Uroboros
02. A familiar stranger
12 years later
A sharp scream rushed ahead of the sound of robes snapping, followed by large blocks of stone crushing into the street barely five yards away from Kaidan. The knight pulled on the reins of his mount, and the beast reared with a loud neigh. Kaidan gasped, struggling to stay in the saddle. He brought his mount under control with effort and patted its neck once it calmed down.
Men rushed passed him toward the place the giant stones had fallen from the sky. Shouts sounded, asking if anyone had been hurt. A woman peered out of a cabin near the impact, already barking orders. Her white armor was shining in the sun, her dark brown hair flowing.
Lady Ashley Williams shouted at the men, sending them back to their posts with harsh words. Her big gauntleted hand waved in front of their faces, as if she was threatening them with violence. She called for the construction leader and Kaidan watched from his high horse how she reprimanded him to be more cautious. The big man contracted by Kaidan to reinforce the city wall looked smaller every minute. After a while, Kaidan thought he would really see if what he had been told was true. Ashley was capable to make the hardest man cry like a girl.
"Chief," he called out, delivering the construction master from his misery. "How are things going here?"
"Lord Kaidan," she turned around sharply.
"My prince of virtue," the construction master gasped and quickly lowered his head. "I'm... I'm so sorry for..." he looked back at the crushed stones. "This. It will not happen again, milord. I promise."
"Make sure your men are safe." Kaidan nodded towards the big man. "I don't want anyone buried under the wall before our enemies arrive. You may return to your work."
"Yes, milord. Thank you, milord."
"Brief me, Lady Ashley." He descended from his horse and gave the reins to the squire.
"The repairs are almost done." She talked while walking, leading Kaidan towards the stone stairs. "We fixed some weak point along the battlements. The holes have been plugged and new reinforcements added. I made sure our armory and stocks are full. Though I still have some ideas about what we could do, if we have more time."
Yes, time.
Vancouver was a wealthy city. In the past 12 years during peaceful times, trade was Vancouver's sole focus. Kaidan's father, who had become king regent after King Steven's death, was nothing if not a brilliant businessman. He had transformed the city into something the world had never seen before. Stories began to spread that Vancouver's vaults were filled with gold and invaluable gems. And that the king regent and his family wore only the finest silk and drank the best wine from golden cups. It was said that, nothing was beyond the reach of Vancouver, not even time.
Though Kaidan could confirm all the other rumors, he knew that time was not something they could buy. This time, not even his father could bribe their enemies into retreating. Now they were faced with the most vicious and monstrous tribe of all the savage peoples marching their way.
They had received the report three weeks ago. Since then, Kaidan had not had a good night's sleep. He dreamed about the savage tribes he had encountered when he was younger. He remembered fighting men with different skin and clothing, using weapons and magic he did not understand. He remembered killing them with no more efforts than killing normal men. However, that was a long time ago. That was before stories of the Specter Fire Claws reached their civilization.
"Anything on your mind?"
"Just remembering something," Kaidan replied. They stopped at the battlements, where Kaidan looked over the lands surrounding Vancouver. They were littered with green fields and the farmers working them. Nothing indicated the coming of the nightmare of all kingdoms. "Have you heard the stories?"
"I'm not afraid!" Ashley spat, but Kaidan could see that she was not completely unfazed by their enemy.
The Specter Fire Claws were not just normal savages. They do not simply burn villages or fields. They do not just kill the men and rape their women. The Specter Fire Claws consumes them. Thousands of stories were out there, ranging from magical warriors blessed with immortality to demons from the abyss.
"Do you believe what they say?" Ashley's voice shook slightly. She tried to hide it, but Kaidan still heard it. "That they crawled out of hell to devour us?"
"I read the reports. They are... disturbing." He sighed. "I can't be distracted by those rumors and stories. From what I gathered, they are exceptional. They appear and attack, on that all reports agree. Their movements are hidden from us, by some foul magic I'm sure."
"So it is true? The Witch of Twilight is with them?"
"So it would seem," Kaidan nodded.
"Can't you do something?" Ash leaned closer, almost whispering. "With your magic?"
Kaidan threw her an irritated glance. "I'm a battle mage, Ash. I was trained to fight, not to... well do magic. I have no idea how they achieve that, and I don't really care. I just want to know when they'll be here."
"I though you most of all would be interested in their ways." There was some accusation in Ashley's tone, but Kaidan ignored it.
"I'd like to, if I have time. Right now, I have to make sure our city is well prepared when they arrive."
"Alright," Nodding, she took off her gauntlets and wiped her palm on her trousers. She talked while binding her hair into a knot again. "I head Eden Prime surrendered. The savage took half of the city and left. Those bastards." She snorted and started putting her gauntlets back on. "Eden Prime didn't even put up a fight! But I guess if their scouts didn't escape, we wouldn't have had any warning."
"For that I'm grateful." He watched Ash and wanted to scratch his own palm. No one thought about it, but armor like his was not really designed to be comfortable. "But I wonder if it's really better to put up a fight and still lose, not just half of your city, but half of your men as well."
"You're talking about Feros and Ilos, and all the others?"
"Yeah," Kaidan sighed. He remembered the nights sitting in the tavern, listening to the tales of the merchants who brought news of those fallen civilizations. The Specters had come out of nowhere, in a bright flash of light. They either laid siege to a city, or just attacked those without a strong wall. They burned down the castles, raided houses and took whatever they pleased. They killed the knights, the nobles and extinguished some great bloodlines that descended from legends. Eventually, they just marched out of the city with their prizes in hand and disappeared into the twilight.
Right now, Kaidan could not believe he once wanted to join the Specters. It was in a time when he was much younger and the Specters nothing but a tribe of warriors fighting slavers. In that time, Kaidan had dreamed of escaping his responsibilities and joining one of those freedom fighters. He had wanted to ride to his heart's content and travel with those magical creatures. He had dreamed of seeing the twilight land they supposedly travel through and witness all the wonders out there. And maybe, he would have found a man out there who could teach him how to love without restraint, how to be free. However, those were only dreams, adolescent fantasies that died when he had become a dutiful commander with men's lives depending on him. The more he learned of the world, and court, the further away Kaidan's dreams seemed to be. The more he waited, the more he forgot the kind of person he wanted to love.
"The battlements looks good," he ripped his mind away from the past and legends. "Good job, Chief. I hope they hold."
"You really think the Specters will attack."
"We don't know what they want," Kaidan said, rubbing his chin. "We are fortunate that we have time to prepare. Many don't have this chance."
"What does your father say?"
"You know him, he won't attack." Kaidan snorted. "He thinks like a merchant. He will try to bribe the Specters like he bribed all the others."
"How many times are we to be bullied?" Ash spat. Her face a little flushed, probably because she too wanted to fight instead of cowering before the demands of savage lords.
Kaidan shrugged. "Sometimes I wonder if he really believes that the army is heading our way. Or he considers the loss of men a price too high to be paid. I can't say I blame him."
"Praise for your father, I can't believe what I'm hearing." Ash slapped his arm.
"Everyone knows we have our differences," Kaidan whispered. "I'd rather fight. Specters or not, they are human and they can be killed. But if we fail, I don't think they'll spare Vancouver like they spared Eden Prime."
"Yeah, they'd probably burn our city down."
"A fate my father would avoid with everything he's got."
"Not like Councilor Udina," Ashley casually said, making Kaidan raise his brow. "It's not I like him, just... his politics are more aggressive, more... dignified."
"Dignified?" Kaidan gasped. "He's more concerned about his own ambitions. He would put all of us to the sword if that would save Vancouver."
"Can you blame him?" Ash shrugged. "We both swore to defend our city with our lives. Why blame someone if he takes it a little more literally? I do sometimes think he's a little bit ruthless in his tactics, but at least he delivers results."
"He's loyal to Vancouver, at least we can agree on that. I still don't like him too much. He's a politician. They think differently than we do. They don't know how it is to be on the front-lines, to wield a sword that takes life. They don't know that every mistake we make could be our last one. They are..."
Ashley interrupted him with a loud cough. She nudged her chin towards something at Kaidan's left and quickly lowered her gaze towards the ground. The prince regent turned to see the man he was just talking about approaching him in a palanquin. Udina raised a hand when he was in shouting distance and waited until Kaidan approached him.
"Councilor Udina," Kaidan bowed.
"Lord Kaidan," Udina nodded back. His eyes trailed back towards Ashley then to the battlements. "How are thing going here?"
"The repairs are almost done, Councilor." Kaidan answered. "A few days more and there's nothing they can do to our wall."
"Good. And the progress in the city?"
"The pantries are well stocked. I've posted double guards on each, with the Specters so close, people are getting agitated." Kaidan looked around, seeing the workers and soldiers already starting to avoid them.
"How long do you think can we hold out?"
"The siege? Probably half a year. Enough to establish additional supply lines. Anything longer, we might have famine in the poorer districts in the city."
"When until it reaches the nobility?"
"That depends on what the nobility wants for dinner."
"Alright, I understand your point." Udina finally stepped out of his palanquin. "There's another thing I need to talk to you about, Lord Kaidan."
Kaidan gestured at the cabin Ashley usually used as her office. Once inside, Udina sat down in Ashley's chair and acted as if Kaidan was only a recruit reporting.
"I will be honest with you, Kaidan." Udina started. "This is a crisis Vancouver has not witnessed for a long time. The Specter Fire Claws might be the greatest challenge we have to face in recent history. For the past 12 years, Vancouver was the center of Alliance power. Robert's leadership is a blessing to us all. But without a king to occupy the throne, this great realm will crumble."
"Why are you telling me this, Councilor?" Kaidan narrowed his eyes. He hoped that this would not turn into one of the moments where Udina lectured about the greatness of their realm.
"We cannot afford to look weak, Kaidan," Udina put both his elbows on the table. "Your father's strategy has spared us war in the past years, but I'm afraid it won't stay that way. This savage tribe is not like all the others. It is the greatest savage army the world has seen. They are no mere bandits. They are warriors, born to wage war. They will not stop until our civilization falls."
"They have spared cities before."
"True, but they have never accepted a bribe." Udina corrected. "I don't impose to know what their leader is thinking, only that your father's strategy will not work. I fear his offer would even insult the first Specter."
"What do you suggest, Councilor?"
"That we fight."
Kaidan sighed mentally. Of course, Udina would suggest that.
"When we fight before they expect us to, we might gain an advantage. Your troops stand ready, I believe."
"Of course, they do."
"Then it is up to you, Lord Kaidan."
"Even if I'm willing, my father will never order it. I've sworn to obey him." Kaidan shook his head. "I can't do as I please."
"The nobility is not so convinced," Udina stood and walked around the desk. "They believe that if we give into this Specter's demands, it will ruin Vancouver in the long term. Besides, they are sick of being humiliated by savages. How are we to call ourselves superior to the common folk if we tremble at the shouts of a wild man? Think about that, Lord Kaidan. How will history remember us?"
"With all due respect, Councilor, you're thinking ahead of yourself." Kaidan stepped back and defiantly raised his chin. "We must concentrate on what's on us. When Shepard does not accept our offer, I fear war is inevitable. But I will not challenge him, not for the sake of Vancouver's people."
"I ask not of you to challenge him, only to rethink the source of your loyalty."
"Excuse me?"
"Kaidan, you've sworn to serve the crown. Your father merely represents the crown. Your interest should be what's best for Vancouver, not for what your father wants. Your troops respect you, they love you. If you command it, they will follow. Kaidan, you need to teach them a lesson, that Vancouver will not be bullied."
"Your and my take on what's best for Vancouver are not the same, Councilor. I act as my conscience dictates." He tried to keep his anger in check. "And I don't appreciate my loyalty being questioned. I am loyal to our king and his heir."
"Ah," Udina snorted. "The lost Hackett. You're chasing a ghost, Kaidan. The boy is dead."
"I believe otherwise. He's out there, I know it."
"That's a debate for another time," Udina made for the door. "You must not allow yourself to be sidetracked. Right now, Vancouver needs exceptional soldiers like you."
"Thank you, Councilor." Kaidan opened the door for the politician as he walked out.
"Will you be joining us in the castle tonight?" Udina said, one foot on the doorstep. "Your mother wanted me to ask you this."
Kaidan smiled. "No, I'd rather stay with the troops for now." The councilor nodded and stepped into the darkening night. Kaidan closed the door behind him and leaned against the wooden surface. Why was a talk with Udina always so tiresome?
A knock interrupted Kaidan's short rest. He pulled it open to see Ashley standing out there, eying him with a lifted brow.
"You alright?"
"You saw me talk to Udina, didn't you?"
"That bad?"
"He's good at reminding me of the downside of everything."
"In that case," Ashley grinned. "I know something to cheer you up. Don't give me that look; I know you haven't relaxed in weeks. Come join us at Chora's Den, Jenna is asking for you."
"Well, after this talk, I can use a drink."
By the time Kaidan entered Chora's Den it was way past the eighth bell. Before he took off his armor and washed himself at a bowl in Ashley's office, he kept finding things to do. He checked on the construction workers, making sure no one had been injured by the stone accident this afternoon. He paid a visit to the watchers on the walls, encouraging them for staying alone on a night like this. He even talked to the gate-guards, making sure that traffic was still normal.
When the eighth bell rang, Kaidan told himself that he had lingered long enough. Binding his belt with his sword around his waist, Kaidan grabbed his cloak and walked into the night streets. He might be in relative safety, but a knight would never go anywhere without his sword.
Chora's Den was a lovely tavern not far from the gate. It was frequented by merchants coming from other cities. In the past years, many soldiers had started to frequent the place, probably following Kaidan and Ashley's lead. When the knight entered, the bar-woman waved at him. Jenna was her name. According to Ashley, she liked him.
She put his favorite ale on the table before he asked and smiled her brightest smile. "It's on the house, prince of virtue." She pushed the jar closer to him, bending forward. Kaidan could not help but blush at the deep view into her cleavage.
"Thank you, Jenna," he said. "You don't have to treat me every time I come here."
"But if I don't, your men will." She leaned down on her hand, glancing up at Kaidan with sparkling eyes. "I just want to see the poor boys buy themselves some drinks."
"You're saying I'm not paying my own tab?" Kaidan laughed, grabbing the drink.
"Just saying that a lot of people want to pay for you."
"What have I done to earn that?"
"Being you isn't enough?"
Kaidan blushed deeper. He hoped that no one saw that. As he could not find something clever to say, Kaidan quickly thanked her again and turned from the barmaid. As he continued his search for Ashley, some of his men toasted him with their drinks. An especially young soldier even jumped up and saluted him as he walked by. Apparently, no one explained to this boy that ranks and titles were dropped once they entered Chora's den.
Kaidan found Ashley sitting in their usual corner, drinking a jar of ale and a half eaten plate of something in front of her. She was reading a book that Kaidan assumed was poetry. She glanced up when Kaidan joined her. With a sheepish smile, she put the book away and took a big gulp of her drink.
"Took you long enough," She challenged.
"I had to check on something." Kaidan gestured at her food. "What are you having?"
"Pork roast in brown ale sauce and honey crust," she picked at the meat with her fork. "I think they changed the recipe. It's better now. And I think they put some herbs in it. It tastes like spring."
"Are you drunk yet?"
She shook her head and took another bite. Kaidan felt the water gather in his mouth. When the food came, he could not take time to enjoy what Ashley described as spring but gulped it down. Until he was half-finished, Kaidan had not realized how hungry he was. Well, at least his mother was not here to criticize his manners.
"So what did Udina want?" Ashley asked after their empty plates were taken away and they were simply enjoying being full. "He didn't look very pleased."
"The same thing everybody wants," Kaidan took a drink. "It seems my father is making more enemies every day."
"Not my place to criticize."
"Didn't stop you this afternoon."
"We were alone."
"Good point," the knight leaned on his hand and took another swing at the ale. The music in the background was lovely. It made him want to talk to Ash about his problems. "Everyone wants me to turn against my father, or at least change his mind. Like if I could just walk up to him one day and withdraw my oath."
"I think they just want you to do it." Ash murmured. "I know I want to. Listen K, you're a good man, a good soldier. One of the few noble soldiers that isn't a complete ass. Your men respect you. Of course everyone wants you to lead instead of your father; you're the prince of virtues after all."
"It doesn't work that way," Kaidan chuckled. "And I'm not an actual prince. My father is only the king regent. I think no one really knows who comes after him."
"So what happens if you don't find the lost Hackett?"
"I'll find him."
"What if you don't?" Ash blinked, looking at Kaidan from behind her jar. "Some say he doesn't even exist."
"He's real."
"Are you sure?"
"All evidence points that way." Kaidan leaned back, his hand wandered up to a place on his chest. Ever since the night of his greatest failure, Kaidan wore the locket around his neck as if that boy in the locket was his own son. He had been looking for this boy his entire life. Everywhere he went, he tried. However, the answer was always the same. "I won't give up. He's out there and I'll find him."
"Knowing his name would help, you know."
"Thanks, Ash."
"You know, many believe that he's dead." Ash mused. "I heard some rumors. Supposedly, a boy was found murdered a few years back, baring the Hackett crest."
"Where?"
"In that shithole Omega." Ash drank again. "I heard a merchant say that he met a captain who had been to Omega."
"Let me guess, a friend of that pirate had a friend who knows someone who had been there." Kaidan sighed. "There are too many stories like these out there. Can't trust them. I know you don't believe, but I need to."
"What's so bad about being king? I mean, if your father..." she knocked on the table three times. "died, and you were to be king regent, what's so bad about it?"
"How am I supposed to find a lost boy if I have to govern a city?" Kaidan smirked. "Honestly, do you want me as your king?"
"Nah, can't have that!" Ash barked out a laugh. "You'd be a terrible king! You don't drink enough." She emptied her jar in one pull and promptly stood up. Kaidan watcher her make her way to Jenna to order some more and gossip with the barmaid.
That was when his eyes landed on the stranger leaning against the bar not so far behind Ashley. He was sure he had never met this man before, but the gaze that stranger directed at him said something else. Nervously, Kaidan looked over his shoulder to see if there was someone else, only to remember that he was sitting with his back pressed against the wall. Not knowing what else he could do, Kaidan hid his face behind the jar.
When he put his drink down, the stranger was coming towards him. In slight panic, Kaidan froze, watching the stranger stride with movements that should be neither impressing nor arousing. That man was simply walking.
The stranger sat a jar in front of Kaidan before sliding into Ashley's seat. He leaned back, posture completely relaxed. His eyes did not leave Kaidan and the soldier who somehow managed to maneuver his way through court intrigue found himself without words. Kaidan looked down at his own almost empty jar and cleared his throat. He shifted in his seat, desperately trying to avoid the attention of a man that was sitting directly in front of him.
The stranger's grin only grew a bit and he waited patiently for Kaidan to start the conversation.
"That seat is taken," Kaidan choked out eventually. He did not know why he was acting like a timid squire again, but something about his man was unnerving. Reminding himself that he was a praised lord and knight of Vancouver, Kaidan forced himself to look at this man. He was tall and well built, probably a soldier or a mercenary. His hair was cut short, almost shaved. A scar on his forehead interrupted his perfect hairline, making it even more interesting. Unlike most common men, this stranger had a clean trimmed beard that brought out his perfect, full lips. Those lips formed into a smile as Kaidan stared at them; suddenly reminding the knight was he was doing. He ripped his eyes away from those lips, up towards the bluest eyes he had ever seen.
There was a candle burning between them. In that moment, Kaidan's could not think of any more flattering light. Sitting in front of him was the most handsome man he could think of. With his skin almost golden and his eyes sparkling, the man pushed the drink towards Kaidan. An invitation the knight took without much thinking just for the sake of having something to do.
"Thank you," Kaidan muttered after he put the drink down. "But that seat is still taken."
"Ash will forgive me," the stranger said.
"You know Ash?"
"Everyone in Chora's Den knows the Chief of the guard, Ashley Williams."
"And who are you?" Kaidan tried to say. He choked a little and flushed at his own mishap. "I mean, have we met?"
"Maybe," the stranger grinned. His voice was so rich, and exactly the right tones to set Kaidan's inside on fire. Maybe it was just the ale, which tasted like it was spiced.
"Well, hello!" Ash suddenly was at the table again, holding another two jars in her hands. "Who's your new friend, Kaidan?"
"Ehm..." Kaidan stuttered.
"John," the stranger finally said. "At your service."
"John what?" Ash sat the jars down with the grace of a drunken woman, spilling a little of the ale. She pulled another chair up and joined them at the table.
"Just John." The stranger winked.
"I've never seen you around, who are you?"
"I came to see the city, heard it's beautiful."
"Will you be staying?" Kaidan promptly asked. For a moment, he did not realize how it sounded. Only at Ash's widened eyes, he caught up. He tried to repair the damage, but could not really bring out anything else.
"Maybe," The stranger that became John offered. "For the right reason."
"Seen anything you like yet?" Ashley asked, grinning for a reason Kaidan did not understand and could not say he wanted to know.
"Maybe." John answered, his eyes still on Kaidan.
Why was John staring at him like that? Did he not know that it was rude to stare? Did he not know that it made Kaidan uncomfortable? Kaidan drank again from his drink that was doing things to his body. He felt hot in his own clothes. He pulled at the collar and sighed out a bit as air met his skin there. He had no doubt that his face was already flushed from the drink.
"You alright?" Ash asked, sliding closer to Kaidan.
"Yeah," Kaidan choked out. Maybe his temperature was not completely due to the drink. The way this stranger presented himself was arousing. He sat casually, allowing Kaidan a very good view into his lap. His arms were exposed, lying on the table in Kaidan's reach. There was a bracer around his left wrist, bringing out just how strong his arms and hands were.
Without meaning to, Kaidan's eyes wandered. They traced down to his chest, covered by a dark red shirt. Eventually, Kaidan's eyes landed on the dagger John kept at his belt. It was like nothing he had seen before. The handle was made of a strange material, so black it didn't shine in the candlelight. There was a red stone set in the pummel and if Kaidan looked at it longer, he believed it glowing sometimes.
Suddenly, only a single thought occupied his mind. He was absolutely fascinated by it.
"A beautiful dagger you have there," Kaidan pointed out. "Can I see it?"
"Kaidan!" Ashley gasped, her face a mix between astonishment and shock.
"What's wrong?" His hand was on his sword immediately. Why was Ashley shouting?
"You just asked if you can see his..." she lowered her voice. "Dagger."
"So?"
John chuckled. "Maybe somewhere more private? I'd love to show it to you in every detail."
"Not so fast, stranger!" Ash hissed
But Kaidan only said, "Oh, okay."
"Excellent," John emptied his jar and put it back on the table. "Just tell me where."
"Ehm..." Kaidan thought about outside. But that was a little bit too dark to see anything. Maybe he could borrow Ashley's room here in the tavern. She had a cot in her office anyway. "Upstairs?"
"I'll be waiting," John stood, allowing Kaidan a very good view into his loin and the strangely crafted dagger hanging there. He gave Kaidan even a better look at his backside as he walked away.
"Can I borrow your room?" He asked Ashley as soon as the stranger disappeared.
"You realize what you are doing, right?"
"I should ask for another candle."
"Really?" she snorted. "You're really interested in his dagger? The weapon I mean."
"Yes, what else?"
"Oh, for god's sake!" She moaned. "10 years at court and you still trip over your tongue. Wake up, Prince of Virtue, he wasn't talking about his weapon. He wants to... bed you."
"What?" Something very hot went through Kaidan's body at that thought. He could suddenly picture himself laying with this man in bed, both naked and doing thing that would probably ruin his good reputation. "No, I didn't mean that! There's a jewel on the pummel, it was glowing. I've never seen something like that before. It's magic!"
"And I've never seen this." Ash pinched the bridge of her nose. "Now go and get that sorted out."
"What, no!" Kaidan flushed a deep red. "I'm not going up there if he thinks I'm going to... I can't even say that!"
"You got yourself into this mess!"
"You weren't helping!"
"What could I have done?" She hissed. "He didn't even notice I was there! Now, go! It's not like you haven't done it before. Don't make him wait."
"No!" Kaidan refused to get up from his seat. His brain told him to remain here until he saw the chance to flee, but his lower body demanded something entirely else. "I can't go up there and just do it! I'm not that sort of men."
"Well, apparently you are." Ash pushed her chair back far enough for Kaidan to pass. "Don't be so hard on yourself. Ha!" She barked out a laugh. "Be hard on him!" Then, she held her belly and could not stop.
"Ashley!"
"Look Kaidan," she wiped the tears from the corner of her eye. "The Specters are probably going to be here in a few days, if not sooner. We both know what it'll be. You might not to get a chance to do this ever again. And besides, damn, he's really a looker!"
"Then you go!" Kaidan knew he was being unreasonable. However, he just could not step over his own shadow and do something he thought should have more meaning.
"I didn't invite him into my room, you did." Ash gave his chair a kick as a grin spread on her face. "Take it like a man, go sort it out. If you don't want to fuck him..."
"Ash!"
"Then tell and get him out of my room. I'm not sleeping on a cot if my bed isn't occupied. Now go, big boy!"
Kaidan sighed in defeat, which was only too easy to accept. He was already half aroused simply thinking about the stranger waiting for him in Ashley's room. He emptied his jar and wiped his mouth in a manner that would shock his mother into unconsciousness and rose from the chair he was supposedly glued to. He felt Ash's boot nudge his ass as he passed. He set one foot after another on the stairs leading into the room and felt the judgment of his previous self burning down on him.
To Hell with it, he thought. At least he could have a little fun before things got worse.