sir Droyn assisting from the other side. He let his head bounce slightly in acknowledgement as the two of them pulled him to his feet. His legs felt strange as he staggered between Gailan and Sir Droyn over to the tub of warmed water.

Gailan started to remove his night clothes while Sir Droyn kept him upright. Trying to lift his own leg in order to step into the tub felt impossible. Prince Kelton felt Sir Droyn assist his steps into the hot water. He lowered him slowly as Gailan finished removing his soiled clothes. He leaned back and sighed. The hot water felt amazing. His head tipped to the side and his mind started to wander off again, but he knew he needed to try and stay awake. He rolled his eyes often and tried to get his eyes to open for longer than a couple seconds.

He heard Sir Droyn shift beside the tub then lift his head enough to allow his arm to cushion the edge of the tub as well as provide some support that would keep him from slipping under if he wasn’t able to remain awake. Gailan added a little more hot water to the bath before he left the room. Prince Kelton did his best to remain awake, but was finding it harder and harder to do. He was almost asleep again when Gailan returned.

“Try and drink this,” he said, kneeling beside the tub.

Sir Droyn helped him sit up a little to accept the broth that Gailan had brought up. He accepted the broth in small sips. The liquid warmed his core and helped wake him up a little more. When he couldn’t take in anymore, Sir Droyn let him recline back a little more. Gailan then used a cloth to wipe down his body and clean away the residual seed and sweat that had yet to come off.

“Can you stand, Prince Kelton?” Sir Droyn asked once Gailan was finished.

“...Yes?” he whispered.

He slowly drew his legs up as Sir Droyn set his arm over his shoulders. The two of them stood together. Prince Kelton shuddered as the cooler air of the room replaced the warmth of the water he stood in. Gailan was swift to dry him off and bring him fresh night clothes. He held onto the clothes to keep them from getting wet while Sir Droyn helped Prince Kelton step out of the water. Gailan dried his legs then released his hold on the clothes. The two of them supported Prince Kelton back to a clean bed. He lay down. The mattress felt warm. Gailan covered him with the blankets and he returned to sleep.

He drifted in and out of awareness of his own room for a while as the feel of a cold cloth was placed on and taken from his forehead. He became more aware of his room when there was a soft knock on the door. Gailan left his side and opened the door a crack. He opened it further and allowed Sir Droyn to step inside. He closed the door behind him.

“How is he?” Sir Droyn asked.

“The fever is gone, but…. I think he is still troubled. He’s been mumbling in his sleep, which is not something he does often,” Gailan confided quietly.

Prince Kelton opened his eyes then and turned to the two of them. Sir Droyn stepped forward and sat in the chair beside the bed. His expression conflicted.

“How are you feeling, My Lord?” Sir Droyn asked gently.

“Better rested,” Prince Kelton replied.

Sir Droyn nodded and looked away.

“What is on your mind, Sir Droyn?”

“It’s…. I should not burden you while you are ill,” he replied.

“Then ask what you will,” Prince Kelton replied seriously.

Sir Droyn brought his hand up to his mouth, but remained silent.

Prince Kelton pushed himself up to sit semi-reclined.

“Sire, you shouldn’t….”

He waved him off. “I am feeling much better now that I have been able to rest. Ask your questions.”