Forget About It

            “He doesn’t remember anything?” Alex said to Reznik. He tried to keep his voice low so that Soren wouldn't overhear.

            “Nothing, not even his name.”

            “How? Did someone—”

            “It's not likely. I found him in his study along with the makings of a spell. I suspect it went badly.” Reznik ran his fingers through his short blond hair. It was the same nervous gesture Soren used, although with Reznik it usually represented irritation. “I'm going to the academy to see if another mage can assist with this.”

            “He doesn't remember anything at all?” Alex knew he was repeating himself, but it was difficult to believe Soren could have done this to himself.

            “That's right.”

            “Not even me?”

            The look Reznik gave Alex was entirely uncalled for. “No, nor does he know how grateful he should be for that.”

           

            “Do you think the mage will know how to help him?”

            “How should I know? Do you have a better suggestion?” Reznik crossed his arms, watching Alex as if he dared him to try.

            “It's just, what if he never—”

            “Look, I'm going to do what I can. I need you to watch him and make sure he doesn't try to cast spells in this state.”

Alex glanced at Soren, who was watching them surreptitiously. Soren was leaner and less imposing than his younger brother Reznik. Size however, was no indication of ability, for of the two Soren was the more powerful. The raw magic that Soren could command was unrivaled by any the academy had tested in the last century. His skills were constantly increasing and he had made several discoveries that did much to improve the current understanding of the arcane arts. Alex had once had the great honor of being his apprentice. But that time was over, and unfortunately had not ended with his advancement. 

            “How am I supposed to stop him?”

            “Will you try to be useful for once? I don't know why Soren didn't just let you go to the mines.”

            “But how long will you be gone?” The academy was in the city of Hebble, which took nearly an hour to reach. Then there would be the time it took to convince one of the mages to come and help them prepare for the journey. Every mage Alex knew took forever to gather their regents and unctions and whatnot. They were notoriously meticulous and slow, although Reznik was better at speeding them along than most. 

            “No more than two hours.”

            “That’s a long time, with him like this…” Alex ran a finger along his collar. “Maybe—just while you're gone, you could take this off? That way I could cast protection spells or—”

            “Absolutely not. My mind isn't gone.”

            “But—”

            “Just keep him in here it'll be easier.”

            Alex opened his mouth to speak but then reconsidered. Reznik was flexing his hands in a way that made Alex think he wanted to wrap them around his throat.

           

            “It'll be fine. I'll be back as soon as I can.” Reznik shut the door to Soren’s bedroom as he left.

            Alex nodded even though Reznik was no longer there to see. His attention was already shifting to his master.  

            “Sor, you remember me don’t you?” Alex searched his eyes but found no recognition.

Soren shook his head. “I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble. You don't have to coddle me. I'll sit here and wait. I have no recollection of even being able to do magic. I'm not foolish enough to try it like this.”

“It's not any trouble. I like spending time with you—I mean we’ve spent a lot of time together. I just feel so bad that you can't … never mind. Look my name is Alex, I’m your…” Alex wasn’t sure how to finish that statement. The current issue was too important to complicate it with his past.

            “Alex,” Soren said, as if committing it to memory. “I take it we were friends? You called me 'Sor'.”

            “Not exactly.” Alex frowned. He couldn't even fathom how many times he'd gotten in trouble for calling him anything other than master.

            “More than friends?” Soren pushed a dark lock of hair back uneasily. At least that hadn't changed. “But you seem so young … how old are you?”

            Alex realized Soren was getting the wrong impression. But it was an impression he rather liked. Amnesia was apparently what was required to bring Soren to his senses.

            “I’m nineteen.” Not quite, but close enough that he'd never know the difference.

            “And I’m…?”

            “Twenty-five.”

            “Six years.” The expression on Soren's face was all too familiar.

            “Please let’s not go through that again … Sor.” When he had a good reason, it was amazing how easily the lies passed his lips. Alex boldly put an arm around Soren. Hesitantly Soren returned the embrace. It wasn't the first time Alex had attempted bodily contact, but it was the first time he’d been successful.

            “So, how long have we…?”

            “We’ve known each other for five months.” That part was actually true.

            “Are we serious?”

            “Yes.” Somewhere inside Alex knew what he was doing was wrong, but he had no problem repressing the realization. He would never get another opportunity like this again and he would never, ever forgive himself if he didn't take advantage of it.

            “I’m sorry I don’t remember you, I’m sure I’ll get my memories back soon.”

            Alex loved hearing Soren voice regret over having missed parts of their imaginary relationship. The situation was beginning to seem less and less like a tragedy.

            “It’s okay. You must be tired, would you like to lay down?” Alex was determined to be the best boyfriend Soren could envision. Maybe when his memories returned he would see that it really wasn’t that bad having Alex as a lover.

            “No, I don't think I could sleep.”

            “Are you hungry then? I could get you something to eat.”

            “Yes … if you don't mind.”

            “What do you want?”

            “How about something I ate often? It might help me remember … something.”

            Alex went to fetch food from the kitchen. He looked forward to sharing a meal with Soren, something they'd never done before. Being his lover was much better than being a suspended apprentice, stripped of his powers and forced to work like drudge until his servitude was over.           

            On the way back Alex stopped to look in one of the hall mirrors. He wished he was better dressed; he was wearing the shapeless tan uniform of an indentured servant. If Soren paid too much attention to that he might question if that's how the lover of someone so important would be clothed. Not only was it unfitting, it was unflattering. The color of the uniform blended too much with his brown hair and eyes, washing him out. But all of his other clothes had been taken away, so there was no other option. Trying to push his misgivings out of his mind, Alex tapped on the door before entering the room.

            Soren was sitting at his desk looking despondent. Alex set the tray down before taking a seat across from him.

            “I brought all your favorites, anything seem familiar?” Alex said as he poured wine for both of them, filling the glasses a little too full. Wine was completely forbidden as per the terms of his probation. But since Soren thought of him as an equal, he didn’t try to stop him.

           

            Soren shook his head as he picked at the food. He was so distracted and quiet it diminished some of the romance.

             “The normal you isn’t usually so quiet.” It may have not been the most tactful way to approach the subject, but there was only so much time before Reznik returned.

            “I'm sorry, this is difficult for me.”

            “It could be much worse.”

            “Of course.” Soren let out a slow breath before he took another sip of his wine. He was drinking considerably faster than Alex.

            “At least you didn’t forget how to speak or walk or anything like that.”

            “That’s true.” Soren’s blue eyes focused directly on Alex. “Thank you for reminding me this could be worse.”

            “Besides Reznik’ll find the cure soon.”

            “If there is one.”

            “Don’t worry there always is.” Alex had faith that Soren's memory would be restored. He didn't expect to be able to get away with his ruse indefinitely.

            “You’re sweet, and very understanding. I’m sorry you have to put up with me forgetting you.” 

            “It’s temporary.”

            Alex was surprised when Soren reached out and captured his hand.

            “You really are extraordinary. I hope I tell you that often.”

            Alex avoided eye contact; Soren didn't need to see how those words affected him. It would be nice to think that it was only Soren’s inane celibacy oath and not a lack of desire that caused his love to remain unrequited.

            “You're very attractive. I’ve had a hard time not looking here…” he traced a finger just below Alex’s collar bone to where his skin disappeared beneath his shirt. “I’d like to see more, everything is new to me again.”

            More than you know.

Alex repressed his excitement. If they were supposed to be lovers, he couldn't be caught acting nervous and inexperienced. Alex had wanted Soren so badly for so long and to be told it was mutual made it hard to keep control. The wine didn't help things either.

Before Alex could process what was happening, he felt Soren’s strong arms pull him into his lap. Soren tilted Alex’s face down to his and caught his lips in a kiss. His insistent tongue demanded every bit of Alex’s attention as it explored him thoroughly. When Soren finally released him he was breathless.

            “Well, we’ve obviously done that a lot.” 

            Alex averted his face lest Soren read his reaction to that assumption.

            “Do you always have this effect on me?”

            God he hoped so. Soren kissed him again. Alex had difficulty relaxing into it because of how hard he was smiling.

            “I think I have an idea on how to get my memory back.”

            “How?”

            “Do you want to go to bed?” Soren's tone was low and gravelly, and made Alex want to do all sorts of indecent things.

            Only he couldn’t actually allow himself to do any of those activities, no matter how enticing. There was a limit to how much his conscience could rationalize, oath breaking being an example. Alex pulled away to take a long sip of wine. He wanted to let Soren down without offending him.

            “I think we should wait. Reznik will be back any moment.”

            “More reason to hurry.”

            “No … I want you to remember me first.”

            “Being strangers could be fun. It would be like the first time all over again.”

            Alex was running out of polite ways to refuse. It was especially hard to think of excuses when he didn't actually want to refuse at all. This must be his punishment for the months he'd spent lusting after the untouchable Soren.

            Distance would help Alex decided. He slid off the other man's lap. Soren must have misread his intentions for he stood up with him. Alex backed away only to have Soren follow him, eventually pushing him until together they toppled onto the bed. This was not distance.

            Soren grinned, he reminded Alex of a fox on the scent of a rabbit. His face disappeared as he pressed close against Alex's body. Soren started licking him. His tongue traced Alex’s ear, working its way inquiringly into his clavicle. Thinking became difficult as all the blood left his head to make its way down to where it could be put to better use.

            “Mast—Sor, I said no. I mean it.”

            “You don't sound like you mean it. Do you like pretending to resist? Do you want me to tie you up?”

            Soren didn't say things like that.

Neither did Soren use his hand to do what it was currently doing. The result of which was creating havoc with Alex’s willpower. Alex tried to wriggle out from beneath him, but Soren wasn't willing to let him go.

            “No you've never tied me up … in bed.” The time he was arrested didn't need to be mentioned.

            “It could be fun, or—”

            “Stop.”

            “Give me one minute to change your mind and if I can't we'll stop. I promise.” Soren's pupils were large and black. He didn't look like he had any intention of stopping.

            “No.”

            “Thirty seconds then.”

            “Um…”

            “Please Alex?”

            It was too much: the eyes, the pleading, Soren's warm body pressing down on him—what little was left of Alex’s resolve was brushed away by a soft kiss.

            “Okay, but just thirty seconds then you have to stop.”

            Soren's pleased expression was so appealing it nearly tricked Alex's heart into thinking he had made the right decision. Soren kissed his way down Alex's body until his face was in between the other man's thighs. He put his mouth on the fabric over Alex's hard cock and let his hot, moist breath slowly envelope Alex's shaft.

            Alex started to protest, but what actually came out was significantly less coherent. Soren seemed amused by this. Instead of allowing Alex time to recover he chose to repeat the treatment. Soren's fingers moved slowly up to grasp the top button on the Alex's pants. Before it went further, Alex knew he should tell Soren to stop. Not that he wanted to; at that moment Alex could think of no crueler fate than that he was still wearing pants.

            But instead of undoing the button, Soren only adjusted it teasingly, causing Alex to groan in frustration. Through the cloth Soren nuzzled Alex's neglected erection while he lightly ran a thumb over his balls.

            That was it. If he was a bad person for this then so be it. He was willing to let Soren do anything he wanted to him.

            “Do you want me to stop?” Soren's eyes monitored Alex's expression.

            Alex just shook is head. He hoped Soren would forgive him for this one day.

            Not giving him time to recant his consent, Soren began stripping the clothing from Alex's body.

            “I want to see all of you. There's so much to discover.”

            “Maybe you only want to do this now because I feel like a stranger.” Alex said lightly.

            “Never. Wouldn't be possible.” Soren positioned himself back on top of Alex. “I want you because you're you.” He kissed him hard, nudging Alex's legs apart so that his torso wouldn't have to take all the weight. Alex was starting to suspect celibacy oath or not, Soren was not a virgin.

            “Aren't you going to take your clothes off?”

            “In just a moment.” Soren flicked his tongue over one of Alex's nipples. “Where do we keep the oil?”

            “The … oil?”

            “Or whatever else it is we use, to make things um, slippery.” Soren grazed the erect tissue with his teeth. “Forgive me, I don't know where it's kept.”

            Neither did Alex. “Oh that, um…”

            Alex was saved from answering by a knock on the door. Yet he couldn’t feel too relieved, the thought of discovery brought back a sense of guilt. Hopefully whoever it was would go away without opening the door.

            Soren sighed. “I'll make them go away,” he whispered to Alex. Much louder he said, “I don't want to be disturbed right now.”

            “Sor?” Alex recognized the voice and grimaced. “It's Reznik, I brought Marcus back, he's waiting in your study to see you.”

            Since Soren was still on top of Alex, it was impossible to flee, or to even wipe the perspiration from his brow. Reznik would not have a positive reaction to finding him in this position.

            “That's wonderful, thank you. Tell him I'll be there in half an hour.”

            “Sor, I don't think we should wait. Let me in for a moment—”

            “Fifteen minutes.”

            There was a very distinct and pregnant pause. “Is Alex in there with you?”

            Alex willed himself to be anywhere else, absolutely anywhere.

            “Reznik, I've told you to give me a few more minutes—”

            Reznik flung the door open hard enough to make it bounce off the wall. Soren sat up leaving Alex mercilessly exposed to Reznik's eyes. Although it was already far, far past the point of denial or easy explanations, Alex snatched a sheet to cover his nakedness. It was typical that in an awkward situation he would be the only one unclothed.

            Reznik stared at Alex. He didn't move or yell, he simply stared.

            Soren was the first to break the silence. “I told you—”

            “How could you?” Reznik said to Alex. “When he's like this? He trusted you—”

            “I didn't, I swear.”

            “Like Hell you didn't.” Reznik turned to Soren. “Did you have sex with him?”

            “I don't see how that's—”

            “He's not who you think he is. This is important, did you sleep with him?”

            Soren looked at Alex in confusion.

            “I'm sorry, I didn't mean any harm.” The look on his master’s face cut into Alex's heart. Deciding that he had added all he could to the conversation Alex pulled the sheet over his head. Since he didn't expect his lifespan to extend to more than the next few minutes, he felt entitled to some degree of rudeness.

            “Alex?” Soren asked quietly. Alex didn't respond.

            “I'm sorry,” Reznik said. “I should’ve left you with someone else. I didn't think he would resort to something this low. But it's very important, did you sleep with him?”

            “Not yet, but I—”

            “Thank the gods. Okay, let's get your memory back and this will all make sense. If I try to explain it’ll take hours.”

            “Okay, but—”

            “Good.” Reznik strode across the room to the bed. He grabbed Alex's arm and jerked him out from under the covers and onto the floor. “Get out.”

            “Wait I need clothes.” Alex put his pants on as quickly as he could, since they were the most essential. Reznik snatched the rest of his clothes from the bed and then shoved Alex from the room.

Reznik’s pace was fast as he dragged Alex down the hall to his quarters. Alex fought hard not to stumble. His face became hot as he passed several other servants. He could imagine how he looked: half naked and in obvious disgrace. Reznik handling of him didn't help. He didn’t even bother to keep his voice down while he lectured him.

            “I can't believe I thought you cared enough about him to—”

            “I do, it's not—”

            “Do you know what the word is for someone who coerces another into sex?”

            “I didn't—”

            “A rapist.”

            “I never, I wouldn't, he's the one—” Alex's words were cut off with a shove.

            “Now stay here,” Reznik said gesturing at the door to Alex's room. “It will make it easier when the marshal comes for you.”   

            “The marshal? But—”

            “I'm going to take Soren to Marcus first, but once he knows what you've done, he'll call the law on you himself. Now go before I break something vital.” Reznik thrust Alex into the room and then threw the clothes at him, half of them spilling onto the floor. He slammed the door shut on leaving Alex alone and ashamed.

           

            Three hours later Alex was sitting on a bench in the kitchen watching everyone else prepare dinner. It was the busiest place in the manor which was precisely why he had chosen it.

            Alex should have been helping with the work, but no one said anything to him about it. No one came near him, as if his disgrace was somehow contagious. Despite Reznik's instructions to stay in his quarters, Alex had left as soon as he was dressed. He was too upset to sit in such a quiet place and wait. Additionally since he shared it with two other men, they might have returned and asked what had happened. There was nothing he could say in his defense that wouldn't damage Soren's reputation. As it was the rumors were brutal. The servants whispered about how he had taken advantage of Soren while he was under a spell. They talked about Reznik's daring rescue that came just before it was too late. They even speculated about what would be done with Alex. He was already a delinquent, collared mage, only saved from prison by Soren's generous nature.

           

            About an hour ago the news had spread that Soren's memory had returned. Alex was glad for him. Even if it meant the consequences for his actions were now closer. This misdeed might be the one that finally got him sent to slave in the mines. Soren possessed the power to turn him into ash if he so chose, but he tended to be more law abiding than that. That was why being in the busiest room in the manor was important—witnesses.

            A sudden change in the atmosphere pulled Alex out of his thoughts. All conversation had stopped. Soren had entered the kitchen, his countenance forbidding enough to make all of the servants immediately redouble their efforts at work to avoid meeting his gaze. Alex envied them as he tried to melt into the wall. It wasn't nearly as effective when he was conspicuously idle.

            “Why aren't you in your quarters? Didn't Reznik tell you to go there?”

            “Well he, um…” As much as Alex wanted to lie and blame Reznik, he didn't think Soren would believe him.

            Soren crossed his arms.

            “I don't know,” Alex said.

            “You don't know?”

            “Well, he said something, but I, you know, I…” Alex ran out of words and Soren allowed them to hang in the air for an uncomfortable length of time.

            “You don't know why you came down here to avoid me instead of going to your room?”

            “Because there's safety in a crowd?”

            “What exactly did you think I was going to do to you?” 

            “I'm not sure. I mean, I didn't do it on purpose, but I still caused a lot of problems and you might … cast me out, or … or obliterate me?”

            “I'm not happy with you, but I think death would be a little severe.”

            “Reznik said you would call the marshal.”    

            Soren sighed. “I'm not going to do anything that terrible. You weren't the aggressor in the situation.” Soren's words were an incredible relief to Alex, even more so that he said them in front of so many people. The kitchen was incredibly packed with people that were pretending not to hear, even some that didn’t ordinarily work in the kitchen. Alex hoped the hateful gossips would burn their tongues on the meal they pretended to make.

            “I'm really glad, I thought—”

            “We are, however, going to have a very thorough discussion about the very bad things you did do.”

            “Things?” As in more than one?

            “Yes things. I don't think you want to have this kind of conversation here. Follow me to my room.”

            Alex didn't like the way that sounded, so he stayed riveted to his seat.

            “Now,” Soren said in a sterner tone. People were starting to openly look at them. Alex could feel his face reddening, but still he didn't move.

            “You're only making this worse.”

            In response to Alex’s continued silence Soren did something Alex wasn’t expecting at all. He picked him up. Suddenly finding himself slung over his master's shoulder made Alex’s blush deepen. So much for the small amount of his reputation he'd managed to salvage. While Soren was in the process of hauling him from the room, Alex overheard one servant whisper to another.

            “I bet he's going to spank him.” 

            Alex felt a shiver run across his skin despite how impossible that concept was. Soren wouldn't do something like that to him.

            “Master wait,” Alex said, as soon as the others were out of view.

            Silence.

            “Master, what are you doing? Let me down, I'll walk.”

            “Be quiet.”

            “Master I—”

            Soren swatted Alex on his bottom hard enough to make him gasp.

            He was going to be spanked.

            “Please don't do this! Master—”

            Soren stopped and set Alex down on his feet. Firmly he grasped Alex's shirt, pulling him close.

            “Either you obey me or I’ll give you your punishment right here.”

            “Oh no, I—”

            “Not one more word.”

            Alex looked at him through blurring eyes. He nodded.

            “Now walk.” Soren took a crushing grip on Alex's wrist and tugged him the rest of the way to his room.

            Once inside Soren locked the door. As he pulled the chair out from his desk the bottom fell out of Alex's stomach. He couldn't even remember the last time that he'd been spanked, only that he'd been very small.

            “Have a seat. This conversation is going to take a while.”

            Alex was astonished; he had thought the word conversation was just a euphemism for a beating. He had just been overly influenced by what he had overheard. Hope cleared his eyes and he gratefully took the offered chair. Soren sat across from him on the bed.

            “I know you didn't try to take advantage of me sexually. I pursued you and you did your best to resist my advances.”

            “It was hard, I really wanted to, but I knew it was wrong, so I tried, but—”

            “Yet somehow that didn't stop you from lying in the first place.”

            “I didn't lie exactly. I just didn't correct you.”

            “You should have.”

            “Reznik thinks I tried to force myself on you. He said—”

            “I'll talk to him.”

            “Thank you.”

            “Still you never told me the truth, even when things got … intense.”

            “By that point—”

            “You could have just told me we weren't intimate yet, I would have believed you, you're young—”

            “Why do you always bring that up? I'm not an infant.”

            “That's debatable.”

            “Soren—I mean master,” Alex amended after Soren's stern look. “Sorry, I—” 

            “I gave you a second chance, yet the moment you were left unsupervised you took advantage of it. You've proven yourself untrustworthy.”

            “I'm trustworthy.” Soren didn't look convinced. “It's just that, well, I find you irresistible. So that wasn't really my fault. Anyone—”

            “You tricked me into giving you wine.”

             

            “Sorry.” Alex looked away. There really wasn't much point in arguing. They both knew he was guilty.

            “Alex … why are you here?”

            Alex was confused. “Because you wanted to talk to me?” He would happily leave if Soren was finished.

            “As a servant.”

            “Oh that, as penance for breaking the rules at the academy.”

            “You don't appear to be learning.”

            “Everyone breaks rules. I was just unlucky enough to be caught in—”

            “How could you not have been caught? You knew I would get my memory back.”

            “I know, but—”

            “You've broken serious rules: attempting to seduce your superior, drinking when you know it's not allowed, disobeying Reznik, using forbidden magic, lying about your age—”

            “Forbidden magic? I sold love potions, it wasn't like I tried to open a portal to the abyss.”

            “It is extremely forbidden to cast spells that influence the way people feel. The aftermath of love spells can be—”

            “You just don't understand what it's like to be in love with some one that doesn't care if you exist.”

            “Are you saying you'd do it again?”

            “No, of course not.” Alex would never be stupid enough to admit something like that.

            “It's true that most people might occasionally break a rule, but they don't break ones with serious repercussions. Apparently the repercussions you've had weren't serious enough for you.”

            “I feel bad about it, it's not like I'd do any of it again.”

            “Tomorrow I want you to assist Reznik with whatever work he needs done. You betrayed his trust and it will be hard to get it back.”

            Alex didn't particularly care if got Reznik's trust back, but he was wise enough not to say that.

            “That will take care of my brother, but as for what you did to me…” Soren began rolling back his sleeves. “I'm going to spank you.”

            Alex stared at him blankly. “Soren I—”

            “What did you just call me?”

           

            “Master, sorry, I don't need a spanking. I've already learned my lesson.”

            “Think of it as a memory aid then.” Soren's tone implied that he only had Alex's best interest in mind, but beneath that Alex suspected he was enjoying this.

            “Can't you punish me in some other way? Chores—”

            “No,” Soren said before heartlessly moving on to the logistics. “Now, since you're almost as tall as me, it would probably be more comfortable if we did this on the bed. It'll distribute your weight more evenly.” Soren moved back and patted his lap.

            More comfortable for whom? “This is ridiculous. You can't spank me like some little kid, I—”

            “Would it make you feel more mature to bend over the table while I take a strap to you?”

            Alex looked at the desk as if it might jump up and grab him. “You wouldn't.”

            “If that's how you want it. I would never want to make you feel belittled.” Soren moved to stand.

            “No, I'm not saying that. I just, oh—I can't handle this.” Alex allowed his face to sink into his hands.

            Soren calmly held out a hand to Alex. Peering out between own his fingers, Alex regarded it hesitantly. If he took Soren's hand it meant he didn't have to think about this anymore. The offer was oddly comforting, considering what that hand wanted to do to him. Slowly Alex accepted it and Soren drew him onto the bed. He helped Alex stretch himself lengthwise over his thighs and along the mattress. Alex groaned in shame.

            “It'll be over in a few minutes and you'll be much wiser for it.”

            “If you say so.”

            Soren chuckled. “It couldn't possibly make you worse.” He reached under Alex and began undoing the buttons on his pants.

            “What are you doing? No—stop that!” Alex tried to roll off of Soren's lap. Soren pinned him down and gave his bottom several whacks hard enough to make it sting.

            “These don't count, so unless you want this to go on for a very long time, you need to let me remove these.”

            “Sor—Master—I don't think I can do this.”

            “I don't see how you have a choice in the matter.”

            “But you don't understand, that was too painful—”

            “I know it hurts, but you've earned it.” Soren undid the last button and then commenced with pulling the waistband down. Alex twisted around so that he could grab the front of his pants with both hands to prevent them from being removed.

            “No, no, no, no—stop!”

            Soren reacted by forcing Alex back onto his stomach, crushing his hands beneath him. He started a steady assault of eye-watering blows to Alex's clothed posterior.

            “Let me know when you want to start your punishment.” 

            Alex grunted and shifted in pain. “Okay, okay, okay!”

            Soren released him and Alex pulled his arms out from where they’d been trapped. He flexed his wrists a few times as he stretched them out in front of him.

            “You're being horrible to me.”

            “This is a learning experience for me too. Next time I'm going to take your pants down before I get you into position.” Soren pushed the bottom half of Alex’s uniform down passed his knees. Alex felt horribly exposed. This was not how he wanted Soren to see him naked. 

            Soren's hand descended on bare flesh. It was more painful than before and considerably louder. It practically echoed off the walls and Alex had no doubt it could be heard even beyond the courtyard, possible even into Hebble city proper.      

            Alex hissed and squirmed, which forced Soren's hand to have to chase its target for each stroke. Alex wanted to make it harder on him, maybe then he would get tired and quit sooner. The pants hobbled Alex and made it difficult to kick. In addition the mattress beneath him didn't give his legs much room to work up a good swing.

            How could Soren hurt him so much, when only hours before he had touched him so nicely? And on the same bed. Alex clenched his jaw to keep from begging. Finally unable to stop himself he put a hand back to try and block the onslaught of smacks. Soren struck his knuckles hard and Alex jerked his hand back with a hiss. Soren's palm cracked against the reddened flesh until Alex thought his fingers might be better off taking the blows. He alternated between trying to block and snatching his fingers to safety. Soren eventually took pity on him and trapped his arm against his back.

            Desperation overtook Alex as he decided to end his punishment anyway he could. Alex folded his legs up as far as he could until his feet covered his bottom. He'd always been flexible, and he was grateful for that as the blows ceased.

            “Put your legs down.”

            “I can't.”

            “You can. Now.”

            “No, I can't do it.”

            The noise Alex heard was reminiscent of a growl, and it caused the hair on the back of his neck to respond appropriately. But it wasn't enough to make him move his feet.

            Soren loosened his grip so he could use his hands to force Alex into a position where he could be better controlled. Alex took advantage of his distraction to pitch his body sideways off of his lap. His shoulder hit hard on the ground but he didn't care, it was much less than the pain he felt elsewhere.

            “What do you think you're doing?”

            Alex struggled to his feet. He tried to restore his pants while at the same time put distance between himself and danger. But his haste along with clothes that were badly twisted from struggling was an ineffective combination. Alex found himself back on the ground.

            “Do you want me to come get you?”

            “Haven't I been punished enough?” Alex heard his voice waver. He was in too much pain for pride, he only hoped it would make Soren feel sorry for him.

            “I'll tell you when you've had enough.” Soren held out his hand.

            They both remained motionless. Alex’s bottom was sore where it pressed against the ground, he wondered if Soren’s arm was getting tired.

            “I warned you.”

            Soren bent forward and removed one of his slippers before placing it on the bed. He left the other one on.

            Alex renewed his efforts to get his clothes on and get away, but Soren was faster. He dragged the protesting Alex back to the bed. This time he gripped Alex around the waist under his arm, bending him over one knee. Soren used his other leg to restrict both of Alex's. The position was markedly less comfortable than before. Not only could Alex feel the heat in his bottom, but Soren's thigh was digging into his stomach as well.

            “You always make things harder on yourself.” Soren picked up the slipper, and cracked the sole hard against Alex's abused posterior.

            Alex gasped and tried to shift position, but Soren had him firmly restrained. The slipper struck again in what felt like the same spot. This time Alex yelped. Panic rushed through him as he feared Soren would hit the spot a third time. Mercifully (if that word can be applied) Soren switched to the other cheek. Alex jerked as much as he was able. He regretted his attempt to get off Soren's lap. The pain, as the slipper struck each spot twice, was so much worse than before.

            Now that Alex understood the pattern, the anticipation was multiplied out of all proportion. He would have given anything to make it stop.

            “Sor please! I'm sorry, I'm really sorry. Please…”

            Soren ignored him, continuing his relentless application of the slipper.

            On the slightest chance that it would do any good, Alex put everything he could muster into begging. His pleas turned into sobs until his shoulders shook and he ceased to struggle. Soren must have interpreted this as the sign of a well spanked man; for he set the shoe down and helped Alex to his feet.

Alex shifted from foot to foot and rubbed at his bottom, trying anything to lessen the pain. He was vaguely aware that Soren was watching him, but he was too preoccupied to pay much attention. After a moment he felt a tug on his wrist and then found himself enveloped in his master's warm arms. Alex turned his face into the other man's neck and cried. Soothing fingers massaged their way in circles along his back, eventually working their way down to the tender skin of his bottom. It hurt, but after a moment he was able to relax into it and it afforded him some relief.

            After Alex had calmed down considerably, he remembered that his pants were around his ankles. He had spent a remarkable percentage of the day exposing himself to others. Alex broke the embrace and stooped to retrieve his pants. They went on easier when he wasn't panicking.

            “Are you hungry? I could have something brought to us, if you like.”

            “If you want to.” Whether he ate or not didn't seem important. 

            Soren left to tell a servant to bring them dinner. Alex was subdued when the meal arrived. He felt entirely drained of—everything. Sensing his mood, Soren didn't press him and they ate in silence. When they were done, Soren stacked the dishes as if to carry them with him when he left.

            Alex wasn't quite ready for him to go. He stopped Soren's movements by placing a hand on his wrist. A look of confusion crossed Soren's features, and then he set the tray back down on the desk.

            “I'm sorry,” Alex said. “I should never have gone along with the lie … but you know how I feel and you … you feel something towards me, I mean—”

            “Alex, I took an oath of celibacy. That means something. I've not going to break it … regardless of how I feel.”

            “Why would want to make an oath like that? It's—”

            “I need do this to complete this type of spell mastery.”

            “And in exchange you'll suffer through an existence with no sex? An entire life of being alone?”

            Soren laughed.

            “What? What's funny about that?”

            “Nothing, nothing's funny about that. It just isn't as dramatic as you make it sound.”

            Alex turned away from Soren. He folded his arms tightly across his chest, giving Soren an accusatory glance before he spoke.

            “You kissed me.”

            “Yes I did.”

            “Well, did that ruin the spell?”

            “Not that I can tell.” 

            From looking at Soren's expression, Alex suspected he knew what Alex was about to say. “Then you could kiss me again, without it being—”

            “No.”

            “But—”

            “How can I trust you?” Despite the coldness of his words, Soren reached out to gently stroke Alex's arm. “You kissed me knowing that I never would have done so ordinarily.”

            “You might have, I mean eventually—” Alex turned towards the touch, wanting it to be more than merely a sympathetic gesture.

            “No I wouldn't have.”

            “Never?”

            “Never.”

            “Oh.” Alex slumped in his seat. While what Soren said was hurtful, he was overwhelmed by the slew of mixed signals he was receiving. Even now, the way he was being studied, suggested something more. Soren's hand hadn't gone away, instead it had moved to pry one of Alex's own away from its forbidding position. Absently Soren played with his fingers.

            “Can I ask you something?” Alex said after some time.

            “What?”

            “It's just if you've been celibate, how did you know so much about, um, you know.”

            “Why wouldn't I?”

            “I thought you were inexperienced—”   

            “An innocent? Hardly.”

            “But…” Alex searched the cool blue eyes. Could he have misread him so badly?

            “There was plenty of time before I took the vow, quite a bit of time. My oath is only for a year.”

            Sitting up straight, Alex yanked his fingers out of Soren's. “What? But I thought—how much time is left?”

            “About six weeks.”

            “Six weeks?”

           

            Something in Alex's tone made Soren chuckle.

            Alex grabbed Soren's hands. “You mean we only have to wait six weeks and then we can have sex?”

            “What happened the last time you tried that?”

            “I didn't try anything, although you—”

            “Sh.” 

            “Tried to ravish me.”

            “Keep throwing accusations like that around and I'll throw you back over my knee.”

            “It was worth it.”

            “What?” Soren's expression made Alex smile. It was about time he had the advantage.

            “I got to hear you say how extraordinary I am.”

            “Now just because—”

            “And how you hope you remember to tell me that often.”

            “You're never going to let me forget this, are you?”

            “Never.”

            Soren pulled his fingers away so that he could rub his temples. “You're giving me a head ache.”

             A wicked look crossed Alex's face before he spoke. “Just like the first time all over again.”

            “No,” Soren paused to look at Alex; a slow smile crept onto his features. “You always have this effect on me.”