Like A Prince

An Anthology of Gay Fairytales

edited by

Cecilia Tan and Rachel Kincaid

Circlet Press, Inc.

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Like A Prince: An Anthology of Gay Fairytales

edited by Cecilia Tan & Rachel Kincaid

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Captivated

JulieCox

TwoBalls

AlexandraErin

LePetitStringRouge

KiernanKelly

GooseBoy

MoniquePoirier

ToMarket

ElizabethSchechter

Contributor’sNotes

Introduction

Fairytales(andtheircousinsfables,myths,andfolktales)havebeentoldand
retoldsincebeforethewrittenword.Theirdetailschangefromgenerationto
generation,andculturetoculture.Namesandsettingsshiftandmothersbe-
comestepmothersastheneedsofthestorytellerchange.Thistraditionhasn’t
endedwithmoderntimes:contemporarywriterssuchasNeilGaimanand
FrancescaLiaBlockhavewroughtbeautifulandhauntingversionsofoldsto-
ries,andtherearealreadyadozenpublishedbooksoferoticfairytales—most
ofthemstraight,butnotallofthem.Sowhyputtogetheranotherone?What
canonemoresetofreworkedCinderellaspossiblycontribute?

Fairytales were originally conceived as, essentially, indoctrination and

trainingforyoungchildren.Ineverytellingtheyrevealandreinforcetheval-
uesoftheculturethatcreatedthem:littlegirlswhodon’tlistentotheirmoth-
ers will be cruelly devoured, and young women who are too eager to use
forbiddenspinningwheels(orlosetheirvirginities,howeveryouwanttoread
it)willbepunished.Wetellthesamestoriesnowforthesamereason,butwe
changethemtoimpartthemessagesthatwewantotherstoknow,andthatwe
ourselvesneedtohear.TheancienttaleofCinderellaofferedhopethatgood-
heartednessandhardworkcouldsecureahappylifewheresuperficialbeauty
andtrickerycouldnot.Themodern“Cinderellastory,”seeninformsfromthe
excitingnewlesbiannovel

AshbyMalindaLotoJenniferLopezmovies,tellsus

thatwedeservetobehappyevenifwearepoororoverworkedoruneducated
orofcolororgay.

Withthisinmind,thesignificanceofthestoriesinLike A Princebecomes

clear.Thesestoriesarefunandsexyandclever,buttheyarealsoimportant.
The original Grimm’s fairytales were set without exception in a world of
compulsoryheterosexuality;evenworsethanbeingostracizedorpunished,
queer people didn’t even exist.These stories are our way of writing our-
selvesbackintoourculturalconsciousness;ofmakingsurethatthevalues
thatwe’reimbibingincludeusandourdesireinapositivelight—apractice
that’snecessarynomatterhowmanytimesit’salreadybeendone.Asyou’re
abouttofindout,theresultshavebeenamazing.Wehaveveryfewimagesof
meninfairytales—theairheadedPrinceCharmingwhoseonlyfunctionis
tomarryaprincess,thecluelessandpowerlessfathersofBeautyorCinder-
ella,andofcoursethemenacingBeast.InLike A Prince,menaremultifaceted
creatureswithacomplexrangeofemotionsanddesires—theyfeelpredatory
lust,schoolboyinfatuationontheballroomfloor,andthekindofhappily-
ever-afterlovethatfairytalesaremadeof.AlexandraErinshareswithusthe
realstoryofCinderellainTwoBalls,KiernanKellygivesusadeliciouslydark
peekintotheheadofamodernwolfinLePetitStringRouge,andtheonly
thingstrongerthanBruin’sshameathisownbeastlyappearanceinJulieCox’s
Captivatedishisdesireforthebeautifulyoungprinceinhiscustody.Sohop
intoyourpumpkincoachandmakesureyoudon’tstrayoffthepathasyou
ventureontofindoutwhatreallyhappenedonceuponatime.

—RachelKincaid

Captivated

JulieCox

TheKingoftheWestfordwasahuntedman.Hefledthroughtheforeston
thebackofalamehorse,pushingtheanimalpastitsendurancetoescape
thebandofoutlawsthathadslainhisretinue.Whenthehorsecollapsed,he
leftthepathandcontinuedonfootthroughthebrush.Theoutlaws’horses
couldn’tfollowhimthroughthepressofbriarsandvine,butthemendis-
mountedandtrackedhimstill.Itwasdeepintheshadowythicketoftheval-
leythathebegantoseeshapesbeyondthetrees,justoutofsight.Itwasnot
onlytheoutlawswhohuntedhimnow.

Hecametoaravine,carveddeepbycenturiesofworkbytheriverbelow.

Hecollapsedagainstatreeandstareddowntherockycliffs.Itwasahigh,
lonelyplace,andhecouldseeallthewaytothesea,tothecoastthatwould
haveledhimhome.Hedrewhisswordandwaited.

Theoutlawscame,butnotasheexpected.Threemenranscreaminginto

theclearing,andstoppedshortoftheravine.Theyturned,andcasthimbarely
aglance.Theireyeswereontherestlessforest.Theshadowsmoved.Abear
burstfromthetrees,anenormouscreatureoffangs,clawsandrage.Itsface
andchestwerestainedwithblood.Thebearcharged.Itduckedoneman’s
sword and knocked the weapon aside with a casual swipe of his paw.The
man’sarmeruptedinblood;whilehescreamed,thebeartookhim.Within
momentstheanimalturnedandwentaftertheothers.Oneranbackintothe
woods;theotherdoveofftheedgeoftheravine,tobedashedupontherocks
andtheriver.Thebearwentafterthelastman,whobarelyevenhadtimeto
scream.

Thekingbreathedheavily,waiting.Forlongmomentstheforestwasstill

andsilent.Thebearreturnedtohim,notchargingbutataslow,deliberate
pace.Thekingsawnowthatitsfacewashorriblyscarred;delicatewhitescar

tissuecreatedrivuletsinitsfur.Thebearstooduponitshindlegsandplaced
bothfrontpawsonitschest.Itseparateditsfurlikeacloakanddrewskin
awayfromitsshoulders,overitshead.Inonefluidmovementofmagic,a
maninabearskincloakstoodintheclearing.Thebloodonhishands,onhis
faceandrunningdownhisthroat,soakingthroughhistunicwasallthatindi-
catedhewastheverysamecreaturewhohadkilledtheoutlaws.Hisfacewas
hideous,twistedwithscarsandhate.Thekingsawallthiswithdisbelieving
eyesbeforehisvisionnarrowedtoapoint,andhepassedout.

Thekingwokeinapileoffursbeforeafire.Hesatupslowly,takingstock

ofthestateofhisbody,wincing.Themaninthecloakwasthere,watching
him.Themanpushedaplateofmeat,breadandlimp,stewedvegetablesto
him,alongwithaskinofwine.Thekingeyedthemeat,andglancedfearfully
athishost.

Themansmiled,showingamouthfulofmenacingteeth.“It’sbeef,”he

assuredhim.Afteramoment’shesitation,thekinggrabbedtheplateandate
withthefranticneedofoneonthebrinkofstarvation.Whenhewasfinished,
hesatbackandsighed,ameasuremoretrustinhiseyes.

“IamBruin,LordoftheBearskins,”hishostsaid.“Tellmewhoyouare.

Youmustbeamanofsomeimportancetorousethosewretchestosucha
devotedchase.I’veneverseenthemchasesomeoneoveranhour,muchless
severaldays.”

“IamAlfric,KingoftheWestford,”hesaid.“Ithankyouforsavingmy

life.”

“Youwillrepaythatdebt,”Bruinsaid.
“Ibegyourpardon?”
Bruinstoodandsweptacurtainbackfromabroadwindow.Aclusterof

hutsandhovelscrowdedavillagesquare,andaspikedwalloftimbersur-
roundedit.“Thiscity,”hesaid,“isourhome.MypeoplearetheBearskins;our
magiciswovenintousfrombirth.Wehavedriftedandtraveledtheworld;we
haveseenmanythings.Philosophers,tyrants,wondrouskingdoms,powerful
armiesandwildernessofsuchviciousnessitcouldneverbetamed.Butthis,
thisistheonlythingthatisours,thathaseverbeenours,thefirstBearskin
city.Andthatmakesitthegreatestthinginourworld.”

Hepacedtheroom.“Wedrovetheoutlawsfromtheircavesandhideouts;

weslaughteredthewolvesandhavetamedthewildelk.Weclearedthemead-
owtoplantcrops,thefirstweeverhave.Thisforestisourhome,notourfirst
butourlast.Intime,itwillrivalanycityintheworld.”HefacedAlfric.“But

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welackavitalelementIhaveseenineverygreatlandwehaveplundered.We
donotreadorwrite.Youwillhelpuswiththat.”

Alfricshookhishead,notindisagreementbutinamazement.“Youarea

barbarian,”hesaid.“Icannotimaginewhatyouwouldgainfrommypres-
ence.Iwouldbewastedonyou.”

Bruinscowled.“Youclaimtobeakingofafarawayland.Ifyourkingdom

isofanysignificance,youmustknowhowtoreadandwrite.Youknowabout
themannerofahighcourt,aboutmusicandstories.Medicine,crops,the
natureofthestars.Youwillteachus.”

Alfrictookalongtimeinanswering.“Ihaveneverscoffedatamanlook-

ingtomakehimselfintosomethingmore.Butwhatyouaskisbetterserved
byahostofordinarymen,insteadoftheirleader.Allowmetoreturntomy
home,andIwillsendyouscribes,artisans,courtesansandsorcerers.Iwill
notforcegoodmenandwomenintoexile,butIwillaskforvolunteers.They
willpaymydebtinmystead,andyouwillbebetteroff.”

“Itisnotforyoutodecide,”Bruinsaid.
“Iamaking,”Alfricsaidevenly.“Itisalwaysformetodecide.”
Bruin’sscowldeepened,andheturnedawaytostareoutthewindow.“It

isnotonlyknowledge,”hesaid.“Mypeopleareroughwarriors.”

“Iftheyareanythinglikeyou,theyarebeastsindeed,”Alfricsaid.
“Yes.Weareallofusbeasts,viciousandbloodthirsty.Wearepowerful,

andsowearefeared.Butwedonotwishtobeonlythat.”Heturnedback,
andthelightfromoutsideplayedacrossthemassofscartissuealonghisscalp.
“Iamtheirlord,andImustprovideanexampleworthyofbeingfollowed.I
wantamemberofroyaltyforaconstantcompanion.Ihaveseengreatbeauty
inthemanner,carriageandpresenceoffinemen.Iwouldbesuchaman,for
thesakeofmypeople.”

Alfricthoughtforamoment.Withgreatweightinhisvoicehesaid,“I

willaskmyownsontocomeinmystead.”

Bruinnoddedslowly.“Willayoungman,whohasnotbeeninthesitu-

ationyouwereinwhenIsavedyou,beabletoseepastthis,anddowhatI
requireofhimtodo?”Hegesturedtohisface,ashadowlikevulnerabilityin
hiseyes.

Alfricnodded,certain.“Ipromiseyou,hewillnotcountyourappearance

againstyou.”

Bruinnoddedcurtly.“Thenitisdone.Myownguardwillaccompanyyou

home,andwillstayin...Westford,wasit?Theywillguardthecompanyyou

Captivated

sendbacktous,andwillensurethey,andyourprince,return.”

Alfric smiled. “You do not know my people at all if you doubt my

word.”

Bruinwalkedtowardsthedoor.“Wewillsee.”Heleft,andtheheavyclick

ofthelockpunctuatedhisexit.

KingAlfricwasamanofhisword.WithinamonththeWestfordiancon-

voyarrived,paleandslightcomparedtotheBearskins.Theireyeswerewide,
and they smelled of fear. Even their horses, delicate creatures of gold and
silver,dancedandpacedandquivered.TheBearskinssurroundedtheminthe
villagesquare.

Only one man showed no discomfort.The moment Bruin set eyes on

him,heknewthatthiswastheprince.Heboreastrongresemblancetothe
king,butmorethanthat,hisentirepostureandpresencespokeofagreatin-
nercalmthatcouldonlycomeoftheabsoluteassuranceofcontrol.Herewas
amanatpeacewithpower.Hewasbeautifulbutnotdelicate;Bruinfelthis
grointighteneyingtheprince’smuscularchestandthighs.Tomasterthisone
wouldbetomastertheentirecompany.

“Iwillhavemynameinyourmouth,”hemurmuredtohimself,“and

thensome.”

Two men flanked the prince, watching him and watching the crowd.

Thesewouldbehisguard.Bruindrewhishoodandcowlaroundhishead
andapproachedthem.Theprincedidnotevenglanceathim.

“IamBruin,lordoftheBearskins,”heannounced.“ItwasIwhosaved

yourfatherinthewoods,andtomeyouwillpayhisdebt.”

Theprinceglancedinhisdirection,andsmiledthinly.Hedismounted.
“YouguesscorrectlythatIamTyr,aPrinceoftheWestford,”hesaid.His

voicewasrichanddeep,andBruinimmediatelywantedtohearmoreofit.“I
amelatedtobeofservicetomyfatherinthismatter.Ihavenotbeentowar
sinceWestford’slastcampaigninthelowlandsthreeyearsago,andtoembark
upon establishing a new civilization with our newfound friends is both a
welcomeadventureandagreatprivilege.”HebowedslightlytoBruin,and
theotherWestfordiansbowedaswell.

“Youwillfindnoadventurehere,”Bruinsaid,scowling.“Youaretoserve

me.”

Tyronlysmiledwider.“Soyousay.Come,wewilltalktogethertonight

whenwearesettled.Butnow!”HeturnedbacktowardstheWestfordians,
andslowlyrotatedsoheaddressedthewholehostinturn.“Wehavemuch

Captivated

tocelebrate!Anewlifebeguntogetherinpeaceandcompanionship!What
couldbemoreworthyofjoy?Wehavebroughtwithusfoodanddrinkfora
greatfeast,andwondersfromacrossourkingdom.Letusstablethehorses,
andgetthefestivalunderway!Tonewlife!”

Agreatcheerroseup,andpeoplescatteredforthtoactivity,fearhaving

givenwaytoexcitementandanticipation.Bruinalonewasleftscowlingin
thesquare.

Lateintheevening,BruinfoundTyrrelaxing,staringintothedarkness

beyondthegreatbonfireinthecenterofthesquare,lookingpeacefuland
contented.Hewatchedtheprinceamoment,admiringhishandsomeform
litbythefire.Ifonlythemanwasmute.Hetrudgedup,andasalasttouch,
pulleduphishoodandcowl.Hetoldhimselfitwastobetterintimidatethe
prince;whocouldkeepupsuchcalmdignitybeforeamanshadowedbythe
faceofaragingbear?Butintruth,healsodidnotwantthebeautifulprince
toseehisugliness.Fornow,facedwithsuchbeautyashesawintheWestford-
iansingeneralandTyrespecially,heknewthathewasugly,perhapsmoreso
thanalltheotherscarred,war-tornBearskinscombined.

HesatbesideTyrwithagrunt.“Ihopeyouarehappywithyourself,”he

said.

“Tolerably,”Tyrsaid.“Iamencouragedthatourpeopleseemtobefinding

commonground.MostofthepeopleIhavebroughtwithmehaveexperi-
encedwarorraidsfirsthand.Theymaylookslightincomparisonwithyour
warriors,buttheyarefierce.”

“AsIassumeyouare?”
Tyrsmiled,wickedandsharp.HesalutedBruinwithatiltofhismug.

“Youmayassumeasmuch,yes.”

“Wemustgetsomethingstraight,”Bruinsaid,movingclosertohim.“I

amthelordofmypeople.”

“AsIamtheprinceofmine.”
“Andthereistherubofit.Weareeachaccustomedtobeingincontrolof

ourforces.Buttherecannotbetwomastersofthispack—“

“Andwhynot?”Tyrasked,histonelightandcheerful.“Youkeepyour

Bearskins.IwillkeepmyWestfordians.Whenconflictsarise,wewillreferto
thelawsofourcombinedpeopleaswrittenout.”

“Wehavenowriting,”Bruinprotested.
“Andthatiswhywehavescribes.Lawwillrulewithoutbiaswherewe

cannot.”

Captivated

Bruinshookhishead.“Wemustbeonepeopleifwearetosurvive.Surely

youseethat.”

Tyrleanedinclose,smiling,andsaidsoftly,almostpurring,“I’maflex-

iblesort.”

Bruinwasn’tsuretomakeofthat.“Iwillbeyourmaster,”hesaidwith

finality.

Tyrlaughed.“Doyouthinkitisaseasyasallthat?Yousayheel,andIfall

intoplace?Iamnotonetobemasteredlightly.”Hissmileturnedvicious,like
thesnarlofadog.“Whatdoyoudowithyourpoliticalenemies?Cutthem
downinthestreet?Dueltothedeath?Ilearnedlongagothatwhenthestakes
arethesafetyofone’speople,honorandvirtuearenothing.NOTHING.Ido
notputprideabovemyresponsibilitytotheirsafety.”Heslidalittlecloser,
untilthelengthofhisbodybrushedagainstBruin’s.“IfIthinkyouwillmake
aslaveofme,ifIthinkyouareathreattotheWestfordiansIhavebrought,
thenIwillkillyou.Notinaduel,notwithhonor.Itwillbeadropofpoison
inyourdrink,aknifeinthedark,anaccidentthatwasnotanaccident.Force
meandyouwillneversleepatnight.Killmeandyouloseallchanceatpeace

with these highly experienced, deceitful warriors you have let in by your
frontdoor.”

Bruin’sgutchurned,andhisbreathcamefastandangry.Tyrslidahand

uponhisleg,andhisbreathspedagain,foradifferentreason.“Playitmyway,
showmeyouareworthyofbeingfollowed,makemeWANTtobemastered
...andyouwillneverhavetoknowfearagain.”Hemovedhishandupthe
insideofBruin’sthigh,andhesmiled.

Bruinlickedhissuddenlydry,chappedlips.Tyr’ssoftmouthwascloseto

him,teasing.Anunwelcomethoughtflickeredthroughhismind—whathe
wouldliketodowiththatmouth.“Youareacomplicatedman.”

“Youhavenoidea.”Tyr’shandleftBruin’sthighandraisedtothebear-

skincowl.Hechuckledashetouchedit.“Whydoyouwearthis?Doallthe
Bearskinswearthem?”

“I...donotwishforyoutoseeme.Iamnotabeautifulman.”
Tyrlaughed.“Youdon’thaveanythingtoworryaboutonthatcount—”
Adancingpair,aWestfordianmanandaBearskinwoman,trippedover

theirownfeetandlandedonBruinwithagreatlaugh.Bruinrolledthemoff
andhelpedthemup,admonishingthemtoshowalittlecare.Buttheywere
offagain,tryingtomeshthedancingstylesoftwoverydifferentrealms.By
thetimeBruinlookedbacktowherehehadbeensitting,Tyrwasgone.

Captivated

Thenextday,backinhishome,Bruinanguishedovershowinghisface

toTyr.Hedrewallthecurtainsandsnuffedallthecandles,untilitwaspitch
black.HethencalledaservanttosummonTyrfromtheguestquartersinto
themainhall,despitethedarkness.

AsTyrstoppedatthetopofthestairs,hesaid,“Iamsorry,butIamunfa-

miliarwithyourhome,andasyoumayhaveguessed,Icannotsee.Iwould
asksomeassistance.”

Bruincameupthestairsandawkwardlyofferedhisarm.“Itisnotalways

sodarkinhere,”hesaid,“butIpreferitthisway.”

“Darkorlight,itmakesnodifferencetome,”Tyrsaid.HetookBruin’s

armwithoutahintofdiscomfort,asifitwerethemostnaturalthinginthe
world.“IonlyregretthatIcannotseemyhost.”

As they walked, Bruin spoke, hating what he had to say but certain it

was the only course that would, eventually, net him what he wanted. “I
wasbrusqueearlier,”hesaid.“Ishouldhaveknowntobemoregraciousto
you.”

“Easilyforgiven,”Tyrassuredhim.
Bruintookhimtotheden,amuchcozierroomthanthegreathall.There

werecomfortableplacestosit,greatskinstodrawaroundoneself,andwas
opposite the kitchen so it stayed quite warm. He directedTyr to the most
comfortablespot,thencalledaservanttobringthemmead.Hewasabout
toaskawkwardlyaboutthejourney,andhowhefeltaboutthetown,when
Tyrsaid,“Myfathertellsmeyouareagreatwarrior.Imyselfhaveseenthree
campaigns.Youmusttellmeofyourconquests!”

Bruinsmiledwidelyandimmediatelylaunchedintooneofhisfavorite

storiesfromhistravels.ItseemedthattheWestforddidnothaveanavy,and
Tyrwaskeentolearnaboutshipsandthegreatbattlesthatwerefoughtbe-
tweenthem.Hefoundhimselfquicklygettinglostintheretellingoffavorite
talestoanewandappreciativeaudience,andforgothisnervousness.

Dinnerwasbrought,consumedandforgotten.Tyrrelatedoneofhisown

tales,anepicsweepacrossthemountainsandaclashofarmieswithtensof
thousandsofmen.Bruincouldnotimaginesuchnumbers,andpaledatthe
descriptionoftheWestford’sarmies.Itwasverywellhehadnotkilledor
ransomedKingAlfric;hemighthavedoomedhissmallretinuetodeath.As
alesserregret,hewouldnothavemetTyr,whomhenowfoundtobeasen-
gagingacompanionashecouldhavehopedfor.Oncetheywereateasewith
eachother,itseemedliketheywouldneverrunoutofthingstosay.Itwasno

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smallmiracle,sinceBruinnormallyspokelittle,yetassoonashegrewsilent
Tyrwasaskinghimaboutsomething,keepinghimtalking,drawinghimout.
Bydinnerhisresolvetohatetheprincehadcompletelyevaporatedinlightof
Tyr’sapparentdeepinterestinhim,andhisdrivetobedthemanhadgrown
inproportion.

ItwaslateinthenightwhenTyryawned,andBruinrealizedthedawn

mustbenear.HeescortedTyrbackthroughthedarknesstotheguestquar-
ters,andbidhimgoodnight.Hewalkedonairbacktohisownbedroom,
dizzywithnewfoundlustandwonderinghowtheirblossomingfriendship
wouldchangewhenTyr’sprettyblueeyessawBruin’sruinedfaceinthelight
ofday.

Bruinmanagedtoavoidthatwretchedmomentforalongtime.Hesaw

Tyralmostexclusivelyatnight,onlywiththecurtainsdrawnandthecandles
snuffed.Whenhehadtobeoutbyday,hedrewhiscowlandhood.Tyrnever
spokeawordagainstit,thoughBruinsuspectedthathadmoretodowithhis
royalupbringingthantrulynotneedingalight.Theyoungman’smanners
andcivilitieswereverycomplex,andherelatedtheminbitsandpiecesto
Bruin.Hehadtwoservantswhoshadowedhimalmostconstantly,andBruin
wasimpressedwithhowcompletetheirdevotionwastotheirmaster.They
performedallkindsofordinarythingsforhimwithoutbeingasked,almost
withoutgivingawaytheirpresence.Bruinassumedthistobeasortofprivi-
legeofroyalty,andheadmiredthedynamic.Someofthehabitsofthecourt
thatTyrdescribedwerebizarre,suchasdifferentutensilsfordifferentsortsof
eating.SomeofthemrangtruewiththeBearskinwarrior,suchasthepolicy
ofhospitality,andhefeltashamedathowhehadtreatedTyr’sfather.Tyrtold
himaboutlandsinfarawayplaces,storiesfromlongago,themovementsof
thestarsandmedicinemadefromcertainplants.Hesangsongsofsuchach-
ingbeautytheymadeBruinwanttoweep.

Eachday,afterhefinallywoke,BruinwouldwatchTyrfromdarkwin-

dows, unseen, marveling at the beauty of his companion. Each night—or
eachearlymorning—hebidTyrgoodnightatthedoorandwentbacktohis
ownbedroom.Hewouldthenclosehiseyesandtakehishandtohimself,
thinkingoftheyoungprincewhilehestroked,bitinghisliptokeepfrom
callinghisname.Hepicturedhiminallthewayshewantedtohavehim,all
overtheroom,inincreasinglygreaterdetailedfantasies.Heimaginedtheway
Tyrwouldcryout,thewayhisbackwouldarch,howhishairwouldfallinto
hisfaceandhowhe’dtilthisheadtotheside,justso,askingtobemarked.

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BruinpicturedTyronhisknees,theroyalprinceacquiescingtoabrutally
spoken,forcefulcommandwiththatenigmaticsmilethatwassomaddening.
Heimaginedthatsmilehidamouththatwaswillingtodothingswhores
might blanch at. He wanted the prince, and with each night spent in the
darkness,talking,learningfromhim,Bruin’sdesiresgrewmoredesperate,
moreobsessed.

ItmightnothavebeensobadifTyrwerenotsuchaterriblyenigmatic

man.Bruinlearnedtotellfromthetiltofhissmilewhenhe’dmadeajoke,
andBruinwouldhavetoreviewthelastfewminutesofconversationtofind
whenhe’dbegunspeakingindoubleentendre.Bythetimehecaughtup,
Tyrwasontosomethingelse.Tyrwouldfindreasonstotouchhim—torub
Bruin’sshouldersordemonstrateafightingtechnique,andhishandsmoved
insuchasensual,suggestivefashion.ButanydirectattemptbyBruintograb
him,andTyrtwistedlightlyoutofhisgrasp,asifhehadnotevennoticed.

Onenight,Tyrwasdescribingabattlehehadbeenin.Hetoldstories

well,andBruinwasparticularlyengrossed.Hepicturedhisbelovedonthe
battlefield,armoredandastrideapowerfulwarhorse,slicingthroughinfan-
try,drenchedinblood.JustasTyrgottotheclimaxofhisstory,Bruinleaped
tohisfeet.

“Icannottakeitanymore!”hecried.
Tyrstoppedandlookedup.“I’msorry!AmIupsettingyou?”
Bruinpacedtheroom.“Yes!Yesyou’reupsettingme!Youvexme,you

houndme,youdisturbmydaysandmynights!”Hefelldownonhiskneesin
frontofTyr.“You...youbeautifulcreature,”hesaid,alittlemoresoftly,“You.
Iwantyou,andIcannotgetyououtofmymind.Please...“

Tyrstareddownathimamoment,thenslidoffthechairhehadbeen

in.HeslidhishandsdownBruin’schest,foundhishipsinthedarkness,and
straddled him. He kissed him fiercely, opening his mouth willingly when
BruinpressedagainstTyr’slipswithhistongue.

“Youwantme,”Tyrsaidbetweengasps,“thencomeandtakeme.”
Bruinturnedandthrewhimdownonhisbearskincloak.Hetoreatthe

youngman’sgarmentsandfeltsmooth,hardmusclebeneathhiscalloused
hands.Hewisheditwerenotsodark,sohecouldseemorethanjustahint
oftheoutlineofTyr’sbody,butmorelightwasimpossible.Onewhovalued
beautysohighlywouldnotpossiblygivehimselftoamonster.

HepulledTyr’sbootsfromhisfeetandtorehisbreechesgettingthem

off.WhyweretheresomanybucklesonthesedamnedWestfordianclothes?

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Bruin’sclothescameoffeasilyenough,atughereandthereintherightway
andtheyfellaway.Tyr’shandsroamedoverhimatapacethatbeggedslow-
nessandconsideration.Bruindidnotwanttogoslow;hewantedtotake
him,now,now,now!Buthesquirmedandmadehimselfrelax.HeletTyr
explorehisbodywithhishands.

“Godsbutyou’reabearofaman,”Tyrsaid,breathless.“Iloveamanwho

couldtossmearound.”Histeethflashedwhiteinthegloom.

“Oh,Iplantotossyouaround,”Bruinpurred.Helaidhisbodyacross

Tyr’s,andTyrwillinglypartedhislegstoletBruinlaybetweenthem.Bruin
shudderedashiscockbrushedacrossfirm,satinyskinandsoftcurls.Itwas
theprince’swillingness,hiseagerness,thatdroveBruintodizzyexcitement.
Hissmile.ThewayhereacheduptopullBruindowntohim,askingwiththat
archofhisbackforskintomeetskin.

Bruinreachedforanearbycabinet,inwhichhehadplacedatubofoint-

mentsomeweeksearlier,justincasethisexactscenarioarose.Hedippedhis
fingersintothelittlebowlandslidahandbetweenTyr’slegs.Tyrliftedhis
hipstohelpBruinfindhisanus,somethingthatsentalittleshockofpleasure
throughBruin’sbody.Theprincewastight,butrelaxedquicklyasBruinslid
one,thentwofingersinandoutofhim.Theyhadbothdonethisbefore,and
bothknewwhattheywanted.

“Keeptellingthestory,”Bruinwhispered.
“What?
“Thestory.Ofthebattle.”Headdedathirdfinger.
Tyrdrewinasharpbreath.“Oh.Ok.Um.Ilookedbackovermyshoulder,

andsawthatIhadbeen...cutofffromtherestofthecavalry,flankedbythe
pikemen.Icouldn’tgoback,asitwoulddrivemyhorse—ohgods—drive...
myhorseuponthepikes.Mm—harder.”

Bruinobliged,stretchinghimwithgreatervigor.
“SoIturnedthestalliontowardstheoppositeflankandspurredhim,hop-

ingtobreakthroughthewallofinfantrytothefieldbeyond,circlearound
therejoinmyunit.”

BruinranhisthumbuptocaressTyr’sballs,andTyrobligedwithbarely

managingtorestrainhisbuckinghips.Hedecidedthatwasresponseenough,
andwithdrewhishand.Hespreadmoreoftheslickointmentonhiscock.
Tyrwhimpered,protesting,andBruinrespondedbypressinghiscockagainst
Tyr’sanus.“Isthiswhatyouwant?”

“Godsyes,”Tyranswered,hisvoicealmostcracking.“Please—I’vewanted

Captivated

yousinceIgothere.Don’tmakemewaitanylonger!”

Bruinleanedoverhimandenteredhim.Tyrwashot,andtight,andit

wasdifficulttokeepaslowenoughrhythmsohewouldn’tcomeatonce.
Hewantedtosavorthis.Inandout,inandout,takingthesonofakingon
thestonefloorofhishome,ontopofthecloakthatmadehimabeast.He
tookTyr’scockinhishand,strokinginrhythm,andwaspleasedtofindhim
apleasurablesize.

“Keepgoing.”
Tyrstumbledoverthestory,tellinginspurtshowhishorsetrampledthe

menbeforehim,howthepikemenreachedhimandhebrokentheirspears
uponhisshield,howthewarhorsebeneathhimkickedonemancleaninthe
faceandkilledhiminstantly.Hetalkedaboutblood,pain,rageandthefrantic
struggletostayaliveinaseaofdeath.AndallthewhileBruinmoaned,blood-
lusttranslatingtobedlustwithease.Atlast,attheheightofthetale,Bruin
couldstanditnolonger,andincreasedthepaceofhisthrusts.Heworked
harderandfasterinsidehislover,drivingtheirpleasuretoagreatermeasure
thanhethoughthecouldtake,beforefinallyspillingoverwithatremendous
cry,andhecameinsidehimwithunparalleledforce.

Bruincollapsedontopofhim,sidesheaving.Forsometimehecould

thinkofnothingelsebutthehot,fadingpleasurebetweenhislegs,andthe
factthatTyr,hisbeautifulcompanion,wasnowalsohislover.

Whowasnowsaying,“Ican’tbreathe.”
Bruinrolledoffofhimreluctantly.“Sorry.”
Tyrcoughed.“It’salright.”Hegrinnedlazily.“That...waseverythingI

hadhopeditwouldbe.”

“Oh?”Bruinasked,floppinganarmandalegovertheprince’slimpbody.

“Ican’tsayIagree.”

“Whatdoyoumean?”
BruinpurredlowandthreateningagainstTyr’sthroat.“Iwashopingfor

more.Asin,onthetable.Inmybed.Inyourbed.Floorsofbothrooms.On
thestairs.Againstthebanister.Everyavailablesurfaceinthisplace.Iwantyou
everywayIcanhaveyou.”

TyrturnedtosmileagainstBruin’smouth.“Thentheevening’sjustbe-

gun.”

Forsomemonthstheycontinuedinthatvein.NotoncedidTyrasktolet

insomelight,ortoseeBruininthedaytime.Bruinwonderedifperhapsthe
princeunderstood,ifhewelcomedthedarkjustasmuchtokeeptheirpas-

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siongoing.Itwaslikeashareddreamthatwouldsurelyburnawayifexposed
tothelight.Perhapshisloverwasjustthatsensitive,havinggrownupinthe
courtlyworld,toknowwhatnottoask.

Hewassurprisedtofindhimselflaughingmorethanheeverhadbefore.

Theprince’swickedwitwouldsometimescatchuptoBruinanhourorso
afterajesthadbeenmade,andhe’dsuddenlygetitandlaughoutloud.Their
passionatnightmadehimaneasiermanbyday;hisvoicelostitstension,
hishandstayedathissideinsteadofstrikingoutattheslightestprovocation.
Thebiggestchange,herealized,washehadnotfelttheurgetochangeinto
abearandroamtheforesthunting,ashefrequentlyhadbefore.Thebearwas
retreating,andthemanwasadvancing.

Itwasn’tjustBruin,either.Henoticedalloverhiscitythathiscompan-

ionswerepickingupthewaysoftheWestfordians,whetherornottheyhad
Westfordianlovers—andmanydid.Afewcouldevenreadandwritenow.
OneenvoyfromtheWestfordbroughtwithitanumberofwomenseeking
husbands,whomtheyfoundalmostassoonastheysetfootintheBearskins’
city.TheycalledthecityBearheart,andtheBearskinsapproved.

Bruin was awakened one cold late winter morning by a servant, and

rushedouttotheyardwhenheheardthehurriedlywhisperednews.Heonly
justrememberedtopullhisbear’sheadhoodandcowloverhisfacebefore
goingouttowhereTyrstoodbesideasaddledhorse.

“You’re leaving?” he said brusquely.“Have you in fact forgotten your

father’svow?Hisdebt?Youcannotleavebutbymywill!”

Tyrturnedandscowled.“Peaceamoment,andrememberwhoyou’re

talkingto.AmInotaWestfordianprince,andyourlover?Iamsurprisedyou
wouldspeaktomethusly.Butyoumustbeupset.Don’ttroubleyourmind,
Iamcomingback.”

Bruinwasflusteredbythisresponse.Naturally,Tyrwouldknowexactly

whattosaytodisarmhim.Themanwasmaddening.Hefelttheeyesofthe
other Bearskins upon him; while no secret, he had not openly spoken of
hisloveforTyr.Hefeltanunreasonableangerrisinginhim.Heclosedthe
fewfeetbetweenthemandtookTyrroughlybythearm.“Youwillnotleave
me.”

Tyrrespondedbysteppingupagainsthim.“OfcourseIwon’t,”hesaid

softly,runningahandunderBruin’scloak.Hishandslippedlower,toBruin’s
belt.Hesmiled,eyesdowncast.“Iwillreturnwithinafortnight,andthen,
youcanshowmehowmuchyoumissedme.”

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Tyrsteppedawayfromhimandcheckedthehorse’sgirth.Allbusiness

againhesaid,louder,“Myfatherisveryill.Ashissonitismyresponsibility
tobewithhimathisdeathbed.”

“Youowemealifedebt,”Bruinsaidemptily.
Tyrswunguponthehorseandglareddownathim,righteousrageishis

blueeyes.“Ifyoutrulywillpreventmefromdoingthis,thengoon,collect
thatdebtnow.”

Bruin’shanddidnotsomuchastwitchtowardshissword.“Goonthen,”

hesaid.“Go.”

Tyrleaneddownasiftokisshim,andtouchedthebear-cowl.Hesmiled.

“Whyareyouwearingthatoldthing?”

Bruinpushedthehoodandcowlback,hisscarsanduglinessopentothe

airandthelight,andTyr’seyes.“Comebacktome,butonlyifyoucanlove
me.”

Tyrsaidnothing,reactedwithnothing,androdeawaywithhisguard.

e f

AfortnightcameandwentwithnosignofTyrorhiscompany.Aheavy

skybroughtwithitalatesnow,butBruinstillhauntedthestreetsofBear-
heart,unwillingtospendmuchtimeinhisownhome.Heresolvedatlast,
withapainlikeaknifeinhischest,thathishorrifiedloverhadleftwithno
intentiontoreturn.Evenworse,perhapshehadwantedtoreturn,despite
Bruin’sappearance,andhadbeenwaylaidontheroad,leavingfamilyand
friendstoimaginewhathadbefallenhim.

A week pastTyr’s supposed return date, Bruin wrapped himself in his

cloakanddrewuphishood.Heshiftedintoabear,andlefthiscity.Hespent
threenightsintheforestoutsidethecitygates,staringintothedarkness.His
lieutenantscametohimmanytimes,begginghimtocomeback.Thelastday,
theydidn’tcome.Theweatherbegantowarm,andtohissurprise,aswath
ofwhiteflowersgrewupthroughthemeltingsnow,thefirstsignofspring.
Bruin’sbreathcameharshandsick;hisbodyached.Hedraggedhimselfback
to the road. He thought it was a mirage through the fever when he saw
threehorsescanteringupthelanetoBearheart.Itmustbeadyingwish,he
thought,thatlethimthinkTyrwascomingbacktohim.

Thehorsesalmostwentrightpasthim,beforethelastriderturnedand

pulledhishorseup.“Mylord!”hecalled,andTyrreinedhishorse.Hedis-

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mounted and walked along the path back to where Bruin sat, and almost
trippedoverBruin’spaws.

“Bearskin,”hesaid,“whydoyousitoutsidethegates?”
Withalaboredmotion,Bruindrewbackthehood;hisbodyshrankto

thatofaman.“Doyounotknowme?”heasked,coughing.

“Bruin?”Tyrsaid,kneelingbesidehim.“Whatingods’namesareyou

doinghere?”

BruinraisedahandtoTyr’sface.“Ithoughtyouwerenotreturning.”
Tyrlookedsurprisinglyangry.“IsaidIwould!Weweredelayedbyabliz-

zard;Icouldnotriskmylife,andthusneverreturn,forthesakeofbeingon
time.Whywouldyoudoubtmeso?”

Bruingesturedtohisface.“Ihadatlastshownyoumyface.Ithoughtyou

weresorepulsedthatyouwouldneverbeabletoloveme.”

Tohisshock,theotherWestfordiansstifledalaugh,andnowTyrlooked

genuinelyangry.“Haveyounotbeenpayingattentionallthistime?Ofcourse
yourappearancedoesn’tmatterableedingriptome!ItoldyouwhenIfirst
arrived,whenIcametoyourhome—Ican’tsee!I’mBLIND!”

Bruinstaredathim,blinking,processing.Hefeltlikesuchanutterfool.

SothatwaswhyTyrdidn’tmindthecompleteblacknessinthehouse,why
certainmembersoftheWestfordianslookedafterhimso,doingmorethan
mostservantswouldwithoutbeingasked.Whyhewasneveraloneoutside
thehouse.Whyhehadn’tmentionedthebear-hooduntilhetouchedit.His
cheeksflushed,andhesaid,throughawaveofconfusedemotion,“Oh.”

“Oh?Oh,that’sit?Ieventoldyouthefirstnightwemadelove,Iwasin-

juredinbattle,andtheflashofthecannonwasthelastthingIsaw!”

“Iwasn’tlisteningbythen.”
“Evidentlynot!Gods,youreallyarethick!”Tyrleanedforwardandkissed

Bruin’sforehead.Rightononeofthescars.“ButIdoloveyou.”

BruinthrewhisarmsaroundTyranddraggedtheprincedowntohim.He

kissedhim,notcaringaboutTyr’scompanions,whosuddenlyfoundsome-
thingelsetobeinterestedinforaminute.Tyrlaughedandtangledhisfingers
inBruin’shair.

“Come,mybeloved.Let’sgetyoutothephysicianbeforethefeveraddles

yourbrainsevenfurther.”

“Iloveyou,”hesaid,unmindfulofTyr’spragmatism.
“Yes,yesIknow.Nowletgo.Timeandplace.”
Heletgoofhisbeautifulblindprinceandlethimselfbedraggedtohis

Captivated

feet.Atriptothephysiciansethimtorightsintime,butevenmoreso,itwas
theministrationsofhislover,newlyreclaimed.Hehadthecurtainsofhis
homethrownbacktoletinthesun,andliteverycandle.Tyrmightnotknow
thedifference,buttoBruin,beingoutinthelightmadeallthedifferencein
theworld.

Captivated

Two Balls

AlexandraErin

Cinderellahadtwoballs.

Thisfactisleftoutofmostmoderntellingsoftheclassicstory,butit’s

true,astrueasthefactthattheslippersweremadeofglassandnot,asis
sometimesreported,fur.Ofcoursetheywereglass.It’smeanttobeataleof
wonder.Thereisnothingwondrousatallaboutfurslippers,unlessonehasto
visitthelavatorylateatnightwhenthetilesarecold.

But,Idigress.Toreturntothesubjectathand:balls.
Twoofthem.
Cinderellahadthem.
Thismightseemstrangetomodernaudiences,asthiselementhasbeen

completelysnippedawayfromnewerversionsofthetale,butitistrue.The
basicsofthestoryhavebeenwidelyreportedandreproducedmoreorless
faithfullybythecountlessstorytellerswhohaveadaptedthetaleacrossmul-
tiplelanguagesandmedia,soweshalldispensewiththepreliminariesand
jumpstraighttothefirstnightinquestion.

Picturethesceneatthegrandballroomoftheroyalpalace.Theprinceis

quitebored,aswellmightbeexpected.Thepurposeofthissoiree,afterall,is
forhimtopickawifefromamongalltheladiesoftheland,butnoneofthese
sameladieswereeverbeforeabletoturnhishead.Gatheringallofthemin
oneplaceissimplyamatterofpresentinghimwithmoreofthesame.

Manyofthemarequitebeautiful,tobesure,andtheprinceisnotatall

hostiletotheideaofawife...hegetslonelysometimes,asallmensometimes
do.Helongsforcompanionship,asallmensometimesdo.Heunderstands
thehungerthatmenhave,thatdrivesamantoseekoutawoman.Hehasfelt
itwellingupwithinhimoftenenough,hehasfeltthefireburningwithin
himsohotlythatitseemsasthoughhisloinsandhismindarebothready

toexplodeinflames...andyet,theloveliestdamselstobefoundwithinhis
father’sdemesnealwaysleavehimquitecold.

Thereversecouldnotbesaid.Theladiesfindthedark-hairedprinceto

bequitefetching.Hisfacemighthavebeencalledcraggyonanolderman,
buthewasyoungenoughtoberugged.Anactiveman,hisarmsarethickly
cordedandstrong,hisbackisbothbroadandstraight,andhismuscularlegs
arewell-conditionedforeitherendurancerunningorfortightlygrippingthe
sidesofasleekracinghorse.

Thefirstthingintheeveningthatelicitsevenaflickerofinterestinhim

comes when a matronly, middle-aged woman with an imperious bearing
presentshertwodaughterstohim.Eventhatismoreofanintellectualre-
sponse.Heisinterestedtoseehowwelltheyarepresented.Theirhairand
theirmakeuparebothexquisitelydone,aswelltheymightbe,seeingasthey
werepreparedbythehandsofonewhohashadyearsofpracticeofcatering
tothevanityofthesecruelladies.

Youknowwhotheyare,ofcourse.Theyarethewickedstepsisters,and

theolderladywiththemistheirmother,whomarriedakindlywidowerwho
wantedtoprovideaproperfamilyforhisonlychild.Thewidowerprovedto
beapoorjudgeofcharacter,andafterhisowndemise,hischildbecamea
servantintheirhouse.

Youknowallthat.Theprincedoesnot,andbeforehecanlearnanything

ofmorethanasurfacedepthaboutthepair,someoneelsecatcheshiseye...
someonewhoismostassuredlynotjustmoreofthesame.

Pictureaface,sharpandpixyish,toppedoffwithacascadeofstrikingly

chestnuthairfreshlywashedandbrushedforthefirsttimeinyears.Picture
apertlittlebuttonofanose,notatalltheclassicalAquilineprofileprizedby
thenobilitybutplayfullyprettyinitsownway.Pictureskinlikemarble,the
skinofonejustgrownupfromachildhoodspentshutupindoorsandhid-
denfromthesun.

Pictureeyelidsdarkenedwiththeashesfromafireplace,darkeyesdark-

lylinedwithacinder...thestepsister’smockingnicknamenowwornwith
pride.Pictureadress,transformedfromtheragstheyhadforcedtheirtor-
tureddomestictodressinforfun.Picturealostmother’spearls—achild’s
hiddenprize—drapedaroundalongneck,andamother’scorset,deridedas
hopelesslyoutoffashion,cinchinganalreadyslenderwaistintoacomely
hourglass.

Picturetheslippers.Glassslippers.Dancingshoesthatareasbeautifuland

Two Balls

impossible,asmagicalandmiraculous,asadreamcometolifeorastruelove
itself.

Thisisafairytale,afterall,andmagicwillnotbebanishedfromitno

matterhowhardsometry.

Picturealookonthatimpishlybeautifulface,alookoffierceandfragile

pride,alookthatisbothdefiantanddefensive,alookthatsayssee,I’mhere,
Icame,I’mnotafraid,youcan’tstopme.Theprincedoesn’tunderstand,as
theinvitationswerequiteclear:alleligibleladiesintherealmwereexpected
toattend.

Theprincefeelsanunaccustomedflushofheatashelookedatthenew-

comer.Hisheartpounds,hisbloodraces.Thesightofthatface,thoseeyes...it
grabsholdofhim,tugginginsistentlyonsomethingdeepdowninsidehim.

ThisiswhatIwant,hethinks.Whateverwaslackinginallofthosewom-

en,I’mlookingatitnow.

The whole ballroom falls silent at the sight of this unconventional yet

beautifulnewarrival.Thesilenceholdsastheprince,withoutawordtothe
twoladieswhosenameshehadnotyetevenreceived,crossthefloortotake
theelfinfigurebythehand.Hisfathertheking,atthesightofhissontaking
aninterestinanywomanforthefirsttime,motionstotheminstrels,andthe
musicforthefirstdancebegins.

There are many dances that night, and the prince dutifully allows the

daughters of dukes and the nieces of bishops and the younger sisters of
wealthyandimportantmentotaketheirturnsinhisarms,buthisotherdanc-
ingpartnersgrowincreasinglysulkyanddespondentasthenightwearson
andtheprincereturnsagainandagaintothearmsofthedark-eyedstranger.
Hedoeshisbesttosatisfythecuriositythat’sbeeninspiredinhim,butthe
mysteriousbeautyremainstight-lipped.

“Whoareyourparents?”heasks.
“I’manorphan.”
“Wheredoyoulive?”
“Iliveinafireplace.Isleepamongthecinders.”
“Whatisyourname?”
“IsupposeyoumayaswellcallmeCinderella.”
Beforetoolong,theprinceandhisCinderellaaredancingquiteclosely,

andhecanfeeltheheatrisingupwithinhim.Ashismanhoodassertsitself,
heisforcedtoholdhispartnerevenclosertohidetheevidenceofhisarousal.
Cinderellacanfeelhimpressingin,thehardnessandtheheatofhim.Ala-

Two Balls

dylikeblushcolorsthosepalecheeks,butthelitheyoungdancermakesno
attempttopullawayfromhim.No,thehardertheprincegrows,thecloser
Cinderellapressesagainsthim,andthemorehehastostruggletokeephim-
selfincheck.

Thelesshewantsto.
Heknowsthatthisdancewillendsoon,andthensomevainandsilly

creaturewillbetheretotakeherplaceinhisarms.Hedoesn’twantthat.He
doesn’twantthatall.

Heguidestheashen-eyedbeautyoffofthedancefloortowardsadark-

enedcorridor.Theking,quitepleased,signalsthattheprincebeallowedto
takehisleaveandbeundisturbed.Awayfromthesoundsofrevelry,theprince
burieshisfaceagainstCinderella’sneck,rubbingthedarkstubbleofhischeek
againstsatinysmoothskin.Cinderella’shandfindsthebulgeinhistrousers,
squeezes.Quickandcleverfingersfreethelengthofhisrod,whichrearsup
likeadragononcesprunglooseofitsprison.

“Oh,my,”Cinderellasays,abreathywhisper.
Theprince,havinghadafewlessthansatisfactoryexperienceswithwom-

en,movestoliftupCinderella’sdresssothathemaydotheneedfulthing.
Tohissurprise,heisstopped.,notbyawordofprotestbutbyasmallhand
grippinghimquiteexpertlyaroundthebaseofhiscock.

It’sadisplayofconfidencethathefindsexciting.Someofthewomenhe’s

methavebeenquiteforwardwhengivenachancetoplytheircharmsupon
thebachelorprincehimself,butnoonehaseverbeenquiteasdirectasthis.
Withfingersbothdeftandsurprisinglystrong,withinfinitecareandcom-
plexity,withtendernessandroughnessinmeasure,Cinderellagoestowork.
Theprincehasbeentouchedthiswaybywomenbefore,butneverbyone
withaslittlereluctanceandasmuchrelishforthematterathandasCinder-
ellashows.Thelookthathadsoarrestedhimatfirstsightdoesnotdisappear
fromthatpaleface,itintensifies.Thereisahungerthere,too,adesperation
thatcouldonlyhavebeenbornoutofyearsofsilentandanguishedlonging.

Theprince’sownhungerdoesnotslackintheslightest.Itgrowsbyleaps

andbounds.HewantsdesperatelytotearthatbeautifulgownoffofCinder-
ellabodyandtoburyhimselfsodeeplythatthetwoofthembecameindis-
tinguishable.Wants?No,needs.Needsandwill.Hemakesuphismindtodo
it.Thepleasure—thepressure—isalreadymorethanhecanbear,andit’sstill
growing.Hehastodoitquickly.Hehasto...

Butthereisnotime.Thedeedisdone.Withagreatandprofoundshudder,

Two Balls

withascreamofpleasurewrenchedfromhislips,hisseedshootsforthand
heisutterlyspentandutterlysatisfiedinawayhehasneverbeenbefore.

Andtheonewhohadbroughthimtothisclimaxonlysmilesandsays,

“Ishouldgo.”Bythetimeherecovershisbreathandhiswits,Cinderellais
gone,havingleftthepalacewellbeforethestrokeoftwelve.

“Well,”hisfathersaystotheprince,afterthelastguesthasleft.“Where

isshe?”

“Idon’tknow,”theprinceadmits.
“Whoisshe?”
“Idon’tknow,”theprincerepeats.“Anorphan,Iguess.”
“Whatishername?Wheredoesshelive?”
“Shewouldn’tsay,”theprincesays,quitesurethatshehadbeenhaving

funwithhim.

“Then I suppose this entire affair was a waste of time!” the king says.

“Youfinallyfindonewomanwhoexcitesanyinterestinyou,andshedisap-
pearslikeapuffofsmoke.”

“Wait,”theprincesays.“Shecametooneball.We’llholdanotherone.

Maybeshe’llcomeagain?”

Thekingfeelsthistobeaslimhopetograsponto,butaslimhopeisbet-

terthannone,andsohesendswordoutthatthegrandgalahadbeensucha
smashingsuccessthatitwastobeimmediatelyrepeated.

See,Itoldyouthereweretwoballs.
Thesecondballisevenbetterattendedthanthefirst.Allofhighsociety

turnsouttoseethemysteriousbeautywhohadsocharmedtheprince.All
theeligibleladiesshowupagain,too,eagerforthechancetostepintothe
voidiftheirmysteriousrivalfailedtomakeanappearance.

Theyaredisappointed.
Thistimetheprincedoesnotsharehisattentionwithanyoneelsefrom

themomentthatCinderellaappears,withlipsstaineddarkredbyberryjuice
mixedwithashes.Heisquiteeagertotakehisintendedbrideoffandbegin
practicingfortheirweddingnight,togiveventtohisownyearsoffrustra-
tionandtotrytodosomethingtorelievetheburdenofsufferinghesees
behindthoseash-rimmedeyes.

Thoughtheprinceisquitesurethathispassionisreciprocated,Cinder-

ellaprovesstrangelyreluctanttoconsummatetheirdesiresanyfurtherthan
theyhadthepreviousnight.Theprinceisstymiedeachtimehesuggeststhe
two of them depart the ballroom.They dance closely.They look into each

Two Balls

other’seyes.Theyconverseinbitsandpieces,thoughCinderellaremainsas
secretiveasthenightbefore.Hewindshisfingersintothatbeautifulchestnut
hair.Hebreathinthescentofashandskin.Helongs.Hehungers.Finally,
whenhefeelshecantakenomore,Cinderellagivesinandagaintheyleave
theballroom.

“Tellme,please,wheredoyoureallylive,”heasksashetheymounta

marblestaircase.

“Itoldyou,inafireplace.Therearemorebedsthanbodiesinmyhouse,

butnoneofthemareforme.”

“Isitfar,whereyoulive?”heasks,thinkingthereissomeriddlehere.
“Nottoofarformicetopullapumpkin.”
“Youteasemeincessantly,andyetIfeelIloveyou,”hesays.
“I’llteaseyoumoreandyou’lllovemebetterforit.”
Healmostgroanswithdesireatthewords.
Cinderellaallowshimtoleadthewaytohisbedchamber,thoughagain

he meets with unexpected resistance when it comes time to do the deed.
Thoughquiteeagertohelphimremovehistrousers,Cinderellashowsno
intentionofdisrobinginturn.

“Youcontinuetoteaseme,”heaccuses.
“ItoldyouIwould,”Cinderellaremindshim.“Sitdown,mylord,andlet

meshowyouhowwellImaytease.”

HowwelldoesCinderellateasehim?Ithinkyoucanimagine.Imagine

apairoflips,darkandredascherries.Imaginethetipofatongueparting
them,flickingouttolickthecrownofhismanhood,totastethesaltysweet
tell-taleofhislonging.Imaginethelipsopeningwidetoencirclethatmarvel-
ouslythickknobasdarkapairofdarkeyesturnupwards,ahintofpleading
showingthroughtheirdefiantfire:pleaseacceptthis,pleaseacceptme,please
pleaseplease...

The mouth fastens on, lips curling around teeth to cushion them.The

tonguecurlsupandexplorestheridgebeneathhiscockhead.Hefeelsthe
softpressureofsuction.Cinderella,whohasspenteverydayforeveradecade
toilingdiligentlybutthanklessly,goestoworkagainforanappreciativeaudi-
ence.

Everylastinchoftheprince’scockslidesbetweenthosejeweledlipsuntil

itisalmostasredastheyare.Cinderellatasteshim,andrevelsinthetaste
ofhim,showingamasterfulknowledgeofthegeographyandgeologyofa
man’stoolallthewhile.Itisjustliketheprevioustime,onlybetter:hotter,

Two Balls

wetter,moreintimate.TheprincefeelshimselfslidinginandoutofCinder-
ella’smouth,hiscockactuallyovercomingtheconstrictionofthethroat,and
hebeginstofeeltherealizationofhislongingofthenightbefore.

Hepourshimselfbetweenthoselips,heforceshimselfinsidethatlovely

andlongingface,hewillshimselftobecomeonewithCinderella,whoseems
justaseagertoaccepthiminturn.

Thistimethereislessurgency,andsotheendoftheactcatcheshimoff

hisguard.Hecomesintotheclimaxunexpectedly,hisseedspurtingintoCin-
derella’smouth.Hislovergulpsitdowngreedily,takingitaspayment—the
firstever—forajobwell-done.

“I should go,” Cinderella says again. He protests. He gets up to physi-

callybarthedoor,buthetripsoverhisowntrousers,onelegofwhichis
stillaroundhisankle,andCinderellagetsawayastheclockonceagainstrikes
twelve.

Thekingordersthemysteriousgirltobefoundatonce.Thehousehold

staffisquestioned.Surelysomeonesawherarrive.Surelysomeonesawher
leave.Theservantsareabletodescribeherarrivalinagrandcoachfullyout-
fittedwithfootmen,butnooneremembersseeingthecoachdepart.

One of the guards mentions a scrawny-looking servant boy he’d nev-

erseenbeforeslippingoutofthepalacearoundmidnight,buthe’snearly
sackedforbringingupirrelevantdistractions.It’sonlythefactthattheman
alsoturnedupthesoleusefulcluethatsaveshim:inthepassagewherehe
sayshesawtheservant,healsofoundoneofthewondrousglassslippers.

Thekingsendsoutwordtheverynextday:themysteriousandbeautiful

Cinderellaisinstructedtocometothepalacetoclaimhermissingslipperand
acceptbetrothaltotheprince,bringingtheslipper’smatewithherasproofof
heridentity.Despitethisrequirement,therearemanyfalseclaimants,someof
whomresemblethecelebratedfigureinsomefashion,buttheprinceknows
thatnoneofthemaretheonewhosocaptivatedhimevenbeforetheyadmit
tonothavingtheotherslipper.

Thekingisdesperatetoseehissonmarried,however,andheinsiststhat

eachoftheladiestrytheslipperon.Hegoessofarastoissuearoyaldecree
thatwhomsoevertheshoefitswillbemarriedtotheprince,nomatterwhat
anyonemaysay.Hegoessofarastohaveamarriagecontractissuedforthe
princeandtheunknownowneroftheshoe,tobeconsummatedassoonas
thematchisfound.

Ofcourse,asbigastirastheking’sannouncementcauseseverywhere,

Two Balls

it hits the storied stepmother and her two wicked daughters like arrows
throughtheircoldhearts.

Cinderella?
Thatwaswhattheycalledtheboy,thesonofthenow-deceasedwidower

whosehousethey’dlordedoverforsomanyyears.Thegirlshaddressedhim
intheirowncast-offclothesandmockinglycalledhimtheir“maid”even
beforecoiningthederisivenicknamewhichhadstucksowelltheycouldn’t
evenrememberwhathewasactuallycalled.

Butsurelyithadn’tbeenhimdancingwiththeprince,theytelleachother

inhushedtones,surelyithadn’tbeenhimsneakingoffintothedarkness,
surelyithadn’tbeenforhissakethattheentirekingdomwascalledbackto
thepalaceagain.

Theyhadteasedhimendlesslyabouttheideaofhimgoingtotheball,

ofcourse.Theyteasedhimaboutanythingandeverything.Buthe’dhadno
coachtotakehim,nodresstowear,andaboveallelsethereremainedthe
unassailablefactthattheyhadmadeamaidoutofthelad,notamaiden.

Aboycouldn’thavedonewhatthemorefamousCinderellahad.
Theytellthemselvesthisuntiltheyalmostbelieveit.Surely,theyinsist,

itwassomehideouscoincidence,somehorridtrickoffate,thedamselwho
hadstolentheheartoftheprinceandruinedtheirownchancesofaroyal
wedding.

Andyettheyarenotsosure.Theykeeptheboyunderlockandkey,watch-

inghimeverymomenttomakesurehecannotpullanytricks.

Asdayspassandthereisnosignofanyclaimanttotheslipper,theking

growsmoredesperateastheprincegrowsdespondent,thinkingtheloveof
hislifemustnotreturnhisfeelingsafterall.Thekingordersadoor-to-door
search of the kingdom. He’s become positively fixated. Getting his son to
marryhasbeenhisquestforyearsandnowwiththeendinsightit’sborder-
ingonanobsession.

“We’llfindher,”hesaystotheprinceforthehundredthtimeastheroyal

carriagemakesitswaydownacountryroadtoanoldandsomewhatfaded
estatehouse.“Andwhenwedo,there’snogoingback.Youwillmarrythe
footthisfits,andwhoeverit’sattachedto.”

“Ifshe’llhaveme,”theprincesays,ashe’ssaidsomanytimes.“Iwon’t

forceanyonetomarrymeagainstmywill.”

“Youwon’thaveto,”thekingassureshim.“BecauseIwill.”
Thecarriagestopsatthemanorhouse,whichhappenstobelastinhabit-

Two Balls

eddwellinginthatcornerofthekingdom.Thekingisnotquiteoutofplaces
tolookforhisson’swife-to-be,butthelistisgrowingshorter.Afterboththe
stepsistershavefailedtofittheirfeetintheslipper,hemakesthestepmother
tryit.Eventhoughthisisplainlyanactofdesperatefolly,hisfrustrationonly
growswhenitdoesn’tfither,either.

“Isn’tthereanyoneelseinthisoldrattrap?”herages.
“Noone,”thestepmothersays.“Notasoul.”
“Youallswear,onpainofdeathfortreason,thatthereisnooneelsehere,

notevenservants?”heasks.

“Noone,”thestepmotherstartstosay,butoneofherdaughtersinter-

ruptsher,blurtingout,“Justtheboy!”

Theotheroneshootsherafuriousglare.
Theking,sensingthatsomemannerofdeceptionisafoot,sputtersan-

grilyandsays,“Iwanttoseeeveryonehere,rightnow!”

Thestepmotherbowsandsays,“Butofcourse,yourhighness,”andmo-

tionsforherdaughterstogoandfetchtheboy.Thekingpacesthefloorwhile
they go to the upstairs closet where they’d locked their“maid” away.The
princechewshislip,thinkingit’sallsuchawasteoftime.Cinderellanever
lovedhim,hethinks.Itmusthavejustbeenagame,aflirtation.

Thenthestepsistersreturn,shovingtheboyforwardaheadofthem.He’s

dressedinlittlemorethanatatteredfrock.Hiseyescomeupandmeetthe
prince’s.Darkeyes.Dirtyhair,maybebrown.Ashyface.Ashyclothes.

I sleep among the cinders,theprincehearsinhishead.
“There,yousee,yourhighness?”thestepmothersays,smilinggraciously

attheking.“Nosubterfugewasmeant.WhenIsaidwewerealone,Imeant
thatnoonewhofellwithinthescopeofthequestionwaspresent.Isimply
didnotwishtowasteyourtime...”

“Father,”theprincesays,cuttingherwithasharplook.“Didyoumean

whatyousaid?ThatImustmarrywhoevertheshoefits?”

“Ofcourseyoumust,andthere’snousetalkingmeoutofit,”theking

says.

“Youwon’tchangeyourmind,nomatterwhat?”theprinceasks.
“No,it’smadeup.”
“WhatifIweretobetyouthatIcouldmakeyouchangeyourmind?”

theprinceasks.“BecauseIfearverymuchthatIamaboutto,whetherIwant
toornot.”

Two Balls

“Fearnot,youwouldlosethatbet,”thekingsays.“Butwhatwouldyou

wager?”

“IfIcanmakeyouchangeyourmind,youmustletmewedanyoneI

choose,andImeananyone,withnoonehavingthepowertoforbidit,”the
princesays.“AndifIcannotmakeyouchangeyourmind,Iwillwedanyone
youpickforme,providingthattheowneroftheshoehasnotbeenfound
andtheoriginalmarriagecontractisnotfulfilled.”

“Whatdaftgameareyouplaying?”thekingresponds,chortling.
Thestepsisterslookateachotherinconfusion,butthestepmother,being

slightlymoreworldlythaneitherofthem,hasasicksinkingsuspicion.

“Please,yourmajesty,don’tletuskeepyoufromyourrounds,”thestep-

mothersaystotheking.“I’msureyouhaveotherhousestovisit.”

“Holdaminute,father,”theprincesays.“Willyouacceptmywager?”
“Itakeityou’regrowingsickofthisquest,”thekingsays.“Becauseit

seemstomethatIwineitherway,aseitherwayyouaremarried.Iacceptthe
termsofyourwager,son.”

“Very well,” the prince says, and he takes the slipper from his father.

Lookingatthedark-eyedboy,hesaysgently,“Comehere.”

Thekingsputters,andthestepsistersgasp.Onlythestepmotherkeepsher

lipstightlyshutastheboythey’vecalledCinderellawalkstowardstheprince,
anunaccustomedswayinhiships.Heliftsoneleg,bendingitgracefully.The
princegoesdownonhiskneesand,gingerly,reverently,heslipsthedelicate
glassshoeontotheboy’sbarefoot.

Itfitsbeautifully.
Theboylooksdownattheprinceadoringly.Theprincefeelstheoldhun-

gerrisingupagain.

Noonesaysanything.
Secondstickpast.
Thestepmotheristheonewhobreaksthesilence,withalaughfullof

forcedgaiety.

“Yoursonhasmadeamostexcellentjest,yourmajesty,”shesays.“What

awonderfulflukeitisthatmyservingboy’sfeetarethesamesizeasthat
slipper.”

“It’snofluke,”theboysays,smilingasmilethattheprinceknowsatonce.

“Theyfittheotheronejustaswell.ShallIrunandfetchit?”

“Andnojest,”theprincesays.Helooksattheking.“Iwillholdyouto

yourwager,Father.”

Two Balls

Thekingfeelsamomentofapoplexy,followedbyapassingfitofhysteria,

andthenfinallyanentirelyunexpectedburstofpridewhenherealizesjust
howneatlytheprincehashimtrapped.

Healsofeelsold,oldandtired.Hewantstobedonewiththis.Healso

wantshissontobehappy.

“Ican’tsayIunderstandit,”thekingsays.“ButI’llbedamnedifIlose

thisbet.”

“Nomoreofyourtricks,”theprincesaystotheboy,gatheringhimupin

hisarms.“Nomoreteasing.Whathappensnexthappensunderthedecreeof
theking,andthere’snotadamnedthingyoucandotostopit.”

“Areyousure?BecauseI’mpreparedtodoasmanydamnedthingsasit

takes,”theimpishboyreplies,wigglinghisnose.

Theprincecarrieshisprizeupthestairsandintothebedroomthat,ina

betterlife,wouldhavebeentheboy’salready.Clothingisdispensedwithso
quicklyitmighthavevanishedintheendingofaspell.Theprincehasseen
solittleofhislovebefore:aface,aneck,apairofhands.Nowheisableto
takeinthewholeofhim,andhedoes:abody,leanandsparebutstrong.Aflat
chest,sparseofhair.Nipples.

Theprincehasneverseenmucheroticpotentialinnipples,muchless

malenipples,butatthesightoftheboy’shebecomesintenselyawareofhis
own.

Adelicatelywinkingbellybutton,assmallandimpudentinitswayasthe

boy’snose.Alineofdowny-lookinghairtrailingdownfromit,joiningwith
asoftbushrightabovethesightthatprovesthefair-facedboytobeinfacta
man,probablynotmorethanafewyearsyoungerthantheprincehimself:a
cock,thickandfullandstandinggloriouslyerect.

Andbeneaththatisexactlywhatyou’dexpecttoseebeneaththat.
Astheycometogether,manandmanunitedinroyallysanctionedcon-

jugalpassion,manythingsfallintoplacefortheprince:hisinabilitytotake
delightinwomen,thedeeplonginghe’dfeltinspiteofthat,andofcourse,
thepuzzlingbehaviorofthemysteriousguestwhohadbeensoobviously
eagertopleasehimbutsostrangelyshyaboutdisrobing.

Now there are no more secrets between them.As much as the prince

wouldlovetoexperiencethosesamepleasures,asmuchashelongstovisit
themupontheotheryoungmanhimself,theydohaveamarriagecontract
tofulfill.

Neither of them is experienced, but his new lawful spouse clearly has

Two Balls

someideas.Heguidestheprince,layingonhisbackandliftinghislegsup
overtheprince’sshouldersothattheycanlookintoeachotherseyes.The
youngmanbiteshislipastheprinceentershim,pushingandstraining,part-
inghisfleshanddelvingdeeplyintohim.

It’sthefirsttime.Othertimeswillcome,andtheywillbegentleandthey

willbetenderandabovealltheywillbemany,butthefirsttimeisroughand
theyoungmanwhowascalledCinderellabiteshislipsoharditbleeds,turn-
inghislipcherryredasheistaken.

“ShallIstop?”theprinceasks.
“Onlyifyouwantmetovanishagainatthestrokeoftwelve,”hislover

teases.

Heworkshiswayin,theyoungmanopeninghimselfuptoreceivehim,

and once he’s buried his cock to the hilt he holds it there, marveling in
thefeelingofthewarmfleshenvelopingaroundhim.Hefeelsit:theyhave
joinedtogether,justashewished.Herevelsinitforseveralseconds,andthen
hetrulybeginstomakelove.

Hepullsback.Theyoungmanflexesthelegsdrapedoverhisshoulder,

movingwithhim,asheramshiswaybackhome.It’srough,butwitheach
strokeitbecomeseasier.Fortheyoungman,itwaspainmingledwithplea-
surefromthebeginning,butthepleasuresteadilygrowsasthepainfades
away,untilit’sedgedoutcompletely.Theyfindarhythmandtheyflow,apart
andtogether,againandagain.

Theyoungmanclutchesatthesheets,hisbodywrithingandcontorting

aroundtheprince.Theprincefeelshimbuckandtwisting,wrenchinghis
cockashedoes.Thehardertheprincedrivesintohim,thewildertheyoung
manthrashes,andthemorewildlytheyoungmanthrashes,theharderthe
princeisdriven.

It’sacyclethatcanonlybebrokeninoneway.Twoheartsbeatfasterand

faster.Twococksthrobwithmutualpassion.Twomencryouttheexultation
oftheirlove,twomenreleasealifetimeoffrustrationintoeachother.

Twoshiningstreamsofsemenshootforth,oneintotheopenairandone

hiddendeepinside.

Thecontractwasfulfilled.
Youalreadyknowtherestofthestory.
Andnowyouknowthisaswell:Cinderellahadtwoballs.
Don’teverletanyonetellyouotherwise.

Two Balls

Le Petit String Rouge

(Little Red G-string)

KiernanKelly

“As you’re pretty so be wise; Wolves may lurk in every guise. Handsome they may be, and
kind, Gay, and charming—nevermind! Now, as then, ‘tis simple truth—Sweetest tongue

has sharpest tooth!”

~ Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood)” Perrault, 1697

Apowerful,rhythmicsensationthuddedpainfullyinCorbin’sears,strong
enoughtomakehimwince.Hecouldn’tdecideifitwasthesoundsystem’s
blaringbass,orhisownbloodthunderinginhisears.Itdidn’tmatter.His
hearingwassuperb;theblastingmusichidnothingfromhim,andneither
couldhisownexcitement.Hecouldhearastrongheartbeating,andblood
whooshingthroughtheveinsjustbeneaththetawny,tautskinoftheslender
youngmandancingonthetablebeforehim.

Corbininhaleddeeply,fillinghislungswiththeintoxicatingmixofsweat

andsexemanatingfromtheyoungman.Hisskinsoakeduptheheatdrifting
fromthedancer’sbody,thewarmthsizzlingthroughhisbloodtohisballs.

Thethinsatinofthedancer’stiny,brightredg-stringmoldedhisgenitals

intoasoftmound,thematerialsothinCorbincouldseetherandom,abstract
patternshispubichairmadeagainstthefabric.Theyoungman’sbodywas
hardandlean,abodybuiltfordancing.Eachclearlydelineatedmusclemoved
tantalizinglyunderhissmoothskinwitheverygracefulmovement.Hishair,
aspaleascornsilk,hunginraggedhankstobrushhiscollarbone.Hair made for
touching,Corbinthought,and a body made for fucking.

Corbinliftedhisglassandtossedbackthelastofhisdrink.Itwasvod-

ka—asalways—straightup,noice,nofruitjuice,nothingtodilutethepower
ofthealcohol.He’dfoundthatliquorwasoneofthefewsubstancespotent
enoughtosubduethewolf.Asifoncue,thewolfsnarledjustbeneathhis

skin,eagertotakeabigjuicybiteoutofthedancer’ssucculent,firmass.

Later,hethought.Hisideaofadatewassexfirst,anddinner—forone—

afterwards,buthiswolfwashungry,starving.Itsnarleditsdissent,stubbornly
refusingtobackdown,tobehave.Patiencewassimplynothiswolf’svirtue.
The wolf was a creature of the moment, spontaneous, demanding instant
gratification;Corbinhadtoconcentratetokeepitfromspringingthroughhis
skin,andtakingwhatitwanted.

Hesignaledthewaiterforanotherdrink,adoublethistime.Ashewaited,

hedugintohispocketandwithdrewafistfulofbills,twentiesmostly,with
afewtensmixedin.Hepeeledoffatwenty,foldeditlengthwise,andwaved
itatthedancer.

The dancer’s eyes zeroed in onAndrew Jackson like two heat-seeking

missiles,andheturnedandloweredhimselftohiskneesinfrontofCorbinin
onefluidmotion.HisslenderhipspumpedasCorbinslidthetwentyunder
thethinelasticofhisg-string.

Blue,Corbinthought,lookingintothedancer’seyes.Fromthisshortdis-

tance,theircolorwasstartling,sounlikehisownofamber.Sapphire blue, they
glitter like their jewel namesakes. Henoticedtherewasaglintofappreciationin
themastheyrakedCorbinwithanappraisingglance,andallowedasmall,
invitingsmirktotilthislips.Thecolorofhiseyesmightnotbeasstunningas
thedancer’s,buthisvisionwasextremelyacute.Hecouldseethequickmind
behindthebrightblueirisesworking,scheming.Liftinganothertwenty,he
tuckeditundertheelasticnexttothefirst,andwinkedashelethisfingertrail
lightlyoverthedancer’sthigh.

“I’mAlex,”thedancersaidashestoodup,gyratingslowlyinfrontof

Corbin.Hisvoicewasasyoungashewas,huskybutwithoutthedeeprough-
nessbroughtbyageandexcess.He’s perhaps barely out of his teens, Corbinthought.
Ripe, young, tender, and ready.

Hetookalongswallowfromhisnewdrinktohidethefactthathewas

salivating.

CorbinwatchedAlex’scockthickenvisiblyunderthenarrowswathofred

satin,evidencethathefoundCorbin—oratleast,Corbin’smoney—attrac-
tive.Alex’shandstrayedtohiscrotch,deftlyadjustinghiserection,untilthe
outlineofhislong,slendercockpointedduenorth.Corbinbitbackagrin
asAlexgavehimaquick,privateviewingfortheforty-bucktip,pullingthe
frontofhisg-stringdownfarenoughtogiveCorbinapeekathiscock.

Hiddenbytheshadowsunderthetable,Corbin’sprickpushedagainstthe

Le Petit String Rouge

flyofhiskhakis.Hiswolfhowledinadarkcornerofhismind,hisskinitch-
ingtochange.Again,hebeatthewolfintosubmission,drowningtheurge
withanotherswallowofliquidfortitude.

Anotherdancer,nodoubtAlex’sreplacement,sidleduptoCorbin’stable,

adull,boredsmileplasteredonhisface.Taller,beefier,older,hewasofno
interesttoCorbin,whobarelygavethenewarrivalanynotice.Corbin’satten-
tionwasonAlex,watchinghimhopdownfromthetable,wonderingifnow
wasagoodtimetomakehismove,orifweremoreprudenttowait.Hedid
notwanttofrightentheyoungrabbitoff.

Asitturnedout,Alexmadethemoveforhim.
Alex’shandpluckedthetwentiesfromhisg-string,settingthemonthe

tableasheslidintothechairnexttoCorbin’s.“Youdon’tmindifIjoinyou,
doyou?I’mreallythirsty.”

“Notatall.MayIbuyyouadrink?”
Alex’scheekhitchedinadelightfullyimpishgrin.“Youalreadydid,”he

said,tappingthetwenties.Hesignaledforthewaiter,whodidn’tbotherask-
ingforAlex’sorder.ThelargeglasshesetinfrontofAlexwasfilledwitha
dark,amberliquid;obviouslyAlex’susual.

RumandCoke,Corbinthought,sniffingdelicately.Far more soda than alcohol.

Smart boy, keeping his wits about him. “Youmovebeautifully,”hesaidaloud.“Icould
watchyoudanceforhours.”

Alexbithisfulllowerlip,lookingdownatthetable.HepeekedatCorbin

coylyfromunderthick,goldenlashes.“Isthatallyoucoulddowithmefor
hours?”

Ah, an invitation, as big and bold as you please. To be any more obvious, he’d need to shuck

that g-string and bend bare-assed over the table for me.“Managementmightfrownon
anythingelseIhaveamindtodo,”Corbinsaid,hisvoiceloweringintoa
seductivegrowl.“Orperhaps,aboyfriendmighttakeumbrageatmyless-
than-puredesires.”Heleanedincloser,andreachedacrossthetable,letting
hisfingersslideasgentlyasawhisperacrossthebackofAlex’shand.

Alex’spinktonguedartedouttowethislips.“I’msortofbetweenboy-

friendsatthemoment.Myshiftisoverforthenight;managementdoesn’t
giveashitwhatIdo.Thebarhasablackroom…”

CorbinknewamillionotherroomsjustliketheoneAlexhadinmind,

reservedfor“invited”guestsoftheestablishmentonly.Surely,theoneatthe
rearofthisclubwasnodifferent.Filthy,strewnwithusedrubbers,stinking
ofothermen’spleasures…he’dratherrutinthegutterlikeananimalthan

Le Petit String Rouge

barehisskininanyofthem.Herummagedinhispocketandpulledouta
wedgeofplasticwithasilverkeydanglingfromit.“Ihavearoom.Themotel
iscloseby.”

Alex’sfacelitup,baldenthusiasmpinkinghischeeksandlendinganex-

trasparkletohiseyes.“I’llneedtogetmyclothes.I’llonlybeaminute.”

Thewolfgrowledimpatiently,clawsscratching,sendingashudderrip-

pling across Corbin’s shoulders. He nodded, but when he spoke, it was
throughgrittedteeth.

“Hurryback.”

e f

Themotelroomwasnondescript,decoratedinvaryingshadesofdullbrown
andbeige,ofthesortfoundinanynumberofsecond-ratemotelsstrewnby
thehandfulalongthelengthoftheInterstate.

CorbinusheredAlexinside,watchingthewayhisassrhythmicallyhitched

againstthebackofhisjeans.HewonderedwhetherAlexwasstillwearingthat
enticingass-exposing,sating-stringunderthedenim,andimaginedthesoft
skinofAlex’sdelightfulrumprubbingagainstthecoarsermaterial.Corbin’s
cocktwitched,remindinghimitwasthere,trappeduncomfortably byhis
zipper.Heignoreditforthemoment,closingandlockingthedoor.

Alex stopped in the center of the room and turned to look at Corbin.

“Wantaprivatedance?”heasked.Hishandsslippedunderthethincottonof
hist-shirt,liftingthehem,exposingasliveroftanned,flatbelly.

Corbinsmiledandnodded,toedoffhisshoes,andsatontheedgeofthe

bed.ThewolfwatchedfrombehindCorbin’seyes,tailthumpingineageran-
ticipation.Hefelthisincisorsdrop,lengthening,sharptipsdiggingintohis
gums,andhisbreathingspedupuntilhewasnearlypanting,thefirstsign
oftheChange.Thewolfwasclosetobreakingfree.Down boy,hethought.Not
yet. After.

AtCorbin’snod,Alexgrinned.Itwasthesmileofausedcarsalesman,

cannyandknowing.“It’llcostya,though.”Anypretenseofinnocencewas
gone.Hewasallbusinessnow,thumbsjammedintohispockets,waitingfor
anexecutivedecision.

Ah, it always comes down to the money, doesn’t it? I held hope you might be different from

the rest. Pity that,Corbinthought,reachingintohispantspocket.“AndhereI
thoughtyoucamewithmebecauseyoulikedme.Sillyme.Howmuch?”

Le Petit String Rouge

“Hey,man.WhatcanIsay?I’vegotbillstopay.Theshowisyoursforfifty.

Youcanjerkoffifyouwantto,butnotouching.Ablowjobwillsetyouback
seventy-five.Fuckingmewillcostyouahundred.”

“Abargain,tobesure,”Corbinsaid,countingoutfivetwenties.Helaid

themontheotherbed,fannedoutinaneatpile.“Iwantitall.”

Alex’seyesnarrowedwithanavariciousglint.“Plustip.”
“Greedy boy,” Corbin chided, but added another forty to the stack.“I

hopeyou’reworthit.”

“Everypenny,”Alexrepliedcheekilyasscoopedupthemoneyandstuffed

itintohispocket.Heflickedonthetelevision,andspentamomentsurfing
thechannelsuntilhefoundoneplayingashowwithasuitablesoundtrack.
Softandlow,themusicpulsedsensuouslyasAlexbegantomove.Hiships
swayed;heliftedthebottomofhisshirt,slowlyexposinginchafterinchof
smoothflesh.Hisflat,washboardstomach,andsmall,perfectlyroundbelly-
buttonwererevealed;thenamomentlater,hispinknipples,tightandperked,
andhairlesschest.Thentheshirtwasoff,tossedflirtatiouslyatCorbin,who
batteditaway.

Alex’sjeansrodeverylowonhiships,afewcurlinghairsthecolorof

goldenhaypeekingfrombehindthewaistband.Hecarelesslykickedoffhis
shoes,cheapsneakersthat’dseenbetterdays,andslowlyturnedinacircle,
affordingCorbinanothergood,longlookathislusciousassroundingout
thetightdenim.

Hurry,thewolfsnarled. Patience,Corbinadmonished,enjoyingtheshow

Alexwasgivinghimtoomuchtoobey.Hisentirebodywasstrungtightwith
need;theroomfeltuncomfortablywarm,eventhoughtheairconditioner
wascranking.

“More?”Alexasked,palminghiscockthroughhisjeans.
Corbin’smouthwentdry.Thewolf’showlrunginhisears,frustrated,as

itpacednervouslyinsidehisskin.Itwasastruggletomaintaincontrol.He
managedanothernod.

Alexflickedhisjeansbuttonopen,andteasinglyslidthezipperdown,

onemetaltoothatatime.Aflashofredpeekedthroughthefly;hehadindeed
wornthesating-string,justasCorbinhadhoped.

Hepeeledthejeansoverhisslenderhips,exposingsharphipbonesalong

withtheg-string,hiscockbulging,distendingthematerial.“More?”Alex
askedagain,kickingthepantsoffandaway.Hestoodinonlytheg-string,
slenderandfirm,grinningsaucilyatCorbin.

Le Petit String Rouge

Cocktease,Corbinthought.He’s enjoying this.“More.”
“Doyouwanttodoit?”Alexasked,thumbsslippingundertheelasticof

hisg-string,pullingitandlettingitsnapback.

“No,Iwanttowatch.”
Alex obligingly worked the g-string down, slowly exposing a neatly

trimmedpatchofdarkgoldencurls,acuriouslybeautifulbackdropforhis
erection.Alex’scock,ramrodstraight,rosyredandperfectlyformed,bobbed
ashefreeditfromitssatinprison.

ThescentofithitCorbinlikeasledgehammer,anewburstofsalivafill-

inghismouth.Hestoodup,unzippedhispants,andquicklyshimmiedout
ofthem.Sincehiswolfdetestedclothing,thecompromisehemadewasto
forgounderwear.Hestrippedoffhisshirtandstoodnaked,watchingAlex
takehismeasure.

“Mmm,baby.Prettycock.Wantmetosuckyou?”Alexasked,walking

towardhim.Corbingroundhismolars,holdingthewolfincheck,watching
asAlexdroppedtohiskneesandwrappedhisfingersaroundCorbin’serec-
tion.ThoseplumplipslingeredinchesawayfromtheheadofCorbin’scock,
sapphireblueeyeslookingupathim,waitingforpermission.

He nodded, screwing his eyes closed against the wave of pleasure that

instantlyrocketedthroughhimasAlex’slipsclosedovertheheadofhisdick.
Alex’smouthwashotandwet,histongueslickasitslippedoverthedelicate
skinandflickedundertheridge.Corbin’sskinrippledasthewolfstruggled
tobreakfree,half-madwiththeneedtorut,lustwarringwithhunger.

Corbin’sbreathexplodedasAlextookhimindeeply,suckinghard,al-

thoughhehadn’tbeenawarehe’dbeenholdingit.“Fuck!”Hegrabbedthe
sidesofAlex’shead,handsthrustingintothewealthofcornsilkhair,fin-
gerstwistinginthesoftstrands.ThewolfstrainedagainstCorbin’sskinonce
more,snarling.Corbinbarelyhadthepresenceofmindtokeepcontrol.His
headfellback,mouthopen,exposinghislengthenedincisorstothecoolair.

Alex’s tongue worked Corbin’s cock, lips tugging at the delicate skin,

cheekshollowing,mouthsuckingnoisily.HishandcuppedCorbin’ssac,roll-
inghisballs,givingalighttugnowandthen.“Sweetfuck,yeah,likethat,”he
moaned,pumpinghiships,feedinghiscockdeeplyintoAlex’sthroat.

Corbinknewthat,givenafewmoreminutesofthisdeliciousoralpun-

ishment,he’dgoofflikeapopgun.Hecouldfeelthepointofnoreturn
thrumminginhisballs,heatinghisbelly.Itwaswithpangofregretthathe
pulledaway.“Onthebed.Showmeyourass,boy.”

Le Petit String Rouge

“Don’tyouwanttosuckme?Yourmouthlookssofuckinggood…“Alex

battedhisbeguilinglashes,thepictureofsweetnessandlightagain.

Corbinwasn’tfooled.“Notonmydime.Onthebed.Now.”
AlexflashedCorbindisappointedfrown,butstoodup,andflunghimself

ontothebed.Hebouncedonceortwice,thenrolledtohisstomach,scoot-
ingtohishandsandknees.Whenherestedhisheaddownonfoldedarms,
CorbinwasgiftedwithanunobstructedviewofAlex’sperfect,roundedass.
Hisballshunglowbetweenhisslightlypartedthighs,hisholebared,invit-
inglypink.

A beautiful picture, to be sure,Corbinthought,ashegrabbedacondomand

lubefromthedresser.Suitablyarmored,heclimbedontothebedbehindAlex.
CorbinranahandoverAlex’rump,squeezing,spankinghimplayfully,until
hisgoldenskintookonarosyhue.Alexyelpedinamostdelightfulmanner,
squirming,assclenchingwitheachopen-handedsmackCorbindelivered.

The warm flesh under Corbin’s hand drove the wolf wild. It salivated,

panting,clawingtogetout,tobefree.Corbinfelthisskinripple,sawhair
begintosproutonthebackofhishands,andknewhewaslosinghisfightto
holdthewolfback.It’snowornever,hethought,abitdisappointedly,since
hewouldhavelikedtohaveplayedwithAlexawhilelonger.

HeslickedAlex,afingerslidingdeeplyinsidethesweet,tighthole,crook-

ingtotickleAlex’g-spot.WhenAlexmewled,Corbinknewhe’dhitthetar-
get.“Jerkoff,”heorderedinahuskyvoice.“Iwantyoutostrokeyourself,
keepyourselfhard.Begme.Begmetofuckyou.”

“Yeah,whateveryousay.Justdoit.”
CorbindeliveredanotherslaptoAlex’srump,sharperthistime,hisdisap-

provalfunnelingthroughhishand,andfeltajoltofsatisfactionwhenAlex
yelpedandthesmoothfleshpinkedanew.“Thatdidn’tsoundlikebegging.I
paidyourprice,nowdoasIsay.”

Alexwhinedlikeachastisedpup,butobeyed.Hisweightshiftedabit,one

armsnakingunderhisbelly,movingsteadilyashetouchedhimself.“Please
fuckme,”Alexsaidhoarsely,glancingbackatCorbin.“Please?”

Better. The boy can be taught,Corbinthoughtabsently,thenceasedthinking

rationallyatall.Everyneuron,everysynapseinhisbrain,everyfiberofhis
beingwasfocusedsolelyonfuckingAlexintothemattress,leavingprecious
littleforpleasantrieslikeconversation.

Heslickedhimself,andpressedtheheadofhiscockagainstAlex’shole,

teasing, then began to push slowly inside. Every sound, every color, every

Le Petit String Rouge

texturesuddenlysprangintovividrelief,growingsharper,moreintenseas
thewolfhowledhisapprovalandpushedagainstCorbin’sskin,salivatingfor
hisshare.

Corbin’sbreathcaughtinhischest.Alex’sassholeclenchedaroundhim

inaviseofsilkandfire.Hecouldn’tspeak,couldn’tdoanythingbutbreathe.
Thewolfbayedandbristled,wantingout,needingout.Heslammedadoor
shutinsidehismind,poordefenseagainstthebeast.Hefeltitsplinterasthe
wolfbrokethrough,theirwillsclashingviolently.

Instinctalonedrovehim.Hethrustindeep,hard,andfast,settingapun-

ishingrhythm.Themusicofsexfilledtheroomwiththesoundoffleshslap-
pingagainstflesh,andlow,throatymoans.Hisfinalcryofpleasuresounded
verymuchlikeawolf’showl,echoingagainstthewalls.

HefeltAlex’sbodyspasm,anddimlyheardAlexgrunting.Somesmall

partofCorbin’smindregisteredAlex’sorgasm,andfeltprideatajobwell
done.Hepulledaway,breathlessandsweating,andcrawledoffthebedas
Alexcollapsedontothemattressinasated,bonelessheap.

Corbincluckedquietlytohimself.So trusting,hethought.So oblivious.
So tender, thoughtthewolf.
Afterhe’ddisposedofthecondom,andretrievedhismoneyfromAlex’s

pants’pocket,storingitsafelybackinhisown,hesetthewolffree.

e f

Thebarwasmuchlikeamillionothers:dark,loud,andsmoky.Corbinsata
tabledrinkinghisusualvodkaneat,watchingtheyoungdancergyratewan-
tonlyonthetabletop.

Youngandtoned,therewasn’tasinglelineetchingthedancer’sangelic

face,noscarsmarringthelong,leanstretchoftawnyskin.Allthatkepthim
modestwasathin,redg-string.

Corbinwavedafoldedtwenty-dollarbillatthedancer,gaininghisundi-

videdattention.Hetuckeditintothewaistbandofthedancer’sg-string,and
receivedaninvitingsmileinreturn.

Underhisskin,thewolfhowled.

Le Petit String Rouge

The Goose Boy

MoniquePoirier

QueenJoanofConwardhadtwosons.Theolderson,Conrad,wouldinherit
herkingdomandwasbroughtupasawarrior.Hequicklymarriedandjust
asquicklyproducedanheir.Theyoungerson,Giles,wasbroughtuptobea
learnedman,thebettertoadvisehisbrotheroneday.Whenhewastwenty,
thequeensenthimforthtotheneighboringkingdomtostudyunderthe
greatmaster-scholarthere,andtokeepcompanyintheyoungking’scourt.

Gileswasasbrightasanautumnday,withhairthecoloroffoxfurand

eyesliketheskyatnoon.Hewasaslightyoungman;animbledancerand
afineriderandmuchlovedbyallthecourt.Whenhewassentabroad,his
mothersentwithhimablackmarenamedFalada.Thequeenhadacquired
herfromawisewomaninherownyouthfuladventures,andshecouldspeak.
Faladawaspleasantandpatientandwise,butonlythoseofnoblebirthwere
abletohearher.Thequeenalsosentagraymare,andaservinggirlnamed
Avelyntorideher.

Avelyn,unknowntoall,wasthedaughterofawiseandcraftywomanand

hadlearnedabitofmagicfromhermother.NosoonerweresheandGilesa
fullday’sridefromthecastlethanshecursedhimandtookawayhispowers
ofspeech.WhenGileswenttobathe,shestolehisclothingandgavehimrags
towear.Inhissilence,hecoulddonothingagainstherasshetoldliesinthe
nextcitytheycameto,andshesoldallofhisfinepossessionstobuyfinery
forherself.

“Itwillbebetterthisway,”thegirlclaimed,combingoutherblackhair.

“Whatusecouldakinghaveforapopinjaylikeyou?Icanatleastbehis
bride.”

Whentheyarrivedatthecourtoftheyoungking,Avelynclaimedthatshe

wasaprincessfromaforeignlandravagedbywarwhohadbeensenttoseek

asylumintheking’scourt.Shelookedveryfineinhernewattire–plump
andwell-formed,herskinnutbrownandherhairravenblackandhereyes
thetwinklinggreenofacat’s.Shetoldthestablehandthattheblackhorse
hadatendencytokickandbiteandthatithadgivenhernothingbuttrouble
andpain–andthatitshouldbeimmediatelybutchered.Giles,shesaid,was
nothingbutapeasant’sfoundlinguponwhomshe’dtakenpityandkeptasa
servant.Ashewassurlyandlazy,shehadnouseforhimanylonger.

Thus Falada was slain, because the young prince could say nothing in

herfavor.Yetwhenhefoundherbareskullamongthepileofoffal,hefound
thatbeingslainbotheredhernotatallandthatshespokeaspleasantlyand
patientlyassheeverhad.Nordidshehaveanytroubleunderstandinghimin
hissilence.

“Well.Thishasgoneverybadlyindeed,nowhasn’tit?”Faladasaid,her

voiceawhisperinhisear.

‘Iambewitched.WhatelsecouldIhavedone?IfIconfrontedher,people

wouldonlythinkmemad!’Gilesthoughtbackbitterly.

“You’reprobablyright.Iwouldn’tknow.Thingshavealwaysbeenthat

muchsimplerformethantheyareforyouhumans.Still,Isupposeyou’ll
havetomakedoasbestyoucanandfindyourselfsomeemployment,lest
youstarve.”

‘Whileshecourtsthekingandsitsbythearmofthescholar,’Gilesreplied

insilence.

“You’llgnawyourselfhollow.Idislikethisplace;takemesomewheredry

atleast.Death,Ithink,maybeatroublesomething.”

AndsoGilesfoundhimselfajobasagoose-tender.Hewaspaidindaily

bread,andgivenapalletofstrawinabarn.HehungFalada’sskullonthe
wall,andtheservantsaroundhimreckoneditwasapagangestureandgener-
allyavoidedhim.

Soitwentforafortnight.Gilesroseatdawnandchasedaflockofgeese

inandoutandallaroundthetownwithastick,recitingLatininhisheadto
preventhismindfromgoingnumb.Intheeveningsheconversedatlength
withFaladaonthesubjectsofphilosophyorastronomyorwhatevercame
mostreadilytominduntilheslept.

Butthenoneevening...therewasachange.
Gileswasslowlynursinghisdailycupofaleinthecommonroomwhere

servantsate.Amansatdownheavilybesidehimandstartedspeakingwithout
meetinghiseyes.

The Goose Boy

“Justthoughtyoushouldknowit,lad:he’sgothiseyeonyou.Wouldn’t

dotobe...uncivil,ifyou’lltakemyadviceonthesubject.Don’tcareifyou
areawizardorwhateverdevilshinesfolksaretalkingabout.Youcrosshim,
andyou’llwishyouhadn’t.”

AndbeforeGilescouldthinkofanythingtodotogetthemantoclarify,

he’dstoodagainandwalkedoffintothecrowd.Gilesfoundhimselfscanning
theroomfor...anyone,really.Notknowingwhohewaslookingfororwhy
anyoneshouldhaveanyinterestinhim.

Therewasamanstandinginthecorner,watchinghim.Watchinghim

veryintently.

Hewasdressedintheclothesofamerchant,andheworealongcloak

withahood.Gilescouldseehiseyesflashingfromwithintheshadowsof
it, warmly brown and uncomfortably direct.When they met his own, the
hoodedmangrinnedwithaflashofwhiteteeth.Gileslookedintohiscup
studiously.

Heapproached.Gilesheldhisground;thewarninghadbeenbriefand

maddeninglycryptic,buthewasn’tthesortofmanwhoranaway.Thehood-
edmansatdownonthebenchbesidehim,veryclose.Closeenoughthat
Gilescouldfeeltheheatofhim.

“I’mtoldthatyoucan’tspeak,”themansaid.Hisvoicewassmoothand

clear;ayoungman’svoice–onethatdemandedattention.Gilesshookhis
headslightlywithoutlookingup.

“Can’t,orwon’t?”
AtthatGilesdidlookup,scowlingslightly,sighingthroughhisnose.The

manwhostaredbackathimwas...arresting.Thefaceofanangelgazedathim
fromtheshadowsofthathood,framedindarkcurls.He’dneverseenanan-
gel,paintedorotherwise,withsomuchhungerinitseyes.Gilesshuddered,
becausetheintensescrutinyhesuddenlyfacedstirredsomethinglowinhis
bellythatwasprobablybestleftundisturbed...

“MynameisThom.Walkwithme,”hesaid,standingandthenofferinga

hand.Histonewaslight,butGilesrecognizedanorderwhenheheardone.
Thomhadavoicethatdemandedobedience.

SoGilestookhishandandwalkedwithhim,outofthecommonroom

anddownahallwaythathewasunfamiliarwith.Hehadn’thadoccasionto
explorethelowerpartsofthecastle;hisworkdidn’ttakehimthere.Thomwas
sureofhispathandclearlyhadsomeideaofhisdestination.

“Ihaven’tseenyouherebefore.You’renew,aren’tyou?”Thomaskedcasu-

The Goose Boy

allyastheyturnedacorner.Gilesrealizedthathewasquitelostnow,andthey
werewellpastthesoundsofotherpeople...henoddedwarily.

“I’msorrythatIdon’tknowyourname...butIwillconfessthatI’vebeen

watchingyouforafewdays.Forgivemyrudeness.It’sbeenmostdifficultto
trackyoudownintheevenings.Therearethosewhosayyou’reaconjurerof
somekind.Aretheyright?”

Gilestriedtoreplyandwasremindedharshlythathecouldnot.Herolled

hiseyesandshookhishead.

“Youhaven’talwaysbeenwithoutavoice.”Notaquestion.Gilesshook

hisheadagain.

Thompushedbackhishood.Thelightherewasdim,withmoonlight

cominginthroughasinglewindowhighonthewall,paintinghiminsmooth
planesofblackandsilver.Darkhair,flashingteeth.Darkeyeswithsomething
burningbehindthem.

“You’reveryinteresting,goose-boy,”hebreathed,takingastepcloser.It

wasnarrowhallway.IfGilessteppedback,hewouldbeagainstthewall.He
stoodhisground.Thomapparentlytookthataschallenge,becausehetook
another step and suddenly his face was only inches from Giles’ own. His
eyesheldGilescaptiveaseffectivelyasanyironchains.Thewayhelookedat
him…andtrulysaw.Notathisbody,notathisface,notevenathiseyesbut
intothem.Oh,trickery,sorcery,wickedmagic…hewaslookingatGilesand
seeingthewholeofhim,everythingthatmadehim.Andthoseeyes,seeing
intohisown,werehungry.Inafinallunge,Thomclosedthegapbetween
themandpulledGilesintoaburningkiss.

Gilesfelthiskneesgiveway.Thatwasofnoconsequence,becauseThom

deftlycaughthimandtogethertheyshuffledbackwarduntiltheinexorable
strengthofcoldstonewasatGiles’back,asharpcounterpointtoThom’sheat.
Hismouthtastedlikewineandburnedlikefire.Whentheybrokeforbreath
Gilesfoundhimselfgasping,tiltinghisheadbacktograntThomeasyaccess
tohisneck.Lipsandtongueandteethdescendedthere,markingaburning
pathdownwardtothehollowofhisthroat.OneofThom’shandswastucked
atthesmallofhisback,buttheothermovedinabroadstrokeacrossGiles’
chestandbellyandthendownwardtocaresshiminawhollyindecentway.
Hisbreathlefthiminwhatwouldhavebeenamoanifhe’dhadavoice.

Thompulledhisotherhandfree,bothofthemalightingonGileships,

andtheireyesmetagain.

“MayI?”hebreathed.

The Goose Boy

Gilesnoddedfrantically.
Thom dropped to his knees and proceeded, with the kind of deftness

thatcouldonlycomefromlongpractice,tounlaceGiles’breechesandfree
himtothecoolofthenightair.HemovedwithoutpreambletodevourGiles
whole.

Byallthegodsheknew,ithadneverbeensogood.
Onebroadandcallusedhandgrippedthebaseofhislengthfirmly,the

otherwanderedasitpleasedalonghisstomach,histhighs,betweenthemto
strokeandcupandgentlysqueeze…andallthewhilethatmouthworked
itshot,wet,utterlywickedmagic.Thomwasthoroughenoughtobedeeply
satisfying,teasingenoughtomakeitworthwhile,andhecommandedevery
breathandstrokeandpurringvibrationwithexpertsureness.Therewasn’ta
momentofhesitationoruncertaintyinhim.

Gileswasaprince.Noonehadeversothoroughlycommandedhimbe-

fore...noonehaddared.Buthewasonlyagooseboyhere.WhoeverThom
was,hecertainlyappreciatedthatfactandbehavedaccordingly.Treatedhim
likesomebase-bornplaything...

Thom took Giles to the hilt in one long agonizingly slow bob of his

head,andheswallowed,andGileswasdonefor.Hisheadarcedbackashe
came,crackingagainstthewallwithenoughforcetohavehimseeingstars,
andwereitnotforthestrengthofThom’shandsonhishipshemighthave
crumpledtothefloor.Asitwashewaslostforseverallongmoments,rid-
ingthewavesofhisclimaxasThomdrankfromhimandmoanedinearnest,
pullingbacktolayhisfaceagainstGiles’thigh,hispantingbreathhotand
coldatonceasitgustedacrossslick,sensitiveflesh.Gilesfoundhimselfsink-
ingtohiskneesunderThom’sguidance,thensittingonhisheels,thenbeing
fiercelykissedagain.

“Meetmetomorrow,atsunset,atthegatehouse.I’llmakeitworthyour

time,”Thomwhisperedintohisear...andthenhewasstanding,pullingaway.
Footstepsringingwithquicknessintheemptycorridor.

Andthenhewasgone,leavingGilesaloneinthedarkness,hisheadstill

swimming.

Gilesknewanorderwhenheheardone.
Itwaslessdifficultthanhe’dfirstimaginedtofindhiswaybacktothe

barnwherehewascurrentlyquartered,hismindstillreelingfromwhathad
justhappened.Hefeltdistinctlyused,but...hefoundthathedidn’tmindin
theslightest.Wasthisthelotofthebase-bornthen?Tobesocommandedby

The Goose Boy

thewhimofthegentry?Heknewfromhearsaythatsuchdallianceswerenot
uncommon.He’dsimplyneverseenoccasiontotryanysuchthinghimself
Hismother’scourthadnolackofgentle-bornyoungmenwhowereonlytoo
eagertosecureanattendancewithaprince.Gilesclimbedtheladdertohis
loftandfellagainsthisbedinexhaustion,gazingatbarebeamsoftheroof.

“You’re very late to bed this night, my prince,” Falada’s whisper-voice

saidwryly.

‘Yes, I am,’ he replied in thought, sparing her a glance. She was grin-

ning,asskullswerewonttodo,andsheonlykeptgrinningandsaidnothing
more.

Giles was preoccupied in his work the following day, and if the geese

didn’tmaketheirroundsasthoroughlyasusualthenatleastnooneberated
himforit.Sunsetcouldn’tcomequicklyenough.

Gileshadforgonehissuppertowaitbythegatehouse,andhewasbe-

ginningtowonderifhe’dbeenfoolishtodoso.Thesettingsuntookthe
warmthofthedaywithit.Theguardsinthetowerabove,whiletheyhadn’t
saidanythingtohimdirectly,hadcertainlyofferedhimmorethanonecritical
glanceashestoodtherebythegate.Hewastoofarfromthemtoheartheir
conversation,buthehadseenonepointhimouttotheother.

AndthensomeonetappedhimontheshoulderandhespuntofindThom

standingtherewithawolfishsmile.Noideahowhe’dmanagedtogetso
closewithoutGilesnoticing.Itwas...unsettling.

Thomproducedakeyfromhispocketandproceededtoopenthedoorat

thebottomofthetower.Gileswasbeginningtowonderjustwhohewasthat
hehadaccesstosuchathing,andifitwasachievedinanylegitimatefashion,
buthelackedthecapacityjustnowtoaskquestions.

Hewasledupasetofnarrow,curvingstairstoasmallroommidway

upthetower.Twomenweresittingatatable,playingcards.Theylookedup
sharplywhenThomentered,andoneofthempaled.

“Leave,”Thomsaidwiththatsameperfectauthority.
Themenglancedatoneanother,andatGiles,buttheydidastheywere

toldwithouthesitation.

TheroomGilesfoundhimselfinwasappointedwithatableandchairs,

anumberofcandlelamps,twonarrowwindows,andabed.Thomlocked
thedoor.

“Wehavemoretimetonight,”ThomsaidasheturnedtofaceGiles,tak-

inghiscloakoffandhangingitonthewall.“Nooneisexpectingmeback.”

The Goose Boy

Gilesstood,hisarmscrossed,watching.InthislightThomwaspalegold,

hishairthecolorofsable.HenotedGiles’scrutinyandsmiled,standingwith
hishandsonhishipsandinvitingfurtherinspection.

“Takeyourclothesoff,”heorderedcoolly.
Gilesnarrowedhiseyes,keepinghisarmsfolded.
“Ifyouwon’t,Icoulddoitforyou,”Thomsaid,hisvoicechallenging.

Gilesturnedhisheadslightly,lookingatThomsideways,asmallsmileplay-
ingathislips.Thomwasabruptlyathisside,movingwithaswiftnessGiles
couldhardlywarrant.Closeenoughthattheysharedbreath.Closeenough
thathewascaughtintheendlessdepthsofthoseburningbrowneyesagain.

GilesofferednoresistanceasThombeganunlacinghisshirt.Itwasquickly

discarded.WhenThomtriedtounlacehisbreeches,Gilescaughthimbythe
wristsandtookastepback,narrowinghiseyes.Thommethisgaze,appar-
entlyconfused,andGilesofferedamischievoussmileandpointedathim.

“Ah, so you wish to keep things equitable?”Thom asked with a wry

smile.Gilesnodded.

“Youdon’tknowwhoIam,doyou?”
Gilesshookhishead.
“Allthebetter,”Thomsaid,offeringapredatorysmileashebegantoun-

lacehisownshirtwithagonizingslowness.Gileswatched,hismouthgoing
abitdry.Thomwasallsmoothskinandsolidmuscle,abodythatspokeof....
prowess.Hiswhitemerchant’sshirtwastossedcarelesslyintoacorner,and
hemetGiles’eyeswithasparkofchallengewhenitwasgone,fingeringthe
lacesofhisownbreechesforamomentbeforeunlacingthoseaswell.

AndGileswasneveronetoallowafavortogounreturned.
HedroppedtohiskneesandmoveduponThomineagerappreciation,

lettingthehot,hardlengthofhimslidealonghischeekbeforetakingthe
headintohismouth.Thomnestedbroadhandsintohishair,holdinghimto
thetask,purringinsatisfactionasGileslaidhishandsonhisthighs.Thighs
thatwerestillcasedinsmoothleather.

Gileshadn’toftenpleasuredothermenwithhismouth;hewasfarmore

oftenonthereceivingendofsuchattention...buthewantedverymuchto
pleaseThom.Itwasn’t somethinghecoulddistinctlyname,buttherewas
suchdeliciousauthoritytotheman.Such...nobility.Hefoundhimselfach-
inglyhardandrelishedthefeeling,purringdeepinhisthroat.Therewasno
soundtoit,butThom’smoanprovedthatitwasstillquiteeffective.

“You’regoodatthis,”Thomobservedbreathlessly,thighsturnedoutward,

The Goose Boy

mouthpartlyopen,eyesclosed.“Might...havetokeepyou...closer...”

Gilesranhishandupwards,fingernailsgrazinglightlyatthetaut-stretched

leatheratthejunctureofThom’sthighs.Thombucked,pressingforward,and
Gilessuddenlyfoundhimselfnosingdarkcurlsandswallowingfranticallyas
Thomcameatthebackofhisthroat.

Hepanted,swallowing,feelingadizzysortofsatisfactionasThomcol-

lectedhimself...andthenhewasquitesuddenlycaughtunderthearmsand
hauledupwardintoafierceembrace.TheroomspunandThomturnedhim
andskitteredbackthreepacesandsuddenlyhewasonhisbackonthebed
andThomwasontopofhimandhewasbeingbrutally,wonderfullykissed.

Thomwasunlacinghisbreecheswithfrantic,fumblinghandswithout

breakingtheirkiss.Gilesfoundthathehadtoresorttodoingsumsinhis
headtocounteractjusthowdeucedlyappealingthatwas.Hisbreecheswere
soondiscarded,leavingthembothnaked.Thomwasonhiskneesandstrad-
dlinghim,gazingdownathiminopenappreciation.

Andthenahothand,hardwithaswordsman’scalluses,closedonhis

arousal.

Thom ran his thumb in a quick circle around the head, spreading the

slicknessthere,andGiles’breathlefthiminastutteringsigh.

“IfImakeyoucome,doyouthinkyou’llstillbeabletofuckmelater?”

Thomasked,apredatoryfireinhiseyes.Thequestionbecamemoot,because
theobscenesuggestionofitwasmorethanGilescouldbearandhebucked
inThom’sfist,thepurestofpleasurerollingthroughhimashisseedspilled
forth,splashingagainsthisownchestandbelly.Thomlaughed.

AndwhenhebenttolaptheevidenceofopenlustfromGiles’flesh,the

answertohisquestionsoonbecameapparent.BythetimeThomreachedhis
sackandtookoneballandthentheotherintohismouth,hewashardand
desperatelywantingagain.

“Ineedtofetchtheoil.Wait,”Thomsaid,risingfromhim.Thelossof

histouchwaslikeablow,andGilesfoundhimselfturningtowatchashe
crossedtheroom.Thommovedwithcatlikegrace,silvermoonlightfromthe
windowsandgoldenlightfromthecandlesworkinginconcerttoplayabe-
guilingdanceoflightandshadowacrossthemusclesofhisback.

Hereturnedinduecoursewithavialofoil,whichheimmediatelyput

togooduse.GilesfellagainstthebedagainasThom’scallusedhandsslicked
downthelengthofhim,pausingtopalmthehead.

“Ineedyouonyourknees,”hesaid,hisvoicethickandhiseyeshalf-

The Goose Boy

lidded.Gileswasinnomoodforteasingdefiance.Heobedientlyroseand
Thomslippedintobedjustinfrontofhim,facingaway.Hegrippedthefoot
boardinbothhandsandlookedoverhisshoulderatGiles,hisfaceanopen
challenge.

Gileswasmorethanhappytomeetit.
Hepositionedhimselfandpressedinwardwithonesmoothstroke,and

Thom’smoanofsatisfactionrangagainstthewalls.Gileslosthimselfinthe
delicious friction,Thom’s flesh tightening around him beautifully, and he
threwhisheadbackandgasped.Hewassupposedlysomebase-bornnobody
now,andherehewashavinghispleasureofanoble...whohaddemanded
suchinnouncertainterms.Hewonderedforamomentwhatthismanwould
thinkofhimifheknewthatGileswasaprince...

“Harder,”Thomgroaned,hisshoulderstensingunderGiles’hands.
Gilesfollowedtheorderhewasgiven,doublinghisefforts,duckinghis

headtoexplorethejunctureofThom’sneckandshoulderwithlipsandteeth
andtongue.Hesnakedahanddownward,findingThom’shardlengthand
grippingit,pumpingitintimewithhisthrusts.Thomgaveanincoherentcry,
buckinghardenoughtoliftthembothoffthebed,comingdownagainhard
andtakingGilestothehilt.HetiltedhisheadawaytogiveGilesgreaterac-
cess,andGilescontinuedtonguingandnipping,hisbreathcominginsharp
gasps.

“Wantthis...everynight!”Thomsaid,hisvoiceabark,agrowl.Andhe

came,thewetheatofhimsplashingoverGiles’fistlikepleasantfire,hisflesh
tightening almost painfully, and Giles shuddered and spilled himself deep
insidehim.

There was a quiet dissolution after that as they untangled themselves,

fallingintoajumbleofsweat-slicklimbsonthebed,bothspenttoutterex-
haustion.Thomwaspurringintohisearbetweenpantingbreaths,asoundof
puresatisfaction.Gilesturnedfractionallytokisshim,andtheirkisswaslong
andslowandsweet.

“I’llcomeforyouagaintomorrow,”Thomwhispered,pullinghimclose.

Gilessmiled,andwouldhavemurmuredagreementatthesuggestionifhe’d
hadthevoicetodoso.

Theyslept.
ItwasdarkwhenGileswoketomovement.Bymoonlighthewatched

Thomsittingattheedgeofthebed,donninghisclothes.

“Ican’tstay,thoughIwishIcould,”hesaid,lookingatGileswithanodd

The Goose Boy

paininhiseyes.“WouldthatIcouldbringyouwithme...butI’llcomefor
youagaintonight.Here.Youcangobacktosleepifyouwant;noonewill
botheryouhereandit’sstillhoursuntildawn.”

Gilesnoddedslowly,settlingbackagainstthebed.Thomleanedoverhim

andkissedhimasdeeplyandthoroughlyasanyoneeverhad.Therewassuch
hungerinthatkiss,suchdesperatelonging.Itwasakissthatasked,begged,
pleaded…andGilesknewinthatmomentthathewouldgiveanythingThom
askedofhim,anddosowillingly.

Andforthesecondtimeinasmanynights,Thomlefthiminthedark-

ness.

Hewokeagaintothesongsofmorningbirdsandthesoundsofthecity

waking. In a guard tower, like a common whore... but there had been so
muchpassiontheselastnights.Morethanhe’deverknownwhenhelivedin
apalace.He’dhavetothinklongonthis...herehesat,desertedbytheworld.
Aqueen’sson,forcedtofulfilltheofficeofgoose-boy,whileawaiting-maid
satontheking’srighthand.Ifhismotheronlyknew...

Butdamnhimforafoolifitdidn’tseemworthitforwhatthenights

broughtnow.

He gathered his scattered clothing, slightly dismayed at the state of it,

buthehadnothingbettertowear.Well,hedoubtedthegeesewouldgivea
damn.

Hewaswalkingdownthenarrowlanethatledfromthetowertotheser-

vants’hallwhenamaninguards’liverybarredhiswaywithamischievous
smile.

“Andwhat’saprettybitlikeyoudoingwalkingthiswayatthishour,

hmm?”

Gilesflushed,knowinghowhemustappear.Heduckedandtriedtostep

aside,buttheguardmatchedhim.

“Now,now.It’searlyyet.Won’tanyonemindifI’mafewminuteslatefor

mywatch...”

“Hugh,leavehim,”avoicesaidbehindhim,makingGilesspin.Another

guard, one of those who’d been in the room beforeThom had dismissed
them.Gilesfelthimselfflushevenfurther.

“AndwhyshouldI?”Thefirstguardsaid,indignant.“Iknowwellenough

wherehe’scomefromandthere’snoreasonyounightwatchshouldhaveall
thefun...”

“He’sKingThomas’newfavorite.”

The Goose Boy

Gilessuddenlyfeltratherdizzy.Theguardstoodaside,andhestaggered

past.KingThomas.Thom.He’dbeendallyingwithroyaltyandhehadn’teven
known.

Hewalkedinahazetothecommonroomandbrokehisfastonbread

andmilk.Damnthegeese.Hereturnedtohisbarnandclimbedtheladder,a
thousandthoughtsclatteringinhisheadlikesquabblingravens.

“Youdidn’treturntobedatalllastnight,myprince,”Falada’svoicesaid

coolly.Heturnedtolookatherhangingthereonthewall,heremptyeyes
seemingtoregardhim.

‘He’s the king.’ Giles thought back, unable to collect himself more elo-

quently.

“Whom?”
‘Thom.Thom’stheking.I’vebeen...’
“Wellthen,Isupposethatyourtroubleswillsoonbesolved.Youhaveau-

diencewiththepersonbestabletosetrightsthesituationyoufindyourselfin.
YouneedonlygethimtospeaktomeandIcanexplainyourtroubles.”

Ah,butwhatwouldThom...orrather,KingThomas,thinkuponknowing

thetruth?Hethoughthewasdallyingwithagoose-boysolowlythathedidn’t
evenrequireaname.WhenhelearnedthatGileswasaprinceofConward...

Still,therewaslittlechoiceleftbeforehim.Thesituationhadtobesetto

rights.

Giles had half a mind to simply bring Falada with him when he went

tothegatehouse,buthethoughtbetteronitwhenheconsideredtheway
thatthetownsfolkcrossedthemselvesathispassingasitwas.Thathehunga
horse’sskullonthewallwascommonknowledgeandtolerated,butcarrying
oneaboutwithhimasheskulkedthroughthestreetsatnightwouldprobably
bemetwithunpleasantramifications.

Sohewaitedatthegatehouseagainashehadthepreviousnight,arms

crossedandmuchonhismind.Thesunset.Darknessfell.Gilessatagainstthe
wall,chewingonhisthumbnail.

ItwasanhourbeforeThomarrived,lookingwearyandworn.Gilesrose

tohisfeetatthesightofhim,hedginghiseyebrows.

“Idon’tknowifI’mevenable...”Thombegan,butGileshushedhimwith

narrowfingersplacedagainsthislips,andThom’swearyeyeslitwithcurios-
ity.

Gilestookhishandandpointedtowardthealleythatledtotheservants’

hall.

The Goose Boy

“Wecan’tgothere.”
Gilesshookhisheadimpatiently,tuggingonThom’shand.
“Itellyou,wecannot.Icannot,”Thominsisted,hiseyesflashingan-

ger.Gilessethisjaw,sighingthroughhisnose,andturnedonhisheeland
walkedaway.

“Comebackhere!”Thomcalledindignantly.Gilesstopped,lookingback

overhisshoulder,andtossedhisheadinthesuggesteddirection.

“Icouldcalltheguardsdownonyou,”Thomwarned.
ItwasGiles’turntostarechallengeathim,andashewatchedThomnar-

rowedhiseyesandbaredhisteeth,andfollowedGilesintothedarkness.Past
theservants’hall,tothebarn.Uptheladder.

He startled when he saw Falada’s skull, and if Giles hadn’t caught his

handhemighthavefallenfromtheladderwhenshespoke.

“Greetings,KingThomas.Ourmeetingislongoverdue,”shesaidwith

thesoundofasmileinhervoice.Gilessatwithhislegsdrawnupandhis
armsaroundhiskneesasThomlistenedtoFaladarecountingthestoryof
theirmisfortune.OfAvelyn’streachery.

“Thatunforgivablewenchhasbeenmakingmycourtahellsinceshe

arrived.Nothingpleasesher.She...shewantstomarryme!Andshe’ssovi-
ciouslysweetwithherwordsthatthecourtlistenstoherpleas...Ihaveno
heirs,andnevermindthatmyyoungerbrotherinNorthmerealreadyhas
foursons!YouhavenoideahowgladIam...”Thompaused,lookingatGiles,
andswallowedthickly.“Bothofyoumustcomeatoncetothepalace.I’ll
havemyroyalconjurerawakened.”

AndsowithFaladatuckedunderhisarm,Gileswasledtothepalace

inThom’scompany.Theconjurerwasawakened;awomanoflatermiddle
yearswhotookonelookathim,sighedthroughhernose,andsaidsimply,

“Speak,child!”asshemadeasmallgesture.Shelookedattheskulland

said,“I’msorry,Milady,thatthere’snothingIcandoforyou.”

Andthensheturnedaroundandclosedherdoor.
“Ioughttoberidofthatwoman,”Thomspat,preparingtoknockon

thedooragain.

“Idon’tknow...”Gilessaid,hisvoicehoarsefromdisuse.“Sheseemsto

knowwhatshe’sdoing.”

“Yes,but-”Thombegan,thencaughthimselfandspuntomeetGiles’

eyeswithsurpriseandjoy.“Yourvoice.”

“I’mnolongerbewitched,”Gilessaid,sounusedtospeakingthatitfelt

The Goose Boy

strangetodoso.

“Thestateofyou,though.Youmustcomeatonceandbathe,anddressas

befitsyourstation.”

“IwouldappreciateitifIcouldbeleftoutofthat,”Faladasaidmildly,a

hintofknowingsmugnesstoherwhisperyvoice.

Faladawasleftonthemantleintheking’sownchamber,anditwastothe

king’sprivatebathsthatGileswasled.

“Ihadnoideathatyouwereaprince,”Thomsaidinavoicebarelyabove

awhisperasthedoorclosedbehindthem.

“AndIhadnoideathatyouwereaking,”Gilesreplied,turningtoface

himboldly.“Doesthat...changethings?”

“Well,”Thomsaidcarefully,“Itwouldonlybefityourstationtositatmy

sideanddineatmytableandbequarteredclosetome.”

HemetGiles’eyes,andtherewasafamiliarhungerthere.
“IdobelievethatI’dfindthatveryagreeable,”Gilesreplied,andpunctu-

atedhiswordsbyslippingoutofhisclothes.Thomfollowedsuitandledhim
toamarblebasinthatwaseasilylargeenoughforbothofthem.

He’dquiteforgottenhowgoodhotwatercouldfeel.Andsoap…especial-

lywhenthatsoapwasappliedbythecapablehandsofastartlinglyattractive
youngmanwhoalsohappenedtobetheking.

Thompulledhimintoafierceembrace,hotandwetandachinglypower-

ful.Hishandswereeverywhere,asiftheymeanttomapeveryinchofGiles’
skin.

“Youreallydon’tknowwhatitmeanstomethat...thatthisisreal.That

you’rereal.Thatyou’renoble.ThatI...”Thomfaltered,notmeetinghiseyes.

“Thatyoucanhaveme,”Gilesfinishedforhim,asmiletuggingathis

lipsashenestedhishandsinThom’shairandguidedhimintoalong,slow
kiss.Thommoanedintohismouth,adesperatenoise.Gilespulledawaylong
enoughtoturnaround,Thomembracinghimfrombehind,drawingasoap-
slickhandacrosshischesttograzehishardenednipples.Gilesleanedagainst
theedgeofthebasin,hisfeetplantedwide.

“Youwant...”
“Yes.”
Thommoanedagainsoftly,kissingGilesjustbelowthepointofhisjaw.

Gilespurredappreciation,heatpoolinglowinhisbelly.HefeltThom’slength,
hotandhard,pressingintohim.Thom’shandsgraspedhishipspowerfully…
itwasaslow,impossiblemeldingoffleshashewasstretchedandfilled.His

The Goose Boy

fingers splayed out on the cool marble, anchoring him to reality asThom
begantomove.Histhrustswereslow,delicious,maddeningandperfect.The
tileunderGiles’handswascool,thewateraroundthemhot,Thom’slength
withinhimevenhotter.Gilesarchedagainsthim,andheshiftedslightly,and
suddenlyeverystrokebrushedpastthatspotwithinhimthatmadehimsee
stars.

Gileshadforgottenhowloudhisvoicecouldbe.
Thomwasshushinghim,theburstsofwarmbreathhotagainsttheshell

of his ear, and he gasped.A broad hand came down along his chest and
bellytofindandtakeholdofhiminafirmgrasp.Thewatermovedacross
hislengthincounterpointtoThom’sthrusts,tohispumpingfist,andGiles
surrenderedhimselftothesensations.Helaidhisforeheadagainstthecool
marble,andhebithislip,andhecamewithashatteringbrilliance.Hedidn’t
knowhowmuchlongeritwaswhenhecamebacktohimself,butThomwas
facinghim,kissinghim,holdinghimcloseintheswiftly-coolingwater.

“Sleepinmybed,”Thomorderedwithalltheauthorityofaking.
“Yes,yourmajesty,”Gilesansweredwithasmile.“Foraslongasyou’ll

haveme.”

Daylightcame,andGileswasdressedinroyalapparel.Thomremarked

upontheimprovementitmadeinhisappearance,andhiseyesmadeprom-
isesaboutjustwhathe’dhavelikedtodoifmorepressingmattershadn’t
beenathand.

Agreatbanquetwasprepared,andtheyoungkingsatattheheadofthe

tablewiththelovelybutshrewishforeignprincessathisside.Gilesstoodat
thedoorway,waitingforhiscue.

Justbeforethebanquetbegan,wheneveryonewasmerrywithanticipa-

tion,ThomasturnedtoAvelynandasked,

“Milady,supposethattherewasacriminalwhohaddeceivedeveryone

inhismidst...”andproceededtoathinly-veiledversionofGiles’misfortune.
Avelynsmiledblithelythroughit,noddingoccasionally,eyesupontheroast
goose.Herinattentionwasplain,aswasThom’sannoyance.Thomfinished
with,“Whatsentenceshouldbepassed?”

“Suchawretchdeservesnobetterfatethantobestrippedentirelynaked,

andputinabarrelwhichisstuddedinsidewithpointednails.Twowhite
horsesshouldbeharnessedtoitandshoulddragitalongthroughonestreet
after another until the damned criminal is dead,”Avelyn answered with a
lightsweetnessthatbeliedthepoisonofherwords.Theroomfelltosilence

The Goose Boy

asKingThomasstaredatAvelynlikealandedfishforanentireminute.

“Iwouldnotenvytherealmthathasyouforitsqueen,youhorrible,vi-

ciouslittlechit,”hefinallysaid.“Butthen,norealmwillhavetotoleratesuch
atragedy.”Thomgrinnedandsnappedhisfingers,andthefootmanstepped
forwardandsaidclearly,

“PresentingGilesPrinceofConward,secondsonofQueenJoan.”
ThecolordrainedfromAvelyn’sfaceasGilessteppedforwardandbowed

slightly.

“Prince Giles, I’ll ask the same question of you.To what punishment

shouldsuchafaithlesswretchbeput?”

“Idobelievethatsuchapersonshouldbecursedwiththeremovalof

theirvoiceforayearandaday,soastolearnhumility,”Gilesanswered,lock-
inghisgazeofAvelyn’s.“AndIthinkthattheyshouldbesentbacktotheland
oftheiroriginandpresentedtothekeepersoflawthere.”

“Thatstrikesmeasmostnobleandjust,PrinceGiles,”Thomsaidwitha

smallsmile.“Guards?Ifyouwouldremovethiswomantothecustodyofmy
conjurer?”

AndsoAvelynwasremovedofhervoiceandsentbacktoConward,with

aretinueofguardstomakesurethatshecausednofurthermischiefonthe
journey,andaletterofexplanationforthequeen.

Giles sat at the king’s side and studied with the master scholar, as his

motherhadintended,thoughifhismotheronlyknew...

Inanycase,whenAvelyn’ssentencewascarriedout,Gilessatattheking’s

righthandashisbestandmosttrustedadvisor,andtogethertheyreigned
overthekingdominpeaceandhappinessfortherestoftheirdays.

The Goose Boy

To Market

ElizabethSchechter

MynameisConn,andIamnoman’sson.Mymotherclaimedtohavegotten
mefromoneoftheGentry.Idon’tknowthetruthofthat,ifmyfatherwas
indeedoneoftheSidhe,orifhewassimplyasilver-tonguedpeddlerwho
neverthoughtagainofthegirlheleftbehindhiminHunter’sDell.AllIknow
isthatformywholelife,itwasjustmyMaandmeinourlittlehutbythe
edgeoftheforest.Ma...well,thefolksinthevillagecalledherWiseMeg,or
UncannyMeg,orMegtheWitch,andtheycametoherfortheircharmsand
simplesandallthethingsthatmadetheparsonlookdownhislongnoseatus
whenwecametomarket.Matoldtheirfortunesandreadtheirpalms,made
theirlovecharmsanduncrossedtheircows,andbeforeshedied,shetaught
meherart.Nowthevillagecomestome.Thatwashowitallbegan.

Ihadbeeninmygardenthatmorning,tryingtoconvincethesmallpatch

ofstubborndirtthatIneededradishesmorethanIneededrocks.WhenIsaw
theridercominguptheroad,Iknewthathewascomingtoseeme.Ileaned
onmyhoeandwaited,andwassurprisedtoseethatitwasPatrickGrady
whowasridinguptomygate.Therichestmaninthevillage,Gradylooked
downatmefromatophistallhorselikeIwassomethinghe’drathernothave
foundunderhisboot.Thenheswallowedhispride,noddedacurtgreeting,
andclearedhisthroat,“I’veneedofanuncrossing.”

Inodded.“Isitacoworahorseyou’reaskingfor?”Iasked.
Theexpressiononhisfacewouldn’thavebeenoutofplaceifhe’dswal-

lowedalivetoad.“Neither.‘Tismydaughter.”

Idroppedmyhoe.“Something’shappenedtoBess?”
He didn’t answer, turning his horse back down the road, “Will you

come?”

HemusthaveknownthatIwouldn’thavesaidno,thatIwouldneverturn

mybackonBess.Shewasmychildhoodplaymate,abold,headstronggirl
who’dbeenwillingtodefyherfatherbecauseshewantedthevillagebastard
forafriend.She’dwantedtohavemeassomethingmore,too;thenightof
hersixteenthbirthday,she’dbroughtmeintothehayloftofherfather’sbarn.
Gradyandhismenfoundusthere,bothofushalf-dressed.Gradydraggedhis
daughterofftothehouse,leavinghisloyalpackofrowdieswithinstructions
to‘dealwiththebastard.’Theydid,hangingmebymywristsfromthehayloft
andlayingmybackopenwithahorsewhip,thenleavingmethereuntilone
ofthestable-boystookpityonme,cutmedownandtookmehome.Afew
dayslater,Gradyhadriddenuptoourgate,andtoldmymotherthatifheever
caughtmenearhisgirlagain,he’dkillmehimself.

Sincethatday,I’davoidedthemarket,avoidedgoingintothevillage.I

couldn’tbearthethoughtofseeingBessandnotbeingabletogouptoher,
talktoher,shareeverythingwithherthewaywehadsinceweweresmall.But
Ineverstoppedthinkingofher,dreamingofher,recallingthefewprecious
momentsthatwe’dhadinthehayloftbeforewe’dbeenfound.

Whatinheaven’snamemusthavehappenedtoherthatcouldbringGrady

tolookformyhelp?

e f

Grady’shousewasthefinestinthevillage,andeverytimeBesshadbrought
mehere,she’dbroughtmeinthroughthefronthalltositinthedrawing
roomlikeanhonoredguest.Thistime,Iwenttothekitchendoor,andfound
afamiliarfacethere.Moira,Bess’oldnurse,metmeatthedoor,wringingher
handsassheescortedmeintothehouseanduptheservant’sstairs.

“Conn,youcanhelpher?”sheasked,hervoicecrackingwithfear.
“Idon’tknow,Moira.Iwilltry,”Ianswered,tryingtokeepmyownvoice

steady.“Wherearewegoing?”

“MissBess’bedchamber.”Moiraledmetothesecondfloor,anddownthe

hall.Gradyhimselfwaswaitingoutsideadoor,andasIreachedit,heopened
thedoorandgesturedmeinside.Iwalkedinandstopped,stunnedatwhat
Isaw.Besslayinthecenterofthewide,curtainedbed,writhingandmoan-
inglikeawomanpossessed.Herfairhairwasdirtyandmatted,andherfine
gownwasfilthy,tatteredandtorn.Worstofall,herarmswerespreadwide,
herwristslashedtothebedposts.

IturnedtoGrady,“Whathappenedhere?”

To Market

Atthesoundofmyvoice,Bessturned.Shesawmestandinginthedoor-

way,smiledwithdelight,andcalledmyname.I’dheardhersaymynamelike
thatoncebefore,andithadmademybloodrace.Now,theheatinhervoice
andthewildnessinhereyeshorrifiedme.Icouldn’timaginewhatcouldhave
causedthis.Gradygesturedformetojoinhiminthecorridor,closingthe
doorfirmlybehindme.

“Tellmewhathappened,”Isaid,tryingtoignorethefactthatIcouldstill

hearBessthroughthedoor,whimperingandcrying,callingmyname.

Gradyshookhishead,notmeetingmyeyes,“Wedon’tknow.Shewent

forawalkoneevening,anddidn’tcomehome.Thenextmorning,wefound
herwanderinginthesheeppastureontheeastsideofthevillage,lookinglike
she’dlostherwits.Thedoctorhasbeenhere,andtheparson.Sheattackedthe
parson,triedtogetoutofthehouse.That’swhyshe’sbound.”Gradystaredat
thedoor,“It’sbeenthreedays,andsheonlygetsworse.”

Inodded.Hewaslyingaboutsomething,butwhat,Ihadnoidea.“Letme

backin,”Isaid.“Ineedtolookather,seeifIcanseeanything.”

Gradypushedmenone-too-gentlytowardsBess’door.“Moira,gowith

him,”hegrowled.Thenheturnedandstalkeddownthehall.

Moiraheldthedooropenforme,thenfollowedmeintotheroom.Once

shehadclosedthedoor,Iturnedtofaceher.“Whatishenottellingme?”I
demanded.

Shelookedatmeandwhispered,“He’llhavemeoutonthestreetsifhe

findsoutI’vetoldyouanything.”

Imethereyes,“Moira,tellmewhatIneedtosaveher.”
Shelookedpastme,staringforamomentatthestrugglinggirlonthe

bed,thennodded,“TheMasterhasarrangedamarriageforMissBess.ToLord
Faraday.”

Ihissedatthename.LordFaradaywasourliegelord,butthatdidn’tmean

Ihadtoliketheman.Hewasaheavy-handedman,I’dheard,andhe’dburied
fourwivesthatIknewabout.Moiranoddedagain.

“WhenhetoldMissBess,sherefused.Shetoldhim...”shepausedand

thenlookedatme.“Conn,shetoldherfatherthatifheforcedher,she’dgo
tothegoblins.Theydidn’tfindherinthesheepmeadow.Theyfoundherat
Hunter’sOak.”

Iturnedandstaredatthebedinshock.Shehadgonetothegoblinmar-

ket?

Ifyouweretowanderinthegloamingtowardsthehollowwherethetree

To Market

thattheoldfolkscalledtheHunter’sOakhadoncestood,youwouldhear
thegoblins,callingtotheunwary,“Whowillbuy?Comeandbuy!”Noone
knewforcertainwhentheyhadfirstcometoHunter’sDell.Thereweresome,
mymothertoldme,whowerefoolishenoughtogointothehollowandtake
whatthegoblinsoffered.Butwhentheyreturnedtothehollow,seekingmore
ofthesame,theyfounditempty;thegoblinsnevercametwicetosomeone
whohadtastedtheirwares.Allofthosepoorsoulshaddiedhorriblywithin
afewdays,refusingfoodanddrink,piningforwhatevertheyhadfoundin
thehollow.Mahadtoldmeoncethatshethoughttheremighthavebeena
waytosavethem,iftherehadbeensomeonebraveenoughtotryit.Iwasn’t
brave,butIdidloveBess,andIwasboundtotryandsaveher.

IcrossedtoBess’bedsideandsatdownnexttoher;sheleanedtowards

measmuchasherbondswouldallow,whimperingsoftly.

“Conn,”shemoaned.“Touchme,please.”Hereyesmetmine,andIwas

strickentonotseethejoythatusuallyshonefrombehindherowneyes.There
wasonlyneedthere,andwant,onlywhatthegoblinshadthrustuponher.I
cuppedhercheekandleanedforwardtokissherforehead.

“I’llbringyouwhatyouneed,mylove,”Iwhispered.“Iswearit.”Then

Ipulledback,reachingintothesatchelIworeovermyshoulderandpulling
outasmall,brownbottlethatIhandedtoMoira,“Giveherthis,afulldram
mixedintosomemilk.Itwillmakehersleep.Ishouldbebackbeforeshe
wakes,orveryshortlyafter.”

Moiralookedatmeinhorror,“Conn,whatareyougoingtodo?”
IlookedbackatBess,whowascryingandcallingformetocomeback.It

nearbrokemyhearttoturnawayandleaveher.

“I’mgoingtothegoblins.”

e f

Itookalongbreath,gatheredmycourage,andwalkeddownthehillinto
thehollow.Icouldhearthegoblinscallingfromsomewheredownnearthe
stream,butuntilIcameuptotheremainsoftheoak,Icouldn’tseethem.And
onceIdid,Ihadtostopandstare.

Ma had never told me that goblins were beautiful. I’d been expecting

monsters.Instead,Iwasfacingangels.Theyweretallandthin,tallerthanany
man,andcoveredfromheadtoheelsinsleek,glisteningfurthatreminded
meoftheottersthatplayedintheforestpool.Theyweredressedsolelyin

To Market

long,beadedloinclothsthatswayedintheeveningbreeze,andtheymoved
withafluidgracethatmadethemlookliketheywereglidingonair.When
oneofthemturnedtolookatme,Icouldseeitseyesweregolden,andslitted
likeacat’s.Itcamecloser,thesettingsunturningitsmottledgrayandblack
furintoflame,andwhenitreachedme,itcrouchedslightlysothatitwas
closertomyheight.

“Welcometothegoblinmarket,youngmortal.Willyoucomeandsee

ourwares?”

I nodded, too awestruck to say a word, letting the goblin take me by

thehandandleadmeintotheirmarket.Therewerecartsandbasketsfullto
overflowingwithfruit,mostofitimpossibletofindthisearlyinthespring—
there were apples piled up next to peaches, full bunches of grapes laying
nexttocherriesandfigs,strawberriesinbasketswithpearsandquince.The
goblinescortedmefromoneendofthemarkettotheother,andwhenwe
reachedtheend,itwavedonearmexpansively,“Whatwillyouhave,young
mortal?”

Ishookoffthespellthatthegoblin’sbeautycastoverme.Iwasherefor

areason.“Therewasagirl,afewnightspast.Whatdidshechoose?”Iasked.

Thegoblinlaughed,“Thegoldengirl!Yes,shecametome,andgreatly

enjoyedherchoice.Youwishtohavewhatshehad?”

Inoddedslowly,notsurewhatIwasagreeingto.Thegoblintookmyarm

andledmeoff;Icouldfeelitssharpclawsprickingmethroughmysleeve.

Itledmeawayfromthemarket,intoacopseofyoungwillowsthatgrew

alongthebanksofthestream.Inthecenterofthecopsetherewasaclear-
ing,anditwastherethatthegoblinstopped,turnedtowardsmeandsmiled
again.

“Take off your clothing, pretty mortal,” it said, running long fingers

throughmyhair.

IwhisperedBess’namelikeaprayerasIunslungmysatchelandtookoff

myshirtandbreeches;thegoblinmusthaveheardme,becauseitcockedits
headtothesideandstudiedmeforalongmoment.

“Thegoldengirl,sheisyourlover?”Thegoldeneyesnarrowed.“No,not

alover.Butbeloved,nonetheless.Whyhaveyoucome?”

“BecauseIloveher,”Ianswered.
It laughed, resting one long hand on my back between my shoulders,

“Intriguing.Comehere,mortal,andseewhatyourgoldengirlboughtatthe
goblinmarket.”

To Market

Thegoblinledmetoamossybank,guidedmegentlydownontomy

backandthenstretchedoutnexttome.Itsaidnotawordtome,arranging
myarmsandlegsasifIwereadoll,untilIlaytherewithmyarmsflungover
myheadandmylegsslightlyapart.Itnodded,seeminglysatisfied,andthen
satupandmadealong,lowtrillingsound.Immediately,Ifeltsomethingcold
curlingaroundmywristsandmyankles;Itriedtojumpupbutwasheldfast
totheturfasslendergreenvinesrosefromthemoss,wrappingaroundmy
bodyandholdingmefast.Thegoblinlaughed,movingsothatitwasagain
lyingnexttome,softfurrubbingagainstmysideasIstruggledagainstthe
vines.

“Prettymortal,”itcrooned,andsmiled,showingallofitssharp,white

teeth.Then,tomyshock,itkissedme.

WhenIwastwelve,aminorlordwhohadsoughtmymother’saidre-

wardedherwithaflagonoffinebrandy.Mahadletmetastethewine,andI
hadalwaysrememberedthesmoothwarmth,oakmixedwithwoodsmoke
andpeatandapples.Thegoblin’slipstastedlikethat,likebrandy,heatandde-
sire;Ifoundmyselfdrunkonthattaste,forgettingmyfear.Whenthegoblin
pulledback,Istrainedup,wantingmore,andheardthecreaturelaugh.

“Patience,littleone.Patience.”Itstood,andloosenedthebeltaroundits

hips,lettingtheloinclothfalltotheground,revealingtomefinallythatthis
goblinwasmale.Hiscockwaserect,longandcurved,andasthickaround
asmywrist.Helookeddownathimself,runningonehanddownhislength.
“So,youseenowwhatgoblinfruityourlittlegoldengirlenjoyed?Would
youlikeataste?”heasked,andlaughedagainashelaybackdown,running
hisfingersovermyskininswirlingpatternsthatleftfireintheirwake.Icould
feel myself responding to his touch until I ached with desire. He laughed
again,slidingdownovermybodyuntilhelayovermylegs,hisbreathwarm
onmycock.

“Youareavirgin?”heasked.“You’veneverlainwithawomanbefore,or

aman?”

“I...yes.No.”Iwasaddledbyhisbreathandhiswarmth,andwasn’tsure

whatquestionIwasanswering.Hetrilledsoftly,slidinghishandsundermy
ass.

“Untouched fruit is the sweetest.What payment do you offer, young

mortal,foryourtasteofgoblinfruit?”

Payment? I couldn’t clear my head, couldn’t think of anything but his

kissandhistouchandhisbreathonmyaching,throbbingcock.Heranone

To Market

fingerdownmyshaft,andIgaspedatthesensation.

“Barter,perhaps?Willyougivemeseedforseed?”Withoutwaitingfor

ananswer,heloweredhismouthovermycock,swallowingmewhole.Itwas
likenothingIhadeverfeltbefore,andIhowledashecaressedmewithhis
roughtongueandslidonelong,slenderfingerintomyass.Istrainedagainst
thevines,tryingtomove,wantingmore,eventhoughtIhadnoideawhat
morewouldbe.Ifelthimlaughagain,andhestoppedandraisedhishead,
slidinguptocovermybodywithhisownandkissmeagain.

“Youtastemagnificent,”hemurmured,lickingmyearandthennibbling

myneckwithhissharpteeth.“Shallyouhaveyourtastenow?”Hegottohis
knees,shifted,turnedarounduntilhiscockdangledovermymouth.Iheard
himlaughagain,“DotomewhatIdidtoyou.Donotbite.”Hetookmeinto
hismouthagain,andloweredhishipssothathiscocktappedagainstmylips.
Uncertain,withonlyhisdirectiontoguideme,Ilightlytouchedhiscock
withmytongue,feelinghishumofpleasureasajoltthroughmyowncock.
Encouraged,Ikepton,gentlybathinghimwithmytongueuntilhegroaned
andshiftedhishipslower,raisinghisheadsothathecouldwhisper,“Take
me.”

Obediently,Iopenedmymouthwide,andheslidhiscockbetweenmy

lips,fillingmymouthandcuttingoffmyvoice.Hiscocktastedofhoney,salt
andsomethingwonderfulandexotic,andIeagerlyswirledmytongueover
thehead,wantingmore.Thegoblinmoaned,increasinghisowneffortsuntil
Iwasthrashingunderhim,moaning,sucking,licking,finallyscreamingas
Ispent.Laughing,helickedmecleanandthentrilledsomething;Ifeltthe
vinesonmyarmsloosenandfallaway.

“Touchme,”thegoblinsaid,andIcouldnottellifhewascommanding

orbegging.Islidmyhandsupthefurofhisthighs,luxuriatinginthesoft-
ness,hearingthegoblinmoanandtrillashestartedtoslowlypumpinand
outofmymouth.Inspiredbywhathehaddonetome,Iwrappedmyarms
aroundhishipsandslidonehandoverhisass,runningmyfingersdownhis
cleft,seekingthehiddenentrancethere.Thegoblinyowledlikeacatinheat
whenmyfingersfoundtheirtarget;hewentrigid,andIfelthiscockpulsing,
growingimpossiblythicker.Mymouthfilledwithwarmliquid,thick,sweet-
salt,honeyandbrandy;Iswallowed,drinkingdeep,lostinpleasure.ThenI
lostmyselfinsoft,warmembraceasIfellasleepinthegoblin’sarms.

e f

To Market

Iwokefeelingsoftfurundermycheekandlongfingersinmyhair.Foramo-
ment,Iwasconfused,theneverythingcamebacktomeandIjumpedupto
seethegoblinlookingatme.

“Youaretrulymagnificent,”hemurmured.“Thankyou.”
Icouldn’tspeak;Istaredathimforamoment,thenturnedawayandtried

nottocry.I’dfailed.Worse,I’dcondemnedmyselftothesamefateasBess.

Asoftarmencircledmyshoulders,“Whateveriswrong?DidInotplease

you?”

Hisvoicesoundedtrulyconcerned.Ilookedupintohisgoldeneyesand

decidedtotrust.“IcameherebecauseIneededtobringthegoblinseedback
toBess.Tosaveherlife.Ifailedher.”Ididn’taddthatI’dcondemnedmyself,
too.

Thegoblincockedhisheadtooneside,“Idon’tunderstand.Yourgolden

girlisill?”

Iblinked,“Youdon’tknow?Youdon’tknowwhathappenswhenmortals

cometothegoblinmarket?”

“No,”thegoblinanswered.“Amongmyownpeople,Iamconsidered

veryyoung.Thisismyfirsttime,andyourgoldengirlmyfirstmortal.”

Itriedtogathermywits,“Whenamortalcomestothegoblinmarket,

whenwetastethegoblinfruit,we...pineforit.Andwedie,inamatterof
days.Mymother,shethoughtthatifwecouldgetanothertaste,itwouldcure
theneed,butnoonewhohaseverbeenherehaseverbeenabletofindyou
again.”

The goblin reared back, and I could see horror in his eyes,“Die?The

goldengirlwilldiebecauseshelaidwithme?”Hereachedoutandtouched
myarm,“Youwilldie?”

I nodded, surprised by the goblin’s reaction, his obvious distress. He

jerkedtohisfeet,stridingacrossthecopsewithnoneofhispreviousgrace.
Thenhecameback,throwinghimselfdownontohiskneesinfrontofme,
“Mortal-beloved,pleasebelieveme.Ididnotknow!”

Stunned,Inoddedagain.“I...believeyou.”
Hecurledhimselfintoasmallball,hisheadrestingonmyknees,“We

thinkofyouas...fruittobeplucked.IcamewiththeothersbecauseIamold
enoughtomatenow.Iwouldhavetakenyouressence,andIwouldhavegone
tothematingfieldsofmyhome.IwouldhavesharedthemwithonethatI
desired,andiftheyfoundmeworthy,theywouldhavematedwithme.”He

To Market

raisedhishead,andIcouldseesorrowandregret,“Ididnotknowitwould
hurtyou.Ididnotknowyouwereintelligent.Ididnotknowthatyouknew
love.”Heshookhisheadandstood,holdinghishandouttome.“Comewith
me,mortal,”hecommanded.

“Where?”
“Wewillmakethecureforyourgoldengirl.Andwewillmakeacurefor

you.Areyousureofthis?”

Ishookmyhead,“No.”
Henodded,“Thenwewilltry.Andifitdoesnotwork...thenwewillfind

anotherway.”

Ifollowedthegoblin,myheadspinning,tryingtounderstandwhathe

hadtoldme.“But,whataboutyou?”

“SolongasIreturntomyhomebeforedawn,Iwillbefine,”hesaid.

“Comeandsitwithme.”Hesatdownwithhisbacktoatree,andIknelt
downnexttohim.Hesmiledatme,andsaidsadly,“Iwishyouhadnottold
me.Iwillnotbeabletobringmyselftocomeagain.”

“I’m sorry.” It seemed like a silly thing to say, but I was sorry that I’d

causedthisgentlecreaturepain.Hereachedoutandpattedmyleg.

“It is not your fault. Do you have something to carry the seed in?” I

jumped up and ran back to my clothes, taking an empty bottle from my
satchelandbringingitback.Thegoblintookitandsetitaside,thenlooked
atmeandheldouthisarms,“Comeandsitwithme,mortal.Touchmeand
helpmetosaveyourlife.”

Imovedintohisembrace,restingmycheekagainstthesoftfurofhis

chest.Heguidedme,tellingmewheretotouchhimandhow,untilIknew
whatgavehimpleasureandcoulddoitwithoutcoaching.SoIcoaxedhim
tofullnessagain,andlayacrosshimtolickhiscockuntilhecriedoutand
spilledhisseedintohisownhands.Whenhepoureditintothebottle,the
straw-coloredliquidbarelyfilledaquarterofthebottle.

“Willitbeenough?”hemurmured.
“Forone,Ithink,”Ianswered.“I’llbringittoBess.Then...”
“Thenyouwillcomeback.Iwillbereadyforyouwhenyoureturn,”the

goblinsaidasheslidhisarmaroundme.“Iwillnotletyoudie.Butyoumust
bebackherebeforedawn.IfIdonotreturnhome,thewaybetweenyour
worldandminewillbesealed,andthegoblinmarketwillneveragaincome
tothisplace.”Gently,hepushedmeaway,“Thereisnotmuchtime.”

Iscrambledintomyclothes,takingthebottleinmyhandandturningto

To Market

leavethewillows;Istopped,lookingbacktoseethegoblinlookingatme.
Quickly,Iwentovertohim,leaneddown,andkissedhim.“Thankyou,”I
saidquickly.ThenIturnedandran.

e f

IranallthewaybacktoGrady’shouse,thepreciousbottleclutchedinmy
fist,feelingthegoblinseedburninginmyblood.Iwasgaspingforbreathas
Ireachedthekitchendoor,whichopenedimmediately.Pantinglikeadog,
IpushedpastashockedMoiraandnearlycollapsedontothelongtable.She
grabbedmeandpushedmeintoachair,thenbustledaway,returningwitha
cupthatsheshovedundermynose.

“Drinkit,”shecommanded.Inodded,drinkingandtastingbrandy.The

tasteremindedmeofthegoblin’skiss,andIpushedtheglassawaywithshak-
inghands.

“Moira,Ihaveit,”Isaid,holdingupthebottle.Shetookitfromme,look-

ingattheliquidinside.

“Whatisit?”sheasked.
“It....it’sthecure.”Igottomyfeet,painfullyawareofMoira’scurious

look,notwantingtotellherjustwhatwasinthebottle,orhowIhadgotten
it.Iheldmyhandoutandsaid,“Thereisn’tmuchtime.”

Moiranodded,handingthebottlebacktome.Istoodupandwovean

unsteadypathtothestairsanduptoBess’room.Iletmyselfinandclosed
thedoorbehindme,thenturnedtoseeBesswatchingme,hungerplainon
herface.

“I’vebroughtitforyou,Bess,”Isaid,crossingtositontheedgeofthe

bed.Iheldthebottletoherlipsandletherdrink,fightingtokeepmyhands
steady.Shegulpedtheliquidgreedily,drainingthebottleandthenlicking
herlips;sheshiveredviolently,whimperedonce,thenwailed,herbodygo-
ingstiffandjerkinghardagainstherbonds.Ijumpedback,droppingthe
bottle,andthengrabbedattheropes,fumblingwiththeknotsuntilshewas
free,layinglimpinthemiddleofthebed.Foramoment,Iwasafraidthat
thegoblinhadtrickedme,untilBessmoanedsoftlyandopenedhereyes.
Shelookedupatmeandsmiled,“Conn.”

Dizzywithrelief,IpulledBessintomyarms,hugginghertightly,breath-

inginherscent.Anditwasherscent,myawarenessofherasawoman,and
my own growing need that pushed my restraint to the breaking point; I

To Market

pushedherbackdownontothebed,claiminghermouthinapossessivekiss
andrunningmyhandsdownhersides.Shegaspedinsurprise,thengiggled
againstmymouthandranherhandsupunderneathmyshirt.

Behindus,Iheardthedoorcrashopen,thensomeonegrabbedmeby

thebackoftheneckanddraggedmefromthebed.IheardBessscream,then
somethingcamecrashingdownonthebackofmyheadandIknewnothing
else.

e f

Iclawedmywayoutofadarknessthatseemedtobefilledwithscream-

ing,painandneed,andfoundmyselfonthefloorofastrangeroom.Iwas
aloneandnaked,withropesdiggingintomywristsandankles,andafoul
tastingragshovedinmymouthandtiedthere.IhadnoideahowIhadgotten
here,orwhathadhappened;allIknewwasthatmyheadwaspounding,and
Iachedwithneed,mycockhardandthrobbing.Thelightslantingthrough
thewindowstoldmethatI’dbeenunconsciousforquitesometime—ithad
beendarkwhenIreachedGrady’shouse,withbarelyaglimmerofsunrise
onthehorizon.Theshadowsonthefloortoldmeitwaspastmidday,andany
hopeformewaslonggone.Thegoblinwouldhavereturnedtohisworldby
now,andIwouldneverseehimorthemarketagain.

Iheardfootsteps,andthetwomenwhoenteredtheroomweretwoof

Grady’srowdies:FergusDurkinandhisson,Hugh.TheolderDurkincame
overandgrabbedmyarm,haulingmetoasittingposition.

“Niceofyoutojoinus,bastard,”hesaid.“Iwasstartingtowonderif

you’deverwakeup.”Iglaredathim,andDurkinlaughed.“Wewon’tkeep
youforlong,bastard.We’rekeepingyousafeandsoundandhiddenaway
untilGrady’sgirlisweddedandbedded.Tomorrowmidday,you’llgetyour
clothesbackandyou’llbefreetogo.”

Hughcameoverandleereddownatme,“Gradysaidwecouldhavea

littlefunwithyouwhilewewaited,bastard.Lookslikeyouneedit.”

“I told you no, Hugh,” Durkin snapped as he stood up.“The boy is a

witch,likehisma.Iwon’thavehimcursingmeandmine,soyouleavehim
alone.”HeherdedHughoutthedoor,andslammeditbehindhim.Iheard
theboltshoothome,andthensilence.

Thehourspassedinakindofdeliriumofneedandpain.Desperatefor

somerelief,unableeventotouchmyself,Istruggledandfoughtagainstthe

To Market

ropesuntilmyachingarmswentnumb,andIwasscreamingintothegagin
frustration.Aroundme,theshadowsgrewlongerandtheroomgrewdarker.
Whenitwasfinallytoodarktosee,andIwastootiredtomove,Ijustlay
wheremystruggleshadleftme,onmystomachinthemiddleofthefloor.

ItwastherethatHughfoundme.Hecameintotheroomwithalantern,

walkingonstockingfeettomakenonoise.Hestoodovermeandlaughedas
Iblinkedinthesuddenlight.

“Youwouldn’tcursemeforgivingyouwhatyouwant,nowwouldyou?”

heasked,usingonefoottoflipmeoverontomyback.Heproddedmycock
with his toes, and I whimpered, making him laugh.“And you want this,
don’tyou,bastard?”

Therewasasmallpartofmethatwantedtorefuse,butitwasdrowned

out by the overwhelming waves of lust; I nodded, thrusting my hips up,
moaningthroughthegag.

Hughsmirkeddownatme.“Iknewit.You’reaslut,justlikeyourma.”He

didn’tbothertoloosentheropesthatboundme,haulingmeroughlyovera
bolsterthathetookfromthebed.Hekneltbehindme,kneadingmyasswith
roughhandsandlaughingatmymuffledcriesofpain.

“Pretty boy,” he whispered.“Been wanting this since we brought you

uphere,prettyboy.”Iheardhimmovingbehindme,heardthedooropen.I
expectedtohearDurkin’svoice,chasingHughoff.Instead,therewasasur-
prisedgaspfromHugh;hecollapsedovermylegsanddidn’tmove.Itwisted,
straininguntilIcouldseethedoor,andthefigurestandingthere.Tall,taller
thananyman,andhehadtostooptogetthroughthedoor.Buttherewasno
wayhecouldbehere...

Thegoblinglidedacrosstheflooranddroppedtohiskneesnexttomeso

thathecouldpushHughoffmylegs,thentugmeoffofthebolsterandinto
asittingposition.Gently,thegoblinpushedmyheadtothesideanduntied
thegag,thenheldmetightlyasIwastakenwithacoughingfit.

“Are you unhurt, beloved?” the goblin asked, leaning close so that he

couldlookintomyeyes.

Inodded,rubbingmycheekagainsthissoftfur,“...touchme.Please...”
Thegoblinreachedouttoresthislonghandovermyheart,“Mortal-be-

loved,Iamhere.Iwillmakeyouwellagain.”

Histouchsetfiretomyskin,andImoaned,strainingagainsttheropes,

“Ithurts...”

Heleanedmebackagainstthebolsterandstood,raisinghishands;Ifelt

To Market

myselfrising,movingthroughtheairuntilIcametorestonthebed.Myhead
hungovertheedge,andIwatchedthroughhalf-liddedeyesasheremovedhis
loinclothandcametostandatmyhead.Heranlongfingersovermycheek
andthroughmyhair,“Openyourmouth,beloved.Takewhatyouneed.”

Heslowlypressedhiscockintomymouth,restingonehandonmychest

andholdingmeinplace.Hewrappedhisotherhandaroundmycock,leaning
forwardtolayovermeandtakemeintohismouth.Stillbound,pinnedunder
hisweight,drivennearmadbyhisfuronmyskinandtheroughnessofhis
tongue,Isuckedandmoanedandscreamedunderhim,reachingtheheights
ofpleasuretimeandtimeagain.FinallyIcouldtakenomore;Ifellintodark-
nesswiththesoundsofhismoansringinginmyearsandthetasteofhoney
andbrandyonmytongue.

e f

Iwokewithsoftfurundermycheek,andopenedmyeyestoseethegoblin
smilingatme.Ijumped,andhisarmsaroundmetightened.

“Alliswell.Youaresafe.Ihavekeptwatch.Itisjustpastmoon-set,and

thereisnoonestirring,”hesaidquietly.“Areyouallright,mortal-beloved?”

Ilookedatmywristandthelividrope-burnsthere,consideredtheques-

tion,“Iacheallover,andI’mstarving.ButIthinkI’mallright.Doyouthink
wecanfindanyfood?”

Thegoblinsmiled,“Wewillfindsomething.Ifnecessary,Iwillhuntfor

you.”

WhenIstood,Iwassounsteadyonmyfeetthatthegoblinhadtocarry

medownthestairs;Ilookedaroundcuriously.“Wherearewe?”Iasked.

“ThegoldengirltoldmethatthisisDurkin’shouse,”heanswered.
“AndDurkin?”
“Isfastasleepandwillremainso,”thegoblinanswered.“Icanholdboth

menasleepuntildawn.Wecaneat,youcanfindclothing,andwecanbeaway
longbeforetheywake.”

Hesatmedownatthetableinthekitchenandrummagedthroughthe

pantry,findingtheremainsofagooddinner.Ifelltowithgoodappetite,while
thegoblinnibbledatapieceofbreadandthenpusheditaside.

“Beloved...Conn,”hesaid.“I...thegoldengirl,sheistheonewhosent

mehere.”

Istoppedeating,lookingathim.“Besssentyou?Goblin,whereisshe?”

To Market

Helookeddownatthetabletop,“She...isnothere.Conn...sheisgone.”
Ifrowned,“Idon’tunderstand.Gonewhere?”
Thegoblinwouldn’tlookatme,“Shehasgonetobemarried.Ispoketo

herlastnight,andsheleftjustafterdawn.”

“Married?”Irepeated,stunned.“She...butshedidn’twanttomarryLord

Faraday!Thatwaswhyshewenttothemarkettobeginwith!”

“Iknow.Shegavemesomethingforyou,”hestoodanddisappearedup

the stairs, returning a few moments later with his loincloth and a pouch.
Fromthepouchhetookafoldedpieceofparchment.“Idonotknowwhatit
says,”thegoblinsaid,soundingapologetic.“Icannotreadyourwriting.”

Itooktheletterandopenedit,seeingBess’finehandwriting.Shethanked

meforbeingherfriend,forcaringforher.Shewishedmewell,andwould
thinkofmefondly.Sheaskedmetodothesame.Notawordoflove,orany
mentionofthegoblinmarket.

Isettheletterdownandlookedatthegoblin,“Idon’tunderstand.I...

thoughtshelovedme.”

Heshookhishead,“Iaskedherthat.Itoldherthatyoulovedher.Andshe

saidthatyouwerechildrentogether,andthatchildrenmustgrowup.That
childrenhavefancies,andthatyouwerehers.Shesaidshewassorrythatyou
didnotunderstandthattherewastrulynothingbetweenyou.”Hestoodup
andcamearoundthetable,kneelingnexttomychair.“Conn,Iamsorry.I
think,perhaps,thatsheisnolongerthegirlwhocametothegoblinmarket.
Shehasbeenfrightened,andbadly.Now,shewantstoforget.Andshewants
safety.Thismarriagegivesherthat.”Heshookhishead,“Allthesame,Ido
notknowhowshecannotloveyou.Sheisafool.”

Iletoutabarkoflaughter,“No.She’sright.I’mthefool,forthinkingthat

someonelikeherwouldbehappywithabastardlikeme.”Iturned,tossedthe
letterintothefireplace,andlookedbackatthegoblin,“Ineedclothes.We’ll
havetohurryifwe’retogetyoubacktothegoblinmarketbeforedawn.”

Silence.Thegoblinstoodupandwalkedovertoawindow,hisbackto

me;hesighedandsaidsadly,“Thegoblinmarketisgone.”

I frowned, and then remembered why that one statement was so im-

portant...andsohorrifying.Ijumpedtomyfeet,“Youweresupposedtogo
home!”

Heturnedtomeandansweredquietly,“Idid.Whenyoudidnotreturn,

Iwenthome,andIconfrontedmysire.Idemandedtoknowwhyhedid
nottellmethatwhatwedidkilledyourkind.Helaughedatme,calledme

To Market

asentimentalfool.”Hesighed.“HetoldmeIwastooyoung,andthat...”he
pausedforamoment,thensighedagain.“ThatIshouldnotplaywithmy
food. He was going to ban me from coming back to the market. He said
thatIhadprovedIwasnotmatureenough.ButIbegged,andherelented.I
cameback,becauseIwashopingyouwouldtrytofindme.Andwhenmid-
nightcame,andyoudidnotappear,Iwenttolookforyou.Ifollowedyour
scenttoyourhome,andyouwerenotthere.Isearchedeachnight,untilI
despairedofeverfindingyou.ThenIthoughtofgoingtoyourBess.Thatwas
lastnight.Lastnight,Ididnotreturnhome,Istayed,andIhidmyselfhere,
andwatched.Whenitwasjustthetwomen,Icameforyou.”

Inodded,“Andnowyoufoundme,andwe’resafe.Fornow.Butweneed

togetyououtofhere.OutofHunter’sDell.”Isatbackdownandleanedback
inmychair.“Wecangotomyhut,spendtherestofthenightthere.Then...
Idon’tknow.Maybe...maybewecanfindthegoblinmarketagain,getyou
home.”

“No.Iwillnotreturntothegoblinmarket.”
“Whynot?”Iasked.“Yourhome...”
Thegoblincamebacktothetable,kneltdownnexttome.“Icouldnot

haveyou,ifIwenthome.Youwouldnotbewelcomethere,”thegoblinsaid.
“Iwanttobewithyou.Iknowthewaytootherplaces,otherworlds,where
wemightliveandbehappy.Ifyouwillcomewithme?”

Iblinked,notsureI’dheardhimproperly,“You...youwantmetocome

withyou?But...”

Hewasquietforamoment,thenreachedoutandtookmyhand,taking

myhand.“Iwantyoutobewithme,mymortal-beloved.”

Iblinked,“But...I’mabastard!”
“Doesthatmatter?”heasked.“Youlove,youthink,youaredeartome.

Isthatnotenough?”

Myheadwasspinning,“I...”
“Conn,”hesaidmynameandmadeitsoundlikeacaress.“Iwillnot

refuseyou.Iwillnotturnmybackonyou.Iwillnotleaveyou.Whenoneof
mykindmates,itisforlife.”Hestoodandtuggedmetomyfeet.“Icanshow
you,beloved.Joinwithme.”

Ilethimleadme,andwassurprisedwhenwereturnedtothebedroom

whereI’dbeenheldcaptive,“Idon’tunderstand.Joinwithyou?”

“Loveme.Letmeloveyou.”
Ilookedathimcuriously.“Whatwerewedoing,then?”

To Market

Thegoblinlaughed,“Amongmypeople,whatwehavedonearethegames

ofchildrenoldenoughtounderstandthematingprocess,butnotoldenough
tomate.Itisonlywithone’smatethatonewouldoffertheirentirebody.”He
heldhisarmsouttome.“Iamoffering,Conn.Ifyouwillhaveme.”

Ilookedupintohiseyes,listenedtomyheart,andwalkedintohisem-

brace.Ashemadetoleadmetobed,Istoppedhim,“Idon’tevenknowyour
name.”

Hesmiled,andtrilledsomething.Thenhelaughed,“Idoubtyoucouldsay

it.Wewilldecidelaterwhatyouwillcallme.”

Ilethimlaymedown,andwhenhelaydownwithme,Irolledontomy

sideandreachedouttostrokehisfur.Hepurredlikeacat,andIsmiled.“What
dowedo?”Iasked.

Inanswer,herolledmeoverontomystomach,movingtocovermewith

hisbody,“Trustme,mybeloved.Iwillnothurtyou.”

Inodded,“Itrustyou.”
Hekissedthebackofmyneck,andIfelthishandsslipbetweenmylegs

andstartplayingwithmyballs;Imoaned,andhelaughed.“Relax,Conn.Let
meplay.”

Playhedid,toyingwithmeuntilIwasnearlyasarousedasI’dbeenunder

thespellofthegoblinmarket.Heteasedmewithhisfingersandtongue,then
toldmetospreadmylegsandslowlyslidonefingerintomyass.Onefinger
becametwo,andtwobecamethree,doingarcanethingsinsideofmeuntilI
wasfranticwithdesire.Iwasneartohowlingwhenhetookhisfingersaway;
hedrewmetomykneesandIfelttheheadofhiscockmovetotaketheplace
ofhisfingers.

“Iloveyou,Conn,”hewhispered,slowlypressinghiswayintomybody.It

washardatfirst,andithurt;buthestopped,touchingmegently,whispering
andtrillinguntilIcalmedandrelaxedandlethimtryagain,untilatlasthewas
inside,andIwasstretchedfullandgaspinginpleasure.Hestartedtomove,
pumpingslowly,workinghiswayalmostentirelyoutofme,andthensliding
backin,lettingmemovewithhim,pushbackagainsthim,demandmoreand
moreuntilneitherofuscouldsayawordforthegaspingandmoaning.Ispent
first,losingmybalanceandsprawlingoutonthebed.Hefellontopofme,
stillpumping,wailingashisseedfilledme.Afterwards,welaycurledaround
eachother,myheadonhischest.

Afterawhile,heraisedhisheadandlookedatme,“Youhavenotan-

sweredme.IsitnotenoughthatIloveyou?”

To Market

Ismileddownathimandleaneddowntokisshim,smilingattheheady

tasteofhislips,“Yes.It’senough.Morethanenough.Iloveyou,too.”

e f

Beforedawn,wehadleftHunter’sDell,takingforestpathsthatIhadnever
beforeseen,followingmygolden-eyedloverwhereverhewouldleadme.
ThereweretimeswhenIwonderedwhattheythought,backinHunter’sDell.
IftheyeverwonderedwhereConnthewitchhadgone,orwhathadhap-
penedtothegoblinmarket.IwonderedifLadyFaradayeverthoughtabout
me.Thenmygoblinwouldsmileatme,orrunhisfingersthroughmyhair,
andnoneofitwouldmatter.Helovedme,andIlovedhim.Thatwasallthat
mattered.

Andwelivedhappilyeverafter.

To Market

Contributor’s Notes

Monique PoirierlivesinProvidence,RhodeIslandandwrites

erotica,fantasy,andsciencefiction.Hershortstory“ConcerningTheArs
Mechanica”appearsinCirclet’santhologyLikeClockwork.Sheattended
PineManorCollegeandgraduatedwithaBachelor’sDegreeinPsychology,
andwhenshe’snotwritingshespendshertimeworkinginatherapeu-
ticresidentialtreatmentcenter.ShecanbecontactedatPoirier.Monique@
gmail.com.

Kiernan Kellylivesinthewildsofthealligator-infestedU.S.South-

east,slatheredinSPF45,drinkingtropical,hi-octaneconcoctionsserved
bythong-cladcabanaboys.Actually,thetruthisthatshespendshertime
lockedinthedarkrecessesofheroffice,writinggayeroticawhilechained
toatemperamentalMacintosh,drinkingcoffee,anddreamingaboutthong-
cladcabanaboys.Sigh.LinkstothefullbodyofKiernan’sworksinboth
printande-formatcanbefoundatherwebsite,www.KiernanKelly.com.

Elizabeth Schechter isastay-at-home-momwhosomehowman-

agestosqueezeherwritinginduringherson’snap-timeandafterhegoes
tosleep.ShelivesinCentralFlorida,wheresheenjoysseeingthelooks
onthefacesoftheotherplaygroupmomswhensheanswersthequestion
“Whatdoyoudo?”bydescribingherselfasapervyfetishwriter.Elizabeth
canbefoundonlineathttp://ladysmith.dreamwidth.org/.

Julie CoxreceivedherBAinartandreligionfromHendrixCollegein

2001.ShehashadshortstoriespublishedbyCirclet,“Zahir”magazineand
www.ALongStoryShort.net,amongothers.Shehasanupcomingnovella
tobepublishedintwopartsbywww.IdeaGems.com’s“Adventuresforthe
AverageWoman;”thefirsthalfisdueoutthissummer.Shewritesaweekly
columnforwww.PaganNews.com.ShelivesinArlington,TXwithherfam-
ilyandfourridiculouschickens.

Alexandra ErinlivesinNebraskaandactuallyenjoysit.Inherdaily

life,sheisawriterandboosteroffreereader-supportedstoriesonthe
internet.Herbest-knownworkisTalesofMU,asprawlingepicofangst,
magic,andawkwardsexthatcanbereadonthewebathttp://www.tale-
sofmu.com.

Rachel Kincaidistheonlypersoninthislistwhodoesnotwrite

erotica;shejusteditsitforCirclet.Herspeculativeandliteraryfiction,how-
ever,canbefoundinavarietyofsmallliterarymagazines,includingStrange
Horizons.

Cecilia TanistheauthoroftheMAGICUNIVERSITYeroticfantasy

series,paranormalromanceMINDGAMES,plusthebooksWhiteFlames,
BlackFeathers,TheVelderet,andTelepathsDon’tNeedSafewords.Sheisthe
founderandeditorofCircletPress,eroticsciencefictionandfantasy,and
haseditedanthologiesforAlysonBooks,Thunder’sMouthPress,Carroll&
Graf,RavenousRomance,andothers.Herownstorieshaveappearedevery-
wherefromAsimov’stoMs.Magazine.www.ceciliatan.com

Ifyouenjoyedthisbook,youwilllikelyenjoymanyofourotherfine
anthologiesoferoticsciencefictionandfantasyincludingprintandebook
versionsofBestFantasticErotica,Sextopia,EroticFantastic,andmanyoth-
ers.Weareworkingonconvertingnearlyallofourbacklistprinttitlesinto
ebooks,butifthereisatitleyouwantthatyoudon’tseeavailableinthe
formatyouprefer,pleaseletusknow!

We’dalsolovetoseefeedbackfromyouaboutwhatyou’dliketoseein
futureprintorelectronicbooks!DropbyourLiveJournalcommunityat
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Ifyouhadproblemswiththisebook,pleasereportBugstousbyemailat
“circletintern@gmail.com”orbyfollowingtheBugReportlinkatwww.
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Ourlineofebookoriginalsincludes:

Like Clockwork: Steampunk EroticaSevenstoriesoferoticsteampunk,explor-
ingworldsofclockworkpeopleandtheirrelationshiptotheircreators.If
amad,ornot-so-mad,scientistofthesteamage,weretocreatehisorher
ownbeing,whatdesireswouldbereflectedthere?

Up For GrabsAnanthologyoferoticstorieswheregenderisupforgrabs.
Whataretheimplications,bothsexualandsocial,ofgenderpossibilities
beyondthechoicesandideasoursocietycurrentlyholds?

Sex NoirAcollectionoferoticshortstoriesfromwriterJamieJoyGatto.Writ-
tenandoriginallypublishedinprintformlongbeforeHurricaneKatrina,
SexNoirisGatto’slovesongstoNewOrleans,thecitythatcanbeequal
partsqueenoftheMississippiandback-roomstripper-whore.

Like Twin StarsCouldtherebeworldswherebisexualitywasthenorm?What’s
eroticaboutbeingattractedtobothendsofthegenderspectrum?

Like A ThornFairytalesoftencontainamore‘adult’interpretationwithintheir
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andmanymore.

Document Outline

Table of Contents
Introduction
Captivated
Two Balls
Le Petit String Rouge
The Goose Boy
To Market
Contributor's Notes

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