Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

upward, allowing Ren's ass to slide against the hard cock that lay against Con's thigh. As soon as Ren was on his feet, Con wasted no time, grabbing his hips and drawing him close to press against Ren's firm backside with a gentle thrusting motion. Ren twisted in Con's grasp and turned himself around to face Con. Reaching up he grabbed Con's face and pressed in for a bruising kiss that spoke of need and passion.
    "I see you missed me as well," Con chuckled softly, reaching down to stroke Ren's firm cock through his trousers. Con gave Ren another quick kiss. Breaking away, he sighed and moved toward the sideboard where the wine was stored and picked up the glass Ren had poured for him earlier in the evening. Before he could take a sip, Ren panicked, calling out, "Wait, no, how could you leave me here? Can't you see what your touch has done to me?" Ren use one hand to tighten the fabric of his trousers and show off his semi erect cock. "Don't you want me, Con?"
    Ren half-sobbed out the words desperate to somehow freeze this moment and keep out the impending nightmare he was to be a part of later. A look of concerned bemusement passed briefly over Con's face as he put the goblet back in its place and moved to take Ren into his arms, kissing the side of his head and whispering soothing sounds. Ren sighed and burrowed deep into Con's chest.
    'What's this, Ren? Did I stay away too long? Did something happen while I was gone?"
    Ren's mind froze at Con's words. He couldn't let Con discover that Jem had delivered a note to their room earlier in the day. Cursing his weakness, and determining to push through with his plan, Ren reared back from Con and forcing a smile onto his face, tried to speak words that would allay Con's worries.
    "No, nothing happened Con, nothing at all. I just missed you, that's all. I'm sorry. I was just being foolish. Go, sit in your chair and I'll fetch your wine."
    Con hesitated for a moment, his sharp eyes taking in the flushed cheeks and slightly fevered look in Ren's eyes. Ren forced himself to breathe deeply and slow his racing heart, silently sending up a prayer that he looked calmer than he felt. Slowly, Con smiled and Ren felt himself heave a sigh of relief.
    "Only if you'll join me in that drink."
    Ren nodded and stood on tiptoe to kiss Con's cheek. Turning away, he hurried over to pick up the two goblets of wine as Con went to take his seat. Ren brought the wine to Con and placed the goblet in his hand, and forcing a smile he did not feel, the boy offered a toast.
    "To Con, may he have a long life filled with everything he desires."
    Ren watched as Con raised the goblet to his lips and drank deeply from the tainted wine. His stomach lurched and he felt the bile of betrayal rise in his throat. Moving jerkily, he sat at his customary place, on the floor at Con's feet and gulped down his own wine, hoping it would calm his nerves and give him the much-needed courage to face the rest of the night.
    "Must I tell you again, boy, that I have everything right here?" Con rested his hand on Ren's head clearly indicating that Ren was indeed everything he desired. As Con rumbled on, slowly sipping his wine, Ren took one last touch of comfort from the man he loved and rested his head against Con's strong muscular thigh. After several minutes, Ren felt the hand petting his head slow and finally stop, abruptly dropping down to hang off the side of the chair. Con had finally succumbed to the sleeping draught and passed out.
    Slowly Ren rose from his resting place and gathering up his dagger, slipped the key from around Con's neck. Con murmured and thrashed his head only once before sighing and falling back into a deep sleep. Ren stood for a brief moment, staring down at the man he loved. Gently he bent and placed a soft kiss on Con's lips. Turning to face the door, Ren choked back a sob and left the palace to return to the lower realm one last time.
    ****
    Con stood in the shadows watching the alleyway, waiting. It had taken some fast maneuvering and the use of a hidden back stair but he had managed to leave the palace before Ren and come to the most likely place Ren would use to approach the gate. Con smiled to himself as he recalled how easy it was to convince Ren that he had "passed out" due to the sleeping herbs Ren had put in his wine—the herbs that were actually a harmless plant that did nothing more than give the wine a sweeter taste.
    The meeting that day with Gael had been to inform him that Con