Prologue: Loss
Kayn bit his lower lip, barely repressing a growl. Muscles tensed, his whole body covered with tiny drops of sweat, the young dhole let the overwhelming sensation slowly build inside him... His lover gave his muzzle a gentle lick, making him open his eyes for a short bit. 
    
    "Easy," the Ethiopian wolf murmured. "Don't try to stop it... Let it happen..."
    
    Kayn tried to shake his head, but Jalek's paw moved faster around his maleness, rubbing all the sensible spots... And, like a dam releasing its contents, an intense wave of pleasure rushed through the dhole's body. Letting a few gasps through his clenched teeth, he felt a warm sticky liquid soaking the fur on his belly and chest, the musky odor of mating suddenly far more perceptible in the warm room. After a few moments, the sensation subsided and Kayn looked at the wolf's face.
    
    "Jalek... I'm sorry... I shouldn't have been so quick," the dhole managed to say.
    
    "Don't sweat it, Kayn. After a full week of uninterrupted diplomatic meetings, I didn't expect you to hold for long anyway..."
    
    "I should feel insulted," Kayn chuckled. "I'm supposed to be better than that."
    
    "I'm supposed to know you better than anyone including yourself, young Prince. That's why I love you."
    
    "Please, don't call me Prince," Kayn whined. "I'd give anything to..."
    
    "I know," Jalek apologized. "I'm sorry."
    
    The wolf crawled up and they shared a long, passionate kiss, Kayn's paws ruffling through the fur on Jalek's shoulders, feeling the nice muscles under the skin... Jalek then broke the kiss and smiled to his lover.
    
    "We should probably head off to the pool," he suggested. "This..." - he trailed a finger through the sticky fur on Kayn's belly - "...won't clean up itself on its own."
    
    "Jalek, are you sure you don't want to...?"
    
    "No, not today, Hun. I'm exhausted, Lord Sa'aden made me run all over the place today, transmitting messages and what not. I just wanted one thing: to help you release all that pent up energy I figured you had."
    
    Kayn didn't reply, a sad smile forming on his face. That was Jalek all right, getting his own pleasure only from the satisfaction he gave to others, as every servant was expected to do. Kayn had spent the last two years trying to change that, to make the Ethiopian wolf think more of himself... But each time Jalek came back from Nuuran, he was always back to his servile self. Lord Sa'aden wasn't a cruel master by far, but he was a traditionalist at heart, and his servants were meant to follow a strict etiquette in his presence.
    
    Kayn's train of thought was interrupted by the soft ruffle of Jalek's fur against the silk sheets as the Ethiopian wolf rose from the bed. For a short time, the dhole appreciated the lithe shape of his lover's body, the discreet yet strong muscles rolling under the dark red and white fur. Jalek then turned towards him and offered a paw to help him get up.
    
    A few moments later, they were slipping into the small white marble pool, the only thing Kayn really liked in his royal apartments. An elegant abstract structure on the side let a constant flow of water into it, the gentle ringing and discreet pine scent making the small room an ideal place to relax. The spring's bright sunlight slipped through the vine-covered grille, drawing ever-changing reflections on the wall.
    
    The two males entered the pool, letting sweat and any other residues be washed away from their bodies, and Kayn cuddled up to Jalek's chest, one of the only places where he felt safe and content. Most people would look down at a Prince who found emotional and physical comfort in the arms of a servant, but when he was with Jalek, Kayn didn't care. When they were alone, like this, just enjoying each other's presence, everything was perfect... But that day wasn't meant to be like the others.
    
    "Something's not right, Kayn," Jalek said. "Lord Sa'aden has been moody lately. I think the negotiations aren't going well."
    
    "I haven't seen much progress, to be honest," Kayn replied. "From what I gathered, neither side is willing to compromise, but neither wants to give up."
    
    "I wouldn't be so sure. If things don't change soon, Nuuran will call off the negotiations."
    
    "...and knowing my father, the truce between the two Kingdoms will be declared null," Kayn shivered. "I might not be an expert, Jalek, but I've seen the numbers. Our forces are almost evenly matched - Nuuran and Thald can't consider entering a war now, or it might last for years, just like last time."
    
    "I know," Jalek sadly remarked. "Lord Sa'aden has already made sure all of his male servants will serve in the army."
    
    Kayn's chest froze when he heard that. He turned towards Jalek, his blue eyes shining with concern. "You mean you'll be..."
    
    "Fighting, yes," the wolf continued. "It's a part of my duty as a servant. If my Lord asks me to fight, I have to do it."
    
    "You might get killed..."
    
    "Thousands of men our age might get killed on both sides, but that won't stop the leaders."
    
    "You know what I mean, Jalek. Even if you survive, we'll never be able to see each other again."
    
    "And you know what I think of it. We've talked about this."
    
    Kayn's eyes shifted to the side. "I can't leave, Jalek. I have duties, responsibilities."
    
    "I have mine, too. You're asking me to give them up for you, why won't you do the same?"
    
    "It's not the same. I'm a Prince. The King's Son, no matter how much I dislike being so."
    
    "But you're not the Heir to the Throne. And even if you were, it still wouldn't change a thing. As long as you insist on staying here, we'll never be able to see each other without hiding. Think of it, sooner or later your duties will force you to take a wife. I'll have to become the other person, the one with whom you'll cheat on her, the dirty scandal no one has to know about. I don't want to live like that, Kayn."
    
    "Would you rather live as an outlaw, a fugitive with my father's men forever on your tracks?"
    
    "Maybe I'd prefer that. I know people in Leothar who could help us disappear, get a new life. An humble house, an humble job, without the shackles of duties and the worries of war. Discreet enough that your father wouldn't find us within his lifetime. All we have to do is to leave, to go and never come back."
    
    "You're asking for too much, Jalek..."
    
    "Too much for a chance to live together for the rest of our lives?"
    
    Kayn didn't know what to answer to that. Jalek's amber eyes looked at him insistently, but no words would come to him.
After several interminable moments, the wolf sighed and stood up. "It's almost time, I have to go or someone will ask unwelcome questions," he said, trying to adopt a cold voice but barely able to hide his disappointment and sadness. "You need more time to sort out your priorities and goals in life, Kayn. Think of what you really want. When you have the answer, you'll know where to find me."