Was the gold too much? If he could see exactly where Kethaias had been after, exactly where his hands had traveled over his skin or held hard, exactly where his mouth had smeared it, exactly where it dripped between his thighs...<br/><br/>"The gold isn't too much," Ryland said, his tone saturated. "You just lack the imagination for it."<br/><br/>There was a bubble of happiness here he didn't want to break. Kethaias seemed happier than he'd ever been, which seemed a great feat, and Ryland could recognize himself as the victor here. He didn't owe anything here. But he was quite satisfied to claim it.<br/><br/>"<i>My </i>time," he said, reaching for Kethaias again, even as he interrupted by that assault to his mouth. Kethaias had definitely noticed. "<i>My </i>effort.<i>My </i>win of the bet." The last came out laughing, right before Kethaias cut him off with his kiss. He hummed into it, still smiling, until it turned to a flash of heat, the promise of something further.<br/><br/>Kethaias rolled away from him. Ryland pouted at him for a bare second before their fingers threaded together.<br/><br/>His brother would<i>not </i>approve. Not unless it meant he could accuse Kethaias of despoiling his younger brother and force him into a marriage, but they'd already made it very clear that wasn't going to happen between the two of them. Besides, everyone<i>did </i>know about Ryland's proclivities.<br/><br/>The mention of his brother certainly couldn't go unpunished, though. He didn't want to think about his brother at all in a time like this.<br/><br/>He looked at Kethaias, so sated beside him, his breath evening out, the little smile on his face. That sort of cooling down wouldn't do.<br/><br/>"Oh, tonight..." He made his voice a heavy, silken thread. "I'm going to taste you first." His smile curled. "You'd like me on my knees, wouldn't you? Kiss swollen lips, licking up your thighs. You'd like your hand tight in my hair while I wrap my tongue around the shape of your cock, until you can push inside and watch my lips stretch around you, wet and red. Mmmm, I can already taste you..."<br/><br/>Fingers tightened on his hand, and Ryland laughed. The tip of the boat tapped against the dock, and the boat gave a gentle rock forward as the boatman controlled their stop.<br/><br/>"Time for another ride. Our mounts should have been brought down."<br/><br/>He didn't even bother to right his clothing until after he'd scrambled out, and then he nearly fell over laughing watching Kethaias try to lumber out unassisted. By the time Kethaias had got near him again, he'd already leapt into the saddle and was playing Keep Away with expert horsemanship. By the time Kethaias had mounted and knocked his horse to a gallop, Ryland had surged his own off into a head start.<br/><br/>The ride back was just as brisk and cold and just as exhilarating. Every time the king got too near, Ryland danced away. He knew the path and the terrain off the path so well, Kethaias didn't dare go racing his horse over it for fear of injury, while Ryland dared with sure knowledge of where not to misstep.<br/><br/>"I've won again," he said, as they dismounted in the courtyard. He turned to Kethaias with his hands behind his back, walking backward. "Why don't you bring me a present tonight, then? Make it something special. I don't want you to forget me until then."<br/><br/>He dropped a wink and escaped into the safety of the castle.<br/><br/>His room was clean. He had plenty of oil. He had toys made of fine china if Kethaias was the type to want or use them. His sheets smelled glorious and so did he. He dressed in nothing after dinner but soft breeches and a loose, untucked silk shirt with small but very fine embroidery and thought Kethaias might appreciate simple beauty more than ostentatious.<br/><br/>The knock on the door came as expected, three quiet knocks.<br/><br/>Ryland opened the door and leaned against it.<br/><br/>"Hello," he said, making his voice dip, his eyelashes lower. "What did you bring me?"