Here is a connector for the rest of this arc

Honey Glayzed 35

Drumroll Please

"Hey, Randy," Ryo paused as the feminine voice called his name. "I can call you Ryo? That's what your friends call you, right?" Ryo heard the splash and turned to see the other five chefs lounging in rec room. April was getting into the hot tub her bikini showing off her slender form to perfection. "We are all going to celebrate, why don't you join us?"

Ryo held up his book shaking his head. Sam sighed at the pleased smile from Bobby who dropped his towel and sat in the warm, bubbling water. "What? Are you afraid we'll laugh at your pasty white skin? None of us has seen any sun lately, so you might as well join us. Or do you come from the chicken kingdom and not the dragon kingdom?"

"My grandmother has eaten people for such comments." Ryo muttered with a laugh surprised that he found the thought humorous. He had been so discombobulated when Torcha had first eaten Don Magely that now it all seemed so ridiculous. Ryo was walking by the hot tub when a splash of warm water came across his legs. "Fine, fine," Ryo was laughing as he backed away. His playful dark eyes enchanted April as she stared at his blooming cheeks and long hair that was usually pulled back in a ponytail during the cooking parts of the show. She was aware of the camera on her and posed angling her body so that Ryo and the crew could see her in the best position. "I'll go put this away and put on some shorts."

"Don't do me any favors," April said under her breath. Ryo's dragon senses caught the words and he was quite red as he hurried to change.

Break

George was humming as he pulled the blankets up around Wali. Hard to believe he was born before I was, George thought looking at the pale face, so drawn and young. George pulled the satin robe he wore closer to his body after moving the school book onto the shelf next to the bed. Wali's parents had wanted him to learn all about human and human behavior and he studied diligently. "Such a good boy." George turned out the small lamp then left. He had gone up to make sure that Wali was alright and found him sprawled on the bed fast asleep.

"Georgie?" George paused when he saw Nari on the stairs with Jhaymes long sword. "No!" Nari exploded then hushed his voice to a whisper when George shook his head and nodded to Wali's room. "Oh," Nari whispered. "Jhaymes is not going on a mission; I am just keeping his weapons cleaned and sharp as is my duty as his squire." George nodded then headed down the stairs. He trailed his hand down the oak hand rail of the stairs marveling at the hard wood. It was so different from the white marble and soft gauze of his Arcadian palace home. It was not as big as Zarro's palace, but what else could he call the elegant structure that Jhaymes had built for him.

Reaching for the pot of fine porcelain, George was humming softly. He pulled down the green tea that Jhaymes loved while getting the chai for himself. Life was so simple now. There were no big parties every night and no one screaming outside the windows. Was he really happy back then? George had thought so. Maybe he was. But now that he was older, perhaps different things made him happy. Hearing footsteps coming from the red-room and gym in the basement, George's heart grew lighter as it always did at Jhaymes approach.

Those strong arms around him offered strength and support, unlike anything that he had ever experienced. On the stairs heading down with a bowl full of fresh, shelled pistachios Nari paused. He could sense the heat in the room below, Jhaymes wanted to be alone. Nari went back upstairs where he had Jhaymes double hook swords to polish and sharpen.

George leaned back into Jhaymes feeling safe. The Arcadian Knight reached around him to place the tea pot on the fire that leaped in greeting. "The fire is happy to see you." George backed closer into Jhaymes arms.

"Is the fire alone in its happiness?" Jhaymes lowered his head to sniff the hair of his love.

"You know better," George sighed at the need to hold Jhaymes close even as he moved to get biscuits to have with their tea.

"George, how about you turn the fire off and come upstairs?" Jhaymes said. George could feel the heat of Jhaymes stare. It was almost as if fingers caressed him even through his clothes. George realized Jhaymes was singing to him even as his body flushed in response. When George melted, Jhaymes was there to catch him and carry him to their bedroom. This strength always held George, never hurt him. Their room was pale white and blue. It was a smaller version of their palace home. Jhaymes had offered to have their bedroom door be the door connecting their home to Arcadia, but George had declined. The smaller room had a certain charm to it. Count D had made sure that Wali would not be disturbed by his foster parents so there was really no need.

"Are you going to put me down?" George asked when Jhaymes held him in their bedroom. Jhaymes thought about it. He should put George down and undress him fully. Then he could take him to bed and make sweet love to him. Jhaymes smirked yanking the large shirt from George. George heard the rip of his clothes and gasped. He should be upset about the garment but instead his blood heated even more at the passion smoldering in Jhaymes eyes. Flames coursed along his legs making him glad to be immune to Jhaymes flames. His pants fell away leaving not a cinder behind, even his underwear were gone. George rested in Jhaymes arms knowing without the feel of the taut flesh surrounding him that Jhaymes clothes had met a similar fate.

"Tell me what you want," Jhaymes' request slid along George in the musical tones of the phoenix. A language that George had not mastered but he knew what Jhaymes wanted.

"I want to feel you on and in every inch of me. Can you do that?" George asked his light colored eyes closed in bliss as Jhaymes lips marked his neck. "Can you brand me with you?"

"Haven't I?" Jhaymes traced his tongue along the markings on George's neck that proclaimed to anyone who could read it that he belonged to Jhaymes. The tongue traveled down to the collar bone, kisses and nibbles, licks and sucks until he found that sensitive peak that he tortured. George gasped at the heat that surrounded his nipples from Jhaymes mouth and fingers. "You are mine," The words seemed to speak themselves across George's skin. Jhaymes licked his way down until he was faced with the hardness of his lover.

Jhaymes blew a warm breath before his tongue reached out. George moaned his love's name as he was bathed with sensual pleasure. George's cries built as Jhaymes became lost in the taste, scent, and feel of the man he craved. George's reached a crescendo when his legs were pushed up and Jhaymes bathed his innermost reaches. Jhaymes smiled, his fingers beginning to join in the fun, opening George to further exploration and delight. "fill me," George trembled with need. "Jhaymes, I need you." His body wept with the need he proclaimed. Jhaymes could not deny George anything. He reached for he nightstand and found the lubrication. George knew that it would be warmed when it touched his skin and so it was. "Oh... Jhaymes..." George lost the ability to speak as he was slowly, deliciously filled.

George raised his hips meeting each thrust. He promised to offer more to Jhaymes for stimulation at their next lovemaking, but he needed this. Jhaymes thrust, building passion and speed. The bed rocked with their joy. "Georgie..." Jhaymes could feel the end near and though he wanted to slow down and savor, he could only reach for the peak in George's arms. George could feel the explosion and his own bathed them both. "I love you..." Jhaymes whispered buried in George's neck

"And I you," George affirmed. He was not shocked at the firmness that continued to fill him and knew he was in for a long night.

Break

Jill pulled her body from underneath the dead weight of Mykial. "Oh... Mykial... What happened?" Jill attempted to grasp Mykial's arm in support. Her hand slipped free from the copious blood pouring from his side and other wounds Jill looked but could not see them all. Mykial opened one eye and moved his mouth as if to speak. Jill fell to her bottom again and crawled over watching the crimson flood sink into the hard wood of her floors. "Mykial!" Jill screamed at the lack of pulse from his slack form.

"I've been dead for about a month now," Jill gasped at the pained laugh. "Stop searching for a pulse."

"Who...Sniffle... Who do I call? What do I do?" Jill pulled her shirt off to wrap around his middle as it seemed that was the most grievous injury. Looking at the jagged pieces of skin sending forth blood onto her and the floor Jill gasped. The way the wound interlocked, it almost seemed as if... "Something bit you."

"Kind of... strange, huh?" Mykial coughed raising his hand to catch the blood. Jill wiped her hands on her pants and pulled her cell phone to call the consulate. It was the only place she could think of that would have a physician that would know what to do with a wounded vampire. She had heard all about how the Royale had first brought lady Aurora to Arcadia after her lair had been destroyed. "For a biter to be bitten..." Mykial closed his eyes falling limp into her lap.

Break

"Breathe." April gasped at the word that was whispered in her ear as Ryo approached the hot tub in a pair of black and gold trunks. The black fabric seemed to make his pale skin gleam while the gold showed of it's gold undertones.

"Holy shit," April breathed the words watching as his abs worked while he ascended the stairs to get into the hot water. "Is it just me or did the water just get hotter?" April said aloud scooting closer to where Ryo sat in the water. Ryo checked to make sure that the temperature was not responding to him. The water was heated by electricity not natural fire, there was no way it was him. She was flirting with him.

At his look for help Sam grinned. "So Ryo," Sam grinned at the opportunity to set April back and snip at Bobby. "Your husband, Dee, he buys you bouquets. My wife mentioned it to me after watching some documentary."

Ryo blushed yet his eyes shone his thanks and April backed away at the reminder when Ryo held up his hand gazing with love at his wedding band. "He reminds me often that he loves me and appreciates me."

"Yeah, tell him thanks a lot when you get home." Sam groused with a good-natured laugh. "Now my wife expects the same." Sam leaned back sipping his beer. Ryo wrinkled his nose at the smell. He settled more into the water enjoying its soothing heat. Ryo pulled the band from his hair letting it down to hid his face as April, though she had moved, continued to stare at him. "I am going to have to get something done to my hair."

"It's so pretty," April reached out to touch Ryo's hair but he caught her hand. "I was just going to see how soft it is."

"If you are going to touch something it is best you ask permission first of the person it belongs to." Ryo offered a smile then closed his legs tight on the hand that was rubbing his thigh from the shadow his body made in the pool. "And at the moment, Dee is unavailable to consider your request."

"You belong to him?" April frowned. She took her hand back amazed that the firm grip had not hurt at all. April gasped, sinking into the dark abyss of Ryo's eyes. "Is that an Arcadian thing. Even married couples are their own person."

"It is indeed a mark of my heritage," Ryo leaned back when he felt her blood rise the more he looked at her. Sam too stared at Ryo finding this information as fascinating as the others. Even Bobby, though he pretended interest in his beer listened as the quiet detective spoke. "From the top of my head to the soles of my feet, this dragon prince has been claimed, conquered and subdued." Thinking of Dee caused a sensual timbre to enter Ryo's voice. April shivered at the sound. "I submit to a mightier foe."

"He fought you?" April asked. Her disgust with the apparent barbarism of the foreign land clear in her tone.

"No," Ryo shook his head his cheeks turning red, whether from the heat or embarrassment, he could not tell. "He fought for me. My family tried to keep him away and he made it through. There is no better sense of being cherished than watching the man you love battle for the right to have you all to himself."

"Your family adopted that singer, right?" Bobby spoke up, no longer able to pretend to not be listening.

"You mean Georgie, er... Boy George," Ryo nodded. "It was one of my responsibilities as a prince to defend him against Jhaymes when he claimed him.

"So," Bobby spoke again his grin turning into a leer. "If you are already a prince and a detective what the hell do you want with a restaurant in jolly old London?"

"Good question," Ryo smirked. "I am competing just like all of you," Ryo stood and April forgot how to breathe as the water slid down his body. The wet shorts clung to him showing off the roundness of his bottom before he wrapped a thick towel around his waist.

"I think there is a quarter in my pants pocket if you want to try to bounce it off," Sam said in a stage whisper. Ryo whipped around his face crimson as Sam laughed. "Oh sorry, you heard me," Sam laughed when Ryo did. Ryo shook his head at the man's teasing then headed back to his room for his book. He had to know what Serina wanted. She would have to find a better way of getting his attention. If Dee knew she was petting him, he would be livid. And Ryo did not want to contemplate what would happen if Mihnea thought Ryo was encouraging her.

"He knows better," Serina's laugh was just low enough that it did not reach the cameras. He found the shadow that she was coming from. "I have a message from Wyld Wynd. Soon the typhoon will come." Ryo frowned at her words. If something was wrong with Rain Dee was nearest to him. Dee was the one who would have to. "The storm is yet brewing, you will be there in time." Ryo wanted to ask her what she meant, but knew that she could not answer, Wyld Wynd would have told her no more. Such was his way. With a sigh, Ryo stepped into the shower after first scenting the are. He smiled, Serina was gone, so at least he would be afforded his privacy. The next few days were guaranteed to be difficult.

Break

"This night is alive with the smell of insane. It's reaching for me and its calling my name. I beg for silence to drown out their weep. How did this asylum become where I sleep?" Rain looked up when Cory entered the room. Cory sat on a chair his eyes on Rain. "What?" Rain asked when Cory did not move or speak.

"Your new lyrics," Cory said. "Nestoir has convinced Daphnus that you record them as soon as possible. He is really excited. Cory waved his hand until his guitar appeared in much the same way as his scythe did. "Let's work this one through and we can start recording it with the rest of them. Bikky looked in from the kitchen, listening to his brother sing brought him joy at the beauty of his voice but sadness at the despair that he could feel in the lyrics. This was the last week and Ryo would be home. But, Bikky perked up, he had not told his brother that they were going to see him tonight. If Bikky was right, and Nestoir was planning to capitalize on Rain's depression without Ryo, he had better record before lunch time.

Break

Ryo left the booth with the camera crew after giving his interview. How he missed his family. Ryo went back upstairs to the room. He had a few moments before he was set to go downstairs for the daily challenge. He would use those few moments. Ryo was glad to see that the large room was empty. He sat on the bed feeling his heart carry the weight of lead in his chest. Ryo pulled his photo book out and flipped through the pages. "Are you alright?" Sam entered the room. "I was just coming up because you are usually downstairs before the challenge starts, now you may make it down with the rest of us." Sam chuckled a bit then handed Ryo a handkerchief. "Hey, think about it this way?" Ryo looked up after he had wiped his face and blew his nose. He thought of Dee holding the tissue for him in Detroit when he had felt so lost inside. "You are doing this to help your family. At this point in the game, even if we don't make it to number one, prestigious restaurants and hotels see what we can do. We survived Chef Ramsey so we can survive anything."

"If you think Chef Ramsey is bad, you should try working for Zarro and Laton." Ryo chuckled a bit then finished cleaning his face. " We should go if we want to make it in time." Ryo got to his feet then headed to the door. He looked back at Sam where he sat looking at a picture of his wife. "Thank you."

Sam nodded and sat his picture aside. He got to his feet taking his own words to heart. "So," Sam said as he and Ryo walked downstairs. "Is the High King of Arcadia really crazy?" Ryo's laughter was infectious as they entered the kitchen to find Chef Ramsey standing with several covered trays. "I am sure you were all expecting to be cooking right now. What we are doing is testing your pallet." Ryo sighed as he saw that each of the six tables had two covered dishes on them. "How many of you smoke?" Chef Ramsey asked, Ryo stood still as three of the remaining six chefs raised their hands. "Well then," Chef Ramsey shook his head. "I recreated the dish that you made as your signature dish on your very first day. As you can see there are two of them. Your job is to find the one that is made correctly and tell me what I did different in the other one."

As the other Chefs walked over to the tables after the dishes were uncovered Ryo inhaled. He walked over to his table and smelled both plates. While he other chefs were tasting, he closed his eyes and sniffed each plate. Ryo picked up the fork and tasted the first one. It was a great rendition of his dish. Aromatic and flavorful, it filled his mouth almost as if he had made it himself. Almost. The second dish caused him to pause. Chef Ramsey watched with an appreciative eye as Ryo tasted the dish again then sat his fork down. "What did I do differently and how could you tell?" Chef Ramsey walked over to him before the other chefs had finished their dish tasting.

"The color on this one is darker and the smell is a bit richer," Ryo pointed to the dish that was altered. "It also has the classic saltiness of soy sauce. That is what you added to the terryaki."

Chef Ramsey nodded his head in appreciation of Ryo's skill more than to answer his statement. "Impressive." Ryo stood beside his table of dishes until the other Chefs had made their selections. Ryo was secretly rooting for Sam and was happy to see his new friend succeed. While Ryo did like his easy-going manner, he suspected that Sam was his only way out of winning this contest. "I would like you all to walk over here for a moment and stand here." Chef Ramsey indicated a dais that was in full view of the front doors. "Alright Philippe," Chef Ramsey nodded to his maitre'd. "Open Hell's Kitchen for lunch." Ryo gasped sure that he would have to cook with no preparation then felt his heart stop as Dee walked into the restaurant.

The air in Ryo's lungs deserted him. "Oh my God," Ryo stood rooted to the spot. His mind seemed to be playing with him. Was this real? His eyes went to Chef Ramsey then back to the door. Dee? Was Dee really walking to him. Ryo tried to take a step towards the man he loved only to see Bikky, Rain and Lyo behind him. Ryo's hands were covering his face even as his knees went weak. Dee was at his side holding him up. "Oh... Dee..." Ryo could say no more. Dee had never been ashamed of his love for Ryo and was proud to display it before all. With the confidence of a man sure of his love, he kissed Ryo. The shy beauty did not avert his mouth but pressed his lips, open and willing, to Dee. This was his home. Right here in Dee's arms is where he had always belonged.

"Share," Bikky butted his way in between them. He felt good just being able to smell Ryo again. Ryo's head just passed Bikky's shoulder but still the strength of his father brought a certain joy to his heart. When he had room he moved aside so that Rain and Lyo could wedge in. Dee turned a surprising shade of red when he realized that he had been blocking his sons' reach to Ryo. "Come on," Bikky said when Rain teared up. "I'm hungry."

The family all gathered at their table as the waiters began serving the lunch. Rain dove into his plate excited to be eating Ryo's fresh cooking again. The reheated meals were good but nothing beat fresh from the oven. Rain dropped his fork after one bite. "You didn't make that." Rain sipped at his water then stared at his plate as if it had betrayed him.

Chef Ramsey, watching the interaction, raised his brows. He had watched the tape in the office of each recipe until he was sure he could recreate it. Chef Ramsey walked over to the table. "How do you know who cooked it?"

Rain looked up, heavy khol lining his deep, yet bright green eyes. "Everything Ryo makes for us," Bikky smirked as he sipped his soda. "Is coated with a heavy covering of love. It permeates the steam that rises and each bite just tastes like home." Rain leaned over until his head was on Ryo's shoulder. "And when you're done with him, we'll take him back." Rain smiled as Chef Ramsey inclined his head. It wasn't just on television. That boy really was beautiful. His daughter had posters all over the place in her bedroom of him and his entire band. One poster featured Rain standing on top of an outcropping rocks jutting out over a black mountain landscape that Ramsey had not been able to identify. Rain wore large black wings while the rest of the band stood on rocks around him with their instruments. With his black clothes and make-up he resembled a dark angel. That smile he treated Ramsey to was full of mischief yet was engaging. Ramsey shook his head as Rain sighed and began to eat his meal. "Can't wait for the real thing, but I suppose this will do." Ramsey was laughing as he went back to the kitchen.

Dee lifted the fork and fed Ryo. "Tell me what has been going on at home," Ryo said after he swallowed.

"I lost a tooth," Lyo grinned to show Ryo the new gap in his mouth. "I wanted it to wait for you to get home but Dee said that when nature calls it calls." Ryo nodded patting the little blond head. "And when you do get back, can we build a treehouse? And I want to learn to ride a bike without trainers."

"Breathe in between please," Bikky chuckled. " I rejoined the basketball team, need something to keep me occupied."

"What about your training?" Ryo asked allowing Dee to hold his cup to his lips for a drink.

"It's on hold for a bit," Dee said giving Ryo a deep look. "Mykial was attacked, they are looking for the person responsible."

"Person," Ryo muttered then accepted another bite. "Rain?"

"A lot of music, Cory came back for about a day, then he was gone again," Rain said moving his food around on his plate. "But we got a lot of stuff recorded today before he left again with Ponchi. And I wrote a few songs with Daphnus"

"A few?" Ryo raised a brow.

"Want to hear one? I wrote it before you left," Ryo knew there was significance in the words but he just nodded. "It's called Mother Earth. I will sing it at the opening for the Life Fest that we are having." Ryo raised a brow but sighed. He was sure that there were many plans that he was unaware of. With Arcadia, miss a day, miss a lot, he was almost done missing an entire month. Rain pushed his half-eaten plate aside then took a deep breath. Dee placed a kiss on Ryo's cheek glad to have him so near. "Birds and butterflies, rivers and mountains she creates," The restaurant silenced as the beautiful boy sang. "But you'll never know the next move she'll make. You can try but it is useless to ask why." Chef Ramsey stopped speaking as it registered that the sound was coming from the table where everyone was staring. "Cannot control her, She goes her own way."

Bobby looked up from his wife and daughter to stare at the boy with the voice of an angel. Rain sang on with Bikky glowering at the man he knew had been giving Ryo trouble. Ryo had not said anything but the looks he had been sending their way since they arrived spoke volumes. " She rules until the end of time. She gives and she takes. She rules until the end of time. She goes her own way."

From his table with his wife, Sam smiled over at Ryo and saw that his plate and Dee's were almost empty and yet Ryo had not raised a hand to feed himself. Rain continued to entrance the gathered families. "With every breath and all the choices that we make, We are only passing through on her way. I find my strength believing that your soul lives on." Sam handed his wife a handkerchief when she sniffled. As a longtime fan of the Arcadian's she knew the young man's mother was deceased, yet she never knew much else about his particular case."Until the end of time I'll carry it with me."

Hell's Kitchen had never seen such a glimpse of Heaven, Jean-Phillip thought while listening to the young man. Rain took a breath and went on. " Once you will know my dear, you don't have to fear. A new beginning always starts at the end. Until the end of time...She goes her own way" Rain finished his song with a smile on his face. "It is a collaboration with X-Ta-C and Slash. It starts out with a madrigal opening then Cory and the guys come in. It seems odd in concept, but is beautiful when you hear it together. The two bands have a unique sound together."

"Everything Arcadia does is unique," Ryo laughed wiping the tears from his eyes. "Did you finish the song for the movie?"

"Yeah, I am singing it at the opening for the movie. The premier is in a couple of weeks, you'll be there right?" Rain's voice held steady even as his eyes glistened.

"I will," Ryo promised lowering Rains head to place a kiss on his brow. He held the pose long enough to Rain to take a few breathes and smile again. "I'll be there."

"Prom is in a few days," Bikky said. "Laton said Dee can place our crowns since he is your consort." Ryo knew his heart would break as prom cam and went and he could not place the crowns on their heads himself. A formal event called for it and yet he would not be there. Once again, Ryo cursed the criminal who dared cause a need for him to be away from his family. Ryo affirmed that Chef Ramsey would live and this criminal would go down. He would pay for all the pain he had caused to Ryo's family. As time came for them to say their good byes Ryo looked to Dee with the heat of a promise. Dee grinned, he would hold him to it.

To Be Continued... I promise

Chi