Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

deadly aim. After this battle, if they all survived, the boy would be moved into the elite guard that served Gael and Constantine both. Con raised his glass of wine and smiled at the boy.
    "To the brave and noble Ren whose service to our lord Gael will not go unmarked for much longer!"
    He moved to clink his goblet against Ren's but stopped just short, his movement arrested by the look on Ren's face.
    "What is it? You're looking at me as though I've suddenly sprouted two heads!"
    "It's just that…well, you called me…"Ren's voice faltered and a blush rose on his pale cheek. Con looked with fondness at the boy across from him. When had he become so dear to Con? While Con knew that Ren was more than ready to perform in battle, why did the very thought of him coming to some kind of harm produce such a violent reaction in his gut? In a gentle voice, Con asked Ren again:
    "What is it Ren? What have I done to make you so uncomfortable? Tell me boy so I can fix it and we can enjoy the rest of our evening together."
    Ren's eyes opened wide and he shook his head violently, a worried look crossing his face.
    "Ah no sir, no Con you've done nothing wrong, nothing at all. I was just surprised…happy that you used my name like that…the name my mother called me." At Con's confused look Ren went on to explain. "Ren…you called me Ren and I haven't heard that name...well, since my mother passed from this realm. I like it…when you use my name that is…it makes me feel warm and cared for…"
    The blush rose once again in Ren's cheek as he dropped his eyes in embarrassment at revealing such personal feelings. Con noted how Ren had used the shortened version of his name as well. He had used Con. The nickname that only Gael called him. Smiling he rose up and reached for the boy, pulling him to his feet. Picking up Ren's goblet, Con placed it in his hand and then picked up his own once more.
    "And so let's raise that toast again, shall we? To Ren, a finer, more brave and noble friend a man could not have."
    The two men drank deeply and placed their goblets back on the table. Then just as Con was about to turn and sit, Ren stepped forward and grabbed him by his shirt, pulling him close. Reaching up, Ren gently kissed him. Con closed his eyes and sank into the softness of the boy's lips against his own. Inexplicably, in the back of his mind, a fierce longing rose up and without thought, he broke off the kiss and said, "mine." With a moan, he reached around and hugged the boy close, once more plunging his tongue deep into the silky cavern of Ren's mouth, tasting the sweet wine and beneath it that unique flavor that was all Ren.
    The kiss went on and on, as Con shoved his hips against the boy's, holding him fast with a bruising grip. Had the Lord High Commander's personal guard not called to Con from outside the tent's entrance just then, Con was sure that the night would have ended with far differently, with Ren and he sharing more than just a kiss. But as the guard persisted, calling for him once more, Con broke off the kiss with a muttered growl and released the boy. Ren stumbled and fell limply into his seat, a dazed look on his face. Looking down at the Ren's flushed cheeks, his full lips bruised and swollen from their kiss, Con smiled and said:
    "Saved at the last moment by the hands of fate my boy. But never fear, if tomorrow sees us whole and well and returned from the battlefield, you will share my bed, of this have no doubt." Then, lunging in for one last brief kiss, Con turned and left the tent, leaving Ren behind.
    Con was startled from his reverie by the sound of Gael's angry voice growling at his brother.
    "You never intended to ask my advice about a new recruit did you? No, this was just another one of your sick games, wasn't it Anzel? Well, you can keep the little shit for all I care. After all, I replaced him as squire months ago. Bah! Enough of this! I'm leaving! I've spent enough time in this hellhole you call a home little brother. Con, let's go!"
    Con began to reluctantly follow Gael, but he paused after only a few steps to turn back, determined to entreat with Anzel and, if need be, beg shamelessly for Ren's release. However, before he could utter a word, Gael quietly spoke once again, this time leaning close to his ear so that Anzel could not overhear him. "Come now Con, come away. Never fear, we'll get the boy back and bring him home. I have a plan, but for now you must look as though you have no care for the