Chapter 3

"I don't see what you're so upset about," Trouble mumbled irritably, shooting glances in the double black's direction. "All I did was give a little bit of constructive criticism. And, by the looks of it, you could use some."

Yuuri answered by rolling his eyes. He'd had enough of this.

"I'm just saying that if you stop slouching and keep your shoulders back, you'll look like you actually HAVE A CHEST, unlike Yozak—who really has a chest."

Onyx eyes threatened from the left. Still angry, he forced his horse to ride evenly with Trouble—just to make it clear he wasn't going to back down from insults.

The spirit gritted pearly white teeth.

"I think that what Shibuya was trying to say was that your…" Then, he snickered a little into his fist and, after he got a glare from the double black, straightened his own shoulders up—maybe a little too much—and looked into red eyes. "Well…um…needless to say, your 'suggestion' made him…uncomfortable."

"But it's true," Wolfram's voice said without the animalistic growl behind it.

"Tra'va…" A finger wagged. "Just because it's the truth, doesn't mean you should say it," the sage admonished with a smile in his voice.

"Fine friend you are," Yuuri muttered.

Wolfram's face suddenly wore that blank expression that the sage had come to recognize as "searching Wolfram's heart." Almost imperceptibly, a blond head nodded. "He's like that, isn't he?" Then, a lower lip stuck out. "Spoil sport."

Yuuri frowned deeply.

Trouble saw this and growled in an undertone, "Maybe we should all just hold him down and loosen that G-string of his. He'd be more fun..."

"What?!" Yuuri said incredulously.

A Wolframish sing-song voice said cheekily, "N-o-t-h-i-n-g!"

"I heard you!"

"Nope. You never listen."

"Yes, I did! Every word."

"Since when?"

Yuuri leaned into Trouble and, behind him, Yozak laughed a little while casting glances at Conrad.

"You said to loosen my G-string!"

A blond face stared back with a grin that had sharp little fangs. "But you don't like to wear G-strings. You once told Wolfram that it felt like having a kite string cutting you right between the cheeks and up your…"

"Enough!" Yuuri yelled.

"You kept reaching in the back and tugging at your…"

Yuuri darkened. "And, by the way, I told that to Wolfram in confidence. So, stop it."

Red eyes darted at him. "I will if you will."

"Oh, and what is that supposed to mean?" The double black thought he'd had him there. And it felt good. Fighting with Trouble was nothing like arguing with Wolfram. Trouble had a vindictive streak behind it. Wolfram was a kind of blustery anger laced with the best of intentions—and with almost a flirtatious feel.

"Stop pretending that I'm your fiancé. I'm not. And I refuse to act like him."

Conrad saw the surprised look on Yuuri's face. He also noticed that the horse dropped back a bit from Trouble's side.

There was a "victory smirk" on Wolfram's face. Ruby eyes danced. And, of course, pressing it further was a given. "So, since I'm not Wolfram. I'm going to make a few little changes around here…to make this seem more like the life I was used to…back when I was alive." A blond head tilted in Yuuri's direction. "But you don't care, right?" Mirth was edging back into the voice.

Yuuri, being angry and annoyed, missed it entirely. "As I've said before, we're sticking with you. Nothing you say or do will change that." He could feel his face radiating heat and his heart beating hard with barely contained ire.

"Oh, good!" Hands clapped together eagerly. "I'll take that as approval—not that I need it, though."

Everyone in the group exchanged looks.

"Then, let's see…" Red eyes darted to Conrad. "As much as I like the idea…under the circumstances…it's just plain wrong. Sorry." A small shrug followed it.

Conrad felt confused but didn't let it bother him too much. Trouble had a gift for distraction. And he told himself that his job was to protect Yuuri and Wolfram. He would stick to that and do what was necessary.

"I do like you though, Little Big Brother," Wolfram's voice said, and Conrad, still not used to hearing the words, nodded almost shyly.

Red eyes turned to Murata and then Yozak. "Yes, I've made my decisions."

"And that would be….?" Yuuri almost growled.

"I'll have Murata for my day-time husband and Yozak for my night-time husband!" A blond head was held up in triumph. A fist in the air. "Yes!"

"What?!" Yuuri couldn't believe his ears. "N-No! You can't… It's just… I mean…!"

"Do you have a problem with that, oh Great Demon King?" The voice sounded like Wolfram's, one hundred percent. The blond continued with "I mean, at least, I don't have a problem with it. And I suspect," the eyes faded to a soft pink and Yozak got a wink, "they won't mind very much, either."

"No, look… I mean…" Yuuri stammered at a much lower volume this time. His mind was racing and he needed to get his points across. Now! Trouble was causing…well…trouble. "Okay…to begin with, you're possessing Wolfram. And, under ordinary circumstances, he'd never…ever…"

"So sure?" the spirit interrupted.

Yuuri's face went blank at that.

"Yes, he's loyal to you. Loves you. Trusts you…not to hurt him…" With each word, Trouble's tone got deeper with a disconcerting growl. "And, in the end, he'll probably die slowly…alone…on the battlefield…as soldiers often do…" Yuuri was about to object, saying there would be no wars but Trouble's eyes were turning blood red again, and the face was taking on an angry scowl. "But, don't mistake me…Wolfram may look 'girly' to you…and, yes, he knows how you see him." The eyes narrowed. "But Wolfram really is a man, underneath it all."

The double black tilted his head down for a second as a quiet chuckle reached his ears.

"Yuuri… Do you think he doesn't notice other pretty faces watching him…waiting for him? Oh, please! He's engaged, not dead!"

Yuuri's jaw dropped.

A blond strand of hair was tucked behind an ear. "Oh, wait! I am dead… That means I understand it both ways."

"Trouble…!" Yuuri practically grunted.

"Oh, in the contest of 'Who Knows Wolfram Better,' I think the winner is…ME!" There was a brief chuckle of contentment at that. "So, getting back to my original idea…before I was so rudely interrupted, I'll take Murata and Yozak."

A pair of glasses flashed sunlight. It was so strange to hear the words coming out of Wolfram's mouth. But, he had to admit, it was a little refreshing, too. Forcing back a smile, Murata asked, "And what, pray tell, makes me worthy of the honor of being your 'day husband'?" Yes, he'd twist the knife a little and watch Yuuri out of the corner of his eye. There were times when he lived to torture the other double black.

Trouble turned around and looked at him thoughtfully. The eyes faded to a cotton candy pink. It went along with sweet features and Wolfram's soft, blond hair. There was a flirtatious smirk and Wolfram's hand wiped a bead of sweat that had traveled from the curve of his neck to the bare chest below. The body swayed seductively on the horse.

Murata swallowed hard and felt his face flush at it, but made himself look at Trouble anyway.

"Because…you're like the moon."

"The moon?" the sage said, his mind clearing from the fog. He pushed his glasses up on his nose with his middle finger. It was a strange analogy coming from Trouble who usually spoke in the simplest of terms, nettling people while at it. The moon? Possibly, the idea came from Wolfram's memories. Maybe, he'd test the theory a little. "So, I'm a barren rock in the sky where no life grows?"

Trouble smiled widely, turning back to watch the road, but still speaking to Murata. The voice changed to something soft, contemplative. "You are not light, but you reflect it. You are the watery sphere…changing slowly every night…both grey-n-white…shifting with the turn of the stars. You look down on the sea and it rises up to meet you…powers seen and unseen…intuition and insight." The voice floated on the wind, "You are one and you are many." Then Tra'va looked up into the sky. Even though it was day, the moon was a soft, white orb before them, seemingly leading the way. "See? It's a good omen."

Murata lowered his head with a smile. Once again, Trouble dropped the mask just a little. He had guessed right after all. This confirmed it.

A blond head turned to Yozak, but the look was entirely different…with wide shoulders, orange hair, and bright blue eyes, the man was absolutely toothsome. Trouble raked pinkish eyes over Yozak, up and down, much to the man's embarrassment. With a slight bit of nervousness worming its way in, Yozak caught Conrad's eye and felt an awkward blush coming on that he tried his best to hide.

Conrad tilted his head and raised both eyebrows in mock confusion. He wasn't going to help the orange haired spy out of this one. But, he was chuckling on the inside. It was fun to watch Yozak squirm a little.

Seeing this, Yozak raised a hand to the back of his head boyishly.

Trouble's voice dropped to a low, sexy tone. "And considering how absolutely well built Yozak is, there's really no need to explain why I want him for a night-time husband. Is there?"

Yuuri blurted out things that Tra'va considered inconsequential and quickly ignored. They slipped through his mind like sand. Then, the smile disappeared from Wolfram's sweet face. Slightly trembling, pale fingers raked through blond hair.

Before anyone could say or do anything, Wolfram's body moved with lightning speed. Yuuri suddenly found the reins of Wolfram's white horse being tossed to him carelessly and the blue military coat smacked in his face. The blond disappeared and suddenly reappeared… Right behind Yozak!

Yozak's horse was startled at the sudden flash of purple light and a shifting black movement—not to mention the unexpected weight. But, being the skilled horseman, Yozak was able to get the prancing, vexed steed under control. He looked over his shoulder and blinked. Wolfram's lithe body was behind his…still pulling on the shirt over his head.

"This skin is much too white. It burns easily," Trouble complained, scooting up and pressing up against Yozak. He hid behind the tall frame, resting his cheek against the spy's shoulder. He took a few slow breaths. "I really need to eat. And this body is getting tired. Can't we get there any faster?"

Trouble was complaining as usual, but Conrad could see that something was wrong. There was a faint blush on Wolfram's cheeks and the rest of his skin was losing color. He was white around the mouth, too. And he seemed to be fighting back pain. That doesn't look like sunburn. Conrad watched a little longer, brown eyes narrowed. Maybe the spirit wasn't telling the truth, or possibly, it wasn't the whole truth. Shakily, Wolfram's arms wrapped themselves around Yozak's waist. The eyes closed with relief, shutting out the brightness.

"Sure thing," Yozak said cheerfully, cutting his eyes behind him. "I'm your night-time husband, though. I think we'll make your daytime husband pay for your meal." He gave a friendly wink to Murata.

"Of course, I'll have to," Murata said with a wide grin, making eye contact with Yuuri.

Yuuri shook his head at the heavens. "Everyone is crazy but me. That's the only explanation."

Swaying. Swaying. Swaying.

Huh?

Tra'va's eyes shot open with the strange feeling of wide, thick hands around the waist. Bodily, Yozak moved the lithe form from behind to sitting in front.

"You almost fell off just then," Yozak mumbled quietly so that only Trouble could hear. Much louder, he said, "I think you'll be far more comfortable like this." The word "comfortable" had a sexy ring to it.

Murata smiled widely at a sight he never expected to see—proud, bratty Wolfram on a horse, sitting sidesaddle and leaning against Yozak's broad chest. The blond form looked practically boneless and needed the support of a hand to stay in place. Murata smiled to himself. There was something slightly improper about it all--which, of course, made it all the more fun to watch. And the sage enjoyed watching, especially if it got the better of the other double black. Sometimes, Murata thought to himself, Yuuri needs a swift kick in the bottom.

Trouble shut red eyes again and turned away to keep the sun out.

"Thank you," whispered a quiet voice. Tra'va leaned against Yozak's firm, toned chest with relief. Yozak moved his left arm in to brace the body lying against him. Before long, Wolfram's frame was leaning heavily. Blond hair brushed against pale features with each clomp of a horse's hoof. Then, Wolfram's body shifted to get more comfortable on the saddle. A smaller hand reached out and touched the orange haired man's.

"Go back to sleep," Yozak said quietly. "You're safe with me."

He blinked at that, and turned up, eyes half lidded. "Safe? It's been so long. I've almost forgotten what that feels like."

The smile faded from Yozak, and for reasons he couldn't explain even to himself, he held Wolfram a little bit tighter.

The horses continued clomping down the road while Tra'va dozed quietly against Yozak. Yuuri, for once, was happy for the silence. He needed the rest from the persistent snipes coming from his annoying, impossible, and very much possessed fiancé—a situation that seemed wrong and disturbing somehow once he put some real thought behind it. The double black never knew how much of it was the truth, as Wolfram saw it, and how much was a twisted version coming from Trouble.

The road up ahead forked off into different directions and a side trail snaked away.

"I think Yozak should take the lead since he knows where we're going," Conrad said, giving Yuuri a thin smile.

He got a nod.

The double black dropped back at Conrad's suggestion—allowing Yozak to lead the way to the town where they would be eating a very late lunch. But, as the horses passed each other, Yuuri could see an almost angelic body leaning against Yozak, snuggled in much too close—allowing the spy to clutch him like a stuffed bear.

Yuuri narrowed his eyes and huffed to himself.

Conrad smiled, but only for a second. Then, his eyes drifted to Wolfram, too. He knew what his brother looked like when he was sick and trying to hide it. And Conrad could see beyond the red eyes, off color hair, and fingernails. The face had a fever blush. There were dark circles forming against fine, porcelain skin, and the slack muscles were a dead giveaway. He would speak to Yozak about it tonight. Between the two of them, they might have to spend more time watching Wolfram for further symptoms. It was obvious to Conrad that Yuuri was so put out, he wasn't going to notice anything in the near future regarding Wolfram's health. So, other steps might need to be taken.

The horses entered the small village that hosted only three rows of houses, a black smith's, and three restaurants. Following the spy, they pulled up in front of "The Twin Doves" Inn.

"There's a restaurant next door," Yozak said, giving Trouble's face a quick pat to wake him up. Red eyes opened sleepily while a hand ruffled the dull blond hair.

"Still with me?" Yozak whispered with a sheepish grin. He got a smile as a reward.

Yozak jumped off the horse boyishly and motioned to the entrance. "Let's eat, huh?"

Wolfram's blond head nodded and then the body straightened up when Yozak's palms stretched up for him, arms opened wide. The blond dove from the horse and into the spy's arms. Hugged up against Yozak, a toothy grin with the edge of a fang dropping out. "Thanks again."

Yuuri gave a "humph" as he tied up his horse and Wolfram's to the hitching post. Conrad smiled lightly and did the same. Murata's horse was already tied. He followed a stiff walking Yozak and Trouble into the restaurant. The door opened with a cheery jingle from the bell at the top. There was the pleasant aroma of beef stew. Trouble's nose twitched unpleasantly at the scent and got a hard rub.

The restaurant's interior consisted of two rows of five tables each. Each table had six chairs, a white linen table cloth, and lacquered wooden plates with a fork set to the side. There were three medium sized windows against the north wall with a view of blooming plumb trees.

Besides the entry door, there was another door leading into the kitchen. Four waitresses wearing short blue dresses and frilly aprons flitted back and forth with food, drinks, or dirty plates.

The little group took a table that had the best view of the restaurant's interior. Conrad had a habit of picking such places for the sake of safety. Yozak did, too. After all these years, it was second nature for them. There was no need to even discuss it.

Yozak, Wolfram, and Murata were on one side of the table. On the opposite side, Conrad and Yuuri faced them.

While Murata wiped clean his spotty fork, Conrad caught Yozak's eye and gave a look that the spy knew very well. It was the "need to talk when we're alone" look. In response, he gave a quirked grin and a wink.

Both men then turned to Wolfram, keeping an eye on him without making it too obvious. Yuuri was sitting directly across from him.

If things were different, Yuuri thought, I'd have Wolfram fighting to sit next to me. He'd be glaring around the room, giving people the "Back off, he's mine" vibes to just about everybody. Usually, it'd make me uncomfortable and I'd have to say something to him…but…

Black eyes stared evenly across the table. He was waiting for some kind of critical comment to come from Trouble. But the spirit possessing Wolfram was acting like a sleepy child who was eating breakfast before the first day of school—struggling to stay awake and covering a yawn.

He's in zombie mode, the double black thought. Yuuri decided that he was satisfied with the little "attitude break" and a few minutes of silence followed.

More customers were filtering in and taking seats. Yuuri, ignoring it, was leaning with his elbow on the table, his head resting in his palm. Yuuri's head turned towards the window. He was wishing, vaguely, that he could be a bird and fly away from this situation. Murata, he noted, was enjoying himself way too much. His friend was chatting about the possibility of having the stew, but maybe not. He wasn't sure. Was anyone else going to have stew, too? Etc. etc. Murata tugged lightly at Tra'va's arm. Yuuri's teeth clinched together at the sight.

A pretty young lady with brown hair piled up on her head in a tight bun and soft peach-colored eyes approached their table. Her frilly starched apron floated a bit girlishly as she stopped.

"Can I get you anything to drink or would you like to order now?"

Murata cast a quick glance at Trouble. A fist was being rubbed cutely into a sleepy eye. But it was working. Trouble was waking up.

"Yes," Murata said, "my husband," he motioned to the blond in the middle, "would like a tankard of apple cider and I'd like the same."

Shocked to the core, Yuuri couldn't peel his eyes from Murata.

The sage shrugged back sweetly.

Looking slightly bored and scribbling on her note pad, the waitress murmured as she wrote the order down. Then, she got the orders from everyone else at the table and disappeared through the kitchen door.

That's right, Yuuri thought, same sex marriages are pretty well accepted here. Why did I act like that just now? He glanced at Trouble's face…no, Wolfram's face… In fact, at that moment, the blond was having a quick whisper session with the sage. Yuuri felt his chest tighten. Yuuri saw Murata's hand rest lightly on the blond's shoulder. It means nothing! He told himself to ignore it. Ignore everything—go back to daydreaming out the window. Then, he pushed the feeling deep down and tried to forget he'd ever thought such silly things. There was no way he could be jealous of the two of them. He just didn't want this situation to go any further. That's all.

Soon enough, the waitress returned with an oversized tray with tankards on it. She passed the drinks around, curtseyed, and left with her usual, bored expression.

Murata took a drink and cut his eyes in Yuuri's direction. He smirked. He raised the tankard to his lips again and tasted the apple cider.

Trouble's eyes were wide and happy. There was a huge "glugging" sound as the tankard bottom tipped up higher and higher.

Everyone stared at this most certainly "un-Wolframish" behavior.

"Ahh!" Trouble said, wiping pinkish lips on the back of a white sleeve. Trouble turned to Murata. "How'd you know that I'd like this?"

"Well, you like fruit." He gave a shrug.

"Still, it doesn't mean that I'd like apple cider."

"Call it a guess…"

There was a genuine smile on Trouble's face. "You guessed right, then…" The tone was sincere.

On the table, Yuuri buried his head in his arms. "I want to order now," he sighed.

"Yes, I'm hungry, too," Trouble agreed.

The double black raised his head and onyx eyes squinted over at him. "You mean, we actually agree on something…?" came the muffled voice.

"Yes…wimp."

"Don't call me that," Yuuri said evenly.

"Why?" Red eyes danced at him. A challenge.

"Because that's something only between Wolfram and me." The eyes closed and Yuuri rested his head.

The memories returned…

Tucking in Greta at bedtime. Green eyes turned up to him. Soft, glowing…happy.

On the training grounds, knees covered in dirt. "I said that you need to raise your sword higher. And strike like you mean it! Follow through!" Wolfram's voice was stern when they practiced swordplay. There was the feeling of "I need you to learn this. Your life depends on it."

"Wait," Wolfram murmured. He stopped a "much too eager to leave" double black from tiptoeing out of the bedroom. "You really should button your collar. You're eating dinner with the nobles tonight." There was a brief pause and Yuuri could remember himself saying, "But it's so hot!" Yes, he whined, and it didn't sound manly or kingly at all. Tugging at the buttons, Wolfram took two steps closer to him with a determined expression. The double black could feel the soft breath against his face. Wolfram had been eating the starlight peppermints that he'd brought back from Earth. The blond always liked sweet things. "Now, you're perfect…" Wolfram's hands were still on his collar. He was waiting. They were close, so close. All Yuuri'd have to do is lean forward a little to kiss him. But, his heart froze and the rest of his body followed. Seeing it, green eyes took on a tearful shine. He walked away dejectedly, sighing "wimp."

Sitting in the restaurant with the noise of other patrons chatting away with each other, Yuuri realized that he was lonely…had felt lonely for awhile now…lonely for Wolfram.

I miss him. I really do.

Trouble, sitting at the table with a fat slice of fruit pie, happily scooped up a large spoonful. The gooey bite sat lovingly on the spork, amber syrup drizzling down slowly. It was the perfect balance of sweet and tart with a sugary goodness that melted in sinfully. The "mmms" and "ohs" that the blond emitted after each tasty morsel made Yuuri squirm in his seat. Wolfram's voice uttering moans of "so good" got even their own waitress to watch with a fine blush coming to her.

The spirit took another bite, leaned the blond head against Yozak's shoulder, and moaned in pleasure again. "Mmmm… Oh, you've got to try this."

Yuuri glanced around nervously. Never had he heard Wolfram like that. Well, yes, he had to admit to himself that Wolfram had been having some odd dreams lately where he'd groan a little and sigh followed by strange, almost vicious snickers...along with the words "Yuuri, not now." The double black shook the thought out of his head. "Can't you be a little less noisy when you eat?" he hissed.

"Eh?" the spirit said, honestly confused. "What'd I do now?" The mouth still chewed. Pink lips were glossy with syrup. Yuuri did his best to ignore it all.

"Come on, Shibuya… Tra'va was just enjoying a little lunch." The sage pretended to go back to his beef stew and hard rolls. He gave the bowl a slow stir with a smile tugging at him.

"Enjoying is one thing, but he's being…" Yuuri couldn't make himself say it. He squirmed again. "He's…well…just loud, that's all." He gave a pleading look to his godfather for support. "Come on Conrad, you have to agree with me on this one!"

"Can I get you another piece?" the waitress asked silkily, bustling her way to the table. Tra'va'd certainly gotten her attention. Peach colored eyes watched Wolfram with an allure that Yuuri also didn't take very kindly.

Tra'va's eyes faded to a dusty rose color that had a slight wobble to them. "If you'd be so kind. I'd love you…to do that." There was an unmistakably boyish grin followed up with an "OUCH!" A blond head whipped in the direction of Conrad and Yuuri angrily. "Who, the hell, just kicked me?!"

Conrad folded his arms against his chest and turned to Yuuri, expecting an answer.

"It's a small table, Trouble. Just deal with it." Yuuri ended the last sentence with a quirked, almost haughty smile.

It was time to go. Understandably, Yuuri was the first through the door and into the early afternoon sun. He was glad to be out of there. He gave his arms a good stretch as Murata exited.

Two figures standing in between the alley to the blacksmith's shop and the first row of houses watched. One, wearing a wide brimmed hat, threw down the remains of a lit cigarette into a mud puddle. It spat angrily as it died.

Yuuri, Murata, and Conrad were already getting back on their horses. There was the creak of leather as shoes and boots shoved their way into stirrups, and the saddles held their riders.

Trouble approached Wolfram's white horse and gave the long mane a stroke. The white hair was beautiful and the steed perfect. It reminded the spirit that Wolfram had so many material gifts—things he always had and were normal to him, things he took for granted. The spirit stroked the horse again and got nuzzled sweetly in return. "You like me, don't you?" he said quietly.

"Yes, I do," Yozak said behind him.

Tra'va jumped and whipped around. "S-Sorry…I was thinking…of…"

"Well, I was thinking, too," Yozak interrupted with his usual jovial ways. "Do you want to ride with me again?" He gave a sky blue-eyed wink.

Trouble thought about it for a minute, scratching the side of a button nose, and said, "Sure."

Yuuri couldn't believe it when the spirit got back on Yozak's horse with him. The two rode closely nestled together and the double black just shook his head at that. This was, in his totally objective opinion, stupid.

Onyx eyes looked to Conrad, pleading again. He motioned to the unlikely pair with a tilt of the head. Oddly, his godfather returned the look with understanding brown eyes.

"Let me see…" Trouble murmured. The eyes closed in concentration. Wolfram's white hand lifted itself up and touched the wind, caressing it like a lover. The hand was pushed back a little with the next gust. "This is the way." A finger pointed to the left and the horses moved in that direction.

The horses clomped on and the spirit's mind wandered with the gentle rocking. The white hands were laced together, fingertips touching Wolfram's pink lips. Short, small breaths came forth.

A strong arm wound its way around Tra'va's waist. There was a gentle Wolframish chuckle at that as the spirit's mind returned to the situation at hand.

"Something funny?" the orange haired spy asked.

"I suppose."

"And that would be?"

Wolfram's body turned and the face was unmistakably his. The eyes faded to a light pink and the fangs shrunk back again. Being up this close to Wolfram was slightly unsettling for Yozak. He never really did get along with Conrad's little brother. It was always a somewhat tense and, at best, a sort of "mocking" relationship—especially when it came to his observations about the royal couple. Once, he'd told Wolfram that "love was never born out of jealousy." He believed it, but wondered if the brat ever took his advice. But, now, they were close enough that he could smell the scent of sunflowers and the blond hair was soft against him with each gust of wind that blew it hard enough. The supple body rested with a head on his shoulder, eyes turning toward him with seriousness.

"I know what you're doing, you know."

"Eh?" he said softly in his practiced, boyish tone so that no one else behind them could hear. His heart rate picked up. Yozak tried to ignore it.

The face was near him—very near.

"You're keeping me this close so that you can watch me. You don't want me to escape with the body."

Yozak's smile didn't dim. "So, you caught me," he returned with a kind of charm that melted hearts. He shrugged.

"But I wasn't lying," Tra'va said, "when I explained that if Wolfram dies, I fade from this world, too."

The arm tightened around Wolfram's waist protectively. Yozak leaned forward, placing his lips next to a pale, shell-like ear. "And if you get sick?"

A sigh was his answer. "I have maybe six to seven days to reach the next holy site. This should be more than enough time to make it."

"And if we don't find it?" Tra'va could see that the blue eyes had taken on a sharp edge. The worry was there. It was real. This was Conrad's baby brother.

"We'll make it."

"If we don't…?" The tone was harder this time, losing its warm glow.

"I can't think that far ahead." Tra'va was getting upset. The voice, soft as it was, was taking on a stressed pitch. "We'll make it. I've never failed."

"But you've come close before, haven't you?" He just couldn't let this go.

The blond head nodded and the lithe body leaned against him. Yozak was surprised to feel Wolfram's hand pressed against his own. The fingers sought out his and laced with them.

"If that happens…if I fail and the worst comes…I don't want Wolfram to suffer, to burn literally from the inside out." Tra'va was now nestled against the orange haired man, needing comfort. The hand tightened against Yozak's. In a harsh whisper, Tra'va said, "I'll give you the honor of killing me and sending my soul to the void."