2.17

"You're just in time!" Lariel said pitifully, covering himself with the blanket in his bed. "He almost did it!"

"You had to call me immediately when you woke up..." Rohen sat down next to him with a sympathetic look.

"I hate Xantarians! Bastards! They were going to take me away for their pleasures," Lariel continued to complain.

"There's nothing to worry about, my dear. They are powerless against the power of the Phoenix."

"I'm glad you found me in this world. What would happen to me? I'm sorry I ran away from the Abode."

"I always forgive you, scoundrel. It is impossible to hide from me in any Realm."

"I only recently recalled you, my Overlord. My amnesia has been too long."

"Two thousand years have passed since you fled from Amriobraes."

"And three hundred of them you kept silent about yourself, lived nearby? You never even hinted that we had met before."

"And you're still the same... I just enjoyed your presence in the flesh, I didn't want to scare you," Rohen grinned. "You and me... ah-ha-ha! We were close more than once... it was worth that. When else will you want me?"

"When I realized who you were, I didn't dare admit it. Why did you decide to follow me into this Realm?"

"I'm going to get even with the syrinxes."

"How?"

"You'll see! Your passion for the frivolous Kamily makes you a victim of circumstances. Don't forget that you still belong to me through time and space."

"Do you forgive me, Lord? Do I need to thank you for your grace?"

Lariel grabbed the phoenix's hand and kissed him on the lips.

"Oh! Well, you have to! Do you want to please me?"

"Well, no... you know, I'm afraid of something."

"You are afraid of what I need, although I have no time for kids now with my grandiose plans."

Phoenix pulled Lariel around the waist, burying his face in lush lilac hair.

"You and your fate are always in my hands. Remember that I will not give you to anyone."

"Why then do you want to marry Kamily? Confessed your love to her!"

"My son has to incarnate through her in this case. Or you… would be his parent."

"Oh, no-no-no!" Lariel shook his head. "Not me… Please with her… but she is not keen in men at all."

"Ok, then. I will try and do my best."

Lariel knocked Rohen onto his back, sitting on top of him and saying:

"You need affection, otherwise you will completely dry out without love."

"Do you... love me?" Blue eyes sparkled.

"I am your servant, we do not have equal relations."

"I will make you stronger, and you will be able to resist the ancient magicians."

"What are these powers? Will I gain paralyzing magic?" Lariel perked up.

"Whatever you want, my precious one! The time has come to overthrow the power of the Xantarians and you will help me with this."

"Yes, my Lord…"

Lariel covered his Master with kisses.

***

Kamily pushed him in bed the next morning with obvious complaints on her face.

"You hid from me that you are a hermaphrodite! Why did you force me to carry a child if you can do it yourself? Erin revealed me your secret."

"I didn't know about this before meeting you, dear," Lariel justified himself. "My fertility has come recently."

"Well, who did you choose as your partner?"

"Nobody! I'm not going to lay eggs!"

"Why is this? As far as I know, the gestation period is only three months and caring for the baby is not burdensome."

"Where did you get this from?"

Her expression did not soften.

"Now it's clear to me why syrinxes don't have women. You must have hermaphrodites. Who else are they? Most beautiful? Feminine?"

"Unknown! Fertility appears suddenly and quite rarely, but is inherited. My grandparent was a herm and any of his descendants can become the same. So far this fate has fallen only to me."

"Why then attract mortal women to give birth to your children? This is not humane. At the whim of the Commander, we forcibly dragged Selestra here. It turns out, as a toy? So, does it work?"

"She's... not such an innocent victim. She pestered me, touched my hair, asked me to make a child..."

"Selestra? Well strange! She seems to be a prude... What about you?"

"Rejected her!"

"Well, in vain! If she wants to have a baby, why refuse? Fulfill your duty of reproduction in at least this way."

"And I have to raise another son? While others want it. I assigned Imarinis to her. Let him enjoy it!"

"Selestra is in love with you! She has the right to this. Is it so difficult for you? Your needs are everyday. Who are you having fun with now?"

"With no one!"

"Well, what about Rohen?"

"He is not my lover!"

"Really? I saw with what adoration he looks at you."

"We are ancient mates! We once lived in the same world. We have a friendly attachment."

"And he didn't ask to marry you for posterity?"

"No! Actually, Rohen is in love with you, don't you remember his confession? He wants to be your next husband."

"You are completely insane!" Kamily freaked out loudly and, slamming the door, left the bedroom.