Teacher Plus Two

Copyright

Published by Dreamspinner Press 382 NE 191st Street #88329 Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author‟s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Teacher Plus Two Copyright © 2011 by Valentina Heart Cover Art by Justin James [email protected] Cover Design by Mara McKennen All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 382 NE 191st Street #88329, Miami, FL 33179-3899, USA http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ ISBN: 978-1-61372-178-0 Printed in the United States of America First Edition October 2011 eBook edition available eBook ISBN: 978-1-61372-179-7

Dedication

For Lucy. With your unlimited enthusiasm and continuous support, you‟ve helped me to finally finish this book. I know none of the guys in here are Jason, Robert, or Bill, but thank you for loving them anyway.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 1

PROLOGUE EARTH is a planet respected throughout the galaxy. Its population, formerly known for wars and brutality, evolved into a new race divided among Innocents, Adults, and Teachers, easily distinguishable by the color of their eyes. Green-eyed Innocents are usually the youngest of their kind. Sexually inexperienced, they have yet to discover their hidden potential. Adults, with their eyes the bright color of blue, make up most of the population and they lead regular lives, not willing or able to reach the higher level. The last but most respected group is the Teachers. Becoming a Teacher is only achieved by some, through personal growth in every aspect of life, including spiritual, sexual, and emotional development. Their higher understanding of life, love, and spirituality, together with their extreme expertise in all sexual matters, brings them the gift of immortality. The stage when their blue Adult eyes turn to purple and they enter New Life makes them highly valued individuals on Earth as well as on other planets. Teachers rarely stay on Earth. When it becomes apparent an individual might be at that level, it is likely he or she will travel, and self-improvement is encouraged as well as helped by other Teachers. The Teachers‟ desire to travel and spread their knowledge to other worlds brought new technologies back to Earth, making it one of the most developed planets in the system.

VALENTINA HEART 2 Chapter One

IT

WAS one of those nights when a man wanted without knowing

which desires were the strongest and what exactly would be enough to satisfy the nagging need. Unlike most of the time, Orrin was alone. Not in the mood for company, he walked through the smog-filled streets, deep in thought. Living at the edge of the low town quarter had the advantage of being close enough to the center town quarter and the variety of restaurants, bars, and nourishment in general. The quality ranged from great to terrible depending on your establishment of choice, but center town was above low town in every way and a good place to find some entertainment, no matter what that entertainment might be. Orrin had been walking for hours before he stopped in front of a bar, the green clover on the glass drawing his curious gaze. The symbol was one of the cultural remnants of the past, when different parts of the world had harbored different cultures and every trip could turn into an adventure. Those times were long gone, and no matter where you went, you would find the same tall buildings, the same city layouts, and the same variety of people—beings whose genetic makeup wasn‟t solely human. Discrimination between races was a thing of the past. Inside the bar, the music was a joyful combination of notes, with an angry fellow growling his lyrics. Barely understandable words perfectly matched the mood of the song. The design of the interior separated the comfortable seating section from the casual standing area by the bar. Green was the dominant color next to the brown imitation wood that covered the walls, floor, and furniture.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 3 Squinting through the smoke-filled room, Orrin found his way to the bar and placed his credit on its surface. “What can I get ya?” the bartender asked, clear disinterest visible on his face even as he reflexively wiped the bar with an all-purpose bio-designed rag. “House beer. And keep it coming,” Orrin said, already knowing that the night would be one of liquid pleasure and not pleasure of the flesh. It was the end of the month, and he knew he had reached his drinking limit. It was one of the reasons why he had decided to go drinking alone—he knew the bartender would be forced to cut him off once his limit ran out. The beer was black and bitter, kicking right where it should, and Orrin ignored both drunken and sober advances with no difficulty at all. For once, sex wasn‟t what he wanted, and he happily indulged in his other vice. It was late by any standard when his credit finally beeped that he‟d had enough and he stumbled drunkenly into the night. It was a long walk back, just long enough to clear his mind of the alcohol, and he looked forward to getting home with a satisfied smile. Orrin didn‟t exactly see them as much as he sensed the aura of malicious intent and wicked satisfaction, but he never imagined they would be waiting for him. Only that surprise allowed them to get close enough to whack him over the head and change his life irreversibly.

BY THE time the alcohol and the force of the blow wore off, hours had passed, and Orrin knew that he was no longer on Earth. His head was killing him, his hands even more so, and for some reason, his feet weren‟t touching the ground. Opening his eyes more out of necessity than choice, he gave the room a glance, instantly wishing that he had stayed asleep. It was a blank room with the characteristic metal walls of a space transport. There were no windows or doors that he could see and no

VALENTINA HEART 4 objects close enough for him to reach with his feet. He was hanging from a chain, his arms painfully stretched above him, and his head hurt just enough for him not to try anything else to ease the stress of his position. He heard the sound of a door swooshing open and the footsteps of who he assumed were his kidnappers. “Are you awake, Teacher?” a rough voice asked as a palm connected with Orrin‟s painfully strained shoulder. “Yes,” he mumbled, more from curiosity than desire to indulge. “Good. Now listen well. I know you are not yet a real Teacher, but those eyes of yours say you‟re awfully close.” He paused for effect. “And so it happens that we need a Teacher on our jolly transport, and we decided you would be the perfect choice.” There was nothing to say to that, and Orrin kept his mouth shut. Whatever reason they needed a Teacher, it did not bode well for him. “Nothing to say?” the man asked, his greasy hair giving an even uglier appearance to an already ugly man. “Good. We just might be able to work with you. If not, we can always blast you off into space.” He laughed, his voice louder than those of the rest of the men in the room. “Now, we have ourselves here a small merchant transport. We are proud businessmen. But I suppose the name you would use is along the lines of „slave traders‟ or maybe „kidnapping scum‟, if you‟re feeling imaginative. Nonetheless, we consider ourselves businessmen, and every business has room for improvement, if you will.” The man paused, his characteristic blue Adult eyes icy cold as they watched for signs of understanding on Orrin‟s face. While Orrin was tired as well as hurt, he was not so hurt as to miss the point of the one-sided conversation. “You want them trained as sex slaves,” he whispered, his eyes wide from shock. It was almost unimaginable that someone would use a Teacher to take the innocence from an Innocent. “Ah, good. I am glad the blow didn‟t cause permanent damage. I assure you the idiots responsible have been punished. After all, you are

TEACHER PLUS TWO 5 our commodity now. No one wants damaged goods, even when they are not for sale.” He paused again, letting Orrin absorb his words. “At the moment.” “I refuse,” Orrin spat in anger. There was no way he was going to go from room to room on a ship raping innocent souls so that they could be sold at a higher rate. He would rather die. “I figured you would say something like that. But I‟m afraid you are left with little choice.” The Adult looked almost sad in a sick, twisted kind of way. “You see, it‟s easier to acquire random young males, as well as females, than it is to find someone of your status. Close enough to the Teacher status, yet not quite there. So you can refuse to obey, which will result in violence toward you and a rather harsh form of education for the young ones. It is your choice. But eventually, I am sure you will see things my way.” The man flashed a line of irregular teeth as his lips curved into a wicked smile.

FAI finally felt wonderful. His skin fit like a glove, his emotions were in balance, and all he wanted to do was smile. He heard the door click discreetly behind him as he left his friend‟s house for the day and headed home in a sudden rush. Living alone had many advantages, some as simple as being away from his overbearing parents, others as necessary as his need for peace and quiet. But for a Mattian, it lacked one crucial thing: a willing person to cuddle with. Cuddling was almost like food for Mattians, as it released a hormone that recharged their energy and allowed them to function—nourishment without the actual consumption. They had spent the whole afternoon together, watching the suns set in an amazing dance of red and purple, while making each other purr. Now it was already nighttime and he was walking home through narrow streets. All he wanted was to avoid any Mattians who were still around so no one would see his tail all ruffled up. Embarrassment was a common state among them because all things had their natural state and proper place. It was basic courtesy to exit your home with your tail

VALENTINA HEART 6 perfectly groomed and your clothes covering your body in a fashionable way. His friend lived in the very center of the city, where there were no big patches of trees and flowers, where stone discs covered the paths and tall houses stood next to each other. Travelers brought change with them, making the modern way of life take precedence over the company of nature. Old Mattians still lived among the trees, accepting nature as their companion and rejecting all that was new. Fai missed the green sometimes, the fresh air and the friendly creatures that so loved to play. He lived at the very edge of the modernized part of the section, but it still wasn‟t the same as being surrounded by the pure air of untainted nature. Just one corner away from his destination, a strong hand grabbed him from behind, pressing a damp cloth against his mouth. The smell of it was intoxicating, the cloth rough against his face, and he tried to fight the grip around him, but he was simply too small. In a matter of moments, his world spun and he flagged like a lifeless puppet into someone‟s firm embrace. It seemed as if whole cycles passed by while he stumbled in his scrambled dreams, with voices echoing in the rooms around him. He was terribly nauseated once he woke up, lost in pitch black, and his body was simply too heavy to move. The exhaustion draining him felt like the side effect of days without cuddling, but there was also some undercurrent unknown to him, taking away what strength he had left. He vaguely wondered about the smell they had pressed against his face, as he could still taste it on his tongue. Eventually, he closed his bleary eyes without meaning to, the strain becoming too much, and just as if someone had flipped a switch, he returned to those disconnected dreams, leaving his worries behind in the real world. The next time he woke up, it was to a gentle palm against his cheek. A strange creature was watching him with a worried expression, its eyes between purple and blue in color. “Are you all right?” The voice was so like the music that could be heard in the center where the artists played, and the soft sound made him ache for home. Somehow he knew that he was far away from

TEACHER PLUS TWO 7 everything he‟d ever held dear, and his deep fear of the unknown was struggling to break free. Answering seemed like a way to hear that voice again, to remember what he had lost. Fai needed at least that little bit of comfort, because he also knew that he was going to die. He felt it in his every cell, the way the energy just dissipated like simple rays of light, leaving him permanently empty. But when he tried speaking, tried voicing the barest of sounds, nothing came out. Instead, shivers started traveling down the length of his body. It took him just a moment to realize the extent of his weakness. He was too far gone even to talk, and the time he had left was limited to cycles at the most. The worst part wasn‟t the pain his body felt or the fact that he would soon close his eyes forever; what ached like the most serious of wounds was the simple reality of being so very far away from anyone he knew. In his desperate sadness, he felt tears slip down his cheeks, and his eyes closed once more.

ORRIN looked at this adorable little being curled up on the narrow trunk against the cell wall. It had taken him forever to wake the little creature up, but he was already drifting away. Orrin wiped the stranded tears away from the gentle, narrow face, wondering what was wrong with him. You couldn‟t ask a sleeping individual anything, despite the fact that Orrin‟s heart was dying to know more about him. He was by far the most beautiful thing Orrin had ever seen. He had soft, interestingly gray hair that matched the color of the long, lifeless tail that slipped from under the covers. As far as Orrin could see, the little one‟s body was as smooth and soft as a baby‟s. If not for the young, innocent face and body, Orrin would have thought him an old man simply due to the color of his hair and fur. It‟d been four days since he‟d been confined to the naked cell with the little one; his roommate‟s serious condition was worsening by the second. Orrin wasn‟t familiar with the species, since this was also his first time away from Earth—a great time to regret his reluctance to explore the system.

VALENTINA HEART 8 They had taken Orrin because his eyes had taken on that distinctive purple touch. He wasn‟t there yet, but he was close enough that the blue had ceased being the dominant color. Once it transferred completely, his rank would turn into that of a Teacher, and he would be one of the most desired individuals in the galaxy. On Earth, Adults gained the Teacher rank after years of independent sexual education. Only a few ever got that far, as the growth combined sexual, emotional, and spiritual understanding of one‟s being. Having an open mind, a very big heart, and an unlimited amount of patience gained you the new status, but it also came with much-sought immortality and enough job offers to make your head spin. Since it was impossible to kidnap a Teacher without someone noticing, his captors had opted for the second-best thing, and good old uninteresting Orrin had ended up on a space transport. His captors‟ plan wasn‟t so inconceivable. In fact, it made perfect sense. They kidnapped individuals from different worlds, carefully selecting only the goodlooking ones for the sole purpose of selling them to the highest bidder. When they didn‟t specify the purpose of those poor creatures on the market, the price was nominal, but the minute they characterized them as sex slaves, the price went up. It was impossible to educate an innocent, inexperienced male in sexual matters by violence and rape. Though they would eventually learn, they would also lose their spirit, and spirit was a highly valued commodity. So the next logical solution came in the form of a Teacher, or as it happened, in the form of Orrin. He could have said yes and been done with it, but the very idea went against everything he believed in, and his captors weren‟t above beating obedience into him. As it was, he was covered in almost-healed cuts and bruises, which they left to heal on their own. Orrin hadn‟t been a pretty sight when he was first paired with the little mystery on the bed attached to the wall, barely moving in all shades of blue, black, and purple, but now he was almost back to his old self, with the addition of that obedience beaten into him. Well, not really obedience. More like temporary acceptance. He was getting off of the transport as soon as he spotted his chance.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 9 The little guy who currently occupied the bed was supposed to be his first pupil, but after regaining consciousness for the first time only minutes ago, was already back in the dream world again. It was unnerving to be so helpless when all you wanted to do was help. Orrin was sick to his stomach of watching the almost lifeless body lying on the bed, unmoving. Like he had countless times before, Orrin slipped his fingers through those strands of gray as he watched the small chest rise and fall with every breath. He had kept his distance for all those days, hoping that the creature would eventually wake up. But he hadn‟t been prepared for the creature‟s sad eyes or the way the gray captured his heart. Orrin had never considered taking a lover of another species. Living his whole life on Earth made him a somewhat-sheltered man, his sexual encounters limited to his own kind despite the variety of possible lovers. It wasn‟t that he was against it like some people were; it was that the idea had never even crossed his mind. Humans were the dominant species, and all the newcomers tended to keep to themselves. Unfortunately Orrin was not one to search for lovers; he preferred they come to him. He heard the doors of their cell open just before one of the Adults stuck his head through the gap. “Is he awake yet?” The mocking voice spread throughout the room. “He woke only for a second, started to shake, and fell asleep again. Something is very wrong with him. Can you ask someone about his species?” Orrin asked desperately for the tenth time since they had brought him into the room. “I‟ve asked around, but no one knows anything about them. All they know is that his planet is called Matti. He was the only one they took.” “Matti? I‟ve heard that name somewhere before….” Orrin‟s mind was frustratingly out of focus, and he opened every door, desperately searching for that information.

VALENTINA HEART 10 “Well, if he dies, we‟ll give you another guy. It‟s not like we are short on them. The females are in high demand at the moment—sorry about that.” The Adult laughed cruelly and closed the door behind him. Orrin felt blinding hatred for all of them consuming his body. Although he‟d never hated before, the emotion being contradictory to his character, now it seemed to be all he was capable of. It wasn‟t that he cared so much about his fate. There was no one waiting desperately for his return, and he had no place to call home. He wasn‟t even important enough that anyone would notice his disappearance. But this little guy had been ripped out of his world only to be brought to a place where he would probably die. It was unacceptable to Orrin. Living beings deserved so much more. Love, tenderness, and respect should fill their lives, not this metal prison of abuse. It wasn‟t natural. Basic Teacher training, the hard lessons of unlimited love and acceptance, swam through his mind. He had learned so much during his years, focusing on the needs of others and giving only the good he had to offer while accepting whatever was offered in return. It was soiling his mind to be exposed to the worst form of human selfishness and cruelty. It was also hard not to think about the world he craved, the one where peace and harmony were as normal as breathing and where wickedness and greed were just words from the past. But it was nothing more than wishful thinking on his part. Wherever there were humans, there was pain and suffering, despite all their so-called progress. It was inevitable, and quite frankly, it was sad. But thoughts of perfect harmony triggered some distant memory, and a forgotten conversation came to mind. When he was just a child, the first Teacher he had ever met had talked to him about a planet where only peace existed. The inhabitants were shy and gentle beings who had no notion of evil or corruption. They lived their long lives constantly caring for each other and providing for the needs of others. Orrin remembered the reason the topic had seemed so sad. Everyone who lived there, in their desire to make their lives more pleasant, focused all their attention on the most comfortable aspects of their existence. They had discarded the course of nature, how children were made in the moments of passion, leaving only the necessary cuddling as their

TEACHER PLUS TWO 11 form of closeness. Getting naked was too embarrassing for such a timid species, and somehow, during the years, they forgot how to make children. The Teacher talked about how it was a shame to let them die out and how the Teachers could have a huge influence there. He was one of those who had fought for their education in that field. Orrin also remembered how his childish curiosity had forced him to ask about the cuddling, especially how such a casual thing could be more crucial than making children. The Teacher had answered, “Because cuddling gives them energy. Just like food and water sustain us, a Mattian cannot live without another person to make him purr.” That was the answer! Orrin jumped to his feet, excited by the memory and the solution it presented. That was the reason why the little guy was so sick. He‟d been alone for days, and the poor thing was starving to death. Orrin hoped that he wasn‟t too late as he climbed onto the bed and pulled the little guy firmly into his arms. The little gray head was resting on Orrin‟s bicep, while his palm hurriedly rubbed against the other man‟s scalp. Touching the rest of him was surprisingly soothing even for Orrin. His other hand was moving carefully from the shoulder down to the Mattian‟s belly, where he pressed lightly in comfort. There was no instant sound of awareness, and doubt started to creep into his mind, but it was still too early to give up. He lifted his knee and rubbed those thin legs as well. His whole body engulfed the little lion, and in a moment of desperation, he gently pressed his lips to the pale, exposed neck. A soft rumble sounded in the Mattian‟s throat, and like an avalanche, it soon spread throughout his body, making Orrin‟s face crack into a wide smile. He hugged and rubbed the little body with delight, finally feeling traces of hope somewhere deep inside.

VALENTINA HEART 12 Chapter Two

FAI was dreaming restlessly about strange eyes that watched over him, about the owner of those eyes who held him tight and brought him back to life. Someone was cuddling against him, tickling his ear with warm breath. The energy was making his tail dance, and no amount of willpower could make it stop. He moved into that hug, trying to feel more, when a voice spoke and made him realize that he was far away from a dream. He scrambled away from the stranger in panic, unaware of his location, unaware of the reason he wasn‟t home. His seductive purr was replaced by numbing fear as he pressed himself hard against the metal wall, trying to remember what had happened. But the blurriness of it all just made his head hurt. Orrin watched the small body huddle in on itself. Even the flexible tail held the knees against the Mattian‟s chest. Above them, his eyes peered out, showing his fear. “My name is Orrin. You were taken from your planet and brought here, where they put you in the cell with me,” he tried to explain, hoping to calm him down a bit. Fai‟s expression suddenly changed from confusion to understanding as he recalled that strong palm over his mouth. He remembered the realization that he was dying so far away from home, where he had no one to hold him close. “You saved me,” he stated, not understanding why a stranger would do such a thing. He had always been taught that other species were cruel and evil and if he ever saw a person without a tail, he should run as fast as he could.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 13 “I have never met a Mattian before, but I remembered a story I heard a long time ago about your planet. I‟m only sorry that I didn‟t remember it before. You could have died.” “Thank you. You are very kind,” Fai said in a soft voice. Everything around Fai was terribly strange. There were no windows in the room, and the light was scarily dim. He missed his colorful, soft cushions and the warm tones of his walls. He wanted to see the bright suns again and cuddle with his friend; he wanted to groom his tail so badly, but above all, he wanted to feel safe again. Tears spilled unbidden down his cheeks as loneliness and death seemed to be his only remaining future. “Hey, hey, don‟t cry, little lion. I will get us out of here somehow. I will keep you safe,” Orrin said as he sat on the edge of the bed. At that moment he wanted more than anything to comfort the little guy again and wipe away those shiny tears. It pained him to see someone so sad and lost. He felt tremendous relief as the little guy opened his eyes and started looking somewhat healthy again. It gave him hope that there just might be a way out of the hell they found themselves in, and if one victim of the so-called businessmen managed to be all right, there was a chance for others to make it out too. It was a highly optimistic view of things, but it was all Orrin had. Fai‟s gaze was careful and assessing once he calmed down some. All he was ever taught was to distrust strangers, but everything in him screamed that Orrin was telling him the truth. After all, there was no one else around him to ask for help if he needed it. And even with the sheltered life Fai had led up to that point, he knew that there was no way he could ever survive on his own. Mattians were not made to survive alone. “I am Fai.” He bowed his head in respect. “Thank you for sharing your name.” It was believed on Matti that names gave you a path toward the other‟s heart, as they all carried a meaning for the Faiths, even when that meaning was hidden to the living. The custom was another piece of home that had been ripped away from him, and Fai vaguely wondered

VALENTINA HEART 14 if the rules he had grown up with would hold the same importance so far away from his planet. “And thank you for sharing yours. Does it have a meaning?” Fai hesitated for a minute as he searched for a sign of deceit on Orrin‟s face. The rules might have changed, but it was still smart to hold back, to give importance to the only thing he still had in his possession. Still, Orrin was as much a friend as one could be in the present situation, and without him, Fai was surely destined for death. There was little else left to lose. “It means „beginning‟.” Orrin just nodded in understanding, glad that Fai trusted him enough to share. “Names have importance in your culture?” “Yes, it is considered an honor to be given the privilege of one‟s name.” His voice was quiet, but Fai seemed somewhat more relaxed, for which Orrin was immensely grateful. “How are you feeling now? Any better?” Fai partially hid his face behind his knees. He still couldn‟t believe a stranger had cuddled him. Only people he remembered from his earliest memories had ever done that before. “Much better. Thank you again for giving me what I needed.” The blush on Fai‟s face was slight but noticeable, and Orrin thought it completely adorable. “Do you want to come closer and maybe sit on the bed next to me, or do you want to stay there on the floor?” The floors were cold, and the last thing Orrin wanted was for the little guy to get sick. Of course, bringing him closer to Orrin wouldn‟t hurt either, and he wasn‟t above using a little manipulation as a weapon. There was something about the little guy that triggered all the protective instincts Orrin had. From the first moment he‟d laid eyes on Fai, he knew it was right—he knew they would have a future and that their fates would be irreversibly connected. It took some time, but eventually Fai did stand up. His figure was elegant and slim, and he moved with the light, lazy step of a cat. The long tail swayed behind him, giving him balance, its tip flicking on every second step.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 15 “I have to prepare you for what you can expect here. While I will take care of you as much as I can, the people who have us here are not very understanding. You should know the whole situation, and you have to be brave about it. Can you do that?” Orrin took hold of Fai‟s chin between his long fingers and looked straight into those innocent gray eyes. It was important to explain to Fai the real state of things, as no one could be protected on a slave ship. Thankfully, being unconscious had saved Fai from the fate so many others had experienced already. Orrin mumbled a few words of thanks to the Faiths, grateful for their guidance and care. “I will try.” Fai trembled ever so slightly. “All right. First, I should tell you why they took me. I am currently an Adult in my society, but my eyes are turning from blue to purple, as you can see, which means that I am close to becoming a Teacher. We are experts in everything related to making love, and that is the reason they took me. They want my experience in order for me to teach you and others like you the best ways to satisfy another. Honestly, I don‟t think you could ever do it. You are too fragile and gentle, and for a lot of possible owners, cuddling will just be too much work.” He took a pause to breathe and to take in Fai‟s reaction. “What do you mean, teach me? And what do you mean when you say making love? I don‟t understand!” Fai got agitated, panic screaming from every word in that last sentence, and Orrin pulled him into his lap, his hand caressing Fai‟s hair as he slowly tried to comfort him. Heart thudding angrily in his chest, Fai reacted the only way he knew how: he started to purr in a forceful tremble as he huddled even closer to Orrin, instantly relaxed from a simple touch. “I‟m better now,” he said, even as he curved his body just enough for it to fit perfectly against Orrin. “Please answer my questions.” Orrin smiled, pleased by the sudden show of trust and more than willing to answer any questions. “There are others like you on this transport who will eventually be sold to people wanting slaves for their

VALENTINA HEART 16 pleasure. I need to teach you how to give that pleasure to them. Now, making love… do you know how children are made?” Fai just shook his head. “Well, then it is a bit hard to explain. It is very nice and overwhelming when people who care about each other do it. But if you end up with someone who thinks of you as just means to an end, it can end badly. They took you because you look so innocent and will probably get a good price.” Tears fell from Fai‟s eyes as he bowed his head in shame. The difference was visible in his posture and the change of his mood, something that would have been worrisome in a human. “I am sorry… I can‟t help it. It is the way I was born.” “Shhh… it‟s all right, little lion, it is not your fault that they are animals. I won‟t let anything happen to you.” Hugging Fai almost to the point of pain, Orrin could feel his heart cracking under the emotion Fai caused in him. He had never met anyone he wanted to protect more; no one tugged at his heartstrings like the little crying bundle currently trembling in his arms. “Why do you call me „little lion‟? You did that twice already,” Fai whispered into the cloth of Orrin‟s shirt. “I am not quite sure. There is this animal on Earth that has a tail similar to yours, a restless and gorgeous furry thing. It has longer hair on its head, the same fuzzy, pointy wilderness you have on yours, and long, sharp fangs that are a grown-up version of these.” He touched the protruding little points of Fai‟s teeth with his forefinger. “It loves sleeping, cuddling, and grooming, but it is an elegant creature that radiates pure beauty, much like you. I suppose you remind me of a lion, and I call you that because you are just as magnificent. When I see you all soft and beautiful, all I want to do is cuddle you silly and hold you in my arms until I see you laugh.” A bubble of laughter sounded against his chest. “You see, just like that. I knew I would love your smile.” Those big gray eyes lifted and looked up at him. “How did you know that?”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 17 “My heart told me. It said, „He is the one who will laugh for you. Cherish him.‟ So I will cherish you.” Orrin‟s voice changed as he imitated the sound of his heart. “That is not true. Hearts don‟t speak!” Fai said angrily. “Don‟t get mad, little lion. Hearts don‟t speak like you and I do, but that doesn‟t mean we don‟t understand them. You know how your heart whispered to you that you could trust me? Well, when you hear that little voice again, you listen to it. Your heart is always right, little lion.” He smiled at Fai patiently. It had taken years for him to understand that life wasn‟t always reasonable and logical and that the heart was usually right. More difficult than learning it, was trusting it. It was human nature, after all, to trust reason more than instinct. He had also learned the hard way just how difficult it was to recognize that little annoying instinct that pointed you in the right direction. Sometimes it was hard to recognize even the most blinding of emotions. Orrin also thought about the strength he suddenly felt. Never before had he felt so aware of his surroundings, as well as his inner self. It was terrifying and beautiful, and he knew that he was growing into a Teacher. The severity of their situation was likely to push him over the ledge he had balanced on for years, and he instinctively recognized the one element all of his experience had lacked—the seriousness and the strength of a meaningful relationship with someone. There came a certain point when friendly love just didn‟t cut it anymore, and every person had to grow up enough to take a risk. “It did speak to me, then, but I didn‟t know it was the heart speaking,” Fai said in wonder, his eyes big and round. “I know. I didn‟t know the first time either.” Orrin leaned down and kissed that pale patch of skin above Fai‟s eyebrows. “Come now, you must be exhausted, and I don‟t mind cuddling you a bit more,” Orrin whispered, his fingertips tracing Fai‟s hairline. He pulled Fai on top of him so that Fai‟s tail slipped around Orrin‟s waist. The heart that was beating in Orrin‟s chest spoke loudly, even if there were no voiced words hovering in the air. It just felt right.

VALENTINA HEART 18 Letting Orrin‟s hands roam down the length of his body was the best decision Fai had made since he was kidnapped, and he soon found himself dozing under the soft touch. His own rumbling purr worked as a lullaby, pulling his eyes closed. He felt so wonderful that for a single moment he managed to forget where he was and why. Until the loud sound of a fist slamming against the door had him jumping off the bed, his back instinctively pressing against the cold wall of the room. A man was standing at the entrance with an expression cruel enough to make Fai shiver, and shiver he did. “I see the cat is finally awake. Did you teach him anything useful yet?” he asked Orrin with a tone of voice that left no room for joking and playing. “He only woke up an hour ago. I don‟t work that fast.” Orrin‟s face was blank, his voice cold, something Fai never would have been able to imagine. Orrin was a smiling, giant, happy, caring man who never spoke in anger and always had affection up his sleeve, ready for use. That was the Orrin Fai knew, and this serious version put him on edge. “Well, it‟s about bloody time you started! We will reach the compound in a few days, and he better be ready!” The order was so stern that it made Fai flinch in fear. He had never heard anyone speak that way, and it was frightening and unfamiliar. He missed his home. “He‟s not good material for a slave.” “Don‟t tell me what he is or isn‟t! He will fetch a good price just with his looks! You know how these things work. He can learn to submit or he can be taught to obey.” The word pierced through Orrin‟s skull like a steel spike, and the unease he felt only doubled. “You‟ve been enjoying our hospitality for free as well. That stops today. There are more slaves that need teaching, and you can work with two just as efficiently as with one.” The Adult Orrin had met the first day of his capture—he guessed he was probably the man who ran things around the transport—turned just as quickly as he came in and left the room, the metal door almost shuddering behind him.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 19 The terrifying realization of Orrin‟s fate finally came knocking, shattering his protective walls with the strength of its fists, and he almost crumbled under the force of his helplessness. He had to find a way to get out. It wasn‟t just about him anymore. There was Fai to think about, and all the others on board. He could hear the screams from the closest rooms at night, and the chilling reality of the situation was enough to knock him to his senses. He was far from slave material—while Fai was too fragile, Orrin was too stubborn as well as too resourceful. He would think of a way. Fai slipped to the ground and curled up in a ball again. “This can‟t be happening,” he whispered, on the verge of tears. Orrin was there in an instant, slipping his arms under his knees and lifting him up in the air, close to Orrin‟s chest. “It will be alright. I will figure something out. Just don‟t lose hope.” He kissed the gray hair, then leaned his cheek against that same place as he rocked his little lion.

VALENTINA HEART 20 Chapter Three

THE room was unpleasantly dry, which wouldn‟t have been such a bad thing if Hara had been allowed to wet his skin since he had been sold to his new owner. Even the heat, which he usually didn‟t mind so much, was getting to him. Still, he knew better than to ask for anything. He received two meals a day—dry rations suitable only to keep him healthy and fed. Hara didn‟t know how to explain to his new owners that he needed water to drink, to wash, to heal his skin. His previous master had gotten angry if he wasn‟t washed and groomed every day. He liked Hara‟s skin smooth and soft. Anything less earned him beatings, some of which he could still feel on his sparsely scarred skin. When he had first been escorted to his new quarters, he had been shown the workings of a sonic shower. It sounded strange and terrifying, but once he got desperate, he tried it out, hoping for some relief for his aching flesh. But the device had only made his body buzz and his hair bristle, and it had taken him hours to feel sane again. Still, in this whole new predicament, the sounds were the worst. On some nights, when the guards changed shifts, he could hear the doors closing and the muted cries of others. He knew what violent men could do to a body and was immensely grateful for his strange physique, which had so far spared him from such a fate. His excitable bits were hidden in a pouch between his legs and could only be revealed voluntarily or during uncontrollable arousal. Hara‟s previous master had been very good at that, pushing Hara past his limits until he could do nothing but surrender. It used to make him so mad that the most private parts of him were so accessible and that there was nothing he could do to resist. But it hadn‟t taken him long to

TEACHER PLUS TWO 21 understand just how lucky he was that his master preferred pleasure instead of pain, and now Hara feared of the direction his fate had taken. It had been hard to accept being a slave at first, but it hadn‟t taken him long to forget his planet, his family, and the life he had had before. Now, more than a decade later, he was nothing but a slave. A unique slave, if the words of his previous master were true. His master had often bragged that no one had a more unique collection of toys, as traders far and wide knew he had a taste for the exotic species. Hara had stopped remembering where he was from a long time ago, and he accepted that his home was a thing of the past. His native language was fading from his mind, and somewhere along the way, he had realized that he didn‟t want to go home. He had no desire to return to a planet he had no recollection of as nothing more than a whore. “On your feet,” a man said before the door even opened all the way. It was not his owner, the man his previous master had sold him to, but it was the usual guard who brought him food and the little water he so cherished. He was not a kind man, and Hara blessed whatever gods there were that he understood the guard‟s sparse words. “Come on. I don‟t have all blasted day.” The man gripped Hara‟s wrist and pulled him out of the room.

HOURS later, while they were resting in silence, Fai seriously contemplated their options. He trusted Orrin to get them out. Fai barely knew him, but it was in his nature to trust those who had proven themselves. Orrin had not only saved his life, he had also tried to protect him from his kidnappers. In all truth, Orrin was his only choice and his best hope to survive. It made all the rest much easier. Despite his fear of the unknown, Fai knew he had to help as much as he could. It was not fair to put the whole weight of the situation on Orrin‟s shoulders. So he propped himself up on his elbow and looked straight into those purple-blue eyes. “Will you teach me what he wants?”

VALENTINA HEART 22 Orrin was partially shocked by the request, partially proud, but those emotions passed quickly as his feelings of protectiveness awoke and he came to realize that he couldn‟t play their game. He had come to care for the little one, and there was no way he was putting Fai through the basics of sexual education under duress in a cell on a space transport. That little piece of obedience they had beaten into him—Orrin‟s as well as that of the young one he was supposed to teach—dissipated in a matter of moments as Orrin realized no amount of physical pain would be incentive enough to live through the emotional torture. His words came out with the same hardness that colored his thoughts. “I don‟t want to teach you.” Fai‟s hopes fell. He felt as if Orrin had kicked him. He didn‟t understand why Orrin would refuse when he said he cherished him. Maybe it was just his way of saying he would protect him, but not involve actual feelings into it? Now Fai was even more confused in an already difficult situation, and he somehow found the courage to wonder why Orrin refused him. “You don‟t like me enough to teach me?” His voice was a trembling mess of a whisper, certainly not the sound he was going for. Orrin took a second to repeat Fai‟s words in his mind, and he recoiled from the assault they caused. The last thing he wanted was to make Fai doubt himself. How could he ever not want the little lion? His words came out harsher than he intended, but thankfully they were convincing enough. “No, no! Of course not! I adore you and I could never do anything to hurt you. You are too innocent and too pure for the things they have in mind.” “But he will hurt you again if I don‟t learn anything, and they will beat me. He said so.” Fai‟s fingers traced the yellowish bruise on Orrin‟s cheekbone as his tears welled up. “Don‟t you worry about me, sweetheart, and you know that I won‟t let him touch you. Trust me.” “I do trust you… but it was you who said it could also be nice. Can‟t you make it nice? How can it hurt, then? I will learn, and we will

TEACHER PLUS TWO 23 both be all right,” Fai suggested logically, shocking even himself with his sudden boldness. Orrin looked skeptical and hesitant even as a spark of lust flashed in his eyes. It wasn‟t hard to imagine Fai beneath him, his soft skin under Orrin‟s fingertips. It was all too sweet and tempting, but too dangerous even to imagine for more than a few seconds. “It can be wonderful, but you don‟t even know how children are made. You are completely inexperienced. I‟m afraid of shocking you or scaring you.” It wasn‟t like Fai was completely fearless and ready to plunge into the new adventure. He was shaking with fear, especially when Orrin put it that way. But he felt that it was a necessity, and he was definitely more scared of being beaten than of anything Orrin might do to him. “Just explain things as you think you should. I will try not to be so afraid. Just give me a chance,” he begged the big man next to him. Orrin was anything but convinced. Fai looked so fragile, especially when he was frightened, and Orrin knew that even the little things would prove to be too embarrassing for him. He didn‟t see how it could work. He leaned his face experimentally over Fai‟s neck, his tongue licking a path from Fai‟s collarbone all the way to the back of his ear. He expected Fai to back away, but the little lion just gasped, his fingers digging into Orrin‟s arms almost painfully. The taste was incredible, and Orrin felt his self-control wavering under the temptation. He nipped the tender earlobe, pressed the length of his body against the softness of Fai‟s flesh, and moaned loud and deep. All his experience didn‟t make him anything stronger than a man, and he was still very much that. Fai was like an addiction that required but the smallest of tastes to trap you in its clutches. “I guess we can try, but you have to promise to tell me when something doesn‟t feel right or when something scares you. I won‟t do anything without a promise.” Orrin all but gasped the words, determined not to do anything Fai wasn‟t okay with. “I promise.” The little one placed his palms against Orrin‟s chest, his fingers tracing the protruding nubs of Orrin‟s covered nipples. “I‟ll do anything you want. Just teach me.”

VALENTINA HEART 24 It was impossible to decline when exposed to those pleading eyes and voice, and the fact that he could feel all the warmth Fai‟s body emanated wasn‟t helping, not one bit. “Have you ever seen a naked man?” Fai blushed, just the question making him squirm. “No. Well, just myself, but I don‟t really watch much. It‟s too embarrassing.” Orrin felt an almost physical pain. How could he teach the facts of life to someone who found even his own nudity embarrassing? Some of his previous sexual encounters passed through his head, memories of the positions, explorations, and pure kink; Fai‟s heart would give out if he ever saw half the things Orrin had tried and liked. “This is going to get a whole lot more embarrassing,” he said, watching Fai‟s reaction intently. Nervousness, even a bit of fear was okay, but terror and unwillingness were out of the question. If he were to sense one of those things, he would stop everything on the spot. “I‟m going to take my clothes off. Try not to look away.” Fai nodded and swallowed in anticipation. He wasn‟t quite sure if he was more curious or afraid, but he knew there was no way he would look away. Orrin untangled himself from Fai and stood up, pulling his shirt over his head. If Fai had thought him a big man before, the contours of his muscles made him all the more impressive. The wide, hairy chest looked like nothing Fai had ever seen before. The curls stretched over those planes and followed the tempting line between his nipples all the way to his bellybutton and below. Fai looked at him with his eyes wide in wonder and felt the flush crawling up his face and lower down his tingling body. Suddenly breathing wasn‟t as easy as before, and Fai struggled with his unusual reaction in an effort to take in more of the sight before him. Orrin‟s hair was short and black, as were the curls on his chest. Fai wished Orrin were nearer so he could feel all that hair under his fingers and play like he had never played before. After Orrin lowered his pants, he looked at Fai with a lowered gaze, his eyes half-hidden by his eyelashes, and saw that he was

TEACHER PLUS TWO 25 standing stiff and flushed. It was a sight sweet enough to file as a holographic picture. But it also caused Orrin‟s penis to harden. It was an unfortunate reaction, one followed by Fai‟s eyes widening in shock as he stuttered, “It… what… how? Is it getting bigger?” Orrin was looking at him, motionless and not a little amused. “Yes. As I get excited, it gets bigger. How about yours?” “That has never happened to me. I didn‟t know it could get so big.” He motioned toward Orrin‟s half-hardened erection and knelt. “It will get even bigger. Now, I want to take your clothes off. Can you handle that?” Orrin asked with a composure he didn‟t exactly feel. It was a delicate situation that required a lot of care and caution, all of which Fai more than deserved. There was no nod this time, just a fast bow of that little head, and Fai started unbuttoning his strangely designed shirt. Although his eyes never left the floor, soon he had his torso exposed and was starting on his pants. The color of his pale skin changed from slightly blushed to almost red, causing Orrin‟s erection to pump to its full size even before Fai loosened the first button above his crotch. After he unbuttoned the front, Fai reached behind his back, and Orrin heard the unmistakable sound of a zipper. Confusion clouded his mind for a second, but then he realized the zipper opened the pants down to the tail, allowing the pants to be taken off without much fuss. It was handy, to say the least. Fai felt completely exposed and utterly embarrassed. He tried to remember a situation that came even close to this level of discomfort and failed miserably. It was simply the worst thing that he had ever experienced. But there was no way he was going to back down now. After all, he was practically naked. Fai‟s body was slender and amazingly toned without hair anywhere except his groin. It was a little patch of gray the same shade as the hair on his head. The way it hugged his flaccid cock was extremely erotic. The playful tail swung from side to side behind him while he crossed his hands at the small of his back.

VALENTINA HEART 26 Orrin knew the little guy was embarrassed—it was more than visible—but still, Orrin couldn‟t view it as anything less than it was: the most extraordinary sight he had ever seen. It made his insides quiver and his cock to drip in want. He closed the few steps between them and leaned in close enough to whisper, “You are the most beautiful sight I have ever seen.” Fai felt warm at the praise, something he had never experienced before. It was enough to make him blush even further, but it also made him acutely aware of the difference between tender words said by a friend and those uttered by someone who might end up being something more. Orrin noticed the shy smile, the little fangs that slipped under a lip, and he couldn‟t hide his shock at the amount of cuteness his little lion was capable of. Fai seemed to magnetize him, calling for a touch, and Orrin forced himself to remember just how overwhelming all of it must be for Fai. “What do you think of me? Is there anything you want to touch?” he asked instead, almost praying for the little guy to have a natural sense of curiosity that would push him into exploring the sights before him. Timid eyes lifted upward, studying the naked body in front of them. Fai knew that what he was about to do would be considered shocking and on the verge of rude on Matti, but he knew it was necessary, and he was more than a little curious. So, as hesitant as he could be, he moved his fingers and pressed them against the hairy chest. The hair tickled his fingertips, almost soft under his palm, and the novelty of the sensation made his mouth form a silent O. The lower his fingers went, the more foolish he felt, but under the silliness, he felt brave, as he knew that only a few of the Matti would ever dare to duplicate his actions. The hair was sharper the thinner the path down became, which left him utterly fascinated. He had never seen such a sight before, and what was even better, the cradled long limb moved as he came closer to it. It twitched toward Fai‟s hand as if begging for a touch, and Fai

TEACHER PLUS TWO 27 thought to himself that it acted much like he did when he wanted to cuddle. But at the section where the path connected with the larger patch of hair, Fai‟s fingers suddenly stopped. He had no idea what to do next, and despite his ever-growing curiosity, he was not brave enough to venture alone into parts unknown. Orrin took the agile fingers between his and lifted them slowly toward his mouth. He watched as Fai‟s gaze followed the motion almost hungrily, and once the fingers stopped at Orrin‟s face, he brought the fingers to his mouth, kissing every bony knuckle. Fai‟s lips opened slightly at that as he observed in fascinated wonder, and a sound slipped from his lips when his hand was guided down to Orrin‟s straining penis. The skin was velvety smooth, but it felt like it covered a warm piece of rock. The firmness of it was incredible, and when his fingers wrapped around it, he no longer held any fear of hurting Orrin. A big palm covered his and directed every motion, for which Fai was immensely grateful, especially once he felt the slickness leaking from the tip. He froze in fear of somehow breaking it and would have moved away if not for the strong palm still holding his. “It‟s all right. This is a normal reaction. Maybe I can make yours look the same. Big and stiff, and make it leak. I wish to taste you, little lion,” Orrin whispered softly, swallowing a groan of pleasure as he leaned close enough to Fai‟s face to feel the tickle of his hair. “What should I do?” Fai asked in the same hushed tone, for some reason already breathless. “Just let me touch you, sweetheart. Close your gorgeous eyes and feel.” Fai nodded, already mesmerized by the newness of the experience, and let Orrin lower him down to the bed. He could feel Orrin above him, the heat of the larger body, and the wet tip of Orrin‟s privates trailing over his belly. Orrin finally succumbed to his urges, and he leaned down and connected their lips in a slow explosion of tastes. It was better than beer, chocolate, or strawberries: sweet, delicious, and mouthwatering.

VALENTINA HEART 28 He grazed the pointy fangs with his tongue and felt his erection harden as he imagined those little teeth scraping against his length. Orrin sucked at the lips gently, pulling them and nipping even as he tasted the tentative tongue with his own. He fed on the soft whimpers he caused, and by the time he lifted his head, he was utterly captivated. Fai was lost in a fantasy world where the taste of another person made him whine, where soft lips did wonders to his completely unexplored skin. He discovered that his neck was extremely sensitive as delicate spots went, and that tongue licking it was enough to make him scream. He tried to focus on the lips that trailed down his chest, but in addition to all other sensations, his legs were unusually rubbery and unable to move. He whimpered and moaned as Orrin licked him all the way down to his crotch, where his soft member still hung flaccid. He doubted anything could make it stand as proud as Orrin‟s did. But even before he finished that fleeting thought, lips were kissing it, and in a matter of seconds, he saw his whole length disappear in Orrin‟s mouth. The feeling was, in a word, indescribable. Fai thrashed on the bed, his spine bowing in surrender as Orrin overwhelmed him with the insistent sucking and provocative circling of his tongue. He created such heat between them—all of Orrin‟s skin emanated warmth like a furnace, but his mouth was searing hot, and all Fai could do was groan under the assault. The urge to close his legs was getting stronger by the moment, and as if Orrin had sensed it, he placed his palms on those small thighs, keeping Fai spread and exposed. It felt like the tide was slowly approaching, pulling at some hidden force in Fai‟s body and centering it between his legs. But after another powerful suck, where Orrin‟s teeth scraped gently over the head, Fai doubled over, his hips pushing instinctively between those lips one last time. Fai felt the pulses of heat traveling down his length, the spurts of liquid leaving him, but all of it happened with such intensity he had no idea how to stop it. Feeling better than he had ever felt before, he was both shocked and amazed by the sensation that overrode all his other senses and left him as nothing more than a brainless heap of flesh.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 29 He was mortified by his actions once his mind cleared, and he wished the floor would open up and swallow him alive. His eyes searched for a shadowed corner to disappear into, as he wanted to avoid Orrin‟s sure-to-be angry gaze at all cost. Fai just couldn‟t face him after his mindless actions, and the exhaustion that swept over his body made it all that much more difficult. “Shhh, little lion. It‟s all right. You didn‟t do anything wrong. Look here.” Orrin drew his gaze downward, and Fai ventured a look. His own size shocked him, as he‟d never seen his penis quite that big. He watched it go softer before his eyes, slowly reaching its usual state, and the complete confusion the occurrence caused made him lift his eyes to Orrin‟s in search of an explanation. His embarrassment was forgotten in the face of the secrets his body still held from him. “How?” Fai asked in wonder. “When I stimulate you enough, all the blood travels down and it makes it bigger. If I continue touching it, you lose your restraint, and the seed pushes out through this little hole right here. You only need a bit more effort than an average human, but I guess that saves your race from all the erection-caused idiocy my planet suffers from.” Orrin grinned. “Seed?” But Fai was too shell-shocked to pay attention. “Liquid… remember when you touched me before and it was wet on the tip? Well, something like that.” Orrin tried his best to explain. Fai was thoughtful and absolutely adorable, all pale and naked in front of Orrin, while his tail kept swinging at the edge of the bed. Orrin wanted to taste so much more of him than his seed. He wanted to see Fai in that one moment of utter happiness. “What else can we do?” Fai asked delightedly just before a yawn overtook his face. “We can do a lot of things, but I think we should sleep a little first. You want to cuddle?” Even in offering something that Fai needed, Orrin felt selfish, because holding him in his arms seemed like the second-best next to being inside Fai.

VALENTINA HEART 30 “I don‟t know how these things work, but shouldn‟t your penis go down before we fall asleep?” Fai wondered if there was anything he could do to help it go soft again, even as he gradually relaxed on the covers. Orrin laughed heartily but answered anyway. “I‟m aroused just like you were. It won‟t go down until I either fall asleep or come.” “Come where? Are you leaving?” Fai was suddenly confused and frightened that he would be left alone. But Orrin just laughed again, this time adding to it a certain patronizing tone. “It‟s just an expression. It means that I need to ejaculate. That seed thing we just covered?” “But what does that have to do with going somewhere?” Fai just didn‟t understand, and the feeling was making him agitated. “It means to come to an end. You see how tired you are now? Well, when you come, you spend your energy, and you‟re usually tired, so all other activities stop. Does that make any sense?” “I guess…. So it won‟t go down until you come? Can I help with that?” This time Fai was genuinely curious, wanting to see the very act that had brought him so much pleasure. “Well, I wasn‟t planning on doing anything, but if you want, you can lend me a hand.” Orrin gave him a wicked smile, the first of its kind that Fai had seen. “Lend you a hand?” Orrin took Fai‟s palm in his and placed it around his attentionseeking member again. He moved it in the same casual combination of strokes he had earlier, giving Fai the grand tour of his cock and making Fai realize what exactly he meant by “lending a hand.” Fai smiled shyly as he understood the meaning behind Orrin‟s words, but never once did he even think about stopping what he was doing. After intensifying the already-breathtaking situation, Orrin removed his palm from the equation, leaving his straining cock in Fai‟s tender care. The way Fai‟s small fingers played over every vein, touching in uneven, exploratory strokes, and the way he seemed hesitant before every new touch ended up being an amazing turn-on.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 31 Orrin threw his head back, closing his eyes in an uncontrollable act of surrender, and thought only about the sweetness of the sensation. But without any warning, something soft wrapped around him beneath Fai‟s fingers and suddenly gripped him harder. The fingers were then gone and the motion grew faster, forcing Orrin to look down at himself. It was the sight of a gray tail wrapped around his length that stopped all further thought, and the eroticism of the unexpected situation pushed him over the edge. He came in short bursts of suppressed desire all over the soft fur, a loud groan escaping his lips and bouncing against the metal walls. It was dizzying and overwhelming, too good and exhausting. But the very idea that Fai had helped him get to that point of utter bliss blew his mind. As he recovered, the cells of his overloaded brain turning back on one by one, he looked at his little lion. He wished to speak about the sweet ache he felt in his chest; he wished to say his thanks and to kiss Fai silly while he was still too cloudy to restrain himself. But the expression of both sadness and fascination on Fai‟s face as he observed the tip of his semen-smeared tail stopped him in his tracks. Orrin simply had to ask, “What is wrong, little lion?” Fai looked at him with an obviously fake smile. “Everything is fine. Can we go to sleep now?” But it was obvious to Orrin that something was actually very wrong. The little guy was on the verge of tears, and despite Orrin‟s desire to protect him and spare him any possible embarrassment, he also hated lies and secrets with a passion. “Don‟t lie to me, little lion. I hate lies. Just say what is on your mind.” His voice had a little bite, but if it saved them from misunderstandings and problems caused by a lack of communication further down the line, he had no issues with being a hardass. Fai sighed deeply before muttering his jumbled answer. “My tail… it‟s all messed up. I haven‟t groomed it in days, and now it‟s all wet too. It has never looked this bad before. If I was back on Matti, my parents would be ashamed to call me their son if anyone should see me in public like this. I don‟t have my brush here, and I can‟t do anything about it.” He fought tears with all his might, but the very memory of

VALENTINA HEART 32 Matti and his parents pushed them down his cheeks in a salty show of distress. Despite the fact that the reason seemed somewhat ridiculous to Orrin, he understood that different species had different values, and this was obviously important to Fai. Living beings depended on those small signs of affection or care; sometimes it meant more than the big stuff. So Orrin took the tail gingerly, his eyes never leaving Fai, and licked the tainted tip. He tasted the salt of his own seed on it and that same sweet tone of chocolate that the rest of Fai‟s body had. The eyes that stared back at him were huge, Fai barely keeping in his surprise and contentment at the unexpected act of closeness. “No one has ever done that before. You licked my tail,” Fai murmured in surprise. “Why is that so strange?” “No one ever takes care of your tail. It‟s your own responsibility,” he explained carefully. “The tail presents you to the others; it shows what kind of a person you are.” Orrin took all that in and, feeling particularly naughty, asked, “Did it feel good?” The new blush was as exquisite as all the others before it, and Orrin had to laugh at him. But not wanting to blow the whole thing out of proportion, he licked the tail again, sucking the tip into his mouth much like he had before with Fai‟s erection. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the penis between Fai‟s legs getting bigger again, and it made him all warm and fuzzy inside to know that his actions were the cause. He couldn‟t help but think that for someone who had had his first erection only minutes ago, Fai had a remarkable recovery time. Pulling the tip of the tail out of his mouth, he asked, “How come my mouth isn‟t full of hair?” Fai blushed again, his gaze wandering sideways. “The tail doesn‟t shed. Once we enter our mature age, it doesn‟t change anymore. That‟s the other reason why it‟s important to take care of it. If I lose fur from it, it will never grow back.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 33 “Then we won‟t let that happen. We‟ll take care of it together. What do you say?” It was like giving candy to a child. A smile brightened Fai‟s face instantly, and he jumped onto Orrin‟s naked body, giving him a hug. The purr rumbled against Orrin‟s chest, and he couldn‟t help but laugh in delight. Fai was undeniably adorable. Orrin let him go gently before pulling him to his feet. He closed the distance to the corner of the room, where a partition for a sonic shower slid out with just a push of a button. Pulling Fai close, Orrin entered the combination for a soft wave, and with barely a whisper against their skin, they were clean. Fai felt his fur stand on end and his hair tingle around his head. Once they exited the partition, he looked at himself and failed to see anything different, but he felt fresher and his hair shone. He was still embarrassed when he thought about his actions and the liberties he had taken, but he also acknowledged the necessity of them. It was probable that he would have felt differently if Orrin weren‟t such a patient and gentle teacher, and he imagined nothing would have been so easy if he hadn‟t been partially interested in anything the man might offer. As much as his upbringing was at odds with his current situation, Fai couldn‟t deny the interest he had in the novelties his future might bring. He was still more than afraid, always expecting the worst from his imprisonment, but he had taken what good he could get, and he wasn‟t planning on regretting it. For as long as he could turn around and see Orrin by his side, he knew he would be all right.

VALENTINA HEART 34 Chapter Four

THE brute of a guard dragged Hara through a long hallway dotted with doors on each side. He stopped in front of one and pressed his palm against the lock. It swooshed open, and Hara got a visual of a couple on a narrow bed in a cell much like his own. He was pushed forcefully forward, almost tripping over his feet, and the guard laughed mercilessly just before uttering his parting words: “Now go fuck.” Hara knew what that meant. He had experience with all kinds of sexual gratification, and he knew better than to refuse. Refusal always meant pain, and he preferred to keep his body blood-free. The couple scrambled over the bed, the little fuzzy one hiding behind the wide torso of a black-haired human. They certainly weren‟t ugly to look at, and as mercies went, that was one of the more pleasurable ones. Orrin was on guard now more than ever, and when the door opened, he was ready for battle even though he knew there probably wouldn‟t be a need for one. Fai hid behind him, small fingers pressing against Orrin‟s shoulders, and Orrin again felt that need to protect his little lion. Only the being pushed inside didn‟t seem like a threat. He was rather a unique-looking creature who appeared more frightened than anything else. He was bare-chested, only the thin cloth of his trousers covering his hips and legs down to his uncovered toes. He was small, maybe only a few inches taller than Fai, his skin the same pale shade with a hint of blue. His hair was as black as Orrin‟s, looking almost wet and slick from where Orrin was sitting, and

TEACHER PLUS TWO 35 gave the impression of a spiked porcupine, standing as if pulled backward and only waiting for an opportunity to bristle in attack. His ears were exposed to the air, framing his hair nicely, but it was his eyes that drew the most attention, with their narrow longish shape and lack of eyelashes. He was humanoid for certain, but he looked different enough to be interesting. If not for the sudden thudding dancing of his heart, Orrin would have wondered more about the very nature of his capture. As it was, he was too shocked with the realization that the transport held more surprises than you would think, and the last thing he expected was to find another piece of his soul aboard. Fai was, above all else, curious. He had never seen such a creature before. Well, to be honest, he hadn‟t seen many other species before, but the small, silent being standing next to the door captured his attention to the fullest. He wondered about the sharpness of his hair, the exact shade of his skin. Fai wondered if he would be friendly or dangerous, and he wondered what Orrin thought of him. The newcomer looked so lost and frightened that Fai almost found enough courage to detach himself from Orrin and pull the little blue male into his cuddling embrace. Almost. Hara became more and more distressed as the scrutiny of the other two intensified. He was aware of how different he looked and how those differences attracted some and repelled others, but it never made it any easier to just stand still and be gawked at like a good slave. Another problem came in the form of the guard‟s order. He wasn‟t precisely sure if he was supposed to wait for the other slaves to take him or if he should just do as he had been taught. On one hand, he could offend someone if he moved too quickly and showed them why he had been purchased. On the other, he could get punished for disobeying a direct order. It was one of the conflicts slaves faced regularly. No one was too precise with their orders, and it was up to slaves to choose the best option and hope that it was the right one. But in the end, he decided that he feared the beating of the guards or the new owner more than he feared the damage an imprisoned slave could cause him. He started stripping.

VALENTINA HEART 36 Orrin was taken by surprise at first when the newcomer got rid of his thin excuse for pants, but he recovered quickly and spoke. “You don‟t have to do that. It‟s okay.” Hara frowned as he tilted his head to the side. The big guy didn‟t want him taking off his clothes? That was a first. Maybe he was repulsed. But he didn‟t sound like it. “I know they said we should have sex, but I‟m not one to rape a person. Even if I don‟t find a way to sidestep their orders, I will try and make the whole situation more enjoyable.” Orrin explained yet again that he wasn‟t really a bad guy. But Hara only snorted, something he never would have dared to do in front of his master. Just this one time, he couldn‟t help himself. This naïve man was spewing fairytales and laying a solid foundation for his own quick death. Or at least a memorable lesson. “I know you don‟t believe me.” Orrin swallowed desperately even as he tried not to stare at the unique male before him. “But could you at least give me a chance? Maybe start with your name?” Fai observed the interaction, or lack thereof, with intensifying curiosity and wondered if the blue being would answer the question. Hara considered his options again, his teeth slightly biting into his lower lip. There really was no danger in postponing his task for a while. He wasn‟t feeling so great anyway. Maybe the big guy would protect him, he mused. He was delusional for thinking it, as he knew firsthand that no one stuck their neck out for another person. “Vidyadhara Naam,” he said, watching them carefully with no consideration of his nakedness. “That‟s a strong name,” Fai whispered, liking the melodious sound it made as he spoke it. Hara nodded in acknowledgement, wondering what would happen next. “I am Orrin, and this is Fai,” the big one said as he pointed at the little one behind him. For the first time, Hara noticed the gray tail as it flickered behind the two. It could have easily belonged to either of them, but Hara

TEACHER PLUS TWO 37 ventured a guess that it belonged to the one with the matching gray hair. “Are we going to fuck now?” he asked, feeling somewhat silly standing before the two, not knowing if they wanted him or even if they were planning on doing anything that required being naked. “No. But you are welcome to come and join us on the bed. At least to sit if you‟re not much for cuddling,” Orrin deadpanned, silently berating himself for not asking Fai about it before offering the invitation. Fai stiffened at first—another individual on such a small bed seemed too much—but thinking about it, he realized that he didn‟t really mind. He would have liked it if the man had some clothes on, but he saw nothing dangling between his legs, and for some reason that made him relax somewhat. Being used to company of others, Hara crossed the distance easily. There was no reason to fear someone who spoke such nonsense as the big one, Orrin, did, and he had nothing against placing the tender skin of his behind on something softer than the cold floor. “Is there a short version of your name?” Orrin asked as he moved on the bed to make room for Vidyadhara. He pressed even closer against Fai, noticing how the curiosity got Fai to set aside most of his inhibitions. “Hara,” he said as he stretched next to Orrin, not at all bothered by the closeness. He only partially wished for a bucket of water to cool off. He thought about resting, maybe sleeping, allowing the time to pass more quickly, but in the end decided that it was smarter to know where he stood in every situation rather than fall asleep with enemies ready to burst through the door at any minute. “Is there a reason why I was ordered to fuck two slaves?” Fai blushed even as he watched Hara‟s profile, his chin perched on Orrin‟s shoulder and his tail unconsciously trailing up the bigger man‟s inner thigh. Orrin sighed, not really wanting to get into that explanation again, but forced the words out of his mouth, even as the very closeness of the two males proved to be distracting. “I am from Earth, and our

VALENTINA HEART 38 kidnappers could see from the color of my eyes that I have almost attained what would be a high rank in other societies.” Hara suddenly waved his hand in the air above him. “Yes, yes, I get it, you‟re almost a Teacher. What does that have to do with anything?” “You know?” Orrin asked, shocked. “Of course I know.” Hara scowled. “I spent half of my life with a human master who owned probably at least one specimen of every species from this part of space, if not even beyond as well. Humans are nothing special and quite cruel, in my experience. I heard all there is to know about your eyes and the overwhelming experience fucking with you entails. But your eyes are not purple yet. There is still a hint of blue in them,” Hara stated without actually voicing the question. “It was easier to get a hold of me than it would have been a Teacher, and a Teacher for sexual slaves can only complement the price.” “True. I should know best.” “You were sold?” Orrin wondered in surprise. “Sure was. And the new owner had to offer a favor plus the money to get me. But I imagine he only intends to sell me for more or maybe trade me somewhere. If he was interested in me personally, he would have tried me out already.” If nothing worried Hara much anymore, that one fact was cold enough to chill him to the bone. Getting transferred from one hand to the next was never a good thing, and he feared what exactly he might get with the next master. Orrin wasn‟t too happy with that information. It indicated that Hara was meant for someone specific, and as he remembered the glint in the eyes of the man who had first talked to him, he shuddered. Whoever requested a unique slave couldn‟t be a kind person, otherwise he would never have done business with the Adults on board. There were other, kinder ways of acquiring slaves. “Do you remember the name of your planet? You‟re the first of your species I‟ve had the honor to meet.” Orrin turned to the side, his head resting on his palm. Hara only snorted.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 39 “I‟m serious,” Orrin said. “I‟ve been in this part of space for more than ten years, and I‟ve seen more than my share of slaves, but none of them even resembled me. You‟ve probably never left your planet, so why should you have seen a Paanian before?” Hara commented with a certain dose of bitterness. But Orrin completely ignored the tone. “So Paani is the name of the planet?” Hara signed even as he nodded. “Yes.” Fai listened to the exchange, completely fascinated with the wording and the tone of the language he didn‟t understand, but what really forced his tail to curl was the energy between the two. It was almost thick enough for him to taste, and it did strange things to his body. A sensation like a hundred butterflies trapped in his insides made him shiver in excitement. He peeked over Orrin‟s shoulder, observing the strange shape of Hara‟s eyes and the stiffness of his hair, which somehow wasn‟t stiff at all. It bent with the shape of the rough pillow as he lay down, but as soon as he moved, the pointy shape of it was back. He was amazed by the extraordinary shade of his skin, and although it seemed like it was missing something, a touch of something special, it was still more than amazing. Without a conscious thought, and pushed by pure curiosity, Fai leaned against Orrin, wishing to reach out and touch but restraining himself with remarkable effort. Of course, Orrin, who noticed every little change, caught this one too. “What is it, Fai? Want me to hug you?” he asked with obvious affection, forcing Hara to blink in sudden confusion. “No. I‟m actually… hmm… can I touch?” Fai mumbled, only his eyes and hair visible behind Orrin. “What do you want to touch, little lion?” Fai connected his gaze with that of the Paanian in a silent plea for understanding.

VALENTINA HEART 40 Hara smiled at the amusing reluctance of the fuzzy little creature. Like he hadn‟t been touched and groped countless times before, more than once when that contact wasn‟t welcome. But he was touched by the question, unexpectedly endeared by the gesture and somewhat curious about the little guy‟s fascination. “Go ahead,” he said, finding himself surprised to be relaxed enough to offer a smile. Fai squirmed under the scrutiny of them both, but he wanted to touch badly enough to ignore his embarrassment. He pushed Orrin onto his back on the bed, crawled over his wide chest, and extended his arm toward Hara‟s outstretched one. The feel of his skin was silky but dry, without the usual moisture Fai‟s own skin contained, but the color fascinated him even up close. Without asking this time, he slid his fingers lower, until he reached the long, bony fingers. Thin, dark-blue lines followed the length of each finger like warrior‟s paint and widened into a short fingernail of the same color. Hara‟s palm was just a little bit larger than Fai‟s, and with some instinct like he were at home, Fai slid his fingers between Hara‟s, caressing the softest skin there with the tips of his fingers. Hara was more than surprised with the intimate gesture one would have only expected from a lover, and his body reacted completely involuntarily, the little webs between his fingers fanning out from their hidden slits. He expected repulsion or shock, but all he received was a tiny bit of the latter combined with a large dose of fascination. Fai jumped a little as the additional skin appeared, but just as fast as he moved away he came back, his fingers caressing the thin, almost translucent skin connecting the digits. “Beautiful,” he mumbled, memorizing the feel of the webbing. To Hara‟s immense shock, he found himself blushing, as he was unaccustomed to such admiration for the simple reaction and appearance of his body. Others mostly reacted with disgust and snide remarks, not that he ever let anyone but his previous, extremely persistent Master see his retractable additions. Orrin was caught by surprise himself, more than a little fascinated by the uniqueness of the newest occupant of their cell. With every passing minute, his affection for both his cellmates only increased, and

TEACHER PLUS TWO 41 despite his somewhat surprised state, he was more than willing to go with the flow. He only hoped for enough time to strengthen the forming bond that had every potential of becoming unbreakable. Fai felt warm all over at the reaction he had caused in Hara. The slight blush of the skin his fingers touched and the shy look Hara suddenly took on made the purr start in Fai‟s belly and spread throughout the rest of his body. The ease he felt so close to a perfect stranger was surprising if not shocking, but the purr was a sure sign that even if he had doubts in his mind, his body had no such reservations. Hara stiffened at the sudden vibrations, the fingers touching him almost tickling his arm, and for a moment, he wasn‟t certain if the sensation came from the fuzzy-headed creature or the almost-Teacher next to him. But then the fingers trailed higher and he realized that it was indeed Fai who was purring next to him. For some inexplicable reason, this made him glad. Fingertips climbed up his shoulder, grazing the sensitive skin of his neck and stopping just short of his ear, hesitating in the most torturous of ways. “May I touch your hair?” Fai asked, his eyes glinting with unhidden curiosity. Hara could do nothing more than nod, his lips frozen and his body on display like a feast set out for royalty. He felt the touch climb that extra bit higher, and if he could have purred himself, he would have. The pointy strands of hair were almost rubbery soft, and while they allowed the passage of Fai‟s fingers, as soon as they were clear, the hair returned to its previous position. Fai almost laughed in delight as he watched it rearrange itself and sparkle, almost like a living thing. “So pretty,” Fai whispered, feeling Orrin‟s breath on his neck, a soft kiss pressed behind his ear making him tremble in pleasure. Hara closed his eyes, feeling things he had never expected to feel. His body was quivering under the seductive touch, begging for that little extra something that would send his senses out of control, revealing all his most sensitive parts, which were more than ready for the same treatment. His body was in heaven, even if his head fought the surrender. Soon he realized that he was, in fact, lost, enchanted by

VALENTINA HEART 42 those gray and almost-purple eyes, eyes that were becoming his strength as well as his shelter. “What is happening?” he whispered, looking at Orrin‟s understanding face even as he lifted into Fai‟s touch. Orrin knew without any clarification what Hara meant. He was sure that every one of them felt the sensations of belonging, comfort, and love that were bonding them with invisible silk strands. He knew that part of it was his nature, the bond that tied those meant for him to his heart, but he felt that there was more to it than simply his vague Teacher telepathic ability recognizing Fai, the innocent, and Hara, more than just the connection between them, pulling them together in a revered TRI bond. There must have been something in the way the Mattian‟s heart beat and body purred, something in the way the Paanian‟s body surrendered and his blue-tinted skin blushed. “It‟s the bond between us. I never expected to find the right person for me on a transport filled with slaves, and I never even dreamed that I would be a Teacher plus two.” “You are not a Teacher.” Hara gasped the words as Fai‟s fingers continued caressing his too-sensitive neck. “Not yet. But I found the missing link—I found the two of you, and now it is only a matter of time. We are connected. Even if we were to part, I would still feel as strongly for both of you. My heart would mourn your loss, and my mind would fight the separation with all the means available. I imagine it will be the same with you, even if you choose a different path than mine.” The last was said with heartbreaking sadness, and Fai turned toward Orrin with a million questions swimming in his eyes. “I will not leave you, little lion, and if the Faiths force us apart, I will look for you until my last breath,” Orrin said, pulling Fai into his strong arms, pressing a kiss against his forehead. Hara looked at the sight with a certain dose of trepidation, suddenly feeling inadequate, but one look into Orrin‟s eyes reassured him even without the words he spoke next. “You are right here with us, Hara. It is a bond of three, and I will never let anyone own you again.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 43 It was the weight of that promise that fell hard on them all, a promise that seemed as much a fantasy as a planet with water was for Hara. It was a promise that was impossible to keep, since they were all at the mercy of slave traders. Still, it was a promise that felt true, and all of them knew they would struggle to make it a reality.

VALENTINA HEART 44 Chapter Five

EVENTUALLY they succumbed to exhaustion, their bodies entwined and huddled on the narrow bunk. Orrin was in the middle, his body covered with most of Fai‟s, while Hara‟s chest pressed against his side. Nothing had ever felt more right to Orrin than waking next to the men he knew he was destined to love. It held a taste of home he didn‟t even realize he missed, and even if it wasn‟t a proven fact yet, he was pretty sure that the grin plastered over his face was an indication of his new permanent state: contentment. He was afraid to move a muscle lest he awaken one of the men next to him. It was simply too magical to feel Fai murmuring against his chest like it was something he had always done and to have Hara squirming at his side, soft breath tickling Orrin‟s skin in the sweetest way as he seemed to seek closeness but struggled with the almost scorching heat emanating from Orrin‟s body. But his efforts proved to be futile, as piercing screams suddenly cut through the air. Muffled as they were, it was terrifying to even imagine just how loud they must be at the place of their origin and the panic their owner must be going through. Fai jerked awake, his heart beating loud enough to be felt against Orrin‟s chest, and Hara stiffened like a board. Orrin could sense when Hara‟s breathing ceased; he knew Hara fought against his need for a bit of comfort. Orrin could almost feel their emotions breaking through their skin, and he followed his alpha male instincts and pulled them both closer, pressing their bodies against his as he murmured soft words of reassurance. Fai gave in to his fear; he curled his body against Orrin and wrapped his tail around the much wider waist. He couldn‟t help but

TEACHER PLUS TWO 45 shake from fright, the screams being something he never could have even dreamed about. He knew that it was only a matter of time before the captors came for him, and he had to be ready. There was no more time, and if he wanted to save Orrin and himself, he had to learn. Learn what, he wasn‟t exactly sure, but both Orrin and Hara were familiar with the world he had been thrust into so unexpectedly. He only hoped that their knowledge would be enough to save their lives. Hara listened to the screams he had heard too many times before, the nightmares close to the edge of his consciousness. He didn‟t want to remember; he didn‟t want to know. It was even difficult to ascertain whose screams were worse—those of his friends, whipped and raped in front of his eyes, or his own. Even after so many years, he still couldn‟t handle the screams. When new slaves had come to his previous prison of a home, he had sometimes prayed the trainers would use gags while they subdued their spirits. Only when the days became too long and the agony of living too painful would he pray to the human gods that the new slaves would be stricken mute in hopes of preserving the little sanity he was left with. He could handle pain, but screams were a different kind of torture. He was sinking into his memories, into the open marbled whipping circle where blood splashed the stone in scattered patterns with every lash of the whip, with every cut made by the knife. The screams had carried through the palace, pouring fear into the bones of those who knew that it was only a matter of time before it was their turn to endure. Hara wished again, like he had wished many times before, for death and freedom. So lost was he in his thoughts that he only caught Fai‟s panicked words when he repeated them for the second time. “I need you to teach me now,” Fai begged Orrin, his small palm wrapped around Orrin‟s bicep, his tail tightening around the muscular waist. Orrin watched the desperation coloring Fai‟s eyes even as he wondered what exactly the little guy was talking about. He knew both Fai and Hara were in shock, one because he was faced with too many unknowns, the other because he knew too much, but there was still only so much he could do for them in a cell on a transport bound for an

VALENTINA HEART 46 unknown destination. “Teach you what, Fai?” he asked, giving his best when it came to compassion, hoping it would be enough. “Teach me whatever that man wants me to learn. I don‟t want to scream like that. I don‟t want to be here alone and wonder if it is your screams reaching me through closed doors,” Fai wept, his words sounding more like a broken confession than a plea for help. But it was Hara who reached for the fuzzy guy first, gripping the gray hair in his fist and bringing the slightly parted lips within his reach. He didn‟t think about his actions or consider the consequences. He just knew of only one solution to the panic at hand, and when their lips met, he also knew heaven in his own personal hell. He was an aggressive kisser when given the chance, and this one time, he needed the kiss to be on his terms. He took the pink lips between his, almost bruising the skin as he sucked the sweat from them, and parted them with the tip of his skilled tongue. He moaned at the sweetness under his tongue, swirled it around the tentative tries of Fai‟s tongue, and only after the surge of startling emotion in his chest did he manage to break the heated connection. Fai was panting as he stared wide-eyed into the narrowed slits in front of him. His heart was trying to beat out of his chest, and his newly discovered growing bits became painfully hard. He knew there was something the kiss had steered him away from, but he couldn‟t figure out what it was, even if their lives had depended on that information. Orrin bit his lip hard enough to taste blood as two pairs of lips connected only a breath away from his face. Just the sight shot fire to his groin, causing hardness to sprout between his legs. They were beautiful together, both pale in complexion yet with startling differences in their skin tones. But it was the hunger that did him in, the first possessive touch turning into all-consuming desire, devouring them both even as he watched. He saw them move apart, amazement evident on both startled faces, Hara looking for that tiny straw of reality to hold on to, Fai staring as if he finally understood the meaning of the word “passion.” Then another scream tore through the air, and as if doused with cold water, Hara jumped from the bed, discomfort visible in every taut

TEACHER PLUS TWO 47 muscle of his body. Fai reacted with more panic and fear, hiding in Orrin‟s arms and probably feeling guilty for a kiss that he hadn‟t even initiated. “Hara, you need to calm down. We don‟t need more tears and panic,” Orrin said, emphasizing all the right words to draw attention to the huddling bundle in his arms. Hara turned with pure fire in his eyes, ready to lash out, but one look at Fai‟s shaking little body instantly softened his whole demeanor, and he took a step closer to the bunk. Orrin knew that was the wrong move, if not out of his own common sense, then because of Fai‟s scared jerk, which was enough of an indication. Fai thought he‟d done something wrong, and there was no way he was ready to listen to an explanation. “Hara. Can you tell me why your skin is so hot now? Are you physically alright?” Hara was startled by the question, his mind on a completely different subject, and he gave Orrin a curious look. There were only a handful of people interested in his health, and even fewer who noticed the changes in his body. He had lived this long out of sheer luck, as he had never told his captors how much he needed water. It might have been a foolish decision, but what his owners didn‟t know couldn‟t be used to torture him. Still, it had been more than a week since he‟d felt water, and the last thing he needed was to go into shock. He took a breath to steel his nerves before he plunged into a confession. “I come from a water planet, and our bodies adapted to the environment. With my previous master I had to stay clean, which required a lot of bathing. It helped my skin maintain its natural level of moisture. I haven‟t had a bath in more than a week, and being close to the warmth of your body caused mine to react.” Orrin swore as he processed the words. One needed cuddling and the other water. Like either of those things were a given on a slave transport. He didn‟t know if he was angrier because of their situation or because the slave traders had failed to find out anything about the creatures they had kidnapped. No matter how ridiculous it sounded,

VALENTINA HEART 48 having basic information about your property should be mandatory. “How much water do you need?” he asked. Hara cocked his head, surprised by the question even if he had hoped for help. “A long bath would be the best solution, but I can manage if I just wet my skin a couple of times.” “Okay, then we will just have to make that happen.” Orrin kissed Fai‟s forehead and got up from the bed. “Hara, go lie next to him and explain that it isn‟t his fault that you moved away from the kiss.” Caught by surprise, Hara faltered. The last thing he had expected was for Fai to feel guilty because of something Hara himself had done, especially for something as innocent as a kiss. He approached the bunk slowly, and he could plainly see Fai considering Orrin‟s words, as if the idea that it wasn‟t his fault had never crossed his mind. Orrin strode purposefully toward the door, getting angrier with every step he took. Such disregard for life was unacceptable. He reached the closed door and, like every captured idiot in the movies he had had the privilege to see, started pounding on it. It was the crudest way of drawing someone‟s attention, but it was all he could think of save waiting until their captors remembered them. The sound echoed throughout the room, and Fai huddled into the corner, his palms over his ears. It was so loud, and he wanted to beg Orrin to stop hitting the door. The men would only be angry when they came, and he was afraid they might hit Orrin for his forcefulness. Fai was so concerned about the angry man who was bound to appear that he failed to notice Hara so close to his body, looking at him as if Hara was the one in need of a hug instead of Fai. Hara knew what happened to slaves who thought highly of themselves. He wished that he didn‟t. It was too painful to remember all the raw, bloodied bodies he had tended after similar outbursts. In those moments, as the sound ricocheted off the walls, he felt true terror. Fai forgot his own fear for a moment and pulled Hara into his arms, drawing him closer with his tail. He took his gaze away from Orrin for only a few precious seconds, but as he turned back again, Hara‟s body molded to his, he saw that the door was open and a very angry man was staring Orrin down.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 49 “What the fuck do you want?” the guard spat at Orrin. “I need five bottles of water,” Orrin said calmly even as anger simmered below the surface of his skin. “What the hell do you need five bottles of water for?” The guard moved closer, the anger obvious on his face. “If you animals cared to inquire about the species you kidnapped before you actually did it, you would know the needs of your victims.” The guard‟s face reached that ugly red color, and before Orrin could react, the man swung his fist straight into Orrin‟s nose. “I don‟t give a flying fuck about their needs. And I only need to keep you alive for this journey. No one mentioned that you have to be whole and healthy.” Orrin felt the blood oozing from his nose, and the excruciating pain was enough to draw burning tears from his eyes. His vision was blurry enough that he missed the expression on the guard‟s face, but despite that and despite the pain he felt, he squeezed out the next barely understandable words. “You might not care, but I‟m sure the man who paid for his slaves cares enough for the both of you.” The guard spat at him before turning, and the door closed behind him. Hara rushed to Orrin, familiar enough with the injuries to know how to tend to them. Orrin was a mess. His mouth, chin, and chest were marred with blood, and his eyes, which Hara was pretty sure he couldn‟t see from at all, were narrowed in anger. “Just let me see if it‟s broken,” Hara told him as he took hold of Orrin‟s head. A puff of warm air touched Hara‟s face as Orrin exhaled, and he took that as consent to touch the already swollen flesh. Orrin winced and grunted under the assault, but despite the tenderness, Hara found no break and said so. “I need to clean off the blood,” the bigger man stated as he stood and found the corner of the room where the sonic shower was located. It only took a few moments for the blood to disappear from his body, and then he had another decorative bruise to display in addition

VALENTINA HEART 50 to all the others on his body that had barely faded. He was mad enough to kill the idiotic guard the next time he saw him, but he still held out hope that the asshole just might bring the water he had asked for. He might not be afraid of Orrin, but the ship‟s captain—or the businessman in charge, as he had called himself—was important enough to eliminate the guard permanently if something were to happen to the slave he personally had bought and now owed a favor for. Orrin was sure that the same man who had first spoken to him was the one who had bought Hara. He was lost in thought, but not out of it enough not to notice the two little guys holding each other at the edge of the bunk. Orrin was sorry for the worry he had caused and for the tears Fai had obviously shed, but he was still too pissed to offer the comfort and reassurance they needed. He just hoped the guard would bring that water and fuck off afterward, leaving them in peace for a few hours before the screams started again. “It will be all right. He isn‟t hurt too badly,” Hara whispered as he hugged Fai. The little one was almost shivering, his eyes too big for his face as he stared at Orrin, who now sat, stewing, on the other edge of the bunk. “We will give him time to cool off, and everything will be just as before. Calm down, now.” Fai lifted his gaze and searched Hara‟s expression for the same security his words brought. Orrin was the first strong person Fai had met, and to see him in such a state of disarray left Fai feeling insecure once again. He was in a strange place where he could get beaten or killed at any given moment, and without his rock by his side, he wanted to cry. Hara was another mystery. So beautiful and different, dispassionate and secure one moment, a shivering mess with shadowfilled eyes the next. Those eyes told unspeakable stories, and that scared Fai all over again. What was so scary that a person carried scars on the inside for the rest of his life? He didn‟t want to know, and he was just inexperienced enough not to be able to imagine. “Do you think he will bring the water?” he asked Hara.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 51 “There is no way to know. But Orrin‟s words might have given him the necessary push.” “Will you speak to me?” Fai turned his pleading eyes toward Hara. Hara smiled, thinking that he had never known such an adorable creature, someone as innocent as Fai. “I am speaking to you.” “Something nice, where there are no screams and beatings. Something that will make you smile.” “I‟m sorry. I don‟t have happy stories to tell you. My life has been… my life has not been nice.” Hara‟s eyes lost focus as his thoughts wandered to his vicious past. “Will you tell me about your planet? What does it look like?” Fai felt the need to be persistent; he couldn‟t stand any more of the bad memories and words. “My planet?” Hara was caught unprepared. He hadn‟t thought about Paani in a very long time. Maybe it was time to revisit those forgotten memories, sights he only remembered in his dreams. He knew that there was no hope of ever seeing his home planet again, and even if all the relatives and acquaintances he had once been close to didn‟t reject his plea for sanctuary, they would surely shun his presence since he had been a slave. Such a life would be worse than the one he had now. All the beauty of his world could not make up for not being wanted. Still, remembering the city and the feel of so much water was something one could never forget, and speaking of it just might bring a smile to his face. Hara leaned back against the wall, pulling Fai closer to his chest, and started the tale of the blue planet. “I could not tell you for sure if my world is as blue from space as it is when you actually set foot on its soil. We live under the sparkly surface of the water as well as on the dark blue shores. There is more water than there is land, and our bodies were made for swimming, and that is what a Paanian first learns to do. It was no different with me. I could swim long before I was able to take two steps on a flat surface.”

VALENTINA HEART 52 Fai lowered his head into Hara‟s lap, caressing the underside of the naked thigh, and Hara almost instinctively placed his hand on Fai‟s head, combing the soft gray strands with his fingers. It was almost like therapy for the both of them, where one reveled in the tender touch and the other let his thoughts travel to those long-forgotten times when everything was simple but wonderful all the same. “I was born Above, my mother being the adventurous type. She never let things limit her in life, even if that thing was a new swimmer on the way. She had me in the house of a merchant, where she then left me until I was of an age to breathe under water. We are not like humans, who seem to live to mate, nor are we as affectionate as Mattians seem to be.” Hara tightened his grip on Fai‟s hair ever so slightly. “We are never limited to just one lover, nor do we stay in one place for very long. The world is a place worth exploring, and every trip carries with it new intriguing individuals who deserve attention. Even with all the „fucking‟, as humans would say, Paanians do not conceive more than one swimmer in their lifetime, and with such a low number of young, everyone is a parent, and everyone cares. It so happened that I knew the merchant better than I did my mother, as he had a stationary position on that piece of land and brought me up to my mature years. Mother only visited in between her travels, sometimes taking me with her if she discovered something worth seeing. Still, three cycles had passed by the time I could hold my breath long enough to reach the closest underwater dome.” “What was it like? Being under water?” Fai whispered, his eyes closed as he tried to imagine what the blue world must have looked like. “Oh, it was breathtaking. With the short dives I braved at first, I could only see the distorted top of the biggest dome. But with my first real dive, I came close enough to see all the lights, coral, and the water paths. It was so unexpected that I forgot to swim and almost choked. That is what would have happened if these”—he motioned to the narrow, dark-blue lines that adorned his neck—“hadn‟t finally decided to work. Luckily, I was too stunned to panic, and I managed to swim to the closest entrance to the dome. It‟s hard to explain just what it looked like. Everyone smiled at me, as I was probably one of the smallest

TEACHER PLUS TWO 53 inhabitants there. But no one stopped me on my way, and I swam through the channel that everyone seemed to use, looking at the dry coral that housed others, large shells that separated some of the streets, even the small reefs where merchants bartered their goods. The lighting was so different than it first seemed from the outside. Instead of blue, the dome cast a soft green glow that penetrated everywhere, and you would never know that the city wasn‟t actually under the sun but rather at the very bottom of the water world.” “Did you find your mother?” Fai curiously asked. “No.” Hara chuckled, noticing the way Orrin spread out on the bunk, the top of his head touching Hara‟s thigh. He placed his other palm onto the dark strands of the bigger man‟s hair and continued with his tale. “She was on one of her trips. Besides, I didn‟t venture Below to seek her. I was curious. I wanted to see the other side of our world. It was only later that she introduced me to the others, some who were actually family and some who were her good friends. I never lacked for love and care. It is the way our society works. We encourage curiosity, adventurous spirits, and free minds, but we care for those who choose differently, as well as for the little swimmers who still need to grow up.” There was something in the words, especially easy-flowing ones, that relaxed Hara, took him back to the time when everything had been so simple and when all he had wanted was to hear another adventure story from his mother, find another destination for his independent explorations. “Is the water on your planet sweet or salty?” Orrin surprised both of them with the question, almost startling Fai, who was on the verge of falling asleep. Hara looked at him, curious about what had prompted the question, but he decided to answer. “It‟s somewhat in between, but by human standards, I would call it sweet. Is there a reason why you ask?” Orrin was much calmer. Hara‟s soothing voice had quieted his raging demons, but he was helpless when it came to finding a way to escape. Thinking about a way out of their cell could occupy only so much of his time, and even if he somehow managed to get them out of

VALENTINA HEART 54 the cell, they would be left on a space transport full of hostile guards who probably wouldn‟t take kindly to the escape attempt. So Orrin worked on the other side of his “happily ever after” plan, where he searched his memory for a place that would welcome all three of them and where they could possibly find a home. “I was just thinking. Well, dreaming. I want a place for us, a planet where we could make a home for ourselves but that has all the advantages our individual needs might require. I don‟t wish to scare you with my outbursts of affection, but I know what I want, even if the two of you are skeptical or unsure. And what I want is the three of us together living a happy, fulfilling life. We could never manage that on Earth, and Fai and I couldn‟t live on a water planet. I‟m just letting my mind sort through the alternatives to escape the reality of our present situation,” Orrin said, somewhat scared of their reaction and not even sure himself how smart it was to lay down his feelings in front of them so soon. But then again, it wasn‟t his fault that he just knew how things stood. It was his nature to know what was right for him and what would make him happy. Nothing in his life had been this important. Nothing felt more right than Hara and Fai by his side, forever. Hara almost snorted in disbelief, unsure if he doubted the sentiment itself or the possibility that there might be happiness in their future. He was not an optimistic kind of slave, and what spark of hope he had had as a young one had been squashed soon after he was first captured and subdued. There was no survival in false hope. But still, something stopped him from mocking Orrin‟s words, and he stayed quiet, letting the glow of such obvious affection lull him into that false sense of security where nothing could touch him. Fai already knew that even if they managed to escape their captors, nothing would ever be the same. He was not the innocent and protected Mattian he had been when he was first taken. Even the little time that had passed had been enough to change him deep inside. He could envision being surrounded by a family that no longer understood his deepest thoughts and desires. So his thoughts turned in the same direction as Orrin‟s, to his own planet, as he wondered if the large lake in the Sun Section might be wet enough for Hara.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 55 But before Fai managed to utter a word, the door swooshed open again. The female guard who stood in the opening gave them a disgusted look that clearly said she wanted to be anywhere else at that moment. “Here‟s the water.” She placed three full bottles inside the door. “You better not cause any more trouble, or Lar might have you whipped.” With the same dull sound, the door closed behind her, and the three were left in momentary silence. It was Orrin who jumped off the bunk first, his movements sure and determined. He picked up the bottles, silently satisfied with the quantity, and mentally patted himself on the back for thinking to ask for more water than was needed. “Hara, come here, please.” Orrin motioned for him to come forward. “Your skin just needs to be wet, right?” Hara nodded, relieved at the opportunity to refresh himself and almost smiling at the intent expression on Orrin‟s face. “Okay. Come to the corner where the shower partition opens. We will make less of a mess there.” They crossed the distance to their destination as Fai sat silently on the bunk, watching their interaction and admiring the sight of two very different males. Just like Orrin, he knew that he wanted more time with them, and he was gradually approaching that place where no others would be able to replace them. “Can I just pour the water on your head?” Orrin asked. “Yes. But please do it slowly, and don‟t place your hand too close to my hair. I haven‟t had a bath in a while, and the reaction might be a bit dramatic.” Hara smiled sheepishly even as Orrin uncapped the bottle and lifted his arm above Hara‟s head. “Ready?” “Yes.” With that, Orrin tilted the bottle and poured the precious liquid on top of Hara‟s head. What happened next was certainly dramatic. As soon as the water touched the hair, the pointy tips inflated and lengthened as if begging for more. It looked almost deadly and had

VALENTINA HEART 56 Orrin flinching back in actual fear before he focused on his task and poured more water on the lovely body in front of him. The hair wasn‟t the only thing that reacted to the water. As it slid over Hara‟s neck, the dark-blue lines there opened, looking like the sharp ridges of shells, and Fai gasped in fascination. He saw Hara flash him a smile before he smeared the droplets of water over his chest and arms, revealing other surprises his body hid. His skin was changing color before their eyes, taking on a more vibrant shade of blue that almost sparkled. The skin between Hara‟s fingers fanned out, and what looked a lot like fins popped out down the outsides of his forearms and down his calves. Even his toes got those webbed extensions, and Fai almost crossed the distance between them in his mounting desire to touch. Hara, surprisingly, wasn‟t self-conscious. He could plainly see the admiration on Orrin‟s face, the want he had for the body so many before him had spat on in disgust, even when they only caught a glimpse of the surface. The adoration little Fai kept showing in every expression on his face was more than flattering. He knew he was wanted, and for once, he decided to take a chance. When Orrin opened the second bottle of water and poured it over his head, Hara tilted his head backward so that the stream of liquid headed straight for his groin. It wasn‟t necessary to expose that part of himself, but he wanted to, and he willed the pouch inside his body to open, revealing all the bits usually hidden inside. He looked somewhat different from Orrin and Fai. He had no hair between his legs, the same way there wasn‟t any of it elsewhere on his body. His cock was long and smooth without visible veins or ridges; he even lacked the crowned tip the other two in the room had. It was uniform from the base to the top. The other difference was the tender little egg-like shape beneath it. While humans had two hanging balls, Hara‟s was oblong and very much pressed against his body horizontally. It was one of the most sensitive parts on him, and as such, it was surrounded by short, thin tentacles that almost mimicked a pelt of hair. The tentacles were a type of protection, and other than that, their only function was pleasure.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 57 The water felt amazing as it touched his most private parts, and while he wanted to moan his satisfaction, he held back, carefully observing the reactions of his two roommates. In the end, he shouldn‟t have been so afraid, because Orrin looked desperately hungry, as his eyes were glued to Hara‟s groin, and Fai all but bounced on the bunk, his tail swinging behind him in excitement. Hara was in a place where he was wanted, and even though he was still sure that it was wrong, he let the thickness of the walls he had erected around himself crack just a tiny bit. Despite all those bad memories he still held in his mind, Hara was aware of having just that one life. Protecting himself was necessary and often wise, but every once in a while, taking a risk and jumping could potentially be rewarded. Maybe it was time to jump.

VALENTINA HEART 58 Chapter Six

THE next day found them cuddled on the same narrow bunk where they had spent most of the previous day. Orrin felt eyes on him, his skin prickling under a curious gaze. Even though he could have used a couple more hours of sleep, he opened his eyes and focused on his lovers. Fai couldn‟t believe how comfortable he felt in the arms of a stranger. Even more surprising, Hara seemed to be feeling the same, sleeping curled up on Orrin‟s other side, his breath moving the dark hair on Orrin‟s chest. It was warm and comfortable. If he had been on Matti, he would have loved to have both of them spread out on his pillows, playful and laughing as they cuddled him. It was a fantasy worth losing sleep over, and he watched the peacefulness on Hara‟s face as he dreamt. Still, another day had gone by, and Fai knew little more than he did yesterday. Orrin was reluctant when it came to teaching him, no matter how much Fai insisted or what guilt trips he used. It just wasn‟t fair. He was terrified of the guards, not to mention of his fate if he got separated from Orrin and was left in the hands of others. It wasn‟t difficult to remember the screams that cut through the air seemingly every waking hour. Fai had another reason for wanting Orrin to get close to him. He wanted to feel that same exhilaration once more, he wanted to be close and sensitive and overwhelmed, and he wondered how it would feel if Hara joined them. “Can‟t sleep, little lion?” Orrin whispered, looking straight at Fai. Fai‟s fingers tightened in Orrin‟s chest hair. His thoughts had consumed him for a moment, so Orrin‟s waking had completely escaped his notice. “I want to learn,” he whispered back.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 59 The expression on Orrin‟s face was enough to tell Fai how little he liked the idea, as if the whole experience of yesterday didn‟t matter. Fai felt hurt. “You don‟t want that, Fai. Especially not here. Your first time should be special, somewhere safe and comfortable, not on display on a dirty bunk in front of slave traders.” Fai tried to understand those words. He really did. But what he heard the most, and what he understood best, was rejection. That hurt deep inside, almost breaking his trusting heart. “Why do you keep denying him when you see how much it means to him?” Hara suddenly asked, his eyes just as open and alert as Orrin and Fai‟s. “I do it for his own good. He deserves to be innocent for a while longer,” Orrin persisted. “That‟s just bullshit! The guards could come here before you even have the chance to blink and take him away. They could gang-rape him for his first time. His innocence won‟t help him a bit then, will it? Sure, it‟s his first time, and it might hurt, and this is a shitty place for any type of romance a human might want to orchestrate, but at least he has feelings for you. Just that fact makes it a wonderful experience! Faiths! You humans can be so dense sometimes!” Hara finished ranting, exasperated and not a little pissed. He remembered his first time, even though he desperately wished to forget it. If it had even remotely resembled what Fai could look forward to with Orrin, it would have been beautiful, a memory worth pulling out and looking at. Instead, it had been something taken from him, not something he‟d willingly given. “That‟s not going to happen. I‟m going to protect him. I‟ll protect both of you.” “You‟re an idiot! You won‟t even be able to protect yourself if it comes to that. You don‟t know how many armed guards there are behind those doors, and while you might be a valuable asset to them now, a troublesome slave Teacher is worth shit if he doesn‟t do his job.” Hara sat up, glaring at Orrin and waiting for him to finally understand.

VALENTINA HEART 60 “I can‟t do it. I just can‟t force a virgin to be a whore.” Orrin shook his head in panic even as Hara gasped at his words. “How can you not see? How can you call your lover a whore for wanting to make love to you? It is not only about you. Don‟t the two of us have feelings as well? What if we want you? What if we need you? You would deny us because of your delusional beliefs?” Hara shook his head, utterly disappointed, not even caring that his own feelings came to the surface. He just couldn‟t believe such words had found their way out of the mouth of a future Teacher. It was wrong on countless levels, and it could have ruined the trust Fai placed in the man. So Hara stepped over Orrin, pushing Fai closer to the wall and wedging himself in between the two. “Don‟t listen to him, Fai. He‟s not the man you know right now. He‟s not thinking straight. You remember the person you were with yesterday, before you ever knew me?” Hara pressed his body against Fai, placing his palms on Fai‟s pale cheeks. Fai only nodded, fighting the tears that threatened to spill. He couldn‟t believe Orrin suddenly disliked him so. He didn‟t understand all the words he used, but he understood the feeling behind them, and it made him shudder. Focusing on the darkness of Hara‟s eyes and their strange shape, Fai tried to listen to the words directed at him. Hara felt so good against him. The skin that had felt dry the previous day was as smooth as fur, Fai‟s own skin begging for more contact. “Orrin is just as scared as we are, and he doesn‟t understand that we actually might want him under these circumstances. Let me hold you until he comes to his senses. If worst comes to worst, I will teach you all you need to know.” Hara felt the same pain he had felt countless times before when he stared into the broken hearts of new slaves who just didn‟t understand their new situations and the worthlessness that suddenly became the main component of their lives. He leaned forward and pressed his lips against the sweet ones in front of him, sharing all the love he already felt for the little guy. He pulled the fuzzy head to the crook of his neck and placed another soft

TEACHER PLUS TWO 61 kiss against the exposed, curvy line, causing goose bumps. Fai‟s reactions were so genuine, his body reacting to the barest of sensations. Even feeling as down as he did, Fai seriously considered Hara‟s offer. He liked him as much as he did Orrin, and he guessed the Paanian didn‟t lack experience. Toning down his own desires wasn‟t as hard as forgetting his fears, and without the desire to distract him, Fai was afraid for all of their lives. He had an opportunity now, and he felt that they would soon be out of precious time. “Please, teach me,” he begged Hara, his voice barely more than a desperate, shy whisper. “Of course, love. I will do whatever you want me to do.” Hara leaned down again, making the next kiss burn between them. Fai gripped Hara‟s shoulder as he concentrated on the wickedness of the tongue that played with his, on the deep suction that made him moan, and on the taste that he couldn‟t seem to get enough of. He followed the sensual dance Hara showed him, the slide and glide that explored his mouth, pushing his groin forward as his tongue was suddenly nibbled on, licked, and completely possessed. Hara let his lips trail downward over the tender neck that more than deserved a suck or two, to the clear space between Fai‟s nipples that called to him so persistently. He couldn‟t decide where to touch first. Licking the reddening skin on Fai‟s chest, he allowed his fingers to gently flick over the dark, eager nipples. The flesh pressed into his hands as Fai threw his head back in a deep moan. Even with his pouch protected close to his body, Hara couldn‟t stop his hips from thrusting forward, rubbing against Fai‟s thighs in a wanton plea for friction. He was wickedly aroused and genuinely looking forward to the next few hours. Orrin was truly shocked by the aggressive argument Hara had thrown at him. He understood that they didn‟t agree, but he had never expected the words to touch him in such a raw way, nor for Hara to throw them out so vehemently. Orrin was terribly conflicted, and despite what Hara said, he felt his decision was the best one. It was far from what he wanted, because who wouldn‟t want to throw Fai on the bunk and show him all the wickedness and sweetness good sex could

VALENTINA HEART 62 bring? But he still felt it was best for Fai to be gently guided into that world, and captivity was far from a positive situation. Still, he felt like an ass when Fai sought comfort instead from Hara, his protective self completely forgotten. Once it was obvious that Hara was going to disregard Orrin‟s well-intentioned abstinence, he didn‟t know if he should fight for his convictions or just give up and join the steamy action in front of him. He would have debated for much longer if not for Fai‟s heartstopping moan. The surrender and the unobstructed desire in that sound had him forgetting all his previous reservations. He found himself behind Hara‟s back, his lips tasting the almost wet skin between his shoulder blades. Hara felt the lips on his back, the tickling fingertips that traced the line of his rib cage, and much as his groin seemed to have found its home against Fai‟s thighs, his torso bent backward, straight into Orrin‟s arms. The man nibbled his way to the back of Hara‟s neck, leaving bristling little sensations that sent tremors down his used body. Orrin took his time sucking the taste of Hara‟s skin away, nudging the soft hairs with his nose and moving to the side, where he licked the breathing ridges on Hara‟s neck. A choked-out sound made Fai open his eyes into dazed slits, the tingling of his nipples too intense for him to focus on anything other than the velvet body pressed against his. Over Hara‟s shoulder he saw another black mop of hair, with Hara‟s neck completely exposed and at the mercy of the hungry mouth feasting on it. His lungs contracted rapidly, pushing excited breaths out through slightly parted lips. Lifting his fingers upward was no hardship, especially as they touched as much of Hara‟s bluish skin as possible. His fingertips grazed the convulsing belly and that adorable hollow between Hara‟s pectorals that he would have licked and sucked on if his attention could have stayed there long enough. He crossed his fingernail curiously over one flat nipple, checking for the difference in texture, only to have the nipple turn into a hard nub, the darker skin wrinkling and pushing the flesh forward into the touch.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 63 Hara‟s breath hitched as he felt the sweet invitation for play his nipple received. He wanted more, he needed more, but the fingers continued on their way up the other, free side of his neck to reach his dry, parted lips. He didn‟t expect the explosion of sweet flavor Fai‟s fingertips brought with them as they pressed inside Hara‟s mouth. The move was as tentative as any Fai had ever made, but Hara didn‟t hesitate to suck the fingers forcefully inside, twisting his tongue around them and nibbling on the soft skin of the very tips. He swallowed around them, pulling them deeper into his throat, trying to satisfy his oral fixation, which would have preferred something more substantial, firmer, in their place. Whatever thoughts Fai had disappeared with that act, his body meeting Hara‟s as Hara leaned over his chest. Fai needed the closeness. His poor abused nipples reddened under Hara‟s fingers, seeking something else, something more, but Fai didn‟t know what. Orrin pushed his straining erection between Hara‟s parted cheeks, rubbing the leaking tip into the skin as he felt the Paanian in front of him react with a maddening movement of his hips. He pulled the willing body more firmly against his and slid his hands around to Hara‟s front, placing his thumbs on his hips, just short of Hara‟s pouch. Orrin pressed at the flesh, lazy but insistent circular motions that had Hara thrusting forward almost frantically. Fai noticed the plotting look Orrin threw at him, and reluctantly, he moved his hips away, the length between his thighs almost painful. He watched the ecstasy Hara experienced as he writhed against the bigger man‟s body and desperately longed to be a part of that exchange. Orrin surrendered to the beauty of their entwined bodies, and in the softest of whispers, he beckoned Fai closer. “Take his nipples between your lips, little lion. Play.” So Fai did as he was asked, surprised by the fact that Hara completely missed the words, so lost was he in the sensations assaulting his body. Fai gave in to his previous desire and dipped his nose into that tempting hollow, sucking the skin between his lips and licking the yielding flesh. Hara croaked, his voice breaking as he thrust his head further back, his chest pushed forward, angling sideways almost as if he were begging Fai to move just a little more to the left.

VALENTINA HEART 64 Hara‟s head was buzzing. He heard only muted sounds he suspected were his. His whole body was bent, searching for more contact, more lips, tongue, and fingers. Hell, more teeth would be welcome too. He just needed someone to touch him, hold him, break him. His fingers had lost contact with Fai a while back, though he couldn‟t remember it happening. All he felt was the firm meat nudging at his backside, the teasing glide pre-come enabled, the cruel thumbs that touched him in just the right way—so close, but it might as well have been miles away from where he really wanted them. The sucking in the middle of his chest felt like fire pulling at his nipples, making them hard and aching. He was close to screaming, his body dancing to some unknown steps, twisting away and toward, avoiding and begging. And then the softest lips in the whole fucking universe reached the super-sensitive tip of his nipple, rolling it into the furnace of that sweet mouth. Hara screamed, his brain short-circuiting under the persistent attack of sensations, and with that powerful assault his pouch receded, his cock pushing out, already wet, hard, and proud. He was so close to coming, just a breath away from the edge. There was no more control, no more thinking—fuck, the world ceased to exist! He couldn‟t even move as hands held him pressed against the hard, sweaty plane of chest, exposed to the tormenting mouth on his front that might have started reluctantly and carefully but now had mastered the skills of sucking, licking, and plain old teasing. “Fai, love. Do that trick with your tail and fingers,” Orrin gasped, his orgasm just as close as Hara‟s. Blood rushed through his body like a forest fire, burning at his skin, sensitizing his already too-delicate bits and just driving him insane. Fai was breathing just as hard as the other two, his groin rubbing unconsciously against the covers and as soon as he remembered what Orrin was talking about, he swung his restless tail forward, wrapping it around the base of the long, hard penis in front of him. He was already moving it upward when he joined it with his fingers, touching the leaking tip and pushing his smallest finger into the tiny hole at the top. Hara‟s eyes rolled back in his head, his body trembling from his toes to the tips of his ears. Even his fins slid out in a fluttering display of complete lack of control. He shouted his release as it pushed out of

TEACHER PLUS TWO 65 his pulsing ball to shoot all over his belly, over the fingers holding him as well as the bedding. It was by far the strongest orgasm he‟d had in his life, and his body was still twitching as he finally managed to take a breath. The kisses Orrin placed on his neck sent little shocks through him, and as he lazily opened his eyes, he took in the sight of Fai licking his come-covered fingers and did the only thing he still had strength for—he moaned. Orrin removed his hand from Hara‟s hip and made a grab for Fai‟s come-smeared tail. Remembering the adoration in the little guy‟s eyes from the day before, he brought it to his mouth, and without the slightest sign of reluctance, he sucked the come from the tip, tasting for the first time Hara‟s juices mixed with the already-familiar chocolate flavor. He was more than hungry still, his desire for his little lion not satiated in the slightest, and without meaning to, Orrin let himself prey on the clueless little innocent. He had been waiting for an opportunity to get his hands on all that soft flesh. Still dazed from the force of his orgasm, Hara tried unsuccessfully to focus. When his efforts got him nowhere, he lifted his trembling limbs and pulled Fai against him, only to flip over so Fai was in the middle. Hara wanted to give Orrin a chance while giving himself a minute or two to rest. It was a win-win situation. In a flash of movement, Fai ended up going from the side of the bed to the center, his back touching all the hard planes of Orrin‟s excited body and his front grazing Hara‟s sparkling blue skin. He was lost for a moment, unsure of what he was supposed to do, what would come next. But all his questions evaporated with the first swipe of Orrin‟s tongue, which skillfully followed the curving line of his spine. Orrin would be forever grateful to Hara. His senses were already filled with the intoxicating scent that surrounded him, his taste buds aching for more of the sweet flavor he couldn‟t get enough of. He traced the pointy little nubs of Fai‟s spine with his tongue, following that obvious trail to the place he suddenly desired most. He kissed the flat plane above the perky little butt, sucking the flesh in his mouth even as he took hold of Fai‟s dancing hips.

VALENTINA HEART 66 Hara‟s haze cleared ever so slightly, and suddenly he had the best view in the room. Fai‟s little head was thrown backward, a gorgeous flush painting his cheeks and distressed little meows leaving his wet lips. He was the picture of innocent sin—a temptation to those with a past not as pure—feeling things he had probably never felt before. The decision Hara was faced with wasn‟t a decision at all, because who could have resisted the temptation so beautifully presented? Even if such a man existed, he was a far cry from the man Hara was. Hara, who leaned painfully close to the body in front of him and took those lips in a sweet possession, silencing the groin-stirring cries and dousing the newly ignited fire of his flesh. Fai lost sensation in his legs. The rough and tender touches that focused on that flat space just above his tail took away his sanity and his control over his body. He felt the tingles that made everything below his waist vibrate, the shivers that the firm touch caused even as it held him so very still. For the life of him, he couldn‟t even remember how to purr. He pushed his hips against that hold, his butt wanting to be closer to those wet lips and tongue. Even when such moves had no effect, he couldn‟t stop trying. He had no idea what he was doing because his wanting body guided his every unconscious move. All he could do was utter indistinguishable sounds that would have made him utterly embarrassed at any other time. But with Hara pressed against him, even those little thoughts disappeared. His mouth was taken by skillful lips and pushed into bliss, where he lost every remaining thought of his own existence. Orrin was at the verge of bursting. He tried to hold himself away from any accidental touch, but Fai‟s tail still managed to flicker over the too-sensitive flesh of his groin every so often. He swallowed his moans as he reached for his self-control, the last chance he had in stifling his approaching orgasm. He wanted to be inside Fai. All reservations aside, he wanted the little guy more than he had thought it was possible to want someone. The hurt on that delicate face when Orrin had said those hurtful words had been heartbreaking. There was no more holding back. He had to make every moment together count, had to create beautiful memories.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 67 Pulling the slim hips forward, Orrin had Fai‟s sweet little butt on a perfect display, and he licked a line over one butt cheek to the other, nipping at the blushing flesh with just the right amount of pressure to be felt and to elicit more addictive moans. Then he lifted his head and reached for Hara‟s arm, pulling the Paanian‟s attention toward him. “Take hold of his tail,” Orrin whispered to alleviate the confusion his movement had caused in Hara. He watched as Hara held it close to Fai‟s body and the tail automatically wrapped around the whole length of Hara‟s arm, exposing the delicate, hairless crease between Fai‟s cheeks. Orrin exhaled at the sight, his fingers wandering down the crack, making Fai wriggle. He felt the soft skin under his fingertips, the winking little virgin hole that he knew was about to take his whole length. He had to reach down and grip the base of his cock brutally to hold off his orgasm. Licking the tips of two fingers of his other hand, he reached between the cheeks again, massaging the hole ever so slightly even as he waited for Fai to back away, to say stop, to panic, but the little guy just continued moving his hips, his lips still attached to Hara‟s. It was amazing how Fai surrendered his body to the touch. How he took the fierce kisses and gave the same back. He moved forward and back, his skin hot, soft, and blushing under various assaults Hara and Orrin delivered, and the little guy just wanted more. He stopped thinking, he stopped asking, Fai just followed their lead and tried to give back the same amount of pleasure he received. Hara felt the fingers in his hair, the beginner‟s hesitation completely gone, and he moved from the almost-begging lips down the soft neck and naked chest. He licked Fai as a deprived man might lick a treat, tracing the lines of the muscles, giving much-needed attention to the already abused nipples. He loved their color, the way they stuck out, tempting him, and with the utmost delight, he took one in his mouth and made Fai scream. With Fai‟s attention centered elsewhere, Orrin took his opportunity, his tongue tracing the musky skin until he reached the pink ring of muscle and sucked with all his enthusiasm plain for everyone to see. He loved the taste, the reaction that almost had Fai jumping away,

VALENTINA HEART 68 only to hiss at Hara‟s touch. Fai was being thoroughly explored at the very edge of his restraint. Then Orrin reached for the bottle of lubricant he had been given so as not to hurt the merchandise, coated his fingers in the slick, and pressed one gently into Fai‟s entrance. The little guy was so completely crazed he wasn‟t even aware of his actions, pressing himself against the finger, circling his hips in a wanton invitation. He was adorable in a sexy way that all but blew Orrin‟s mind. Fai felt everything and he felt nothing. All of his senses were suddenly being stimulated. He couldn‟t even recognize which part of him was being touched at what moment, what felt good and what didn‟t. He hovered on that thin line where everything was too much but also not enough. One finger was replaced with two, then three, but Fai moved without the slightest hesitation, offering his body, giving up his sounds. He moaned with every thrust, groaned as Hara suckled at his skin, and once those lips took hold of his nipple, he just screamed. Reaching over the stretched-out body in front of him, Orrin placed his fingers in the strands of Hara‟s hair, guiding his head down to Fai‟s more sensitive parts. Massaging the scalp under his fingertips, he felt Hara lean sweetly into his touch, and Orrin wanted to touch more, but instead he focused on the wiggling ass in front of him. He took hold of his erection, placing it at Fai‟s opening, and patiently waited as Hara wrapped his bluish lips around the tip of Fai‟s weeping cock. As Hara swallowed, Orrin pushed inch by aching inch into Fai‟s yielding body. Pure fire surrounded him, the steel grip of a virgin giving way for his begging cock. Fai whimpered and stopped pushing backward, but he wasn‟t able to resist moving forward, straight into Hara‟s talented mouth. Hara moaned around the chocolate-flavored goodness that he finally had in his mouth, the soft skin sliding down his throat and the taste captivating him enough that he wanted a repeat performance before the first one was even done. He felt the tension in Fai‟s body as Orrin breached him; he felt the pain and the want, the reluctance and the desire. He felt the softest of pulses that traveled down the length of

TEACHER PLUS TWO 69 the cock in his mouth, transferring onto his tongue. He felt it all and doubled his sucking, his swirling licks, until Fai adjusted to the penetration, until he started pushing backward as much as he pushed forward. The few moments of surprising pain that reached his consciousness were like a cold shower, slowing down his speeding heartbeat and his frantic squirming between the two bodies. But as quickly as it came, it went away, and instead of his momentary reluctance, Fai moved his body onto the hardness filling him, surrendering to the fullness that threatened to simply consume him. Orrin‟s soft thrusts turned into something very different. As Hara‟s head bobbed faster, Fai‟s hips took on an almost frantic rhythm where he pushed himself onto Orrin‟s length with abandon. Orrin gritted his teeth under the assault, barely holding on even as he thrust harder, gave more. It was a dance of endurance, where Hara used all of his skill, Orrin relied on his control, and Fai simply hovered as the sensations that assaulted him struggled to push him over the edge. Hara cradled the tender flesh of Fai‟s balls with his fingers, massaging them while he sucked feverishly, and on one vicious thrust, where the body trapped between him and Orrin pushed forward, he gripped just a bit harder, forcing an orgasm from what he was sure was the best-tasting Mattian he could ever sample. Orrin came at the same time that Fai gripped him to the point of pain, squeezing the last drops of seed from his softening cock. It was amazing, exhausting, brilliant, sweaty, and utterly incredible. None of them had any strength left, their bodies moving just enough to settle comfortably for a few hours of slumber. Orrin hugged Fai close, his fingers trailing tiredly over the skin of Hara‟s waist. Hara pressed against the Mattian, his hand strategically placed on Orrin‟s ass cheek even as he allowed Fai to snuggle into the crook of his neck, warm breath tickling him. The comfort they found in the closeness was the best thing any of them had felt in a very long time, if not ever, and they had no problem closing their eyes, feeling each other‟s calming heartbeats.

VALENTINA HEART 70 Chapter Seven

FLICKERING red lights were a very bad sign. Orrin was feeling comfortable and safe one moment, half asleep, completely relaxed, and the next he was on his feet, rousing both Fai and Hara as panic slowly took over his sobering thoughts. Red lights were bad, very bad, Hara thought as he first opened his eyes. Even if he wasn‟t completely sure what they meant this time, every time before, if something had flashed red, trouble was on the way. “You have to get up. Find your clothes and get dressed,” Orrin ordered, looking around for his tattered clothes. “What is happening?” Fai whispered, his eyes huge orbs of panic. “We are entering the atmosphere. They will be coming for us soon. Now get dressed. We don‟t have much time, and I don‟t want you leaving this place naked,” Orrin answered. “Are we heading to that compound they mentioned?” Hara asked. “Probably. I don‟t really know. But both of you listen to me.” Orrin paused, all of his attention focused on those two little worried faces. “Whatever happens from now on, I will find you. It might take days, it might take much longer, but I will die before stopping my search for either of you.” Fai was so scared he almost whimpered. He didn‟t want to leave Orrin or Hara. He didn‟t want to be alone or, worse, with someone who might hurt him. What if the guards found him interesting, or what if he got sold to someone cruel? His heart was beating fast, and it took all he had to stop the tears from falling.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 71 “Hara, you already know how these things work. They will lead us out in groups and separate us, right?” “Yes. That is how it usually goes. I mean, they separate us according to our gender and our allocation. I‟m a sold slave, which means they probably have a buyer, plus I‟ve been trained, mostly. I‟m not sure why they placed me with you, as I‟ve been used for sexual services for a very long time. You are a Teacher, and they will separate you from all of us, and Fai is new and inexperienced. He will be placed with other kidnapped males.” Hara shivered as he explained. Just the short time he‟d spent with Orrin and Fai had given him the illusion that his slavery was a thing of the past, something more like a dream than everyday reality. “Alright. That‟s what I figured.” Orrin faced the floor, tapping his chin as he considered their options. Not that there were many. “Little lion,” he suddenly said, reaching for Fai, his hands firmly grasping the Mattian‟s shoulders. “It is very important that you listen to what they have to say. Whatever they tell you to do, do it,” he said, even as he felt the deep cut those words made on his heart. “This ship is equipped with a translator, and the facility they place us in probably will be too. But while we are in between the two places, you won‟t understand their words, and it is important that you pay attention to your surroundings. Just the tone of the guard‟s voice will tell you what you need to do, and look at others around you. Follow the rules, even when they sound like crap. It will hurt a lot less if you are relaxed and compliant.” Orrin looked away, fighting tears of pure helplessness. He hated not being able to change their fate. He hated what was almost certainly in store for his innocent little lion. Fai was now choked with fear. He knew they would be separated, but what Orrin was telling him was that there were ugly things waiting for him out that door. He was terrified, but the way Orrin looked at him, with such need, a need that almost begged him to obey, to do as he was told, gave him the strength he so desperately needed. Not a lot, but enough not to cry and enough to focus on his resolve. He would do what was asked of him, but he would need to carve all the reassurance Orrin was giving him into his memory just to hold on.

VALENTINA HEART 72 “Whatever you do, don‟t fight them. I will come for you. I promise with all my heart,” Orrin whispered, his palms finding their way to Fai‟s cheeks. “I will break free somehow, and when I do, I will come find you. I will listen to my heart, just like I did when we first met, and make sure the three of us have that bright and happy future together. So please don‟t fight. I need you to be safe and whole, I need you to be healthy when I come for you. I don‟t think I can live another day without the certainty that I will have the rest of my life to spend with the two of you.” He looked into the gray eyes with naked emotion, needing the little guy to understand him. Hara watched the exchange, thinking about all the things Orrin kept to himself. It was a wise decision no matter how foolish it might seem. Fai didn‟t have to know all that waited for him on the other side of those doors, and he certainly didn‟t have to know just how black and painful his future might be. He needed the strength of this last moment Orrin was giving him, something substantial to make him hold on. It was touching, heartbreaking even. Too hard to watch, but it also made Hara trust Orrin. It made him believe even when his own skepticism screamed at him not to. “Hold on for me, Fai. Think about every kiss I have ever given you, every touch you liked. Think about how much I love you and have trust in me. I will come and find you,” Orrin whispered, his lips connecting with those in front of him even as two tears slipped down Fai‟s face. He kissed him gently, like the delicate brush of butterfly wings, only to deepen it to the point of pain, forcing all his emotion, all his need where it was required the most. Fai gripped Orrin‟s forearms with all his might, trying not to cry as he kissed back. He tried not to think that this might be the last time he ever felt Orrin next to him, the last time he felt those lips gift him with a loving kiss. He tried not to think about a lot of things, but at the same time, he spun the memories the last few days had left him with and ground them into his cells, never to be forgotten. With reluctance bordering on pain, Orrin separated himself from one third of his very soul and took a step back. It was hard, saying that silent goodbye and being strong enough for the three of them at the

TEACHER PLUS TWO 73 same time. Still, he turned his gaze toward Hara, the little brave miracle he had had the fortune of meeting. Hara had to blink away tears as Orrin turned to him with such sorrow and such love in his strange-colored eyes. No! He wasn‟t ready. He had just met the man, just learned to relax around him. He had just fucking realized he loved him. No! He was not going to do it. No way in hell. He could kill the guards. Yes! That was what he would do. It would certainly be easier than saying goodbye, giving and receiving that only loving kiss of his miserable enslaved life. But then Orrin was there, those hands holding him, those lips finding his. He was safe and he was loved and it was time. “You are the bravest person I have had the privilege of knowing. Strong, gorgeous, and exceptional. I know you don‟t trust me as much as I would like you to, and I know my words seem like delusional fairytales, but I‟m still going to say all that is in my heart.” Orin‟s thumbs traced little circles over the cheeks he held. “The mere hours we‟ve had together could never be enough for everything I wished to show you, tell you, prove to you, but it is all we‟ve had, and it was enough time for my heart to make a place for you in here.” He pressed his palm against his chest, pounding it for emphasis. “I know we are meant to be together, the three of us, and no matter what anyone ever tells me or what life might bring in the future, my mind is made up. I know who I love, I know who I need, and I will have you. There are not enough guards and slavers in space to keep me away from you. Short of death, nothing will stop me from finding you, beautiful.” Hara watched, speechless, his insides screaming at him to get away, to stop showing all that he was feeling plainly on his face. He was supposed to be untouched, cold, and trained, not some emotional beginner who fell for the first soft words spoken to him. But it was hopeless. His heart had already decided. He could have fought against it, he could have feigned disinterest, but he felt safer than it was sane to feel, and he trusted Orrin‟s words as much as he trusted his own heart. He blinked the tears away, on the brink of losing his composure as he stared into those beautiful multicolored eyes. “Trust yourself out there. Trust your instincts and rely on your training. You can make it, no matter what they dish out. You are strong

VALENTINA HEART 74 enough to endure, and you are brave enough to keep going. Be smart and tread carefully. Whoever your new master might be, with a little bit of tact, you can win him over. Just stay safe until I come get you. Promise me you will. Promise you will be there, safe and sound when I come,” Orrin demanded, knowing that such a request wasn‟t fair toward Hara. He had no control over his owner‟s—no, his captor‟s— actions. But still, Orrin needed to hear him say it. He needed to know that Hara wouldn‟t take any unnecessary risks. Just that would be enough to stop him from worrying too much. Hara stared at him, pale and distressed. He had held on even when he had no hope and no one cared if he was safe, so it was not a hardship to nod and whisper, “I promise.” Orrin let out a breath of pure relief. He didn‟t exactly know why he needed that reassurance, but he did. He knew that he would fight with his last breath for the freedom of his lovers. Still, he needed to know that they would, in fact, be there waiting for him. So he pushed his fingers through Hara‟s pointy hair, tilting his head backward. “I love you, little swimmer. Every single thing about you makes my heart beat faster, and your smile is probably enough of a vision for me to forget my own name. Believe in my feelings, in my devotion. Let me guide you when you feel especially bad. And when you can‟t stand it anymore, close your eyes, focus on that little piece of me you feel inside, and you will find me. Your heart will find mine wherever it is beating, and you will know that I am alright and that I am coming for you.” With that, he lowered his mouth to those parted lips and proved that all he said was very true. Fai listened carefully to the words that were barely a whisper, and he couldn‟t hold back his tears. He felt much the same as Orrin did. Time had no relevance when it came to the words his heart held, and without Orrin, he probably never would have been aware of that fact. Now he was losing them both, his rock and his comfort. Almost as soon as he‟d met them, they were being taken away. He couldn‟t help but think that it wasn‟t fair. He had been kidnapped from his planet and taken into slavery only to meet his soul mates and be parted from them. Life couldn‟t be that cruel. The Faiths just couldn‟t have such a bad sense of humor.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 75 The two men parted, panting for breath, and suddenly there were no words left to say. Everything was written on their faces; it could be tasted in the air, the bittersweet flavors of love and indescribable sorrow. They sat on the bunk, dressed and expectant. Orrin was in the middle with his arms thrown over the shoulders of his lovers, clutching them closer, fighting his urge to cry. They fit perfectly into the crooks of his arms, as if his body had been sculpted for their very flesh. The feeling he had as he held them close was the very thing that wars were fought over. When the door opened, Hara heard Fai whimper, and he felt Orrin‟s hold on them tighten. He felt much like he was walking to the gallows, like everything he had ever cared for was being taken away. Orrin leaned toward Fai, whispering that he loved him and giving him a chaste kiss, but then it all started fading on the edges as Hara‟s detached personality tried to take over. When Orrin turned to him and he heard that I love you and felt that sweet kiss, all he could think was that Orrin‟s eyes looked different, but he couldn‟t say exactly why. “On your feet. Line up one behind the other and head down the hallway,” the guard barked as he waited for them to come out of the room. Orrin took the lead, Fai and Hara following in a subdued fashion. Despair colored the air as they walked one foot in front of the other. Orrin saw the other slaves walking in front of them, some limping, some crying, and some already defeated. Two guards were behind them, opening other rooms as they passed them, and one stood beside the door leading to another room. The slaves obediently walked through, some flinching, others not reacting in any way. It would have been a sad, hopeless sight, something that would normally have angered Orrin to no end, but right now the only thing he felt was fear. He didn‟t know what waited for him outside, he didn‟t know where Hara and Fai might end up, and every thought of escape that crossed his mind fled just as fast under the scrutiny of the armed men guarding them. The small door led to a platform that was connected to the cargo bay, with fenced steps leading down on both sides. It was a large space, filled with boxes and machine parts in the corners and poorly dressed

VALENTINA HEART 76 young males and females in all shapes and sizes. Females came through the door on the other side of the platform, guarded just as heavily as the males, and descended to the open space in front of the large exit to the outside of the ship. One by one, they were led to the man both Orrin and Hara knew, the one Orrin assumed was called Lar. He was holding an electronic pad in his hand and skimming through slave files, barely glancing toward the faces of the young ones standing in front of him. Hara was the first of the three to reach him, and he wondered if he might have been wrong and the man wasn‟t his new master after all. It was a thought that scared him more than the idea of being at the cruel man‟s mercy. But the last thing that mattered was Hara‟s opinion, as he would be given to whomever they chose, and it was best for him to accept that fact. “Name!” Lar barked, a smile curving his lips as Hara jumped slightly. “Vidyadhara Naam,” Hara whispered, truly frightened despite the numbness he felt. Lar tapped his stylus against the pad, his eyes flying fast over the screen, and then he called for a nearby guard with a slight motion of his hand. “Take him to Master Kamari‟s ship. Be careful of the paid property.” He narrowed his eyes at the guard, who visibly blanched even as he took hold of Hara‟s hand and led him out the door. Fai whimpered again, his eyes tearing up as he watched Hara being taken away. Hara didn‟t even look back, his whole posture slumped and helpless. It wasn‟t far from the way Fai himself felt—like he was a piece of pottery being traded away with complete disregard for his emotions. “Name,” Lar ordered once more, and Fai barely managed to utter the short syllables. “I don‟t have you listed by name. Planet?” “Matti.” Fai‟s voice was even quieter, and Lar leaned closer only to yell, “Planet!”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 77 Fai jumped in place, tears now freely trailing down his face, and he wouldn‟t have been able to speak the word even if his mind had been capable of thought. “Matti,” Orrin spoke behind him, his voice containing all the pent-up anger the whole desperate situation evoked in him. Lar only smirked, his fingers easily finding his file with the name provided, and without so much as another glance in Fai‟s direction, he called out, “Put him with the others.” Another guard came and, without ceremony, took Fai away from his last comfort in life. Orrin was seething as he stood there, helpless. Two men he was destined to spend his life with, taken away without so much as a fight on his part. But he was outnumbered, and despite all his righteous indignation, he knew the most important thing was to stay alive. “I know your name.” Lar grinned at him. “You‟re staying right here until I‟m done.” He motioned for another guard, who took Orrin to the side, forcing him to watch as every single person on the transport was catalogued like a postal shipment and taken away to a place where they were to be sold, used, or possibly even killed. It was a heartbreaking experience, as he watched the despair on so many male and female faces. Those who knew what waited for them seemed resigned, and those who had been taken from the safety of their homes looked afraid and tearful. And he stood there like a fool, unable to help them, himself, or his now-departed lovers.

VALENTINA HEART 78 Chapter Eight

HARA could have cried like so many others still left on the ship did, or he could have caused a scene and gotten himself beaten. He could have done a lot of things instead of walking calmly, hating the guard who had no desire to push him needlessly, squeeze his hand just a little bit too tightly, or insult him mercilessly. They walked as calmly as if it were a casual stroll or a sightseeing trip instead of a march taking him to his new owner. He wondered, with that ever-present note of fear, if his new master would be a kind one, someone only in need of a companion, or someone with a whole house wing filled with slaves, who changed them more often than he did his socks. Somehow, he doubted he would be lucky and concluded that a male or a female who had bought him specifically, basically behind his previous master‟s back, wasn‟t someone nice and kind but rather someone who liked all the fine points of owning a slave. He was blissfully unaware of his surroundings, taking each step as it came, and only once he was led into the belly of another transport did the shiver course down his body. The difference in temperature was stunning, and, surprisingly, he realized that he had been cold outside. The ship was more luxurious than the one he had come from, the walls built from more aesthetically pleasing materials and the floors carpeted. There were no obvious guards waiting for him with guns and menacing looks, just simple crewmen dressed in green and blue uniforms and looking completely approachable. Hara was handed over like the possession that he was, and without a word, the guard turned and left him in the hands of a smiling blond giant. The man looked like a cheerful entertainer, not unlike

TEACHER PLUS TWO 79 those who had sometimes visited his previous master‟s halls. While he looked like a human, the wrinkled ridges on his temples and the almost unnoticeable difference in the shape of his eyes told a different tale. Hara didn‟t know the species, but he knew enough not to let his guard down. Even the happiest-looking individuals knew how to land a blow. But the man did nothing sudden or threatening, his grip on Hara‟s upper arm a barely noticeable inconvenience as he led Hara to an ordinary sliding door. “Master Kamari wants you to reside in his quarters until we reach home base,” the man said in a melodic voice, almost jolting Hara out of his cautious state. The door opened, and the sight was bright enough to make Hara gasp. Gold and light gray colors danced over the carefully arranged furniture, long curtains hugging the windows in an almost protective way. The bed was a wide centerpiece adorned with a variety of pillows and soft-looking quilts. Made from what looked like real wood, it was the focal point the room was built around. Low tables, beautifully designed carpets, and a huge tray of food placed in a visible location sent a warm shiver down his spine. “You have permission to use any item and all the facilities in here. Master Kamari wants you to be comfortable. But you are not permitted to leave the room, and before you even try, I assure you the door will be locked.” The words were said as a simple statement without even a note of warning noticeable. As much as Hara wanted to fear his present situation and not like the man next to him, he just didn‟t feel threatened at all. “Be sure to rest as much as you can, as the journey is known to be rocky at best.” With that, the man left, his musical voice still slightly teasing Hara‟s eardrums even as he stepped deeper into the room, his eyes huge and curious. He looked over every detail and touched every colorfully tempting sight, his fingers relishing in the textures, his eyes wide with wonder. His belly was churning from nervousness and bitter anticipation of his future. The only thing he gave himself permission to do was smell the beautifully arranged food. Once he discovered a

VALENTINA HEART 80 second room, tiled in an interesting combination of a type of rubber and ceramic, where a huge bath all but had his name written on it, he dared to risk even a beating for the blissful feeling of water on his thirsty skin. His fingers grazed the bubbling surface of the water, and he felt the warmth all the way down to his toes. Even though it was not cold, his preferred temperature, it was almost the size of a small pool and more water than he had seen in weeks. Taking off the few clothes he had on took seconds, and like the swimmer he had once been, he immersed himself in the caressing swirls of the bath. While it only reached his chest when he stood in the middle, Hara still flashed a smile and dove down. His ass touched the bottom, where he crossed his legs and sat comfortably, spreading his fins in an almost-massaging motion as his hair expanded to double its usual size while the water surrounded each inviting strand. Hara had no problem breathing through his slits, his eyes halfopen as a protective membrane covered the most sensitive of nerves and allowed him to better see the intricate patterns of the underwater tiles as the side jets pushed bubbles to the surface. It was the most relaxed he‟d felt in forever, just being alone without imminent pressure forcing him to be on the lookout, cautious, or simply afraid. With hours at his disposal, he sat and stretched in his more natural environment, letting all the troubles leave his head with the surrounding bubbles and trying to numb the ache he felt in his heart. Whatever was to come next, he would be ready to take it—take it, endure it, push it to the back of his mind—until the day he was able to reunite with the only two individuals who made him genuinely happy.

FAI wrapped his arms around his belly and tucked his tail between his legs. He was terrified enough that his chin trembled even though the guard, whose hand barely rested on his shoulder, showed no signs of violence. Leaving the cargo bay was difficult, as all his legs wanted to do was turn him back around and run into Orrin‟s arms. Something that was no longer possible.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 81 The moment they exited the transport, he was almost blinded. Everything around him was white. Icy softness covered every nonmetal surface, with only a hint of blue in the distance, where mountains rose high up into the gray sky. It wasn‟t long before his teeth started to chatter from the cold, and every step turned into agony as his bare feet went numb. He was led down the ramp onto another, longer one that served as a sort of docking bay, and on his far right, he could see another shiny transport that was lifting up in the air and heading away. But they turned left as their feet touched more of the cold metal, and in front of them stood two large vehicles of some sort, one filled with males and the other with females, all huddled next to each other, away from the open door that was letting in the cold. Once he stepped inside the vehicle, the guard pushed him forward hard enough that he stumbled and fell onto two other slender males in front of him. They‟d caught him even when he had probably hurt them, and for that he quietly apologized. Crouching down in front of them, he turned toward the door and for the first time noticed the two armed guards standing as still as statues, each on one side of it, staring straight ahead. Fai feared those men. He feared their guns, their aloof attitudes, and their brutality, the marks their fists left and the nasty strength their voices had. If not for the numbness the cold had slowly pushed into his bones, he probably would have cried and fretted. But his strength was waning, and Fai wasn‟t sure yet if he welcomed that sensation of gradual detachment or if he would have preferred his cautious fear. It was impossible to know just how much time had passed between when he had first entered the vehicle and the time it was mostly full and two other guards positioned themselves inside. They spoke between themselves, amused tones that grated on Fai‟s nerves, but he didn‟t understand one word of that which was said, his brain hearing the syllables but not being able to comprehend them. If not for Orrin‟s parting words, he would have panicked. Instead, he continued to look straight ahead, into the blond curls of the human in front of him, and ignored the cold that made his limbs almost unusable.

VALENTINA HEART 82 The ride was steady, like the glide of a hovering transport back home, and the whiteness of their surroundings, which lit the vehicle from the outside, made him shiver with remembered cold. Still, the moment the brightness disappeared, his heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely heard some of the others whimper in distress. But even that lasted only a few moments before they stopped and the artificial light of the transport revealed a variety of frightened faces. They were ushered outside, all of them as obedient as trained pets, and led through a series of winding halls to a large chamber. The walls were tall and impressive even without any sort of markings adorning them, but it was the crowd inside that grabbed one‟s attention. Thin bedding covered almost every little piece of the floor, and all kinds of creatures sat or lay around. Their eyes were dull and their clothes barely existent. They looked tired and hopeless, even more than the males already surrounding him, and Fai whimpered without meaning to. What sort of fate awaited him in this place? But there was no one to ask, and even if there had been, he never would have had the chance. The guards pushed them all inside, barking orders that were once again understandable but no less threatening. Surprisingly, others made room on their small pieces of cloth, and despite the fear of the unknown and the general misery of their situation, most started softly chatting once out from under the watchful gaze of the guards. Fai found room next to a small redhead who had nothing on him but a pair of torn pants and eyes as blue as some of the lakes on Matti. They reminded him of the eyes of the guards, but the guards‟ eyes were dull and tired, nothing like the bright little orbs staring at him. “All of us sleep here unless the guards take us away. Sometimes it‟s only for a night, and sometimes it‟s for sale. Then you don‟t come back anymore,” the redhead whispered in a thin voice. “If they take you, you have to behave, or they make it hurt worse. And sometimes they even beat you. But Lar doesn‟t like that.” “Why doesn‟t he like it?” Fai whispered as quietly as he could. “Because then you are worth less. Bruises mean someone used you, and buyers don‟t like to see that. But if you behave, it only hurts a little.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 83 Fai considered that, wondering what used meant but fearing he already knew. He had more questions, things he wanted to know but also didn‟t. Hearing things Orrin had already warned him about didn‟t make him any happier. “Through those doors is the bath and stuff. You can shower if you want, but it gets cold at night, and unless you are staying here longer than a few weeks, you don‟t get any new clothes.” The boy said it all with a straight face and little emotion. It was something that he seemed to have repeated more than once. Fai asked, “How long have you been here?” “Three weeks, but only one auction. I was one of the last on the block, so no one bought me, but I will probably be sold in the next one.” “How can you talk about all of it so calmly?” Fai whispered again. “Because I can‟t cry anymore, and all I‟d feared has already happened. I can shut myself down, like some do. It is something you learn once you realize tears don‟t make it go away, they just get you hurt worse. Or you can go with it and imagine something nicer, or hope for a kind master. I do that sometimes. Imagine a kind master that won‟t hurt me much.” He looked at Fai‟s worried eyes, then said, “Don‟t worry. You will learn.” Fai pulled his knees up closer to his chest and focused on the dirty cloth beneath him. Could he get used to it? He would find out.

ROAN stood on the roof of the compound on a flat little square surface covered in snow. It was the highest point of the compound, and they used it for surveillance, as below stood the only room in the whole complex that had windows. The snow hid it from the sky but left it with a striking view of the surrounding land. The wind hit against his long coat, curving the edges backward. It froze his fingers and tangled his hair. It was the coldest little planet they had ever set foot on, but it worked to their advantage, as no one looked for them there. There was nothing but crazy whiteness all

VALENTINA HEART 84 around, monotonous and dull. But the docking bay was visible through the snow, the gray metal breaking the boredom even if just for those precious few hours while his men unloaded the merchandise. He always watched them then, allowing himself the novelty of observing the stumbling little creatures that would find their place in his home for a while. Roan could see the only ship that didn‟t belong to him that had ever docked in his bay. It was a foolishness he‟d allowed, trusting one of his men when he‟d sworn to Kamari‟s discretion and loyalty. But Roan knew Kamari. Everyone did. Even if his name hadn‟t preceded him, his wealth would have. He had more enemies than Roan ever had, and Roan sold slaves for a living. Ironic, that. Still, the Aribi had more to lose than Roan, and that little fact had convinced Roan to allow Kamari‟s ship to dock next to a compound no one knew the location of. Kamari‟s little slave was on board now, and the engines were already starting for the long and bumpy journey ahead of them. It was one of Roan‟s better days. There were no voices screaming in his head, and even if he hadn‟t had an excuse to go outside, he would have been just fine in the stuffy confines of his quarters. Vaguely, he wondered about the cargo this time. Lar was good at his job. He was almost as merciless as Roan, and if anyone could have found a future Teacher to take care of Roan‟s work, it was Lar. But there were other uses he could think of for an almost-Teacher. They were so confident and conceited in those periods of their life, when they were just a step away from the purple or already there. Full of unwavering beliefs just waiting to be undermined. Roan looked forward to breaking that strong mind, forcing the man to do as he was told. He knew that there would be a fight. He could almost taste it: the stubbornness of a man who believed in the sanctity of life and the fairness of the Faiths. But the Faiths were never fair, and who better to teach a Teacher that wicked little detail than another Teacher?

TEACHER PLUS TWO 85 BY THE time all the slaves were catalogued and taken away, Orrin was fuming. He watched Lar enjoy every single tear, increasing the fear of those already shaking with it. He was a bastard of huge proportions, and not even a lesson in humility could sweeten his bad side. It was the last girl who pushed him over the edge of his rage. She was but a crying child, taken away from her home for some slimy sicko with a fetish, and Lar spit his poison in her face, scaring her with tales of horrors and the authority he supposedly had. The last sob she uttered, when he finally broke her down to bitter tears, fueled Orrin‟s anger, and he charged the man without a single logical plan. The guards were too slow to catch his first blows as he jumped Lar, and his fist was flying while his body was still in the air. He heard the crack of Lar‟s jaw and almost grinned. Orrin didn‟t notice the others around him; he didn‟t see anything other than the bleeding man, and he latched onto him like a leech, hitting his kidneys and certainly not sparing his face. But the moment of satisfaction ended far too soon as he felt the shock of the taming stick, and he lost consciousness.

VALENTINA HEART 86 Chapter Nine

THE last thing Roan had expected was to see his number one man being carried out of the transport and his current most valuable possession dragged out. If nothing else had grated on his nerves yesterday, that sight had certainly left a mark. But the unfortunate situation had left him fuming for the rest of the day and night, as both men were unconscious, one in the med unit and the other in his assigned room. Come morning, Roan was angry enough to seriously maim, and Lar was first on his list. “What the fuck happened?” he roared as soon as the man entered his quarters. “He attacked me, sir.” Eyes down, Lar obviously had difficulty with forming words, his jaw still blue and stiff. “I assume he was secured and out of the way while you processed the others. He attacked you while in restraints and under guard?” Roan narrowed his piercing eyes even when his voice held enough menacing steel. “No, sir.” “No, what? He didn‟t attack you, or he wasn‟t restrained?” Roan was close to strangling the man. He had allowed himself to be incapacitated, and he had damaged valuable cargo. “He wasn‟t restrained, sir. There were guards all over the cargo bay, and he was docile enough. I didn‟t see the need to stretch our resources when there were so many around.” Lar looked straight into Roan‟s eyes. Guilt was still more than evident in his posture, but that rage he was known for edged at the corners of his eyes.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 87 “So this journey made an idiot out of you. Is that what you‟re saying?” Roan spat at him, not giving an inch. Lar ground his teeth in anger, despite the pain the movement caused him. “No, sir. It didn‟t make an idiot out of me. If the guard had cared to perform his duty, this never would have happened.” “I don‟t care much for people who transfer their responsibility. The fact is you didn‟t manage to return one blow, and that borders on incompetence.” Roan turned swiftly and walked away, leaving Lar standing in the middle of the room. He didn‟t hold Lar as responsible as he made it seem. Teachers trained themselves in both offense as well as self-defense from the moment they decided to grow on that level. Despite the popular belief, being a Teacher was not all about sex. Hardly. Roan‟s next destination was the med unit, as some things a leader needed to do himself. It was well-equipped, considering it was in a hidden compound in the middle of nowhere. Roan believed in being prepared. Having so many people in one place, some in rather poor condition, required good care. Even slaves needed to be healthy before they were sold. Finding the head medic was an easy task, as the man always stayed close to his workplace, and today was no different. “Report,” Roan said, still in a foul mood. Jai spun around, once again surprised by his boss, who was the very definition of stealthy. He never saw him or heard him coming, and while now his voice was only mildly elevated, at times it was known to be rather loud and piercing. “You are referring to the incident yesterday, of course?” Jai asked as much as stated, and with just one pointed look from Roan, he continued. “I was told that the prisoner jumped Lar by surprise, causing multiple injuries in the regions of the head and torso. In that regard, Lar‟s injuries were more severe than those of the prisoner, as I needed to repair his broken jaw and stop some internal bleeding. He is still sore and bruised, but nothing else life-threatening, and little things like that are better left for the body to take care of it on its own.”

VALENTINA HEART 88 “You said „in that regard‟?” Roan prompted. “Yes. Well, while Lar had some life-threatening injuries, the prisoner was worse off. I was told that after they shocked him, the guards continued to beat him. Those boots are more than enough to permanently damage or even kill a man, but surprisingly, he was only severely bruised.” Jai looked thoughtful for a minute, his mind disconnecting as he got lost in his rationalizations. But Roan swore. The bloody idiots had almost killed Orrin, and Lar had not only been taken down, he‟d gotten whipped. “Will he recover?” “Oh yes. But he won‟t be of much use to anyone until tomorrow at the earliest. You can speak to him, of course, but he‟s in pain, and I don‟t think he can stand.” “Good work,” Roan said dismissively just before he set off again. The guards‟ unit wasn‟t a place he frequented often. That was, after all, Lar‟s job. Apparently they‟d missed Roan, because it wouldn‟t have occurred to them to act so foolishly otherwise. He walked in as if he owned the place—which, of course, he did—and all the guards simultaneously stood up, their expressions ranging from scared to surprised. “Who was in charge of the prisoner who attacked Lar yesterday?” Roan asked emotionlessly. The man who stepped forward was shorter than Roan but looked as strong as a bull. Certainly he should have been able to slow the prisoner down, at least. The man showed no fear, standing proud and serious, though he was about to receive a scolding. Roan was definitely getting soft, he thought to himself. “Is there a reason you allowed the prisoner to escape and damage your superior?” The question held nothing but curiosity, because Roan had already decided the man‟s punishment. And no matter what weak excuse the guard might offer, his decision wasn‟t going to change. “I didn‟t expect him to attack the commander, so I wasn‟t watching for it.” The man was still calm and composed, which only fueled Roan‟s rage.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 89 “You are actually using your own incompetence as an excuse?” The man stammered. It seemed like he had actually been expecting a scolding, as if they were preschoolers who had disappointed their guardian. Roan didn‟t wait for more excuses. He moved forward, evading the man‟s half-hearted attempt at defending himself by reaching for Roan from the side. Roan gripped the back of his head with one arm and his chin with the other, and in less than five seconds, the man lay lifeless at his feet with a broken neck. In a heartbeat, Roan was staring down his men, his eyes narrowed and filled with danger. His compound was not an amusement park. They were not there to play games, and he was nobody‟s fool. “You are all guests in my home, and a certain form of behavior is required. I do not wish to repeat things that you were told before you accepted the job, but it seems that some issues were not completely clear.” He paused, looking at the men, who quickly schooled their expressions to hide their initial shock. “This is not a vacation; it‟s work. Work I pay you very well for. There is no retirement or quitting, no slacking off, and especially no incompetence. If you cannot do the job, you shouldn‟t have accepted it in the first place. In case you have now changed your mind, feel free to take a gun and put a bullet in your head, because otherwise, I assure you, I will do it for you without hesitation. Is that clear?” He raised his voice as he said the last few words. “Yes, sir!” the men said in unison. “Anyone willing to quit or retire?” He cocked his head. The men stayed quiet. “Are you sure? I don‟t even have to use a bullet.” Still, not a word. “All right. To the next issue, then. Who were the idiots who damaged that particular prisoner?” The men hesitated this time, but still six of them stepped forward. The number seemed strangely high even though all the guards had been in the compound on that particular day. Roan frowned before he spoke. “All of you kicked him while he was unconscious?” Breathing almost audible sighs of relief, three of them took a step back, leaving only three men directly in front of Roan.

VALENTINA HEART 90 “Well, if you didn‟t beat him while he was down, when did you?” Two of them looked at each other, but only one spoke. “When the commander first brought him on board. He needed persuading, sir.” Did he, now? Roan mused. “And you?” he said to the third man in the back. “He was making a racket and insulting me on board. Kept talking ‟bout comforting the slaves.” The man lost his control and blushed, but Roan was amused by the whole situation. It figured that a future Teacher would worry about the well-being of the innocent. He couldn‟t help but laugh at the thought. “I suppose he would,” he said, turning his attention to the remaining three. “So it was only you three that kicked him while he was down and almost cost me my most valuable cargo?” The men blanched. “I don‟t need excuses from you, as there is no question you acted like complete imbeciles. You are aware of that, I assume?” Roan lifted his eyebrows and looked at them. “Yes, sir.” “Very well. He is incapacitated for two days thanks to your actions, so you will each lose two days‟ pay. The punishment is five lashes each on the slave post, but you are allowed to see Jai afterward. No need for you to miss work.” That said, Roan turned and left the quarters, happy with another normal day and flying on the thrill of a fresh kill. It had been weeks since he had last felt as normal as he had in the last two days. For once his head was clear of voices and flashes of something he couldn‟t quite grasp. It had been driving him insane, and decent sleep seemed more like a distant memory than a regular occurrence. But Roan held hope that it would all go away when someone else took on the job he was, quite frankly, getting tired of. The answer to his trouble lay behind the door of the small private room he had secured for his successor. After all, the man had to have a place to work, something Roan had taken the liberty of organizing himself.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 91 There was no need to knock on the door. He just pressed his palm on the side screen, and once it opened, he let himself inside. Lying on the bed, the man slept almost soundlessly, his skin, in places, more blue than was natural. But Roan wanted to see what he was dealing with, and, none too gently, he shook him awake. Orrin felt the hold someone had on his shoulder as if it were a physical blow. His skin ached, his muscles spasmed, and he felt as if every part of his body had been rearranged. His first instinct was to fight, because he still vividly remembered the disgusting Adult who had riled him worse than anyone in the past ten years. But even when Orrin willed it, his arms wouldn‟t move, and just opening his eyes required tremendous effort. Roan knew the man was awake, but he needed him to be a bit livelier than a barely twitching corpse incapable of coherent conversation. So he snapped his fingers next to Orrin‟s ear a few times, not really wanting to slap him awake. Blinking away the darkness, Orrin squinted at the wavering shape looming over him. In any other situation he would have been scared, alert, or at least curious, but this time, he just had no strength. Everything was blurry, and focusing required energy he simply didn‟t have. A voice broke through his haze, and as if seeing his last lifeline in the melody of it, he centered all his attention on the words. “Hi, precious.” Orrin could have sworn he heard the man smile, but the words still made no sense. “I know, I know. It‟s my fault you‟re in that state, and I know I‟m waking you up with no good reason. But my red little eyes needed to see yours,” the man explained, and Orrin thought he noticed a flash of red in the face even when the clearest thing he could see was the long blond hair. “And what do you know. I have myself a full-colored Teacher.” He laughed.

VALENTINA HEART 92 But above all else, Orrin was confused. He was no full-colored anything, let alone a Teacher. The surprise of it must have shown on his face, because the man with the lovely voice gasped. “You didn‟t know.” Still, he recovered way too fast. “Well, well, this is even better than I expected. I wonder what, or should I say who, gave you your new eyes in just a few days.” Then it was as if the whole world was tilting on its axis, because the man stood up, his moves quick and sharp, but Orrin felt as if he was losing pieces of the picture in front of his eyes, and what little he still could see danced uncomfortably. “I have myself a secret to discover.” The man laughed again while patting Orrin‟s head. “You just rest now. There is plenty of time to show me what you‟re made of.”

FOR Roan, the day seemed to be going better. He was even whistling as he walked down the long hallways, checking all the places Lar might be. He doubted the man had shut himself in his room, as he never took a break. When Roan, Lar‟s boss, was angry at him, Lar always felt he needed to prove himself all over again. Lar was just that kind of man. Not one to be wrong often, Roan found him as he walked into the security room. Lar was sitting in front of a security screen, studying the videos of the Teacher beating him up. Roan thanked the Faiths that he had stopped singing a while back, or he wouldn‟t have been able to sneak up on Lar and spy on him for a bit. He watched as the same few seconds played over and over, Lar studying every move, looking for something he could have done differently, and after seeing the same thing for the sixth time, Roan got bored. He waited for the Teacher to land that jaw-breaking blow before he gasped, “Heavens! If not for those stone-hard bones of yours, he could have snapped your neck!” and plopped down in the chair next to his right-hand man, propping his feet up next to the screen.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 93 Lar turned, his face showing surprise followed quickly by embarrassment. He hated the weakness he showed in that video. The fact of the matter was he hadn‟t been paying attention. When he should have been watching his back, he had been too focused on the stupid slave in front of him, and that could have cost him his life. “I‟m—” Lar started, only for Roan to wave his words away. “I don‟t give a shit. That‟s done and over with. Besides, you‟re not alone in the world. The others should have had your back. That‟s been taken care of.” Then he lowered his legs and crossed them at his ankles beneath his chair, his face thrust almost kissing-close to Lar‟s. “What I need from you is something much more exciting. Did you happen to see the Teacher‟s eyes when you first took him?” Lar was on edge but listening. Roan might have been a cruel man, but he was smart and mostly fair. From an employer in the circles they moved in, that was more than one could ask for. “They were both blue and purple. Leaning toward purple.” Roan grinned. “Well, our little Teacher was apparently upgraded on that transport. And what I want to know is who he‟s fucked in the last few days.” “Shit. I didn‟t even notice.” Lar had to smile too. “But that‟s great news! He will be even better for the job.” “My thoughts exactly.” “Who he was with….” Lar grazed the line of his chin with his thumb as he thought about it. “The little gray cat-man. That one for certain. I remember because we couldn‟t wake him up. He‟s from some planet called Matti and as chaste as a monk. Or was, anyway.” Lar grinned. “There should be another one. When we bond, we do it in threes. TRI. „T‟ for a Teacher, „R‟ for la relation, which means „to connect‟ in some old dead Earth language, and „I‟ for Innocent. So we have a Teacher and we have a virgin. We‟re missing the „R‟,” Roan said, unusually willing to share.

VALENTINA HEART 94 Lar took a minute, but then he snapped his fingers and looked straight at Roan. “The blue guy. Small, weird hair and eyes. Master Kamari‟s new slave.” Roan clapped his hands. “Wonderful! I can wave one in front of his nose and keep him in line with the other. He has no idea about my relationship with Kamari.” “You‟re doing it the nice way?” Lar asked. “Of course. There is no use in beating him. That approach could only serve to damage him, and I need his mind. No. You‟re going to find the cat and put him with my little guys and make sure nothing happens to him. If I want a reaction, I will cause it. No more accidents.” “Yes, sir!” Lar grinned and took off to take care of the business at hand. A satisfied boss meant happy employees.

THE morning seemed unusually quiet, considering the previous night. They were given food and then, surprisingly, left alone. But the night was still fresh in Fai‟s mind. He had no idea what time it was when the guards first started appearing, but he knew the visits only stopped short of dawn. They would come, one by one, circling the bedding and the slaves on them like hungry sharks, and once someone caught their attention, that person would be led away. Even with his inexperience, Fai understood that this was no auction. They were taking their pleasure from males who had no means of fighting back or even protesting. A lot of them just went quietly, and if not for the cries of terror, you never would have known who among the males was new. They were always returned eventually, some with tears streaking down their faces and some with vacant stares that chilled Fai to the bone. It only took a few such visits for the prayers to start. Different devotions that, even if understandable, meant nothing to Fai. Still, he knew the sound of a prayer, and pray they did.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 95 He wasn‟t sure if he was to thank his lucky stars come morning or remember the old Faiths his parents sometimes mentioned, because with the first traces of light, his fear dropped a notch. He was still in the same place he had been when he first got there, and most importantly, he was unused. No one touched his new redheaded friend either, but that one easily slept through the night as if nothing in the universe could touch him, and Fai admired that courage. Then as morning was gone and hunger insistently stirred in Fai‟s belly, the man he feared came walking into the room. Fai wanted to disappear, his first instinct forcing him to huddle behind his friend even as he peeked over his shoulder. Somehow he knew the man had come looking for him, and the last thing he wanted was to be near him again. Without much thought, he realized that he would have preferred a visit from one of the guards the night before to the simple presence of the man who, for him, was the very epitome of fearsomeness. But the luck he had been thankful for earlier turned its back on him, and the man‟s eyes zeroed in on Fai. The wicked look the man directed his way was enough to send a bolt of terror through Fai‟s heart. The wandering stride turned purposeful, and in too-few heartbeats, the man stood above Fai. “Well, little cat, we meet again. And wonder of all wonders, you are special.” Fai would have taken it as a compliment if not for the nasty, calculating grin the man hid behind his words. Instead, he tried so desperately to disappear from sight, but there was no place to go. “Come.” He was grabbed almost painfully and dragged away, his last look one of pain and inexplicable sorrow directed at his redheaded friend.

VALENTINA HEART 96 Chapter Ten

REE rested his chin on his fists as he stared at the screen. For some reason, he had trouble looking away from the little blue male, who had the saddest smile in the world. He‟d been watching him on and off almost from the moment they had left the ice planet, and if that wasn‟t out of character, then his laughter at Hara‟s expressions certainly was. Ree wasn‟t someone who found many things amusing. His face might have appeared friendly and approachable, but that was nothing more than a deceptive trait of his species. Still, he sat in front of the screen for hours every day, watching the joy a simple bath gave to Hara. But everything had its end, as their journey was almost over. He had arranged for presentable clothes to be delivered to Kamari‟s quarters. Just before the light started blinking red, he said his silent goodbyes to the little guy.

HARA had been in the water for who knew how long—ever since they had placed him in the luxurious rooms. From the start, he had decided to enjoy what he was given, as there was no guarantee that any of it would last longer than it would take to get to their destination. It was a bumpy ride, vibrations shaking the transport, sometimes even to the extent of sloshing water out of the bath, but the turbulence never lasted more than a few minutes. By the third day, he stopped letting it bother him. He used the water to focus his mind, thinking about Orrin and his powerful presence. With only the sound of water around him, he had no

TEACHER PLUS TWO 97 trouble finding that vibrant spot of Orrin‟s energy, somewhere far away. It was enough; as long as he knew Orrin was alive, he knew that despite everything that might come next, they still had hope. Looking for Fai in the same way showed no results, and that worried him to no end. Because the fuzzy little sweetheart wasn‟t human, there was no mental connection like the one he had with Orrin. For the first time ever, he wished to be human. He wanted to be human, to know exactly where his loved ones were and that they were safe. But the wish was futile, as well as ridiculous. He was not human, but he knew enough about them to understand that only Teachers had that connection, and the vibrant strength his lifeline to Orrin possessed wasn‟t the norm. Still, feeling the reassuring pulses of energy Orrin willingly sent his way every time he looked for him reassured Hara. Fai was probably faring just as well as they were, and there was nothing to worry about. With every day the same, he had no idea how much time had passed since they‟d left the other planet behind, but he had no trouble recognizing the same blinking red light that had signaled the transport‟s approach to another planet. They had arrived, and with a speed he hadn‟t expected, considering the usual time it took for space travel. Jumping out of the tub, still wet and disheveled, he grabbed the first towel he could reach and wiped the excess water off his body. He rushed to the main room in search for something to wear only to be momentarily caught off guard by the clothes carefully arranged on the bed. But that was all he allowed himself, that one moment where he stood and wondered, only to rush forward in the next. The clothes were soft and dark blue, just a few shades lighter than the lines following the length of his fingers and the color of his fingernails. He had been given a pair of loose pants that reached to the bottom of his ankles, as well as a long robe, which he was able to fasten around his waist without much trouble. The wait that followed was much shorter than he had hoped for, as he barely managed to glance at his skin, which looked even bluer

VALENTINA HEART 98 against the blue of the clothes, when the door to the room opened and the same man who had escorted him inside appeared to lead him away. Hara almost danced on his toes as his nervous and terrified anticipation played havoc with his mind. He followed obediently, persistently dismissing all the dark thoughts tumbling around in his mind. He didn‟t want to know his fate or what horrors he might experience next. For once, he decided to hope for the best. Not even his own experiences were going to stand in the way of that. The man led him down the corridors, never slowing down. He didn‟t even speak this time, only pressed his palm against Hara‟s shoulder after he accidentally turned toward the wrong way at one intersection, and that palm stayed there until they reached an entrance—not the same one by which they had boarded the ship—and they exited into the bright, scorching sunshine. Hara couldn‟t see for those first few moments, only feeling the heat under the soles of his feet and the whisper of sand that caressed his toes. For those few moments, he felt such ache for home in his chest that it stole his breath away. But his eyes adjusted, and there was no sea in sight, only sand and sun and a tall marble palace. He was led forward, over a small patch of sand that tickled his feet, onto the stone pathway that led straight toward the building and the dozens of eyes belonging to the creatures living there, staring expectantly at him. With every step they took, more shade fell over them, more green surrounded them, and more eyes focused on his body. He felt more naked than he had any time he had ever been nude and ogled like a piece of meat at the market. Still, no matter how much he concentrated on counting each and every stone they walked over or how awkward the stares felt, Hara‟s curiosity peaked once they entered the premises. He lifted his gaze off the ground to take in the richness of the palace in whose womb he found himself. Reds, yellows, and greens covered the surfaces; pillows and furniture in all shapes were tastefully arranged in the hallways and open rooms. The walls held the same gray and gold pattern that had captured his attention on the ship, and it was all he could do not to stumble over

TEACHER PLUS TWO 99 his own feet as he soaked up every sight and every novelty like a sponge. The marble was cool under his bare feet, the textures of different mosaics pulling his gaze from the tall walls to the very floors he walked on, and still there was so much more to see. The paintings and tapestries, strangely shaped mirrors, and even the simple things like drapes looked extraordinary enough to take away all his nervousness. He simply stopped thinking, and instead he observed. But no matter how long the corridors were or how big the palace, eventually he had to reach his destination. Long before he was even close to ready, his ever-smiling escort opened large carved doors and led him into a room that couldn‟t have been anything other than an office. Before Hara even got the chance to catch every detail or focus on just one thing, a man appeared from somewhere to the side and spoke. “Commander Ree and your new protégé, Hara.” Hara didn‟t even manage to be shocked before the speaker bowed respectfully to the man sitting behind the long black desk. “I trust everything went according to plan,” the seated man stated, his remarkable features not allowing Hara to do anything other than to stare. “Yes, Master Kamari,” Hara‟s escort stated calmly, his palm still an anchor on Hara‟s shoulder. “Very well. All of you, leave.” Suddenly two more men found their way out of hiding places they were in, and together with his escort and the man who had announced them, they left the room. That fear Hara always felt in his belly and chest, which had been temporarily banished by Orrin and Fai, returned full force, as if none of those just-past good days ever had happened. Hara dropped to his knees, his forehead respectfully kissing the cold floor as he begged, “Please forgive me for my disrespect, Master.” Even from his position on the floor, Hara felt the cold gaze on him, could visualize every detail of his master‟s face in his mind, and he shuddered.

VALENTINA HEART 100 He was like no one Hara had ever seen. Like two completely opposite beings connected at the center, and the vicious expression his face held was something his previous master would have been envious of. His left side was as white as the cold stone he stood on, the eye, hair, and half of his mouth as black as his right side. The white on the right side of his lips was almost startling against his dark skin, but it was the white eye that stared through Hara and pushed the dangerous message home: do not make me angry. The line that separated the two colors stretched from the top of his skull, over his forehead, the middle of his nose, and his lips and neck, separating even his hair into two different colors. The line went all the way down to the collar of the shirt that hid his body, but there was little chance that the rest of him fared any differently, as even his hands were different colors and were as much a sight as the rest of him. Kamari watched his little slave, setting his steel mask over his face and letting not a single emotion show. Whatever he might feel or want meant nothing unless Hara returned the sentiment, and with strangers, there were always too many ways to get hurt. The little guy was just as shockingly beautiful as he had been the first time Kamari had seen him. His skin was glowing under the soft light, his hair intriguing enough for Kamari not to regret even one coin it had cost to have Hara for himself. His submission was something beautiful in itself, the grace with which he assumed his position, begging for mercy. It had Kamari‟s blood boiling and his cock undeniably rising. If he had thought that he was lost before, when the vision of the Paanian refused to leave his mind, he had had no idea what lost really was, because now he knew he was mesmerized, all but breathing Hara‟s name and beauty. Kamari pushed his long braided two-toned hair behind his shoulders, letting the gold beads weighting each one jingle as they touched. He stood up slowly, pulled his long, thick waistcoat more to the front to hide his straining erection, and walked to the front of his desk.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 101 Hara both heard and saw his new master as the man stepped next to his bowed head. Even the shiny black shoes screamed authority, and Hara couldn‟t help but shudder in fear. Crouching next to the object of his strongest desire, Kamari dared to touch the dark, pointy strands of hair, almost growling in satisfaction when they gave way and perfectly adapted to the shape of his palm. He took it as a sign that his purchase had been the right move and that he had found his true companion in the little male.

IT WAS the first morning Orrin woke up with a clear head. He had no idea how many days had passed since he had been brought to the new planet, but he clearly remembered the few insistent pushes Hara had sent his way. Even in his state of half-consciousness, he had had enough brains to reassure the little one of his well-being. Now that Orrin was getting his first real glimpse of his room, he found it to be a huge improvement over the room he had occupied on the transport. There were shelves, a desk, two closets, and an adjoining bathroom visible from where he sat on the bed. There was a certain tone to the room. He wasn‟t positive, but it felt like the beginnings of a home, which made him shudder with slight fear. Whoever would want him to consider his cell a home? If the activities they had previously required of him were the permanent description of his job, he was definitely not planning on staying. His body ached like a bitch, and he might have complained if not for the sudden flash of memory of when he had slammed his fist against Lar‟s jaw. Just that one moment of pure satisfaction was more than worth the pain he was feeling. Orrin would have reflected more if not for the little man walking in carrying a tray loaded with food. It made him stiffen when the man failed to acknowledge him in any way. He calmly placed the tray on the counter and left, leaving Orrin to try out some of the offered food and possibly regain some of the body mass he felt he‟d already lost. But even the meal was destined to be interrupted. He should have expected it, really—a slave who came in and saw him awake would

VALENTINA HEART 102 immediately report that fact to his master. Orrin might have missed the collar in his first disinterested once-over. Gossip was infectious, so even if the man hadn‟t known who he was serving when he went in, someone was sure to have informed him after the fact. “Hiya, T.” Another man swooshed in like the wind, his very presence as bright as the shine of a star. “I am so, so, so glad that you are feeling better. Now we can do some business!” He rubbed his palms together, a glint of excitement sparkling in his red eyes. Orrin would have been confused if not for that vague memory of the same long blond hair and those dark red eyes. They were certainly memorable, if not impressive. The man seemed young, as far as appearances went. Younger than thirty, but with a certain look of age visible around his eyes. It was not wrinkles, as there were none evident, nor was it wisdom that hid behind his irises. But if Orrin looked at a certain angle, he saw something in them, maybe nothing more than a shadow, that hinted that nothing was as it really seemed. He didn‟t recognize the man‟s race. Not that he was an expert or anything, but red eyes would have been memorable, certainly something to classify a species by. Just the fact that the man had no other distinguishable signs marking him as nonhuman was disconcerting. Still, despite his fear and the stress of the unknown, Orrin couldn‟t help but admire the man with a thin nose that advertised nobility, eyebrows a shade darker than his hair, and perfectly proportioned lips that glinted just a tad in the middle where his tongue had wet them. His clothes were black, with numerous metal buckles starting from the side of his neck all the way down to his lower belly. The pants were of the same shade, their line following the long legs only to end at the heavy, metal-reinforced boots. Only his thin and agile fingers peeked from beneath the sleeves of the shiny black leather coat that grazed the ground and contrasted wickedly with his pale skin and blond playful hair. “I do hope you aren‟t referring to the same business Lar convinced me to do,” Orrin carefully asked, only to have Roan laugh at him with obvious amusement.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 103 “And what business may that be?” “Raping kidnapped boys in order to educate them for their future rapists.” Roan laughed even harder. The Teacher was proving to be a decent form of entertainment. “Oh, that is not rape. Be sure of that. I know very well what something as crude as rape looks like. After all, I am the proud owner and founder of this enterprise.” He smiled widely, and for the first time, Orrin caught a flash of something not quite normal in that expression. “And who might you be?” “Silly me! I acquire myself a new employee and am rude enough not to even introduce myself. I am Roan, human, Teacher, slave trader, and entrepreneur. At your service.” He paused, cocked his head, then continued, “Shit, that is not exactly true, is it? You are at my service. But we can surely pretend it‟s the other way around.” He leaned closer, his smile mischievous now. “I promise I won‟t tell anyone.” “You‟re not all there in that head of yours, are you?” Orrin snapped, the pain and the worry getting to him. Roan had had every intention of making things pleasant. For him, for the Teacher, for everyone, really. After all, he wasn‟t a sadist. But insults were something he‟d never let pass, good relationship be damned. Orrin saw Roan‟s whole expression darken, and he turned from the cheerful, half-crazy man into someone Orrin sincerely feared. Not the brightest moment he‟d ever had. “I might be excited, even happy, that I have another of my rank around. I might even be somewhat grateful for you, as despite your current desires and intentions, you will take over most of my duties around here. But never—and I truly mean never—mistake my generosity and good mood for lack of a backbone. I will whip you, I will bleed you, I will place my guards in a line and let them teach you the real meaning of rape. And then, when you cannot stand, walk, or talk anymore, I will make you watch my dick drill into the cute little asshole of your cat-man.” With that, the storm that had clouded Roan‟s

VALENTINA HEART 104 eyes cleared, leaving only the same sunny expression he had walked in with. But Orrin was far from sunny and bright. He was gasping, his aches forgotten next to his concern for Fai. His chest suddenly constricted, and he felt the panic flare to the point where it was impossible to hide it—from Roan, from Fai, and from Hara. It was one thing to play with his own life, to endure the hardships life placed before him, but to endanger his little lovers was unthinkable. Just like that, Orrin realized that from the moment he‟d met those two, his own desires, wants, morals, and principles had stopped being relevant. He might be a Teacher now, he might know the profound meaning of life and the higher level of all emotions, sensations, and pleasures of the body, but essentially he was a part of the greater whole, he was a part of TRI, and without them he could no longer function. Suddenly, he knew just what he was capable of to protect them. He understood that there was no rape, murder, or torture he was not willing to commit to keep them safe, and that Roan was fully aware of it. “I want a guarantee that nothing happens to either of them. I might have missed it the first time you declared yourself a Teacher, and I might not understand your appearance”—Orrin gestured toward Roan‟s eyes—“but I know you are aware of both of them and their importance to me. I want both your word and reassurance.” “For one, I can do. For the other, the bond will have to suffice,” Roan said, his good mood slowly rising to its previous level. “No. Both of them,” Orrin insisted, his eyes narrowing, anxiety playing in his chest. “Sorry, no can do. The blue one is out of my hands, but I can assure you his new master is thrilled to have him and isn‟t one prone to violence.” “Then I want to see the other one. He needs special care, and I need the emotional boost if I am to do all your dirty work.” Orrin‟s voice was firm, but his insides quivered in fear. He needed to at least see Fai, or he knew he wouldn‟t be able to continue with his sickening new duties.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 105 “I will allow it, once a week. You can spend the day together, as even my employees get a day off here and there.” Roan flashed a smile, already more than satisfied with the course of the conversation. “Good. That‟s good.” Orrin rubbed his chest with the heel of his palm. “You will start tomorrow. Only light stuff at first. I want them to know all the basic signs a master might expect them to know. Then, when you are better, you will focus on the sexual side. There won‟t be a lot of time for either of those things. New potential slaves arrive every few weeks so you have to work fast. Start with the new ones. I will still take care of those who have been here for a while. If they don‟t go in the first round, you set them aside and teach them extra— toys, new techniques, massage. I will provide you with a list. It lifts their price, and that way I can stick it to those who missed out on my merchandise the first time round.” Roan flashed a smile. “Just remember, when I‟m happy, my employees are happy. That is not just a line. I swear you can feel it in the air around here.” “What about the troublemakers?” Orrin asked, even when the last thing he wanted was to ask that. The possibilities were endless, and his stomach was already turning at the prospect of touching all those unwilling young males and females. “Just let me know. I will take care of them. Also, the guards take advantage of the offerings almost nightly. They are under the impression that I don‟t know, which is rather stupid of them. In any case, I am allowing it until there is damage. If you notice anything of the sort, again, report it to me.” “Why do you allow such a thing?” Orrin still managed to sound appalled, despite all the things he knew were going on. “Because they work hard and I don‟t need a mutiny on my hands. The other reason is because I already told you, I‟m not completely sadistic. The slaves need to realize that they are slaves. What we teach them is the gentle side of sex and obedience. What they get once they are bought are masters who often share them and harems where the other slaves are just as cruel as the masters, if not more so, once the door closes behind them. This is often the last place where they still

VALENTINA HEART 106 have the remnants of their humanity, but once they are out of my hands, probably the nicest thing they will have to do daily is suck off a guard.” Orrin was reluctant to agree, but he had to, because the words made a certain sense though they were twisted in too many ways to count. He was also grateful for the time he still had, even if it might end up being just a single day. Every minute he was allowed to get used to the emotional as well as physical stress of his new job was more than welcome. But how he was supposed to place his bonds and feelings aside to do the actual job, he had no fucking idea.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 107 Chapter Eleven

PEELING one round vegetable after the other was already becoming a routine. His fingers hardly cramped anymore, and Fai even enjoyed the serenity of it, up to a point. He had never tried potatoes before they‟d landed on the ice planet, and now he found himself almost looking forward to those few bites he would be allowed to taste for lunch. All his premonitions and fears had failed to come true, something he was immensely grateful for. Instead, he had been placed in a colorful and clean little room with two other slaves, who, despite their slight distrust, welcomed him rather warmly. Well, one of them did. Fai‟s duties consisted of helping in the kitchen under the supervision of the cook, washing the loads of clothes and linen as they came in, and cleaning shoes before bed. It was a tiring job. His body ached with different muscle pains and stiffness, which left him exhausted enough to sleep at night without any trouble. No guards came for him at night, and except for the two slaves he shared the room with, barely anyone spoke to him. As far as the other slaves were concerned, and both of them were gorgeous beyond belief, Tite was the friendlier of the two. His gentle features matched his sensitive nature, and when he managed not to blush, he spoke as quietly as an innocent child. He was always more than ready to help, his advice something you wanted to listen to and his comfort something Fai probably wouldn‟t have survived without on that first day. Ver, on the other hand, was a jealous creature. His nature was not exactly wicked, but instead more self-centered. His type of help extended only as far as it was needed so that he didn‟t get in trouble. Anything beyond that was too much to expect. He rarely had any nice

VALENTINA HEART 108 words to say, and more often than not, he wore a scowl on his gorgeous face. Ver was very likely afraid that his master might like Fai enough to take him to his bed. But so far that wasn‟t the case. Ver and Tite continued to spend every other night with their master, and Fai stayed in their room, one night cuddling with Tite and the other staying as far away from Ver as he could get. Fai liked the way Tite caressed his hair, slid his arm down Fai‟s back in comfort, and whispered soft reassurances that led to calm nights and restful sleep. Fai fantasized sometimes before bed, his last thoughts being about Hara‟s amazing skin and Orrin‟s firm touch. He carried those thoughts to his dreams, where memories mixed wickedly with his imagination, and more than once he had awoken with his penis painfully hard and his brow covered with sweat. He missed them both terribly, and every time he felt Orrin in his chest, that feeling of spreading warmth and unlimited love, he smiled and knew that they would be together again.

HARA‟S new master didn‟t even consider him worthy enough to speak a single word in his presence. He touched his hair with a gentle caress that almost had Hara lifting up into it. His need for acceptance was great, his training surfacing with every minute he spent in the company of his new master. But the male dismissed him almost as quickly as he‟d accepted him, and Hara found himself being led to another large room, this one even grander than the one he had been given on the transport. He took a minute to look around, immediately noticing the large bed and tasteful furniture. The marble was wonderfully cool under his feet, but there were still soft and colorful rugs thrown in places, and Hara silently thanked whatever forces were responsible. The last thing he wanted was to give his knees the rough treatment of hard marble under them. He noticed another bath, even bigger than the one on the ship, and balconies that overlooked the oasis on one side and the vast desert on

TEACHER PLUS TWO 109 the other. It was beautiful, colorful, and warm. The air was dry and hot outside but just right in the confines of his new home. Still, no matter how much he desired another bath and how much he wanted to spend his afternoon lazing around, this was his old world again, with rules and punishments. So he took off his robe, folded it neatly over a chair, and kneeled on one of those soft rugs to wait for his master.

KAMARI was as excited as a small child. His heart kept rushing in his chest as he waited impatiently for the moment when he would be able to see his Hara again. The little one was perfect in every way, and it simply wasn‟t fair that Kamari had to take care of all the business details before he would be able to join Hara in his quarters. He was betting that Hara had taken advantage of the big bath he had there. Ree had talked about the pleasure the little one had found in the water, and Kamari almost ached to witness it himself. Once again, he cursed the politics and rich men who had appointed him the handler and negotiator of trivial disputes. He was always supposed to be available, even if his blasted house was on fire or the love of his life was alone in his room. The minutes couldn‟t tick off fast enough, and as he passed his employees in the hallways, he started the process of removing all the traces of his impatient bad mood. The last thing he needed was to scare the Paanian away. The moment that he approached the door felt like a monumental event even though he was simply passing from one location to the other. He knew that Hara was waiting somewhere inside and that his first impression would be extremely important. Hara‟s heart only beat faster as he heard the door swoosh open. This time he didn‟t even spare a glance to the person who entered. He simply relaxed in his submissive position, his back straight and his shoulders and head bowed. Hara‟s knees ached despite the rug beneath them, and after so many hours of kneeling down, he wasn‟t sure if he would even be able to stand up.

VALENTINA HEART 110 As soon as Kamari crossed the threshold of his room, a vision assaulted him. He still had trouble believing that Hara was in fact his. It was too surreal to be true, and yet it was. Kamari wanted to pick him up, cradle him in his arms, and never let him go, but his mind was still functioning with common sense, so instead, he casually sat on the bed, barely an arm‟s length away from the position Hara had picked out for himself. The silence and the lack of movement were playing tricks on Hara‟s mind. He wasn‟t sure what the right thing to do was. Was he supposed to hold his position? Ask his master what his wishes were? Maybe he was waiting for help with his clothes? That was what his previous master had expected. But if that were the case, then Hara had already messed up, because he hadn‟t reacted fast enough, not even close. Was he to correct that mishap or maybe just wait for the punishment? He felt the perspiration collecting at the back of his neck, and the stress alone made his blood pump faster. Kamari was so fascinated by the natural lines of Hara‟s body that he completely missed the first motion and only realized what was happening once Hara crawled closer and started taking off his boots. It still took a minute for him to comprehend that action, but soon he realized that Hara was actually trying to undress him, probably because of the conditioning still left from his previous master. Kamari wasn‟t sure how he felt about that. He was perfectly capable of taking off his own clothes, but maybe it would do more damage than good to prevent Hara from doing what he had been taught to do. Owning a person was already proving to be more difficult than Kamari had expected. Hara was working on the second boot, and no punishment had followed so far. Just that simple fact was enough for his shoulders to relax. Undressing he could do. Serve and take the praise; fail and accept the punishment. Once done with the boots, his fingers automatically reached for the bindings on his master‟s pants. Only at the last moment did he catch himself and lift his gaze upward, meeting those mismatched eyes and seeking permission. Kamari almost burst from pride as those black pools of uncertainty turned to him for approval, and how could he give anything less? He felt those fingers grazing his sex, the touch light and practiced,

TEACHER PLUS TWO 111 but before he could even enjoy it, he was directed to his feet and his pants were gone from his body. It was a strange sensation, letting someone undress him when he was usually the aggressor who did all the taking. But if that was what it took for Kamari‟s love to be content, he was more than willing to accede. The muscles Hara‟s eyes feasted upon were exquisitely toned and as terrifying as they were magnificent, making the contrast between white and black even more pronounced. In all his years of being used by other men, not one had caused such a reaction in him, and Hara was sure that the cock in his pouch would have stirred if not for his numbing fear and that ever-present ache of longing thumping in his chest. With his strong body shamelessly exposed, Kamari felt the need to regain his balance. He stopped Hara before the male dropped to his knees again, and took a seat, not even considering hiding his interest in the perfect body before him. He looked his fill, admiring every curve of muscle and every dark line, and it was no wonder that his cock reacted like it was starved for touch, extending forward and begging for contact. Hara tried not to look, his eyes stubbornly focused on his toes, but he felt the gaze on his flesh as if it were a brand. As the cock between those powerful thighs filled up, Hara‟s gaze wandered upward to be glued to the captivating two-colored flesh, and Hara let out a gasp. Kamari knew he presented a fascinating sight, his body almost confusing in its color and his eyes often making people think they were dealing with two men instead of just one. The fact that he was the only one of his kind so far from home didn‟t help at all. But he wanted Hara to like him, and ultimately he wanted Hara to ache as much as Kamari did for every single touch. “You are beautiful, Hara,” he whispered as he moved his fingers from Hara‟s elbow to his shoulder, pressing ever so slightly, enjoying the touch. Hara gasped, his body instantly starting to shiver. He was afraid, not wanting another man‟s hands on his flesh, not knowing the

VALENTINA HEART 112 boundaries, the obligations. It was all too much, and even when Kamari stopped, Hara couldn‟t contain that one betraying whine. “You are afraid of me,” Kamari stated, pulling back his hand to rest in his lap. He cocked his head to the side, studying every shiver and every hesitant peek directed at him. Suddenly he realized that what he‟d perceived as adoration and respect was nothing other than pure terror—the last thing he wanted from the male he‟d decided to give his heart to. “I will not hurt you. It was never my intent,” he tried, but Hara only shivered harder, and for the first time in a while, Kamari was at a loss as to what to do. Hara‟s mind whirled. If Kamari was not planning on using him, what was Hara even doing there? But then, he had said hurt, not use. It was too good to be true that a master who looked at him like Kamari looked at him didn‟t want sex. Everyone wanted sex. Hara felt utterly lost. All the strength he had possessed when he had first been thrust into his new future left him, and suddenly his knees couldn‟t hold him anymore, and desperate sobs racked his body. Kamari‟s warrior instincts allowed him to catch the falling blue body, and before he knew it, he had his arms full of a little Paanian, and Kamari‟s heart beat faster for it. On top of his raging lust, Kamari was worried. He had never had a partner before, not someone who stayed overnight and certainly not someone who sobbed in his arms. He wanted to offer the comfort the little one so obviously needed, but that was one thing he didn‟t know how to give. Hara felt the strong arms around him, his fear and uncertainty only intensifying with every passing minute. His mind was a blizzard of terrifying emotions that twisted and swirled, never stopping long enough for him to recognize the reason behind the feeling, intense enough to leave him all but unresponsive. Recalling some long-lost memory of a childhood that seemed more like something he‟d been told and not experienced, Kamari crawled up the bed with his precious burden safe in his arms and pulled the sheets over them. He hugged Hara as he had once been hugged, he pushed his fingers through that amazing hair, and he cradled Hara‟s

TEACHER PLUS TWO 113 adorable face. Kamari held him tight, pouring all the comfort and security he could muster into the shaking little being clutching at his arms. Surprised by his own reaction but unable to stop it, Hara took what he was given, holding on firmly and silently wishing for everything to be all right again. Even through the haze of his panic and fear, he heard the soft tones of his master‟s voice. The melody was close to a lullaby, but it was sung in the masculine voice of his new master. It was enough of a surprise to push Hara out of his crying fit, and just as suddenly as they came, his sobs quieted, his tears dried up, and he calmed himself enough to hear the double heartbeat and every single note of the soft song. “The first time I saw you, you were still wet from the swim you took in Lord Ripko‟s pool. Your skin glimmered under the sunlight, and water drops followed the lines of your muscles. You were smiling as one of the other slaves teased you discreetly, and you were kneeling at your master‟s feet. He touched your hair with his fingers as he spoke, and like a feline, you kept leaning into the touch.” Kamari paused in his whispering, his breath almost tickling Hara‟s forehead. “I don‟t remember a word that was said at that meeting, as my gaze barely left you. Even then I knew that I would do anything to have you by my side, to hold you nightly and to have your smile light up my day.” Hara tensed as the words stopped his mind racing through options and possibilities. He wasn‟t sure what the explanation meant, and he hardly dared to hope that it might be something positive for him. “I do not need a slave. In fact, it is forbidden for someone of my status to own a person. Even if I could get away with it, considering my influence, I do not want you to serve me, to bow to my every whim. No. I have the power to keep you here, and I plan on using it, but I wish for you to be yourself. I want us to bond, for you to think as highly of me as I do of you. I wish for a partner, a mate, for lack of a better word. Someone who will respect me and love me. Someone to give my heart to and to grow old with. When I first saw you, I knew my search was finished, and taking you from Ripko was the last wall between us.” Hara started shivering again. The easiness with which his master spoke about something that was supposed to be deep and meaningful

VALENTINA HEART 114 was scary. He knew how his heart felt, he knew whom it searched for on those lonely nights and for whom it ached constantly. His master was neither Orrin nor Fai; he was just a man who was keeping Hara from those he loved. “I am not stupid, nor am I delusional. I am very well aware of the fact that I am nothing but a stranger to you and that without affection and persistence, there is no guarantee that you will suddenly discover suppressed feelings you harbor for me. No. I realize that there is a long road ahead of us. Just know that I will do my best to make you love me, and even without the guarantee that it will happen one day, I will still try.” But even with all the explanations and assurances, Hara was far from convinced. He had been bought and paid for, and a master who desired nothing in return except love was either completely insane or had some secret agenda. The latter wasn‟t likely, as Hara had nothing to offer except his body, but the former wasn‟t all that believable either. At the risk of getting beaten, Hara braved a question. “What if it never happens?” It was Kamari who shivered this time, and it had nothing to do with fear. Just the sound of that soft voice was enough to drive him out of his mind. “If you never care for me as much as I care for you?” “Yes,” Hara answered. “Will I ever be free to leave?” Kamari‟s hug tightened, his face scrunching into that warrior mask. “If it never happens….” His words trailed off as he struggled for composure. “If it never happens, I promise to let you go.” He could almost feel his heart hurt at that statement, but deep down, he knew he meant it. There was no point in forcing someone to feel what he just couldn‟t feel. Hara felt that sliver of hope pierce his chest, and almost instantly he looked up into his master‟s eyes, looking for deceit and cruelty but finding nothing except hurt and honesty. “Thank you, Master,” he whispered, his barely audible voice betraying overwhelming emotion. “Please, you must call me Kamari. I will never be your master, but either lover or a friend.” Kamari‟s features softened as he looked into that expressive darkness staring back at him.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 115 “Thank you, Kamari.” Kamari smiled, his teeth having the same shocking coloring as the rest of him, and despite the fact that they were as blunt as human teeth, they looked terrifying. Hara couldn‟t help but lower his gaze. “Do you like my home?” Kamari asked, even when he actually wanted to know what Hara thought of him. “It‟s beautiful. I love the view and the colors. It‟s cool, despite it being hot outside.” “That‟s because of the shield. It has many functions, and one of them is the capability to regulate temperature. I like it open like this: big windows and large arches. It makes it look spacious, and it‟s airy at the same time.” “What about the bath?” Hara whispered, wanting to ask but not wanting to impose or displease Kamari. “If you wish to use it, please do. I want you to be comfortable and happy here. And if you need anything, anything at all, ask, and I‟ll do everything to make it happen.” Another smile flashed across his face as Kamari imagined his little Hara enjoying the water, his skin shiny and soft, impossibly blue. Hara was thankful, his body slowly calming after the stressful day, and without thinking about it, he yawned. Of course, Kamari noticed, and like a concerned parent, something Hara had never really had, he pulled him closer to his chest and whispered, “Sleep, Hara. There will be enough time for questions tomorrow.” Though Hara wanted to stay awake and alert, Kamari‟s arms were just too comfortable, and he was simply too exhausted to keep his eyes open any longer.

VALENTINA HEART 116 Chapter Twelve

CLOSE to a week had passed since Orrin had first started his new duties. He was exhausted both physically and emotionally. The little ones were scared to death most of the time, and instead of being the comfort they needed, he was not only one of their jailors but also the man who would teach them that which they feared the most. It was stressful, staring into their half-dead eyes and staying calm, talking about the practical side of their future duties and offering explanations even when none of them asked for them. Still, explaining was the least of his problems. The day before, he had been pronounced fit for full duties, and no matter how reluctant he was or that the last thing he wanted to do was have sex with unwilling slaves, that was exactly what he did. He calmed them, touched them, hid the disgust he felt at his actions from his eyes, and made it as pleasurable for them as possible. It was a seduction, a battle of wills, where he had to perform and they had to accept him as willingly as possible. He almost cried when he saw the fear in the eyes of two slaves, just barely Adults. He knew that they had probably first been taken by one of the guards, and the emotional scars left after that experience weren‟t something even a Teacher could erase. He talked to them, his voice always patient and reassuring; he showed them the kindness and comfort that could be gained from such encounters, and he held them afterward like the innocents they were. Each night, the end of duties came as a welcome break, but tears were never far from his eyes. Most nights, that was exactly the way sleep found him, crying like the broken man he was becoming, hugging his pillow and keeping all his shields firmly closed in fear that some of what he was feeling might reach the men he so deeply loved.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 117 It only left him more alone, without the comfort the simple reassurance of their presence through their bond would have given him. But Orrin knew that protecting Fai was far more important than his own feelings or his own pain. He was the rock—he was the T—and his men were counting on him. He crashed on his bed like a wreck, tears already slipping down his cheeks, and he willed himself to dream about Fai‟s tender face and his wicked tail, about Hara‟s hidden bits and his uncensored tongue. He allowed himself the breath of hope that tomorrow he would be allowed to see his little lion.

BOTH Tite and Ver left one morning, Tite kissing his cheek and giving him a smile while Ver grumbled at the doors, his mood as chipper as ever. Fai was told to stay in the room and wait, but all Tite‟s reassurances that everything would be all right in the end did little to reassure him. So when the door opened and Fai was led down the corridors, he could not control the shakes consuming his body. As always, Fai feared the worst. Even those things considered normal and usual to others were complete anomalies to someone of his limited experience. But the guard was as careful with him as Fai could have wished, and before he knew it, he was in front of another set of doors. His heart was pounding like a drum, and that feeling of warmth he had only ever felt next to Orrin and Hara rapidly consumed his chilled flesh. The guard opened the doors and pushed Fai inside without much fanfare. The lighting was poor, but he still managed to see someone on the bed, under the covers, and just before he started to panic, he heard his name. “Fai?” He cocked his head, knowing that voice but too afraid to believe it until the man spoke again. “Little lion?” With a cry of both anguish and happiness, Fai closed the distance between them, throwing himself on the bed and into Orrin‟s arms. He

VALENTINA HEART 118 hugged Orrin desperately, trying to touch as much of him as he could, never lingering more than a few moments on any part of Orrin‟s body. He was frantic in his want, searching for injuries but at the same time needing a hug, just needing. Orrin laughed as he tried to calm Fai down, catch his way-too-fast limbs that kept touching and checking and squeezing. He was hugged one minute, then groped the next, those soft, small hands tracing the lines of his face, his neck, pulling at his arms only to tangle in his hair. All the while, a soft little whine of distress kept escaping Fai‟s lips. “It‟s alright, little one. I‟m here, and I‟m okay. I missed you so much,” Orrin whispered as he tried to hug Fai once more. “I missed you. I need you… please, Orrin….” Fai whimpered, his face hidden in the crook of Orrin‟s neck, where he inhaled the familiar scent and willed his heart to slow down. “I missed you too, little lion. I missed you so damn much! But we have today together. Let me look at you. Please, look at me,” Orrin said, his voice filled with affection and excitement. Fai moved away just enough to gaze into Orrin‟s eyes but not enough to separate his body from Orrin‟s. “You‟re just as beautiful as ever,” Orrin whispered, and before he could even think about it, he pressed his lips against Fai‟s, tasting the sweetness he‟d yearned for. Fai groaned into the kiss, his arms finding their way around Orrin‟s neck, his body rubbing persistently and his tail dancing behind him. He hadn‟t even realized how much he‟d missed the taste and that current of warm air against his face as Orrin breathed. There were so many details that made his heart swell. Before he knew it, tears escaped him, and he found himself hiding against Orrin‟s neck, where it was safe. “Oh, Fai. Hush, it will be all right. All of us are safe and uninjured, and no matter what happens, we will find each other at the end of this nightmare. Just believe. Believe in me, in Hara, and most importantly, believe in our love.” “But they just took them away. At night, when we were sleeping, they would come and take them away, use them and return them

TEACHER PLUS TWO 119 crying, even broken. What if that happens to me or Hara? I don‟t want them touching us.” Fai spoke softly, thinking even then that everything he said could be heard by unwanted ears. “Are you with the others?” Orrin instantly asked, his grip hardening as he searched for the answer in Fai‟s eyes. “No. The man from the ship took me away. I‟m in a room with Tite and Ver. They are slaves, and they work with me. Only they have a master who makes them sleep with him every other night.” Orrin let out a relieved breath, figuring those two probably belonged to Roan. But the man had kept his word. Fai was safe. “How do you spend your days? Do you work? Stay in your room?” “I work. In the kitchen and with the laundry. It keeps me busy, and I don‟t think. Just when I‟m lonely and my heart hurts, I think about you and Hara. It makes me warm again inside.” Fai shared his secret, almost whispering it in Orrin‟s ear, always fearful that someone might be listening. “I do that, too, think of you two, and once I assure myself that you are safe, all my troubles seem to fade away,” Orrin said as he pressed a kiss against Fai‟s temple. “Here, let me try something.” He leaned his forehead against Fai‟s, closed his eyes, and concentrated. The connection was almost instant, and Orrin used his link with Fai to connect his two lovers through himself. He allowed Fai to feel all Hara felt on the other side of the universe and enveloped them with his own love and affection. It was a far cry from holding both of them in his arms, but it was something. Orrin knew it would give him strength to live through the next week. Fai gasped as warmth spread through his flesh. Once he sensed Hara caring for him from so far away, he felt as good as he had the last time all of them were together. “I didn‟t know you could do that,” Fai whispered, still sensing Hara beneath his skin even without concentrating on it. “I didn‟t know either, but I figured it was worth a shot. It‟s much easier when you‟re with me. I guess it strengthens the connection. When I‟m alone, I have to focus on both of you, and the feeling is never this powerful,” Orrin replied.

VALENTINA HEART 120 Fai wrapped his arms around Orrin‟s shoulders, relishing the feeling of safety. “How much time do we have?” “Most of the day, I imagine. Roan said I would be given a free day once a week and that I would be able to see you. It seems that his word holds true.” “Who is Roan?” Fai asked. “He‟s the man behind this organization. He kidnapped us, and he runs the slavery ring. I assume he‟s the master of your two roommates.” “Ver and Tite?” Fai sat up straight, contemplating that information. He lowered his voice to the point where it was barely audible. “Do you think they like it? Because maybe they could help us escape.” “No. Even if they were brave, it wouldn‟t be enough. We would need an army to escape this place. But don‟t worry. We will find a way eventually. I just have to find Roan‟s weakness,” Orrin said, slowly getting lost in his thoughts. “What do you mean, weakness?” “Some aspect of his life where he is vulnerable. Something that affects him deeply. Maybe I‟ll be able to induce some type of compassion in him and convince him to let us go. He was a Teacher once, like me. But now he has red eyes. I‟ve never heard of a Teacher having red eyes. It should be impossible. I considered the possibility that it is the consequence of his foul actions and the insanity that seems to come and go with him, but that theory is pretty weak. There are a lot of people who act like asses, and even though they are Adults and not Teachers, their eyes would have changed color. Since that has never happened, I think the cause must be something more drastic. Some change that turned him into something he was never supposed to be.” Orrin paused, looking into Fai‟s gorgeous gray eyes. “But that‟s just a theory. There is no way for me to prove it. I think discovering the cause of his eyes changing color could help me free us.” “I understand,” Fai whispered. “I hope you find it and save us. I love you.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 121 “I love you too, little lion. We will be okay as long as we have each other,” Orrin said and pressed a kiss to Fai‟s forehead. Fai nuzzled Orrin‟s neck, taking in the warmth and the intoxicating scent. It was something he found to be better than cuddling, and following that logic, he purred. It shook them both, tickling slightly but feeling all too familiar and comforting, and suddenly he wished for more. Fai needed a different kind of connection, one he still so vividly remembered and which had made him feel possessed and cherished. He needed to feel wanted and loved, but most of all, he needed a new memory to hold him afloat through the dark days ahead. “Will you make love to me, Orrin?” he whispered, shedding gentle kisses over Orrin‟s neck and shoulder. “Do you want me to?” Orrin asked, somewhat uncertain but more than willing to feel the Mattian who could make him sane again enveloping his aching cock. “I want to feel you….” Fai almost cried at the admission, suddenly overwhelmed by the turn his life had taken. “You are mine, little lion.” Orrin took only enough time to whisper those words before he took possession of Fai‟s lips and breathed in the flavor of passion. The clothes disappeared from Fai‟s body at a speed he was unable to follow, and soft yet biting kisses traced the exposed skin with enough enthusiasm to make Fai‟s head spin. He‟d forgotten the sensation Orrin‟s mouth on his skin caused, and he reveled in it. Orrin was half-crazy as he inhaled and tasted the sweetness of chocolate he had feared he‟d imagined when those lonely and desperate nights knocked on his door. The flavor was better than the real thing, and if not addicting, it was certainly very close to it. Orrin licked between Fai‟s nipples and down his belly as he removed every single piece of clothing without even sparing it a thought. He touched what he‟d missed, and he‟d missed every single curve. He‟d missed the soft moans and high-pitched whines; he‟d missed the way Fai‟s body curved under his touch and how he fought for air under the expert caresses of his ravishing lover.

VALENTINA HEART 122 Fai surrendered completely, moving the way his flesh demanded, allowing Orrin to direct his actions. Being naked had never felt so good, and despite the feel of Orrin‟s body beneath his, Fai needed more than friction and more than bites and kisses. He needed to feel possessed and loved, needed that overwhelming acceptance Orrin had first introduced him to. He needed to remember. With his desire reaching its peak, Orrin took hold of Fai, pressing him snugly against his body. He moved to turn Fai around, to have him beneath his body where he could stare at and indulge in the gift he had been given. But even as he sensed the motion, Fai stirred from his daze and mumbled a soft no. “I want to stay on top. Can I?” Fai‟s eyes were barely open to slits, and it was strange as well as exciting to see Fai so passion-ridden and hear him voicing his wishes. But even with surprise mixed into the combination, Orrin was more than willing to comply. “Scoot up. I want to taste you,” he said, pulling Fai‟s hips forward and sliding down the bed into a better position. He could have waited for Fai to say something, to ask for anything else, but Orrin was too far gone to pay attention—all he saw was the long, firm delight before him, and like the desperate man he was, Orrin swallowed Fai‟s cock all the way to the base and moaned involuntarily around it. Fai felt his hips lurch forward and moaned as he felt the heat and the snug fit of Orrin‟s mouth around him. It was still as wonderful as he‟d remembered it. Without giving it much thought, he continued the forward motion, thrusting rapidly and eventually falling forward to grip the headboard in front of him. Reflexively, Orrin reached for the lube on the nightstand, only vaguely thinking of the five other bottles he had around the room— compliments of Roan—and coated his fingers in the strawberry-scented stuff. He wasted no time in pushing one of his fingers inside Fai‟s body, a place where only he had been, and with the squeeze that greeted him, he swallowed around the cock in his mouth. It was something Orrin could do all day and never get tired of. He‟d never been with anyone whose cock he wasn‟t able to take all the

TEACHER PLUS TWO 123 way, and as he gazed upward to catch a glimpse of Fai‟s blissed-out face, he was more than glad for his experience. One finger was replaced with two, something Fai felt but paid no attention to. It was too good to feel his flesh stretching, his penis being massaged to the point where it had him grasping for that elusive, pleasure-bringing end. Orrin felt the orgasm coming moments before Fai spilled in his mouth. Fai‟s balls pulled up, and the powerful ring of muscle surrounding Orrin‟s fingers relaxed enough for him to add another one and stretch Fai unbelievably wide. It was also then that Orrin felt two little nubs deep inside. As soon as he grazed them, Fai screamed out his finish, then slumped over Orrin‟s head like he had not a bit of strength left. Fai was exhausted, his limbs not his own, but the desire in him was still burning strong, and the ache in his rear had intensified drastically. He yearned with a force he hadn‟t thought possible, and right then, he needed something only one man could give him. Not waiting for Orrin to start worrying about his well-being or force him to rest, Fai sat just below that jutting penis, rubbing the soft flesh of his flaccid one against Orrin and immediately eliciting a moan from him. It was something Fai took immense pleasure in, and to intensify the experience, he started to purr. Orrin was so aroused he could barely see, but the vision he had in his head of the glorious little Mattian swirling his hips above him was enough to keep him painfully hard. Still, the Teacher in him couldn‟t simply sit and take it. His fingers had a will of their own, and pretty soon they found their way to those adorable little nipples. It was a delight to tease them and pinch, to rub the sensitive little nubs with a persistence that had Fai twisting in place and all but begging for his cock. Fai was losing his ability to function as the sensations assaulted him all over again. He felt his backside constricting with the movement of his hips, his once-more stiff penis leaking like a broken pipe, and suddenly it was more than he could take. He rose to his knees, grasped Orrin‟s large penis in his hand, and positioned it where he ached the most. The pain this time was nonexistent, and only some form of self-

VALENTINA HEART 124 preservation stopped him from sitting down in one impatient move. Instead, he took the length with a restraint he wasn‟t aware he was capable of and moaned out his delight in one deep, unbroken breath. Orrin had died and gone to heaven. One of the most beautiful males in the galaxy had Orrin‟s cock embedded deeply in his ass and was screaming his arousal like the horniest male in the galaxy as well. Even if Fai hadn‟t been a part of his soul, the sight would have been incomparable. It took surprisingly little time for Fai to accept the intrusion, and like the experienced Adult he certainly wasn‟t, he pushed himself up and down, taking more of Orrin‟s cock and constantly increasing the speed. He looked possessed, and Orrin was fucking loving it. It felt natural to move as fast as he could, to take the penis deeper, to let it graze that something wicked inside that made him shiver and want more. His arousal was almost painful; his privates stiffened, and the skin pulled up. Everything was taut and expectant, but Fai was beyond comprehension, he was chasing something, and he only knew that he had to move faster, that he needed more. When it all got too much even for Orrin, he sat up, pulling Fai closer into his arms. He took a nipple between his lips, sucking feverishly as he pushed away his own orgasm. He thrust his hand between them, massaging the cockhead that craved his touch, and with the fingers of his other hand, he traced the stretched muscles of Fai‟s hole, feeling the frantic need Fai kept radiating, and in one moment everything was simply over. Orrin‟s lips found their way to Fai‟s gasping mouth, and he took one of those soul-searching kisses where moans were stifled and breath shared. He gave away his pleasure like it was electricity, alive and wild, and a current traveled down Fai‟s body, pushing the need down and forcing it out in the form of another heart-stopping release. “You were wonderful, little lion. Thank you for loving me,” Orrin whispered as he moved the sticky strands of hair from Fai‟s sweaty forehead and placed a kiss on the exposed skin. He was planning on holding on as long as they would let him, having his little purring wonder safely in his arms where he belonged.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 125 Chapter Thirteen

HARA felt the breeze buzz over his head as he flew through the air and straight into the biggest bath the palace possessed. Kamari was laughing, at the very edge of the bath, his body just as strong and muscular, just as extraordinary as it had been the first time Hara had seen him. But unlike that first time, there was no sign of the serious and dangerous male he‟d first met. This Kamari was laughing like a playful child while watching Hara stretch his limbs in the water, and he probably wanted another chance to fling Hara‟s ever-willing body into the bath. It was the most fun Kamari had had since he had been a runt himself. He still remembered the other children from his clan as they bathed in the red lakes and stirred the stinging sand-snakes crawling on the bottom beneath their feet. With Hara, every day was an adventure, a piece of the day when he could relax and enjoy life without obligations and pressure. He‟d almost forgotten that he had the ability to laugh. After pulling himself up from the water, Hara dried off and stood next to Kamari, gazing at him expectantly, not even sure if he wanted to be thrown in the water again or if he wanted Kamari to spend some casual time with him. To tell him stories, as Kamari did in the weeks since Hara has been there, about politics and the insufferable boredom some members of the many councils inflicted on him daily. Hara found that he craved the company as much as the contact, and while nothing more than comfort happened between them, it was a type of comfort Hara both needed and appreciated. Kamari had never seen someone blossom the way Hara had since that first night they‟d spent together. With each day he opened up a little more, his playful character coming to the surface and taking

VALENTINA HEART 126 advantage of the free time he finally had to enjoy himself. It didn‟t take long for Kamari to realize that he honestly had no idea what love meant. The feelings he‟d harbored originally were a silly infatuation compared to what he felt now. It was impossible to believe he could have been so stupid. But getting to know the little Paanian had truly been a pleasure, and now he felt capable of killing anyone who intended Hara harm. Hara was a part of the family, and as such, his wishes came first. Even when they drastically clashed with Kamari‟s. “How was your day, my beauty?” Kamari smiled, his two-toned lips stretching wide as his fingers grazed Hara‟s chin. Hara was almost glowing. “It was pretty cool. Ree took me out to the gardens again. This time I saw the sand kalf.” “He warned you to stay away?” “Oh, yes. He threw a piece of fruit, and I saw a flash of those big teeth. There is no way I‟m getting anywhere near it.” His words were filled with awe and fear, but nothing could mask the simple excitement the new experience had given him. “That is good. Do you wish to stay here a little longer, or would you like to grab something to eat with me?” Kamari asked, already knowing that if Hara wished to stay, he would ask for food to be brought to the bath. “I would like to go with you, if that‟s okay.” Hara looked up, reluctant to reach out and touch Kamari but wanting it with an almost burning desire. He needed contact, and Kamari had somehow turned into the best friend he‟d ever had. The big male smiled and wrapped his long arm around Hara‟s shoulders, pulling him closer and leading him to the wide balcony where they usually ate when they were together. Hara had already gotten used to the casual touches and friendly kisses Kamari showered him with. He ignored the little voice telling him that his friendly feelings were nothing compared to the suppressed affection Kamari felt for him. It was something that scared him, partially because he didn‟t want to lose a friend—and he knew that was exactly what would happen if he refused to succumb to the more carnal desires Kamari had—and partially because he was afraid of the rage that would surely

TEACHER PLUS TWO 127 come out of it. It was much easier to simply ignore what could be ignored and enjoy the little time he had left. Kamari watched the flash of worry cross over Hara‟s face, but when Hara didn‟t voice his concerns, he decided to let it go, trusting that Hara would tell him the cause when he was ready. Things were progressing much better than Kamari could have hoped for after that first night together. He had been hopeless once he‟d realized that just because he was infatuated with someone, it didn‟t mean that someone was just as thrilled about him, despite all his accumulated wealth and influence. But with each day, Hara trusted him a little more, and Kamari truly believed it was only a matter of time before he lowered those last barriers between them and let Kamari love him the way he was supposed to. “May I ask you something?” Hara decided to finally ask the question that would show him if Kamari thought of them as friends or if Hara was free only until his first infraction. “Always, little swimmer. You can ask me whatever you want.” Hara took a deep breath and then just blurted it out. “Would you, if you could, help me save some of my friends?” It was too soon. Hara knew it as soon as the words left his mouth. There was no way a stranger would help him save Orrin and Fai, especially when the two belonged to another. He was an idiot for even asking such a thing. Maybe he could avoid being whipped for it. Kamari seemed to love his skin. But Hara knew why he‟d asked. Despite the fact that Orrin was hiding his true emotions from him, Hara could feel the undercurrent of despair, the hopelessness with which he went to bed every night, and he felt the relief those weekly visits with Fai gave him. Time was running out, and if Orrin had to stay in that place for much longer, the man Fai and Hara once had known would be no longer. “Save them how?” Kamari asked, curious but feeling a heaviness in his stomach that signaled he was missing something. Something important. Hara was snapped from his thoughts at the neutral question. He‟d expected anger, dismissal, punishment for asking what he had no right

VALENTINA HEART 128 to ask, but not a request for clarification. It was something he grasped at like the last lifeline he would ever be given. “Take them from the man who kidnapped them. One of them, a human, won‟t last much longer. Whatever they are doing to him has him on the verge of falling apart.” Hara knew he‟d said too much as soon as he saw the expression on Kamari‟s face. It was one of the ones that were usually reserved for politicians and enemies, never for Hara. “How are you in contact with them? How can you possibly know such things? Are you conspiring behind my back?” Kamari jumped to his feet, the anger almost blinding him. The last thing he‟d expected was such a betrayal, especially from someone like Hara. He never would have thought an individual so beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside existed until he found Hara. And for Hara to stab him in the back was too frightening to comprehend. “No! No!” Hara jumped to his feet, too, instinctively moving backward toward the wall. He felt the need to cover his head and curl into a small ball on the floor. “I feel it! I feel everything he‟s feeling! It hurts!” Kamari‟s expression softened as he contemplated Hara‟s panicked words. He hadn‟t been aware that Hara possessed telepathic capabilities, but he supposed he could have missed that. Or maybe that other person had them… but he was human, and they had no such thing—unless…. His eyes opened wide as the implications reached his brain. “He‟s a Teacher?” Hara nodded his head frantically as his hands pressed against the wall behind him. His heart beat insanely fast as he tried to predict Kamari‟s next move. He could easily be killed if one of those hands struck him. “You‟re his?” Kamari asked, feeling the crack forming in his heart. Hara nodded again, feeling the tears surge forward, but as suddenly as Kamari had stood up, he left the room, leaving Hara without a word.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 129

A RED haze hid their faces, leaving only bone-chilling screams. They were familiar screams, cutting through the cruel male laughter. Roan was trapped, his arms restrained, rope cutting into his skin even as strong hands held him. Frantically he struggled, wanting to help them, save them, but there was nothing he could do except watch as the strength behind the screams diminished and all movement ceased. There was nothing left but the red haze and the cruel laughter constantly mocking him.

TITE was snapped from his sleep by Roan‟s almost silent weeping, his thrashing on the bed, a somewhat common occurrence in the recent months. Tite had experienced it often enough to know when to expect screams and tears and when to feign sleep in order to avoid getting beaten. Sure enough, Roan woke and cried out the strange-sounding names, his screams almost heartbreakingly tragic, and Tite yearned to comfort him. He wanted to hold his master, whisper those soft words that would surely calm him, and chase away the constant nightmares with his reassuring presence. Well, it was only a dream, in all honesty. Tite was nothing but a slave, merchandise with an expiration date. Slaves didn‟t deserve consideration, and they didn‟t have wishes. Slaves just existed for the master, and nothing else. Covered in sweat, voice raw, Roan wondered if he would ever remember what he‟d dreamed about. What caused him such pain that his chest hurt even long after he was awake. But it was no use. Some nights he dreamed; some days the nightmares chased him through the hallways with visions of strangers and the sounds of pleas even when silence surrounded him. He knew his madness in those clears hours of the morning, the only time he still felt fear, but he gave himself the rest of the day to

VALENTINA HEART 130 ignore it and forget. There was just too much work to focus on, and he had neither the energy nor the time to be insane. Getting up from the bed, he noticed the curled little lump on it, remembering it had been Tite‟s night to be by his side. He looked asleep but could have been faking it just as easily. Still, Roan was too tired to deal with it. He got dressed at his own pace and left the room. Today he‟d planned to meet the Teacher, have some fun, and see how he was faring. So instead of looking for Lar, he went directly to Orrin‟s room, not bothering with knocking. “Wake up, sunshine! It‟s another bright and icy day on this frozen piece of rock!” he yelled theatrically, his arms spread wide and his lips curved into a smile. Then he threw his ass down on the edge of the bed, making it bounce rather pleasantly. Orrin groaned under the covers, cursing the Faiths who had created Roan in the first place, and then, once he had thought about it, he cursed them for waking him before dawn. “Would it have killed you if you‟d slept another couple of hours?” he groaned, never opening his eyes. “It might have. I was dreaming some shit I can‟t remember. But all is good! We have time to really seize the day!” Roan smiled again, believing his own words but realizing just exactly how provocative they were. “What fucking day? They are all the same! Teach, fuck, educate, comfort the broken, save the suicidal, and then fuck some more!” Orrin sat up in bed, glaring at Roan, his sleep irreversibly disturbed and his temper flaring. “Yes, but the days are lovely, aren‟t they?” Even Roan had lost the capability to distinguish his insanity from his original personality. He had no recollection of his previous life, when all must have been different. “No, they are not lovely. They are traumatic, energy-consuming, and just plain old cruel!” Orrin screamed again. “Well, you are entitled to your own opinion. It‟s only too bad that you have to listen to me.” Roan flashed another smile, rather happy with himself.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 131 Orrin bowed his head, thinking of Fai‟s smile and the last day they‟d spent together. It gave him strength to see beyond misery and to hold on to his sanity. “Good. Now get up and let‟s have breakfast. I‟m in the mood for a little chat.” Roan closed the discussion, clasped his hands in his lap, and waited for Orrin to get ready. As much as Orrin hated the very presence of Roan, having some time away from his duties was like a breath of fresh air that cut through everything he had ever been taught. All the values he so deeply believed in kept getting stomped on and disregarded. He wondered if he would ever again be the same man who had been taken from Earth and if he would have it in him to care for his two loves once the nightmare was over. Surprisingly, breakfast didn‟t consist of a perfectly laid-out feast in Roan‟s quarters, but rather a sandwich each in front of surveillance screens showing every corner of the compound. Orrin was surprised by the show of trust but made no comment, taking a seat instead and munching on the offered food. There was no point in starting a conversation, because he knew Roan already had a topic prepared and was more than willing to talk. “I watched you take that little Innocent yesterday. It turned me on something fierce.” Orrin almost choked on his food at that, and remembering that particular event left him queasy. He preferred to block all those encounters from his mind, even when the experience wasn‟t anything less than pleasurable. It was still something forced and unnatural. “So I‟ve been thinking. I‟d like your dick up my ass.” Orrin didn‟t need food to choke on this time. He swallowed his spit the wrong way and started coughing his lungs out. “There, there. That shouldn‟t be so shocking.” Roan hit him over his back a few times before continuing, “You‟re rather handsome, and I haven‟t seen another Teacher for ages.” “Not if you were the last one in space,” Orrin uttered between coughs.

VALENTINA HEART 132 “Why in heavens not? I‟m rather good-looking myself. And I can assure you, I‟m not lacking in the equipment or the experience department.” Roan lowered his sandwich and looked mildly offended as he stared at Orrin. “You could be the best for all I care. I‟m not sticking my dick in someone as foul as you,” Orrin said, not caring about offending Roan and dreading the moment when the man simply snapped his fingers and decided to use Fai as another blackmail tool. “I suppose you‟re not there yet. But your eyes are already losing their bright color. Soon you won‟t be thinking about my soul when it comes to fucking, but rather drilling me like a pro.” He focused back on his sandwich but couldn‟t resist adding, “I look forward to it.” Orrin lost his taste for food and instead focused on the possibilities that could save him from such a disturbing fate. The last thing he needed in his life was a sexual relationship with Roan. The man would either pull him into his insanity or bite his cock off in one of his sudden attacks of perkiness. Orrin shuddered just thinking about it. No. He needed a solution, and he needed to rock Roan‟s boat the same way the man rocked his. “Do you dream often?” he asked casually, trying not to notice the red flash of those eerie eyes as Roan glanced his way. “On occasion,” Roan answered vaguely. “Are the dreams creepy?” “I don‟t remember. Why do you ask?” The sandwich was suddenly forgotten, and all Roan‟s attention transferred to Orrin. “Just making conversation. You said once that the atmosphere in the compound depended on your mood. So I‟m guessing when the dreams push your buttons, we suffer. It couldn‟t hurt to try and fix that.” Orrin feigned disinterest while keeping a straight face, and eventually Roan lowered his eyes to one of the numerous screens in front of him. “I dream red. Screams. Fear. Nothing specific that I can remember. It‟s more a feeling of helplessness that‟s eating at my chest.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 133 “Has it anything to do with your occupation?” Orrin asked, still trying not to look too curious. “No. You know the slaves here. They are all treated rather well, and I‟m a Teacher, aren‟t I? I know it‟s much easier to accomplish things nicely than by force. No. It‟s not about the slaves. It‟s something else. But I can‟t remember what.” “Something from your past, maybe?” Orrin prodded casually, but he knew instantly it was the wrong move. “My past is off-limits. You mention it once more and I‟ll cut out your tongue.” Roan radiated that same danger Orrin had seen once before, and it was enough to shut him up. They ate in silence for a while, Roan devouring his food while Orrin only distractedly nibbled. That was the key, then, what triggered his nightmares and probably what made Roan the way he was. It was too bad Orrin couldn‟t investigate the topic further, because he was sure he could find a way to use that piece of information. “There will be an auction in a few days. You already know the merchandise, and I want you to sort it according to value. Those who have been here longer go first, of course. You will find everything you need in their quarters to prepare them on the day of the sale.” “And if they don‟t stay calm? You want me to give them a mild sedative?” “Absolutely not. It will show in their med screening, and those idiots will accuse me of trying to trick them by drugging my merchandise. You just tell them they will have a round with the guards if they don‟t stay on their best behavior. I can also make that a permanent arrangement if they really insist on it.” “Everything to make a sale, right?” Orrin said bitterly as he gazed at the screen in front of him. “You can‟t keep them all, Teacher. And I have to make a living. Loads of mouths to feed.” He laughed at his words before he stood up and left Orrin alone in the security room.

VALENTINA HEART 134 Chapter Fourteen

IT

WAS the night before the auction, and Fai felt dead tired. His muscles ached to the point that he could barely move. His eyes no longer listened to him and stubbornly kept closing. The only thing he still had energy for was a shower, and even that was more a necessity, not something he especially looked forward to. Taking his clothes off, he stepped into the corner, pressed the right buttons, and almost fell asleep standing once the water cascaded down his body. The whole compound was equipped with both sonic and water showers, unlike the transport they‟d arrived on. It was Ver who‟d explained to him how transports held only the bare necessities, while the compound was always surrounded by ice and snow, so it hadn‟t been a problem to install both while they were setting up the buildings. The planet they had been on before had had no water to speak of, and they‟d depended on the supplies his master‟s ships had brought with new slaves. There they only had sonic showers, and his master hadn‟t been nearly as happy as he was now. In the time he‟d been away from home, Fai‟s shyness about his body had faded away. After being naked in front of Orrin and Hara and showering and changing in front of two roommates daily, Fai rarely paid attention to it anymore. He even went as far as sleeping only in the long comfortable pants he was given, much like both Ver and Tite did. He slept better that way, and on the nights Tite hugged him, feeling actual skin against his gave him more energy than he had thought was possible. That particular night was no different. He was still alone in the room when he changed and dropped onto the bed, almost moaning against the softness of the covers. Ver was sleeping with his master that

TEACHER PLUS TWO 135 night, and Tite was still in the kitchen, finishing the last preparations for the guests coming tomorrow. That left Fai alone for a few minutes, and despite his exhaustion, he kept thinking about Orrin and the way his bright spirit faded daily. Fai might have been naïve, but even someone like him was able to understand. He was aware of the job Orrin did every day, and he knew how much it clashed with everything the man believed in. But even without that burden, shielding the way Orrin had been doing for weeks was bound to take its toll on him. He figured that since Orrin had always looked after him, he should try to do something in return. It was no more than a thought picking at his brain, a thought about finding a secret from Roan‟s past. It would be dangerous, and it was most likely foolish. But standing around and doing nothing except being a bargaining chip for all those who wished to use him seemed like a much worse option. Tite walked in through the door, already shedding his clothes and making his way to the shower. “You asleep, Fai?” “Not yet. I‟ve been thinking,” Fai said, staring at the wall and thinking about the best way to ask a favor. “Oh? About what?” Tite turned on the shower and let out a sigh of relief once the water hit his skin. “About asking you for a huge favor,” Fai mumbled, but not quietly enough that Tite didn‟t hear it. “You know I would do anything for you,” Tite said back, now intently observing Fai. Fai sat up, sighing himself before speaking. “I need you to find out something about your master. “Hush, you idiot!” Tite barked, exiting the shower in a rush and grabbing a towel on his way toward Fai. “You don‟t speak like that out loud. Never! Walls have ears, and I for one don‟t want us both whipped, then shot dead.” Fai felt the blush on his face almost instantly. He had been so concerned about voicing his request the right way that he had forgotten

VALENTINA HEART 136 about being careful. Tite was right. Everyone knew not to speak poorly of the master. Tite took a deep breath, hoping that no one had heard that little gem, and hugged Fai closer before whispering, “Never louder than this. Now tell me what you need.” “I know you care about him, and you‟ve been in his service for many years, but I don‟t know what else to do,” Fai whispered back. “This is about your Teacher,” Tite stated, instantly understanding the hesitance with which Fai spoke. “Yes. I need a secret, something from your master‟s past. Before he started selling slaves.” “But I‟m never alone in his room. Besides, I have no idea where to look. Also, what if he catches me? He would not only kill me; he would give me to the guards first. I‟ve seen what they can do to a man when told to do so. I still have nightmares.” Tite felt himself panicking. He wanted to help Fai and the nice Teacher the other slaves sometimes talked about, but he was just too afraid of his master. “But he won‟t be there tomorrow. And you have permission to walk freely around the compound in case one of the guests wants something. Couldn‟t you sneak into his room and take a look around?” Fai persisted, feeling the last hope he‟d had slowly wane. “Tomorrow?” Tite asked, thinking about it. “He will be in the main hall for most of the time. He likes to watch the faces of the buyers for deceit. He thinks it‟s more intimidating if he just sits there while Lar does all the talking.” Then he got quiet as he went through the list of his obligations for the next day in his head. “Maybe I could get away for a while. But I‟m not taking anything he might miss. I‟ll let you know when I come here tomorrow night if I‟ve found anything.” “You will do it, then?” Fai asked excitedly, his tail lashing around. “I‟ll try. But I can‟t promise anything. You just make sure to stay in this room. Master doesn‟t want you tempting the guests,” Tite answered even as Fai threw himself at him, hugging him enthusiastically and squealing in the process.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 137 “Calm down. Promise me you‟ll stay in the room? I don‟t want to worry about you too,” Tite said as he returned the hug and petted Fai‟s messy hair. “I promise! I promise! I won‟t move the whole day.” Fai leaned away and nodded passionately as he looked straight into Tite‟s blue eyes. Tite smiled from the heart, amazed by Fai‟s innocence and how, despite being kidnapped and sold and living in a slave compound, he still retained his optimism and cheerful nature. Tite suspected it had something to do with his Teacher and the other slave his master had shipped away. But whatever it was, it felt wonderful to be subjected to it after all the years he‟d endured the dark influence of so much suffering around him.

ROAN was sitting on his large throne-like chair, observing the gathered crowd and checking for those slight changes in demeanor that indicated whether someone was interested or playing him. Lar stood off to the side, turned toward the crowd but always glancing Roan‟s way. No sale was ever made without the approval of the boss. It might be nothing but a slight tilt of the head, a lifted finger, or a closing of his eyes, but Lar knew him well enough to recognize his boss‟s wishes. So far things were progressing well. The slaves were in a better condition than they were when he was tending to them rather than Orrin—something that irked him and honestly stung his pride—there was no unnecessary crying or pleading, and they were well presented, something he had never bothered with in previous auctions. In fact, things were going so well that every single slave had been sold up to that point, and only the most meticulous buyers had voiced complaints. Acquiring a Teacher had turned out to be a good move, a very good move. But as an added bonus, the man was also intriguing. Roan knew the man had his two playthings out there, and he knew the Teacher was repulsed by him. Still, none of it really touched him. He was interested in Orrin‟s body and seriousness. Roan wanted to feel

VALENTINA HEART 138 that experience applied to him, the skilled fingers of a Teacher, the stamina he surely possessed. He wanted to be taken like he hadn‟t been for years, and who better to fulfill that wish than another Teacher? But Orrin was far from ready. He was still holding on to his beliefs and morals—as if morals had ever done anything for a man. Orrin still believed there was good and evil in the universe, something Roan had gotten over a long time ago. With that baggage in the way, putting himself in the hands of a man who only wanted to get away wasn‟t really an option. But all Roan had in his life was time, and with time, the Teacher would change his mind. Roan was more than willing to convince him of the benefits sleeping with another like him would bring.

TITE crept along the hallways, avoiding the attentive guards and pretending to be doing chores with the others. There was a certain rush in everything—others carried food, and the guards checked the visitors and kept them from restricted areas. Some were leading the slaves to the auction room, others guarding those still in their quarters, and Tite could hear the Teacher every time he neared those rooms. The man was working his ass off, especially because he was preparing and instructing them all by himself. In previous years, Tite‟s master had ordered things to be done and for slaves to line up before the event. They had stood for hours. He rarely did anything personally unless it was strictly necessary. The slaves, as well as the staff, reacted better to this approach, where they weren‟t handled like simple merchandise but rather beings of flesh with genuine emotions. Still, Tite had certain feelings for his master. The man had been all Tite had known for a very long time, and he felt a little guilty for going through his things and revealing information to people who shouldn‟t know it. But then he remembered Fai‟s expectant face when he had asked the question and the broken expression he wore every time he returned from his day with the Teacher.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 139 As much as the Teacher suffered, so did those dependent on him. Not as profoundly and not in the same way, but they felt the pain, and they were slowly losing that which made them so special. With his hand in a drawer and his thoughts so far away, Tite almost missed the sound of boots on the other side of the door, but at the last second, he ducked beneath the desk. Peeking through the crack next to the floor, he recognized the footwear as the standard for his master‟s guards and figured the man must have heard him ruffling through the papers. Just as that thought occurred to him, the guard turned and left, closing the door behind him. Tite stayed under the desk for a few more moments, collecting his thoughts and admitting to himself that his search was going nowhere. Obviously something from the past wouldn‟t be in his desk. It would be hidden somewhere far from sight. He stood, looking around the room, noting the big bed he often slept in, the work desk in front of him, the sitting area to the side, and big, dusty shelves taking up the whole side of the wall. Those looked like the best place to start, and Tite made his way there. He remembered them being placed in the room his master had occupied on the desert planet, but there had never been a lot of books on them, and they had always seemed as if time had forgotten them. Starting from one end, he kept checking the spines, pushing at the thick wood behind them and pulling at the sides, careful not to leave too many traces in the dust and silently cursing his housekeeping capabilities. He should have cleaned those books sooner, but the desk had always seemed like a bigger priority in those short supervised minutes he had permission to be in his master‟s room. Only once he reached the middle did he notice that one shelf was filled with books. It was unusual enough that he took them out, but there was nothing behind them except more wood. Still, it seemed foolish to give up right away, and when he halfheartedly pushed at the wood, it suddenly gave in and slid upward. What fell from behind it were pictures, the kind of old glossy pictures that weren‟t made anymore. He carefully picked them up,

VALENTINA HEART 140 curious himself at the content. And what he saw made him gasp in shock. His master was smiling, and not that half-crazed smile he showed these days. No, the smile was sweet, loving, completely transforming his face into something breathtakingly beautiful. He stood between two gorgeous women, each kissing his cheek, and held the cutest little green-eyed boy Tite had seen in his life. One woman was a brunette, her fingers tracing the line of the master‟s chin, while the other one screamed fire, with her red hair and her hand safely tucked beneath Master‟s shirt. But the most shocking thing in the picture was the Master‟s eyes—purple so clear and vibrant it spoke of mischief and passion. Putting the picture to the side, Tite picked up the next one, in which his master was hugging the redhead from the back, both of them smiling at the camera with actual love. He wouldn‟t have believed it if the proof weren‟t in front of his eyes—his master had truly loved. The next picture wasn‟t any less impressive. That green-eyed child was much bigger, laughing with delight as Tite‟s master held him high up in the air. It was a side of his master that no longer existed. Those eyes were gone, and that smile had died somewhere along the way. It saddened Tite that a man who had seemed to care so much was lost forever, and for that man, he cried. Tears slipped down his face even though he was unable to let out a sound. The other pictures held much of the same, with the blond child only getting bigger and the brunette‟s eyes changing from blue to purple. They were so beautiful it was as if the Faiths had found the most breathtaking individuals and led them to each other. Wiping away his tears, Tite decided on the first picture he had seen, carefully returning the rest of them to the secret partition and arranging everything the way it had been. He wasn‟t sure what had happened in his master‟s life, but the drastic change in the man spoke volumes, and Tite found that he‟d developed a whole new level of compassion for the man who owned him.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 141 ORRIN was busting his ass, comforting every one of the slaves who were about to be sold. He had been going the whole day, supervising the dressing, talking to them constantly, and reminding them how to act. That was one of his main instructions and something he kept repeating to them: “As long as your master is pleased, you will be treated well. Do everything to please him.” It might have been the wrong thing to say, but one thing Orrin knew for sure—rebellious slaves never lasted long. They were used, resold, or killed. None of those options was something he wanted for the males and females he‟d come to care for. Really, every single one of them was beautiful. Their features and races varied drastically, but they were always breathtaking, always wickedly seductive. They had been taken for one purpose and one purpose only, to satisfy men and women in bed, and while even those tastes differed from one man to the next, the sexual aspect was what Orrin had based his instructions on. He‟d hoped that as long as they were pleasing and wanting, no matter how false that want might be, their masters would treat them well, and Orrin would have something to soothe his conscience when the nightmares came back to haunt him. None of the slaves he sent into the room came back, and when the last one was out of his hands, Orrin felt lost, even abandoned. The quiet around him was distracting and frightening. In a moment of utter weakness, he reached for those he knew were out there. He closed his eyes, leaning against the wall behind him, and opened the gates of his despair, sending it all in one shocked wave after another. Orrin could almost feel Hara and Fai gasping on the other end. He felt the tears as they slipped down their cheeks, because they were slipping down his cheeks too. But as soon as they‟d recovered from the shock, everything they felt came right back, and that already familiar cocoon of love and affection surrounded him, hugging the emptiness he now felt in his soul, touching his memories with a freshness he‟d forgotten. Hara and Fai once again gave him strength he‟d needed, saved him from the abyss he‟d felt he was sinking into. They were there for him, depending on him, loving him, thinking of him, and he was in his

VALENTINA HEART 142 little piece of the universe, very much aware of the depth of his emotions and the sacrifices he was willing to make to keep the promises he‟d made. “Resting, I see.” A voice snapped his concentration, instantly cutting his connection to Fai and Hara. “Hello, Roan. I trust everything went well?” Orrin said, inhaling a big breath to center himself. “Why the tears, precious?” Roan reached down and wiped them off with his finger. “I don‟t see how that is any of your business,” Orrin replied politely but with a dose of seriousness. Bringing the finger to his mouth, Roan sucked it in, licking the tears away and obscenely moaning while doing it. “We sold every single one of the slaves. I‟m not sure if I should be furious because you are better at it than I am or satisfied with all the extra profit we made. In any case, it is a cause for celebration and not tears.” “Irreversibly ruining someone‟s life is never a cause for celebration. A Teacher should know that.” “Details, details. Anyway, I‟m in a mood for some loving. Fancy giving me a hand?” Roan smiled wickedly, his fingers trailing down his chest and hooking on the edge of his pants. “I thought we‟ve already covered this. Not on your life.” “Don‟t say that. My life is promising to be very long and prosperous, especially with you by my side. And forever is a long time to hold a grudge.” “What makes you think I‟ll live that long?” Orrin asked, suddenly feeling helpless and too tired from it all. “Let‟s see—a tail and a purr, plus a bit of blue thrown into the mix.” Roan‟s smile was wicked again, and whatever beauty Orrin had once seen in the man vanished. Orrin‟s head dropped forward, his brain fighting to find the words to answer as he closed his eyes. There really wasn‟t anything left to say to that, because as much as it pained him, Roan was right.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 143 Feeling victorious, Roan sat next to Orrin, his back to the wall and his shoulder obtrusively leaning against Orrin‟s. “The line between what you want and what is possible is often very thin. Sometimes it is better to just accept what you can get.” Orrin was still trying to decipher those words when he felt a hand creeping down his thigh, and for just one fraction of a second, he thought to himself, Why not? But that fraction of a second was also enough to push him off the edge of sanity, a place where he was still able to distinguish right from wrong and where all those he loved resided. Jumping to his feet, Orrin rushed in the direction of his room, the sound of Roan‟s laughter trailing after him like a shadow even when he knew there was no more sound to be heard.

VALENTINA HEART 144 Chapter Fifteen

HARA was breathing fast as he tried to recover from the shock his connection with Orrin and Fai had caused. The first blow had sent him tripping over the rug, and he‟d slammed his wrist against the corner of a table. With no barriers between them, Orrin‟s rawness had hit hard, and everything he‟d suppressed made Hara‟s eyes tear up. His heart actually ached, but just as Fai recovered fast, so did Hara, and together they‟d sent every bit of affection and love they had Orrin‟s way. But now, with Orrin‟s shields up again and the connection broken, Hara felt the consequences of that experience, and his wrist was an agony in itself. Dragging his body to the bed where he‟d spent most of his time in the last few days, Hara barely had the energy to drop on his side and roll onto his back. A headache was forming behind his eyes, and the worry he had for his own life only intensified now that he knew Orrin‟s condition. He truly had no idea what to do. He couldn‟t help himself because Kamari was avoiding him like the plague. He certainly couldn‟t help Orrin, who was not only too many planets away but who consistently put up his protective shields and kept Hara at bay. Placing his injured wrist on his chest, Hara took a deep, shuddering breath and tried to relax. Even the baths no longer held the same appeal, as his despair had crushed all the joy out of everything. He must have dozed off, because the next thing he noticed was a hand tracing his hairline, and with a start, Hara opened his eyes. Ree stared down at Hara, watching the slightly pinched features as worry gnawed at the little Paanian. He‟d seen the injury as it had taken place, accidentally catching it on one of the regular checks Kamari had ordered for the last few days. It had looked painful when it

TEACHER PLUS TWO 145 had happened, but with the swelling and the bruising, it seemed worse than the video had initially showed. Ree was worried for the little guy. He wasn‟t eating well and was generally miserable. It was something that influenced Kamari as well, because the big man was surly and aggressive and stubbornly refused to discuss the problem. Hara was no longer afraid of the people in his new home. Only Kamari, as his owner, posed a serious threat, and Hara had managed to piss him off. Ree was a good man. His seriousness was not something to be frightened of, just a trait that needed to be accepted as simply a part of the man. “You‟re injured,” he stated calmly, successfully masking the worry behind those words. “I tripped. But I‟m too weak to head to the med quarters. I just don‟t have the strength,” Hara whispered, wanting to rest for a little while. Just a little while, and maybe he wouldn‟t have to wake up again. Just maybe. “Nothing can happen to you. I‟ll carry you. You weigh barely more than a child,” Ree said as he slid his arms beneath Hara and easily lifted him up in the air. “I would protest, Ree. But I don‟t really care,” Hara whispered as he closed his eyes again, rested his head against Ree‟s shoulder, and counted the silent steps to the med quarters. Ree was carrying Hara through the hallways at his usual even pace when Kamari rounded a corner and came to a full stop. “What happened? Is he all right? Where are you taking him?” he asked. “He‟s exhausted. And he tripped and hurt his wrist. I don‟t know the cause of his exhaustion, except maybe a lack of eating, but the hurt wrist was partially caused by the same weakness. He almost collapsed, and the table caught him.” “You‟re going to the medic?” Kamari asked worriedly. “Yes, Master Kamari. Will you come with us? I‟m sure he would rather have you there than me.”

VALENTINA HEART 146 Kamari opened his mouth but hesitated, wanting to come but not considering it a particularly good idea. “Master, you know he wants you there,” Ree said quietly, his eyes piercing through Kamari‟s armor. “Give him to me,” Kamari suddenly commanded, sliding his hands under Hara‟s limbs and bringing him closer to his own body. He pressed a kiss against Hara‟s forehead, feeling his warmth and inhaling his delicate scent, and headed toward his medic. Hara didn‟t wake up again until cold fingers probed his wrist, making him hiss from the pain. He pulled his hand away, shielding it with his body and looking threateningly toward the medic examining him. “It‟s all right, Hara. He will just check you out and make it better.” A hand touched his forehead, and Hara turned his head toward the voice. It took him a while to catch up with all the previous events, and then he moved away from the touch as if burned. Shakes started over his flesh as fear consumed him. He‟d feared the worst. Kamari was finally there, and while Hara was glad to see him, he was frightened of the decision Kamari might have settled on. It couldn‟t be good. It hurt when Hara avoided his touch, cowering as if seeing damnation in front of him. But Kamari understood that a lot of it was his own fault. By staying away, not explaining, and scaring Hara the way he had the last time he‟d seen him, Kamari had sealed the deal, and now he was right where he‟d started. “I will not hurt you, Hara. I am not angry with you. Please let the medic check you out. Then, maybe we can talk.” Hara obediently extended his hand, grinding his teeth under the assault of those icy fingers. He bowed his head in submission and tried to think of all the logical reasons why Kamari was saying what he was saying. But the bright flash of pain combined with his overall exhaustion prevented him from even holding that thought in his mind. Kamari watched as the medic scanned and treated the injury, giving the little one instant relief. He always kept his medic quarters

TEACHER PLUS TWO 147 well-equipped and his doctors capable. Even when you took precautions, accidents happened. Once the procedure was done, Hara was given a dose of vitamins and extra fluids, and the doctor gave Kamari strict instructions to allow him rest and to feed him, something Kamari took to heart. He already blamed himself for failing the first time. He picked up Hara from the bunk, ignoring the initial protest and the unusual stiffness of Hara‟s body. Kamari planned on solving their issues. Even with that Teacher in the way, Hara was too precious to him to just give up. Kamari never gave up. The last place Hara wanted to be was on Kamari‟s bed with Kamari snuggled tightly next to him. All the closeness they‟d previously developed had dissipated with that harsh wakeup call when Hara had realized he was only property and his whole life depended on the mood of his master—something he never should have forgotten in the first place. “I know you are scared and that you don‟t trust me anymore. But this situation is hurting both of us, and I won‟t allow you to get sick or injured because you are too distressed to eat,” Kamari started, trying to ease his way into the conversation and failing. “You are not supposed to care if I get injured or if I‟m unhappy. You‟re supposed to treat me like your property, a slave you‟ve bought and you expect obedience from. I‟ve broken that obedience and asked more than was my place to ask. Please forgive me, Master,” Hara explained, trying to remain detached. It all just hurt too much. Kamari was momentarily angry. At himself, at Hara, at the situation. All of it pissed him off, and what was worse, he had no one around to kick or to yell at, and even blowing off steam would require him to get up and away from Hara. Hara had never been a slave to him; he was a person Kamari cared for deeply, a person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. And he‟d fucked it up. “Hara, I never once saw you as a slave. You have to understand that. I didn‟t buy you so that you could obey me or so that I could treat you like a servant or a pleasurable toy. I bought you to save you from that hell and Ripko.” Kamari took a deep breath before continuing, “As for us, I had been

VALENTINA HEART 148 hoping we could become more, with time. Companions. Lovers, even. I still have that hope—that one day you will be able to see me as more than a friend.” Hara listened to the words again, trying to believe them but finding that he just couldn‟t. It sounded too good, and it also sounded like a trap. What if he refused? Would he become a slave then? There was no way to know except to ask, something that had gotten him in trouble before. And yet it was something that needed to be done. “What if I refuse?” He sucked in more air. “What if I don‟t want all that? Will I become a slave then? Will you sell me to someone else? What are my options?” Kamari‟s shoulders slumped as he struggled with words. He didn‟t want to lay it all on the table so soon. He knew Hara was far from ready, and forcing more pressure on him would only make things worse for both of them. Still, if he refused to answer the question, even that little window of opportunity would close up. “I won‟t force you to do anything. But I would be lying if I told you I didn‟t want a chance.” Kamari sighed. “Just give me a chance. Maybe you will love me too when we get to know each other better.” Kamari looked so expectant and hopeful it almost made Hara cry. And he was conflicted. There was no doubt in his mind that he could never have anything more than friendly feelings for Kamari. But it was painfully obvious that Kamari wasn‟t ready to hear that. He was such a beautiful giant, his skin striking and terrifying at the same time. Hara had learned to recognize the emotions flashing over that two-toned face, and what he saw in those moments was the last thing he wanted to see. “Give it a try. What have you got to lose?” Kamari tried once again, feeling such pain in his chest he thought his heart was about to jump out. “And if it doesn‟t go your way? What if I‟m never able to see you as more than a friend?” “Then”—Kamari closed his eyes as if in pain—“then I will help you free your friends and let you go.” Pressing his palm over his eyes, Kamari wiped a tear that threatened to fall before Hara had a chance to

TEACHER PLUS TWO 149 see it. He truly hoped that Hara was his to stay, to love, to make him happy. But Kamari also knew he would stand behind his word. He would set Hara free. “Alright,” Hara whispered, his insides rebelling against the decision. “I will try.”

FAI was practically camping by the door, his hand hovering next to the palm reader. He‟d talked himself out of leaving the room time and time again. His chest hurt and his head was a jumble of unconnected thoughts and worries, while his body simply felt weak. He wanted to know what had happened to Orrin and how he was now. All the barriers were safely in place, keeping him away from Orrin‟s core but at the same time preventing Fai from knowing if the man was even all right. His other concern was Tite, someone he‟d grown very attached to and who just might be a goner if his master had caught him. Fai didn‟t know anything. He was closed up in his room, blocked out by the man he loved and unable to do anything about it. It was frustrating enough that he wanted to punch a wall. If only he knew how to punch. It was the middle of the night when a barely awake Tite walked into the room. The first thing Fai did was rush into his arms and hug the slave senseless. Tite was alive and well, and in that moment it didn‟t matter if he‟d succeeded or not. All that mattered was that Fai‟s friend was all right. “Please help me take off the clothes. I need a shower in the worst way,” Tite said, his eyes completely closed by then, and Fai rushed to help, taking off one piece of clothing after the other and pushing the tired man toward the corner where their shower was. “Thank you,” Tite whispered as he turned on the shower. “Faiths, this is heaven!” he exclaimed as the water hit his skin, and Fai couldn‟t resist smiling. He waited patiently on the other side, holding a big towel and buckets of patience. He wanted to know how the snooping had gone, but he didn‟t want to push. Tite saved him from the dilemma

VALENTINA HEART 150 by getting out of the shower and wrapping himself in the towel Fai held. “I found some pictures. In my pants pocket.” Fai could just barely hear him over the sound of the running water Tite had left on, but he rushed to the chair where he‟d left the pants when he‟d taken them off Tite and checked one pocket after the other. He had just enough time to wonder what one picture could possibly help before he saw it. “He has the same eyes Orrin had when they first changed. Only brighter.” Fai sounded shocked and amazed even in his whispers. Some part of him still had a hard time believing Roan could be anything like Orrin. It was especially hard to believe he‟d been a Teacher. “Yes. But also, he‟s happy. Have you ever seen him looking like that? I know I haven‟t, and I‟ve been with him for years.” Disappointment echoed through Tite‟s words. “It means Orrin was right. Something had to have happened for his eyes to change from this to that blood red. It can‟t be natural,” Fai said, more to himself than to Tite. “And he had a family… I wonder what had happened to them.” Fai looked at Tite, as if expecting him to answer. “Don‟t look at me. I have no idea.” Tite raised his voice. “All we do is fuck. It‟s been years, but apparently that doesn‟t mean I deserve to know any private details.” Tite folded the towel, draping it over his groin, and sat on the edge of the bed, his face hidden behind his palms. “Hey.” Fai rushed to him, pulled him close to his chest, and kissed one wet cheek. “I don‟t think it‟s easy for him to talk about it. Something bad must have happened, because they‟re obviously not with him anymore.” Tite sniffled for a few minutes, trying to suppress his tears but not really succeeding. It hurt. He knew he was nothing but a slave. Still, a part of him had held onto a little piece of hope that his master did care, only he had trouble showing it. It was hard not to get attached to the only constant in your life, the only source of warmth and human contact. Even Ver avoided closeness, though he‟d been a slave for a much shorter time than Tite. That posed a question in his head: exactly how stupid was Tite if even less experienced slaves knew more than

TEACHER PLUS TWO 151 him? A master could never be your friend or lover. You were a possession, and he was your owner. Suddenly Tite looked into Fai‟s eyes, giving back the same warmth Fai had been pushing his way from the very start. “Thank you for comforting me, Fai. Thank you for caring for me, and thank you for being my friend.” The hug only became firmer and sweeter, a little piece of calm in an ocean filled with storms. “You are my friend, probably the only other person in this place, except Orrin, who cares about me. I was taught to appreciate friends, to hold them as close as family, and to always give more than was asked.” Fai gently ran his fingers through Tite‟s hair. “You are valued in our society only as much as those close to you value you.” “That would place Master on the bottom of the pile.” Tite laughed as he wiped his nose. “Yes. He would have been shunned by the others.” Fai smiled too. “It would be nice if we could ship him there, see how he likes it. But he would probably just enslave the whole planet,” Tite replied bitterly. “I don‟t want anyone like him anywhere near Matti. We are too soft for the outside world, and I fear the moment when constant contact with the humans might become necessary. It just might ruin us.” “We are not all bad. There are thousands of Teachers out there doing good, helping other races and advancing ours. Just think of Orrin—isn‟t he one of the good ones?” “He is. He‟s incredible. But I‟ve met more humans who were ugly inside since I‟ve been taken and only a couple of those worth having contact with. I‟m sorry, but I can‟t imagine your people as a friendly society. I‟ve seen too much.” “I understand, and I‟m not blaming you. I can‟t imagine going back to Earth. Too much has happened, and as tragic as it might sound, this is my life now. I wish I could stay with you.” Tite sounded sad and

VALENTINA HEART 152 thoughtful, and before he could really think about it, he popped the question, “Can you take me with you? If you escape from here?” Fai looked surprised for a moment, but there really wasn‟t anything to think about. “Of course. I‟m not leaving you here.” “Thank you. Please tell your Teacher that I will help however I can.” “Thank you, Tite. I‟m happy for having met you.” Fai smiled, his tail flipping forward to pull Tite closer to his body. Eventually he stood to turn off the shower and thought to himself how his new life was just one surprise after another. Somewhere he‟d lost and somewhere he‟d gained, but the most surprising thing for Fai was the realization that even in a place of constant despair, friendships were possible, love was sustainable, and hope was necessary.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 153 Chapter Sixteen

ORRIN had been sitting in the full lotus position since early morning. His body was still as flexible as it had been years ago when he first went through that part of his training. Meditation was something he had found useful but had not practiced in a long time. His life had been calm and centered enough, and there was really no point in meditating. He was also lazy, but that was beside the point. Here, on this frozen planet, in the center of the slavery circle, he‟d found that it helped him focus, restored his balance and breath. It was not a permanent solution, but it strengthened the walls he‟d placed between his emotional rollercoaster and the essences of both Fai and Hara. So when the door to his room opened, he was barely aware of the sound, but it forced him to return to reality, slowly leaving the peaceful place behind. As soon as Orrin had opened his eyes, Fai was flying toward him, knocking him on his back and kissing him senseless. Fai learned fast, and while he might have been shy, withdrawn, and inexperienced when he‟d first been pushed into this situation, that time had soon passed. He had had to learn on his feet when there was room for very few mistakes. Also, Fai had realized just how short his life might turn out to be, and that meant living it to the fullest while he still had the chance. Orrin could barely catch his breath as Fai kissed every inch of his skin, taking off his clothes without even pausing. The sex that followed was all-consuming and, to Orrin, felt very much like saying goodbye.

VALENTINA HEART 154 HOLDING a naked Fai in his arms had Orrin feeling all kinds of things, some sensible but most not. Even with meditation, he wasn‟t himself anymore, and distinguishing reality from imagination was becoming more difficult with each passing day. He concentrated on the softness of Fai‟s hair, the twitching of his tail as quiet little breaths lifted and lowered his chest. Even with the surprising ferocity he‟d gained, Fai still looked innocent, his delicate features making him a true treasure even in a compound filled with beautiful creatures. Orrin was happy to have someone like Fai by his side, loving him, caring for him. He was grateful for Hara, too, for that seriousness slavery had brought in him and for his ability to smile even after every curve life had thrown his way. With the possibility of escape slim to none, Orrin feared for both of them. There was a chance that he wouldn‟t be around for much longer, at least not as the same person he once was, and for the first time since meeting Hara and Fai, Orrin started thinking about simply giving up. It was selfish and cruel, because the chances that Hara and Fai would survive the separation sane and intact were very poor. Still, it crossed Orrin‟s mind more often than not. Hope was deserting him, and Orrin feared he wouldn‟t have anything left to give. If anyone deserved all the love and affection Orrin possessed, Fai and Hara did. Without anything to offer, Orrin was obsolete and unnecessary. “I need you,” Fai whispered as if reading Orrin‟s mind. “I‟m not the same man—” Orrin began, only to be interrupted. “You think I care? I might not have been with you every single day since all this started, but I felt you in here!” Fai pressed his palm against his chest. “You were the one who told me to listen to my heart. So what does your heart say? Listen!” Fai was hovering above Orrin, his gaze piercing and unwavering. He wanted Orrin to understand, to remember the words he‟d once spoken. Nothing around them mattered; people were either there in passing or there to stay, but none of it was as reliable or permanent as the bond between Orrin, Hara, and Fai. He felt it in his heart. He knew the pain separation from Orrin and Hara had caused, and he knew the

TEACHER PLUS TWO 155 joy just thinking about them brought. It was all in the heart, his chest swelling with love or hurting with despair—it didn‟t matter, because the cause was always the same. It was for Hara or it was for Orrin. His heart was loud and strong, and what was more important, his heart was right. Now he just had to make Orrin remember that. “I‟m sure I must have. But I do not feel my heart anymore. I know I love you, I know you belong to me as much as I belong to you. But my heart is silent. I feel only pain there. For all those I‟ve wronged and for those I still will. I do not deserve to live,” Orrin finished sadly, for once forgetting to guard his emotions and censor his words. “You did what you had to do. And I know—” Fai gripped Orrin‟s hand as the man went to cover his eyes. “Listen, you stubborn human! Even your job is done with care and affection! You showed those slaves how good it could be, and you‟ve taught them how to stay alive! What would have happened if Roan had been doing it for you? Would he have been so gentle? Would he have even mentioned what to expect? How to behave?” Without waiting for an answer, Fai continued. “Of course not! He would just take their innocence, show them the basics, and throw them to the beasts!” Fai took Orrin‟s face between his hands and looked into his lost eyes. “So don‟t talk to me about ruining lives, talk to me about those you‟ve saved. Release your heart from the shackles you‟ve chained it with and let it feel. Find your strength in Hara and me again, let us love you, and then forgive yourself. Because the two of us have nothing to forgive.” Pressing a kiss against the slightly parted lips, Fai erased the wondering expression from Orrin‟s face and whispered, “I love you, my Teacher.” Holding onto Fai as if he were his last lifeline, Orrin sobbed his frustrations and his fear away, and for the first time in a long time, he allowed himself to see more than pain. Fai was right. Orrin had ignored one thing a Teacher never must: his heart. “I love you too, little lion. Thank you for holding me.” “There is nothing I would rather be doing.” Fai smiled, his tail reaching Orrin‟s side, wrapping around him and holding him tight.

VALENTINA HEART 156 But the gentle moment didn‟t last long. Fai needed Orrin to smile again, to be that tie holding all of them together, so he used his wicked tail and started tickling Orrin senseless. “That‟s for being stupid.” Rolling away, out of breath from laughing, Orrin uttered, “Stop, please stop.” “All right, but we‟re not done.” Fai laughed with him, slapping his ass with the tip of his tail. Breathing hard, Orrin still managed to look at Fai, catch his fingers between his, and pull him against his chest. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, little lion.” He punctuated it with a rough kiss, feeling those little fangs and tasting the sweet chocolate. Getting on his feet, Fai hurried to his clothes. “I have something for you,” he said as he took the photo from his pocket. He walked to the shower, turned the water on to provide noise, and rushed back to the bed. Fai leaned forward, whispering, “Tite took it from Roan. You said we needed a secret.” And then he showed the picture to a stunned Orrin. “He had a family!” Orrin‟s voice carried in the room, and Fai pressed a hand over his mouth, almost trembling with panic. “I‟m sorry. It‟s just such a shock. And they were beautiful. Look at his eyes; he was happy and in love. Something must have happened for the change to be this grave.” Orrin paused, thinking, then lit up like a child in a candy store. “But now I have a clue. He was a TRI Teacher, so maybe he‟s in the database somewhere. I can even access it from here. I just have to watch out and not get caught.” “What will you do next?” Fai asked. “I have to sneak into the surveillance room. There is a console there where I‟m pretty sure I can access history banks.” “What are those?” Fai was suddenly curious. “As space exploration got extensive, humans started building history banks, places where they would store every little piece of their history, from Earth to all the planets they visited or species they‟d had contact with. There are records about all significant people in our society and many from other societies as well. Naturally, every human

TEACHER PLUS TWO 157 who‟s ever reached Teacher status is in there somewhere—their whole lives, whatever information could be gathered about their past before they got purple eyes. On one hand, it preserves history, and on the other, it gives access to all those who want to check out a certain important person and make sure they are not dealing with a criminal.” “But isn‟t that invading privacy? Everyone can know everything.” Fai was appalled. “It‟s not exactly that public. Everyone can download information from it, but you have to have codes for higher levels of access and more information. If the information can be used for malicious purposes, it‟s protected, and without a code you can only see the bare minimum.” “Do you have a code?” “Yes. I requested and received mine just before they took me. It‟s not the highest level, but I have access to all Teacher information, as it is encouraged to have contact with some of them while going through transition.” Orrin grinned. “I‟m betting they didn‟t expect me to have Roan as an influence.” “That‟s not funny.” Fai pouted as he took another look at the picture. “I‟m sorry, Fai. I‟m just optimistic for the first time in a while. Searching for a Teacher would have taken hours, but a TRI Teacher is rather rare.” “So what will happen if you get the information you need? And why can‟t you send a message to someone from that console?” Fai grinned. “That last part just occurred to me.” “I‟ll confront him. Roan is not very calm, not to mention he‟s insane. It‟s an unpredictable move, but it‟s all I‟ve got. If he‟s out of the picture, we have a chance.” Orrin took a deep breath, not liking the odds against him. “And I can‟t send a message. All outgoing calls are monitored, and I need the compound code, whatever it is. They check for irregularities, the same as with the recordings of the halls and public areas.” “That means I‟ve just given you a way to die!” Fai screamed as he jumped off the bed.

VALENTINA HEART 158 “No! No! I‟ll try my best to get us all safely away. But there is bound to be some risk. That‟s life, little lion. You never get anything easily.” Fai got back into bed and nestled his head safely against Orrin‟s shoulder. “I don‟t want you to die,” he whispered. “I won‟t die. I know now I could never leave you alone here.” Orrin placed a finger beneath Fai‟s chin, lifted it up just a bit, and kissed those sad-looking lips. Finally he had an advantage when it came to Roan, and driving the man off the ledge he‟d been balancing on for so long, just might save them all.

KAMARI took his time, bringing Hara flowers and fine clothes. He introduced him to all of his favorite dishes and showed him all the beautiful places in and around his home. They were talking again, and it was a pleasure seeing Hara smile. There was still that ever-present sadness haunting his eyes, but Kamari chose to ignore it as he focused on the sound of Hara‟s laughter and the glow with which he lit up every room he stepped into. With his status in the civilized world, Kamari couldn‟t afford to be a fool. He understood the bond between a Teacher and his match; at least, he thought he did. But the gravity of such a relationship didn‟t escape his notice. It was his job to know about that kind of thing, and he knew more about humans than he cared to. Still, his stubbornness just wouldn‟t allow him to accept it. He refused to give up—on hope, Hara, anything. Kamari wasn‟t someone who gave up on what he wanted. Why wouldn‟t there be a chance for him when he‟d finally found someone he cared enough for? It didn‟t make sense to him. It was with the last touches of hope that he‟d entered Hara‟s room that particular night. Kamari just wanted to see him sleep, maybe touch his hair as he squirmed under his covers, constantly running from his bad dreams. But once he‟d noticed Hara‟s exposed chest and those little nipples perking up in the fresh air, reason vacated the premises, and Kamari closed the distance between them.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 159 He wasn‟t a weak man or someone who needed sexual fulfillment for his life to make sense. No. Kamari was someone who rarely indulged, but when he did, it was with someone he believed he could trust, someone he had some feelings for. Hara more than met those requirements, and the ever-blooming lust in Kamari‟s groin didn‟t hurt the situation. Against all his instincts, Kamari leaned down, so close to that bluish, rubbery skin, and tasted the tip of that inviting peak. Hara mumbled in his sleep, completely unaware of his nipple being tenderly abused, so Kamari moved on, licking his way up toward Hara‟s neck and those tempting slits he‟d wanted to taste from the first moment he had seen him. But this time Hara‟s eyes snapped open, and he scrambled over the bed to the very edge, almost falling down in his growing panic. “I‟m sorry. So sorry…. I just wanted to taste…. You‟re so irresistible, I couldn‟t help myself.” Kamari rushed through his explanation, but Hara stayed eerily quiet. “But….” Kamari hesitated, knowing very well what he wanted and yet not completely certain it was a wish either of them needed hovering between them. “Can we just… can we maybe make love?” Kamari pushed the words out only to hurry on with his explanation. “Just once. I won‟t ask you to stay or to love me back. I just want to touch you, taste you, once. I‟ve never felt like this for anyone… and… it breaks my heart to know I‟m continuously this close to you and can never have you.” He choked down his tears and bowed his head to hide his expression even as he doubted it could be seen in the half-dark surrounding them. Hara watched the wonderful male break down in front of him, and it hurt so bad, he was lost as what to do. There really wasn‟t an easy solution, especially because the last thing he‟d wanted was to scar Kamari‟s beautiful heart. Except for Orrin and Fai, Kamari was the person Hara cared the most for. He was Hara‟s best friend now, almost family, and hurting him felt almost as bad as hurting himself. Only this also carried the burden of guilt. How could he every repay Kamari for everything he had done for him? Even if he hadn‟t helped him save Orrin and Fai, Kamari had held him, cared for him, listened to him. Kamari had bought him only to

VALENTINA HEART 160 save him and give him his heart. There was nothing that could possibly repay such a thing. Denying him certainly wasn‟t repaying him, and it was something Hara‟s whole body screamed for him to do. He should have been thinking about Orrin and Fai, about all he felt for them. But that didn‟t make the situation between him and Kamari any better. Simply put, Hara was screwed no matter what he did. Hara climbed up on his knees, crawling to Kamari, touching the bright side of his hair even as he kissed the dark half. “How can that possibly help you? You will only know in detail that which you cannot have.” Kamari quickly lifted his head up, looking as if someone had given him the sun, but his eyes still glistened with tears. “Don‟t worry about that. I can handle it. It would be worse not to know. You mean so much to me, and I don‟t think I can part with you, even though I know I must. Maybe things will end badly between us, which would certainly make it easier.” Kamari smiled sadly, obviously not believing his own words but not giving up, either. Hara was both nervous and conflicted. Kamari was very handsome, one of the most beautiful men he‟d had in his bed. Even with the ever-present aura of danger surrounding Kamari, he was gorgeous, and as he‟d never been able to pick his lovers, Hara certainly felt the appeal. He‟d have to be blind not to, and even then he believed he would feel the same. Kamari was easily as beautiful on the inside as he was on the outside. There was no way around it. Hara owed him. For everything Kamari had done for him and for everything he was about to do. The man had never asked anything from him that wasn‟t as easy as breathing, and this one time, when he needed something, only Hara could give it to him. How could he possibly refuse? Hara knew that if he did, he would never be able to look himself in the mirror again. So he pulled Kamari over him, pressing his lips against Kamari‟s tender, two-toned lips, and pretended he was in a different world altogether. He sensed the shock and building passion in the other male, Kamari‟s hands suddenly holding him expertly, his tongue tracing his lips, teeth, and mouth. Just like he‟d said, Kamari wanted to taste and feel, and Kamari was getting his wish.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 161 Kamari couldn‟t believe it was happening. He had Hara in his arms, was holding him, touching that wonderful skin and hair, tracing the curve of his neck as he probed at the slits there. He could feel his arousal between Hara‟s legs, growing even though there had been no response in the body beneath him. Kamari wasn‟t sure how Hara‟s equipment worked, but he was more than willing to find out. Hara felt the touches and even responded to them after the first few loving caresses. He relaxed enough for his body to show what it hid, to flash those protected bits as Kamari removed his pants. He was pure sensation as he closed off his brain and thought only of one kiss against his skin and then the next. Kamari couldn‟t get enough as he traced the lines of Hara‟s body, that smooth stomach, and the unique cock that had been revealed from the pouch. He pressed his nose against all those delicate little tentacles, licking all around and sucking each one into his mouth as Hara writhed under his lips and hands. His fingers were already slippery and wet, and it felt natural to press them against the opening hiding just a bit lower. Licking his way up again, he took Hara in his mouth, sucking on that gorgeous, smooth penis until he felt Hara‟s strength wane and tasted all the goodness he‟d craved. Hara managed to push away all his thoughts of those he truly loved, but as his orgasm reached its peak, Hara didn‟t see Kamari‟s face before his eyes, but rather Orrin‟s and Fai‟s in that one moment of heated passion he best remembered them in. With his scream of release, his tears flowed as well, sliding down his cheeks like an uncontrollable flood. He felt like an ass and like a failure, not knowing who he‟d disappointed the most—the male still feasting between his legs or the guys patiently waiting for him at the other end of space. Feeling something was not right, Kamari crawled back up, and even as Hara tried to hide his wet face, Kamari noticed it. He knew what that meant, and he finally realized just how selfish he‟d been. There was no way he could force someone to feel something that just wasn‟t there. But even that wasn‟t the worst of it, as Kamari knew very well how Hara felt for his Teacher, and still Kamari was forcing him to betray that trust and take another man.

VALENTINA HEART 162 “It‟s okay. Calm down, Hara. You don‟t have to do anything. Just let me hold you, and tomorrow we‟ll see about saving your Teacher,” he whispered, desperately hoping for the tears to stop. Of course, that only made Hara cry harder. What would his Teacher, or Fai, for that matter, think of him now? He‟d cheated on them, and not only because it meant he could save them. He had done it because he‟d felt bad for Kamari. Kamari, whom he‟d now disappointed and left hanging. Hara was a failure as a slave, as a lover, and as a friend. On every level he‟d failed, and he wouldn‟t have been surprised if no one ever wanted him again. Maybe he should have been sold to some heartless prick who would have used him until he couldn‟t walk or stand straight. Someone who would have beaten him bloody and insulted him in his every waking moment. Hara was nothing but a disappointment for any owner and for every man who had ever thought Hara was someone worth loving. As inconsolable as Hara was, Kamari didn‟t feel much better himself. “Hush, little Hara. It‟s not the end of the world. Tomorrow is another day, and everything will seem brighter. You‟ll see,” he whispered as he petted the skin he‟d come to love. He was comforting Hara even when there was no one there to comfort him, even when he knew that tomorrow would look just as bleak as the moment he was in. He‟d lost that little hope he‟d had, he‟d given away his pride, and he‟d managed to burn his own heart. And why? Because he was a friend, and that was what friends did. They gave and they forgave.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 163 Chapter Seventeen

AFTER spiking the coffee with some of the sedatives used on the slaves, Orrin carried it casually to the surveillance room and put on a bright smile as he saw the bored guard sitting there, staring at the screens. “Oh, thank the Faiths! I‟m so glad someone is around. Here, take the coffee, drink it, throw it away, whatever you want. I have to meet Roan, and he‟s sure to have some remark about drinking and working. Best to avoid it. Thanks for the help.” He said it all in one breath and left the room, pretty certain that the guard wouldn‟t have any trouble drinking the coffee. Without stopping, he went to the slave‟s quarters, checking on the new ones, sharing a thought or two with almost all of them before going back to the surveillance room, where the guard was most likely already sleeping. Before the auction, Orrin‟s moves had been carefully monitored. Then, he never would have been able to sneak around as he now so freely did. Since the auction, Roan was so pleased with Orrin that he allowed him small freedoms, for which Orrin was never more grateful than in those moments when he was plotting against the man. He walked in carefully, thinking about another excuse he could throw out there in case the guard had decided to forgo the drink. But as it turned out, it was unnecessary—the guard was sprawled over his chair with his head thrown back, snoring loud enough to sound an alarm. Smiling to himself, Orrin went to the console he knew he had access to and started typing. His search for “Roan” gave no results, but not willing to just give up, Orrin searched for all the TRI Teachers

VALENTINA HEART 164 who‟d reached their status at a young age, not limiting the search to those who were still alive. Five names popped out, each accompanied by a picture. Both the men and the women were beautiful beyond belief, unusually young, and very recognizable by their bright purple eyes. Orrin had no trouble spotting Roan, only his real name was “Rohan,” and those purple eyes were even brighter than they were in the picture Fai had shown him. Taking a seat, Orrin started looking for details, from his birth into an average family to those teenage years when young Rohan‟s eyes were already edging toward purple. According to the information on the screen, he was barely twenty-four when he first met Mariana, the redheaded beauty from the photos, and had just turned twenty-five when Francesca, the brunette, walked into their lives. She was the one who had given birth to little Sammi only two years later, by which time Rohan already had his Teacher eyes and more wealth than was imaginable for someone so young. Rohan had found himself in the same league as old Teachers and had been on the council for interplanetary relations in the most war-torn part of space. Orrin read the praise the young Teacher acquired in his few years under the title. He even watched a few videos where Rohan gave speeches, encouraging those who had little and imploring those with a lot to be generous and kind. Surprisingly, Orrin had no trouble seeing the man Roan once was, a man with bright eyes and a kind smile. It only spurred him on to find the moment when everything went south. He didn‟t need to look for long, because soon enough, red warnings started to pop out on the screen, giving some clue of the brutality in the videos Orrin was about to play. However, not one of them prepared him for the explicit scenes that followed or the tragedy the man had lived through. It was a documentary made some twenty years ago about events that had shaken the very foundation of humankind and set the precedent for all future decisions and regulations. The narrator spoke of a treaty between two warring nations that was being mediated by the Teachers‟ Council. The nations had been arguing over fertile land that was

TEACHER PLUS TWO 165 already inhabited by one party and was desperately needed by the other. Both governments were ready for compromise, as wars only brought hunger and death to their people. But before a decision could be made, the farmers living on the land hired a gang of known kidnappers and assassins to take the family of one council member. Their goal was nothing but intimidation, as they wanted to keep the land where they‟d built their lives. Unfortunately, the kidnappers had other ideas. They took Rohan and his whole family and made a video that they later sent to all other members of the council. It was the video that sickened the nations and eventually led to the council being disbanded. What formed was the Reinforcement Unit, which, instead of negotiating, solved issues as quickly as possible. The video in question was flagged as containing gore, violence, and inhuman behavior. Still, Orrin disregarded the warning and ended up watching a horror no man should have been able to survive. Rohan was tied to a chair from which he could see his entire family. The kidnapper‟s race was unknown to Orrin, and he didn‟t much care either way. He focused on the events that had him puking in the waste hatch in the side wall in no time. He watched as the kidnappers carved into the flesh of those beautiful women. He watched as they cut off their limbs and raped their lifeless bodies. Rohan was forced to watch it all from his chair as he comforted his still-living child through his own barely controlled tears and sobs. Orrin saw the pain in every breath Rohan took, and as the lives of his companions were extinguished, Orrin saw the ripping of Rohan‟s soul and the darkening of his bright purple eyes. Rohan begged for their lives, promised fortunes and forgiveness. He almost severed his own limbs as he struggled from his bindings, but even through all the horror, Rohan had enough focus left for his child. Little Sammi was wet from head to toe, his blond hair all but invisible under the blood of his mothers, but Rohan gave the boy enough strength to keep his eyes closed and sing through the heartwrenching screams that echoed around them.

VALENTINA HEART 166 But the kidnappers were far from done, as they took the little one as well, killing him just a breath away from Rohan‟s face, splashing his eyes with the blood of his child. Unable to watch another second of the video, Orrin read the rest of the information he could find. He already knew what had caused the change in Rohan and how “Roan” had come to be. He didn‟t need the details or any more explanations. He was only surprised that the Teacher had survived the ordeal, although he supposed one man had died that day and given the world another. Orrin‟s assumption proved to be true, as the Teacher who‟d returned to the council had no emotions left for a smile, and his eyes were red, dead windows of agony. Contrary to the kidnappers‟ expectations, Rohan had ruled against the people who‟d hired them. He cut off the aid and communication they‟d had with Earth as well as with the Teachers. And then his revenge extended beyond legal limitations. He had formed a band of mercenaries, with whom he‟d killed all those who‟d had anything to do with the kidnapping of his family, and hunted the kidnappers themselves. That was all of the information Orrin could find, as all signs of a Teacher named Rohan stopped there. He was believed to be dead even though neither his body nor the mercenaries he‟d brought together had ever been seen or found. Orrin made his way out of there, despite the shock information had caused. Shutting himself in his room, he hoped to find a bit of peace before making his final move.

HARA felt like a miserable shit someone had placed on a pedestal. Kamari still treated him like the greatest treasure in space, and knowing that he hadn‟t done anything to deserve such treatment made him want to crumple up and die. But on the other hand, they were on a space transport filled with Kamari‟s guards and his small army of trusted fighters, heading toward Orrin and Fai. It was very hard not to be excited about that.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 167 Kamari still had trouble fighting his tears whenever Hara looked his way, whenever he thought about where exactly he was going. His hurt was more intense than any wound he‟d ever sustained, and the fact that he had willingly inflicted it upon himself made him feel partially insane. But he knew it was the right thing to do, and Kamari was a righteous Aribi who always did his race proud. “What will you do when we get there?” Hara had decided to ask the question despite being uncomfortable at any contact with Kamari. “I‟ll ask to speak with Roan. But if he doesn‟t comply with my demands, I‟ll use force.” Hara gasped. “That‟s dangerous. I don‟t want you to get hurt.” He‟d mumbled the first thing that came to mind only to blush after realizing what it was he‟d actually said. Kamari half smiled sadly. “Nothing is going to happen to me. I know every single detail of Roan‟s compound and his business. It wasn‟t my place to step on any toes, because this action will have major political repercussions. Roan is well connected, and numerous important males in our societies are his clients. That is why he‟s managed to slide through without getting caught. Those who are willing to bring him to justice can‟t get the information they need because it‟s not in their bosses‟ interest.” “Everyone knows we‟re being kidnapped and sold like cattle, and they don‟t care!” Hara screamed, remembering all the years he‟d spent in his previous master‟s bed, but the anger disappeared just as fast as it had come once he saw the shame clouding Kamari‟s face. It made Hara‟s heart ache fiercely to see him so distraught, and before he even knew what he was doing, he climbed his way into the bigger man‟s lap, pressing his cheek against the vast expanse of his chest and wrapping his arms around his neck. He could feel the long braids brushing his knuckles, and for once, holding in his tears, he found the courage to speak. “None of this is your fault. The kidnappings, my situation, or my past. You are a great male, a warrior through and through, but also a male of great beauty. I would be a fool not to see you as an opportunity, a chance, a gift that comes only once in a lifetime. I truly am an insufferable simpleton for letting you pass

VALENTINA HEART 168 me by.” Hara tightened his grip around that muscular neck, wishing for the words of encouragement Kamari so often freely offered, but also hoping to hear none in return so he would have the courage to go on. Suppressing the tears that too often came on their own these days, Kamari pulled Hara closer, engulfing him in the safety of his embrace, but he said nothing, as there was simply nothing to be said. Taking a deep breath, Hara continued, “But I do not possess enough heart to give. I‟ve already met my matches, and they took what was rightfully theirs the moment we parted. You, I will always see as a treasured friend. Someone I deeply respect, whom I trust, and who will always have my utmost confidence. I truly hope that our paths will cross again after this last adventure, because the only thing that would hurt almost as bad as losing the two pieces of my soul would be losing you.” Lowering his head down where he could brush his lips against the top of Hara‟s forehead, Kamari reveled in the scent he‟d come to know and cherish. “You will always have me, even when there is the vastness of space between us, my beloved friend.”

WITH the fight for his sanity his mind kept slowly losing reaching its end, Orrin knew he was out of time. It was now or never, and now seemed like a much better option. He knew the guards assigned to him by then, knew which ones were serious, unmoving, and ready to rat on him, and he knew those who were likely to look the other way or were easily bribed. Luck was on his side that morning, as no one stopped him or even spared him a glance while he slowly made his way toward his little lion. He didn‟t bother knocking once there, just slipped inside the room, startling both Fai and Ver. They looked at him wide-eyed, neither saying a word, so Orrin took the chance to speak himself. “It‟s time. Either we make our move now or all of this was for nothing. I can‟t hold on anymore.” His eyes were piercing and dangerous as he gave another order. “Turn on the shower.”

TEACHER PLUS TWO 169 Ver was only vaguely aware of Fai doing as he was told. He knew about the plans for escape, and while his loyalty had been to his master, the little chance at freedom he had almost forgotten existed was all the initiative he‟d needed to switch sides. His heart hurt as he thought about his master being alone without him and Tite to keep him fed, comfortable, and cared for. But he also wasn‟t stupid. He was human, after all, and with his eyes still blue, he wasn‟t getting any younger. It was only a matter of time before his Master found another to take his place. So he steeled his heart, not allowing any of the doubts he still had to plague him, and asked, “What‟s the plan? “There isn‟t much of one,” Orrin answered. “You have to go and get your friend as soon as you‟re sure Roan has left his quarters. Then go to the big hall and find a corner to hide. I will be there talking to him, trying to make him crack. Just make sure you stay out of sight, because if anything should happen to me, you will be stuck here, and the last thing you need is his wrath focused on you.” Fai whimpered as he heard those words. He wanted to scream and rant, beg Orrin not to take the risk, because Fai couldn‟t survive on his own. He couldn‟t survive losing one of the men who made his whole life. But he was also not stupid, and every day he felt the anguish filling Orrin‟s heart. There was simply no other way. Orrin noticed the pain in Fai‟s eyes, the worry and the fear. He knew how scared his Fai was and how much willpower it took for him to bite his tongue and keep quiet. Orrin was afraid of all the same things. He was aware of the danger and the risks better than anyone, but his options were nonexistent at that point, and he had to believe that they had a chance. “The Faiths will be on our side, little lion, believe in that with your whole heart,” Orrin whispered, his knuckles caressing Fai‟s tender cheek. “If I manage to provoke Roan enough, Lar will rush in there to protect and calm him, and he‟ll probably call some guards to help him as well. But he doesn‟t know just how powerful a delusional Teacher can be. I doubt Roan has had an episode since his family was killed. That will be our chance. With no one in the surveillance room and some of the guards running to the rescue, we will have our path cleared. From there we go straight to the landing docks, so be sure to wear

VALENTINA HEART 170 something warm. I‟ve checked out the evacuation plans, and there are some underground tunnels they use during storms. They were stupid to trust me that much. Do you know the way from there?” he asked Ver. But Ver shook his head, knowing only how to get there. “I only know how to reach the entrance, but it‟s usually guarded. You are in charge of the slaves, and that‟s the only reason they told you it even existed. If something had happened, you would have been responsible for the merchandise.” Ver spat out the last word, hating how low it made him feel. But Orrin only waved his hand slightly, disregarding the information. “The guards won‟t be a problem. I can also steer the ship once we reach it, but everyone on board will be a potential threat.” He stopped in thought before continuing. “I do have a solution for that, too, but there is no time right now. I will fill you in when we head there.” Orrin considered the situation, his mind already on the words he was likely to use with Roan, and with nothing else coming to mind, he finished, “That‟s it, I think. Take care of yourselves and hide. If he sees you, he will use you.” He then leaned down, scooping Fai up and holding him close to his chest. “I love you so deeply, little lion. Whatever happens, remember that, and be strong for me.” Orrin closed the distance between their lips, pouring all his affection into that last kiss. Fai licked and nipped and took that magic tongue in. The taste drove him insane, and just the thought that he might never taste it again was enough to make him grip those arms holding him and push forward, take what he wanted, feel what he needed. Orrin was his only anchor in a place where there was no opportunity for trust. Orrin was the man Fai wasn‟t ready to let go. But Orrin broke the kiss, a sad smile twisting his lips. “We will see each other again. Don‟t even think about taking this as a goodbye.” He set Fai down again, his forefinger touching those swollen, rosy lips. “I love you.” Both Fai and Ver watched as Orrin turned and left, Fai almost heartbroken but holding on to that thin thread of hope, while Ver reined in the envy and jealousy cutting through his chest. There was hope, and with hope might come their freedom.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 171 Chapter Eighteen

ORRIN walked into the big hall, a place still empty of all activity. He was nervous even though he hadn‟t thought he would be. There was no way to predict Roan‟s reactions. His only option was to improvise. Orrin knew Roan would be coming to the hall; it was something he did every day. He loved sitting on his throne, listening to his subordinates, and issuing commands. It was truly heaven for a man suffering from delusions of grandeur and power trips. Eying that throne did give Orrin an idea. Without hesitation, Orrin climbed up there, nestling himself into that seat as if he owned the whole compound. It was all in the attitude, he realized. Sitting there, as opposed to any other place in the room, didn‟t actually make much difference. So deep was he in his thoughts that he completely missed Roan‟s arrival until the man spoke. “Already feeling like a king, I see.” Orrin started at first, panic gripping his heart, but soon enough he got hold of himself and schooled his features into a mask of composure. He even managed to cross his legs nonchalantly and point an amused stare Roan‟s way. “No, actually. I was trying to see what could possibly be so alluring about this seat that you insist on taking it yourself every single day, Rohan.” The use of his real name was intentional, and Orrin realized that he was holding his breath without even meaning to. Roan‟s eyes clouded for a moment but then cleared as if the shadows had never existed there at all. “Have I neglected you so much that you have managed to forget my name?” He still sounded amused, and Orrin couldn‟t have that, even if amusement was better than anger. “It‟s not me who has forgotten, Rohan. I still remember my little blue Paanian with his unruly hair and

VALENTINA HEART 172 sharp tongue. Do you remember a certain dangerous smile and that fiery red hair?” Roan shook his head as a flash of red danced before his eyes. There was something, a fraction of a memory long lost, just out of his grasp. But only his curiosity urged him to explore, to remember, while every other part of him and every piece of his darkened soul screamed to let it be. “There is nothing to remember. All that sex has gotten to you. That happens when you refuse a master of the trade when he offers to warm your bed.” “How do you know you‟re a master of anything when you don‟t even know who you are?” Orrin said, anger edging his words. There was a lot he could take, but the casual mention of what he had been forced to do got to him. “I may be up for jokes and laughs, you ungrateful little shit, but that doesn‟t mean you can treat me however you please.” Roan‟s eyes darkened as he took a step closer. “You may be the boss around here, but I still feel nothing but contempt and hate toward you,” Orrin whispered even as he saw the beast waking in Roan, but just as Roan was about to close the distance between them, Orrin threw that photograph at his feet, stopping him in his tracks. Roan froze in place, looking at the four people in that photo, their smiles, and suddenly that memory wasn‟t a memory anymore, it became just as real as the breath he so urgently sucked in. “Hold him still, Rohan!” Mariana teased even as Rohan laughed at the squirming little Sammi in his arms. “Kiss him, Mariana. We have three more seconds,” Francesca said before gently touching Rohan’s chin and pressing her lips against his cheek. Mariana did the same, her fingers finding their way under his shirt, tickling softly but no less arousing because of it.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 173 “Look at the camera, Sammi,” Rohan whispered to the boy, the smile not leaving his face as he felt those he loved the most so close to him. The camera flashed, and all of them got in motion almost instantly, laughing as brightly as the sun shining on them. But as much as that flashback brought warmth to Roan‟s heart, it couldn‟t come even close to easing the pain of the memory that followed. “Don’t look, Sammi!” Francesca yelled through Mariana’s screams, even as men raped her repeatedly and Rohan cried through his pleas to spare their lives. There was so much dark red everywhere as Mariana stopped making sounds. The bursts of blood that reached Rohan’s exposed skin as they cut her were still warm, and even the constant worry for his son couldn’t distract him from the grief her death brought. His chest felt wide open, the tears a constant stream down his cheeks, and he could barely feel the blood seeping from his wrists as he struggled to break free of his bonds. Francesca had lost her voice, only an occasional moan or a sob leaving her pretty lips, and even through the shock of his pain, Rohan still continued his automatic mantra. “Keep your eyes closed, Sammi. Sing to Papa. Sing me that lullaby you love so much. Daddy needs to hear your sweet voice. Please sing to me, Sammi.” Sammi did sing, covered with blood as he cried through the verses, his tears choking him. Little Sammi listened to his papa and he didn’t dare disobey his mum. He kept his eyes closed even as Francesca was taken from them, even when one of the men took hold of his little chin and pressed the sharp edge of the blade against his throat…. He couldn‟t breathe. They were dead. All of them, and he still lived. He was supposed to be dead too. They should have killed him.

VALENTINA HEART 174 He wasn‟t man enough to protect them. His little sweet Sammi. Such a good boy, such a good son…. He couldn‟t save him, could do nothing but make him sing, tell him he loved him. Sammi had had to listen to his mums die, and all because Rohan had believed he was doing the right thing by helping other nations coexist in peace. They would still be alive if only he‟d said no when the council had offered him the position. They would have lived if only he hadn‟t been so selfish. His dear Francesca, who could warm up a room with just her smile, and Mariana, who instantly set fire to it and all those who found themselves within range. His soul had been ripped out of his chest, his heart cut and left in pieces, but he still lived. “Noooo!” Roan screamed as he grabbed at his head and sank to his knees. Orrin watched the man shake all over, his body trembling as he persistently shook his head from side to side. Only when he stepped closer did he realize that the Teacher was crying. Loud sobs struggled from his chest, but even through them, he whispered the names Orrin knew only as letters on a screen. He almost felt compassion, an urge to kneel down and pull Roan against his chest, but he knew there was no helping him anymore. So instead of lingering, he hurried, practically counting the steps toward the side room he knew Fai and others were hiding in. But just as he neared the door, he heard the unmistakable footsteps of the guards, and in a fluid, urgent motion, he changed course, hiding right next to the door so he could easily escape but where he wouldn‟t initially be seen. The door burst open with a bang, six guards following in Lar‟s footsteps as he instantly found his way to Roan‟s side. Orrin saw him whispering softly, trying to reach the broken Teacher, but as soon as he laid his palm on that still-trembling shoulder, all hell broke loose. Roan jumped to his feet, kicking Lar so hard he slid over the floor and stopped only when his head hit the wall. The others stood around, confused, looking at their boss as well as their commander, not knowing which one to help. But it soon became obvious, as Roan rushed them, rage and pain clearly visible on his tear-streaked face.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 175 “I‟ll kill you all, you scum!” he screamed, even then seeming elegant in his black attire, his blond hair dancing behind him. At first Orrin thought his performance would be something quite different considering the state the man was in, but Roan proved to be true to his status. The first rush might have been impulsive and forceful, but every single blow he lashed out with showed the Teacher training behind it: the casual way his limbs moved in both defense and attack, the way he ducked or stepped away from their every hit and still managed to inflict damage. His once-bloody eyes now almost glowed as he moved like an angel from hell, disabling all who stood in his way, most likely mistaking them for enemies long dead. More guards rushed into the room, and Orrin decided it was time to go. Sneaking behind them, he made his way to the place where Fai and the others were supposed to wait and found them almost at first glance. “Come on. We have to leave.” Fai was the first one to jump up and stand next to Orrin, his little hand gripping at Orrin‟s shirt as if it were a lifeline. Ver and Tite had never looked so scared before and were holding hands like lost children. While it might have seemed strange, it was also completely understandable—they had been slaves for so long, and even before that, they had been nothing but kidnapped kids thrust into a harsh situation. Orrin kept to the side of the hallway. He liked having Fai so close to him as long as he could have his hands unoccupied. He listened for the guards as he tried to remember the way to the tunnels, but just as he was about to head toward the stairs, the large door in front of them burst open. Fai started terribly, his grip on Orrin tightening even as he knew that was wrong. Orrin needed to be free to defend them. He, Ver, and Tite didn‟t know how to fight. But he couldn‟t quite let go, and he only peeked around Orrin‟s large frame to see the many males coming at them. Orrin saw right away that the soldiers weren‟t Roan‟s. While he didn‟t know exactly what that meant, he wasn‟t stupid enough not to

VALENTINA HEART 176 notice by how much they outnumbered him, so he lifted his hands up in the air as a sign of surrender and prayed to the Faiths that the little ones behind him understood enough to act the same. Kamari saw the soldiers in front of him stopping, and while they had orders to shoot only when shot at, he‟d expected them to know how to handle other situations that might arise. His whole body was covered with thin, close-fitting armor. He even had a specially designed helmet that allowed him complete use of his senses. But even without any of it, the Aribi were a warrior race, and if not for his status, he would have been in the lead of his little group. Pushing through them despite their disgruntled protests, Kamari found himself eye to eye with a Teacher, and not just any Teacher. This one was tall, his body well built and his features serious. Fatigue was obvious on his face, the pain and the fear in his eyes almost a living thing, but none of it took from his stunning beauty. Yes, the man was masculine and even rough, to a degree, painfully human but nonetheless simply gorgeous. Even without the vivid purple of those piercing eyes, Kamari would have known the man was a Teacher, and not an ordinary Teacher at that. Hara‟s Teacher. Even if nothing up to that point had been real, the heartbreak, the taste of rejection, at that moment became as clear as day, and what was worse, Kamari understood. Then he saw the fuzzy gray hair peeking from behind the Teacher, eyes the same color, and the unhidden fear in the little body. His hands were held up in the air, but he unconsciously leaned forward, molding his body to the Teacher‟s, and then a gray tail oh-so-unobtrusively sneaked around from the side and wrapped around the Teacher‟s thigh. The little one was simply terrified. “Where are Roan and the slaves?” Kamari asked the Teacher, needing the information to get them out of there as quickly as he could. Orrin was shocked by the deep but melodic voice. He regretted not being more involved with politics, because the man before him seemed important, like someone Orrin should have known. Still, he had others to think about, so he readily answered. “Roan is at the end of the compound, almost straight behind us. He‟s having a breakdown and doesn‟t know what he‟s doing. When we left, he was fighting his guards. The slaves are to the east, locked up under guard, not including

TEACHER PLUS TWO 177 the few who serve. They walk freely, but I imagine they are hiding right about now.” Kamari nodded even as he motioned with his hand for his guard to split up. They didn‟t need any verbal confirmation. They heard the Teacher and got the message, a third of them heading for Roan, a third toward the slaves, and the rest staying there to protect Kamari. “Come. We‟re leaving this place,” Kamari said as he turned and headed toward his ship. Ree was keeping an eye on Hara, and he imagined they all wanted to see each other as soon as possible. Orrin considered disobeying, but the hands that found their way to his shirt again and the tail that hovered close, wanting to wrap itself around something, made the decision for him. He wasn‟t planning on doing anything to endanger Fai. Besides, despite the fact that the twotoned male in front of them looked dangerous and angry, Orrin‟s instincts seemed to say he was not in any way bad. While it wasn‟t foolproof, it was better than nothing. Pulling Fai from behind him, Orrin wrapped his arm around little lion‟s shoulders and pulled him closer, feeling that tail around his waist and the soft trembling of his Fai. “Stay close, you two,” he whispered, barely turning around toward Ver and Tite. The walk took awhile, but eventually they found their way toward the large transport in the docking bay. It was a monstrosity that screamed money, and Orrin was almost afraid to think about what that meant. The possibility of the male being just another slave trader was very strong, and that didn‟t sit well with Orrin. Better the devil you know and all that…. Even before stepping on the ramp leading inside his transport, Kamari could see Hara pacing impatiently behind the ever-smiling Ree. He imagined the two others didn‟t feel his presence because of the trepidation they felt. It was obvious Hara already knew they were there, feeling them even more intensely than he did while they were light years away. Nodding discreetly, Kamari gave Ree the sign, and the male stepped to the side, releasing the fury of emotion. All Kamari

VALENTINA HEART 178 could see was the bluish flash passing next to him as Hara rushed forward and jumped into the Teacher‟s arms. Hara jumped at Orrin, his legs wrapping around the Teacher‟s waist, gripping him hard enough to make him gasp. Even though Hara felt the kiss deep into his soul, he still managed to break away and bend his body impossibly low so he could place his lips against those of his fuzzy little lover. Fai felt the sweetness of that kiss, the desire, the longing, the overwhelming relief. It was all jumbled into one big ball of emotion that passed through him like the heat of a blazing sun, but all too soon those lips broke away and the questions started pouring out. “Are you all right?” Hara‟s hands touched his face, his scalp, his neck, even checking behind his ears. “Did they do anything to you? I‟ll kill them, I swear! Kamari will kill them for me!” Fai heard the two men in front of them chuckle, but none of it stopped Hara. “Show me your tail, is the fur still there? Did they cut you? Hit you?” He continued with his frantic interrogation, almost bending in half even as his legs stayed firmly wrapped around Orrin‟s waist. Orrin watched as Hara touched every inch of Fai, and he might have felt jealous that Hara wasn‟t checking him over the same way if not for the way Hara gripped him, how he pressed and rubbed his body against him almost in the same way his hands touched Fai. He wanted to make sure both Orrin and Fai were okay, and Orrin couldn‟t blame him. Wrapping his own hands around the blue body, he pulled Hara upward, looking into those wide and worried eyes. “Are you all right, Hara?” That stopped the questions instantly, and Hara really looked at Orrin for the first time just before bursting into tears. He wrapped his arms around Orrin‟s neck and sobbed against him, even as he found all the comfort he had lacked while being away from those loving arms. Orrin extended one hand behind him, taking Fai‟s little palm and pulling his little lion against them, and just like he knew would happen, Fai took the invitation, not needing to be asked twice.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 179 Climbing up on Orrin‟s calves, Fai hugged up against Orrin‟s back, the soles of his feet planted on the hipbones holding his weight as he spread his knees and squeezed Orrin‟s sides with his thighs. He could easily reach Hara over Orrin‟s shoulder, pressing his forehead against the blue one and wrapping his tail around both Hara and Orrin as he brought them together. Kamari watched the emotional display and knew there was no place for him there. The Teacher so easily held both of his males, never once flinching under the weight or stopping his comforting of Hara, who was obviously the most affected of the three. Kamari supposed the other two had seen each other occasionally, while Hara had been taken away and had no one other than Kamari. It made him feel like a bastard, especially because he had kept Hara with him for so long instead of taking him where he belonged as soon as he found out about the Teacher. “Do not berate yourself, Master Kamari. He is where he belongs now, but on that journey, both of you gained a loyal friend. I do not think he would want to change that,” Ree said softly next to him. Kamari sighed as he watched the passionate kisses being exchanged. “You are right, of course. I will eventually come to terms with it. Shall we take them to their rooms? I imagine they have a lot of catching up to do.” With that, he turned and walked deeper inside his transport, silently dealing with the notion that Hara would never again find his way to his quarters or share his bed.

VALENTINA HEART 180 Chapter Nineteen

IT WAS strange for Hara to be carried through the transport he knew, especially when it was obvious that he wasn‟t heading toward Kamari‟s quarters, where he‟d previously stayed. He tightened his grip around Orrin‟s neck and felt Fai‟s fingers as they ghosted over his thigh. “What shall we do with your other guests, young Master?” Ree asked, and Hara wasn‟t sure what startled him more, the notion that someone else was even there or the title by which Ree addressed him. Lifting his head off Orrin‟s shoulder, Hara noticed two other men trailing behind his lovers and him for the first time, but before he could even speak, Fai‟s tail wrapped around his forearm and pulled him down. “They should stay together. They are friends,” he whispered softly against Hara‟s ear, casting fearful glances Ree‟s way. “Can you place them together in the room next to ours?” Hara asked, not at all feeling comfortable with his own sudden importance. “Very well, young Master.” Ree kept on smiling as he led them to one of the smaller but equally luxurious rooms. Kamari spared nothing when it came to comfort, and Hara gave a small half-sad smile. Fai stopped to hug both Ver and Tite, and despite not being sure what was to come, he had hope enough to comfort them. “Go take a bath, maybe sleep. All will be well—we are free now.” He felt the desperation and the fear of the unknown in their touches, but he knew that they would be alright. “Fai, come,” Hara called as Orrin lowered him down on the bed. Fai gave another smile and went to join his lovers, feeling a deep contentment settle in his bones.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 181 For a moment they just stared at each other, barely an arm‟s length away from one another, but it was a distance none of them was able to cross. The bond between them flared to life, strong as if it had had years to strengthen instead of only a few months. The distance had made it happen, the difficulties in their lives and the desperate need each had felt for the other two. Each one of them had needed the others to help with his own troubles, and the bond had stretched and stretched, needing to make the connection between them, needing to make three parts into one whole again. Now that they were together, all the secrets came out: Fai‟s inability to protect Orrin, to do anything more than hold him once a week, to be his lifeline when Orrin failed to see the light. His helplessness at Hara‟s situation, how the bond barely worked between just the two of them, and that Fai couldn‟t even be there to comfort him in his times of need. Hara‟s shame at his weakness and the hurt he had inflicted upon Kamari, the way he almost gave himself and betrayed the trust given to him by both Orrin and Fai. But most of all, Orrin‟s deep shame and guilt for his actions, his choices, even though he was ready to admit that he would make those same choices over again if he was given another chance. Still, the feeling of worthlessness was so profound his shields couldn‟t keep it away from Fai and Hara. That was the reason why they all came together, a jumble of limbs and caresses. They needed each other, and they all felt as if they‟d wronged the others. But even if that were the case, there was room for forgiveness, and with each of them seeing his transgression as the worst, there wasn‟t much room left for debate. “We understand why you did what you did. The words are not needed between us, and neither of us will ever blame you for keeping us alive,” Hara whispered against Orrin‟s ear as he hugged him, and Orrin couldn‟t fail to notice Fai nodding behind him. But those soft whispers soon turned into licks and kisses, and there was no one more grateful for it than Orrin. Fai felt his groin stirring at the sight, his mind having no more issues with forcing the blood in the right direction. Hara and Orrin

VALENTINA HEART 182 looked beautiful together, but they would look even better naked. Hara was sitting in Orrin‟s lap, kissing his neck and chin, while Orrin was pressing his fingers into those soft ass cheeks. Without any hesitation, Fai pushed his fingers beneath Hara‟s shirt, feeling that smooth skin, and reached forward to unzip it. Hara was burning up, his usually cool skin heating as those sets of fingers did their magic. He was losing clothes and he could not have cared less, especially when he felt Orrin‟s teeth and lips against his and that boiling passion beneath the playful teasing. His back bowed when Fai‟s lips traced his spine, those wicked fingers dipping into his crack. It seemed like in the time it took him to blink, Orrin had two naked males in front of him, touching, rubbing, both so different but equally beautiful. Fai had no reserve anymore, his lips doing what they wanted, his fingers reaching for Hara‟s pouch, and even though Orrin saw that first pause when he found no cock there, Fai recovered awfully fast. He started rubbing in a circular motion, asking nicely for those interesting bits to come out and play. Hara was panting under the assault, Orrin‟s fingers pinching his sensitive nipples, Fai sucking at his side while his fingers rubbed, and with a gasp, he felt his pouch recede as his cock pushed out. But he didn‟t get a break. Those hot fingers grasped his length, moving up and down, teasing the tip, and then Orrin‟s hand joined Fai‟s, circling his ball gently, forcing short, breathless gasps from Hara. He felt his orgasm approaching, his ball being one of the most sensitive places on his body, and Orrin never stopped touching him, spreading his fingers to feel the thin tentacles but pressing the heel of his palm against the round shape of his ball. Fai sensed when it got too much by the cramping of Hara‟s body, the way his knuckles turned white as he gripped Orrin‟s forearms, the pulsing of the penis in his hand, and finally the scream that left Hara‟s lungs. Not hesitating one bit, he pushed his head under Hara‟s arm, sipping at the release that meant more than a simple moment of pleasure. Orrin pushed himself backward, using his thighs and feet to move up on the bed without letting go of Hara. He loved the feel of him in his arms, something he‟d craved for too long. The friction of their skin was

TEACHER PLUS TWO 183 enough to keep his erection stiff and aching, and combined with all the other sensations, Orrin was just about to come. “Fai, please find something to prepare us,” he said while his fingers found their way to Hara‟s tight little hole. “Nightstand,” Hara mumbled, coming back to the land of the living. Fai all but ran to the side, opening drawers and chanting quietly, “Lube, lube, lube….” He almost exclaimed in delight once he managed to find an unopened bottle. Orrin pulled Hara farther up his body, bringing that flaccid cock closer to his mouth even as he lifted his knees up in the air and opened himself for Fai‟s fingers. Fai thought about it for all of a few seconds before coating his fingers and pressing them against Orrin‟s opening. He knew what Orrin liked by then, the feel of those muscles as they swallowed one finger then the next. He knew the sounds Orrin made as he was filled and the way he liked it just a bit rougher at times. Still, despite his experience, his desire was just as intense, and he lowered his head to those pulledup balls and started licking teasingly. Hara sensed the change as Orrin stiffened around him, his sucking becoming more frantic and his touch rough. Hara‟s tentacles were pulled and pinched, his ball tickled and his cock stiff once again as Orrin drew the tip into his mouth tirelessly. Turning around even when he could barely keep his eyes open from the pleasure, Hara felt his jaw drop at the sight of his beautiful Fai between Orrin‟s legs. He groaned, knowing that he could not hold on any longer, when Orrin stopped and pushed him down. “Now, Hara. Fai, show him what you can do with your tongue.” Orrin smiled wickedly, his fingers wrapping around his own rock-hard erection as he enjoyed the sight. Fai didn‟t wait, his penis jumping between his legs as he lunged forward. Hara was different even at that place, his little hole darker than his skin but not any less tempting. Fai licked around, letting Hara‟s hips circle in place and push back. He bit the cheeks, growling a

VALENTINA HEART 184 little, letting his fangs be felt before he pushed his tongue into the hot center and made Hara scream. Fai‟s tongue inside him was something Hara had never expected to feel, but just how exquisite the feeling was, mere words could never explain. He was so close to coming, watching Orrin‟s passion-filled eyes, feeling the brush of his knuckles on his skin as Orrin pumped his own cock, burning at the feel of that pretty little tongue in his aching hole. “Your fingers, little lion,” Orrin gasped, and instantly that tongue was replaced by pushy little fingers that teased and stretched, playing with Hara‟s magic button but always retreating too soon. Hara was half-crazy by the time he felt slick fingers on his cock and the tip of an erection nudging at his backside. “Now fuck me, Hara. Show me what I‟ve been missing,” Orrin whispered as he pulled Hara‟s hips against him. It was the last thing Hara had expected for Orrin to offer himself so freely and excitedly. The man was in charge of them. That much was obvious just from the way he talked and always placed himself in front of them, and no man in charge ever wanted to be fucked. Hara faltered, confusion mingling with the ingrained instinct to obey orders. Fai sensed the sudden stiffness in Hara, the way he just froze, his head raised and pointed forward, as if he were waiting for Orrin to explain his desires. Fai was new to the pleasures of the body, but what he did know so very intimately was Orrin, and when the human wanted something, he pretty much made it happen, especially in bed. Even if Hara‟s reluctance came from inexperience, Fai didn‟t see a problem. Orrin was always understanding and patient, and once you felt those powerful muscles around your penis, everything else pretty much took care of itself. So he leaned forward, careful not to press deeper into Hara‟s body, and whispered, “Orrin likes it. He moans prettily, and his chest blushes just before he comes. But the feeling when you first enter him is like watching stars late at night. There is no sound, thoughts, or anything, really, other than the flashes of pleasure in front of your eyes.” Hara moaned at the soft words, forgetting what he was even thinking when long fingers wrapped around his cock and pressed the tip

TEACHER PLUS TWO 185 against the tight ring of quivering muscle. After that everything melted into hot, sweaty, mind-blowing pleasure. Orrin loved the feel of a cock inside him, the way it rubbed just right, glided deliciously, and being able to see both Hara, who was fucking him relentlessly now, and Fai behind him, with his hair wet from sweat and lips slightly parted, pushed him to his limits. They moved in a perfect dance of sliding limbs and fleeting kisses. Hara‟s lips were almost glued to Orrin‟s as he sipped from that fountain of security, pushing away the tears that threatened to fall, nearing completion with every single thrust. Fai licked Hara‟s spine, his hands gripping Orrin‟s hips as he pushed forward, entering Hara but also forcing him into Orrin. Hara was the first to slump forward, his body relaxing after a screamworthy orgasm that filled Orrin‟s insides and made the man slip from the edge of his own restraint. Fai felt the muscles constricting around him, pulling the seed from his balls, and he sped up, thrusting harder and faster—just a few more strokes—before he finished and dropped over the bodies beneath him. Hara moaned as he felt the weight on his back. It was wonderful, on one hand, feeling so protected and loved, but at the same time it pressed him against the spunk still resting on Orrin‟s body. Orrin chuckled, petting both of his lovers with gentle touches, feeling the closest to his old self as he‟d ever hoped to feel. “Come on, off you go. I want to hold you before you crash.” Now Fai moaned also, way too tired to move, but Hara was stirring beneath him, and he had no choice but to slip from the Paanian‟s warm body, kiss his sweaty ass cheek, and drop next to Orrin. Hara was slower to move, his body still feeling all the touches it had experienced, and he groaned as he left Orrin‟s body. It had been such an amazing experience, Hara knew he could easily go without sex from that moment on and feed off the memory. “I love you,” Orrin said as he placed a kiss against both sets of lips.

VALENTINA HEART 186 They echoed his words, squirming as they tried to get as close as they could to his warm flesh. “Don‟t get too comfortable. I plan on doing this at least twice more tonight,” Orrin joked, not wanting to just drift away to the kingdom of dreams. Dreams were not his friends these days. Fai stated the obvious. “You‟re always the first one to fall asleep.” Every time he‟d shared Orrin‟s bed in the past few months, the man had barely said “I love you” before going limp. “Hush, you. This is serious,” Orrin scolded jokingly, making Hara chuckle against him. “Where will we go now?” Fai asked suddenly, concern making his chest ache even when he wasn‟t really sure what he wanted. “Kamari will take us wherever we wish to go,” Hara whispered, sorrow instantly slipping into his voice, at which point Orrin hugged him closer, understanding the distress and wishing it away. “How do you feel about going to Matti?” Fai‟s head popped up as he heard Orrin‟s words, an expectant and wishful smile playing on his lips. “Yes, little lion. I was planning on investing there, making a home for us. Somewhere far from civilization, if possible.” “You would take us to the woods?” Fai climbed to his knees, excited by the very prospect. Orrin laughed. “Yes, I would. But it should be near a lake. Do you have lakes on your planet?” “Yes! Yes!” Fai actually bounced on the bed, his small hands clapping as he thought about it. “There‟s lots of lakes on Matti. Only the eldest among us live there anymore.” “How about you, Hara? Would you like that?” Orrin pressed his nose below Hara‟s ear. “My home is where you two are,” Hara said simply, reaching for Fai‟s hand and pulling him into a kiss. “Come, Fai, cuddle in and tell us what it is like to live on Matti,” Orrin said with a smile.

TEACHER PLUS TWO 187 Fai dropped down again, a smile lighting up his face as he remembered his home. “Oh, it is so wonderful among the trees. They were tall in my section, with houses built even high among the strong branches. We live together with nature, building around it without destroying or ruining the natural lines of the forest. There are no young ones on Matti anymore, and there haven‟t been for many years, but I remember when I was just a child how we used to climb those trees, running after each other and hanging upside down for the simple enjoyment of it.” Hara took hold of the flicking tail, and a purr sounded from Fai‟s chest, making him pause in his story, but only for a few seconds. “You will love it just as much as I do. Mattians are friendly. Terribly shy, but innocent, much like I was when you first met me. I imagine I resembled more a human child than what you would call an experienced elder. We are helpful and generous, and we give guidance when needed. But we are not ready for the world I was introduced to on this journey.” “What do you mean, experienced elder?” Hara asked absently, almost lulled to sleep by the sound of Fai‟s voice. “Elder by your standards, not those of Matti. I am one of the last who were born, but I‟m eighty-four years old.” Fai smiled. Hara jumped up, his eyes suddenly wide open. “You‟re an old fart!” Orrin burst into laughter. He had already known Fai‟s age but was unprepared for Hara‟s reaction. Fai looked at Orrin, confusion apparent on his face. “What does that mean?” Orrin pulled him down, still chuckling to himself. “It just means that he thinks you‟re old, little lion. Tell him how long Mattians live.” He pushed his fingers through the fuzzy gray hair. “Five hundred years or so. Each of us is different, but it is not uncommon to live that long.” Fai was still confused by Hara‟s reaction. Doing the math, Hara decided that the difference wasn‟t all that great considering the circumstances, but it was still a shock. Fai looked nothing like an older citizen, not to mention how far he acted from it. “So what status do you have on your planet?”

VALENTINA HEART 188 “I‟m barely more than a child.” Fai smiled and blushed. “Well, not when it comes to my body. That matures at much the same pace as a human‟s, but in my culture, I should have still been living with my parents.” “You mean you‟re not?” Hara‟s curiosity was piqued. “No. I moved a couple of years ago. It was convenient to live in the city when I worked there. But it was hard. Mattians usually spend their first hundred or hundred and fifty years with their family. We‟re very affectionate as long as the clothes stay on.” Fai laughed as he looked down at his naked body. Orrin yawned, blinking rapidly as he tried to stay awake. “Should we expect any problems considering our races or the fact that we are all males?” “Oh, no. I imagine no one will even have an idea what we do in bed together.” Fai laughed sweetly again. “I know I never would have. You might get a few curious looks because of your appearance, but no one would be bold enough to approach you and ask questions.” “Sounds perfect,” Hara mumbled, his eyes closed and his mind halfway to his dreams. Orrin chuckled, looking at both his lovers affectionately. “We should get some sleep. All of that will wait another day. The important thing is that we are together, and nothing will break us apart again.” Fai leaned forward and kissed his brave man, wishing they were in their home already, safe in the woods and free to do as they pleased. “Gimme a kiss,” Hara mumbled, not even trying to pretend to be awake and aware anymore. Fai laughed quietly and placed another one of those loving kisses against those dark pouty lips. “Tomorrow our new life begins,” Orrin said dreamily. “And our past stays in the past,” Fai added, cuddling closer to the other two. “Shut up and sleep already!” Hara snapped halfheartedly, but eventually he added, “I love you guys.”

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About the Author

VALENTINA HEART lives in Split, Croatia, a little tourist town by the sea, and has been writing for years for a small group of Internet fans. Much like reading or painting, it was nothing more than a hobby until she discovered the wonderful world of man love and found that she had a lot to say on the subject. In her free time, she enjoys free climbing, long walks by the sea, and yoga.