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think he'll find your visit comforting."
Tanz drew a deep breath, despair washing over him. How would he survive this
injustice? How cruel to send him to save his lover's mate, so Rio would never want him.
If she was, indeed, Rio's true mate, could he lie and say she was a Druik plant so Rio
would turn back to him? Could he live watching his lover die a little each day without
her? He watched King Blaise narrow his eyes and glance at Dare.
He cleared his throat. "Yes, of course, Sire. I'll do anything I can to help Rio."
"Good, my squire will take you to him."
Tanz bowed and followed the squire, resplendent in red silk, from the great hall.
He marveled at the ancient castle as they moved through soft-lit corridors and up well-
worn sandstone staircases, twisting in spirals to a quiet floor above the great hall.
Guards waited before a thick studded door, which opened to a wide hallway, the dark
walls covered with a fine collection of arms. The squire led him down a red-carpeted
passageway and stopped when a young male stepped out of an open doorway.
"A visitor for your master. Please announce, Tanz of Other World, by request of
the king."
The young male turned to Tanz.
"My master is not well; he reclines in his bath and will not allow me to attend
him. I fear your journey is wasted, sir."
Tanz smiled at the pair of troubled faces. "Rio is my friend; I'm here by the king's
request to cheer him up. Go about your business; I will go in and see him. There is no
need to announce me."
Turning the large copper handle on the door that led to Rio's quarters, he gave
the boys a sharp nod and stepped inside, locking the door behind him. He glanced
around the opulent sitting room and strolled through a doorway into a large,
comfortable bedroom with a massive cushion-covered bed. Doors opened into a slate
floored bathroom. In the center sat a tub made of white marble, big enough to fit six
men. He caught sight of Rio's battered body and his voice caught in his throat, all
thoughts of his mission fleeing. He went to him, sat on the edge of the tub, and reached
out to push a lock of wet hair off his bloody face.
Rio sighed; he wanted to stay in this dream-like state, where he could almost
touch Tanz and Aria. The touch on his face reminded him of his mother and his eyes
flashed open at the thought. Dear Lady, now his sight was playing tricks on him! He
scrubbed his hands over his face and inhaled. That scent could only be Tanz.
He gazed up into his angelic face. His toes curled. "Tanz, gods, is it really you?"
"Yes, it's me, Rio. Blaise sent me to see you."
Rio pushed himself up, stepped from the tub, and dragged a towel around his
hips. He reached for Tanz, but the other man stepped away, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Rio, I've to go and look for Aria. To make sure she hasn't been bewitched or
drugged. Nox and Blaise both believe she's your mate; I'm to go and instruct her how to
change into her cat. Then she will change back into to a Pride female and you'll have
your happy ever after," he said harshly.
Rio touched his cheek and Tanz stiffened. Regret stabbed through him. Hell, he
had cut Tanz so deep he still bled. "I love you . . . I'm so sorry I've hurt you."
"Will you still love me when I bring Aria back to you? Or will you cast me aside
again?"
The look of betrayal in Tanz's eyes broke his heart; he cupped his face and
brushed his lips. "No, I'll never stop loving you, I promise."
Tanz looked up into eyes burning deep amber, cat's eyes. Placing his hands
firmly on Rio's chest, he gently pushed him away. "What about Aria?"
"I love her too; without her I die a little every day. I need both of you. You must
believe me, Tanz, we need her . . . you will see she belongs to both of us. "
Tanz fought the overpowering desire to fall into his arms and taste his lips, to
love him. Under his hands, Rio's heart pounded and his chest heaved. "I want to believe
you, but after all that's happened . . . ."
Rio dragged him into his strong arms and crushed his mouth; Tanz's hands went
instinctively into Rio's damp hair, pulling him close. Their tongues stroked and he
moaned, tasting Rio's rich scent. He pushed against the solid strength of him and tried
to forget the pain in his heart. Rio licked a path down his neck, and needle sharp fangs
sank into his neck. Tanz shuddered with emotion and cried out Rio's name. Heat
flooded into his loins. His prince released his venom, sending waves of rapture right
down to his toes. Rio's love poured over him, he fell into his mind, discovered the truth
and the torture that consumed his lover. The room blurred and tears burned his eyes
and streamed down his cheeks. Rio lifted his chin and looked at him intently.
"You belong to me now and you're never leaving me, Tanz . . . no, not ever
again."
Rio held Tanz close. The faerie sobbed in his arms, trembling. Kissing a path
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