Though they are separate from the righteous faction, the neutral faction largely sides with the righteous faction in many cases. This is a key factor in why the righteous faction has won the bigger battles against the evil and demonic factions. Particularly when the outside world is dragged into the war.

  Tae stood tall just behind Min. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around his lover, pulling him up against him. It seems that his tendency of wanting physical reassurance from those he loved when he was nervous hadn’t faded over the years. He took a deep breath to calm himself. There really wasn’t anything for him to worry about. The entire imperial family was in his corner, he was the mysterious war hero, and same sex relations weren’t all that uncommon. He chuckled to himself as he realized that his debut in court was more as Min’s lover than as the dragon general.

  Tae heard the servant announce them. He was set to follow Min but Min reached for his hand. Tae looked to his lover. Min tugged him forward. Tae smiled and let Min guide him. They entered the banquet hall hand in hand. Their entrance was followed by a wave of hushed whispers. Tae walked with Min to the head table. Things had quieted again by the time they were seated.

  One by one nobles, officials, and envoys came forward with their gifts for the imperial prince, the brother of the emperor. They were all wonderful gifts as far as Tae could tell. All of them were incredibly expensive and rare items. Min’s face did not change from it’s cold mask of indifference the entire time.

  Once everyone was seated again the food was brought out. Each dish checked for poison before being placed on their table. Tae took advantage of his proximity to Min and poured his lover his first glass of sake for the night. Min took it, his gratitude clear in his eyes. After Min downed the glass Tae leaned in till his lips almost brushed Min’s ear.

  “I believe you can relax a bit more tonight.” Tae whispered. “No assassin or poison can harm you with me by your side.”

  “We should probably wait until I’ve had enough for the officials to chalk up the change in behaviour to intoxication before I relax too much.” Min replied. “Otherwise I might give the poor old men a heart attack.”

  “If it’s Official Kwak wouldn’t that make a fantastic little bonus gift for you though?” Tae teased. He knew how much of a pain that old man was for both Min and Hanseul to deal with.

  Min had taken another drink and just about choked on it.

  “Maybe I should have made you promise to behave.” Min said.

  “And miss out on my delightful antics?” Tae asked, smirking openly now. There were more whispers from the guests. He was making it painfully clear how close he and Min were to each other after all.

  It didn’t take too long for Min to eat more and get more liquor in him. After the third bottle Min started to loosen up a bit. They’d had a plan for tonight, Hanseul had actually approved of it. They knew that it’d be impossible to hide the fact that they were together forever. Far better to reveal it on their own terms. It would allow both of them more protection. Tae was secretly hoping it would lower the amount of assassins Min had to deal with. Afterall, there weren’t many who’d be willing to risk having to fight the hero dragon general. Tae had been rather ruthless on the battlefield and that reputation was still alive and well in the darker circles.

  Tae had intended to monitor the banquet hall, but he was finding it difficult to pull his eyes away from his lover. Min looked exquisite today. His royal regalia really accentuated his beauty. He was a few bottles in himself as well. Tae decided to hell with it all and quietly cast a verbal spell using Qi. He felt it surge outward. Min’s eyes flickered to his and Tae knew his lover had felt the Qi fueling the spell. Tae leaned in again.

  “Decided it would be more effective to monitor the room that way since I can’t seem to keep my eyes off of you.” Tae whispered.

  “Looking particularly magnificent today, aren't I.” Min smirked.

  “So much so that I find myself wanting to devour you.” Tae told him.

  Min’s eyes glinted mischievously. Before Tae could brace himself, Min wrapped a hand around his neck and kissed him. Tae froze for a fraction of a second, this had not been part of what they’d planned for today, before melting into the kiss. He wrapped an arm around Min’s waist as he deepened the kiss. He flicked his tongue out, briefly brushing it against Min’s lips. Min’s lips parted and Tae’s tongue slid in. Tae begrudgingly pulled away from Min before Min could suck on his tongue. He only had so much control as it was. He was very much looking forward to when this damned banquet was over.

  As much as he wanted to devour Min then and there, Tae did get some satisfaction from the shock he felt from the guests at the banquet. Tae glanced around the room. It seemed no one was able to keep up their court masks tonight. The Imperial family all looked rather smug, while the officials and nobles didn’t seem to know what to make of this situation. Most of the envoys seemed surprised, though one group of them seemed rather pleased. Tae assumed they were from Min’s maternal family.

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  “Hmmm,” Min purred, recapturing Tae’s attention. “You’re behaving a lot more than I was expecting you to.”

  “Disappointed?” Tae asked.

  “I think I am actually.” Min replied honestly.

  “I won’t be behaving later.” Tae promised. He watched a shiver go down Min’s spine. Min smiled at him.

  “You just need to behave long enough for me to unwrap you.” Min told him.

  “Mmmm,” Tae replied, “I should have made sure there was a bow for you to untie.”

  “You’re already wrapped rather nicely.” Min said.

  “This outfit is rather nice, but it’s not the most… enticing thing I’ve worn.” Tae mused.

  “Promise I’ll get to see you in something like that one day?” Min asked. There was both eagerness and a gentleness in his tone. Tae smiled.

  “Oh definitely.” He promised. “I’m quite looking forward to leaving you completely stunned at the sight of me.”

  “How much longer do you think we need to stay without risking my brother giving me an earful tomorrow?” Min asked.

  Tae wanted nothing more than to pick up his prince and carry him from the hall right that moment. A quiet growl escaped him as he struggled to regain control and composure. Min laughed. The joy and light that lit up his face was more than enough reason to fight the urge and stay right where he was. Min enjoying himself was all Tae wanted, especially tonight.

  ***

  No sooner had the doors to his private quarters closed behind them than Min had wrapped his arms around Tae’s neck and kissed him. They had teased and flirted with each other all evening. Min was done waiting, he wanted his lover and he wanted him now.

  Tae’s tongue slipped into his mouth and Min sucked on it teasingly. He couldn’t help but moan at the sensation of Tae in his mouth. He wanted more. Tae had already started working on undressing Min. Min worked at Tae’s clothing as well. He wanted more of Tae’s skin against him, more of his touch. By the time they made it to the bed they were both naked. Tae’s hands ran over his body. Min’s skin burned with a pleasant fire more intoxicating than the sake had been.

  As they rolled onto the bed Min was surprised to find himself on top of Tae instead of under him. He felt Tae’s fingers slip inside him. Min wasn’t sure when Tae had lubricated his fingers but he must have because the fingers slid inside smoothly. Min gasped as Tae’s fingers gently prepped him. Min realized he’d begun grinding on Tae, but couldn’t stop himself. He wanted more, he needed more.

  “More.” Min begged. His hips moved eagerly.

  “Patience,” Tae warned. “Need to make sure it won’t hurt you when I put it in.”

  Min glared at Tae. He did not want to wait. He leaned in and brushed his lips against Tae’s neck before nipping at the skin and flicking it with his tongue. He moved up to Tae’s ear. Tae growled and Min’s body buzzed in satisfaction and anticipation. He played with Tae’s ear with both tongue and teeth.

  “Please?” Min breathed the whisper into Tae’s ear. The sound Tae made sent a delicious shiver through him. Tae’s fingers slid out and Min quickly took advantage of his position. The fire he saw in Tae’s eyes was all the encouragement he needed. Min moaned in pleasure as Tae slipped inside him.

  Min carefully lowered himself, Tae sliding in deeper. Tae sat up and kissed him. Tae’s tongue slid into his mouth again and Min felt like he was drowning in pleasure as Tae filled him up in both ends. He barely noticed when Tae rolled them over so that Min was underneath him.

  He felt as Tae lost control. Pleasure flooded his body and mind, they both lost themselves to it. Afterwards he lay there panting, unable to think until Tae carefully slid out of him.

  “Once I recover we are doing that again.” Min said.

  Tae rolled over and pulled Min half on top of him laughing.

  “Mmhmmm.” Tae agreed. “I’m more than happy to follow along with the wishes of the birthday boy.”

  “Good,” Min replied. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”

  They laid together for a while, both recovering. Though Min suspected that Tae didn’t need to recover as much as he did. The man’s stamina was bordering on terrifying. He was actually surprised the first round had been as quick as it was.

  Once he’d recovered Min let his hands wander. He loved exploring Tae’s skin. Min’s hand slid downward. Tae made a surprised but approving sound. Min brushed his fingers lightly against the tip before tracing further down. He traced Tae teasingly. Tae began to harden almost immediately.

  The second round of being lost in the pleasure of each other’s body was more intense than Min had expected it to be. It was wonderful. Min would have crumpled onto the bed when Tae pulled out, but Tae still held him. Tae lifted him slightly, pulling him away from the wet mess they’d made. He laid them both down on the bed just far enough away from the mess. Min was limp in his lover's arms panting.

  “Good thing your servants know to clean the bed when we head to the bath later.” Tae whispered. Min laughed.

  “If it was a mess we’d have to clean up ourselves I’d be rather upset with you right now.” Min replied.

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because I’m not sure I can move anytime soon.”

  “Mmmm,” Tae sounded rather pleased. “That good?”

  Min laughed and shook his head. He rolled over so he was facing Tae. He kissed his lover lightly. “Undoubtedly.” he assured.

  “I’m glad.” Tae purred against Min’s lips.

  “As much as I’d like to go another round,” Min began.

  “You need a proper break first.” Tae interrupted. His tone implied that he would make Min rest whether he wanted to or not.

  “Think you could carry me to the bath now?” Min asked.

  Tae didn’t answer, he just scooped Min up in his arms. Min chuckled as he wrapped his own arms around Tae’s neck and nestled his face into his lover’s shoulder. In Tae’s arms was by far the safest place he’d ever been. He was almost disappointed when Tae lowered him into the bath. Almost, because Tae followed him into the bath and Min was able to lean against the muscled chest of his lover, he wasn’t really up for much more than that at the moment.