10

Ianto was not happy with the banquet but knew it was part of royal life. Slipping on the dark robes was his way of dealing with it all, hiding in plain sight as he stood behind Jack most of the time trying not to get noticed too much. He was actually very good at it and more than once Jack would turn to include him in the conversation only to find the other person shocked as he had not even seen Ianto there before.

Jack started to lean that Ianto was a bit of a wraith.

Ianto did not interact, he did not make himself known and when Jack admitted to being tired Ianto actually reached forward and placed a hand in the small of his back. The result was amazing, like someone had given him an elixir. Jack bowed, gave thanks to everyone for their kind attendance and then exited the room, the hand still there like a soft prompt.

It was not until they were in the hallway outside the royal chambers that the hand finally broke contact and Jack turned to face Ianto. Ianto folded back the hood of the robe and smiled softly "Well… some of them seemed nice. They are all rather fond of you."

"Yes. I have a large family, we all grew up so close. My cousins as close as my siblings are. My little sister and brother… they could not be here as they are off on a diplomatic mission but they will return soon. Gray and Rose … twins. They are almost inseparable. They will find it amusing as I used to razz them for being so connected and now I am my own half of a twin set eh?" Jack laughed

They entered Jack's chambers and Jack turned to Ianto. He wanted him to stay but did not know how to express it. Jack wanted him to stay but did not know how to express it. He found himself shocked to learn that he was a little … shy. Him. The High Prince who only had to voice his desire for something to get it… suddenly unable to give the simplest of commands to this man. For some reason… he could only stand and stare into those eyes.

"Well… uh… time to turn in" Jack managed to choke out feebly. What the fuck?

Ianto nodded and took a step back, Jack feeling the loss of connection with each step "Good night your Highness… perhaps tomorrow you will feel up to that horse ride?"

Jack nodded and stood watching Ianto leave, the air somehow different after he had exited the chambers and Jack felt… lost. He settled on his bed with a feeling of sorrow and told himself to harden up. This was just another member of his Harem… just another tool in his fight to be…

stop kidding yourself Jax. Stop with the bullshit. You know damned well he is something else… the rush… gods… the rush when he smiles…. It's just the bond. I will settle once it does right? He does not control my emotions… he does not control my desires. He is not that important.

Jack tried to settle to sleep but his mind kept wandering to the feel of that hand on his back.

He would dream of strange things. Flight. A dragons wings and the smell of freshly cut grass… he would hear child's laughter and see a mighty river with creatures drinking from it … he would hear a voice softly telling him to hold on tight, here we go.

.

.

Ianto had a note was waiting for him the next morning at the breakfast table, neatly set by his plate. Jack had been disappointed to find Ianto find not dine with him but then again… he didn't seem to ever bloody eat. He strode out to the courtyard to find Janet already saddled and ready to ride, Ianto leading out his huge bitch of a horse to stand next to her.

His riding gear was delectable. He pale blue jodhpurs clung to that pert arse, the white shirt tucked in was pristine with the puffy sleeves and the waistcoat was a deep blue that made Jack's mind wander back to that rider in his dream for a moment. Then Ianto stopped to look at him and smile, letting Jack see his eyes.

Blue.

Jack stared back at his own eyes and was struck dumb for a moment as he saw that the bond was going both ways and as he had gained the strength of this man, Ianto had imbibed as well.

Jack felt so alive. He felt better than he had in years, fighting fit. He leapt onto his horse with glee, breathing in the morning air as Ianto swung with his hand on the pommel of his own saddle, not at all like a bloody show off, just... natural. But he did not look around to see if anyone saw. He merely settled and looked at Jack in silent question. He did not know how amazing that mounting looked.

"So… your Fire Mount is called Myfanwy" Jack tried for conversation as they slowly walked out of the courtyard into the fields "She is mighty."

"Thank you Your highness, I am very proud of her and maybe a little fatherly pride makes me insufferable as I crow" Ianto preened and Jack laughed at the pretty man's display of fake arrogance. My but he was funny.

"Hey" Owen yelled, his horse catching up at a gallop and Jack watched as Owen rode in close to Ianto, his horse widening its nostrils to show alarm but loyally moving closer to please its rider.

Ianto turned to look down at the hapless creature and said softly "Owen… remember our talk about the boundaries of a Fire Mount compared to a standard horse?"

'Fuck… yea. Sorry" Owen said as he let his horse move a few feet await from the Fire Mount and Jack fought the jaw drop as Owen apologized to Ianto. Huh?

"So… that pretty little blossom I saw on your arm last night…"

"Toshiko. Yeah. I was gonna introduce you but she was struck shy. She will be OK, just needs ti.e to get used to the idea of curtseying. She is so sure she is crap at it and I told her when we first wed that she had to understand that it's a fact of life within a royal court. But she is do damned sweet" Owen gushed to Ianto like they were old friends.

Jack watched Ianto's face and saw genuine interest as he listened to Owen talk about things and more than once Owen reached out to tap Ianto's boot even as his horse's eyes widened with fear at the proximity to the huge creature. Each time Ianto would gently say 'boundaries chum' and Owen would laugh as he let his horse shy away slightly.

Jack realized that he knew very little about this man Owen had procured for him.

Maybe he needs to ask a few questions.