Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter of Good Sense -- Revised ❯ Temptation ( Chapter 6 )

I make no claim to any of the Gundam Wing characters. This story is written for my, and hopefully others' enjoyment and not for monetary profit. A huge thanks to Diane and Anasazi for the beta.

A Matter of Good Sense
by Michalyn

Chapter Six: Temptation

"Someone! Get a healer!" Trey stumbled into the kitchen. Balancing Wufei in his arms he thanked whatever gods were watching that he'd found it in time. More than once, he had lost his way in the maze of hedges and was forced to double back -- every one of Wufei's moans a grim reminder that each misstep came at a terrible cost. "Please, I need a healer!"

"Master Wufei!" The stunned cooks took one glance at his burden and the room erupted into motion. Metal clanged, utensils clattered to the floor. All around there were cries of consternation and a rush of bodies pressed forward crowding Trey. "Master Wufei!"

An elderly servant, Trey remembered from the main hall, scurried to his side "My Lord Rossetti, what has happened?"

"I don't know. I found him--" Wufei groaned and Trey lifted him higher in his arms, pressing him to his chest. "Gods ... gods-- I don't know."

"It's all right milord, let me take him. I--"

"No!" Trey cradled Wufei protectively. Anyone who tried to take Wufei from him better prepare for violence. He would not release him till he knew he was all right. Trey pushed through the crowd, the agitated servants trailing behind him. "My room is closest. I will take him there. You, get Prince Quatre!" The blond was no healer, but if anyone knew what to do it would be him. The popof loomed in his vision and Trey shook his head, dispelling it by force. Gods save him if this was linked to something sinister, but he had to hold onto to hope. Wufei shivered in his arms, his brow dotted with sweat and Trey fought the knot of panic rising in his throat. For both their sakes.....

He mounted the steps two at a time, heedless of the protests wafting behind him. His door was ajar and Trey wedged his shoulders through it. Thank goodness he had thought to leave the lamps burning. Shifting Wufei against his chest, he approached the bed, alarmed at Wufei's increasing restlessness and the fever that refused to abate. A sheen of sweat covered his limbs and the movement of his eyelids was erratic. Wufei was as if suspended between consciousnesses -- neither asleep nor awake. Keen enough to respond to pain yet so submerged in some strange limbo that he could not open his eyes or speak.

What kind of illness was this -- and what, by the gods could have caused it? Had he been injured? With the greatest care, Trey patted Wufei's limbs, searching for the source of hurt, but other than the darkening bruise on his cheek he could find nothing. The groans were becoming more frequent and Wufei's head tossed so violently that Trey had to tighten his grip. Where was Quatre, damn it? He peered at Wufei's parched lips. There was a basin of clean water on the nearby stand and he thought to moisten a rag to cool Wufei's flesh, but when he lowered Wufei's body to the bed he moved as if in such pain, Trey had to take him in his arms again. Miraculously, it seemed to help. Wufei was still burning up, but he settled in Trey's grasp, his cries dwindling to a whimper.

"Shh ... shh ... hang in there, Love ... help is on the way." He pushed the matted hair out of Wufei's face, hoping with every breath that he was right.

"In here, milords" Trey heard footsteps and the maitre d 's voice clipped with worry, growing louder.

"Brother!" Quatre burst into the room, rushing to Wufei's side. He fingered the bruise high on Wufei's cheekbone and his eyes narrowed with suspicion at Trey. "What has happened! How was he hurt?"

Trey gritted his teeth.What kind of man did he take him for? As if he would ever...! "If I knew that,prince, I would not have asked for your assistance."

"The two of you disappeared soon after each other. Surely you know something...."

"I ... spoke ... with Wufei in the library. He mentioned feeling a little light-headed but I didn't think much of it. I should have paid more attention. After he left I lingered for a bit" Trey's lips quirked. "Despite the toothsome hors d'oeuvres, I'm sure you can appreciate I was not exactly eager to return to the party." Quatre made an unintelligible sound and Trey sighed. "In any case I eventually decided to head back. That was when I found Wufei ... sprawled on the garden path. I... I came here as quickly as I could."

Quatre frowned. "But--"

"Let me see him." For the first time, Trey noticed Trowa at the desk unpacking a number of small canisters from a basket. As he uncapped one then another a servant entered with a jug of water, set it at Trowa's side and then exited as quietly as he had come. Trowa sprinkled the herbs into a mortar and started grinding. He went to the fireplace and set some water to boil before returning to the mortar. He resumed his grinding and the wintery pungence of peppermint was soon released under the exacting power of his wrist.

Trey raised an eyebrow and Quatre answered his unspoken question. "Trowa is a healer. It is him you should have summoned."

"Oh."

Steam rose from the cauldron as Trowa took it off the fire and came to Wufei's side. He touched his forehead. "This fever...."

"What?"

"I'm not sure ... but if it is what I fear I don't know if I can do anything for him." He indicated Trey's arms, ignoring his look of confusion. "Give him to me."

Trey let go. Reminding himself that Trowa was here to help, he eased Wufei upright so the healer could better manuever him. A strangled cry tore from Wufei's throat. He heaved -- his body convulsing, even as Trowa tried to accommodate him. Unprepared for such a battle, he staggered, struggling to compensate for the frantic motions. Trowa's arms wobbled dangerously and Trey surged forward, rescuing them both from disaster.

"Shh ... sweetheart, it's all right." Trey settled on the bed rocking Wufei's small body against his. He murmured something incoherent and Trey caressed his cheek quieting him. "Damn it! What the hell did you do?" Trey glared at Trowa who was staring at his hands as if he did not recognize them. He shook his head. "You're supposed to be helping him -- not hurting him. What kind of gods-be-damned healer are you?"

"I...."

"Trowa would never hurt Wufei. How dare you make such accusations?" Quatre interrupted, fists clenched. "My brother has been hurt and we only have your word as to what transpired. How do we know he wasn't hurt by your hand?"

For Trey, already strained under the day's emotional upheavals, it was too much. His temper rose to the fore. "Thank you, Prince Quatre, for that glowing assessment of my character as your future brother-in-law. Of course, you've done an excellent job seeing that Wufei is safe and well adjusted. That is why he is so filled with self-loathing."

Quatre's eyes narrowed. "You forget yourself, Rossetti."

"Do I? On the contrary, it appears I am very well informed."

"What--"

"Quatre." Trowa rocked back on his heels, his brow puckered in consideration. "Calm down -- focus. I need your help in this. You try."

"I ... forgive me...." A sheepish look crossed Quatre's features. He placed a palm on either side of Wufei's head and closed his eyes as if listening to something deep inside Wufei. He was in intense concentration and Trey watched the seer with growing apprehension. When he tried to pry Wufei from Trey's arms, however, the reaction was even more violent. Quatre stumbled away, gasping. He pressed a hand to his chest, his breathing labored. "Some ... something is wrong."

"What is it?" Trey and Trowa demanded in unison.

"There is ... he is repelling me." Quatre gasped

"Then it is as I thought." Trowa murmured.

Trey looked from one man to the other, irritated. "Stop speaking in riddles. What is wrong with Wufei?"

"There is nothing anyone can do for him--" Quatre said.

"What?" Trey demanded. "Are you saying--"

Trowa stepped forward. "Except you."

Trey stilled. "Explain yourself."

"Wufei, is not ... ill. Not in the tradtional sense...." Trowa raised a palm to silence him. I perceive energies -- auras if you will. Not as Quatre does, but it is part of how I heal. When someone is ill...," Trowa struggled to explain. "Their energies become ... misaligned -- within the body. This is not the case here. Quite the opposite in fact. Wufei's energies are most keenly aligned -- with yours."

"What?" Trey raked through his hair. "You make no sense."

Trowa rose. "Normally, I would agree with you. However, such a situation is not unusual -- among the gifted."

"The gifted?" Trey's lips parted. His gaze darted to Quatre, "but I thought...."

"There are many kinds of gifts. Quatre's is one -- mine is another." Trowa looked up from emptying the crushed herbs into a mug. He poured the boiling water over them. "I have always found Wufei's energy pattern peculiar. He seemed to have no special abilities and yet.... I could never quite place it." Trowa sighed. " For reasons we do not have the time now to explain, when two gifted are truly mated their kinahs align. It is a slow process -- and not an easy one. Both experience ... symptoms ... depending on the nature of their gifts. In general however, the symptoms are best compared to a magnification of the awakening all gifted experience during the first flush of puberty. Wufei seems to be in the beginning stages of that progression."

Trey was weak-kneed with relief. "But you are familiar with this type of affliction, correct? That means Wufei can be helped." He wouldn't pretend to understand the sorcery behind this, but if what Trowa said was true, Wufei was not in any immediate danger. There was hope.

"Yes ... and no." Trowa made a weary gesture. "The difficulty is, I am not sure what his gift is."

"I ... I believe I know," Trey stared as Quatre rose. "I have dreamed...."

*

"Quatre...."

"It is all right, husband. What is a little sting when so much hangs in the balance?"

Though Trowa's jaw worked visibly, he nodded. His hand lingered on Quatre's cheek before falling away. It was the first time Trey had seen open affection between the two men and he found it ... disturbing. The sense of magic in the air was palpable, hinting at past secrets and joy and sorrow fused together. If not for Wufei in his lap, he would have turned away.

Quatre's lashes lowered, his body swaying. "For some time now I've had the same vision. It began when you, Emperor Rossetti requested my brother's hand." There was a slithering sound and Trey started as the khymera on the blond's robes began to writhe and twist. A shiver crawled through Trey's skin.

Magic.

"A dragon imprisoned in darkness, and then a flame.... A passion unrivaled ... the rose and the sacred orchid entwined, blooming together..... But there is something else...." Quatre wrapped his arms around himself, clutching so tightly his knuckles stood out in relief. "The threat of winter -- a cold wind blowing from the north touching the petals with frost." He shivered, staring off into a world Trey could never hope to reach. "But from there it is muddled." Quatre's voice was harsh, compressed as if by the effort to subdue great pain. "The deepest winter.... Two paths -- a choice to be made: fire or frost.... Then, no more.... I cannot see... I do not know ... I can only hope." He listed forward and Trowa steadied him.

"You little, idiot. You push yourself to hard," Trowa chided, but his voice was gruff, his eyes soft over the blond's features. Quatre tried to say something but unable to catch his breath, he buried his face in Trowa's shirt instead. The robes were pressed between their bodies and Trey watched, caught between awe and horror as the khymera glowed, sinuously caressing Trowa's legs.

"What ... what is wrong with him?"

Trowa smoothed Quatre's hair. "All gifts have their price. The visions are ... painful ... for Quatre. They drain him, leaving him vulnerable afterwards. His gift is therefore his greatest strength -- and his greatest weakness."

Trey swallowed. "And the dream ... what does it mean?"

Quatre stirred. "By now you must have guessed the truth. I convinced my father to accept your offer -- because of the vision. You and Wufei are soulmates."

"Impossible," Trey scoffed. "Wufei can hardly stand to be in the same room with me."

"No. The runes have confirmed it. Wufei is the dragon and the orchid; you are the flame and the rose. There is great passion between you that can bloom into something rarer: a love strong enough to last beyond this lifetime -- but only if you choose it."

"And how do you expect us to achieve this great love?" Passion was one thing, but could Wufei ever love him? They were not even friends. Trey was afraid he had already caused too much upheaval for it to ever be.

Quatre sighed. "Perhaps I'm a fool ... but I believe in that love. It is my only hope for Wufei's happiness."

"I can't see how--"

"Listen ... please." Quatre made a chopping motion. "A threat is coming. It will be your greatest test. When you stand at the crosscroads, remember you must make the choice to love. Otherwise all will be lost."

Trey shook his head. How was he supposed to defend them from an invisible enemy? It was like telling him to fight with both hands tied behind his back. "The choice to love? But I don't--"

"It is possible. I cannot show you the way, but I can help you understand what Wufei is."

"What he is?"

"Yes. Have you not noticed Wufei's coloring?"

Trey nodded. How could he not? It was part of what so enchanted him with the young prince. Still, he couldn't see what Wufei's looks could possibly have to do with all of this -- and he said so.

Trowa cast him a long-suffering look through his bangs. "Eires' suns are cyclical and their position at birth determines each child's gifts."

Of course. And that was supposed to tell him what -- other than Eireans were masters of bedevilment? Trey ground his teeth in exasperation. "Gentlemen, we obviously do not have much time here. Can we dispense with the riddles and get to the damn point?"

Quatre frowned. "I am a child of twilight, hence my sight and empathy. Wufei's appearance is a product of his birth. We are called the kingdom of light, but that is not quite true. Eires' suns are eclipsed once every hundred years. It is the only time we experience true night and when the sacred midnight orchids bloom, heralding the descent of Airiah, the goddess of rebirth, to renew the land. I have only seen the orchids bloom once.... When Wufei was born...."

Trey became very still, almost afraid to ask. "What then, is Wufei's ... gift?"

"Because they are born so rarely, we know very little about the children of midnight...." Quatre bit his lip. "After careful study of the ancient texts, however, and helped by my own abilities, I believe the primary influence is of Airiah. She rules over many spheres including wisdom and justice, but when she descends at midnight it is as the goddess of rebirth and rejuvenation. During that time, the earthly and the divine merge in what is known as nature's ecstasy and that is Wufei's gift -- an affinity for all that is earthly and sensual...." Quatre blushed. "Of all the cycles, only the children of midnight are made for pleasure."

Gods. Heat coiled in Trey's belly. "Are you saying," he said slowly, "That Wufei is a sensualist?"

"That is one way of putting it. You would be a fool to define him only as such, but ... yes. Like any other gift, his must be cultivated, or else body and spirit languish." Quatre then described his diffulties with his empathy and how he could only control his gift after he embraced it. "Wufei's gift is very different from mine, though," he cautioned. "As Trowa pointed out, it is hard to know what kind of nurturing it would need, partly because so little is known about Wufei's kind -- but also because Wufei denies his gift. He has eliminated almost everything in his life that could give him even a modicum of physical pleasure."

Trey stared at Wufei's heart-shaped mouth, puckered in agitation."So ... he is completely unaware of his abilities?"

"How aware he is I don't know." Quatre said. "Since all gifts become magnified during puberty I think he must have some idea. It is a very difficult time. I remember my abilities fluctuated wildly. I would go days without being affected, then I would touch a friend's book and be overwhelmed by his feelings. Other times the visions seemed to be triggered by nothing at all and I would be plagued in the middle of what I happened to be doing at the moment. I have never known an exception to this and I cannot see how Wufei could not have experienced something similiar. With his gift, especially, one expects the symptoms to be particularly difficult."

"Yet he never said a word?" Trey asked.

Quatre shook his head. "If Wufei suffered at all, he kept it well hidden."

Wufei, Wufei, Wufei. Why did he always have to be so stubborn? Trey could only imagine the tortures he must have inflicted on himself to hide the changes his body was going through. He frowned. "There is one thing I don't understand, though. If Wufei is a child of midnight like you say, why is the dragon in your vision imprisioned in darkness?"

"There are many kinds of darkness. What is night? Is it in the sky out there -- or is it something within? Wufei's darkness has many layers. He is in violent conflict with himself and a split with one's nature is a dangerous thing -- especially for the gifted. He alone can heal the divide, but as his mate you can help him. I have tried but ....," Quatre's eyes glistened. "If he continues this way I fear for his very life."

"Come now, surely you exaggerate."

"No. A soul cannot continue divided. Stifling his gift is as detrimental as if he were to cut away the heart in his chest."

Trey tensed. Gift or no gift, he was in for one hell of a battle. The thought of unlocking Wufei's passion, however, sustained him. He would show him heat and he would show him tenderness.The gods would decide if it was enough for love. " All right, then, I shall do my best."

"Good." Trowa folded his arms. "But that still does not solve our other problem. What kind of gifted are you?"

"Me?" Trey was incredulous.

"You must be," Trowa insisted, "to be Wufei's mate."

Trey had dabbled with spells as a teenager, but he was poor at them, and quickly grew frustrated. It wasn't long before he turned to the much more tangible sword instead. Besides, there were no gifted in Rossetti: men earned their skill -- through sweat and tears and blood. "My only experience with the arts has been here, in Eires." Trey met Quatre's gaze, challenging him. "The night you sent me that magicked fruit."

"I?" It was Quatre's turn to be shocked. "You are mistaken."

"Don't tell me you don't know. Opiates would have caused a lesser swoon. Gods, I can still taste it on my lips!"

Quatre laughed. "So that's what happened. I felt something, but I wasn't sure. I also couldn't figure out why my popof trees were suddenly heavy with fruit.... I know it's hard to believe but I had no hand in it. That was all your doing. I sent you many fruits. You simply picked the one that most embodied Wufei, to you." Quatre smiled at Trey, not a little amused. "You are most astute, Emperor Rossetti. I cannot think of a better comparison for my brother. Do know the popof is said to spring from the tears of Airiah herself?"

That was impossible. Trey distinctly remembered only one fruit on his plate that night. It was why it had caught his attention at all. "Come now, Quatre. You don't really expect me to believe that, do you?"

"You say you are not gifted, but you accepted Wufei first." Quatre insisted. "Before tonight -- before Wufei ever began responding to you, your kinah was responding to *his* in peparation for the time when you would be joined. Though you may not have known it, you had already recognized him as your soulmate. You have been reaching out to him since your arrival in Eires and it finally triggered his reaction tonight."

"Quatre, I'm afraid you are wrong."

"You desired only Wufei -- and therefore could see only Wufei. That is why you chose the popof -- and what caused your swoon." Quatre's smile was rueful. "And now, he has answered your call."

"So you're saying I'm responsible for this?" Trey demanded.

"It is not a matter of blame, but of fate," Trowa said quietly. "Every land has its gifted, though they might be called by something else. Sometimes they have no name at all ... but they live nonetheless." His gaze pinned Trey in place. "Perhaps Wufei is not the only one guilty of denying his gifts...."

Trey understood the insinuation but he refused to believe it. He didn't know why Wufei was drawn to him, but he was sure it had more to do with Wufei's gifts than any abilities of his. They accused him of being delusional, but Trowa and Quatre had juggled with magic for so long they were blind to anything else. "Look, I won't deny that something special is at work here, but I'm no more gifted than Heero is."

Quatre, still trying to recover his strength, was leaning against Trowa. At Trey's comment, he looked up with a smile. "As you say, my lord."

Trey's eyes narrowed. What the devil did he mean by that? He was about to question the blond further when Trowa interrupted.

"In any case, Wufei will not spare us any more time. We must leave him to your care. Here, take this."

Trey took the jug, eyeing it with suspicion. "What is this?"

Trowa's lips twitched. "It is only tea: peppermint and eldeflower for the fever and yarrow to help him sleep. It will cause him to perspire and lower his temperature. Be careful to keep him hydrated and do not allow him to remain in wet things, else he will catch cold before he wakes up and then we will certainly be in trouble." Trowa placed a vial of lavender oil on the stand next to the bed. I want you to bathe him with this as soon as the fever subsides and once again in the morning. Three or four drops to the bathwater should be fine. The water should be warm and even if he says otherwise, he will be weak and should stay well rested for the next two days." Trowa peered at Trey, hands on his hips. "What I have given you is no cure. They will only ease Wufei's discomfort, and at best allow him to sleep. We must let him recover in his own time. Until then, it is contact with you that is most important."

Trowa began gathering his ingredients and Trey's stomach churned. What? That was it? What if something went wrong? Not to mention the fact that Wufei would have his head when he found out he had taken such intimate care of him. Besides ... Trey wasn't sure he could trust himself to be so close to Wufei and remain noble....

"Trowa ...wait! I'm no healer. Shouldn't you see to him?"

Trowa frowned, slinging his basket over his arm. "You saw his reaction before. No one else can come near him." He extended his other hand to Quatre. "Love?"

"But ...." Trey coughed. "I ... well ... that is ..... Won't the court object to us sharing a chamber so soon?" If this wasn't so frightening Trey would have laughed. Only an hour ago he was panting to get in Wufei's bed with no care for propriety. Now he had Wufei and he was trying his damnedest to get away from him. Gods he'd be glad to be back in Rossetti where things were logical and predictable. None of this cursed magic to muck things up.

"In the eyes of the kingdom you are now mated. No one will question Wufei's presence here." Trowa stood in the doorway. "Summon me if you need anything."

"Perhaps I should--"

The slam of the door was like a crack of thunder in the stillness. Trey brushed Wufei's hair away from his forehead and Wufei moaned, pressing into his palm like a flower towards sunlight. He swallowed, heart pounding as his hands moved to Wufei's shirt.

He just might not survive this night.

*

Wufei's lips parted beneath Trey's. Even in his fever, they were soft ... pliable.... Trey leaned forward and let the draught flow from his mouth to Wufei's, the taste of peppermint lingering on his tongue. He watched Wufei, anxious that he wouldn't be able to swallow the dose. But Wufei's throat worked, swallowing the tea with ease. Steam rose, hot and fragrant from the pot on the nightstand and Trey contemplated it. How much more would he need to give him? Surely not much....? Already his hands were shaking. It was one thing thinking of Wufei as injured, but knowing now what he did -- knowing that Wufei was safe.... It was impossible to ignore the warmth of Wufei's body molded to his side and the way he clung to Trey's chest. He was breathing easily, for once, his lips not pressed into a harsh line, but parted in all their rosy fullness.

Just as they had been in the library.

Biting back a curse, Trey closed his eyes. What the gods was Trowa thinking leaving him with this responsibility? He bent again with the draught. After three mouthfuls Wufei was a warm, seeking presence against him, following Trey's movements with slumberous instinct. At the fourth, the very tip of his tongue wet Trey's lips as he pulled away. It was the briefest of touches, no less instinctive than before, but the warm, intoxicating, rasp was enough to shake his already crumbling control. He panted, every breath infused with peppermint and the scent of Wufei's skin.... The cup rattled as Trey set it aside. He could not continue.

His gaze fell on the tub near the foot of the bed and immediately, he realized his mistake. In his lap, Wufei sighed and snuggled closer. The bath.... Dear gods, the bath. Trey shuddered. He tried to listen to the little voice reminding him that Wufei was asleep -- that he hated him -- that awake, he detested his touch.... But he was having a hell of a time hearing it over the blood rushing in his ears. Trey swallowed. He could do this ... he could do this.... He laughed, and it sounded nervous even to his ears. "Get it together, Trey." he chided himself, "It's not as if you've never undressed another man before."

Yes, -- that sadistic little voice was quick to point out -- but other men weren't Wufei.

This time Trey did curse -- foully. There had to be an easier way to do this. Lowering Wufei to the pillows, he rose and went to his trunks. It didn't take him long to find what he was searching for: a shirt and a large drying cloth. Wufei was moving fitfully against the pillows when he returned to the bed and Trey feared the fever had taken a turn for the worse. But as soon as he took him in his arms again, Wufei's brow became smooth; he rested. The change was so instantaneous that it left Trey shaking. What if....? He didn't want to think ... didn't want to hope that Wufei could one day freely respond to him in the same way.

"Ah, Kala, even like this, you prove your mastery over me. You must be laughing at me somewhere in there, eh? 'That bastard finally got what he deserved,' you'd say, and indeed I have...." Trey laughed softly. He caressed Wufei's cheek and the flesh was hot against his palm. "No, no ... that's not right, either." Trey remembered the fear he had put in Wufei's eyes. For the first time, he saw his behavior in all its selfishness and he was ashamed.

"No," Trey shook his head. "You would never want this. Your brother claims I am to blame and I see that he was right. I pushed you too far ... so you escaped in the only way you knew how."

"In the morning you will hate me, and once again I will see the fear in your eyes. Quatre says you crave my touch. Your body says it." Trey stared at his hands. "So tell me, Kala: What the devil am I supposed to do now?"

Trey's fingers hesitated at Wufei's laces, then with determination, he began drawing them one by one, from their loops. Wufei's skin -- honeyed and smooth -- gaped between the folds and Trey did his damnedest to ignore it -- and was quite proud when he succeded in manuevering Wufei's shirt over his head, without incident. Trey tossed the shirt aside.

He stared at Wufei's torso.

Did he say succeeded?

Trey groaned, devouring the sensuous expanse of Wufei's chest and flat belly. He was beautiful ... so beautiful.... Gods, he ached to touch him! Trey clenched his fingers into his palm. Breath shuddered from his lungs. No, he would not give Wufei another reason to hate him. He would care for him as Trowa had asked -- and he would do so honorably. Perhaps he could not erase his mistakes, but he could try to forge a better future. Wufei would never know of it -- after tonight, he would probably despise him even more for having held him when he was at his most vulnerable. But, Trey thought, he would know and that was what was important. Hadn't Quatre said love was theirs if they took it? Well, he would take it. Here, tonight, by caring for Wufei, protecting him ... respecting him. Gods, even if it killed him!

Draping the cloth over Wufei's hips, he removed Wufei's trousers and short stockings, then slipped an arm under his knees and carried him to the tub. He then added the lavender oil as Trowa had instructed. The water was warm and when Trey lowered Wufei into its depths his skin gleamed in the firelight.

He cupped the back of Wufei's head and dipped his hair into the water so he could wash it. The soap was a concoction of vanilla and honeysuckle and its buttery-warm fragrance rose from Wufei's hair like a dream. Keeping his motions as brisk and impersonal as he could manage, Trey worked up a generous lather. The dark strands, however, seemed to have a mind of their own. They slipped and slid, by turns falling from his fingers and ensnaring his wrist. He bent to reclaim a rebellious handful and a silky tendril slithered from his grasp and curled about Wufei's left nipple. Trey swore. He tried to grasp the errant tendril but it held fast. Instead he grazed Wufei's nipple and it puckered immediately beneath his fingertips. Wufei gave a sleepy half-gasp, half-sigh and arched into his touch.

Fuck.

Water sloshed over Trey's forearms, he was trembling so badly. By the time he succeeded in smoothing Wufei's hair away, both nubbins were taut and proud, Wufei was flushed and Trey was close to tears. Lathering a rag, Trey moved in quick circles over Wufei's back and arms and chest, desperate not to linger over any one part. But Wufei moved as if in a dream, following Trey's movement's with an accuracy that made his balls ache. Wufei's hair clung to his cheeks and his breath came slow and soft. He was utterly relaxed, in a luxurious slumber insensible to everything except Trey's touch. And for Trey, it was like being burned alive. His shy prince had disappeared and in his place was this wanton creature determined to take his pleasure in every touch.

When Trey reached Wufei's navel, he had to lean on the basin for support. A sheen of sweat had broken over his body and he could hear his own panting breaths in the stillness. Trey's hands dipped below Wufei's waist and a broken sound somewhere between murmur and a moan bubbled from Wufei's lips. His thighs fell open as the rag moved over him and his hips moved languidly in the water. Unable to stop himself, Trey returned, moving rough cloth over sensitive flesh -- and received the same, voluptuous response.

Trey clutched the edge of the tub and the rag dropped nerveless from his fingers. Was this the real Wufei? Passionate, eager -- all inhibitions stripped away to reveal a sensuality as natural as the orchid unfurling in the darkness? Trey shivered. If it were ... if it were.... What would it be like when they finally made love? They would burn-- no blaze together. If this was what Wufei was like with only the water caressing him, what would he be like if he allowed Trey to caress him in the ways he truly desired? What would he be like if he surrendered to his passion? What would it take to awaken that passion? Trey studied the thick fringe of Wufei's lashes lying against his cheeks.

Most importantly, what would it take for Wufei to trust him enough to show him?

*

The sun was already warm on Wufei's face when he opened his eyes. He blinked. He had overslept? Wufei frowned. He never overslept. It was one of the vices he had firmly weaned himself out of. One should be up and about and ready to face the day with a productive spirit. Nothing, he reminded himself, could be earned through sloth and malingering. So why, by Airiah, did he feel so wooly-headed? Wufei sat up, groaning at the throbbing in his temples. What had he done? Could he have allowed himself to get drunk? Wufei flattened his lips. Shameful. But what could have caused him to fail himself in that way? He tried to remember the night before and only came up with a jumble of events: the dinner ... the announcement ... the library....

And after that nothing.

Why couldn't he remember?

Alarmed, Wufei turned aside the covers and began searching for his glasses. It was then that he noticed he was not his room at all, but in one of the guest rooms. More shocking, these were not his nightclothes. Wufei scooted to the edge of the bed and was horrified at the sight of his naked legs dangling from beneath a man's large shirt. And beneath that-- Heat rushed to Wufei's face. He clutched the shirt about him, hauling the neckline up from his shoulders. He didn't have to reach behind to know his hair was damp and plaited by unfamiliar fingers. Even for bed, it was too soft ... too loose to have been his handiwork. And why was it wet? Jerking to his feet Wufei wobbled on the short step next to the bed. On the other side of the mattress the sheets were tangled and there was an indent where another body had clearly lain. A big body, by the looks of it.

A man's body.

Trey's handsome face danced before him and Wufei wrung his braid with desperate fingers. Could he have...? Did they...? Gods, gods, gods what had he done? He looked beyond the bed and discovered his clothes slung over a nearby chair. His underwear, as if mocking him, was at the very top of the pile.

A wave of self-disgust so unremitting surged through Wufei that his chest ached. He covered his crumbling face in his hands. No matter what he did ... no matter how hard he tried....

Why was he always so weak?

The door opened and Trey stepped in from the hall. He was carrying a small bowl of tangerines, which he brought with him toward the bed. "Ah, you're awake."

"Stay away from me! You ... you...." Wufei's throat worked soundlessly, voice knotted around the pain in his chest.

"Kala, it's not what you think. If you would allow me to explain--"

"No," Wufei trembled. The pounding in his head had intensified but he ignored it. "I don't want any of your lies. Tell me what happened last night."

"I will," Trey promised, setting the bowl down. "After you eat. You should not be out of bed yet, and I'm afraid you will only make yourself unwell if you continue like this. Nothing here is as you think. I have brought some fruit and the maid will be up shortly with porridge. We can discuss everything while you eat. Now please be reasonable and get back under the covers."

"No. I don't want anything from you. I just ... I just need to know." Wufei clenched his fists. "Please!"

Trey flinched, but he nodded, "All right."

He began to speak. From the library to Quatre's revelations he related all that he had learned of burning and darkness and a bond between them stronger than any sword could divide. And the more Wufei heard, the more the disgust -- the shame of his own repulsiveness -- threatened to stifle him. To be mastered by his body ... to surrender himself to the care of his enemy.... Gods, where was his strength? It was no wonder his father wanted to be rid of him. Surely a man who could not rule his own base instincts was not fit to represent the kingdom?

"--protested but it had to be done. So I gave you the draught and bathed you and finally you slept. However, Trowa recommended that you stay abed until--"

Wufei froze. "You bathed me?" he whispered. "But you said Trowa--" Wufei closed his eyes. "It wasn't Trowa?"

"Ah ... well ... yes. It was the only way....." Trey's look was sympathetic. "Forgive me, Kala. I know it was not what you would have wished."

Wufei didn't hear him. To literally be exposed in all his inadequacy.... Wufei bowed his head. He tried to push past Trey. "Thank you for your assistance, but if you'll excuse me, I believe I will return to my rooms, now."

"Wufei...." Trey did not budge.

"Please remove yourself." Wufei said dully. The pain in his head had expanded, but it only seemed to echo the deeper ache within him that he could not name. In the end, he wondered what the difference was. What was one more failure added to the rest?

Trey touched his shoulder. "You' ve nothing to be ashamed of. What happened last night was beyond anyone's control."

If the effort were not so painful, Wufei would have laughed. "Of course, now if you please...."

"Please, Kala, don't run away from me. I know we started off badly, but I would like to remedy that." Trey opened his arms. "Let me show you that I can be gentle. Let me hold you, take care of you. I'm not talking about sex -- just simple, human contact. I won't pretend I don't desire you. I do, but I won't make the same mistake again. I won't make love to you unless you ask me to. I don't know anything about visions or magic, but I'm a man and my senses can't be wrong. There is something between us. Am I the only one who feels it?"

"Let me hold you, Kala. I won't let you fall."

Trey was standing so close Wufei could see the tiny striations in his irises. He reached out tilting Wufei's chin upward, but Wufei looked away, unable to catch his breath. Something in him yearned for the comfort Rossetti offered and it frightened him. Wufei shook his head, desperate to escape Trey's words, his scent ... the vital heat of him that made him feel like a stranger in his own skin. "No. I can't...." He cringed. "I...."

"Please my lord! I was given specific instructions--" Wufei was rescued by a sudden and great commotion in the hall. There was the sound of scuffling feet and voices arguing and then Trey's man, Heero, barged into the room.

"My lords, I'm so sorry. I tried to tell the gentleman--" the servant behind Heero babbled, while Wufei twisted about, searching for something to cover his undress. Trey stepped forward shielding him with his body. "God damn it, Heero what is the meaning of this!"

"My lord," Heero's face was grim as he touched his sword. "Rossetti has been attacked."