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The acidic weaselly faced man called Owen was actually a healer, sent to find someone that might suit as a match for his prince. He had expected an array of servants and village folk to troll through in the pitiful hopes of finding someone that the prince might find likable.

However….

The young man in the courtyard with that fucking huge horse had taken Owen's eye the moment he alighted from the carriage nod he had turned to stare at the pretty creature… and his horse. He was thin… not skinny though… Owen's trained eye saw a fighter's build. Or a dancer maybe… clearly someone fit and capable of holding their own. Had to be to control a monster like that.

Owen had heard of Fire Mounts. Horses with dragon blood in their DNA. Only the most determined and powerful can even get near them.

When the young man had followed them into the Main Room and then announced himself as a fellow prince… well… Owen had been hard pressed not to punch the air with glee. Holy fuckballs. Now THAT was unexpected.

This was more than he could have hoped for. Royal blood trumped anything else… this man would not only quicken the beloved prince so poorly in his chambers, but this Royal Line was known for their longevity. Bar a blade to the heart, this young wraith of a man has a life expectancy at least four to five times that of their kind. Joining the two bloods would ensure the good prince would rein one day and for many days after.

As they travelled Owen had been both surprised and touched to have been offered a horse instead of the sticky carriage, the rolling movement making him a little ill... not to mention the company. All loyal servants of the royal house who liked him as much as he liked them.

The large lump of horses coming with them were clearly his pets, clearly royal blood and also… clearly Fire Blood. Also, a boon for the bloodlines there.

Owen rode his horse close to the Fire Mount and looked up at the man on its back. Ianto looked like a child in comparison and as he turned to look down at Owen there was a ghost of a smile. Really… he was very easy on the eye. Prince Jackson would be relieved. Also… a male. Something not talked about much but Prince Jackson did like his men as much of not more than his women and another for the harem would not go amiss.

Hell … he might even make this one part of his court. Bonded, he would be kept close right?

"You seem distracted Lord Harper"

"Huh?"

"Your horse is terrified of mine yet it is loyal enough to come close to its big cousin. Tell me sir… what is it you want to ask but hesitate?" Ianto leaned down so Owen could see those stormy eyes bore into him.

"My prince is a ladies' man… a man's man too. He already has a couple of wives and had spoken of a husband or two as well for his harem. Your kind… do they… ah…."

"Yes. We do have harems too. We just don't call them that. My father the King… my mother is his queen as his chosen wife but he had three other wives in the recesses of the palace. I am one of eighteen children, the youngest late life surprise not only for my sudden appearance but my appearance in general." Ianto replied.

This was the most Owen had heard the man speak and his voice was melodic, almost like he was singing the words. Yeah. He liked him.

"Why? It seems like some of your people are… not afraid of you bit… nervy."

Ianto glanced over at Rhys who was in deep conversion with a guard, both of them laughing as they bent over the saddle with mirth and replied "I am a throwback to the old blood. I apparently resemble my great-great Grandfather. The Righteous King. His colouring and characteristics. The Old Blood… the powerful life blood of his people. Mama is terrified of me, loves me but I think… hates me a little for it too. Her bloodline so much weaker than Daddy's. My father is of course torn between being delighted to see his ancestors are still around but also… sad knowing I will never have a place in the lives of my people. I am too strong. I frighten with me silent stare… I intimidate with my intellect and seldom spoken words that can cut even when I do not mean to. Oh yes Lord Harper… I am somewhat of an anomaly that they are glad to be rid of. No doubt the castle feels lighter without me casting extra shadows."

"Wow… good to know you have a good opinion of yourself anyway" Owen quipped and Ianto blinked, then it happened.

The man sat back in the saddle and let out a loud bellow of amusement, his laughter rolling like thunder around the troop and the very mountain range they were passing through echoed. Holy shit.

Owen could not help but laugh as well, the young man someone he saw a little of himself in. A loner. A freak. A huge birth defect. Yeah. Owen defended this was a good friend for him to have, and he did not have many of those.

For like Ianto… he knew the bite of familial rejection.

.

.

"Highness… water!" Rhys called out and Ianto grinned, slowing his mount. Owen shifted in his saddle to look back at him and Ianto smiled "My horse is Fire Blood. The moment she touches the water it will steam and warm. I am letting the others drink first as she will spoil it for them."

"She is mighty" Owen agreed "Tell me does she run like the wind?"

"Like wildfire" Ianto replied "Go… let your horse drink and after mine has quenched her thirst I will race you."

Owen lit up at the invitation of fun, urging his horse forward.

Yes.

He liked him.