Haryek returns with something I haven't seen much of since the Lycans arrived: a full plate of fruits and vegetables with warm wild rice soup. He sets the tray before me, and I give him a grateful smile. Famished, considering that Lycans seem to take offense at regular meals, I have been missing the sweet taste of fresh fruit.

 I pop a strawberry in my mouth and moan appreciatively. 

How could a strawberry taste so good?

I ate a few more and started on my soup. The warmth revived my chilled body and my spirit. I swallowed back the resentment I was feeling and wondered if perhaps I was more hungry than I gave myself credit for. 

Haryek watches me with what might consider concern.

"Are you ok?" He asks slowly, slipping slightly closer to me as I eye him suspiciously and take another spoonful of soup. "I mean, truly, are you ok? Not just physically." 

I shrug and set my spoon down but refuse to relinquish control of the strawberries. Crossing my legs, I hold the bowl in my lap and take another bite as I watch the soup. 

"Is anyone alright anymore? My parents are dead, Haryek. Does that answer your question?" With a heavy sigh, I take a moment to fester in that emotion. I was actually more alright than I had been since the day I left this place. Much as the lycans treated me like a parasite, I did enjoy the fear I struck in their eyes by the thought of what I might do. 

 Morbid as it was, I enjoyed the respect I got from everyone but Alpha and Beta. While they did stare, I was no stranger to the odd glance. "No. I'm not alright but that's going to have to be okay for now. I can figure out how fucked up I am when all this is over." 

 My eyes shoot to him, this feminine man beside me who has never known any real hardship, I recall our previous conversation. "Haryek, I must confess to you as you seem to wish the same path as I'm enduring. I-" Considering my words, I take another bite, unwilling to sacrifice the meal for the reveal. "I laughed, perhaps even giggled, as my father died. Today, a lycan told me that Alpha ripped out a chunk of my father's throat and consumed it-"

Haryek places his hand over his mouth, and I resist the urge to shrug in indifference. 

"I found myself completely without care of how he died, though curious as to his lack of effort to prevent it. My father did something that I can never forgive him for. But, my selfishness has resulted in the death of a lot of people that I love. Are you willing to accept that?" 

He scoots closer to me; I want to lean away, and in an excuse to touch me, he pulls his gifted robe tighter around my shoulders.

"Lord Taryek has lived long enough, he is not good for the nation. He's sucking it dry, it's either him or my people and I fear I must choose my people. It's not easy. Both of our fathers have to atone."

 I track his gaze to the roaring fire, admiring the freedom of the dancing flame. Glancing around the cottage, I feel like I've been here before, maybe as a child, and wonder where the owner is.

 The man at my side looks so out of place here.

"Are you ok?" I ask him and his expression breaks. 

"We are a lot alike, you and me. Two princes forced into this life, nobody asked me if I wanted this. Nobody asked if I wanted to become the savior of my people." 

I take another scoop of my soup, thoughtful of the web he weaves, but familiar with the game he was trying to play. If I had been seventeen, I might have fallen for it. But, given that my self-worth was living under the floorboards, I was considering my options. 

I was not the only one playing the game.

 "I'm alright; I've decided this is the correct choice if we ever want to be free; if we ever want peace. That is why I did this, I fled from Ziduri to come here and start the rebellion once I heard the wolves were planning an uprising. I knew they were coming for your father. I, admittedly, allowed them to pass with no attack and then I took my group to follow behind them into the city. For a month, we waited.

 As they destroyed the libraries, I got as many out as I could, and we came here; it was the first section of the city that was raided. They haven't been back this way since; we try to keep a low profile."

 I absorb what I'm hearing, confirming my suspicion that Haryek had been planning this rebellion for much longer than the lycans had been within my city. 

It would appear some wolves indeed do wear sheep's clothing.

 "You knew? You knew and you did nothing?" My voice is hard and firm; I stiffen as I trace my lower lip with a strawberry and consider how outraged I'd like to be; I'd like him to think he owed me something, but he might also have other plans and cut me loose if I played too hard. 

Haryek takes my hand in his, forcing me to look at him. "I did it for the good of our people. Nothing would have stopped the Lycan army. They were dead anyway, even if I wanted to stop them." 

That was the difference between him and me; he had not wanted to help my people. I focused on the verbiage. He admitted he had not wanted to stop them, and it played happily into his hands that Alpha had destroyed the royal family. 

"We needed this to happen; this paves the way to the future. We are now prepared to form the correct alliances, put the correct people in place, and finally have balance. Neither kingdom could take on the cities of Man by themselves, but together- we stand a chance."

I set my bowl back on my tray and pushed it away. My appetite is gone; I'm not fit for this world of politics where life is expendable, as not long ago, I was part of the 'throwaway' variety. In Haryek's original plan, I was sure my death had been a part of it, and I wondered how my living had affected that end goal. 

"And.. you were going to walk in and apologize to the lycan leader for enslaving his people?"

"My plan was for you all along, Nicolas! To twist your way in, gain their trust! It's all going quite well, it would seem! Look, you came with another one, all be it, a broken one... quite the racket, are they consuming each other already?"

My lips part and he reaches to caress my cheek, unimpressed by how long this conversation was taking, I would assume by how close he was getting to me. 

"Worry about that tomorrow. We will discuss it at length; for now, eat. You must be famished." 

I obediently took another bite of strawberry, allowing myself to be perceived as naive and easily manipulated; it was the part he wished for me to play, and for now, I needed him to think I was a non-issue. Turning my head, Haryek is very close to me, I recoil back a few inches. 

"The people are very grateful to you, Nicolas. I'm grateful to you."

 While I appreciate the flattery, I'm not an imbecile. This was a game I was well versed in, the art of manipulation.

I don't want him to touch me, I don't want his hands on me, but I do want his trust, and the idea of how to prove that to him was laid out in black and white. It was disappointing, though I'd come here looking for the possibility of sex, I had hoped it would come in a different flavor than pity. 

"You deserve appreciation. You deserve to feel good."

I offer a shy smile, a look I've mastered. Haryek sees what he wants and takes what he wants, and that object was this shell I'd learn to produce. 

"You are so beautiful, a rare gem with such complexion." He presses his lips to mine. 

"Haryek..." I start, sighing, feigning the idea of a headache and a reschedule. While this was what I thought I wanted, I found myself oddly satisfied and unwilling to trade one experience for the other. There was a chance Haryek could be good in bed, but the nature of his courting thus far has been underwhelming. 

He closes the gap and kisses me once more. 

What is one more diplomat? What is one more time I bow before someone else to get what I want? I need his support, and his crooked nature might not lend so kindly to much resistance. It would be easier to do this, to give him a reason to need me, to solidify that I could be someone who could be of use to him. 

"Let it happen." Haryek encourages. 

I wish I had wine, offering him my neck because his lips against mine feel too foreign, too feminine. His thin waist and his body had tone but lacked the masculinity that I craved. I struggle with what little dignity I have as my hands press into his chest, keeping him at bay as he kisses down my neck. 

Why couldn't I get there? Why was I struggling with this? My eyes were painfully open, my heart a dull thud as I watched the fire rumble in the fireplace. 

 Who am I to deny aid to my people at the expense of pride?

 I feel a pride I don't have, a pride that has never blessed me. 

"Let me make you feel good, Nicolas." 

My stomach curls, and I swallow back the resistance. Forcing a smile, I resign myself to my fate. "I'm just wrought with anticipation." 

It sounds false, a poor game of pretending. He chuckles, and I tip my head back to keep his mouth on my skin instead of my own; my eyes scan the surroundings and take in the warm room; I count the knickknacks on the shelf above the fireplace, admiring the little hand-painted figurines and their happy little faces.

 Among them, one porcelain vase, pale and tall, undeserving of the charm of the tiny men. His hands slip under my shirt and I jerk.

"Don't..." I tell him. 

Haryek persists, and I grasp his wrists, chest heaving. 

"Don't," I snap. 

The Elf Prince looks at me as if he doesn't know what to make of me; I can feel the disappointment that I was being difficult and interrupting the flow. "I don't take my shirt off..." I explain, and he arches a perfect brow. 

I'm not 'simple' and never have been. I know the look of frustration well, there's not enough of me, not enough involvement or excitement to allow them to hide behind the veil that maybe I'm enjoying myself. I think of something else as he removes my clothes and falls upon my body in the throws of what can be considered passion. 

When men feel inadequate, they make enough noise for us both. I allow this, for it's my responsibility as a servant to my people to do what is necessary to guarantee their safety. Payment, in the form of my body, was an acceptable term for me. I'd done it for myself to stay alive, so why not for my people, too? 

I watch those little figurines, clutching this symbol of elven perfection, as I allow myself the liberty to think of anything else. In frustration, my mind drifts to Alpha taking me to the library, and I might have concocted a way to even find an ounce of pleasure in such haphazard thrusting if it had lasted long enough. 

Thankfully for me, it's over as quickly as it began, as his consideration for me ends the moment my pants are down and my body of access to him. The memory of that night in the library had been a kind reprieve, an easy way to block out the disappointment and shame, though I'd sacrificed myself then, too. 

As he finishes, thankfully across my stomach, he grins down at me, brushing my hair back out of my face. 

"My Romanian flower. I dare say that was quite the coming of minds."

I stare up at the ceiling before I sit up and offer him a small smile. "Yeah. It was. I hope to have a strong alliance in the future." 

Feeling gross, I squirm to use his robe to clean up his release. He tips a wine glass to me as he pulls up his pants, taking a long sip. I excuse myself and make my way to the washroom, dipping a cloth in the basin of water there and scrubbing my body clean.

 The liquid he used appears to be everywhere, and I smell heavily of lavender. Once I'm satisfied with my cleanliness, I come back out to find that the bedroom door is open, and I make my way in to see him in bed. He pats the bed with a grin, and I clear my throat as I rack my brain for an excuse. 

"I think I'll take the guest room if you don't mind." 

Haryek shrugs, indifferent, bidding me goodnight.

When I wake up, my body feels stiff and I stretch to alleviate my cramped muscles. I feel achy and sore but not as drained as I worried I'd be.  Using my magic has convinced my body it's out of retirement, and it feels good to feel strong again. 

Vaguely, I recall selling my soul for some strawberries, though I can't fault that the berries weren't delicious. Might even convince myself it was worth it.

 Running my hand through my hair, I can't help but roll my eyes heavily at myself. "Back to our old ways, hmm? I suppose things don't change. Good job, Nicolas. Just give it away on the street next to the bread cart."

I spot Haryek as I enter the main room. His skin reminds me of polished marble, and I question how long he's been awake, considering his state of cleanliness. 

"Hungry?" he asks. "I think we have pancakes." The elf takes in my outfit and makes a disapproving face. A pair of wool leggings and a long-sleeve shirt, coupled with a vest, will do for the chilly morning. Truthfully, I was thrilled to wear civilian clothes. "Sorry for the lack of appropriate attire; the service around here is dreadful."

I shrug one shoulder, realize who I'm in the company of, and compose myself. 

"It's quite alright," I tell him, squaring my shoulders. I remind myself that I am a prince; even if my morals are lacking, I should act like one. "It's a novelty for me to dress in such a way. I've never been allowed to, and it's quite comfortable."

Haryek almost looks revolted, but he laughs instead of acting on it. "Whatever makes you happy, baby. I have never felt the desire to dress as a peasant. Dirty and so unfashionable, I would get quite bored wearing a get-up like that every day!" He chuckles, taking a bite of pancake. 

"What happened to the people who used to live in these cottages?" I muse.

"Most vacated to the city; they haven't returned, or if they have, they've seen us and fled. For the few that remained, we persuaded them to let us use their homes, one way or another. " He shrugs. "We needed to have this whole area. It was for the greater good."

"Did you take some of these homes?" I press. 

"Borrowed. Maybe one or two. The rest were abandoned." He catches my expression and sighs, disappointed that I insisted on having emotions he didn't share. Bringing me a plate of pancakes and some strawberries, he sets it down in front of me. "How is it any different than what the lycans, that you are so quick to forgive, have done? Didn't they steal your home?"

"Actually, they all live outside my home, so technically, they have stolen my yard. I don't forgive them. I am biding my time, so perhaps you should concern yourself with the matters here and the theft of Dezna's land from her people." 

Unamused, after a long silence, he bows out and agrees with me. 

"You will be giving these homes back; we will make other accommodations for you." 

"Nicolas, how about we talk about getting rid of the lycans? If we kill the 'alpha,' then we stand a chance of running them off." He wishes to derail me; he wants to talk about something other than giving up his comfortable and burgled lifestyle.

"That won't work; they work on a practical point system. They will just put someone equally terrible in his place. Killing the lycans is exactly what got us into this mess. We need to find a way to make peace." 

Those pale eyes remind me of a viper staring down the rabbit as it waits for the poison to take effect. Holding firm, I set my jaw in defiance. Much as I was upset about what happened, I couldn't put my finger on what caused me to decide to save the man's life yesterday. My mind trails back to the sex, and I wonder if that's my only standard these days. 

"These are my family's lands; it is my say, Haryek, and I say, we will do our best to make peace with the lycans." My voice is stern- firm in my reasoning.

With a smile, Haryek bows, gesturing to the breakfast before me. "I have a few meetings I have to go to today; we are discussing how to get supplies. We'll discuss this later, perhaps tonight over dinner?"

My lips turn at the corners as I fight to keep the frown off my face, "I've got things to attend to at home; I'm a busy man you know. But I'll be back tomorrow, we can discuss more then." 

While he considers kissing me, my expression must ward him off, for he retreats while I finish my pancakes. Much as he'd managed to get my blood boiling, the food was worth fighting for. Taking my plate to the source of the delicious smell, I find Delta and Tonic eating together in the dining hall. 

A woman takes my plate, and I note that she is human. In fact, most of the workers here are human. "I can do it," I tell her, but she isn't hearing it. She grabs the plate before I can stop her; her eyes don't meet mine, and she quickly leaves before I can speak again.

"How're you feeling?" I ask hopefully as I sit down, and Delta shies away from me. 

"Nicolas isn't going to hurt you, Delta. Tell him, Nicolas." Tonic glances at me as he rubs Delta's back reassuringly. 

My heart breaks for this shaggy-haired young man who is looking at me like I'm a hell beast. One of his kind eyes is bruised and bloodshot; I remember looking into them as he was dying.

"I'm not going to hurt you, Delta," I tell him calmly. He doesn't look like he believes me; he stays silent. I glance at their plates, and I'm glad they have eaten the pancakes, though the fruit remains untouched.

Tonic purses his lips. "Tell him you want peace. You saved us last night." He looks at me to confirm, to play along just as I had looked at him.

 I come to terms with the fact that Tonic fully believes that I am on their side and I wouldn't betray them.

"I want peace, Delta; I would never harm either of you." I choose my words carefully. 

Don't trust me. 

I will them to make a conscious effort to get far away from me. Exhaling slowly, I struggle with myself and my willingness to con those around me.

Delta's voice shocks me out of my musings. "That's what they all say. That's what they told us when they rounded us up from our houses. Then, they brought us to your father and promised our families a better life. Now, look at us! Housing with knife ears and allowing our brothers to be slaughtered!" He shakes his head, and Tonic gasps at him.

"Delta!" He breathes.

"No, would you open your damn eyes, Tonic? Where was he? He's been to see their leader; he's right buddies with them now, Tonic. We aren't safe here, not with them or with him. We have jobs to do; I have a job to do. A decision will be made for a new Beta, and we need to be ready for the ranking ceremony."

Tonic gives me an apologetic look as he gets up with Delta, and I force myself to follow them back. As much as I didn't want to continue playing the game, I still needed to find my father's spell book before there was any chance of this madness ending.