of III

Paris, 1700

"Have you ever done it with a man and a woman? At the same time?"

Duo snorted a laugh.

"Yes. Of course. It can be fun... but I think if you have more than three it gets to be a bit of a challenge."

Etienne nodded thoughtfully. Even though Duo had rejected his advances twenty years ago, Etienne was still relatively inexperienced. He had had lovers - the Gypsy boy in Scotland had been the first - but he was very selective, seeming to only favor men with long brown hair and blue eyes. His preferences were not lost on Duo, or Sophie, who scowled every time she noticed her brother flirting with a man.

"What about two men? How would that work - surely someone would be left out?"

Duo shrugged.

"Not really. You simply -"

"Please. Stop talking about sex. There are more things in this world to talk about besides sex," Sophie growled.

Duo and Etienne exchanged amused looks. Even though Etienne was slowly exploring his sexuality, Sophie staunchly refused every advance made towards her. It saddened Duo, because he wished she could know the pleasure and comfort found in the body of a lover, but he understood why she wanted to remain untouched.

They were returning from Italy and a Council mission to investigate the Inquisition's knowledge and tactics. It had been a change from their usual work - no one had died or even been injured - but it had been troubling.

All three of them had strong, negative feelings towards the Inquisition and watching innocent Ephemerals and nulls tortured had been unpleasant.

Duo didn't blame Etienne for trying to distract himself with thoughts of sex. Some of the things they had witnessed would haunt Duo for a long time - and he had seen far too much gore in his lifetime.

They rode in silence for several miles, waiting for Sophie to regain control of her temper.

"So, you were saying?" Etienne prompted him when he thought it was safe.

Sophie snarled in anger and kicked her horse forward, racing ahead of them.

Duo rolled his eyes and glared at Etienne.

"You didn't have to do that," he informed him. "You know how your sister feels."

Etienne shrugged, looking slightly repentant.

"I do, but I wanted the chance to be alone with you."

"Etienne," Duo warned.

Despite the fact that Etienne seemed to have found substitute lovers to stand in Duo, he still tried to proposition him.

"I'm not going to be young and beautiful forever," Etienne told him and shrugged. "Can you really blame me for trying?"

"No and yes," Duo growled in frustration. "We've been over this - I can't even count how many times. It's too dangerous."

"You love me. You desire me. I love you - I desire you. Where is the danger in that?"

"Eti, it isn't that simple and you know -"

"All I know is what we just witnessed and what we just learned. You say that my life would be in greater danger if we were lovers, but my life will be in greater danger no matter what!"

Etienne glared at him, his brown eyes fierce, and Duo was forced to acknowledge the truth in his words.

They had been sent to Rome to gather information regarding the Inquisition, but in the process of spying on the priests they had overheard a council meeting between Pope Clement XI and his advisors. It seemed war was on the horizon, a war that was sure to draw in the whole of Europe. Which didn't necessarily mean anything, except that Treize fancied himself a political mastermind and would no doubt want the Council heavily involved, which would only complicate the already tense alliances at Court. The Council was comprised of Faeries, Vampires and Ephemerals from all over Europe. This coming war looked to be capable of ripping the very Council apart.

Duo sighed.

"Yes, but I won't put you in more danger. Etienne, your face is too easy to read - if we became lovers, Treize or Zechs or Alexios - maybe even Jason would know and they would torture you for it."

Etienne shook his head.

"You're wrong," he insisted before angrily spurring his horse on, riding ahead to join his sister.

Duo groaned.

Just once, he reflected, it would be nice if he could have a year, a month, a week, a day that wasn't complicated.

-o-

As Duo had predicted, Treize wanted to use the coming war as an excuse to gain control over human territory and win glory and power for himself.

The council seemed split, half wanting to stay out of human affairs, half following Treize's lead and spoiling for war.

Jason seemed content to let his council argue amongst themselves, simply leaning back in his throne and observing them with an indifferent expression on his face.

Whatever else Duo might think of Jason, he knew the vampire well enough to know that he was never indifferent. This was a tactic of his, allowing him to see where fault lines were on the council and determine who he could trust, and who he needed to keep a closer eye on.

Duo, Etienne and Sophie stood before the high council table while they argued. Sophie didn't even attempt to look interested. She crossed her arms and glared at the council members in turn until Duo nudged her with his shoulder. She transferred her glare to him and he leaned in close to her.

"It's not going to kill you to pay attention - it might even save your life. Or your brother's."

That got her attention, and she sighed and focused on the arguments.

Etienne, meanwhile, had been focused the entire time, his gaze riveted on Zechs, and Duo watched as Etienne ran a hand through his own hair in a gesture that was incredibly seductive.

It was not lost on Zechs, who flicked his gaze towards Etienne and smirked.

"What the hell are you doing?" Duo hissed in Etienne's ear.

"Proving a point," Etienne hissed back and winked at Zechs.

"You're acting like a whore," Duo bit out.

Etienne spared him a glare.

"If that's what it takes for you to finally notice me then -"

Whatever he had been about to say was cut off by the sound of the court herald sounding his trumpet.

All conversation ceased and everyone's attention focused on the entrance to the hall.

Standing there was a tall, broad shouldered man with shoulder length red hair. His skin was surprisingly tan for having such fair hair, and he wore an elaborate gold brocade coat, waistcoat and breeches.

"Ah, my old friend!" Jason stood up and walked towards the newcomer and embraced him.

Most of the council wore confused expressions, clearly they did not recognize this man either.

"Who is that?" Sophie whispered to Duo.

He had to shrug.

"I don't know."

The newcomer was powerful - there was a dark, intense surge of magic in the hall that was as unknown to Duo as the man himself.

"This," Jason spoke loudly, addressing the council, "is Renaud de Chatillon. He joins us after many years spent travelling the East."

Duo frowned. He knew the name, had heard it whispered in Court gossip for years.

Renaud had been a Crusader, an Ephemeral of extraordinary power, but he had been a cruel and vicious ban, greedy and without honor and he had been cursed by a genie. The curse, intended as a punishment, had forced Renaud to take sustenance from the pleasure of others. The genie had wanted to show Renaud a different path, to force him to be kind and generous, but instead, Renaud had apprenticed himself to a succubus and twisted the curse.

Jason's gaze locked with Duo's across the hall, and Duo could see the hunger in his eyes.

When Jason dismissed the council a few moments later, he beckoned for Duo to attend him.

"Stay away from Renaud," Duo warned Sophie and Etienne.

They nodded, both eying the man warily. Duo wondered what Etienne sensed from him - he doubted it was anything pleasant.

Etienne started to leave, but Duo caught his arm.

"You and I need to speak later," he told him.

Etienne reached out with his magic, brushing it against Duo in a playful tease.

"This isn't a game, Eti," he growled.

"I'm not playing a game, Duo," Etienne assured him.

With a sigh, Duo released him. It was clear they would need to have yet another discussion, but at the moment, he needed to go see Jason.

The vampire was in his chamber, deep in conversation with Noventa when Duo entered.

Noventa sneered at him - the old Roman vampire had always despised Duo, and the feeling was certainly mutual.

"We were discussing the threat of war," Jason told Duo.

Duo remained silent, then belatedly realized that Jason was waiting for his opinion.

"Treize seems to favor Council involvement," he said cautiously. It was best to state the obvious and work from there, he had always found.

Noventa snorted.

"Treize favors anything that will open up seats on the Council and give him the opportunity for more power."

Duo nodded in agreement.

He and Noventa might not care much for each other, but they understood each other.

"The only danger in neutrality will be if one of the warring kingdoms has the aid of Ephemerals or Old Ones who aren't loyal to the Council," Jason said, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"If we do commit to action, we face the danger of dividing the Council," Noventa argued.

"The Holy Roman Empire will oppose France," Duo had to point out. "England will also oppose France - that will put half of the Council at war with the other half if we do commit."

"So we should wait and see?" Jason sighed. "It seems risky. I wouldn't put it past Treize to incite the Ephemerals he controls into action."

"If he does, it is treason," Duo pointed out. "I would happily execute him."

Jason laughed and even Noventa smirked.

"You would happily execute him now, Duo," Jason said, his voice rich with amusement.

"But if I did it now, without his committing treason, you'd punish me," Duo argued.

"As if that has ever discouraged you," Jason muttered.

Noventa looked on the verge of saying something, but Jason made a gesture of dismissal.

"We will discuss these matters more, Noventa. For now, inquire about the loyalties of the Council members we least trust."

Noventa inclined his head towards Jason, glared once more at Duo for good measure, and left.

Without being commanded, Duo started to undress, removing his coat, waistcoat and shirt so that he stood before Jason in only his breeches, hose and shoes.

"You look troubled," Jason commented.

Duo arched an eyebrow.

"I'm always troubled."

"Yes, but you also always argue with me and try to anger me beyond desiring you. Yet tonight, you have held your tongue and given wise counsel. Then you undressed for me without hesitation." It was Jason's turn to arch an eyebrow. "Are you unwell?"

Duo realized with a start that he hadn't even thought to rebel against this - he hadn't even thought to be belligerent when discussing the coming war. The realization startled him.

"Perhaps it is not illness," Jason said thoughtfully and traced one slim, cold finger across Duo's chest and up to his neck. "Perhaps you have decided to embrace your life as it is?"

"I've accepted that I can't change my circumstances in the near future," Duo conceded. "But I will not soon embrace the vampire who murdered my lover, or the Council that has condemned so many."

Jason made an exasperated sound.

"There he is. I suppose you want me to feed and send you on your way so you can find comfort in the body of your Ephemeral boy?"

That brought Duo up short. He stared at Jason.

"What are you talking about?"

"Duo, anyone can see the way you look at him - the way he looks at you." Jason ran his fingers over Duo's jaw, his lips and through his hair. "I certainly don't blame him for his desire, and even I cannot fault a master taking his servant as a lover."

It sounded as though Jason was giving Duo permission to once again have someone warm his bed.

"You... aren't going to punish him?"

Jason smiled, flashing his sharp fangs.

"I'm willing to wait for this infatuation to pass. As I said, a master may take his servant as a lover - but a servant will never be the lover you seek to replace, Duo Maxwell. Your boy is a figment of the master you lost. He will not replace Solo, and he certainly cannot offer you what I can."

Before Duo could argue that point, Jason bit him, sinking his fangs into the tender flesh of Duo's neck swiftly.

He choked back a cry of pain. Usually Jason eased into the bite, but tonight, it was clear, he wasn't in the mood to ease into anything.

-o-

"What are you doing here?"

Duo felt drowsy from the blood loss - Jason had fed much longer than he normally did, and Duo could only think of it as a punishment. No matter what Jason said, it was clear he was angry at the possibility of Duo taking Etienne as a lover.

When he returned to his quarters he found Etienne sitting on his bed. He had changed from his travelling clothes into a simple shirt and breeches, his dark hair loose around his shoulders.

Etienne arched an eyebrow at him.

"You said you wished to speak with me."

Duo sighed. He had forgotten.

"Later," he told Etienne.

"This is later," Etienne pointed out.

Duo glared at him, but Etienne only smirked in response.

Exhausted and wanting nothing more than a night of sleep in a decent bed, Duo started to undress again, this time stripping out of his hose and breeches as well.

Etienne watched him, his dark gaze hungry.

Duo pulled on a nightshirt and Etienne sighed in disappointment.

"I've told you, we cannot be lovers," Duo said to the Ephemeral, sitting down on the bed beside him.

"You say we cannot, but I know you want it - I want it as well."

"My enemies will use it to hurt us."

"Your enemies will use anything to hurt you - why can't we find some joy together anyway?"

"Eti -"

"I proved to you tonight, I can hide my emotions. I made you believe I wanted Zechs Merquise. I made him believe I wanted him. No one has to know."

Duo snorted.

"Your sister would know - and she would cut off my balls if she thought I had forced you."

Etienne smirked at him.

"Then I will simply explain to her that I forced you, and not the other way around." Etienne pushed Duo down onto the bed and crawled over him. "Love me, Duo. Please, let me love you."

Duo thought about all of the reasons this was a terrible idea - all of the ways this could go wrong - but Jason's words came back to him. He will not replace Solo.

The affection and lust Duo felt for Etienne were powerful, but Jason was right, they were not a replacement for his feelings or relationship with Solo. Loving Etienne would not be forgetting Solo. It would simply be Duo seeking the comfort of his servant. It was natural.

He looked up at Etienne's eyes and he saw them widen as Etienne sensed the change in Duo.

The Ephemeral leaned down and captured Duo's lips in a kiss.

"Love me," Etienne encouraged him. "Love me, Duo."

Duo rolled them over, so that he straddled Etienne and he pinned his hands above his head.

"You're always so damned demanding," Duo said. He kissed Etienne on the lips again, sucking on his tongue and his bottom lip and then nipping him.

Etienne moaned.

"You won't even treat me like your master in bed, will you?"

"No," Etienne moaned again. "Never."

Duo chuckled at that.

He kissed Etienne's jaw and then his throat, sucking on his pulse point until Etienne moaned again. He didn't bother to remove Etienne's shirt, instead he pushed it up to reveal his lean chest and turned his attention to Etienne's dark nipples.

"Ah!" Etienne gasped when Duo sucked on his right nipple and his hips bucked under Duo's. "Yes, please, I want - No!"

Etienne's sudden shout accompanied a wave of intense pain and fear that struck deep in Duo's belly.

He fell back on the bed and stared at Etienne in confusion.

"What -"

"Sophie!" Etienne's eyes were wide with fear.

Duo reached out for her, using his connection as her master and he felt another reverberation of the fear and pain.

"Where is she?" He asked Etienne.

"Our quarters - she was there when I left her."

Duo scrambled from the bed and pulled his breeches back on.

Etienne followed him from the bed and handed Duo his sword without being asked.

They didn't make it to the quarters Etienne and Sophie shared near Relena's rooms - as soon as they stepped into the hall used for Council meetings Etienne gave a shout of rage and ran forward.

Renaud de Chatillon had Sophie pinned on the high table, her dress ripped from the bodice to the skirt, and he was raping her.

Etienne threw himself at the much larger man.

Renaud laughed and shoved Etienne away, sending him sprawling on the ground.

"Release her at once," Duo commanded him.

Renaud laughed again. He looked over Duo and sneered.

"Or what? What will you do to me, Jason's pet? Wait your turn and I'll fuck you once I've finished with her."

Sophie cried out, her voice filled with rage and Duo reacted without thought.

He flung his magic at Renaud, calling on that dark source within him to force Renaud to feel all of the pain Duo could imagine him suffering.

Renaud doubled over and stumbled away from Sophie, clutching his skin, as if he could stop the flood of pain assaulting him.

Duo drew his sword and stepped closer.

Just as he lifted the blade to strike, he heard a voice call out from behind him.

"Stop."

It was Jason.

Duo's hands trembled, his fingers ached in the tight grip he had on the sword hilt.

"If you kill him the punishment will be worse than anything you suffered before," Jason warned.

"He attacked my servant," Duo growled.

"Then there will be justice. But you cannot kill him. Release your weapon and release him. Now," Jason added when Duo still hesitated.

With an angry roar, Duo dropped the sword and let go of his magic.

Renaud collapsed on the floor, gasping for breath and glaring up at Duo.

He saw Etienne pull off his shirt and give it to Sophie. He saw Sophie wipe at bloody scratches on her face and chest and he felt his rage settle into cold fury.

Duo turned back to Renaud.

"You attacked my servant and I will have retribution."

Renaud sneered and staggered to his feet.

"Your servant attacked me," Renaud stabbed a finger towards Etienne. "I demand justice for that!"

Jason arched an eyebrow.

"Is this true? Did your boy attack Renaud?"

His tone, the emphasis on boy, clued Duo into the fact that Jason had lied about his understanding of Duo taking Etienne as a lover.

"He attempted to defend his sister," Duo replied.

"He struck me," Renaud snarled.

"You were raping his sister."

"I am the Sentinel!"

Duo took a step back, shocked by the force of Renaud's voice and by the title.

He turned to stare at Jason, but his neutral expression only confirmed Renaud's claim.

The Council was an ancient body. It had been in existence for longer than any member had been alive, and the roles and duties of the Council had been codified long ago. Jason was the Head of the Council. He had won his seat and his dominance by killing the old Head centuries ago. Duo was the Council Executioner, meting out punishments to those who defied Jason or the laws of the Council. Duo wasn't strictly on the Council - he held no seat, had no say in the laws or doings of the Council, but he had the power to punish those on the Council and any Ephemeral or Old One who disobeyed. The Sentinel existed in a gray area even less defined than Duo. The Sentinel, like the Executioner, had no Council seat. Many didn't even believe the Sentinel was real - they believed the title was simply a threat to keep Council members from plotting against the Head. It was the duty of the Sentinel to see all, to know all, and to provide the Head with the knowledge and secrets he needed to rule. The Sentinel was appointed by the Head in secret, and while Duo had known there was a Sentinel, he had never known who it was.

Until now.

Jason sighed.

"If your boy attacked Renaud he must be punished. His life will -"

"No!" Sophie shouted.

She stepped forward.

"You cannot punish my brother!"

Jason's eyes flashed silver.

"I can do what I please, girl. Your master's defiance has clearly tricked you into thinking my commands can be ignored. Your brother struck the Sentinel and he will die for this crime."

"No! Please." Sophie's eyes darted from Jason to Duo, and then to Renaud. "Take my life instead."

"No," Etienne shouted. He stepped up beside his sister. "It was my crime. I will die for it."

"Jason," Duo pleaded, trying to think of how to save Etienne's life. "You -"

"You will remain silent, Executioner," Jason roared. "You will follow my orders and you will execute your servant for daring to -"

"Wait," Renaud said, his interruption earning him a furious glare from Jason. "My prince," Renaud smiled at him, "I am amenable to the girl's bargain. I will accept her life in place of her brother's death."

Jason scowled, clearly displeased with Renaud going against his orders.

"Very well," he said eventually. "Her life is yours."

"She is my servant," Duo pointed out. "Her life belongs to me. It isn't hers to give."

"And you serve me," Jason snapped. "And I give her to Renaud."

"Jason -"

"Silence. My commands shall be obeyed and if you speak again you will spend a decade in silver chains."

Sophie's life was easily worth a decade of torture, but Duo could think of no way to convince Jason to release her. Nothing except -

"I accept the punishment," Duo said quickly. Jason's eyes narrowed in rage. "Put me in chains. But allow me to trade my life for Sophie's. Release my servants and I will... give myself to Renaud."

"Your life is not within your power to give, Executioner," Jason informed him. He looked at Renaud. "Take her and end this, Renaud."

The red haired man marched forward and seized Sophie by the wrists.

Etienne gave a strangled cry of rage.

"He will hurt you! He will laugh at your tears and he will hurt you!"

The Ephemeral picked up the sword Duo had dropped.

"No!" Duo tried to stop him, but Etienne swung the sword towards Renaud.

Renaud waved the hand not holding Sophie and Etienne was thrown backwards.

Duo froze. That magic - that had been Sophie's magic.

"Do you know what I am, boy?" Renaud hissed. He threw Sophie to the ground and advanced on Etienne. "You dare to strike me twice? You think to kill me with this?" He picked up the sword and pointed it at Etienne's throat.

"Please," Duo stepped forward. "Please let him live."

Renaud didn't even look up at Duo's words. He plunged the blade into Etienne's throat.

"No!" Sophie tried to go to her brother, but Renaud dragged her, screaming, from the hall.

Duo pulled Etienne into his arms.

He could feel Etienne's pain, his shock, his fear of death.

"I'm so sorry," Duo whispered. "I'm so sorry, Eti. I'm so sorry."

Etienne's hands grabbed at him, his grip weak and his fingers twitching and Duo choked.

"I can save him."

Duo looked up at Jason.

"What?"

"I can save him."

"How -"

"Do you want to lose another of your lovers?"

"No," Duo breathed. "Please no."

Jason knelt down beside him.

"Then I will save him for you."

Jason placed his mouth over the wound on Etienne's neck, his lips almost a caress, and then Duo felt it - felt Jason start to feed through his connection to Etienne.

"No, stop!" Duo tried to push Jason away, but the vampire ignored him. "Not like this!"

But it was too late - he could feel Etienne's life fade to nothing, could feel his body grow cold and still in his arms.

Jason sat back, his lips and chin bloody, his gray eyes silver with power.

Duo watched as the vampire bit into his own wrist, watched a stream of crimson drip from the cut into Etienne's open mouth.

Nothing happened for a moment - and then a rush of magic filled Etienne's body. He glowed with silver light and his eyes opened and he gasped for air. The wound on his neck began to heal, flesh knitting itself back together in an instant.

Duo had never before realized just how powerful Jason was - to instantly heal Etienne, to transform him into a vampire with such little effort.

Jason met his gaze.

"You never told me he could See," he breathed.

Duo swallowed hard.

"I didn't want you to know."

"He is mine now, Duo. I gave him life for you, but he is now mine."

Duo looked down at Etienne, at his pale, perfect skin, at the sharp fangs behind his lips.

"I know."

"I will keep him safe for you, Duo. I will protect him as you could not."

It was a small comfort. Especially since Duo could feel Sophie's magical connection to him snap in that same instant.

-o-

Jason sent him on a mission far from court the next morning. Duo was to go to India to investigate rumors of powerful shapeshifters and Gypsies at the Mughal court.

As soon as he arrived in Salzburg, however, Duo decided to go no further.

What, after all, was the point? If the Mughal Emperor did indeed control an army of Gypsies and shapeshifters, what would Jason do? What would he have Duo do? Jason had mentioned that Renaud had just returned from the East - no doubt he had brought these rumors with him, and Duo had no desire to carry out the wishes of Renaud in this or any other matter.

He spent a month in the city, surrounded by life and music, but he felt unsettled.

Returning to Jason's court without going to India was out of the question - there was only so much insubordination Jason would tolerate from Duo, and after what had just occurred, this would not be easily forgiven.

Every night Duo slept with the memories of Etienne's cold body and Sophie's screams echoing in his head. There was no escaping the past - no denying his failure to protect them, no running from the truth: Duo was weak and he would be tormented for all of his days.

He never should have brought them to court, never should have made them his servants, never should have dared to love them. He should have known, from the moment he first met them, that they would be doomed. That he would doom them.

He left Salzburg and travelled north, alone except for his horse, without any clear destination in mind. He did not know where to go or what to do. The future seemed like an endless abyss of pain, and he was in no hurry to face it.

Duo slept under the stars each night. There was no need to find an inn - he had no desire to share the company of humans. He preferred to be alone, each night, shivering as his fire died down to glowing embers.

One night, however, he awoke several hours before dawn to find he was not alone.

A strange man with wild gray hair, naked except for flowers and vines that twined around his body and eyes that were a dark, fathomless black sat at the fire, tending to it.

Duo slowly sat up. He could sense the magic of the creature, old and powerful and somehow familiar to him.

"What are you?"

The man's black gaze focused on Duo.

"Do you not even recognize your own kind?" He spoke the words awkwardly, as though French was new to him.

Duo stared at him.

"You're a Faerie."

The man smiled.

"Indeed. I'm your uncle."

"What?"

"Your father was my brother. I am your uncle."

"You knew my father?" In all of his years, Duo had never encountered anyone with even a hint of connection to his parents.

"Yes. Oddly, I did know my brother."

"Is he still alive?"

"No."

The knowledge that he would never know his own father left Duo feeling curiously cold. He had never expected to meet him, had never expected to learn anything of him - but now, knowing that he had died... it was silly to mourn someone he had never known. But the sadness was there, all the same.

"How did he die?"

The man tilted his head to the side and looked past Duo for a moment before standing.

"Come with me."

Duo hesitated.

"Why?"

"Have you anywhere else to go?"

"No."

"Then come. There are those who need to see you."

"Who?"

The man simply stared, his dark gaze unreadable.

What did he have to lose? Duo asked himself. If he followed this Faerie who claimed to be his uncle into a trap and he died, what of it? Perhaps he would be reunited with Solo in the afterlife. Perhaps an end to his misery was in sight.

Duo stood and started to pack up his camp.

"No. You cannot take those things."

Duo frowned at him.

"You just want me to leave my campsite? How long are we going to be gone? Thieves might -"

"You cannot take those things," the man repeated.

Duo sighed and dropped his rucksack and instead walked over to his horse, Scythe, to unsaddle her.

"You cannot take that creature either."

Duo turned to glare.

"I'm not leaving my horse."

"Then you will not learn your father's fate."

Duo closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath.

Just once, it would be nice to not be manipulated into doing something.

He slowly removed the saddle and tack from Scythe. He'd be damned if he left her here to be stolen. He ran a hand down her flank. She was an excellent horse.

"Happy?" He asked the Faerie once Scythe was galloping away.

The man gestured to Duo's clothes.

"Really?"

The man stared.

Angrily, Duo undressed until he was standing there naked, shivering in the cold of the night air.

"Now we can go."

"Can't I at least get some vines or flowers or something?" Duo grumbled, but he followed the man as he left the camp.

"Of course. You may ask them to decorate you." The man gestured towards the forest surrounding them.

"How... do I ask?"

"You know nothing of our kind, do you?"

"Ah, no."

The man made an irritated sound.

"What do you call yourself?" The man asked him.

"Duo Maxwell."

"Duo Maxwell," the man repeated and then he shook his head. "That is not the name your father gave you."

"What name did he give me?"

The Faerie said something completely unintelligible.

"Right." Duo attempted to repeat the name and the Faerie let out a harsh cackle of laughter.

"No. We shall call you Duo Maxwell until you learn to speak."

"What do I call you?"

Again the Faerie said something unintelligible.

"I... can't say that."

"I know."

"Then how can I say your name?"

"Give me a name you can say, if it is so important to you."

Duo tried to come up with something that sounded vaguely like what the Faerie had said.

"Howard."

"Howard?" The Faerie shrugged. "Very well. I am Howard until you learn to speak."

"How did you recognize me?" Duo had to ask. "There isn't much of a... family resemblance."

Howard laughed again, that same sharp cackle.

"Oh but there is. Your sorrow has the same bitter taste as my own, Duo Maxwell. I could sense your magic three days ago, and I have been bringing you closer to me every day."

"I see."

He didn't, but he didn't think it mattered much.

Duo didn't know how long they walked, but eventually they came across a river and followed it, walking along the damp bank on bare feet until they came to a waterfall.

"Will you enter the home of your ancestors?" Howard asked him.

"Er... sure."

Howard held up a hand.

"Our world is not the same, Duo Maxwell. Come with me and you will no longer be the Executioner. No one will call you the God of Death and no one will care for those you have lost."

It sounded like a dream too good to be true.

"I will come with you."

Howard turned and walked into the river, wading through the shallows under the waterfall and then disappearing under the sheets of water.

Duo stayed on the bank, waiting for him to come back, waiting for something to happen - but nothing did.

Eventually, Duo realized he was meant to follow.

He stepped into the water and shouted a curse - it was freezing. Duo had never felt cold as sharply as he felt the rush of water against his naked body.

He forced himself to keep going, each step in the river feeling like a thousand knives stabbing him, until he stepped under the waterfall and then he felt nothing.

-o-

When he woke he was warm, his body rested, and his ever present anger and pain gone.

It was deeply unsettling and he tried to think about Solo, about Etienne and Sophie and everyone else he had lost, but they all seemed so distant, their memories like some half-forgotten dream that might have never happened.

"I told you it wouldn't kill him."

Duo turned at the sound of that voice. It was Howard and another man, another Faerie. He had shoulder length white-blonde hair, the same dark eyes as Howard, and a feral expression of hunger on his face. Like Howard, he was naked except for vines and leaves that clung to his body.

"You have been wrong before," the other Faerie sneered. "And this one... he does not have the strength of his father."

"Not yet," Howard agreed, his gaze fixed on Duo's face. "But he will."

"How long was I asleep?" Duo had to ask. Their conversation made him uncomfortable.

"Too long," the other Faerie said.

Duo could tell they were not going to be best friends.

"Who is he?" Duo asked Howard.

The other Faerie hissed in anger.

"He is someone you will not ignore!"

"You will not be able to say his name," Howard warned him with a smile.

"Say it anyway," Duo sighed.

Howard did so, and he was right - Duo couldn't say his name.

Duo shook his head.

"You're right, I can't say it."

"This is no game for your amusement, halfling!" The Faerie snarled.

"Quinze," Duo decided, the mention of a game reminding him of the card game currently popular at court. It also sounded as close to the Faerie's name as Duo could get.

"What?" Quinze asked.

"I'd like to call you Quinze."

Quinze shared a look of horror with Howard, who merely cackled.

"I told you he was of my blood!" Howard said with a smirk.

"Then have a care and remember how much of your blood has already been spilt," Quinze hissed. He turned back to Duo. "You, boy, should not have been able to come into our world."

Duo looked over at Howard.

"You mean I could have died?"

Howard shrugged one shoulder.

"The magic of our ancestors is strongest in the water we passed through. Had you not been welcome here, you would not have been allowed to enter."

"You mean I would have died." That explained the bitter cold of the water, the pain and the agony he had suffered as he tried to walk through it.

"And would death have been so unwelcome?" Howard challenged.

"No," Duo admitted.

Quinze snorted.

"He truly is of your blood. I will have no use for him if he remains so weak."

"Um, what are you two talking about?"

Howard and Quinze completely ignored his question.

"You said yourself that things are changing, that life is twisting in ways we did not See. You need him to keep the path True or that world will be lost to us forever."

"There are many among us who would rather it be lost in any case," Quinze muttered.

Duo had absolutely no clue what the two Faerie's were talking about, and that realization brought on another - he had no clue where he was.

He looked around him but all he saw was a strange, violet darkness, shadows pierced only by twinkling amber lights that seemed to float in the air around them. He wasn't cold, or warm and the air tasted neither damp nor dry.

Duo looked up and gasped. Above them he could see the river and the waterfall he had passed through, both translucent and magnificent as they passed by overhead. Beyond the river he could see the stars of the night sky, but they looked different, closer and brighter than they ever had before.

"... we can't just kill him."

That got Duo's attention. He tore his gaze from the sky and focused back on the two Faeries.

"No," he agreed. "You can't just kill me."

Howard arched an eyebrow.

"And I thought you welcomed death?"

"Just because I don't have an interest in life doesn't mean I'm going to invite you to murder me."

Quinze laughed, a dry, wheezing sound that chilled Duo.

"Your uncle would have you join us. He would have you leave behind that world to join ours. What do you say to that?"

"Should I not say yes?"

Quinze laughed again.

"Ah, very good. Perhaps your filthy mother at least blessed you with intelligence. Do you know why your uncle brought you here?"

"To invite me to join you?"

"No. He brought you here at my command. It seems... we need you."

Duo had to arch an eyebrow.

"You need me? I still don't even know who you are."

"I am the conduit of the Stars. I am the voice of the Ancestors. I am the eyes of those yet to be born."

"He is our king," Howard translated for Duo.

Quinze continued to stare at Duo.

"And you, bastard halfling, are the sigil of the Gods."

"The... what?"

Quinze opened his mouth, no doubt to berate Duo judging by the look on his face, but Howard stopped him with a hand on his arm.

"He has woken. Let him See," Howard suggested.

Quinze glared at Howard for a long moment and then rose to his feet.

"Very well. Let him drink from the Well and we shall speak more after that."

Howard nodded in agreement and then Quinze left.

"What - what the hell is going on?" Duo demanded.

Howard sighed and stood up.

"Come with me."

"No," Duo remained sitting. "Last time you asked me to do that I almost died and I woke up here with the King of the Faeries ready to kill me. I think this time, I'll stay right here until I get some answers."

Howard looked amused.

"Then you refuse to see your father's fate?"

"I - what?"

"Come and drink from the Well."

Howard started to walk away, leaving Duo alone in the darkness.

"I - fucking hell." Duo jumped up and ran after him.

They wandered through the violet darkness and Duo tried to see what lay in the shadows, but the golden lights barely illuminated Howard, much less their surroundings.

Suddenly they stepped into a spill of blue light and Duo winced, unused to the intensity.

As his eyes adjusted he was able to take in his surroundings.

They were in some kind of cave, but Duo didn't recognize the rock around him - it looked more like crystal or diamonds - it was sharp, clear and reflective. The amber lights that had glowed sporadically behind them were now gathered together, high above them, and as Duo watched he saw them move, some lights joining the group and others floating away.

"Pixies," Howard told him. "We can't get rid of the damned things."

He gestured for Duo to step forward into the light and Duo did so, following Howard into the cave, towards a shallow lake of clear water. There was an island in the middle, and around the island there was a gathering of more Faeries, all attired similarly to Howard and Duo.

As they approached, the Faeries looked up and started to speak to each other.

"What are they saying?" Duo asked Howard.

"They're saying your father's cock was bigger," Howard replied.

Duo glanced at him and Howard cackled.

"It was! Ah, but yours isn't so small." Howard patted his back sympathetically.

Duo resisted the urge to cover himself.

"I've never had any complaints," he muttered.

"Of course not - our family are renowned for the desire we evoke in others."

"What?" Duo came to a stop and stared at Howard.

Howard arched an eyebrow.

"Your magic, boy. Haven't you noticed how much you're desired by those around you?"

Duo frowned. He had never really given it much thought, but now that Howard mentioned it...

"That's my magic?"

"Oh, don't feel so bad. I'm sure some of your lovers liked you for your, er, personality too."

Duo glared at him, ready to offer a sharp retort, but then he realized - it was his magic that had doomed Solo and Etienne. His magic that had beguiled so many over the years, from Relena to Sister Helen to Jason.

He started to ask Howard another question, but they had arrived at the center of the island and before them was a well. It was made of the same strange stone as the rest of the cave, and when Duo looked into it he saw the same clear water of the lake, but it seemed to stretch downwards, endlessly deep.

"Drink," Howard commanded.

"What will happen when I do?"

"You might die," Howard said with a shrug. "Or you will taste your destiny."

"What?"

"Are you hard of hearing?"

"No," Duo assured him.

Cautiously, he knelt beside the well and dipped one of his hands into the water.

It burned, the water as hot as an open flame, and Duo hastily drew his hand back, but the water cupped in his palm still burned.

"Drink," Howard repeated, his voice a low growl. The Faeries around him were speaking and it almost sounded like a chant.

"Drink," Howard said again and Duo obeyed.

The water burned a trail of pure liquid fire down Duo's throat. The pain was more intense, more invasive than even one hundred lashes of Deathscythe and Duo fell to the ground. He struggled to draw in breath, and all around him the Faeries chanted.

-o-

Duo woke covered in snow.

With a startled cry he stood up.

The forest was blanketed in white, the green of the tree leaves hidden away completely.

Duo struggled to remember - he didn't know what. It felt like there was something he should know, some thought, some idea - but it was gone.

With a sigh, he packed up his camp, brushing snow from his rucksack and bedroll before stuffing it inside.

Scythe was gone, no trace of her in the snow, and Duo resigned himself to continuing on foot. The horse was a loss, she had been an excellent mount, but, much as with everything else in his life, he had expected to lose her at some point in any case.

He walked for five days before he came to a village.

The local tavern was barely large enough to accommodate the six patrons already present when Duo walked in, but the bar wench told him to sit by the fire and brought him a tankard of ale and a plate of hot food.

As he ate, Duo listened to the other men talk.

"... is dead, the damned War is finally over," one of the men muttered.

His companions nodded in agreement.

"The new king is just a boy, though. He'll be a puppet - or he'll be killed. Mark my words, we'll have war again soon."

"Which king?" Duo had to ask.

The men turned to look at him.

"Our king," one of them snorted. "Or didn't you hear that the Sun King has been eclipsed?"

"Ha - that's a good one, Jean!"

The men congratulated Jean on his pun.

"But his son is no boy - he's nearly forty," Duo pointed out.

The men stared at him.

"The Grand Dauphin died four years ago. His grandson - the Sun King's Great Grandson - is the King now."

Duo frowned. He had heard nothing about this - he would have known in the Grand Dauphin had died four years ago - in fact, hadn't Relena been singing his praises as a lover before Duo left Court with Sophie and Etienne the last time?

"What... what year is it?"

The men stared at him.

"1715. What year did you think it was, friend?"

Duo was shocked out of conscious thought.

"It... it was 1700 when I left Salzburg. I -" Duo frowned, that same thought, that same memory teasing at him again but he still couldn't pin it down.

The men now looked amused.

"How much have you had to drink, eh?" Jean asked him with a chuckle.

But Duo shook his head.

"Where are we? What village is this?"

"Thannois," Jean answered, his amusement fading. "You really don't know where you are?"

Duo shook his head. He recognized the name though - it was a small village on the Thur river.

He realized, very suddenly, that he had lost fifteen years. A war had been fought - kings had died - and he had lost fifteen years.

"I need a horse."

The men exchanged troubled looks and one of them made a gesture to indicate his views on Duo's sanity.

"I can pay," he added when they started to grumble. "Which of you has a sturdy horse I can purchase?"

"I do," Jean allowed. "But -"

"I'll pay double whatever you're about to say so long as I can have the animal now."

Fifteen years of Sophie in service to Renaud. Fifteen years of Etienne as a vampire under Jason's control.

Duo had to return to Court.

-o-

Nothing had changed, and everything had changed.

Duo walked into the great hall and was confronted with the sight of Renaud seated on one side of Jason and Noventa on the other. Both men scowled at him, but Jason... Jason looked as though he had seen a ghost.

Duo looked around for Sophie and Etienne, but he saw neither.

"Ah, the God of Death has returned to us at last," Zechs spoke up, a smirk on his golden face.

Relena, seated beside him, looked relieved.

"We thought you were dead," Treize sighed in vexation. "Pity that rumors are so rarely true."

They had thought him dead - no wonder Relena looked so relieved. No wonder Jason looked as though he had seen a ghost.

"I would apologize for disappointing you," Duo said to Treize, "but surely you're used to it by now."

A few laughed at his joke.

"When we last saw you, Jason sent you to India," Renaud murmured.

Duo inclined his head.

"I never made it there."

"We know," Renaud growled. "The Mughal Empire has fallen. The secrets of that court are lost to us now."

Duo arched an eyebrow - he hadn't known about that, but then again, he doubted the men of Thannois had much interest in the affairs of an exotic land.

"If you were not in India, where were you?" Jason asked.

"I... don't know," Duo confessed.

"You don't know."

Duo sighed.

"I left court and travelled to Salzburg. I spent a month there and then started out again," in the wrong direction, but Duo didn't want to compound his crimes more than necessary, "and then... I woke one morning and fifteen years had passed."

Treize sneered.

"Honestly, Executioner, you expect us to believe that you -"

"He's telling the truth."

Duo turned. He recognized that voice - it was Etienne.

The Ephemeral, the Vampire, had entered the hall and now stood behind Duo. He was dressed in the fine, brocade clothes. He looked like most of the other vampires present - his skin smooth and pale, his long dark hair tied back, his eyes hauntingly dark, his lips a dark stain of color and Duo realized they were bloody, realized that Etienne had been feeding when he must have sensed Duo's presence and come to the hall.

"Of course you would lie for your old master," Renaud muttered. "Jason, this -"

"I would not lie to my maker," Etienne interrupted Renaud. He looked away from Duo and towards Jason. "He truly has no idea where he was for those fifteen years. His last memory is of falling asleep under the stars, thinking of -" Etienne drew in a deep breath, "thinking of the day Jason made me."

The court was silent for several minutes.

"Very well," Jason finally said. "You did not desert your post."

"He still spent a month in Salzburg," Renaud muttered.

Jason arched an eyebrow.

"Why did you tarry so long there, Executioner?"

Duo tried to think of an excuse and beside him, Etienne crossed his arms.

It would have to be the truth.

"I stayed in the city for a month while I tried to think of where I could go that was as far away from this court as possible."

"Ha!" Renaud thumped his fist against the table. "You did desert your post."

Duo inclined his head in agreement and Renaud turned to look at Jason.

"What is the punishment for desertion?" Jason asked Duo.

"Death," Duo responded.

Jason arched an eyebrow.

"But you did return to use... surely there is some cause to mitigate such an extreme punishment?" He turned to Noventa. "What do you think?"

Noventa hesitated. He clearly wanted to order Duo's death, but he also clearly wanted to appease Jason - and if Jason had wanted Duo dead he would have ordered the execution himself.

"Perhaps he needs to be reacquainted with his old friend, Deathscythe," Noventa offered. "One hundred lashes secured his cooperation the first time." Noventa paused. "Perhaps twenty will be enough to remind him of his duty."

Jason nodded.

"Yes, I agree." He turned to Renaud. "Well?"

Renaud rose to his feet and left the hall.

Duo wondered where he was going, but his attention was drawn back to Jason when the vampire spoke.

"Much has changed since you were last at court," Jason said.

"I noticed." Duo couldn't help but look over at Etienne. He reached out with his magic, hoping Etienne would respond, but Etienne glared at him and it felt like a wall crashed down on Duo as the vampire forced his magic away.

Duo struggled to draw in a breath of air - Etienne was powerful, much more powerful than he had been as an Ephemeral.

He turned to Jason, and the vampire regarded him with a closed expression, giving nothing away.

"Take your place in the circle."

He was unused to hearing that command, but he certainly recognized the voice.

Sophie entered the hall beside Renaud and in her hands was Deathscythe.

"What -"

"In your stead we needed someone strong enough to execute Council punishments," Jason explained. "She was your apprentice, in a manner of speaking, and Renaud has taught her what she did not already know."

Duo frowned.

Sophie was strong, yes, but as an Ephemeral she wasn't strong enough to wield Deathscythe without the weapon causing her harm.

"Take your place in the circle," Sophie repeated and her voice was frigid.

Duo hadn't heard her speak to him like that since they had first met.

He stepped into the red ring in front of the great table and removed his coat, waistcoat and shirt.

"Kneel," Sophie instructed.

Duo did so.

The first lash of Deathscythe startled a cry from his lips. He hadn't felt it against his skin in more than a century, and it had been decades since he had last wielded it. He had forgotten the way it burned through his flesh and his magic, the cold touch of death licking at the wound.

Another lash and Duo fell forward, just barely catching himself on his elbows.

How was Sophie able to do this?

By the time she had reached twenty lashes, Duo was barely conscious and he could feel his magic draining away, Deathscythe greedily drinking in his pain and his power.

"Take him to the dungeons. Once he has recovered I will deal with him," Jason instructed.

-o-

For two weeks Duo remained in the dungeons while his physical wounds healed.

Relena came to visit twice, cooly informing him that she was risking banishment by Jason to even speak to him when Duo snapped at her to leave him alone. She tried to heal him, but without sex it was difficult for her to share her magic with him, so instead she soothed him with her touch, stroking his skin and hair through the dungeon bars while she told him what had happened during his absence.

She told Duo that Jason doted on Etienne, treating him as though he was his child, keeping him safe from harm and trusting his judgement and his magic. Etienne had made enemies - Treize and Renaud, in particular, had tried more than once to have him killed or sent away, but Jason refused to lay a hand on him.

Sophie, however, had not fared as well. Renaud had taken her as his servant, but after discovering how powerful she was he had made her into a succubus, cursing her as he had been cursed, and had used her as his personal enforcer, having her torture any who opposed Renaud.

And Treize, of course, had tried to involve the Council in the War of Spanish Succession as it was now called, only to have his plans thwarted by Etienne.

When Jason finally summoned Duo his back was mostly healed, though still tender.

Jason took one look at him and shook his head.

"Bath yourself," he ordered and gestured towards the copper tub full of steaming water.

Duo was grateful for that, the chance to be clean after so long in the dungeons, but he could not relax in the hot water. Not with Jason prowling around the tub, watching his every move, his eyes dark with hunger.

"I have kept my word," Jason said. "I have protected your boy."

"I know," Duo agreed. He decided to wash his hair - it needed to be done, and maybe if he prolonged this as much as possible, Jason would grow bored and send him away.

"He has made many enemies. His power intimidates those who seek to lie, and his lack of respect offends those who follow protocol."

"I'm to blame for that, I'm sure," Duo muttered.

"Indeed. You are. But I kept my word. I kept him safe. I protected him as you could not."

Duo had delayed for as long as he could. The water had grown cold and he was clean.

He rose from the tub and Jason's eyes roamed over his body, still hungry, and Duo shivered.

"I know," Duo repeated. "Thank you."

He accepted the towel that Jason handed him.

"I have kept my promise to you, Duo Maxwell. I have kept all of my promises to you. Yet you do nothing but break your promises and go back on the oaths you have sworn. Time and time again you defy me and lie to me."

Duo swallowed hard. This wasn't going to go well for him at all, he realized.

"You make a fool of me. How can I maintain order over my Council when I cannot even control my Executioner? I should have you killed - I should have had you killed a hundred times over."

Duo nervously glanced around the room. It was empty except for the two of them and he couldn't sense anyone close by. Still, Jason didn't really need help if he wanted to kill Duo - he was powerful enough to manage it on his own.

Duo noticed the ceremonial silver dagger Jason sometimes wore hanging over the mantel of the fireplace and subtly started to move in that direction.

Not subtly enough - Jason's eyes flicked towards the dagger and then back at Duo.

They dove for the weapon at the same time, but just as Duo wrapped his fingers around the blame Jason wrenched it from his grip.

"Can you not see that you already own me? That you already have my heart, my soul."

Jason's voice was raw, and Duo realized this was the first time he had seen Jason's patience run out. The vampire was projecting anger and magic in roiling tidal waves and they crashed over Duo's skin, battering against him. Jason's gray eyes bore into Duo's and Duo found himself unable to look away.

"No," he whispered.

Jason trailed his fingers through Duo's hair and used it to pull him closer.

"You are a wild thing, impossible to tame, impossible to own and I have craved you since the moment I first tasted you. I desire nothing in this world or the next as I desire you, Duo Maxwell."

Duo could taste the truth in Jason's words, and as much as he wanted to shake his head and turn away, he couldn't.

Jason placed the dagger back in Duo's hand.

"Go on. Kill me and release me from this hell."

Duo's fingers tightened on the hilt and he drew in a sharp, ragged breath. He could smell his own blood, the copper tang burning his nostrils.

Jason stood before him, had armed him, had invited Duo to take the revenge he had waited more than a hundred years for.

Duo let the dagger fall from his hand.

They both jumped at the sound of it hitting the floor.

"I can't," Duo admitted. "I can't kill you."

Not now, not like this. Not after Jason had tried to save Sophie and Etienne. Not now that he knew Jason had protected Etienne, had cherished him by all accounts.. Not now that he knew Jason, knew his pain and loss and desire. Not now that he knew there was nothing to live for after this.

Duo closed his eyes and drew in another ragged breath.

"I am yours," he finally said, finally gave in and gave Jason the one thing he had always wanted.

He heard Jason's breath catch and then he felt the firm, cold grip of Jason's fingers on his face.

Duo opened his eyes and looked at him.

"You agreed to share your service and your blood," Jason reminded him. "I have never forced you to give more."

"I know," Duo said, and he realized that that too meant something. Years ago, Duo had been passed around the Court as a plaything, but Jason had never forced him, had only ever cajoled and seduced and allowed Duo to turn him down.

"But I will take you now, if that is what you are offering," Jason's control seemed to be returning to him.

"I know," Duo said again and barely had time to draw a breath before Jason's mouth covered his own.

He could taste blood - his own still warm on Jason's tongue - but he could also feel Jason's strength and his magic, whispering to Duo like a summer breeze and he gave in to it and kissed Jason back.

Jason groaned and his hands ran down to Duo's sides, pulling at his breeches. Duo helped him with their removal and then pulled away to lift his shirt over his head.

Jason stared at him, his gaze hooded and his breathing ragged.

"I have wanted this for a very long time," Jason said and knelt before Duo, kissing and licking his flesh, worshipping Duo's scars with his tongue and his fingers.

Duo hissed in pleasure when Jason pinched his left nipple.

"I know," he said yet again and Jason smirked against his flesh.

Jason took hold of Duo's cock, already half hard from Jason's teasing touches on his torso and Duo moaned wantonly.

It had been so long, so damned long since he had felt such a firm grip on his cock that wasn't his own hand.

He clutched Jason's shoulders.

"I have always loved the taste of your blood," Jason said, his dark gaze fastened on Duo's cock. "But I have yet to taste your seed. May I?"

"God, yes," Duo panted and then moaned again when Jason kissed the thick head of his cock. "Please," he added, not knowing why he said it, but Jason suddenly surged forward, swallowing Duo's cock in one smooth motion that had him seated to the hilt.

Duo found it hard to breath, the sensation was so great, so overwhelming.

He could feel the sharp press of Jason's fangs as the vampire sucked on him and it sent a strange thrill through Duo - the fear, the anticipation and the pleasure all mixed together and had him on the edge of orgasm embarrassingly quickly.

He came with a shuddering gasp, pumping into Jason's mouth and throat and then sagging against him, feeling completely empty - empty of hate and anger for the first time in centuries.

Jason eased back and pulled Duo down to the floor with him and kissed him deeply. Now, Duo could taste his own blood and his own semen, mixed together in the hot cavern of Jason's mouth and he greedily swallowed, sucking at Jason's tongue and lips and mouth until he was able to take back a little of himself.

Jason was smiling against his mouth, as if knowing where Duo's thoughts had strayed.

"There are some vampires that exist on the seed of men instead of blood," Jason told him. "You are fortunate we have none at this court, for you are truly a delight to taste."

Duo shuddered at the thought and kissed Jason again. He could feel his cold, hard cock pressing against his thighs and Duo wanted it, wanted to feel that cold shaft buried deep inside him.

"You can have all of my seed that you want," Duo whispered against Jason's mouth, "but right now I need you to fuck me."

Jason's grin was feral. He picked up Duo and carried him to the bed.

It was an odd sensation - Duo was only a few inches shorter than Jason, but the vampire carried him with ease, his supernatural strength reminding Duo that Jason could so easily break him.

"If that is what you need, then I'm happy to oblige," Jason told him.

Duo reached for the jar of ointment on the ornate table beside Jason's bed.

Jason arched an eyebrow when Duo dipped his fingers into the cool cream.

"It's been here for the past hundred years," Duo said.

"Yes, but your interest has not been," Jason murmured and then groaned when Duo spread the ointment along his cock, stroking him and slicking him.

"Doesn't mean I didn't pay attention," Duo said.

"I know," Jason said, turning Duo's words on him.

Jason spread ointment across his own fingers and then gently probed at Duo, teasing his entrance with his cold touch.

Duo opened his legs wider, eager for the contact.

Jason slowly pumped in first one, then two fingers. He angled them to stroke against that tight knot of pleasure deep inside and Duo gasped.

Not all of the Council had raped him forcefully. Some had taken the time to coax pleasure out of him, but aside from Relena, none of the encounters had been willing on Duo's part. And since Jason had forbidden Relena to allow Duo in her bed fifty years ago, Duo had been celibate.

"Please," he begged again and Jason removed his fingers and positioned his cock at Duo's entrance and waited.

Duo reached down, spread his ass cheeks apart and guided Jason's cock into him, knowing that it was what Jason wanted, to see Duo impaling himself on his cock.

Duo rolled his hips and pulled Jason in deeper.

They groaned in unison.

"By the Gods you are glorious," Jason breathed and then slid deep into Duo.

Duo gritted his teeth against the pain of being stretched and filled and drew in another deep breath.

He locked his gaze with Jason's, saw the hesitation, and he realized - Jason had meant every word. Duo truly did own him. If Duo told him to pull out now he would. If Duo told Jason he wanted to leave the Council and never return, Jason would allow him to walk away.

Duo swallowed hard at the sudden knowledge, the sudden power.

He reached up and tugged on Jason's hair, using one of his long curls to pull his head down so Duo could kiss him again.

-o-

He woke just after dawn. Dim, gray light filtered through the heavy curtains and cast a pallor on the room.

Jason was gone, no doubt safely ensconced in his coffin.

Duo reflected on the events of the night. He wanted to blame his anger, wanted to blame Jason's magic - but excuses didn't change the fact that he had wanted Jason. That he wanted him still.

It wasn't love, he assured himself. It was a hundred years of sexual tension and Duo's loneliness. It was purely physical, an urge that Duo needed to satisfy. Nothing more.

He would come back to Jason's bed gladly, but Duo promised himself not to allow the vampire any closer to his heart.

Duo never was very good at keeping promises to himself.

-o-

To be continued in Penumbra

Notes:

1. Dunno if anyone was really paying attention to the mention of Mughal India, shapeshifters and Gypsies - but yes, Trowa was there and Renaud wanted Duo to go to India.

2. I apologize for all of the OCs in this, many of whom will show up in Penumbra. I kind of GRRM'd all of the bad guys in Umbra, who were mostly canon GW characters, so I had to find a new cast to kill off.

3. I'm sorry it took me so long to return to this universe, but I have returned and I will finish Duo's story.

4. I tried not to introduce too many extraneous ideas, characters or events in Revenant, which basically means that everything that happened in this is relevant to Penumbra, not just more background for Duo's millenium of torture.

Which means that yeah, the chaos magic reference (Duo as the sigil of the Gods) is obviously kind of important. Let me also take this opportunity to say that I don't know much of anything at ALL about chaos magic so I apologize in advance. We'll be delving into it somewhat in Penumbra and I will try not to be offensively wrong about too many aspects.

5. I thought about going back to edit Umbra and clean it up, but... I'm too lazy. I'm sorry, but it will remain as is and I apologize for the grammatical errors you may encounter if you read/reread it.

6. Thank you, so very, very much for everyone who stuck with me on this and waited all of those years for me to find my way back to it.