"Any time."
"I'll… think about it." Muttered Gedeon, not knowing what to say.
Esmionis smiling affably fell towards the object of his passion, burying his head in the strands of black hair. He purred contentedly when the young royal's hands slid through the ashen curls of his admirer.
"Oh, I don't believe this is happening..." Esmionis mumbled, taking a deep breath. "You're stroking me..."
"Don't flatter yourself so much," Gedeon besieged him, continuing to touch his hair with pleasure. "I actually came to Luanlia, and you're hanging on my neck!"
"Deo... your hands are so tender, I adore you. I'm melting with happiness..."
"What's happening?" Luanlia suddenly came into the living room and stared at the couple in bewilderment.
Esmionis immediately pulled away from Gedeon and jumped up:
"Nothing like that, dear!" Spreading his arms to the sides.
The princess looked upset that she caught her beloved men in a very warm embrace, and desperately spoke out:
"Looks like some kind of mockery! What are you both missing? Is it really that much better to make out with guys? I didn't expect you, Esmionis, to pester my lover. Became the same as Tarmio. Naughty as him? Got a taste for it and decided to take a swing at Deo?"
"Sorry," her husband muttered guiltily. "We just hugged..."
"If you really lack tenderness, turn to the insatiable Irinel. He will serve you, catch up and serve you again," Luanlia was furious.
"Darling, calm down!" Gedeon turned to her. "He complained about Tarmio, and I only consoled him. And you thought so wrong!"
"You can't fool me, I see that he is excited and wants you!"
"I promise, we will remain only friends," Gedeon said in a cool voice. "Actually, I came to see you, and you were busy with princesses."
Luanlia did not notice much remorse from Esmionis when she took Gedeon away with her. A barely noticeable blissful smile illuminated his beautiful face.
"Why are you offended? I explained everything to you!"
Gedeon was indignant, noticing Luanlia's spoiled mood.
"When will all this stop? Everyone openly hangs themselves around your neck, even my husbands!"
"It was a comforting hug!" Gedeon emphasized. "And I didn't promise him anything."
"Esmionis was kneeling in front of you and crying, judging by the blue crystals on the floor. He fell in love with you!"
"Yes! He just confessed to me!" Gedeon blurted out, throwing up his hands. "This often happens to me. I gently rejected him. There's nothing wrong with that!"
"It is so annoying! What happened to you? You have changed, Deo!" Luanlia said bitterly and started to cry.
"What upset you so much?" He jumped up and hugged her shoulders. "Are you jealous of your husband or vice versa?"
She did not answer, sobbing loudly and soon calmed down, falling asleep under his caresses. Gedeon was worried that he couldn't leave her alone after their quarrel and clung to his beloved, trying to relax.
For the first time they argued over a man after a long, tender and sensitive relationship. He would never have looked in Esmionis's direction or thought of him as a potential lover. And then suddenly he allowed himself to be hugged and called him handsome. Such an outburst is tantamount to accepting love. The guy now finds no place for himself and will not calm down until he touches the object of his adoration again.
***
Denris was surprised by Liorif's invitation to go with him on a voyage on a merchant ship. Vampire flew after him on a shuttle and picked him up from the balcony of the royal tower.
"Why did you decide to take me with you?" Denris asked enthusiastically, settling into a comfortable chair.
"I wanted to add variety to our relationship," Liorif answered in a satisfied tone. "Other than the bed, you and I don't have any impressions."
"Is this so important to you?"
"Why do you think that I'm just playing? I am in love with you and am trying to get even more spiritually closer."
"I didn't think your intentions were so serious," Denris said, embarrassed. "We are so different..."
"But you'll get used to me, I'm sure. It's nice that you now begin to smile more in my presence. This is inspiring..."
"It's a great idea to travel, I'm pretty tired of the monotony of Illuria," Denris emphasized. - "I'm bored of the harem life and want real adventures."
"I understand, you're a man, you need to explore the outside world, and not sit at the Queen's feet and fulfill women's whims. I persuaded her to give you a little vacation."
"How grateful I am to you!"
"Yes, yes! You finally realized how good things are with me. And recently you stubbornly refused my friendship," - Liorif grinned.
Soon the shuttle flew up to a massive ship hovering on the outskirts of the city and fell against its wall. The airlock opened and Denris saw a spacious compartment, densely packed with closed containers.
"With whom do you trade? Do creative magicians really need anything from people?"
"We don't need as much as they do!" Liorif explained. - "Mortals have remained dependent on us for household items and other things that they are not able to do themselves. They are trying with all their might to separate themselves, have moved away from us, but still often ask for help, and we put forward our demands and manage their settlements, despite the protests of individual leaders. Now we are going to one town where our representative office is located. Sirkois work there - wingless half-breeds; aristocrats rarely visit people due to increased hostility."
"Why did you volunteer to deliver this cargo?"