Hell has to be just like this....

“Perhaps you do not grasp the gravity of the mating process Gia, perhaps I should educate you. You will be the escort for the next prospects to the full moon festival, watch and understand little sister I will not lie and say the idea of you being bound heart and soul to a male does not tickle me.” The great and powerful, stick up her ass Zari chuckled that shits not funny and highly improbable. 

“ The festival is tomorrow we will have to travel all the way to Germany tomorrow and it has been a long night, find someone else Zari I will take the next one.” With a flippant hand gesture Zari continued on as if she hadn't spoken. 

“You can sleep on the plane, which consequently leaves in an hour and a half. Oh and do remember clothing is optional.” Another chuckle as Gia rose to leave, a private plane full of jittery, age old succubi awaiting binding, not fun times. Ashlin and Mairi we faithfully waiting outside of Gia's bedroom, they wordlessly followed her inside, waiting to see how serious this one was, these really were her best friends in the whole world. 

“No rest for the slutty guys, help me pack I have to escort the prospects tomorrow which means I am on my way to Frankfurt tonight.” Both girls exchanged weary glances and began to raid the closet and dresser immediately proffering lace, silk and leather they really do understand.

 “Do you worry you might...you know...be claimed?” Mairi's muffled voice carried from the closet examining a pair of knee high black leather boots. Though there is always the possibility, Gia just could not bring herself to even consider it, she was the raven haired Aphrodite, a goddess of debauchery and the Harbinger of hangovers. There will be no taming of the dragon lady, before she could speak ever watchful Ashlin already read Gia through and through. 

“I pray mercy on the poor male, for it will be a bloody battle at best.” Giggles erupt, Ashlin's fiery red tresses fall in curls around her waist as she holds up a pair of silk panties. “Realistically, with all the demons, Lykae, and other realm hunks, are we really going under the pretense of panties?” 

“Don't forget Incubi though, I am certain she who shall not be tamed will avoid them at great cost.” Mairi chimed in piling pair after pair of shoes on the bed. Trying to look appalled, Gia tossed a slipper, then thought about it. 

“Since when is it frowned upon for succubi to feed?” Both girls sobered long enough to erupt into another fit. 

“Since when do succubi need to feed multiple times a day...everyday?” Ashlin tossed at her followed by Mairi. 

“ And with no less than three demon warlords, whom if I recall correctly had to all but crawl from this very room!” Gia grunted as she laid across the overly full suitcase, while both girls pulled at a zipper on either side. A girl could never have enough clothes for a weekend, and she was notorious for teasing men into a frenzy resulting in a surmountable clothing causality count.

        The giggling and chatter was withstand-able for about ten seconds while Gia secured her baggage, and entered the private plane with the fifteen prospects, as she suspected not fun times. She secured her ear buds and let the sweet, growl of angry girl rock fill her ears. The volume low enough so she could monitor her surroundings old habits die hard, forged in times of battle, Gia was always watchful. She caught tidbits of conversation flowing around the cabin, despite her best efforts one of the younger prospects murmured to a group about needing guards.

 “They are here to keep you in line, you are to only give your attentions to incubus males. Though we will see little of Gia the Conqueror once we are in the thick of the festival.” One of the females sniped, fair assessment I am not down to babysit frenzied females.

 “That's Gia? She is centuries old and of legends why is she not bound? She is beautiful!” She had to fight the urge to scoff, wait for it little one. 

“Gia likes to think of herself as above such things, I have heard she is powerful and domineering. I once overheard Mother Zari saying that Gia would only be claimed by an iron will and a monks patience.” 

Trying, was her first adjective used to describe herself, domineering? No comment. Surrendering to sleep, Gia drowned out the rest of the noise hoping for peace in the hours to come. Though her German was a wee bit rusty she never remembered anyone being less accommodating, trying to explain that though B.O.B (battery operated boyfriends) can be earth shattering, it is not a weapon of mass destruction. The security guard was not convinced and poor Leo was detained, indefinitely which meant that Gia's already sour mood took a sharp dive. At least her request for a separate room had been granted, first things first walking over to the jacuzzi jet tub, she turned the hot knob as far as it would go barely adding cold flooding the room with thick steam. Leaving a trail of clothes back through the room on her way to the bar was her way of marking her territory, claiming the space for her own. Smooth amaretto to warm her belly, Gia stopped in front of the mirror clearing it with a hand examining the intricate pattern trailing her right side from breast to hip the only thing marking her flawless golden skin. 

“Stories of long ago, fancy and foolishness from the great Gia.” she muttered throwing back the last of her drink and climbing into the bracing water, the heat warmed her to her bones comfort like she had never known caused her to moan. Nothing was moving her right now not even the light foot steps that crossed the threshold or the resounding knock on the open bathroom door. 

“Yes?” ......

Taming theTemptress

The smile of pure exhilaration on Gia's face was slowly fading as the male rutting over her began to lag, they always lag. She wriggled beneath him, but the hulking construction worker's pleasing features have constricted into harsh lines.

“Harder!” Guiding his eyes down to hers, she spurs him by scoring his back with her nails, “I'm not made of glass.” Without breaking the connection he gives a measured thrust with a little more force, forcing his eyes closed ,followed by a pleasing “UHN!”, still need him faster, harder, that tell tale tingling started in her shoulders. Gia usually tired to keep her strength in check, trying not to overpower her prey, feeding on them slowly while they both writhed in ecstasy and orgasm. Usually it never worked out for her that way, now was one of those times, wrapping one arm around the back of his thick neck and tangling her other hand in his hair, she seized his mouth with fervor.

His moans were a green light that he was lost in sensation,clamping her thighs Gia rolled them not breaking there precious kiss, feeding always made her wanton. When she had her fill, Gia's smile was victorious, she straightened above him whipping her hips impossibly fast, his looks of lust and wonder fueling her upward momentum. When his grip bordered on pain, when his back bowed completely lifting her knees off the bed, screaming out in pure blinding pleasure she followed. She knew her eyes were illuminated their other worldly lilac glow, but she was to lost to care. Lifting and tucking her into his side he began to pet her murmuring sweet nothings.

“You're amazing... never had anything so good...stay...with...” And he's out folks! Zari is going to have my ass for this, I can hear her screech now “Drawing attention, unnecessarily....find a male feed for a time, look like a normal girl not an alley cat Gia!...” is it her fault males of this age are so timid? The 1800 now that was an era knights threw a fair maiden over his shoulder to be carried off and wickedly handled. The hygiene of this time were leaps and bounds better, but it still leaves something to be desired. She rose to get dressed doing her best not to wake the mass figure, she couldn't bring herself to feel remorse for not being able to keep the male, he was so predictable and boring, and that is before he would become her love zombie. She sighed finding her shredded panties, now this she regretted they were so pretty alas it was their time.

“...NOT AN ALLEY CAT, GIA! Dark gods what am I going to do with with you? Ashlin, Mairi and you I have a thousand gray hairs for you each...Are you mocking me?” Caught mid drawl imitating Zari's grim demeanor and tight lipped words, Gia immediately averts her gaze.

“I am the mother of this coven Gia, you would do well to remember this, just because you are my baby sister does not earn you as much give as you would think. The elders suggest I breed you to teach you responsibility...” Zari assesses Gia's look of genuine terror, which she quickly attempts to check, the thought of screaming young and responsibility for another made her skin crawl.

“We both know the elders are still stewing about Woodstock, I am told it is now considered a revolution of acceptance and free love. I had a hand in changing history!” Zari's beautiful fuchsia eyes darkening to a hostile crimson.

Sorry! That is all from them for now!

As it were the blog is going to be a novel!!! So I love you all for your support look for the ebook in 2014 Royal Trinkets!

I do have some other short sexy romps for you to enjoy!! Wish I may- Starting with Ms.Gia and her Incubus male, whether she wants him or not.

Love,
Tori Millz

Damon-Reason

             

          

            Sahara emerges with my prize sometime later, I am taken with every bit of her like I am laying eyes on her for the first time. Thick gossamer waves of blonde tresses fall in just the right way a curtain that doesn't hide but highlights her beauty curving at her plump breast. I should not admire her so, it is unhealthy especially if she will not have me, I will coerce her it must be done or worst of it she accepts me but can not conceive I will have to move to another. I have done it a thousand times over, the thought of her willing laying before me like a banquet makes my knees weak, the thought of leaving her makes my chest ache a pain I have known for many years, the intensity is what shocks me.

          Those glacier blue eyes of hers assessing me, there is so much strength in them and if there ever was fear, she never let it shine through I doubt she ever would. She is trying her best to read me as I am her I can tell when her eyes find mine and her cheeks light, with a dusting of deep pink. I feel a slow smile spreading across my face, the idea of covering her small, plump body with my own, is to much to handle, but I can't stop it. Two steps to the left as I begin to circle my prey, I will have her this night.

            My eyes fall to her pert round ass. Ah! gods the idea of my palms sounding hard against it, clutching her too tightly while forcing my way inside her.

I hear a groan, only to realize it is coming from me, I want so badly to touch her but the game is depravity that is the only way I will get what I want from her. My arousal gives way to annoyance of Sahara still standing in the door way.

“What?” The word a dagger sharper than I intended but her emotions are not of my concern. A menacing grin plays across her lips at Adelene and the girl blushes again, what is this?

“I found this little one canoodling with her human....she was not feeding.” She left the statement floating there in the air, turned sauntering out of the room no doubt pleased with herself. She is truly a self absorbed little tyrant, made a good pet at one point in my life, I no longer need her I am sure she is scorned by this but again not my concern. The look on Adelene's face lets me know Sahara's statement is true, I want to feel cold, detached but I can not, I can not muster it. All I feel is a pang of jealousy over a pathetic human whose life's end is less than a fraction of a fraction of my current age.    

Damon

….For a time, Damon thought to himself, mine for a time. He laughed, a bittersweet sound, there are two and they both share a part of her. Saralize, my mate my queen, centuries long love and loss never ending worth every second. The fates either smile upon me with good grace or inhumane laughter, there are two. Adelene has yet to show the marking of the Succuphant, though Alexandra shows no markings at all, but she is there in them both bits and pieces, broken into an identical pair. Adelene, in the time I have had her is passionate, strong, soft beauty that calls to me, from deep inside her. I want to be her everything and it is unnerving, I know it will be the same with the other girl as well, how can I love two women with a heart belonging to another altogether. Loving in her memory in the faith that she lays deep within them both...there are two.

I have tried every single woman of age, searching for the suitable queen to rule along side me and carry my heir. Only a mate could bear my child, carrying the mark of the succuphant, no other could even conceive, the first century or two it was a welcome distraction from the pain of her loss, then when her first return came, then died...it became routine. Only royal bloodlines suffered this at one time common bred succubi and incubus could have packs of young, in our weakened state we would be lucky to have a pack between the entire clan and these two girls were the last of the royal bloodline of our former Ashen, said to have died from sorrow of losing his mate. There were whispers that she was other, not of the Ancient ones at all, but mortal. If that were the case then that meant there were changes in the works here, era upon era we all suffered continuously falling under vampires, Buggane, half breeds and lore. The alliances of old were crumbling to ruin, I have to try them both one day, the one will grow to understand this accept me and this place as home.

Each day I see Adelene, I grow to need to see her more everyday savoring her perfection and beauty. She is strong never does she willingly offer me her tears or her moans of pleasure, I earn them through hard work and persistence. I fight the urge to visit her in her room or in her dreams, trying to give her space and time away, but it is damn hard. She has yet to lay with me and give her self to me in whole, if I have a chance of her accepting me willingly I will try for it. Time and time again she stops me and denies herself, no is so foreign not only for a king an Ashen but for an incubus, lifted skirts and parted thighs have feinted at my feet for a time to vast to account. A knock at the door alerts me, I have been pacing unawares.

“Come in.” I am not expecting Adelene for sometime so any other visitors are met with disinterest at worst infatuation at best.

“Ah, brother! What troubles do you have in your palace on the hills?” Gaberiel's cheerful disposition is most definitely unwelcome, he was of the light but a brother all the same a bond formed over wars against the rising of the Buggane.

“She comes in a fortnight to the breeding grounds, I have not attempted the other yet.” He greets my statement with a snort, fingering his shoulder length blond hair in rapt amusement.

“If all your worries rest on which beauty you will mount first, your life is indeed an utter loss.” I give a shrug, that is why we are close he meets strife with jest easing my worry for fleeting moment or two. I move to take a seat at my desk, and he perches in a seat near a bowl of fruit, plundering an apple and polishing it on his shirt.

“What do I owe this visit, Gaberiel?” He feigns hurt, eyes wide and brows raised.

“Can I not simply check in?” I shot him a look that let him know yes he can but does he ever?

“Yes...Well...the seer, Sheva has her in sights, I have heard talk of Buggane attacking her in the street...” Shock sets in, He adjusts himself in his seat before he continues. “ The girl faired well, said she is accompanied by a Fylgia, this one a wolf.” That is where she was no doubt why I did not see her nights ago, Fylgia protect their charge to the death most times, no doubt he blanketed her or at the worst bedded. If she accepts him and his claim that will make this all the harder, because if it is her, I will kill for her. As for Sheva, she was birthed of a dark time for the world, full of chaos and evil, innocent blood spilled in the streets, we warred, murdered and fed as we pleased. Until my Saralize, she was so full of compassion and good, my mortal wicca, she in her own right deserved to be a goddess and I know that is what drew me to her.

“Have you heard of where she maybe now?” Gaberiel ponders this for a bit before biting into his prized apple, I suspected it shined from all the nervous polishing.

“Not as of yet, we will continue to scour it is only so long before the carnage becomes obvious.

“Well if that is all, I am expecting someone soon. We will have to continue this another time, brother.” He rises without further prompting years of this and he knows me well.

“One more thing tell me of these potential queens, does one suit your fancy at least?” He raises a hopeful brow.

“They both do, they are sisters...twins.” Gaberiel grips his chest and sputters apple along the floor, choking he looks at me in disbelief. “Then the fates surely smile upon you, maybe they will continue their good favor and make them equally lusty and insatiable.” With that he adjourned singing a light melody in old Norse, vikings never lose their heritage, and may he never in his centuries to come.

My mind draws back to Adelene I sent her back to her room because the sight of her vulnerable and naked would surely have made break a many a vow. I also sent her away less than fulfilled, not hungry but unsatisfied now that I have calmed I feel the need to rectify this injustice. I will page Sahara, she should still be up, and have her bring Adelene to me I wonder if she would like to share this bed with me. A hopeful fool, I push the thought from my mind though the satisfaction of it is lingering.

Yes...Sir

 “Adelene this will hurt...” Damon circles me again I can see him moving in my peripheral vision, I dare not look up at him my backside still stings from learning that lesson. I sit as still as possible my legs ache from kneeling for so long I let my wrists rest against the leather cuffs, my hair falling over my face I am glad for it not wanting to give him the satisfaction of my tears. “...Only as much as you allow it to, the pleasure of the outcome is what you have to look forward to. Do you understand?” He stops his circle anticipating my answer.

“Yes, Ashen.” I see the pleasure pulsing through him down to his feet, he rewards me with lightly brushing his lips against mine while he reaches between my slightly parted legs to softly caress me. I welcome the touch and my body starts to shake, we have been at this for hours, over and over, climbing brimful about to explode then all too soon his menacing fingers are gone.

“Hmmm...Good girl. When I tell you to stop, you stop do you understand?” I whimper in response wanting so bad for my well earned release, he slides his hand down my back his hand landing soundly on my bottom. I wince, then I revel in the feel of his hand tenderly massaging away the sting. I want to beg, beg and plead for him to end this...or to keep going til I climaxed and went limp against my bindings.

“Do you understand ?” His voice was sharper, a wicked warning and it makes me tremble.

“Yes Ashen.” Another brush of his lips, and he lingers teasing me goading me knowing that I am hungry in every sense by which my body can interpret it.

“Go!” I felt the words on my lips and drew him in, pulling greedily at the energy he freely let me take, pulling against my restraints wanting to tangle my fingers in his hair and pull him to me. My hips rocked at the warming that started at my core and spread outward, I shuddered and pulled, like the starved animal I am becoming.

“Good girl, stop!” I heard him in a daze, He is just so delicious warm and powerful, I hear his low growl and am at once aware I release him from my pull and lower my eyes to the floor once more. The first two times we tried, I could not stop he tortured my body with his silken caress, only to leave me wanting then drained every once I had taken back from me.

“Ah, Adelene you please me.” I did not move stalk still and quiet that is where he wanted me, obedient girls pleased him, I learn then I earn freedom, always a plan B. His voice called to me again, there was a twinge of earnest in his tone. “Do you want to please me Adelene?” I could not fight the urge to steal a glance, I had to see his face, I do like pleasing him though everything about this situation tells me otherwise. I choose the safest route giving him a simple 'Yes Ashen', he frowned at this.

“DO NOT TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK I WANT TO HEAR!” His voice boomed over me echoing off of every surface of the room, reflecting back to me a hundred times. Again I flounder I do not understand the rules to these games, I am unaware I am punished, I am to a tune I am punished, I am commendable... Though his punishments are arousing making my body sing out with each time his hand spanked and warmed my flesh, or tenderly caressed at his leisure, they were still just that, a punishment, no relief.

“I do want to please you, Damon.” I speak the truth but I do not understand why I feel this way, I want to say it is my new nature, that he is my Ashen, a king but it is only an excuse. He raises his brows in genuine surprise, he unbuckles each of my wrists, I rub them in gratitude. I frown to see Damon walking in a solemn tone head low, as he sinks into a chair along the far wall, when I approach him it is with caution for as much as I try I just can not read him. He reaches for me before I have a chance to stop pulling me onto his lap, nuzzling his face to my hair, encasing me in his strong warm arms.

“Please me you do, sweet. I can not explain this to you, you will not understand it now, just know Adelene, you must not care for me, feel not tenderness for I will only bring you pain. I am not a strong man nor am I charitable, I will not deny you.” Where was this coming from? He seemed dazed as he slowly rocked us, petting me and kissing my head, it was...comforting, warm tenderness. I felt safe in his arms I turned my head toward his neck, pressing my lips to the soft skin there, barely grazing his jaw with my nose trailing my kisses there too. Damon tensed, stopped rocking he gazed down at me with a look of pure intent, when he spoke his voice was eerily calm.

“Let us get you to your bed...” his words did not match anything in his demeanor, he stood with me still in his arms then gently set me on my feet, taking my hand he led me into the bedroom, hope spread wide wings deep in my belly but he donned a robe on to me tying the sash unnecessarily tight. He led me in to the office then still holding my hand, even as he called for Sahara, I still have unattended needs, needs I don't fully understand but needs none the less. Sahara looks angry as she has since that first night not one smile or proffered word from her, she was so friendly that first night, then again I was also otherwise intoxicated. She grabs me by the arm, her grip vice like, yep she is definitely hostile and it is not appreciated, I jerk my arm from her, making my own path to my room opening then slamming the door directly in her face. I am angry, uncomfortable in so very many ways, in a feeble attempt I try a bath, it does wonders as I sink in I feel some of the tension subside though my backside is sensitive. Some of the tension but definitely not all, sink further into the hot water until my knees break the surface but my chin was partially submerged, think, think...but I couldn't focus all my thoughts kept falling on Damon then some on Markus. Damon's manner of control each finger stroke concise, as well as every strike as his hand met waiting flesh the thought made me want to arch my back in pleasure before these days I had never known. Markus was wild in his attempt, lifting me high against the wall hungry for every inch of my body, unbridled unkempt falling to the floor, biting and hair pulling. I sighed as I let my hands roam over my own unfamiliar curves, plump breasts still new to me it all felt so good unbinding my current strife. When Markus cleared his throat I nearly jumped out of my skin, he was standing over me watching, his shaft rigid as ever, after a few deep breaths he eased to his knees beside me. He reached across the length of the tub returning with a a bottle, he squeezed a generous amount into his palm then he rubbed his hands together until it was evenly spread. I watched him, my wild man stalking me like prey, eyes never parting from my face as I took him in, he reached out slowly wrapping his fingers around my throat splaying them wide, his little finger nearly brushing my breasts.

“We are supposed to touch Markus.” I feel no conviction in my words, in fact I sounded like I was purring, entirely possible, his hand spread and cups my breast kneading and squeezing.

“We are not touching...I am. Unless you would rather I watch or ...leave?”....  

Markus

In the center of the room is something that resembles colonial gallows, a sleek bar attached to ropes and pulleys with a small platform slightly raised off the floor and two leather cuffs hang on either side of it. Next to it is what looks like a surgical table, covered in instruments I am relieved to find no glinting metal there, a quick peek reveals more leather a riding crop and some other things that I can't even process. I turn my gaze to another large shape taking a second to come into focus, I large padded table it looks like it could seat at least four people. It has one single thick leg at the center, the wood is shiny looking a deep chocolate brown against the black bubbles of leather over the padding, my hand skims over the top and it pivots on its leg so that now it falls forward, more cuffs clatter one at each corner.

“So how exactly is this supposed to teach me my limits?” I could not take my eyes away from the sight. It is like a museum of sexual mischief, centuries spilling over until past and present collide.

“ It takes a firm hand, these are just instruments meaningless without the proper master at the helm.” He glances nervously behind him. “ I want you to think on this, not that you have a choice but you eager and willing to learn would be appreciated. Sahara will see you back to your room, remember our agreement sweet. I will kill for what is mine.” With nothing else to be said he dismissed me and I am still too drunk to feel hurt, to feel anything other than satisfaction. I follow after him back into the library, Sahara meets me at the entrance. When I look back at Damon he is turning off all the lights and lighting more of the candles around the bed all of his movements hurried like he was expecting something or someone, at that thought I meet resistance within myself, he closes the door to the bedroom giving me one last glinting lustful gaze. Sahara pulls me back out into the corridor, concern is etched around her eyes. After sometime my buzz starts to die out and I feel so aggravated by that fact, its unnerving, but what goes up as they say. When we finally reach my door Sahara still has not spoken, I step inside and she lingers still silent.

“Are you okay?” Sahara looks at me blankly, then smiles a tight smile and I know she is anything but, before I can pry any further she motions toward the bathroom.

“Your human, Markus he is in there as before, though I doubt you are hungry in anyway.” She sounds so snide as she turns on her heel and marches from the room, I guess I better go untie Markus.

Kneeling beside the tub like before he sits stalk still never glancing up or acknowledging my presence even when I am right over him. Again I am taken back by how beautiful men can be I never noticed maybe it is this place, these people, but he is human. My train of thought halts as he glances up at me, those eyes are filled with fear, lust and abandon, like his entire world lies at my feet.

“Markus? Is that your name?” He gives one solid nod his eyes not leaving mine. “ Markus I am so sorry for what I did to you and for leaving you, I am new to this...So hungry...I am so so sorry.” I go to untie him and he is kneeling willingly nothing to unhitch, just stalk still of his own accord.

“No harm done, I would have died a happy man, if you are hungry I will gladly sate you it is my choice.” Why? Why would anyone volunteer to be food, being here is one thing but if it were me being fed off of I would fight. Those eyes skim over me as he rises again astonishingly naked and overwhelmingly large, I am the one who has to look away.

“Why are you so willing to sate me? Do you not have any other ambitions over your own to leave this place at the very least?” When he is at his full height I have to lift my chin so that my eyes can meet his, my face almost brushing his chest I shift slightly.

“I did and I fought with everything I had in me that was how I ended up at the picking. If we misbehave they feed us to the young ones who could easily kill us not being able to curb their hunger.” He smiles a deep and woeful smile, I know for all the reasons in the world why I should not want him or any of this. I should be falling apart, I should be sad, I don't know these people I don't know Markus, I don't know Sahara, and I don't know Damon. Damon, he touches me and all reason is gone, he is why they are keeping me here, and he has plans for me I know it I just wish I knew what they were but until then no sex will keep him at bay.

“I do not want you to satiate me, I do not want us to touch Markus it will be too much for either of us. What I do want is for you to help me, we need to get out of here and for god sakes where the hell is here?” He shifts slightly, causing my gaze to drop lower, when I pull away to his face again he carries a look of proud satisfaction.

“I know we are somewhere near Ireland, I remember being flown here and accents as we moved about, everything is really fuzzy, another slave told me a siren led us here that is why we don't remember much.” He shifts again, he must be uncomfortable and very, very naked.

“ Do you want some privacy so you can...” I make a rather rude gesture and he raises his eyebrows, then smiles again.

“I can try, but you don't have to leave...” he leaves the invitation hanging, surprisingly I want to stay, but I force myself to turn and close the door behind me. I hear him start the shower and the tell tale sound of the interrupted water, I try to busy myself but finally succumb to the calling bed sinking into the plush richness, tossing a pillow and sheet to the floor for Markus. I find the days playing like a sad movie through my head as I try to grasp it all, it is just to much, when Markus finally emerges from the bathroom I lay very still not wanting to tempt either of us anymore than necessary. He stops at the edge of the bed glancing from the pillow on the floor to the bed with unabashed longing, but with not a word he sinks down on to his bedding, I drift unwillingly into sleep.