Hi all!

Thank you so much for your response to my last chapter. I know now not to doubt the silence. You guys are amazing and your reviews are like candy. I am sorry that the updates for this story are a bit far between but I find it hard to juggle two stories at once. The other author's on this site must have super powers because I don't know how they are able to update so often :) Thanks for sticking with this story though!

Please forgive any mistakes!

Enjoy!


Derek felt a sensation sizzle through his body the moment his lips met the maiden's. The kiss was more wonderful than he could have ever expected. He reveled in her velvety soft skin as he sucked on her bottom lip with fervor. He could tell she was enjoying the moment because she never once tried to break the bond he had formed between them.

The prince, taking her lack of protest as a good sign, took his other hand and wrapped it around her waist in order to bring her closer. She responded to his touch by thrusting forth her tiny center into the crook of his own. The dress rustled between them as the material bunched up in resistance.

Derek could feel her part her lips in elation and took advantage of the opening. He slid his tongue inside her mouth and started to massage hers with his own. The prince was amazed at how sweet she tasted and was disappointed that this moment couldn't last forever.

"Prince Derek!" shrieked a high pitched voice as it ran around the corner.

The moment was ruined and the dance partners broke apart from their illicit kiss.

He heard the girl gasp as she realized what had just occurred. She raised her now free hand up to her face and touched the spot his lips had occupied moments ago. Derek was about to say something to her but Penelope careened into the hallway calling out his name again. He spun around to look at his friend, turning his back on the girl.

"My Prince! There you are! The cooks are about to bring out your cake. You need to come back to the party. What are you doing out here anyways?" she asked out of breath. Her eyes quickly took in the scene she was interrupting and watched wordlessly as Spencer slipped away when Derek was distracted.

"I was…I was…," Derek trailed off as he went to gesture at his mystery maiden and notice that she was no longer there. "I…um…was just getting a breath of fresh air. The Great Hall was entirely too stuffy after that dance," he finished lamely wondering where his future wife went.

"Well, take a deep breath and let's go. You are going to love the design they came up with this year!" she said enthusiastically.

"Um…alright. Oh, uh…Penelope who was the girl that was dancing as "Perseverance" in the play?" Derek asked on their way back to the Great Hall.

Penelope almost ground to a halt at the question and started to panic as she tried to come up with something believable to say.

"I don't remember. The room was so busy while we were getting dressed, I'm not sure who chose to put on that gown. Why?" she asked even though she knew the answer.

"Well, I was dancing with her at the end of the play and I was hoping to do it again tonight. She refused to tell me who she was though…," he explained.

"Oh…well, I'll ask Jennifer if she remembers who it was or you could see if she is still in the Great Hall and confront her again," she suggested.

Derek remained silent and brooded over the fact that he lost his chance to find out who the girl was. He knew it wasn't really Penelope's fault, but he couldn't help but blame her a little bit for interrupting the most amazing kiss he had ever experienced.

"Come on! Cheer up! You've got a whole night of celebrating ahead of you, and plenty of gorgeous girls waiting to dance with you!" Penelope said as she grabbed the crook of his arm and pulled her friend back to his party.

The prince allowed himself to be led back to the hall and took up his position on the dais next to his father. The trumpets sounded the second he sat on his throne and the doors in the back of the room flung open to reveal a large five tiered cake being wheeled in by the bakers. It was an amazing confection of sugar. Each tier was decorated like a crown and the cake topper was a sugared green emerald. He got up and ceremoniously cut the top layer and was greeted with cheers from the crowd. The cake was then wheeled away to be portioned and passed out to all the guests.

Derek, still feeling depressed at letting the girl get away, went back to his position at the head of the hall and sat down to watch the people dance.

"Why do you look so glum son?" King William asked when he noticed how forlorn his son looked.

"It's nothing father," Derek answered.

"Nonsense. Usually you are the life of the party. Now what happened to take the light out of your eyes?"

"Let's just say its lady problems," the prince answered hoping his father would drop the subject.

"Ahh…I see. Was it that fair maiden I saw you dancing with at the end of the play?"

"Yeah…she wouldn't tell me who she was and then she ran off on me. I didn't even get a chance to see her face," Derek told his father.

"Well surely someone knows who she is. Didn't your friends organize this whole thing? Go ask one of them," William directed.

"I did, but she said she didn't know who it was."

"Alright, I will set one of my men on the prowl to figure it out for you," the king offered.

"No, that's alright. If she isn't interested in me than I don't want to force it. Anyways, I'll be back at the castle in a week. I'm sure I'll meet someone just as enchanting among the courtiers there," Derek said not believing his own words.

"That's the spirit, son. Besides, if the girl was stupid enough to pass up the prince of the realm than she probably isn't worth your trouble anyways."

"Yeah…I think I'm going to go back to my chambers. It's been a long day and I'm not up for anymore celebrating," Derek said as he stood up and the music stopped in acknowledgement.

All the people in the room bowed and waited for their prince to speak, thinking he was going to give some sort of birthday speech.

"My people. Thank you for joining me in celebrating my coming of age. I am tired out from all the activities of the day and will retire from you now. Please, do not stop the celebration on my part. I order you to continue the revels well into the night. Goodnight," Derek announced before he made his way out of the room.

Once the prince got out into the hallway alone he made a beeline for the exit. He wasn't ready to go back to his chambers just yet. He knew that the only thing that was going to take his mind off of his earlier encounter was seeing his best friend. Spencer always knew how to cheer him up. Anyways, his birthday wouldn't be complete if he didn't celebrate a little bit with his best friend.


Spencer's body was on fire with passion. The one thing he longed most for in the world was happening to him right out in the open hallway. He loved the strong grip that Derek had on his chin and the force of the prince's plump lips pushing into his own. The thing that almost put him over the edge was when his best friend's hand wrapped around his waist and pulled him close. A thrill of intimacy crashed through his body along with a little bit of fear. Would Derek be able to feel his arousal?

The slave's favorite moment was when Derek turned up the passion in their kiss. It was a new and thrilling experience to feel someone else's tongue in his mouth. He loved the way his friend dominated him orally by massaging his tongue with the power and strength only desire could invoke. Spencer felt himself losing control over his thoughts and was brought back to reality when he heard Penelope's screech filling the hall.

Spencer felt stupefied for a few moments after their kiss was broken. He traced his hands along his lips still feeling traces of Derek's commanding caress. All of a sudden his mind was assaulted with the implications of what could happen if the prince discovered it was him. So he took advantage of Penelope's sudden entrance and slipped off down the hall before Derek could even realize he left.

The scared slave quickly made his way back up to the girl's changing room and set to work on pulling off all the constricting garments. It took him a few moments to realize that his face was wet with tears. At some point he had started crying. Sniffling, Spencer rushed to rip the cowl and wig from his head. He placed them on the bed with all the other accessories and then changed back into his livery.

He peaked out the door to check if the coast was clear. Seeing no signs of life, the boy crept out of the room and quietly closed the door. Spencer decided not to go to his secret vantage point to watch the rest of the party. Instead, the boy chose to go back to the barn and settle in for the night.

The walk back to his bed was cold and lonely. He wrapped his limber arms around his torso trying to conserve some warmth and sped up his pace. As he approached the barn he could hear voices and knew they were the king's guards. Deciding that it was in his best interest to avoid them, the slave took the long route through the garden.

Unfortunately, Spencer's luck had run out for the day and he ran into the imposing men the second he emerged from the hedges.

"And who is this?" the first guard sneered at seeing the lanky youth with a tear streaked face.

"I'm not sure George, but he sure is pretty," the second guard leered as the two approached their prey.

Spencer froze in his stance and stared at the ground wishing the men would go away.

"You're right Frank. I would have thought he was a girl if it wasn't for his uniform," the one called George said as he grabbed Spencer's chin the same way Derek had earlier.

The frightened boy tried not to make eye contact with George but didn't have a choice as the man manipulated this face with his harsh grip.

"What are you doing out here boy? Shouldn't all servants be inside helping with the prince's party?" Frank asked as he came over to stand next to George.

Spencer was too frightened to speak. He had no idea what these men had in store for him but he was sure it wouldn't be pleasant.

"Didn't you hear my friend boy? You are supposed to answer when a superior asks you a question," George demanded as he tightened his grip and reached his other hand up and enveloped the slave's neck in his beefy palm.

A whimper escaped Spencer's lips as he tried to formulate a response, "I'm a slave. I can't help with the party…so…so I'm going to bed."

"Bed? But the night is still young. No…we couldn't possibly let you go to bed so earlier. Right George?" Frank said as he good-naturedly elbowed George in the ribs.

"Your right Frank. We can't let the boy miss a good time. Come on kid. I know of an excellent place that we can go and have a good time," George said as he used his grip on the boy's neck to steer him into the same barn Spencer was trying to go to in the first place.

Frank followed the two and closed the barn doors behind the trio. He quickly lit some of the lamps hanging from the stall supports. The light casted eerie shadows all about the space and caused it to look more sinister than it had in the pitch black.

"Please, I just want to go to sleep," Spencer sniveled knowing that the two men weren't about to let him go.

"And you will, after we have our fun," Frank laughed as he watched George use his free hand to open one of the empty stalls.

Spencer was thrown to the ground and landed on his hands and knees. Tears were cascading down his face as he anticipated what was about to happen. He tried to crawl away into the corner of the stall but was stopped when someone pulled his ankle back in a tight grip.

"Now where do you think you're going?" one of men asked as they both laughed at the slave's pathetic escape attempt.

"Just leave me alone or else I'll tell the prince!" Spencer cried as he was dragged backwards and flipped over onto his back.

"Ha! Why would the prince care about a slave?" Frank asked as he kneeled with Spencer's head between his knees. Then he grabbed both of Spencer's hands and brought them up by his knees. He proceeded to crush the boy's wrists down into the ground as he tightened his knees on either side of his captive's head.

"I'm his friend," Spencer spat out in panic as he struggled against the vicelike grasp that had control over his hands.

"Not bloody likely," George said as he started to remove the boy's breeches.

Spencer started to kick out his legs and twisted his body from side to side. "No! Help! Someone help me!" he shouted knowing that there was no one nearby to come to his aid.

George, fed up with the kids pleads got up and left the stall for a few seconds. Spencer still struggled against Frank's hands, but he was no match for the beefed up guard.

His second assaulter came back moments later with something in his hands, "This should shut the kid up."

In his hand he held a leather horse's bit in his hand with a buckle. The man forced the leather into Spencer's mouth and finagled the equipment until he had secured it well enough to keep the kid silent. He then went back to his earlier mission of removing the boy's clothing.

Spencer, humiliated and scared couldn't stop the sobs from escaping his mouth around the gag. His face was soaking wet with tears that wouldn't stop flowing out of his eyes. He closed his brown orbs wishing that by blocking out his sight he could block out his assault.

"Come on George, hurry up. I want a turn too!" Frank urged his friend.

"I am! Don't rush me. I want to enjoy this. Just keep him still," the stronger man ordered.

Frank huffed in response and tightened his grip on the boy.

Spencer squeezed his eyes shut and continued to let out muffled sobs and protests. He could feel something probing his nether region, a sensation he had never experienced before. He let out a loud moan when the presence of a bulbous piece of flesh lined up with his backside.


Derek shivered and pulled his cape closed as he hurried off toward the barn. He could see the soft glow of light emanating from his destination and hoped that Spencer hadn't fallen asleep yet. Once he got to the barn he quietly opened the doors, not wanting to wake his friend if he was already slumbering.

The second he closed the doors behind his body he could tell that something was wrong. There was a soft whimpering sound coming from the back of the barn. Was Spencer hurt? Perhaps his friend was being plagued by a nightmare.

The prince crept along cautiously and drew the sword on his hip when he heard an unfamiliar voice say, "Don't rush me. I want to enjoy this. Just keep him still."

Fear coursed through Derek's body as he quickened his step toward the voices. The closer he got the clearer the sobs sounded. Without waiting for further confirmation that something dastardly was about to occur the prince pushed open the stall door and was met with his worst nightmare.

Strewn out on the hay was his best friend restrained and gagged by two of his father's guards. He could see the salty line of tears track down the beautifully frightened face.

"What is this? I demand that you stop now!" Derek shouted as he saw the bottomless man about to thrust into Spencer.

Both guards jumped to their feet and saluted the prince. Spencer stayed spread out in the straw with his eyes clenched shut.

"My prince! To what do we owe this honor?" the man that had been holding down Spencer yelped.

"I was on my way to see my friend and I come upon this! What did you think you were doing?" Derek demanded looking at the exposed man with vehemence.

"I was…my prince…I was just going to have some fun with this slave," George sputtered bringing his hand down to cover his crotch.

"That slave happens to be my friend. And I know for a fact that he would not want to participate in the fun you were about to force on him," he yelled in his most authoritative voice.

"We're sorry, my Lord. We honestly didn't think anyone would care what happened to a slave," Frank explained.

"So you thought just because of his rank it would be okay to rape him? He is a human being. No one deserves that!"

"But…my Lord, your father has never had an issue with this before," George said.

"I am not my father and this is my manor. You will leave this place now! I will tell my father that I have banished you from my premises. Now get out of my sight," he yelled.

"But it's so cold outside. Where will we sleep your highness?" Frank asked stupidly.

"Sleep? I don't care. You have insulted me and my friend. Sleep in the forest for all I care. Perhaps the wolves will come and keep you warm throughout the night," Derek replied in a cold tone as he pointed at the door.

The two men collected their belongings and bowed down again in a show of respect before exiting the barn.

Derek called out after them for good measure, "You're lucky you are my father's men. If you had been under my rule your heads would have been rolling by tomorrow afternoon!"

As the door slammed closed behind the men Derek collapsed to his knees and gently cupped Spencer's face.

"Open your eyes Spencer. Let me see your eyes," Derek encouraged as worry gnawed at his gut.

Spencer cracked his eyes open and another stream of discharged escaped his control.

"Good…good. Let me get this off of you," he said quietly as he undid the bit from his friend's mouth. "Did they hurt you?"

Spencer, embarrassed that the love of his life had to see him in such a compromising situation just shook his head.

"Here, let's get your pants back on you."

The slave struggled to put his clothes back on and then brought his knees up to his chest. He wrapped his arms around them and hid his face in the space between them.

"Come on Spencer, say something," Derek encouraged.

"I'm sorry," the kid mumbled.

"What? What are you sorry for?"

"I should have never let them catch me. I tried to avoid them on my way here, but when I walked out of the garden hedge they were right there," he explained from between his knees.

"You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm the one who is sorry for how my dad lets his men act," the prince said with shame filling his voice.

"You can't help that. Your dad doesn't see any value in a slave. Why should he care what happens to one?"

Derek, knowing that Spencer was right, let the subject go.

Moments a quiet, "Thank you," came from his best friend's lips.

Derek just nodded in responds and stood up. He placed his hand on his friend's shoulder and said, "Let's get out of this stall."

Puzzled, Spencer looked up at his friend with questioning eyes.

"We're going back to my room. My father be damned. You don't deserve to sleep out here. Now come with me."

The boys made their way back to the castle in silence. Derek, knowing that his friend was still in shock from what almost happened to him, removed his cloak and spread it over Spencer's shoulders. Their ascent up the stairs and through the corridors was uninterrupted. They finally made it to Derek's chambers and the prince escorted Spencer into his bedroom.

The gallant young man locked the thick oak doors behind him to ensure no one would disturb the two for the rest of the night. The slave was steered toward a chair by the already crackling fire and Derek sat in the one opposite of him.

The two sat in silence for a long time and it was Derek who finally broke the peace, "I'm so glad I left the party early."

Spencer looked away from the mesmerizing flames and asked, "Why did you?"

"I wanted to come see you. It wouldn't have been a good birthday if I didn't get to spend some time with my best friend…and I would be lying if I didn't mention that I was hoping you could help me get over the first rejection I've ever experienced in my life," Derek clarified.

Spencer's face scrunched up in confusion, "Rejection?"

"Yeah, you wouldn't believe it. We were dancing in the play and at the end I got to choose my dance partner. So I made my way over to this captivating girl. I don't know why she was so attractive. I just can't explain it, but I knew I had to dance with her. Spencer, it was amazing. She moved so fluidly with me. It was like we were meant to be together. I couldn't stop staring into the depths of her big brown eyes throughout the whole tune. When the music ended I was speechless but I knew I had to find out who she was. She tried to leave without telling me who she was but I grabbed her wrist to stop her. Then I thought that maybe she was just scared of me and the large crowd watching us. So I decided to take her away from everyone's prying eyes. I was so caught up in finding out who she was I almost forced her up here without a proper escort to keep her honor intact. She stopped me in the hallway and protested us being alone and I conceded that she was right. She tried to leave me again and I stopped her. I tried to get her to tell me who she was but she said that she would get in trouble. She almost got away again, but I stopped her with a kiss. It was the most amazing moment of my life. And I could tell she liked it to because she didn't try to pull away from me. Unfortunately, Penelope interrupted us and she ran off without another word. Now I don't know who she is and I'll never get to find out if she was my dream girl," Derek finished his tale with sorrow etching his voice.

Silence dominated the room and Derek looked up, surprised that Spencer hadn't said anything of comfort to him.

He was surprised to find his friend had tears once again trailing down his dirty face.

Derek abruptly stood up from his seat and got closer to his friend. He once again grabbed the slave's chin and inspected his visage. It wasn't dirt that was marring his friend's smooth skin but make-up. Derek traced his thumb through the streaks of powder and removed his hand to inspect it. He looked at the whipping boy closer and his eyes caught on something sparkling in the boy's hair. He reached out his hand and grasped one of the glittering jewels that Spencer had forgotten to remove earlier. He rolled the diamond chip about in his palm and narrowed his eyes, "What is this?"

Spencer, realizing what Derek had retrieved from his hair allowed his eyes to widen in fear. How could he have been so stupid to have forgotten those accessories? His rattled eyes met his savior's and they both stared at each other.

Derek scrutinized the chocolaty orbs carefully before the answer dawned on him.

"It was you," he quietly whispered in disbelief.