I walked in to the banquet hall through the huge double doors, Kim by my side, just as he promised. He whisper in the ear of man by the door who announced in a loud voice, "His Royal Majesty, Heir Prince James of Aphrodain."
I walked down to flower covered path that lead to Queen Celeste, Kim not leaving my side. As I got closer, I saw that I was sat away from her, as if punishment. This was more of a blessing than a hindrance.
'How gracious of her.'
After seeing this, I took a que from a time back home when Thom took me out to be with his "friends". My clothes were cut off, I was placed on top of a turn table covered with rice and forced to my knees. I was told to place my hands in a triangle on the rice before me, and lowering the head onto my hands. To keep me silent, a ball gag was placed in my mouth, and I was tethered from my collar to the table. I remember remaining there until given permission to move. Any movement without permission resulted in an immediate punishment of a cane beating. It was hours later before I was given permission to move, as I was "sampled" by all who was there. My knees would not move. They ached from the movement and the flogging for not moving fast enough was felt for days. My arms and backside were worse.
The images flew past my eyes, as I remained on my knees. After a few minutes, she waved her hand to dismiss me. As I walked to my seat, I saw a face I that I recognized. Not believing what I saw, I take another look. Sure enough, there in front of the Queen was a boy that looked exactly like Thom. I watched as he was smirking at me as if he had power over me that I didn't know.
Confused as to what I was seeing, I kept an eye on him, and continued to my seat. Kim came beside me, and began serving me the meal being presented.
'If this is really Thom, then let's see if he will react to the one thing that will upset him the most. We all know how you hate sharing me, and if you really are Thom, you will know how to get home.'
I reached over beside me, and touched Kim's arm. Kim dropped his chopsticks, and looked at me in surprise. Trying to not be obvious, I look at the boy then back at Kim, holding onto Kim's arm. As if understanding my que, Kim looked at me and smiled. He quietly patted my hand, and continued serving me and eating. Kim picked up a piece of vegetable, and placed it in my rice. I leaned over and whispered to him, "I think someone needs to be very jealous of what I want to do."
This in turn made Kim blush from ear to ear. As I watch Kim react like a school girl, I watched this Thom begin to ferrow his eyes at me, and turn his head to not watch. It was then that I realized that I was right.
'It is him. How did he get here too?'
"James, do you like? Maybe we can find you one too," Queen Celeste stated while petting him like her pet. "I call him Thom."
As I watched him snuggle into her hand, I replied, "Interesting, if we can. Tell me, where did you find such a creature?"
"You see, he came to me about 2 years ago as a gift from one of our neighboring countries to the west that we just took over. It was a relief to know I didn't have to wed in order to accomplish it." As she spoke, Thom was trying very hard to divert her attention to him.
"All this fighting, is just too much." And with that I watch the sudden reaction of Thom give her a warning by touching her elbow. She immediately stopped talking and looked him in the eyes.
If it wasn't the fact I have seen this happen before, I would not have noticed. Thom did this when he thought someone was talking too much, or he wasn't getting enough attention. Knowing that if I stay much longer, everything will be given away, I began my departure.
"Very interesting. I may have to take you up on the offer, or maybe we can come up with other arrangements after the wedding. " I state knowing this would back her off. I proceeded by looking at Kim, and continued, "Things looking like they are winding down, and I am spent."
As this was a rehearsed que, Kim rose and began to gather my things. As he did that I rose and again bowed to Queen Celeste saying, "I will take leave first. I bid you a goodnight."
"Rest well," was the reply as she waved her hand in dismissal.
As I began to leave, I noticed Thom watching Kim, with a look that would kill if it could. I could only remember one other time that I saw it... the day I tried running away.
'Could he be thinking that is what happened?' Letting the thought drift, I left to my tower. I walked back through the heavy double doors, leaving all but Kim behind in that room. The pressures of the wedding, Thom, why we are here.... all left behind.
We were almost to the tower, when I reached back and grabbed Kim's hand. It was as if the passion from earlier in my room was returning. We walked hand in hand to the tower door, not saying a word, and not caring who saw. Once we reached the door, Kim moved ahead to open it. I passed through, pulling Kim in, and locking the door behind us. Without a word being spoken, I pulled Kim in for a long waited kiss. As he tried to pull away, I followed him, my lips refusing to leave his.
I wanted him, right here, right now. I proceeded to start undressing him, when he grabbed my hands, looked me in the eyes, and said, "Not here. Come with me."