Esserru

by Echo Dancer

Ztar has come again for Archangel, only this time it's not just for a brief visit. Our two mutants are heading off to Ztar's throneworld. The Turzent/Commonwealth war is over and Ztar wants to live a more settled life. Warren is not happy.

1. Chapter 1

Introduction to "Esserru"

Updated message from the author:

Welcome new readers to the second story in our saga. I had two very faithful reviewers during the posting of this story. Please don't be hesitant in submitting your own review. I absolutely LOVE hearing from readers – you are what make the writing worthwhile. I'm open to all comments – positive or not so positive. So please, make my day, and drop in a review!

Original message to readers:

Welcome to the world of Archangel and Ztar! This next chapter in the lives of our two main characters is named "Esserru," which in the make-believe language of Turzent means 'healer of souls.'

Archangel is primarily the original Marvel character in his post blue-skinned/steel-wing phase. Ztar is totally my creation – the ruler of a far-flung, interstellar empire that has grappled with his own mutation-fostered problems. I also own all the others characters, who now seem like family.

I strongly encourage you to read "Sacrifice" first, then come back here. While you can read this story on its own, much will be lost without having that background.

** I refer to this new story as an if-quel – not a sequel – because it presents a what-if scenario. In this case, a change to the ending of "Sacrifice." If you haven't read "Sacrifice," I'm not giving away how that story ended – you'll have to read it! **

Enjoy the story and while you're at it, write a review. It's what we all hope for every time we click into FanFiction or our email. Thank you to the wonderful readers who added the original story, "Sacrifice," as one of their favorites and/or put me on their author watch. I hope this story also meets with your approval.

BTW – the currently posted "Sacrifice" is actually a fully-revised version, so if you read the original posting, you might want to check out version two. Thank you so much to those who reviewed either version. You're the greatest!

Echo Dancer

"When you write from the soul, the pen moves itself."

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"Esserru"

Prologue

Warren's back and forth existence between life at the X-mansion and Ztar kept him in constant emotional flux. Every time he'd start to readjust to life on Earth, another visit would destroy much of that progress. Only a few hours with the Emperor, but the damage was done.

Xavier watched for three long years as Warren attempted to cope. The first many months were the easiest in retrospect. Warren hadn't allowed himself to become too involved with life at the mansion, preferring isolation and avoidance. By the second year, being snatched back into Ztar's world every few weeks or months was increasingly difficult. Try as he might, life on Earth kept sucking Warren back in. His reattachments to old friends only increased the trauma when Ztar came.

Charles knew that Warren sometimes doubted his sanity. Many times, he seemed merely to exist from one day to the next. Ztar's edict that Warren not be an active X-man ate at him. His fellow X-men were risking their lives for things important and he sat back at the mansion waiting for their safe return. And when the X-men talked of their battles and the villains and their defeats and victories, Warren would only listen, no longer a direct participant in that world. So left behind…

Warren had explained he had no stomach for managing his business and left it to the people who had adeptly performed that function the year he was on the Mi-Lartui. His involvement was limited to the monthly review of its financial status and projections.

Xavier was likely the only reason Warren remained sane. What he feared most for Warren was a slip into deep depression and detachment that would swallow his remaining spirit. Since active participation as a team member was not allowed, Xavier charged Warren with various logistics of running the estate and the X-men. Warren's business acuity was of enormous help to Xavier and he truly appreciated the assistance. Charles knew Warren needed to feel he was contributing in some way, though he also knew that Warren found the work hollow, but at least it occupied his mind.

True to his nature, Warren rarely shared his feelings. The only time Warren had broken down was their emotional conversation two weeks after Ztar returned him to Earth. No matter how many attempts Xavier made to get Warren to talk, his deepest emotions and turmoil remained buried under layers of repression and avoidance. At times, Charles became so frustrated with Warren's refusal to talk that he wanted to telepathically rip him open – expose all the horrors and trauma and force Warren to deal with them. Naturally, Charles did not.

So Charles continued to do what he could to help his friend. He prayed that Ztar would die, his empire fall, or he'd otherwise no longer come for the conjugal visits. Not in three years had Xavier found a way to free him from Ztar's clutches.

When Xavier pled his case to the Shi'ar, they had repeatedly stated that military assistance would not be forthcoming should Earth violate the Accord to free Warren. Why would they? The Accord was working exactly as intended. Earth was free and autonomous from the Turzent Empire with no expenditure of resources by the Shi'ar. A perfect solution.

Nothing changed in four years. Warren remained Ztar's exclusive possession. Earth remained in peril without Warren's cooperation. Warren existed with one foot on Earth and one with Ztar. And Xavier feared it very well could destroy his friend.

Chapter One

The shuttle landed on the grounds of the mansion. The routine of past three years repeated once again. The pilot opened the door, Warren entered without protest, and the shuttle darted into the heavens.

Ztar was waiting in his private shuttle bay when the craft docked. His body nearly trembled in anticipation of Archangel. Today was special, although he wouldn't share that with his Archangel quite yet.

The powerful telepath reached out his mind to Archangel before the door opened. Archangel's emotional state always saddened him, but he believed much of that was caused by his dual existence. Archangel needed to settle into one life – with Ztar.

Ztar approached the shuttle as the door slid open. Archangel paused in the entrance and locked eyes with the Emperor. Ztar was taken aback by the dullness of those eyes. It was worse than last time. He reached out his mind and enveloped Archangel with warm feelings and welcoming. As had been the case for the past couple years, Archangel did not resist.

Warren felt the mental projection and let it flow into his mind. It dulled the pain. So much easier…

"My Archangel! Come to me!" Happiness mixed with desire in Ztar's voice as he extended an arm toward the human.

Warren approached Ztar as he always did. As soon as he was within reach, Ztar was upon him for a need-filled kiss. Hands ran up and down Warren's body as Ztar's tongue probed deep. The greeting ritual rarely changed. Its routine allowed Warren to operate without thinking – he simply responded automatically. He opened his mouth to the Emperor and allowed the kiss. His hands moved to their assigned position behind Ztar's shoulders, as had been demanded so long ago. Now Warren simply followed the programming.

As always, this human caused Ztar's body to burn with desire – he could not imagine life without Archangel. The weeks between visits to Earth were always slow torture. Empty nights filled with memories and dreams of the amazing creature that was his.

Ztar ended the kiss and placed a hand under Archangel's chin to hold his face up toward Ztar's. He looked into the deep crystal-blue eyes and once again was under their spell. The Emperor loved their stunning blueness – like the intense blue of the skies where his Archangel loved to play.

"I have so missed you!" Ztar told those eyes.

Warren did not respond, there was no need. Ztar rarely expected or demanded that Warren speak. He didn't want Warren for witty conversation – he wanted only one thing, his body. Actually, Warren preferred it that way. He had little desire to talk to this man who had done things to him the past fours years that Warren did his best to forget. Idle chitchat and lounging in bed were not part of the routine. Ztar's visits to Earth were usually pressed for time. Captain Yels did not want the Mi-Lartui and his Emperor to dally where the enemy could be lying in wait nearby. As a result, Ztar wasted no time in taking from Warren what he wanted and then leaving.

At least the brutality had ended long ago, but Ztar was still a demanding and not-so-gentle bedmate. Part of it was simply that Ztar was so much more physically powerful than Warren. When Ztar was in the throws of passion, he often did not check that strength, knowing Warren would heal quickly. Although Ztar had changed much since the beginning, the old Ztar was still there and would frequently seek to fulfill his desire without much regard for Warren.

"Tonight is special," Ztar announced, then waited.

After several seconds, Warren realized Ztar wanted a response. "Why?" he asked dully.

"That's for later. Right now, I want you!"

Warren watched as the heat grew in Ztar's eyes. It was always the same. Warren hated that simply the sight of him created such intense desire in the Turzent. He would trade his body without regret if it meant Ztar would lose interest.

Warren obediently went with Ztar to the Imperial deck of the Mi-Lartui. Once again in his chambers, Warren followed Ztar's programming. The men disrobed and crawled into the large, soft bed. Ztar wasted no time – he was upon Warren quickly and aggressively.

Ztar could barely contain himself. It was had nearly two Earth months since he had been with Archangel. That was far too long. The Emperor immediately positioned himself astride Archangel. Ztar always preferred being on top – he liked the dominant position. That was his nature.

Occasionally, though, he would lie beneath the human, but always when he wanted the wings spread wide to cocoon them in their white softness. He loved Archangel's whole body, but the wings were what made him so very special and such a unique delight to the senses.

Ztar always started with a demanding kiss. Archangel tasted sweet and he wanted more. His tongue deeply explored Archangel's mouth for a long time. His hands went to those beautiful wings and he caressed them and Archangel's body always responded with a shudder when Ztar touched them. He had learned in their first encounters just how sensitive the wings were and it thrilled him. Ztar pulled back to bite the sensual lips before plunging again into Archangel's mouth. Then he prompted Archangel to return the kiss.

Warren always waited for Ztar's mental nudge. It's just how things had evolved with the conjugal visits. First, submit to the kissing without resistance, then when Ztar had gotten as much as he wanted, it was Warren's turn. Warren had long ago given up refusing the prompt – it had gotten him nowhere.

Warren explored Ztar's mouth the same way he always did, without passion or caring. Unless, of course, Ztar wanted one of their 'special' encounters. Then Ztar suppressed all of Warren's aversions and inhibitions and supplanted them with lust, while skillfully building sexual heat in Warren's body. Then all bets were off and Warren responded with an intensity that scared and disgusted him. But that didn't seem to be where things were heading.

'Not tonight,' Ztar slipped into Archangel's mind, having 'heard' the thought about the direction of this encounter. Ztar broke the kiss and rose up to look down at Archangel, his hands on the human's chest.

Warren didn't ask why not, he just accepted what was. Sometimes Ztar wanted simple, uncomplicated sex. All physical, nothing mental. It always meant more pain for Warren, and he stiffened at the thought.

'Not that either, my Archangel,' came the reply.

Now Warren was confused. What did Ztar want? His programming didn't account for much in between the intense special encounters and the more painful, uncomplicated ones. Ztar was almost always on one end of the spectrum or the other. Rarely did he tread into the space between – sensual sex without mental intrusion.

Ztar read the confusion in Archangel's mind. He had anticipated it. Ztar knew himself and that his desires had swung between two extremes. The limited time he had with Archangel over the past three years had forced Ztar to stay with the two types of visits that brought him the most pleasure – tried and true. But this time he wanted to explore gradations of his desire, now that things were changing.

'I will lead, you will follow,' Ztar projected into Warren's mind.

Warren didn't know what was coming and it forced him to a more alert state. That wasn't what he wanted. Being on autopilot was better – he didn't have to be fully 'there,' which made detachment so much easier. Ztar was taking that from him and Warren was suddenly angry. He looked into Ztar's eyes as the Turzent smiled at him.

Ztar saw/felt the anger. 'Good!' he thought to himself. 'There is still a spark.'

Ztar ran his hands across the top of Archangel's wings, down the leading edge to the very tip of the longest feathers. Then Ztar lowered himself against Archangel's chest and nuzzled his neck, pushing his hands beneath the human to the point where the wings emerged from his back. Tucking his hand between Archangel's back and the wings, he gently massaged the underside of ridge of the wings, careful not to break delicate feathers.

Experience and past mental monitoring had taught Ztar exactly what to do and where to elicit a physical response. He used that knowledge now and was rewarded with a subtle tremor though Archangel. Ztar knew if he did it right, he could almost create an orgasm in the human simply by stimulating the wings.

Warren hated that his body responded against his will to Ztar's manipulations, but Ztar had had four years to learn exactly what it took to get him physically excited. As much as Warren detested it, Ztar's attention to his wings was pleasurable. He fought his body's enjoyment, tried to mentally override what Ztar was accomplishing, yet Ztar was arousing Warren quite effectively. Even more, Warren hated that the telepath knew exactly what he was experiencing. The mental invasion was almost more hurtful than the physical assault.

With skill developed from a vast array of bedmates and four years with the human, Ztar continued to stimulate Archangel in all the right ways. Ztar was pleased with Archangel's response, but he didn't let it build too far. Once he had Archangel where he wanted him, Ztar turned to satisfying his own needs. He explored Archangel with his whole body, wanting to melt into the magnificence of the human. Without letting Archangel's arousal fall, Ztar built his own – slowly, sensually.

Warren was lost in the sensations. His body didn't care who this man was on top of him – it only wanted more of what he was offering. Warren's mind was in a lust-filled fog – it was hard to think. Brief flashes of thought formed here and there. Was Ztar using mental control? No sense of that. I should fight this! Oh God – what is he doing? What am I doing?!

The world drew in around the pair, collapsing to encompass just the bed. Awareness was limited to sexual heat, lust, and passionate sensations. Ztar's mind whirled as he drank in Archangel's desire and layered it atop his own. The desire was blinding and took control.

Then the darkness that had been locked up for so long stirred. Not since the very first months with Archangel had Ztar completely lost control. Part of Ztar knew he should dip into that tranquil place in Archangel's mind to regain control as he had done many times in the past four years. Just enough to keep him from going over the edge, but he didn't really want to hold back. Ztar wanted – no needed – an intense physical release this night.

'Just a little more,' he told himself. 'I'll allow myself that much. I can control it. I know how,' he assured himself as he consumed Archangel's mouth in a crushing kiss, allowing himself to slip a little closer to the edge.

With the stealth of a thief, the brutal Ztar of the past slipped in. 'Take what you want, what is yours by right!' it said. Ztar's control over his strength began to wane. The lure of unrestrained sex was seductive. He didn't want to push it away – it would feel so good to let go. 'It's been weeks – you deserve this. Don't hold back. Enjoy!' it whispered enticingly to him. Ztar loosened control of his strength a bit more, taking in the human with ever-increasing intensity. It felt so good!

Warren's mind registered that the sensual was quickly becoming extremely unpleasant. Ztar was headed to the pain-filled end of the spectrum once again in spite of what he'd implied only a short time ago.

The Turzent turned off the warning siren in his mind that was attempting to restore control. Ztar now wanted none of it. He needed this. Harder, deeper – he would rip from Archangel what he craved. Ztar would have this human completely without restraint.

Pain refocused him, bringing him down from the euphoria that had taken control. Warren had learned in those first weeks with Ztar that if he cried out, Ztar only became more aggressive. With clenched fists, Warren tried to endure silently, but Warren had been shaken out of his programming, and he wasn't sure he was willing to let Ztar have his way in spite of the potential risks.

Ztar felt Archangel suppress a cry when Ztar grabbed two handfuls of wing and squeezed hard. He wanted to hear Archangel groan, cry, something! He went after the human with ever more intensity. Still he remained silent, but was trembling beneath the Emperor. Ztar promised himself when he was ready to thrust into Archangel, he would do so painfully; maybe then the human would cry out! He would take Archangel ferociously. The human would heal.

Warren knew what this was building to and it wouldn't be pretty. Ztar was not restraining himself and the pain was becoming unbearable. The alien was out of control, something that hadn't happened in nearly three years. He made a decision – enough is enough! Despite the assault Ztar was waging on his body, Warren found that calm tranquility in his mind that had become his refuge. He called it up while Ztar continued to punish his body. Then when he felt Ztar was ready to enter him, Warren projected that calmness out toward Ztar – an offering that flowed over and through the Turzent. This had worked after Trapia, why not again?

Ztar was ready to take his Archangel when a gentle mental energy blanketed him, offering itself to him. An exchange of sorts – violent sexual release for peaceful euphoria. It startled him at first, until he recognized it as coming from Archangel. The human had done this once before – four years ago.

Ztar hesitated, eyes squeezed tightly closed – his body and mind conflicted. His body wanted Archangel now; his mind drawn to the soothing feelings caressing him. He couldn't choose! Ztar's body shuddered with turmoil. Then as it had four years ago after Trapia, Ztar's soul made the decision. It wanted what was being offered. Without Ztar's conscious control, he opened completely to the tranquility and deep peacefulness. It flowed through him to the very core of his being. And it was blissful. He forgot about the pain in his groin from needing release. His sexual desire evaporated to be replaced with a different kind of relief.

Warren watched Ztar and knew it was working. Ztar looked more relaxed with each passing second. He took the opportunity to sit up as Ztar sat to his side, kneeling in the bed, eyes closed. Warren's whole body throbbed and burned and the effort caused him to moan despite his best attempt to be silent. His healing factor was working, so he would just wait it out.

Archangel's moan and movement shifted Ztar out of his euphoric stupor. For the first few seconds after he opened his eyes and gazed at Archangel, he was happy. Then anger started to creep in around the edges again – how dare Archangel manipulate him like that! This wasn't like Trapia when the hard work of bringing Archangel back from the brink of insanity was at stake. No, this was Archangel feeling bold enough to deny Ztar what he wanted.

Warren saw the anger flare almost instantaneously in the Emperor's dark eyes and it was immediately followed by the most agonizing pain in his head he ever experienced. He screamed, grabbed his head and curled into a tucked position. It was like molten lava pouring over his brain. He couldn't think or move – just scream. And then as suddenly as it started, it was over. He would have moved then, but the bed was whirling and he was intensely nauseous.

The worst of Ztar's rage began dissipating, having made his point. He did love Archangel and punishing him for seeking to quell his aggressive side wasn't something he enjoyed. But Archangel needed to be reminded of his place. Ztar was in charge – Archangel was simply to submit.

Archangel was curled at Ztar's knees, one wing laying over the Emperor's lap and the other dangling off the bed. Ztar knew the aftereffects of his mental bolt would leave the human incapacitated for at least a minute or two from a psychic pain his healing ability could not touch. Ztar stroked the wing across his lap and cooed. "You shouldn't have done that, my Archangel. I didn't want to hurt you, but you forgot the rules. I know you won't forget again…" The harshness of the words was in stark contrast to the softness of Ztar's voice.

Slowly, Warren sat up. His stomach was rolling less and the pain in his head was fading. He looked squarely at his tormentor. Ztar had never done that to him before. Not once in the four long years he had endured the Emperor. Another lesson learned in a long line of lessons in how to avoid the worst of the pain the Turzent was able to inflict. Warren couldn't wait to get back to the X-mansion, away from this nightmare that was his life at the hands of the Turzent, even if for a few weeks, but not before he spoke in his defense.

"You were out of control, Ztar. I just wanted to stop the pain, damn it!" With each word his anger grew.

Ztar contemplated for a moment. He liked that the spirit had been reawakened in Archangel. At least there was finally some life in those blue eyes. They danced with anger! But there is a fine line between having a fiery spirit, which Ztar wanted in Archangel, and defiance, which he did not want. Anger still gripped him at Archangel's boldness.

"You are correct, I was out of control. I wanted to be. That part of me needed to be sated. Now, it is still there – what should we do about that?"

"Why do I have to be the one that takes the abuse? Find another outlet!" Warren snapped back.

Ztar looked at Archangel inquisitively, his head cocked. Then he took Archangel's head in his hands. "My Archangel, that's why you're here! You are my outlet." With the remnants of anger lingering, Ztar knew the words would cut deep. But then as soon as he spoke, he hated them. It jarred him loose from the inner rage and darkness that had controlled him once again despite all the apparent progress he'd made.

Ztar's words struck Warren hard. So blunt; so simply summing up his role. Warren fought back tears as anger transformed to despair.

The Emperor watched as the light faded from Archangel's eyes. Full realization of his actions and words hit Ztar.

'By the gods, what's wrong with me?!' he raged at himself. No answer came. Fury rose again, but this time it was directly squarely at the Emperor himself. Why had he lost control? It had been over three years since that had happened. What triggered the cruelty now? This was not how he had planned his reunion with Archangel. He had so wanted this encounter to be the first step in a new life together. What had he done?!

Ztar released Archangel's face, brushing golden hair away from the human's eyes. The only good in this disaster was discovering the fighting spirit was still alive in Archangel. Hopefully, he hadn't just driven it back into hiding, but the look in the eyes of the human said differently. The life that had briefly danced in them was gone.

"Archangel, forgive me! I don't know what came over me. I didn't mean for this to happen. Please believe me." Even to Ztar, his words sounded hollow. There was no forgiving what he had done and his heart hurt. How could he possibly make this right?

Warren looked past Ztar to the windows above the bed, ignoring the meaningless apology. The familiar star streaks mesmerized him as he pushed down the humiliation. Better not to think too much; better just to be numb. Ztar couldn't hurt him as much when he was numb and disconnected. He watched as the stars streaked ripped open the blackness of space. Then his heart jumped. Star streaks? FTL mode?

Ztar knew immediately that Archangel had realized they were no longer orbiting Earth.

"We are heading to my homeworld," answering the question before Archangel asked.

"What?! Why?" Warren was stunned. What was happening? Disassociation was suddenly replaced by keen alertness.

"The war is over, my Archangel. We're going home." Home – the word sounded so good after so long away. The Emperor smiled at his companion. How much he wanted to start over with Archangel. Maybe at his palace he could manage it somehow.

"No!" Warren shoved Ztar back hard.

Ztar permitted Archangel to lash out, understanding that it was a reflex to the suddenness of the news. But he took hold of Archangel's wrists when he felt the human was going to jump out of the bed.

"Calm yourself, my Archangel," Ztar said softly. "You knew this would come eventually."

To Warren, knowing this was an eventual possibility and to have it actually materialize were two different things. Ripped away once again from his friends, his life, his world – too much to accept! Back in the tin can with nowhere to fly or escape. While life back on Earth had been difficult, at least there was respite between Ztar's visits. No more respite – no more freedom!

Through Ztar's telepathic monitoring, he knew every thought racing through Archangel's mind. He would deal with each fear as they arose.

"We will not be living in this tin can, my Archangel. Things are changing within my Empire. You and I will reside at my palace in the Ta'oc System. There the freedom of the skies will be yours whenever you wish. Sat'rey is like your Earth in many ways. My palace is comfortable – you will be happy there," he explained with as much encouragement as could be squeezed into the words.

Warren couldn't fathom Ztar actually believed that!

"We will build a new life for you. No longer will you be torn between your old life and life with me. One place to call home." Ztar hoped Archangel would be happy on Sat'rey, or at least relatively content.

"Does the Professor know?" Warren was suddenly concerned that his friends did not know what was happening.

"I told him telepathically while you were shuttling to the Mi-Lartui. He knows you will not be returning."

"You denied me the right to say good-bye?!" Warren was angry again. He swallowed hard as the realization hit he may never see his X-family again.

"I spared you that pain, my Archangel."

God, did this alien not have a clue?! Warren was once again not given a choice. Ztar dictated every major aspect of his life. If it weren't for Ztar's tight grip on his wrists, Warren would be out of the bed and destroying inanimate objects in the room.

"You will come to appreciate the emotional turmoil I spared you."

"Maybe I wanted that turmoil. Maybe it would have help bring closure! Now everything's left hanging…" Warren's voice threatened to break. Why couldn't Ztar had given him a choice?

Ztar admitted to himself that closure wasn't something he had contemplated, but what is done, is done. He decided he would concede that to Archangel.

"You're right, it may have helped. Or it may have made leaving even harder. I do regret not offering you the choice." Yet another mistake he made. Things had gone poorly on every point and Ztar's heart was heavy with regret.

Warren registered the vain attempt to perhaps apologize a second time in a few minutes. He wouldn't read too much into it.

Ztar gently released Archangel's wrists when he no longer felt the human wanted to dart away. Sure enough, he remained seated in front of Ztar, digesting the change in his situation.

Warren thought quietly for awhile, suppressing the feelings of loss. He had grown to be an expert at repression. He feared that the deep pit where he had been tossing all the garbage in his life someday would overflow. But that hadn't happened yet. More garbage to toss in today and then slam the lid closed.

Ztar finally broke the silence. "We arrive at Sat'rey in five days. Sukja can answer all your questions about your new home, if you're interested. Or you can wait and be surprised!" Ztar added hopefully.

"How did the war end?" Warren wanted to know, changing the subject.

"A negotiated peace. We were just too closely matched and neither side could gain a significant advantage, as I had predicted. But when my scientists perfected the FTL advancement, the Commonwealth knew that balance would change, so they offered to begin peace talks." Ztar paused, looking Archangel in the eyes. "As I promised you, I settled the war through diplomacy. I kept my word to you, my Archangel. When peace was possible with fewer deaths, I took that opportunity."

Warren heard pride in Ztar's voice. Yet what options had Ztar really had? Pursue war that he may not win even with the FTL advancement he mentioned? Negotiations would seem a reasonable course of action. Warren would not be led to believe that the negotiated peace had anything to do with the promise to him.

"It was one of the factors in my decision," Ztar replied in response to Warren's thought.

'God, I hate that he reads me constantly!' Warren barked in his mind, knowing the Emperor would hear that, too.

'I love your mind, my Archangel. It is quick and so…disciplined,' Ztar lightly telepathed his response. He reached out and ran his hand through Archangel's golden waves, slightly damp from sweat. 'I read you less often than you believe.'

Warren's fist went up instinctively to brush aside Ztar's hand, but he stopped in mid-motion when he realized what he was about to do. He didn't want to anger the Turzent again.

'A little privacy now and again would be appreciated!' Warren risked sending out the thought.

'Yes, but not right now. Your Professor trained your mind well.' Then aloud, "Charles Xavier is a wise man. I would have liked to have gotten to know him under different circumstances. Another powerful telepath – it could have been worthwhile…" An almost longing echoed in Ztar's voice.

As Warren rolled that idea over in his mind, he realized that this was one of the longest conversations he'd had with the Emperor over the past four years.

Ztar lifted Archangel's chin. "We can have many more!"

The Emperor nearly confessed to Archangel how much he longed for a close relationship beyond the bed. Sukja was as close as Ztar came to having a friend. Rulers rarely had the luxury of deep friendships. Everyone was kept at arms length to maintain objective control over all that was their empire. No room for emotional attachments that may cloud reason. But a life of few attachments was taking its toll. Ztar wanted more from life – more from Archangel. He almost told the human, but did not.

Warren's legs were uncomfortable, he needed to stretch out or stand up. The pain in his body had passed. He was healed from the bruising Ztar had inflicted.

Ztar reached out and put a hand behind Archangel's head. Looking into those crystalline-blue eyes reawakened his desire. He allowed it to build, remembering the pleasures from just a short while ago before he lost control.

"You may stretch out, my Archangel, but under me. Please, I'd like to try again. This time, I will remain in control." Ztar desperately wanted to start over with Archangel; to show his companion how much he did care the only way he knew how – physically.

Warren groaned inside. He'd hoped that the evening was over, but Ztar wanted otherwise. Dutifully, Warren obeyed and endured another round with the Emperor. True to his word, the Turzent practiced restraint and the rest of the night was filled mostly with pleasurable sensations that Warren resisted in his mind, but allowed to be put upon his body once again for Earth's sake.

###

Ztar's anger resurfaced with a vengeance.

'Damn fool!' he labeled himself as he returned to his own chambers after the second attempt at sensuality with Archangel. The second time was more successful, but the first…

Ztar was a mystery onto himself. His anger flared at the most undesirable moments, like tonight. What went wrong, he wondered, crawling into his own bed. He'd had no intention of going down the aggressive path, let alone to lose all control! Was it the many long weeks without Archangel? Ztar didn't think so. He'd gone longer than that without the human. Something turned his passion into anger, but Ztar couldn't put a finger on it. All he remembered was an overwhelming desire to take what he wanted, without regard to the pain it would cause.

Then, to add insult to injury, he punished Archangel for snapping him out of it! And by the gods, the words that came next were cruel and demeaning. Ztar's behavior had undermined everything the move to Sat'rey was meant to accomplish.

He hadn't intended to hurt Archangel either physically or emotionally. His resurrected struggle with anger and the need to inflict pain for his own pleasure was disturbing. After three years, he thought he had conquered that part of him. That obviously was not the case. What had caused the relapse? The Emperor could find no apparent cause and it frustrated him. Was his effort the last three years to control the dark side of himself a failure?

Ztar wanted to change, but didn't know what else to do, especially when those impulses overrode his conscious desires. How could he regain control of himself permanently? No answers or brilliant insights came. Until they did, Ztar would be very caution with Archangel. As he fell into a fitful sleep, Ztar hoped that his relapse hadn't done too much damage. He feared, though, he had just sabotaged his own plans for a new life with Archangel.

###

When Warren woke the fifth morning after his return to the Mi-Lartui, a planet loomed outside his chamber windows. The Mi-Lartui always orbited so the planet was on the Emperor's side of the ship, and thus on Warren's side. Ztar had obviously left Warren at some point during the night, so he was alone this morning. Probably Ztar was readying for the return to his palace.

Warren sat and watched as the Mi-Lartui sat in a geocentric orbit above the planet. Ztar's homeworld was not as green and blue as Earth. More land mass, at least on the side of the planet Warren could see. No huge oceans or broad expanses of green. It appeared that Sat'rey was a drier world. Fewer clouds shrouded the planet than one would see around Earth.

'So this is home now,' he told himself sadly.

Another part of him was happy for the arrival – the part that needed the open skies. Five days of confinement was far from the worst he had endured, but he needed to get some flight time. Right now, it was more of a psychological need than physical, Warren admitted to himself. The solace and escape he found while flying were what his soul longed for to help deal with his new situation.

The past five days had been dull. Daytimes were spent refamiliarizing himself with Turzent, the official language of the Empire, getting reacquainted with Sukja as Sukja's schedule permitted, and doing nothing. Each night when Ztar came to him, he submitted as required. The aggressive and mean-spirited Ztar had not returned, as yet. Ztar had been as gentle as he was likely capable of given his powerful body.

Warren tried not to dwell on his future as that was too painful. The thought of no end to his servitude was an agony he chose not to inflict upon himself.

He climbed out of bed and got ready for the day, allowing himself to anticipate at least escaping the confines of the Mi-Lartui.

###

Sukja shut off the viewscreen to Archangel's room, satisfied that the human wasn't in crisis this morning and seemed to be adapting. Likely, the monitoring could end soon. Sukja was taking no chances that the human would react badly and fall into despair.

Over the past five days, Sukja had spent quite a bit of time with the returning human. It had been three years since he had gotten more than a glimpse of Archangel and he found he enjoyed getting reacquainted. He shared with Archangel details of the war, eventual peace, and how things had changed in the Empire after the peace treaty was enacted.

There was stark contrast between the human he remembered and the one that returned five days ago. This man was less inquisitive, less 'there' – almost as if much of the time he was on autopilot. Was it the result of being yanked away from his home once again, or was it the effects of four years of Ztar's control and intermittent attentions? Sukja concluded it was likely both.

Ztar had talked with Sukja about that very issue. Ztar had a very clear picture of what he wanted of Archangel in this next chapter of their life together. He wanted fire and passion, yet a deferral to Ztar's needs. He wanted meaningful conversation that brought out Archangel's intellect. He wanted a free spirit that played in the skies while Ztar watched from below. How could they maneuver that into being?

What Sukja knew, but Ztar hadn't expressed, was that in his heart, Ztar wanted Archangel to love him. He knew Ztar loved Archangel as best he could. Sukja also believed Ztar may never be capable of unconditional or self-sacrificing love. The Emperor had been through and done too much. He may never have been capable, not even as a young man. But he did love Archangel in his own way; of that, Sukja was certain.

But nurturing love in the human for the man that had forced himself upon him for four years; to go against Archangel's heterosexual nature was almost certainly an impossible task. Ztar could temporarily override objections and aversions through his powerful mental control, but once that control was withdrawn, nothing had changed within Archangel. Sukja saw no way that Ztar could have what he ultimately desired – Archangel's love.

The best Sukja could imagine would be mimicry of love – condition Archangel such that he responded to Ztar as if he loved the Emperor. In essence, they would need to program Archangel to interact with the Emperor in a particular way automatically. That would require an intense, concerted effort from both Ztar and Sukja. As difficult would be keeping the human's spirit alive despite the programming. And they would need to program Archangel without the human realizing what was happening. No, even mimicry would likely be impossible.

Ztar wanted a lot and Sukja wasn't sure he could deliver. If he admitted it to himself, he wasn't sure he wanted to. Sukja liked Archangel and it pained him greatly how the Emperor had treated the brave, self-sacrificing human in the past. On many levels, this would be the biggest challenge of Sukja's time as the Emperor's attendant.

###

Warren watched out the shuttle window as the craft approached the palace. He was able to see quite a bit of the Imperial complex as they descended. Nestled in the middle of a large valley, the sprawling complex and manicured grounds were in stark contrast to the natural countryside surrounding it. A single, large building dominated the cluster of buildings and it could only be the palace. Large patios flanked opposite sides of the palace, one overlooking manicured gardens and the other encompassing a long reflecting pool. Other buildings sat around the periphery of manicured lawns and gardens with pathways winding between.

The palace was constructed of what looked like a cream-colored stone and was lined with large windows with numerous balconies hanging from the second floor. It reminded Warren of some of the elegant French palaces of old, but with a definite alien touch to the architecture. The ornamentation was sleeker and less fussy than Earth's palaces, almost Asian in feel.

The shuttle settled down on a landing pad next to the palace. The pilot opened the shuttle door as he was shutting down the craft's systems. Ztar rose immediately and looked at Archangel. Sukja stood and waited for Ztar to exit.

Warren finally stood and Ztar placed a hand on his upper arm. "I want you to get settled in before there are any excursions into the air. Sukja will show you to your chambers and explain the house rules. I have business to attend to, but we'll have dinner together tonight – the three of us," Ztar ordered, smiling.

Warren was taken off-guard. Dinner with Ztar? That never had happened on board the Mi-Lartui.

'There are many things we never did on board ship that we'll do together here, my Archangel. This is home!'

The words slipped gently into Warren's mind and were laced with affection. He stiffened against them.

Sukja and Warren exited the shuttle after Ztar and followed him into the palace where they parted company from the Emperor. Warren stopped and took in the sight.

The palace was magnificent! Once they had come through the doors, the entrance gave way to a vast open space. The ceiling had to be 30 feet high. Warren couldn't help but be impressed. Sunlight danced through crystal windows and filled the space. The walls seemed to shimmer softly in a subtle, golden tone. Artwork was tastefully scattered throughout. Furnishings were understated and positioned at various points around the room. There was just the right amount of ornate carvings on the walls and ceiling – nothing overdone. The floor gleamed and reminded Warren of the most expensive Italian marble he had ever seen. A grand staircase floated at the far end rising up to a balcony that spanned the width of the room.

Yep, no visitor would doubt this was an Imperial residence. Built to impress!

Sukja watched Archangel's reaction closely. He knew Archangel was a person of wealth on his home planet, but he did seem impressed with Ztar's palace so far.

"This is the grand reception. We've held many Imperial events here – the room is filled with good memories for me!" he told the human. Sukja hoped to instill the sense that this was a home, not just a showplace.

"It certainly leaves an impression," Warren admitted.

"Let's go up to your chambers. Later, you can explore all you wish either on your own or I'd be happy to guide you. There are very few areas off limits to you. This is now your home."

A subtle wing flick escaped his control. Warren had caught the maneuverings Sukja was plying and he wasn't happy about it. For now, he'd just play along.

Sukja noticed the flick – he had come to know that telltale sign of unease or suspicion. As he had done during the first year Archangel was on the Mi-Lartui, Sukja did not let on he understood that body signal.

'Got to be more careful,' Sukja warned himself. He'd back off on the 'you're home now' tone.

Sukja led Warren up the stairs, across the left side of the balcony to wide, windowed hall to the right that ran down the side of the palace. Again, the ceilings were high, but nothing like the grand reception. Still, high and wide enough that Warren could literally fly down the hall without problem. He was a superb tight-space flier from years of training and navigating a hall this size would be easy.

It was quite a walk to the private section of the palace.

"This end of the palace is not open to guests or visitors," Sukja explained. "Ztar chambers adjoin yours as on the Mi-Lartui. Mine are further down the hallway."

Warren saw the same control for the doors as were on the ship. He placed his hand over the panel and the door silently opened. The two men entered and the door slid closed behind them. The first thing Warren noticed was the room was twice as large as his Mi-Lartui chambers. The next thing he saw was the large, French-style doors and balcony.

He walked directly over, swung one of the doors open, and stepped out. The balcony overlooked the gardens – they were filled with colors and pattern. The scent floating up was gentle and sweet. The breeze ruffled Warren's hair and feathers. After five days, he was ready to fly, but Ztar said not yet and he wouldn't risk antagonizing the Emperor today. He extended his wings slightly to catch more of the warm breeze before turning back toward the room.

Sukja did not follow. He let Archangel take in his gateway to the sky alone. Ztar was so pleased with this arrangement. He had ordered the doorway and balcony expanded just for Archangel. The human was to have free access to the skies whenever he wanted. It was Ztar's attempt to make up for those months on the Mi-Lartui when Archangel nearly went insane from confinement that resulted from the outbreak of war. Sukja would say nothing to Archangel. No attempt to manipulate, which was likely the best manipulation of all.

Warren had expected Sukja to say something about the balcony and accommodating his needs, or whatever, but the alien said nothing. Warren relaxed a bit. Perhaps he'd read too much into the earlier comment.

"I'm going to let you investigate the rest of your room without me hovering," Sukja said with a smile. "I've got several tasks to complete for Ztar before lunch. There is a layout of the palace available through the visitor's information area on the computer. You'll figure it out. Or just go exploring on your own. I'll join you for lunch today. Meet back here at 15.0 – it's 14.0 now. In the meantime, comm me if you need anything," Sukja instructed as he headed for the exit. Then he turned back to the human. "One more thing, for security's sake, do not fly past the Imperial Valley where the palace sits. Consider yourself settled in." Smiling, Sukja left Archangel's chambers.

Warren was quick to remember Ztar's instructions about getting settled in first.

"Hah!" Warren exclaimed out loud and headed out the balcony into the air. And his soul sang with joy.

Far below in his imperial office, Ztar's empathic connection told him his beautiful Archangel was is the sky and he smiled.

###

Over lunch, Sukja explained the routines and rules of the palace and generally how the palace operated. Staff was divided into two main bodies – Imperial and palace. Imperial staff included Sukja, Archangel, and Ztar's top advisors, his inner circle so to speak. Palace staff was everyone else that worked at the residence.

Security was strictly enforced. Ztar had a curfew for all Imperial and palace staff, unless they were attending to Imperial business. Ztar did not want anyone out in the late hours away from the palace. In addition, all staff was closely monitored as to any outside communications for security reasons. High ranking palace staff and all Imperial staff never traveled alone – always with a guard or guards.

Rules that applied specifically to Warren included not leaving the palace for flights without letting someone know or placing that information in his computer log. He was limited to an area defined as the valley in which the palace sat, but that valley was large. From his earlier excursion, Warren estimated it was roughly 50 miles across in all directions. Warren could live with that.

Daily routines played out according to a schedule. Mealtimes were set, but only for palace staff. Imperial staff could comm the kitchen staff and they'd provide whatever, wherever, whenever it was desired. Imperial staff could even go down to the kitchen and grab a late night snack, if wished.

Housekeeping took care of all those related chores, so Imperial staff needn't lift a finger in that regard. Other palace staff was available to run errands or perform whatever function was required.

"So to sum it up, Imperial staff is a pampered lot," Warren noted to Sukja after finishing his Turzent-equivalent of a Monte Cristo sandwich.

"Yes, we are. Welcome to life as part of the royal court," Sukja agreed wholeheartedly and took a bit of sandwich before continuing. "After so many years in space with the Emperor, I'm overjoyed that we're settling back here. This is the one change post-war that I personally welcome most. The Mi-Lartui is nice, but this," he waved broadly with his arm, "is home." Sukja wiped his face with his napkin and pushed away from the table on the outdoor patio where they dined.

"Why is it that Ztar is settling down here now?" Warren eyed Sukja over his second glass of Dison, a sweet, fiery liqueur he'd grown quite fond of and had actually missed on Earth.

'Oh, that's a loaded question!' thought Sukja. Ztar had told Sukja in no uncertain terms the biggest reason was Archangel. After all, he could manage his Empire just as easily from the Mi-Lartui as from the palace, maybe better. But Sukja knew Archangel would suspect manipulation if he told him. Best to leave that part of the reasoning unsaid.

"He's been traveling for four years because of the war. Our Empire is now more secure than ever with the concessions made by the Commonwealth. The years have been hard on the Emperor and he's not getting any younger. I think he wants to ease back a little."

Warren nodded. Seemed reasonable. At least Sukja didn't feed him any bullshit about Ztar wanting a better place for him. That's what Warren had half expected Sukja to say, but perhaps Sukja didn't say it for that very reason. 'Stop it, Worthington,' he ordered himself. 'You'll get caught in circular reasoning.'

Warren drank the last of his Dison. The sun was at Warren's back and it felt good. The Dison and the sun together made him almost dreamy. He closed his eyes briefly and spread his wings a little wider to catch more of the solar warmth. When he opened his eyes, Sukja was watching him intently.

"You can warm yourself in the sun quite effectively, I take it."

Sukja had never made much mention before about Warren's wings or any of his more avian tendencies and the comment took him by surprise.

"The white feathers reflect a lot of the heat, but yes I can warm myself," he answered simply.

Sukja leaned back toward the table, resting his arms on the edge. "What's it like to fly?"

Warren wasn't sure he wanted to answer. It seemed almost too personal coming from someone he didn't consider a friend. But the sun, the Dison, and that pleasantly full feeling after a good meal lulled him into responding.

"Euphoric. That's the best overall word. Or maybe euphoric freedom. Like you leave everything behind on the ground and are wild and free, at least for a while. That's the best I can do to describe it, Sukja."

Or at least as far as Warren was willing to go. He could have said so much more. Like how the wind and the sky made his soul sing. How his mind expanded out when he was riding the currents and, as silly as it sounded, he felt he could actually merge with the winds. How intimate and sensual the experience of flight was for him. But that was too private. He had willingly shared those deep feelings with only two people in his life.

Sadly, Ztar probably knew those feelings from his telepathic connection. Anger flared briefly in Warren at the thought, but he let it go just as quickly. Today was not a day he wanted to spoil with anger. So far this day had been unexpectedly pleasant. Or was that the Dison talking?

"Sounds wonderful!" Sukja said, finishing his own Dison with a final gulp. He smiled at the human. "Now it's time for me to get back to my duties. You, on the other hand, lead a life of leisure and will need to find something to occupy your time."

Warren considered that for a moment. "I'd like to practice my Turzent," Warren said in Turzent. "Can the translator be turned off?"

Sukja raised his eyebrows. "You said that like a native! I had no idea you had come so far in your lessons, especially being away for three years."

"I brushed up on it the past five days. Had nothing else to do to take my mind off things…"

Sukja noted the sadness in Archangel's voice. "By all means then. Go to the communication office in the lower level. Ciltez will take care of that for you. Ask for a control unit so you can turn the translators on and off as you need."

Sukja knew Ztar would be pleased with this step. Another way in which Archangel was adapting.

###

Ciltez was very helpful indeed, explaining exactly how to control the embedded translator with the small remote. It had various settings, which the language tutorial had never mentioned. You could turn off the translator completely or have it translate only key words as a preparatory step.

Pleased with himself, Warren headed back to his chambers, playing with the control unit when he passed people talking in the halls. 'Guys and gadgets,' he mused. 'Nothing beats a new remote!'

That afternoon, Warren headed out for another flight. He had even remembered to enter into his log that he was out. Warren was careful to stay within the prescribed boundaries. No sense risking anything undesirable, even though he wasn't sure what that might be. The 50-mile diameter valley gave him plenty of freedom, so it really didn't matter.

When he alighted back on his balcony, his thoughts turned to the night's meal – with Ztar. Luckily, Sukja would be there. Warren was not naïve and was still wary of Sukja's manipulation, but at least there would be another dining partner to carry the conversation. For the life of him, Warren couldn't think what he'd talk to the Emperor about during a meal.

The man that had raped him innumerable times over the past four years wanted to have a civilized dinner? It was revolting! Ztar should keep things the way they were. No talk, just the sex and be done with it.

'You're getting yourself all worked up,' Warren chastised himself. 'Just go with the flow. If nothing else, consider it an opportunity to practice your Turzent.'

Yet Warren couldn't help himself. The more he thought about dinner, the angrier he got. Having pleasant dinner conversation with the man would be intolerable. He found himself pacing his chambers starting a half hour before the appointed time. Sukja said he'd stop by and they'd go to Ztar chambers together. Another new intrusion into his life. In all the time Warren spent on the Mi-Lartui, he had never once set foot in Ztar's chambers, and he had no desire to do so now. It was the lair of the monster and not a place he wanted to spend any time.

As much as he detested the idea, with Earth's continued safety in Warren's hands, he had no choice. Ztar had made it very clear his first day back on the Mi-Lartui that the Turzent-Earth Accord was still in effect. Warren was still indentured to Ztar and his cooperation was all that stood between Earth's freedom and subjugation.

God, he hated the man!

When Archangel opened his chamber door, Sukja knew the human was worked up. His whole body screamed anger. Wings spend slightly wider than normal, agitated flicks of those wings, pacing, and a scowl that couldn't be more obvious. Sukja needed to defuse the human before they went to the Emperor's chambers. Sukja had anticipated this and it was exactly why he told Archangel they'd join Ztar together. But before Sukja could say a word, Archangel was on him.

"Why does Ztar want to have dinner? This is ridiculous! Sukja, you know what he's done to me. Explain what he hopes to gain by this- this mockery?" Archangel's eyes flashed.

Sukja had already carefully crafted his response to the question should it be asked. This would be one of his most demanding performances. He hoped he could pull it off and it had the right affect on the human.

Sukja sighed and looked Archangel in the eyes. "To be honest, Archangel, I'm not sure. I don't know if he wants to make you uncomfortable, has delusions of a new life for the two of you, or wants to make amends. I just don't know. What I do understand is that this will be difficult for you. That's why I implored Ztar to let me join you both for dinner. Let me take the lead with the conversation – I'm good at that." Sukja paused and shook his head. "I wish I knew what was going on in Ztar's head, but he's the telepath, not me. On this matter, he did not share much of his thoughts."

Warren watched the Turzent with great intensity, looking for any outward signs of dishonesty in body language, tonal infliction, or words. He just wasn't certain on this one. Sukja seemed to be speaking truthfully, but then again…

"I will have dinner with Ztar because I have to. But don't expect too much. He's a brute and a rapist – I cannot have pleasant dinner conversation with the man." Warren was direct and blunt. Let Sukja chew on that for awhile!

Sukja nodded. "Let's just get through dinner."

Warren would have agreed with that, but dinner wouldn't be the end of it for Warren. Ztar would have several more hours alone with Warren afterward and he dreaded it. What had been a fairly pleasant day was going to hell.

The pair strode to Ztar's chambers and entered when prompted. Warren looked around and spied Ztar near the dining table. He was in the luxurious loungewear that he preferred after hours. The table was set and food spread out. Glasses were filled with something that wasn't Dison judging by the color.

Ztar chambers were larger than Warren's, but the layout was surprisingly similar. Just a notch up in every respect. Night had fallen at some point during the past half hour. The doors to Ztar's large balcony were open and the curtains gently swayed in the breeze. Softly lighting illuminated the balcony. It was a warm Sat'rey night.

"Come and sit," Ztar commanded. Sukja and Archangel obeyed.

As the three settled in at the table, Ztar took his glass and spoke. "I learned about an Earth custom called a toast," he announced. "I would like us to toast a new life on Sat'rey."

Warren burned with anger. This was absurdly surreal, but he would play it out. Warren raised his glass as did Sukja.

"To a new life!" Sukja added and they clink glasses.

Warren sniffed the liquid – definitely alcoholic. Then he took a wary sip – strong! It looked like wine, but tasted and burned like hard liquor. He didn't care for it and set it down quickly.

True to his word, Sukja started talking as the food was passed around. He began with stories about life on Sat'rey – the people, customs, beliefs, and so on. Ztar added to and augmented Sukja's descriptions. Warren listened and took another drink of the alcohol. Maybe it would dull the extreme discomfort he was feeling. At least the food was good. Warren focused intensely on his food while Sukja's voice droned in the background. Another sip of alcohol…

"Do you like the Raimami?" Ztar asked when Warren took his sip.

It took Warren a second to realize Ztar was addressing him.

"The drink?"

"Yes. It's called Raimami – a Ta'oc specialty." Ztar took another drink himself.

"Has a kick," Warren replied without emotion.

"That it does. But it compliments this meal and so I chose it." Ztar explained.

'Bully for you!' Warren jabbed mentally, hoping Ztar picked up the thought. If he did, Ztar did not acknowledge.

There was silence for an uncomfortably long time. Sukja stepped in.

"Perhaps it's time for dessert!"

Warren took another drink of the Raimami. Maybe he could get drunk and make it through this evening. It took a lot to get him drunk. His healing factor saw to that – burned the alcohol out of his system quickly. But if he drank enough quickly enough, he could manage it.

Each drink of Raimami went down easier than the one before. Warren wasn't the only one enjoying the beverage. Sukja and Ztar's glasses were equally drawn down.

As the three ate dessert, Sukja continued his storytelling, this time about the area surrounding the palace. It wasn't until then that Warren recalled he had wanted to turn off the translator. Reaching into his pocket, he switched the device off.

The voice negating function of the translator snapped off and Sukja's voice came through naturally, no longer through the translators embedded in Warren's ear canals. It sounded much the same as the translated voice, but not precisely.

Warren listened attentively now. Some words he missed, but most he understood. He was pleased with himself.

Sukja and Ztar noticed Archangel's increased attention. The Emperor brushed Archangel's mind and discovered why. He informed Sukja and the attendant smiled. Ztar was pleased with this! But they wouldn't spoil Archangel's experiment – they pretended they hadn't notice.

The attendant began to share funny stories about life in the palace. About uppity guests and difficult staff and fussy chefs. Warren only listened, trying to figure out the meaning of words he missed. Repeating new words in his mind.

And while Sukja was telling tales, the glasses were refilled with Raimami by Ztar. By half way through the second glass, it was apparent that Sukja was under the influence. No mutant healing factor to his rescue! But Ztar was large enough that it would take much more Raimami to affect him.

Warren listened as Sukja's words began to blend together and their crisp delivery slipped away a bit.

Ztar gently nudged Archangel mentally to drink more. Gently enough that Archangel was unaware it was Ztar's prompting and not his own decision. At the same time, Ztar nudged Sukja to slow down his consumption to a crawl. Ztar continued drinking, liking the buzz that was finally taking hold of him. It had been a long time since he allowed himself that indulgence.

Archangel finished his second glass and Ztar filled two glasses with more Raimami. Sukja's glass remained half empty.

Warren felt his intoxication strengthen, but he didn't care. It helped the evening pass with less discomfort. Now Sukja's stories were beginning to bring a smile to Warren's face.

Sukja withheld the best stories for this point in the evening. A master storyteller, he crafted his tales to draw the listener in, to build empathy for the characters in the story, and then send the listener on a journey with those characters. These last stories were of humorous situations and people and they transcended culture and species.

The Raimami was working its intoxicating magic on Warren and Ztar alike while Sukja worked his magic with words. And at the end of Sukja's funniest story, Warren laughed.

It was a wonderful thing to hear, Sukja thought. Not in the entire year Archangel was on the Mi-Lartui did Sukja see more than a handful of true smiles on the human. And now he had laughed.

'Well done, Sukja!' came the Emperor's voice in his head.

'We should not make issue of it. Just let it be,' Sukja warned the Emperor.

'Agreed.'

With the story at its end, Sukja stood. "It is time for me to return to my chambers. The Raimami will leave me with a nasty headache in the morning if I don't! Good night, my Emperor, Archangel." And he was gone.

Warren swallowed hard. He knew what was next.

Ztar wasn't sure whether to spend the night with Archangel or take a pass. Perhaps a pass would be best this evening. A sign to Archangel that Ztar meant what he said about a new life – a peace offering.

"Help me clear the table, Archangel," Ztar commanded. "I don't like things sitting out all night and housekeeping is done for the night."

It was back to being surreal, as Warren dutifully helped Ztar with taking the dishes to the kitchen area and putting leftovers in the refrigerated compartments. They worked in silence.

"I'm going to retire, Archangel. You're free to go," Ztar said when they had finished.

Warren looked at the Emperor with shock. This was not what he had expected, but he'd take it – gladly! Warren escaped Ztar's chambers without even as much as a goodnight kiss – would wonders never cease.

Warren grimaced, though, when the painful memory of his first night back aboard the Mi Lartui resurfaced briefly. Even with the Raimami in his system, Warren was suspicious about why he got off so easily that evening, but those thoughts would keep until tomorrow. As he was changing into his pajama bottoms it hit him. There was no window seat in his chambers to use as an alternate bed. No sofa either in the sitting area.

'Shit! How could I have missed that?!' Warren was angry at himself. Unless he slept on the floor or in a chair, he would be forced to sleep on his own in the bed where Ztar would likely do as he pleased. 'Damn! Damn!'

Warren took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. The bed wasn't yet violated. Tonight he could still sleep there. Tomorrow he could work on alternatives. Right now, he needed sleep. It had been an emotionally tiring day and the alcohol left in his system was making him even sleepier. He crawled into bed and he sank into its incredible softness. Sleep came almost instantly.

Ztar monitored Archangel telepathically until the human was asleep. Yes, there were certain aspects of Archangel's chambers that he had not wanted replicated in the palace. The window seat being number one. Archangel needed to accept Ztar's presence in his bed whether or not Ztar was physically there at the moment. No more escaping to the window seat.

Ztar was pleased with how the evening had unfolded. But Archangel's laughter brought him the most happiness by far. The laugh was musical, while also alluring and sensual – not surprising. Everything about the human was. And the radiance of his smile was a thing of beauty. Ztar hoped to see that more and more in the coming months.

When Ztar drifted to sleep, he was smiling.

###

Ztar had learned much about the Shi'ar when he had manipulated away control of Earth for Archangel. He had been more than intrigued with their form of Imperial government. A blend of Imperial power and democratic rule. In the mind of the Shi'ar Empress Lilandra, he found many benefits of that blended form of government. She was freed from much of the pressures of running her vast empire that Ztar dealt with. The Empress played more of an advisory role and that distance allowed her a more detached perspective, which in turn resulted in more visionary decisions. Very tempting indeed!

Ztar was also impressed with the Empress herself. She was quiet strength embodied, able to make the tough choices while retaining her compassion. While the Empress remained the ultimate decision-making authority in most things, she used that power only when absolutely necessary. Through his mental scans, he found Lilandra had the wisdom to allow others to make mistakes, but was there to help make things right if they could not rectify matters on their own.

He'd spent many hours since the war ended devising a similar form of government for his Empire. Ztar was very careful to double- and triple-protect his right as ultimate ruler and to secure that position for whomever would be his named successor. Once the initial idea was sketched out, he brought in his inner circle. Ztar was pleased that they genuinely approved of the plan for the most part. Together, they were working on the broader concepts before the draft constitution would go to the law writers for the fine detail.

General Gtar-Cro was particularly supportive. Gtar-Cro's support was not driven by thoughts of personal gain, but by what he thought would be a major step toward strengthening the Empire at a fundamental level. "A solid, stable foundation on which to build a lasting Empire," the General had described the conceptual government. "Secure that foundation now and there's no telling where the Empire might go!" Gtar-Cro had told Ztar with enthusiasm. Fewer resources required to enforce Imperial rule on the less cooperative systems meant more resources for other areas, such as exploration, expansion, and research.

Ztar also looked to The Systems Commonwealth for ideas. The Commonwealth was mostly a democracy, but had its problems. Too many fragments that were difficult to organize effectively. He believed that fragmentation played a major role in the Commonwealth deciding to ask for peace talks. Too little control is as bad as too much, he concluded.

Beyond his inner circle, not everyone would be pleased with the proposed changes. Those whose positions and power would be lessened or otherwise abolished may not be as enthusiastic. Ztar could make many enemies, but he would deal with that. Moving his Empire toward something better, more sustainable after his death was worth the risk.

This morning, he was meeting with his inner circle at the palace. Aside from the initial meeting several weeks ago where Ztar announced his vision, much of their work had been done independently, each assigned their areas of responsibility. Now it was time to meet face-to-face for progress reports and to exchange thoughts and concerns.

Ztar was excited. He was building something new and it stimulated his mind and creative energies.

###

Sukja was up quite early to administer the last minute details for Ztar's meeting with his inner circle. These were exciting times! He wholeheartedly supported where Ztar was leading his Empire.

Sukja's planet, Ozjaer, had been one of the systems brought into the Ta'oc Worlds territory long before Ztar and Sukja were born. It wasn't by choice. Many Ozjaerians died at the hands of the Ta'oc military in their vain attempt to resist the expansionistic Turzents. By the time Sukja was old enough to understand his world's history, his planet had been subjugated for two generations.

When Ztar came into power, strict control by the Ta'oc Worlds Empire was loosened. Ozjaer benefited from Ztar's view that any world that cooperated with his new Empire would have more freedoms than those that resisted. As Ozjaer complied with Ztar's rule, they regained some freedoms long ago lost. After two generations of initially harsh and then later disinterested Ta'oc rule, Ztar was viewed as a good change.

Sukja came to believe that Emperor Ztar was a mixed blessing. Complete autonomy was never an option under the Turzent Empire, but joint management of Ozjaer's affairs was a definite step in the right direction. When Sukja came into Imperial service years ago, he found he actually admired the man that had proclaimed himself Emperor. Ztar was far from a saint and his dark side was frightening, but Sukja saw the good in Ztar and he supported and encouraged that part of the Emperor at every opportunity.

He had watched Ztar change ever so gradually for the better over the past few years. Much of that change simply came from Ztar maturing and growing wiser with age. Some change Sukja allowed himself to take credit for. And in the past four years, additional changes had to do with Archangel. Most, but not all, of Ztar's inner anger had been somehow dispelled by the human. Without that fueling the need for tight control, Ztar became able to start letting go. Now Sukja may live to see a restoration of freedoms long lost, and he was thrilled. All the pieces where coming together at the right time to make the impossible possible.

Sukja readied the conference room with all the materials and refreshments needed for the long meeting ahead. If the meeting ran over the mid-day meal, which it likely would, the kitchen had their orders for food. Sukja knew the food preferences for each person in attendance today – it was part of his job.

From military intelligence was General Gtar-Cro. His favorite was a Turzent classic called Zwen – a hearty meal for the robust General. Imperial Planetary Liaison Myrundra preferred lighter fare and she often requested a simple mix of vegetables and a grain. General Rehsaw of military command liked just about anything from his homeworld, so Sukja just rotated the selection. The Imperial coffers were watched over by Finance Minister Yramma e'Troz, a wizard with numbers – he liked food, and it showed! Put just about anything in front of Yramma and it would be gone in short order. The attendant chose a meal from Sukja's own world, which was one of his personal favorites and believed e'Troz would equally enjoy it. And finally, Imperial Legal Advisor Stjarmas'de favored the cuisine of his homeworld in the Jandur System and Sukja chose what he knew was one of the counselor's favorites.

Once the room and other details were complete, Sukja stopped by Archangel's chambers to check on the human. He had no idea if Ztar had been with Archangel last night or not, but best to assume he had and to touch base to ensure all was well this morning.

Archangel was an early riser also so when Sukja pressed the comm, he likely wasn't waking the human. But when Archangel didn't answer, he became nervous. Archangel had ignored Sukja's comms in the past when very upset. Or was he simply in the bathroom? A quick jaunt back to his quarters for a peek into Archangel's chambers through the viewscreen showed the rooms empty. However, the balcony door was slightly ajar. Sukja surmised Archangel was out for a morning flight.

###

Warren loved early mornings! He had always been a morning person – part of his avian nature? Lots of people are early risers. He didn't know and it really didn't matter. What he did know is that he enjoyed riding the morning thermals. The air warming with the sun created some of the best thermals beyond mountainous terrain and he enjoyed them with a passion.

Sat'rey's gravity and air density mimicked Earth's and Warren was extremely comfortable in its skies. But the terrain and climate here were distinctly more arid than Warren preferred. It reminded him of America's southwest, although the vegetation was decidedly unearth-like.

The long light waves of dawn made the sky glow. Multi-colored clouds drifted lazily overhead and the world below was washed with golden light and long shadows. The blue of Sat'rey's early morning sky was different that Earth's – more aqua blue. It was actually quite beautiful.

Warren expanded his senses out beyond his body and he drank in the newest of the planet. Each world Ztar had taken him to during his year on the Mi-Lartui offered a different sensory experience. With all that was painful and horrifying during that year, the feel of new worlds was something that brought Warren enjoyment. Yesterday's excursions were for physical and emotional release – this morning was for the senses. Circling lazily on an updraft, spiraling ever higher, Warren left all his negative feelings far below. His body embraced this new world, drinking in whatever it chose to share with him. He tingled with the sensations flowing through him. This was his element and he merged with it.

Far below, Ztar stopped in his tracks – Archangel was airborne. He let his empathic senses take in Archangel's emotions and sensations. He loved the feelings – they made him almost drunk. What must it be like to actually fly like his Archangel? Empathic and telepathic voyeurism could only provide a secondhand experience. The real thing must be intoxicating. Ztar smiled at Archangel's joy as continued preparing for his visitors.

###

Ztar approached the landing pad as the first of the shuttles deposited its passenger. For security reasons, Ztar's inner circle never stayed overnight at the palace, at least not as a group. Best that each remain in their cruiser and shuttle to the surface just prior to the meeting.

Gtar-Cro was the first to arrive, as typical. Ztar knew he liked arriving slightly ahead of time. It gave them an opportunity to talk alone for a few minutes. But this morning, Liaison Myrundra's shuttle was right behind Gtar-Cro's, so there was no time for private discussions. Over the next several minutes, the rest of Ztar's top five were deposited at the palace.

Once settled into the conference room, Ztar asked each to report the status of their assigned tasks. The meeting continued into the late morning as the group migrated from reporting on various aspects of their new form of government to in-depth debate on key points of the constitution.

Sukja saw the hours slip by and informed the kitchen that lunch would indeed be required. Although the kitchen would have prepared the food regardless, it would not serve lunch without direct orders from Sukja.

The meeting lasted well into the afternoon, but it was worthwhile. The Emperor was impressed with the group's progress. Another round of discussions and they may be ready to let the law writers draft the first documents. Ztar saw his advisors off and returned to his chambers, feeling satisfied and pleased with himself.

Then his thoughts turned to Archangel. He hoped things would progress as well with the human as with the formation of his new government. Ztar wanted to share his excitement with Archangel. Reaching his mind out, he found the human on his balcony, studying something on his portable computer interface, or PI as it was referred to.

Ztar chimed Archangel's chambers. His hands were moist – Ztar was actually nervous! Last night, Sukja was there and had acted as an intermediary, but now Ztar was on his own. He wanted so much from the human and feared taking a misstep like the first night Archangel was back on his cruiser. Ztar winced at the memory. He hated how he had behaved that night.

When Warren opened the door, he was startled. Rarely did the Emperor use anything but his personal entrance to Warren's chambers on the Mi-Lartui. When he did use the main entrance, it always meant sex was not going to be involved. Warren sighed silently. Perhaps that would be the case at the palace, too.

Warren stepped aside so the Emperor could enter.

Ztar walked around looking at the chambers as if he hadn't seen them in awhile. Warren was not going to break the silence; he wanted to see how this would play out. It was several long seconds before Ztar spoke.

"I'd like to run some concepts past you," Ztar said tentatively.

"What do you mean?" Warren was at a total loss as to what Ztar was referring to.

"The world you come from, specifically your America, is a democracy, correct?"

"Yes…"

"And you know how its government functions?" Ztar asked walking toward the balcony.

"Of course."

"And this government has been in place for some time?" the Emperor pulled a chair up to the table where Warren had been sitting.

"Over 200 years," Warren followed Ztar when the Emperor gestured him over.

"Good! Then I have questions for you." The Emperor sat down and waited for Warren to do likewise.

"First, a little background on what I'm trying to do with my Empire."

Ztar went on to explain his ideas of an Imperial democracy – patterned after the Shi'ar government, but with his own twists. He was pulling concepts from many worlds and governmental styles. Warren listened intently as Ztar laid out his ideas. The Emperor seemed genuinely excited about what he was trying to create. Warren was impressed.

"Tell me what doesn't work with your democracy," Ztar requested of Warren.

Warren thought for a moment. There was a myriad of small things that came to mind, but those wouldn't help Ztar – they were minutia. Ztar was looking for basic flaws in how democracy operated.

"I think the biggest problem is fragmentation. People tend to look out for their own interests instead of considering the big picture. People will do that under any form of government, but democracy seems to encourage that attitude by its very structure. It often results in little progress, even on important issues."

Ztar nodded. "We found the same flaws within the Commonwealth democracy. I personally believe it hampered their war efforts – to our benefit. A single authority can often accomplish more and more quickly than many voices, each seeking their own gain."

"Exactly!" Warren agreed. "But those many voices can play an important role in making sure those that have no voice are heard."

"So counterpoint on that issue. What else?"

"Money. Couple democracy with free enterprise and money drives policy. Now you get those with money determining the direction of the government, often at the expense of those with little economic influence. This can cause an ever increasing power and economic gaps between the haves and have-nots. Not unique by any means to democracy, but its more of an issue than it might appear from afar."

"And where there's big money involved, corruption soon follows," Ztar added.

"You've got it. Big problems that I don't know how you can avoid in a free society."

Ztar sat quietly for a few moments.

"Anything else?"

"Not conceptually that comes to me right now. What does work well in America's democracy and is viewed with envy across the Earth is the smooth transition of power from the outgoing leadership to the new. We have basically two-party political system. In 200-plus years, America was never experienced a violent overthrow of her government by one or the other party. That is not the case with many other governments on Earth. Ensure that is the case in your new government, Ztar. It creates stability and continuity that anchors everything else."

"Wise words." Ztar looked at his Archangel. Warm feelings rose up to nearly drown him – he did love Archangel. If only this brief conversation foretold their future; what a glorious future that would be. He would hold onto memories of these past few minutes with fondness.

Ztar rose. He would not break the spell with a request for an afternoon interlude, which he had originally contemplated.

"Thank you. You've given me more to consider!"

As Ztar proceeded toward Sukja's chambers, his heart raced. It might be possible, what he hoped for Archangel. Just maybe…

Warren wasn't sure how to read what had transpired with Ztar. An actual conversation on an important issue – the future of the Turzent Empire's government. Why bother coming to Warren for his perspective? What was Ztar up to? Had it just been another attempt by the Emperor to pull Warren into this new life as Ztar had called it? Did Ztar really have delusions that they'd be a happy couple just because the setting had changed? What else would the Emperor press upon Warren and attempt to manipulate into being?

It was more than he wanted to deal with right now. He pushed thoughts aside and took to the air. Let the heavens wash away the turmoil Ztar had created in the space of less than 10 minutes.

###

Sukja agreed with Ztar's every step during the conversation with Archangel. It didn't last so long as to make Archangel uncomfortable, it tapped into his knowledge and deductive reasoning, no mental probing by the telepath, and Ztar left immediately afterward. Perfection!

###

Ztar worked late that night, contemplating what he had learned from Archangel on his view of the flaws of democracy. Neither issue was unique to Earth, but the conversation served to drive home points that needed to be carefully considered.

Once Ztar finally put down his PI, he realized the lateness of the hour. Archangel was likely already asleep. Should Ztar go there? He hadn't been with Archangel yet in the palace. His body wanted the human, now that he turned his mind to him. But perhaps another night to let the human settle in would be best. Ztar decided not to reach out to the human to confirm one way or the other if he slept – it might influence him. He made his decision. Let Archangel sleep.

###

Warren couldn't sleep. He tried, but it eluded him. At first, Warren waited with anxiety for the expected visit from Ztar, but time passed and he didn't show. By then, Warren was so wound up and tense, that his mind refused to give in to his body's desire for some shut-eye. Tossing and turning in bed was not something that was easy for one with wings. Only certain positions were completely restful and rolling over almost always involved sitting up and repositioning the wings into a location that was comfortable, then lying back down. There was a reason humans weren't suppose to have wings. God, sometimes he hated them! But just sometimes.

Exasperated, he got up, poured a glass of Dison and sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, hoping the alcohol would help. After a bit, the chair wasn't comfortable either. If he leaned back, the wings were uncomfortable. In disgust, he almost took to the air, but remembered the strict policy against late night excursions. He could break the rule, but Ztar would know the next time he read him. Warren didn't want to risk Ztar's anger, at least not yet.

So he paced and thought – definitely not what he wanted to do. Thinking always brought up painful memories and tortured thoughts about his fate in life. He wanted to retreat from the thoughts in his mind, not face them in the wee hours of the morning.

In desperation, left his chambers and prowled the palace. It was so different at night. Quiet and peaceful, very different from the daylight hours when activity was everywhere. Subdued lighting glowed throughout. Warren's night vision wouldn't have needed it, but it did give the palace a soft ambiance. He made his way to the grand reception area. The subtle lighting brought out details that weren't apparent in the daytime. The play of light and shadow exaggerated the architectural relief of the ornamentation. Walls that had seemed to glow in the daytime were radiant in the soft lighting.

Beyond the windows, the gardens and grounds were mystical as the exterior lighting created dark recesses, long shadows, and circles and shafts of illumination. In the reflecting pool, light swirled around inky pools in an almost mesmerizing dance. Warren would have ventured out, but he wasn't sure if there was an alarm system tied to the doors leading to the gardens. He could go back to his room and leave via the balcony, but he didn't have the desire.

He stood alone in the empty room by the windows. He could hear his breath and almost his heart beat it was so quiet. Suddenly, emotions rose up and he struggled to fight away the fears and tears. The image of a bird in a gilded cage sprang up. That was him – Ztar's palace his cage.

Warren looked out for a long time as tears fell, but he didn't sob. He merely stood quietly while they ran down his face. 'Damn Dison!' he chided, finally wiping his face dry. Then he almost laughed, despite himself. 'Watch yourself, flyboy – pretty soon you'll blame every on the liquor.'

The quiet emotional release did accomplish one thing – he was now sleepy. Warren walked back to his chambers and straight into bed. Within minutes, he was asleep.

###

Day three of life at the palace found Warren sleeping in. He woke with a start and knew immediately it was late by the sunlight in his room. Warren hated sleeping in, even if he was up late the night before. Mornings had been his special time since he was young – always up with the sun.

Sometimes when he was very young, he'd get into things he shouldn't while his parents still slept. Oh, Mom would make such a fuss over what he'd done, but he knew she wasn't really angry with her early bird. If only she'd known how right she was about him being an early bird! Warren missed his parents – their calls just to check in, to say they loved him. But they were long dead.

Warren shook off the reminiscing; it would only make him sad. Instead, he attended to his morning routine and grabbed a quick breakfast from his small kitchen. He really didn't feel like a flight – the magical time of morning was past. If he didn't do that, then what?

By the time Warren had been deposited on Earth after his year on the Mi-Lartui, he already had a firm grasp of the Turzent language. Now he was merely advancing his command of it, so studying was really unnecessary. Therefore, he needed a new interest, but he couldn't think of a single idea at the moment. He could explore another language, but he didn't want to spend countless hours in front of the computer anymore. That was fine on the Mi-Lartui, but here? Warren wanted something with more activity.

So he decided to explore the palace grounds. Leaving his balcony, he alighted in the gardens below. He studied the alien flowers and plants in their myriad of forms of colors, wandering in no particular direction or pattern. When something caught his attention from a distance, he'd leap into the air and landed wherever his keen eyesight had spied something of interest.

Warren took a deep breath to take in the sweet scents emanating from the gardens. He continued his explorations leisurely, having nothing else to do. Another beautiful day on Sat'rey, and the sun warmed him quickly, but comfortably so. Like the sun on a Caribbean beach – it felt good.

Watching Archangel from the first floor hall windows were Ztar and Sukja.

"Do you suppose he has any idea how beautiful he is?" It was Sukja who ventured that.

Ztar shook his head. "If you only knew, Sukja." Ztar's reply was laced with sadness. "Our Archangel believes just the opposite – that he's flawed and tainted."

"You've not shared that before." Sukja was surprised.

"I know I should have – it could make a difference in our approach to Archangel. My apologies." Ztar paused before continuing. "I just have difficulty accepting myself that someone so perfect can be filled with self-loathing. It's painful to contemplate."

"My Emperor, if that is the case, then we may need to reconsider how we help him with the transition." Sukja's thoughts ran ahead to where this new information might take them.

Ztar watched Archangel as he darted into the air once again to another part of the gardens.

"It comes from being used by others several times for their own gain over the years – years longer ago than his time with me, Sukja." Ztar wanted to be sure Sukja understood the depth of Archangel's feelings and that Ztar wasn't the only cause.

Ztar turned to his attendant. "I haven't helped, I know – just another in a line of people to add to his diminished sense of worth." Ztar turned his attention once again to watching Archangel's exploration of the gardens.

Sukja sighed deeply. "Then we have our work cut out for us. Archangel is dealing with a lot; we don't want to push too hard. For now, let's continue as we planned. I'll consider what you've told me and think about what we may to do differently."

"Reasonable." Ztar approved. "I hope someday he'll understand how beautiful he is inside and out. And his mind, Sukja, it's such a quick, disciplined mind. His nature is so gentle – he has a good soul. Beaten and battered, but still good; after all he's been through."

Ztar and Sukja stood quietly for a bit until Archangel rose up and disappeared from sight.

"I love him, Sukja," the Emperor said quietly.

Sukja nodded, he had known this before Ztar had told him three years ago. He may have known before the Emperor himself realized it. "I know, my Emperor. We'll find a way to bring happiness to Archangel." Sukja only hoped they could pull it off.

"He hates me for good reason. I pray you're right." Ztar swallowed hard and turned to Sukja.

The attendant could see something was bothering the Emperor from the look in his eyes.

The Emperor continued telepathically as a group of palace staff was now in the hall. 'The first night back on the Mi-Lartui did not go well, Sukja. I lost control.'

Sukja was actually shocked by the revelation. Ztar had done so well for three years despite all the pressures of war and separation from Archangel. What went wrong? 'That likely explains Archangel's behavior the following couple days,' Sukja noted. 'He was very distant.'

'Not only did I lose control, but when he used his calming ability to stop me, I punished him,' Ztar confessed unable to look Sukja in the eyes.

Sukja knew what Ztar meant when he said "punished him." The pain was incapacitating and blinding. Sukja's surprise deepened. What a terrible start to what Ztar had hoped would be a fresh start with the human!

'That's just the latest of my atrocities. One more reason Archangel may never forgive me. In his mind, he has very graphic terms to describe me, all of them justified and true. I'm a monster and have done horrible things to him and others. Things I can never atone for…'

Sukja looked at this man who, despite of his dark side, he respected. The good side of Ztar, he admired. The other side, he chose to not fully acknowledge. A strange situation, he admitted. At this moment, that good side was beating Ztar up.

"My Emperor," Sukja spoke aloud now that the hallway was again empty, except for them. "That does not mean you are incapable of changing. You have been changing already over the past few years. If you chose, you can become a man that has overcome his past and reaches his potential, maybe exceeds it."

"Right now I'm interested in two things, our Empire's future and Archangel. I want to help both be better…stronger. I want Archangel to know he's beautiful. I want him to at least tolerate me without such contempt."

"In helping Archangel, you may also help yourself. As for the Empire, it is in the very best of hands." Sukja smiled at his Emperor. Yes, he admired this man more with each new step he took toward maturity and away from the anger and self-centeredness.

###

Sukja answered the door chime to find Archangel.

"Archangel! Please, come in." Sukja was surprised. Archangel had rarely sought him out.

It was early afternoon and not too early for a glass of Dison. Sukja offered one to Archangel, who took it readily. They moved to the patio and sat.

"I'm bored."

Sukja laughed. He couldn't help it. Archangel had been at the palace not three full days and already he was bored?

The attendant's laughter caused Warren to smile just a little. He didn't have much to smile about in his new life, but Sukja's laugh gave him an excuse.

"I really don't see why that's so funny," Warren feigned offense.

"My apologies, Archangel. You've been here for less than three days. All that there is to explore, all that is new to you on this world, and you're bored?" Sukja mocked him in jest.

Warren simply smiled. He remained leery of the Emperor's attendant and would not allow himself to get too friendly.

Sukja studied the human. He was holding back. Sukja recognized the effort. Nothing had changed in that area since Archangel had lived on the Mi-Lartui three years ago. He had a consistent wariness about him. Form no attachments; make no friends; trust no one. Except one – the friendship he had with the Mi-Lartui's procurement officer. Officer de'Letnoir was no longer a member of the crew, having chosen to join a battle ship during the war where they thought he could make a direct more contribution. Sukja had no idea if the man had survived or not.

"What do you want to do?"

"That's the problem. I don't know my options."

"What did you like to do on Earth?" Sukja risked bringing up memories of Earth, but it seemed the logical question.

Warren sighed. "Before Ztar," he placed special emphasis on that, "I was usually too busy with the X-men or my businesses to have a lot of leisure time. I did like to travel, but that's not an option here."

"Why do you say that?"

Warren was confused. Maybe his Turzent wasn't as good as he thought. "Say what?"

"That travel's not an option here."

"Well, Ztar wouldn't allow…"

"Have you asked?" Sukja pressed.

Warren shook his head – this wasn't making sense. Sukja was toying with him.

"Archangel, Ztar has given no orders that you need to stay at the palace. Only that when you're out flying by yourself that you stay within the Imperial Valley for security reasons. That does not mean you can't shuttle elsewhere. All of Sat'rey is open to you. I apologize that I didn't tell you before. An imperial guard, a pilot, and a shuttle are all you need to go anywhere on the planet you desire."

Archangel was frowning in a puzzled way.

"You are Imperial staff now – a member of court. That has many privileges. If you chose to see the rest of the planet, Ztar and I only ask that you let us know where you're going and when you'll return. Likely at first, Ztar will insist that I accompany you or you go only on day trips, until he's comfortable that you're safe exploring on your own."

Warren was suspicious. This was 180 degrees from what he had come to expect from his life with the Emperor.

"We should have had this talk before even arriving here – I see that now. Or, I should have explained more thoroughly over lunch that first day. Your life here will bear little resemblance to your life on the Mi-Lartui. Ztar was very clear on that. As I said, you are fully Imperial staff. Ztar decreed that even before we retrieved you from Earth. That means you have the right to travel, to come and go as you please, and the right to direct palace staff. Unlike before, your position is now as an equal to me and Ztar's other Imperial staff members. You answer only to the Emperor."

Sukja gave Archangel the time he needed to process what he had said. Sukja hadn't failed to explain properly earlier, he had planned this. Draw Archangel in slowly, methodically – to not push too hard or too fast.

Warren rolled the information over in his mind and decided to contemplate later what Sukja explained. Instead, Warren asked an indirect question, and he'd be watching Sukja very carefully.

"Why the change?"

Sukja waited a moment before speaking. "Ztar is changing. As I said two days ago, the war had a major impact on him. I believe he's reprioritizing. He's going to create a new government for the Empire. Without the war, I don't think he would be doing that. I've noticed other changes as Ztar has grown older. The illusion of invincibility that accompanies youth has passed. He has come to grips with his mortality. I think he wants to leave a better legacy than the one he's written thus far."

"What's all that got to do with me? He was very clear on the Mi-Lartui why I'm around. He didn't sound changed to me!" Anger flared in the blue eyes.

Sukja nodded. "Ztar confessed to me what he did. Telling you he deeply regrets his behavior of that night is meaningless, so I won't insult you with it. I said he is changing – he's evolving. He hasn't gotten there yet. And I don't know how far his past will let that change progress. He is still vacillating between the old Ztar and the new. Two steps forward, one back. But I see hope."

"When he releases me from bondage, I'll believe he's changed. Not 'til then!" Archangel's wings spread behind him and he leaned closer to Sukja. "I'm not a fool. I will not be manipulated into thinking that Ztar is anything other than a sadistic rapist. I'm the one who has taken the abuse from the man you say is changing!" Archangel got to his feet, fists clenched. "This conversation is over."

Sukja rose and faced the angry human. The reaction was not unexpected. In fact, it was a good thing. Ztar wanted the fiery spirit to have survived the mess he made of that first night on the Mi Lartui and the last four years.

"You asked for my opinion, Archangel, and I gave it. I apologize if you view that as manipulation."

Archangel left Sukja's chambers without another word.

###

Warren was livid! He ripped the balcony door open and it slammed loudly against the wall. He leapt into the sky with adrenaline pumping. What a crock of shit!! Warren had seen little change in his tormentor in the last three years, as his first night on the Mi-Lartui proved. If Sukja really believed Ztar was changing, he should exchange places with Warren for one night. Then he'd see the Emperor for what he was – sadistic and depraved.

Warren's wings sliced savagely at the air as he climbed rapidly. Just try to tempt him with the illusion of freedom. Shuttles and pilots at his disposal. Bullshit! A cage is still a cage no matter how many trinkets and toys are tossed in. Did they think him a complete fool?!

And then the nonsense about being Imperial staff. What did they think? If they gave him a title that he'd forget he's the Emperor's whore? That he was such a simpleton, he'd buy into their pathetic maneuverings? Warren burned with indignation.

Higher still he climbed, and the world dropped away. Caged and tormented, that summed up his life. No where to go. No reprieve. No choice. Not without turning Earth over to the Turzent. Earth was depending on him. People he cared about depended on him – their very lives where Warren's to either protect or toss away. But the price for protection was so high – so incredibly hard to endure.

And higher still. Up into the heavens and away from the gilded cage below.

When he finally reached a height where even his lungs couldn't catch enough oxygen, he hovered. It was bitterly cold; brutally in fact. The world below curved away at the horizons. He was very high – too high. But he didn't descend. He wanted nothing to do with the life beneath him. Better to die from up here in the rarified air than a slow death of the soul on the ground.

Warren was woozy and the cold sunk deep, already affecting his body. He was shivering uncontrollably. It was getting harder to beat his wings as the thin structures turned stiff with the severe cold. The warning in the Accord briefly flashed through his thoughts – if he died at his own hands, Earth would be enslaved. His numbed mind turned to the loss of his friends and teammates. They would find a way to survive the Turzents. Everyone else on Earth was a stranger. Let them figure out how to deal with the Ztar – Warren had done his time. He could endure no more. Earth be damn!

Ztar dropped his PI. Archangel was in trouble. He expanded empathically to find Archangel in physical distress far above the planet. Telepathically, Ztar touched the human's mind. He was on the verge of suicide!

The immense weight he bore felt like it was crushing him with agonizing slowness. Warren was so tired, so very tired of it all. Now he was trapped on an alien world never again to see the world he was protecting. Best just to let go, close his eyes, and it would be over quickly. So very, very tired… Warren pulled his wings tight and allowed himself to fall.