Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

fluttered in recognition and a sob escaped his open mouth.
    Con lunged forward, stabbing the guard holding the bucket in the chest. From the corner of his eye, he saw Gael draw his weapon and begin to parry the oncoming thrusts from the blade the other soldiers held. Hoping that Gael could hold his own against the pair, Con sheathed his sword. Quickly snatching up the dagger from his belt, he slipped it under the ropes that lashed Ren's right arm to the crossbeam. Just as he was about to draw it across the lashings, he heard Anzel laugh again. The sound sent a shiver down Con's back and made Ren flinch and then struggle like a madman as he tried to get loose from his bonds. Con ignored the threat that Anzel's laugh implied and began to saw frantically at the ropes.
    He was so intent on his job that it was not until he felt the press of cold steel at his throat that he realized they were in danger of being defeated again. As Con risked a glance over his shoulder, he saw that Gael was also in a similar predicament, being held at blade point by the one remaining guard he had left standing; the other having obviously dispatched by Gael's blade. Con's stomach hit the floor as he realized that it was Anzel who held the blade at his throat and, in that instant, Con knew that his disregard of Anzel as a viable threat might have placed all their lives in jeopardy. The rescue mission had failed.
    Pulling the dagger free, Con leaned in and whispered in Ren's ear: "I'm sorry boy, I'm so sorry."
    "Step back Constantine, NOW!" Anzel pushed Con away from Ren, momentarily dropping the blade from his throat. With a snarl, Con lunged at Anzel and shoved him up against the stone wall, forcing his blade arm against the sheetrock and causing the weapon to fall from Anzel's hand.
    "Don't you ever touch me again, Anzel or so help me I will make you eat your fingers one by one right before I run you through!"
    Out in the hallway, a clamor could be heard as several of Anzel's men rushed toward the door, only to be met outside the room by Gael's men who had decided their Commander had been gone far too long. Using the distraction to his advantage, Anzel grabbed Con by the throat and shoved him toward Gael, while drawing a second dagger from its sheath at his belt. Con stumbled backwards and fell to his knees on the uneven floor. Anzel glanced at Gael and spoke.
    "You have one chance and one chance only to stop the bloodshed before it begins brother. Take your watchdog and leave or I'll give the order for my men to attack. Can you live with that, brother? The fact that you'll be the one responsible for the slaughter of your men?"
    Con snarled once more and made as if to lunge at Anzel a second time but Gael grabbed him. "Leave it Con. Can't you see we're at a stalemate here? The boy must be left behind or more blood will be shed and this time it could be Ren's as well." Anzel opened his mouth to speak, but Gael shot him a venomous look and Anzel wisely held his tongue.
    Speaking in soothing tones, Gael eased Con slowly back toward the door, keeping an eye on the guard the entire way. Turning the handle to let the door swing open, Gael shouted to his men to step down. Anzel followed quickly behind with a barked command of his own. Soldiers on both sides retreated, yet remained alert and wary of each other. Gael continued to drag Con backwards into the corridor, their swords raised and their eyes diligently keeping Anzel's guards in sight. Right before Anzel closed the door, Con saw Ren look up and with a silent plea stare directly into Con's eyes. Con felt his breath hitch in his throat as he stared into the face of the boy he loved.
    "Ren, you listen to me, I'll be back! Do you hear me Ren? I'll be back to get you! Be strong boy; be strong for me, Ren! Don't lose hope!"
    The door slammed shut in Con's face as he turned and stumbled into Gael's arms. The men, defeated and worn, left the palace and the boy behind.
    ****
    Constantine rubbed at his eyes pushing back the threat of tears. It wouldn't do for anyone to see him like this, emotional, not in control. Two more months had passed with no opportunity arising for them to make good on their promise to Ren. And now, here he was close enough to touch once more. Con stepped away from the window and tried to prepare himself mentally for the meeting that was about to happen.
    In preparation for Ren's arrival, Con had ordered that a bed be set up in the small room next to his own. He had instructed