"I've had dreams like that from time to time..." Hadn't Arin helped him leap free from one of them? He couldn't remember. Solon ran his fingers through the youth's hair. Asking what the dreams were about was out of the question. Arin obviously didn't want to talk about it. His evasions were visible enough to one used to dealing with nobles and courtiers from all around. This soft seeming musician on the other hand was terribly easy to read at times.

He closed his eyes and fell back asleep silently. These dreams were nicer, but they still brought tears to his eyes. His family... He hadn't seen them in years. What would they think of him now? Being a slave to humans... Cutting off his wings for someone he thought loved him as much as he did...

When he awoke in the morning, he had fallen from Solon's arms during his sleep. Smiling softly, he crawled back onto the King and rested his head on the man's chest.

The king felt his eyelids droop, and allowed himself to fall asleep. This was an easy feat, with Arin cuddled up against him, warming Solon with his presence. His dreams were sweet that night, though a little bitter, as the king remembered a woman from his past, and how he had betrayed her.

A lack of warmth began to pull Solon from his sleep, and then suddenly the comfortable weight was back again. Sighing to himself, he wrapped his arms around Arin again. "This is unexpected, I had thought you'd be more wary of me." Being a slave was no easy thing, no walk in the park. It amazed the king, how easily the other man trusted him.

Arin didn't speak. He wasn't exactly trusting of the King, but he enjoyed the warmth that Solon gave off and the strong arms wrapped around him made him feel safe. He would have purred if he was a cat, but instead he hummed to himself, a folktale of the rising sun and birds that sung in the morning. He didn't want this to end and wished they could stay together in bed forever. "I like this," he said finally, moving further up the man's body. The King was so much bigger than him, as Arin was quite petite for his age.

The simple action had Solon shivering unexpectedly. It had been a long time since he'd felt something akin to lust not just for body, but soul as well. Already, Arin's presence was becoming essential for his peace of mind, and now his traitorous body was beginning to make demands the king wasn't quite ready to fall to. Such tempting thoughts ran through his mind all of a sudden.

He gave in to one. Solon shifted, moved a hand to tilt Arin's head up with callused finger tips. For a moment, he simply looked, giving the other man a chance to escape what he hoped to accomplish. Solon didn't want to steal anything from Arin, so even if it seemed like he would kiss the slight musician, he didn't. He just leaned forward so their breath mingled.

Arin stared into the mismatched eyes for a long time, feeling the man's body beneath him awake and shiver with excitement. He blushed and looked away, unsure what to do. Part of him wanted to make the King happy, but the other didn't want to resort to such things. Those usually hurt him in more ways than one. Carefully he met Solon's lips with his own, kissing him a little and chewing softly on his bottom lip. He started to shake as well, remembering all the other men he had to whore himself out to... Remembering the one that first took his love...

He pulled away, sitting on the edge of the bed and trembled.

Solon's eyes slipped closed as soft lips met his, and the surprising nip of teeth did nothing save make him want more. Even so, he couldn't find it in himself to be disappointed when Arin pulled away. The trembling and shaking served only to make the king think. Surely there was a way he could ease the slave's mind, and take it away from what his thoughtless actions had caused? It didn't seem possible.

The king rose from his reclining position and slipped from the bed. He cast a glance at the door to his chambers before moving to kneel at Arin's feet. Carefully, cautiously, the royal wrapped a hand around one of the musician's. "Are you alright? There was no need to do that, if you didn't wish it. Please, don't feel obligated to do anything ..." Slave though he was, Arin was so much more then that to the king, already.

Arin looked down at Solon and sniffed, quickly steadying himself. "No... I... Just..." he couldn't begin to explain how he felt. He closed his mouth and glanced away from the King, but allowed the man to keep holding onto his hand. Perhaps they could spend the day together? Arin knew that the King had many things to do throughout the days, but he kind of wished that Solon would take a day off and spend some time with him.

He gulped and looked back into the mismatched eyes, finding himself wanting to confess his secrets. Solon was so kind and caring... He wouldn't want to find his homeland and destroy his kind... "Master... Solon... I... You... They were wings." He closed his eyes at his confession, suddenly remembering everything once again. "I... cut them."

It was the first time Arin had spoken his name. Then the import of the slave's words made Solon's whole body jerk. Wings? That would mean that Arin was in fact an angel, and there were others as well. The professor came to mind, making Solon's hand tighten convulsively around the musician's. If the man ever found out, there would be no rest, no escape, for Arin.

"Why did you do that?" The question was matter of fact without the inflection of worry or sorrow the king so wanted to let slip by. He didn't think it would be helpful, letting Arin know how sad Solon was about the loss. It had been a while ago, or so Solon gathered from the scars he'd seen. Such pain the musician must have gone through ...

"To... Be with Jonathan..." Arin replied sadly, crossing his legs defensively and letting go of Solon's hand to hug himself. "A human man... He.. We... I loved him..." He sniffed and shook his head, running his hands across his shoulders. "He told me, we could be together forever if I gave up... My wings..." He went quiet. Unable to speak any further on the subject. He moved uncomfortably, hoping Solon would give up on the subject.

A sad story to be sure. The king wanted nothing more then to find the man who had left Arin to fend for himself in a world he didn't know to make him suffer as well, but he couldn't... At least not without bringing suspicion upon this new need to make the world a safe place for Arin. Instead of saying anything, Solon sat upon the bed and wrapped his arms around the younger man. Silently, the king promised himself he would spend the day with Arin, to try and make him smile.

After a few more minutes of silent and sombre cuddling, Arin moved from the bed and stretched his legs, glancing over at the clock near the fireplace. It was nearing the time people came in with food. Sure enough, a small knock at the door sounded and one of the many servants entered the large room, bowing low to Solon and placing a tray of food on the small table.

"Do you need anything else, Your Highness?" the servant asked as he bowed low, as though he was talking to his feet.

"No, that will be everything."

The servant nodded and righted himself. Before turning about, he seemed to remember something and pulled a letter from his pocket. This he proffered to the king with a bow, and then left at last once Solon dismissed him with a quick wave of his hand after instructing him to tell the council the king was feeling unwell. With a well practice motion, Solon broke the seal and pulled the parchment from within. He read the elegant script within with a growing sense of dread.

The queen would not take well to seeing her king so enamored with a slave. Though they didn't care what lovers the other took this would be an afront upon her arrival that even within a marriage such as theirs.. .The queen wouldn't be able to let it pass.

"Arin ... We will not be able to spend so much time together anymore. The queen returns in the next few days and despite the way our marriage is, seeing my affections for, " Solon hesitated, " ... a slave, would be too much of an insult."

He reached out to grasp the angel's shoulder lightly."Today I would like to give to you, if you'll have it."

Arin watched the King, wondering what the letter contained to worry him so. When he heard that the Queen was returning home, his heart sunk. What would become of him now that he couldn't stay with Solon? Would he be forced to work in the Palace, thrown into cold and uncomfortable cells? He shuddered at the thought, trying not to look so unhappy. He had almost forgotten that he was just a slave...

"Solon... I..." he could find no words, so he nodded, happy that the King could spend some time with him. Though what would the couple do together? He had no idea and didn't ask. Instead, he went over to the man and hugged him.

He was grateful for the gesture, and wrapped his arms around the angel to pull Arin close. He wondered for a moment what they could do, and smiled as an idea struck him. He shifted away, moving to the door. The kind murmured a few words, explaining that he wished to leave the palace with his new slave to relax for a day at a hidden cottage, that few knew of. He explained Arin's presence by making mention of music, and needing its soothing presence in order to recover from his illness.

The dark haired man turned to Arin then, and for a moment found himself missing all the powers he'd once wielded so easily. It would have made sneaking away such an easy thing, when shadows cloaked every movement so that they were ignored. The price of it all had been too much ... Shaking his head, Solon moved to stand before Arin with a smile.

"Come, we'll go to my cottage for the day. I hope you can ride." If not, Solon found himself eagerly anticipating the fact that perhaps soon he and Arin might be sharing the same mount. They would be so close then ..

Arin made sure to bring the only possession he had; his glass violin. He followed the King quietly, wondering what he meant by riding. He had noticed the way humans rode on a horse's back, something that he would never do. It seemed some animals were also slaves to humans.

As they came to the stables, Arin smiled lightly at the different horses there. Sleek and powerful creatures, they had a large field they could run in, not just being locked up in tiny stalls all day long like most other horses. He wondered what it would be like, to be a horse running over hills, the wind blowing in his mane and tail...

When the stableboy fetched the King's horse, a large black beast that seemed well-groomed, and asked what Arin would like to ride, he suddenly felt uncomfortable. He hoped Solon had guessed that he couldn't ride a horse.

While they had walked to the stables, Solon's mind had wandered to what the day might bring. Such thoughts invariably turned to the angel by his side, to what his wife would think once she found out about how easily he had grown fond of Arin. That eventuality would happen, he was sure. He sighed, letting the emotions roiling through him suddenly flit away with the exhale of his breath. This was not the time for such things.

Instead, he smiled at the stablehand. "I don't believe that will be necessary." Solon had glanced at Arin and seen the other man's hesitation with a mixture of relief, joy, and dread. What would happen with this closeness? They had of course hugged before, but somehow he felt this might be different.

Solon moved to his stallion and vaulted into the elegantly tooled leather saddle gracefully. Leaning over, he held out a hand to pull up the slight young man who would accompany him. That was how he found himself with his arms around Arin, his chest to the angel's back, and the horse's powerful form carrying them both away from the eyes of everyone in the castle.

(This seems like a... I can't remember the word, but it sounds like you are hinting at something XD)

Arin was scared at first. The animal moved at a quick pace, and he thought that he might fall off. The horse was a lot taller when you were perched on its back. He was glad Solon held him tightly, instructing him to hold onto the front of the saddle. Soon Arin wasn't afraid anymore. He closed his eyes and felt the power of the creature below him, carrying them without effort to their destination. It was almost like he had become the horse...

"My kind... We can... Um... Hear animals," he told the King, wondering if he was talking loud enough. "Your horses... Are happy." And it made him happy as well. With a grin he stared about the countryside, wondering where they were going to go.

(A what? What's the definition? lol Maybe I am ..)

The king allowed himself to savor the simple freedom of being away from the castle, unescorted and still safe upon his mage protected domain. He had learned much quite some time ago, and used such knowledge for the good of his kingdom. Solon found himself startled from such reverie by Arin's hesitant words. "Are they? I'm glad of that. And what of you, are you happy?"

Silently, he guided the dark stallion from the main roads and towards a half hidden path, leading into the nearby forest. Sunlight made the leaves transparent. They glowed. Gurgling, bubbling, water lay nearby. Its light voice filled the air and became louder as the king guided his mount up a less than used turn in the path.

A sturdy cottage greeted his odd eyes. It was well kept, even though it seemed barely visited. Solon never did have too much of an opportunity to spend time in the flower and grass filled clearing anymore. There was a stable and a paddock for the horse, open to each other so the stallion could roam from one to the other as he pleased. The animal would soon, something proven by the fact that the king tugged at the reins lightly to bring the gentle giant to a stop.

Arin didn't know how to reply truthfully to the King. He was happy, but yet... Sadness still clawed at his heart. He slid off the horse with the help of Solon and glanced around the beautiful clearing. He could hear birds singing in the trees and the rustle of a hedgehog in the undergrowth, sniffing out worms. He smiled faintly and looked up at the leaves, loving the way they glowed with light.

He walked on the soft grass with bare feet, waiting for Solon to finish putting his horse away. It seemed they were completely alone here. Arin breathed in deeply, afraid at what the King might want to do to him, away from the prying eyes of his servants.

Solon guided his steed to the paddock, and watched as the horse began to run about with an exultant toss of his head. Smiling at the sight, the king took a moment to simply relax and think. Now that they were alone ... No, he couldn't. Slave though Arin might have been, Solon wanted to show him more respect then that.

He turned away, and laughed a little upon seeing the other man walking about barefoot. It was endearing in a way Solon hadn't expected. He didn't know what to say now. The realization made the smile drop, the laughter fade away softly. Away from the castle, with Arin, Solon found himself searching for words, and trying to think of something safe they could do together. "Do you like it here?"

"It's pretty," Arin replied simply, glancing about the clearing again. Somehow the place seemed peaceful and Arin wondered if Solon came here often, just to escape the world and be left alone to think. Arin knew that if he was in Solon's shoes, he'd make any excuse to come here to be alone.

He went over to the King now, only noticing now how much bigger the man was compared to him. This thought made him blush deeply for some reason. He turned away and climbed the fence, perching on it like a bird. He liked being off the ground, it reminded him of his home. His heart ached when he started to think about flying again.

"I'm glad you think so." Solon followed Arin's movements with a lazy tilt of his head. "This is my sanctuary, a place I've shown to very few save those I trust." His children, his head of security, they knew where the cottage was, but not the queen. It was odd, really. The mother of his children didn't know where he went when he wanted to hide from the affairs of court. Arin on the other hand not one knew, he had seen this little piece of quiet peace.

The king moved to lean against the fence and watch the stallion run about. Such a beautiful creature ... His eyes lifted to Arin, holding admiration for the other in greater amounts then even he himself knew. If only circumstances had been different then they were, but then their paths would never have crossed.

Solon sighed. Such thoughts were not befitting. It was so both because he was a king, and for the fact that they had known each other for such a short amount of time.

Arin remained where he was, listening to the birds singing in the treetops. There had been birds where he lived. They sung sweeter than those here and were the colours of the rainbow. He sighted one of the birds and felt disappointed by its drab green feathers. He sighed and looked back to Solon. What had the King planned for them to do here? He could only think of one thing and felt himself dreading it.

He had done that sort of thing with men before, of course. A lot of the time he was hired to not only play music for noblemen, but also to accompany them in bed. He had disliked it, solely because it made him feel used and dirty. He wished that he could have stayed with Jonathan and given himself to him.

His admiring gaze turned, twisted and fell so that worry replaced the more joyous emotion. "Arin, what troubles you so?" Had it been something he'd done? Solon lifted a hand to touch the other man, but let it fall quickly as he remembered the one time when they had kissed. He forced his hands upon the fence, making his fingers curl around the smooth wood to stop himself from reaching out.

"Have I done something to displease you?" said the king sorrowfully. Solon had wanted to make the other man happy, and to spend time with him while he could. He knew not what would happen when the queen arrived, and there were so many things he'd wanted to ask Arin. Only with the answers could the king try and find someplace to put Arin where he would be happy to serve, or at least that he could bear. The thought of separation was a dreadful one, but he knew such a thing was necessary, at least while Queen Opal remained in the palace. They had to keep up appearances, and Arin needed to be protected from her wrath, if she found out that the slave had managed ... something which Solon did not yet even truly know or acknowledge.