The Wrong Path

The Wrong Path

By Stevie Woods

He lay as still as he could, afraid to disturb the carriage where it lay across him. Zeke knew he was extremely lucky to be alive; he was trapped under the remains of his conveyance, but miraculously he was virtually unhurt. He had been lying there for what seemed like hours, but, as he couldn’t move his right arm to check his chronometer, he didn’t know how long he had really been there in the middle of nowhere. He attempted again to move the weight from off his body, putting all his strength into the A Torquere Press Sip - 1

thought, but he was too weak to move such a large item on his own. He tried to keep his spirits up, but it was growing colder and the light was fast dying. If help didn’t come soon it was possible that he could die out here during the night. Ruefully, he thought perhaps he should have taken his father’s advice and traveled with at least a manservant (as he refused to arrive with a retinue), but he had always been stubborn. His father’s idea of their position in society galled him at the best of times and, for this occasion, he’d flatly refused to flaunt it. Instead he decided to take the light Cabriolet with only his luggage for company. Stubborn pride, his father had said and for once he couldn’t disagree; perhaps this time he would pay a high price for it. As if in answer to his silent prayers, a wash of light spread over the area, then faded, only to appear again a few seconds later. Zeke tried to turn his head towards the road behind him, but he couldn’t see properly. “Gods, please let them see the carriage, let them find me,” Zeke whispered. *** Even as Crispin snapped the reins to make his horse move faster, he smiled, realizing it didn’t matter what time he got to the cottage, there was no one he had to account to for his time. He’d put up with Simeon’s demands far longer than he should have, and now he only felt relief that their...thing was over. He used to call it a relationship, but he’d known for a while that whatever it was he had gone through with Simeon hadn’t been a true relationship. He’d never let A Torquere Press Sip - 2

himself get taken in like that again. Free and easy - that was the future Crispin Valoir wanted now. As his Cabriolet moved deeper in the forest, night was falling fast and he absently called up a light to ease his way. As the winding road through the trees turned a sharp bend, he saw something up ahead. He frowned, trying to make out exactly what it was, and his eyes widened as he recognized an overturned carriage. It looked like maybe another Cabriolet, but he couldn’t be certain from the angle at which it was lying. Damnation! What the hell happened here? Crispin pulled over to the side of the road, directly behind the vehicle. He took a quick look at the fallen horse, but it was obvious the animal’s neck was broken. It was then he thought he heard a faint cry. Moving swiftly into the darkness behind the conveyance, Crispin silently called his light closer and a little brighter. “Please?” a voice begged. “I can’t move.” Crispin saw a man laying there, the lower half of his body hidden under the carriage, obvious relief on the man’s face. “Are you hurt badly?” Crispin said, kneeling at the man’s side. “No, I don’t think so, but I can’t get free. The carriage is too heavy for me to move on my own. I did try and I think I only made matters worse,” the man said with a rueful expression.

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“Let me try.” Crispin closed his eyes and concentrated on the form of the carriage, seeing it in his mind’s eye. It was indeed a Cabriolet and Crispin was fairly confident he’d be able to lift it enough to free the man. “No, wait!” the man cried after a couple of seconds, panting heavily. Opening his eyes, Crispin said, “What’s wrong? You didn’t give me enough time.” “I felt it begin to move, but it slid to the side, dragging my trapped leg with it.” “I hurt you?” Crispin was mortified; he hadn’t believed the carriage was that heavy and hadn’t considered that this action might cause the man more distress. “It’s all right; you couldn’t help it. I’m grateful that you tried.” The man frowned for a moment. “Perhaps we can do it together?” Crispin stared at the man, noticing for the first time how attractive his features were. He shook his head to clear such intrusive thoughts and took a calming breath. “Yes, of course. First, tell me your name, I’m sorry I forgot to ask. I’m Crispin, Crispin Valoir.” The man barked a laugh, sounding a little desperate. “Ezekial Van Zant, but my friends call me Zeke. Pleased to meet you, Crispin, though I could wish for better circumstances.” Crispin smiled at Zeke, allowing himself to really look at the man now. Crispin couldn’t judge the stranger’s height A Torquere Press Sip - 4

accurately, but he guessed that Zeke was about Crispin’s own height of six feet though Zeke’s build looked a little heavier. In the flickering light, Zeke’s light brown hair appeared streaked with dark gold that was very attractive. Eyes of an appealing hazel were twinkling as Zeke stared back at him and Crispin suddenly flicked his eyes to Zeke’s mouth, to find the man was grinning up at him and Crispin abruptly wondered if Zeke was also a telepath who knew exactly what he was thinking. Then he dismissed that - if Zeke were a true telepath, by the gods, he would never invade Crispin’s mind without permission. No, more likely Zeke was simply reading his aura as Crispin was Zeke’s. Crispin decided he liked very much what he sensed. “You look satisfied with what you see,” Zeke commented, the grin faded but still evident. Blushing a little, Crispin smiled back. “Yes, I am. I feel very comfortable in your presence.” He sounded almost surprised as he spoke and he held Zeke’s gaze again, before adding, “Shall we?” “Oh, yes, please,” Zeke sighed with relief. Crispin closed his eyes knowing that Zeke would be doing the same, concentrating on the centering of thoughts, and then seeking for the sense of the other person so they would be able to attract each other’s power and combine them. At first Crispin felt calm, simply sensing the rising energy of the other man, until the surge hit him all at once. In that instant he realized that Zeke’s power was strong, possibly stronger than his. He reached for the force, merging it with his own, and warmth flowed through him as they fully connected. Without the need for a conscious decision, A Torquere Press Sip - 5

together they lifted the heavy object, discarding it as if was no more than a feather on the wind. Opening his eyes, Crispin saw the upturned carriage lying on its side more than six feet away from Zeke, boxes of luggage scattered around. Crispin understood now; he hadn’t accounted for whatever else the vehicle might be carrying. Crispin heard Zeke gasping and his eyes snapped open to meet Crispin’s and he looked as surprised as Crispin felt. Crispin wondered now that the connection was broken, if Zeke felt as bereft as he did. *** Zeke had never felt such a connection with another person before. It was true that he hadn’t often joined his power with another, but, on the few occasions he had, it had never been anything like that. He supposed it could be because he had been in such need, yet, by the gods, he didn’t quite believe that. The feeling had been so deep, so all encompassing. Or was he over-reacting, his desperation emphasizing his emotions? His skill at reading emotions sometimes made it difficult to judge his own. He glanced at the man who had rescued him, to find Crispin was staring at him intently. Then all at once Crispin rushed over to kneel by his side. Zeke felt his face heat up as he only just realized he was still lying on the ground; he hadn’t even attempted to move even though he was now free.

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Crispin began to run his hands over Zeke’s legs, feeling for any damage. “You’re sure you’re not hurt? That thing was damned heavy; perhaps you didn’t realize before that you had been injured?” Embarrassed by how much he liked the feel of Crispin’s hands on him, Zeke pushed himself to a sitting position. “No, its weight wasn’t resting on me; it was just the lay of the land that meant I couldn’t get my legs out. They feel stiff and numb, probably just from lying here all that time.” As he spoke Zeke tried to get up but found his legs were not only stiff but felt as if they wouldn’t obey him and then suddenly painful pins and needles danced up and down his legs. “Curse it!” “Come on, let me help,” Crispin said, pulling one of Zeke’s arms over his shoulder, then grabbing hold of him around his waist Crispin helped Zeke onto his feet. “Thank you,” Zeke said a little breathlessly, still having to lean against Crispin as he shook his legs out to help get the circulation moving again. “I’m on my way to my cottage just a few miles further on. You are very welcome to come with me and rest up till morning.” Crispin smiled and Zeke thought he liked the way that made the man's eyes crinkle. Then, before Zeke could answer, Crispin suddenly added, “I mean, unless, if you want, I can call for help and get someone to come from the nearest town and take you to a healer there, just to make sure?” “I would very much like to go to your cottage, if it’s not too much trouble. As I said I’m not really hurt, I don’t need a A Torquere Press Sip - 7

healer and I can make arrangements to leave you in peace in the morning.” Zeke smiled, reluctantly moving away from the encompassing warmth of Crispin’s arms. He decided he was fascinated with Crispin too. *** It wasn’t long before Crispin was showing Zeke into his cottage. The small but comfortable house had been in his family for generations, a kind of getaway from the pressure of the busy city. He hadn’t used it very much for the last few years, not really since his parents had passed, and even less since he had been with Simeon - who had literally shuddered at the idea of spending time in what he termed 'the wilds'. “This is very pleasant,” Zeke commented, dragging Crispin’s thoughts away from his ex-partner. “Thank you, yes it is,” Crispin said - a slight note of surprise in his voice, causing Zeke to raise an eyebrow in question and give a sheepish smile, “It has been some time since I visited, and I’d forgotten how much I liked it up here. Simeon liked the city too much and I let him talk me out of coming. Well, no more,” he added firmly. “Please, sit and I’ll make us a warm drink. Perhaps some Limess tea? It will ease any residual aches and help you relax.” “Limess tea will be fine, thank you,” Zeke sat on the sofa facing the fireplace. “Could you light the fire? I’m still feeling a little cold and manipulating fire is not one of my skills.” “Of course, I should’ve realized.” Crispin sent a tiny ball of light towards the coals set in the fireplace and soon A Torquere Press Sip - 8

flames were rising, adding to the comfortable ambience of the room. In a remarkably short time, the two men were sitting side by side, sipping their tea, staring into the flickering flames. Zeke told Crispin how he came to be trapped under his conveyance. Dusk was falling and Zeke was already late. He didn’t particularly want this meeting but his manners precluded tardiness. He wished he knew the area better, but he had been assured that this unfamiliar road was a short cut to Mariton, so Zeke decided to risk it. He thought he was making good time when suddenly some kind of small animal darted across the road, startling his horse which reared on his hind legs before promptly bolting, leaving Zeke fighting to halt the runaway. “I’m not entirely sure what happened after that,” Zeke explained, “but the next time I was clearly aware, I found myself on the ground under my carriage with Atlas dead in the traces.” “Shortcut to Mariton?” Crispin queried, puzzled. “That road doesn’t go to Mariton at all. If anything, it takes you farther away from the town. Who told you it was a shortcut?” “Oh well, it doesn’t matter I…” “It does matter if it was done maliciously. There must be a reason. Were you going to Mariton on important business?” Immediately when he spoke Crispin realized he had no right to ask such personal questions, but before he A Torquere Press Sip - 9

could apologize and withdraw the remark, Zeke frowned and answered. “Well, not exactly business. I was on my way there to meet a prospective partner. My family arranged the meeting; it would be beneficial for us.” “You don’t sound very enthusiastic.” He didn’t approve of arranged marriages, but they still took place in the nobility and… whoa! “Wait, does that mean you are nobility?” Zeke laughed. “Well, my family would like to think of us like that, but no, we’re in commerce. You have not heard of the Van Zant Foundation?” Zeke cocked his head to one side, regarding Crispin steadily. “Hell, yeah.” Shrugging, Crispin added, “I just didn’t put two and two together. Gods, you must be worth a fortune.” “Not me, my parents,” Zeke smiled. “And if they have their way I’ll marry more.” “Who is she?” “Not a she,” Zeke admitted, flashing a quick look at Crispin. “My father finally gave up trying to convince himself that I would take a female, and then made it sound as if it fit in perfectly with his plans when he discovered that Pergrill’s heir is into men.” He looked up then, meeting Crispin’s eyes again, obviously gauging his reaction. “Typical. My mother tried to fix me up with guys all the time once she knew I wasn’t into females,” Crispin grinned. A Torquere Press Sip - 10

Zeke smiled broadly, “You understand then.” Then his smile faded a little. “So, you have a partner. Simeon?” Crispin shrugged, “I did until twelve hours ago when I walked out on what he called a relationship. It wasn’t my idea of a partnership; he didn’t believe in fifty-fifty, I got thirty if I was lucky and when he could spare the time.” “Oh, I’m sorry. Had you been together long?” “Three years.” “Oh. It must have been hard for you. To end it I mean.” “It was hard putting up with his crap; I should have done it a damn sight sooner. I kept thinking it would get better, that Simeon would see…” Crispin stopped. What was he doing? Telling Zeke about his relationship problems, gods! He needed to change the subject quickly. “Still wondering why someone tried to stop you getting to Mariton, though it is none of my business. I suppose you’ll need to find another way to get there now, though.” “I don’t think so,” Zeke said firmly, surprising him. “I am a firm believer in the will of the gods. I wasn’t meant to get to Mariton; I was meant to meet you.” “What?” “Don’t tell me you don’t feel it too?” Zeke was wide-eyed. Crispin stared at Zeke, caught by his direct gaze, blinked and slowly said, “I can’t. I felt something the first time I looked into your eyes.” A Torquere Press Sip - 11

Zeke sighed and nodded, a slight smile touching his lips. Crispin continued, his voice low, “And when I sought you out to link with you…” *** “You’d never felt anything like it,” Zeke finished for him, unable to take his eyes from Crispin’s. He knew that Crispin had to feel it too; he couldn’t have been wrong about that. “It had never been so strong before, not with anyone?” “Oh lords, no. It’s never been like that, not ever, not with anyone,” Crispin breathed. Zeke moved closer. “Not even with Simeon?” “Simeon? Hell no. My connection with Simeon was very weak, his power was minimal.” “Perhaps that was part of the reason your relationship with him didn’t work?” “I don’t think so, not really. I had thought at one time that was part of the problem between us, but he didn’t really care about that; what he’d never had, he didn’t miss.” Crispin shrugged. “I don’t think it’d have been any different if his powers were greater than mine. He was just a very selfish person, I doubt he could ever love anyone more than he loved himself.” Crispin glanced at Zeke for a moment as if waiting, but when Zeke didn’t speak, he said, “You look tired, you A Torquere Press Sip - 12

should go to bed. I only have the one bedroom; I’ll sleep on the sofa.” Still Zeke didn’t answer; he just looked back at Crispin, his eyes slowly wandering over his form, admiring what he saw. He liked the lean lines of the man, his angular face, his dark grey eyes and hair falling to his shoulder blades, so black as to be almost blue. He longed to run his fingers through the sleek strands to see if Crispin’s hair was as soft as it looked. “Zeke, did you hear me?” Smiling, he replied, “Oh, I heard, but I was deciding what I wanted to do.” “And?” “I do want to go to bed, but I don’t want you sleeping here. I want you with me in your bed.” Crispin’s mouth dropped open, but he snapped it shut and then he smiled. “I didn’t really want to leave you to sleep alone but I didn’t want to…to…” “Rush me?” Zeke grinned. “Well it is rather sudden, you must admit.” “Not if you believe in what is meant to be. I do. I trust the gods. I think I knew from the moment our minds touched. It was too powerful to be ignored.” Zeke didn’t even know how to begin to explain to Crispin the sensations that had flowed through him, the depth of the emotions he sensed A Torquere Press Sip - 13

within Crispin. He only knew that, for the first time in his life, he didn’t feel lonely. Crispin nodded, “Yes, it was. Shall we go and test our…theory?” *** Hardly able to believe what was happening, Crispin led Zeke into the bedroom, all at once feeling shy. He was not a promiscuous man; he’d been loyal to Simeon all the time they were together and after three years to suddenly find himself so desperate for the feel of another man was a shock. “You feeling it too?” Zeke asked softly. “Feeling it?” Crispin questioned. “The unreality of it all? Or perhaps the reality of it is the real problem. This should feel wrong but it feels so right.” Crispin nodded, “That’s it exactly. I was standing here asking myself what I was doing. We’ve only just met. My…partnership ended only hours ago, yet I feel closer to you in hours than I did to Simeon in three years…” Crispin’s voice faded as the truth of that statement hit him. He smiled. “You were right, Zeke. It is too powerful to be ignored.” “I should tell you, I have the ability to read emotions and yours,” Zeke hesitated, smiling. “Most people I just get a sense, a general perception. A few, like family and very close friends I’ve known a long time, I can read very clearly, almost too clearly sometimes. But you, it’s like A Torquere Press Sip - 14

you’re broadcasting to me, as if you want me to know how you feel.” “I’m not sure even I know how I feel,” Crispin murmured. Drawn to Zeke by an invisible thread, Crispin stood toe to toe with the man. Zeke smiled and reached out carefully to touch Crispin’s face and Crispin couldn’t help but lean into the tender touch. At the same moment, Zeke’s other hand stroked down the back of Crispin’s head. “Oh, I’ve been dying to touch your hair and I was right, it is like silk.” As he spoke Zeke pulled Crispin’s head closer and Crispin sighed as their mouths met in a tentative kiss. At least it began as tentative, but almost as soon as Crispin opened to let Zeke inside, that feeling assaulted him again. His hands gripped Zeke’s upper arm’s tightly bringing the other man closer, and tighter still he held on. Zeke groaned as they pressed together, then abruptly they let go of each other, but only so they could tear at clothing to reach the skin beneath. Crispin had never felt such a desire before, such a need to touch, to feel the heat of skin beneath his fingers, to draw on the connection he felt so deep inside. “Zeke,” Crispin cried out as his lover’s clothing got in the way and then Zeke impeded Crispin too as Zeke pulled his own tunic over his head Ripping his own clothing away, Crispin reached for a now almost naked Zeke and pushed him back toward the bed. A Torquere Press Sip - 15

“Wait, wait,” murmured Zeke, attempting to remove his last item of clothing, but with a growl Crispin tore the undergarment from his body. His eyes roamed over the bare honey-colored skin, coming to settle on Zeke’s swelling cock and heavy balls. Not allowing any further delay he shoved Zeke flat on the bed. They kissed again, nibbling at each other’s lips, drawing tongues first into one mouth then the other, both moaning and sighing as they learned the taste and scent of each other. Suddenly, Crispin broke the kiss and moved down Zeke’s body, mouthing his lover’s neck briefly on his way to Zeke’s nipples. When Crispin licked around the areola, Zeke squirmed beneath him, murmuring Crispin’s name over and over, until Zeke yelped when Crispin nipped his tiny buds to hardness. With a grin, Crispin continued to move down Zeke’s body, and Zeke’s hands grabbed at Crispin’s shoulders, failing to get a grip until they settled on his head as Crispin nuzzled Zeke’s groin. “Gods, Crispin what you do to me.” “Wait,” Crispin glanced up at Zeke, before he swooped down again to lick at the tip of his lover's cock and then slid his lips along its length. Zeke arched off the bed, moaning as his hands tightened in Crispin’s hair. Crispin wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he could’ve sworn he felt faint touches on his cock as if it too were being licked. He pressed himself A Torquere Press Sip - 16

against Zeke’s thigh and the pressure he felt on his cock from the rippling muscles was all too real. Crispin gave himself over to pleasuring his partner, rubbing against Zeke as he sucked and licked his lover’s cock. The slight ghosting feeling became lost in the sensations overwhelming Crispin. “I’m coming, Crispin, I’m…..agh!” Crispin held tight to Zeke’s hips as he bucked, pushing his cock against the back of Crispin’s throat. Crispin swallowed swiftly, his own cock almost painful in its hardness where it lay against Zeke’s thigh. Gasping, Crispin rolled off Zeke to lie flat beside him. “I’ve never felt anything like that,” Zeke murmured, turning to look at Crispin. “No, neither have I,” Crispin agreed. “It was almost as if...” Crispin stopped, wondering now if it had all been in his imagination. “As if you were feeling two different sensations at once?” Zeke asked tentatively. Looking at him sharply, Crispin nodded. “That’s it, exactly. I…I thought it couldn’t be real, it…” Crispin shrugged and then smiled. “Wouldn’t mind seeing if it happens again.” “What do you want?” Zeke eyed Crispin’s erection lying against his belly and grinned. “That looks as if it needs a home.” A Torquere Press Sip - 17

Crispin laughed. “Well, I can think of one nice warm place it might be happy…” Crispin stroked Zeke’s belly, glancing up at him. “You got oil?” “Oh, yes,” Crispin replied, triumph making him feel giddy. Grinning, he leaned over to open the small drawer beside the bed. Turning back with a small bottle in his hands, he told Zeke to roll over. “No, I want to be able to see your eyes when you’re inside me.” Crispin hesitated, heart overflowing as he stared at Zeke, and slowly smiled. “Oh yes, there’s nothing I’d like more than to watch your face.” Crispin just knew there was something really special going on between them and, if Zeke felt the way he had when Crispin had taken him whole… It seemed Zeke knew exactly how Crispin had felt if Zeke could sense Crispin’s emotions as clearly as Zeke claimed. Crispin warmed the oil between his fingers as he watched Zeke settle, knees bent and legs falling open to give Crispin total access to his opening. Crispin met Zeke’s heated gaze before lowering his eyes to watch his own fingers caress the small pucker. Zeke gasped and his head dropped back onto the pillow as Crispin pushed the first finger inside, working it gently but firmly.

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“Oh, that feels so good,” Zeke murmured as Crispin opened him up, adding a second finger, searching for that special spot that…Crispin sucked in a breath at the spark that snaked along his nerve endings as he brushed against Zeke’s prostate. Zeke lifted his hips from the bed, back arching as he cried out, “Gods!” Still feeling the energy coursing through him, Crispin leaned forward, peppering kisses all over Zeke’s face until he finally slid his tongue inside Zeke’s gasping mouth. If he felt like this, what must Zeke be feeling? “Zeke, Zeke,” Crispin murmured as he released his lover, sliding back down Zeke’s body to enter him again, this time pushing three fingers inside. “I…I. Feelings flooding me, everywhere,” Zeke whimpered. “Crispin, you, need to feel you. Now. Please,” Zeke begged. The raw need in his lover’s voice drove Crispin onwards. He quickly slicked himself up and, staring in Zeke’s wide eyes, he asked, “Ready?” “Yes, oh gods, yes!” Zeke lifted his legs, wrapping them around Crispin’s waist as he thrust inside in one smooth movement. “Crispin!” Zeke fingers dug into the flesh of Crispin’s shoulders, pulling himself up toward Crispin’s shuddering form as he drove into Zeke again and again.

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Crispin was lost in a world of sensation. He had never felt anything remotely like this before. His own nerves were burning under his skin, the fire within feeling almost cold as it raced through his body. Yet behind that he could feel an echo of Zeke’s reactions roiling through him. It was both disconcerting and exhilarating. Crispin was pretty sure it would become addictive as they got more used to it. Gods, he was planning for this to be long term - that was what he wanted. He had never felt this connection with another living soul before and he never wanted to lose it. Never. He just prayed that Zeke would want it too. He couldn’t go back to being alone now. Then his thoughts slipped away as he lost himself in the joining, slamming harder and harder into Zeke, as his lover rocked back against him, drawing Crispin deeper and deeper until Crispin didn’t know whose sensations he was feeling. It was mind-numbingly wonderful. Neither man was capable of uttering words; the only sounds in the room were the slap of skin on skin and the moans and sighs of the men as they writhed against each other on the bed. Abruptly the movement stopped as, with a cry, Zeke climaxed a second time, his semen coating their stomachs. As his muscles contracted around him, Crispin froze, gasping for breath, overwhelmed by the echo of the sensations flooding Zeke. With one more deep thrust, Crispin released deep inside Zeke, his head spinning, caught up in the wonder and soul-searing fulfillment that reverberated between them both.

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When he became aware again, Crispin realized that Zeke was running his hands up and down his spine, murmuring something to him. “Zeke?” he whispered. “Oh gods, love, that was remarkable,” Zeke murmured, kissing Crispin’s shoulder. “Hmm,” was all Crispin was capable of saying. He kissed the top of Zeke’s head and snuggled up beside him, a stupor settling over him. *** Zeke wasn’t sure how much time had passed when he awoke, but it was light outside. He felt Crispin stir beside him and he wrapped his arms tightly around his lover, sensing as Crispin came awake. “Morning,” Zeke said softly. “A new day,” Crispin replied, his face still turned away from Zeke. Zeke instinctively knew something was concerning his new lover; that huskiness was not only caused by sleep, Zeke could feel the emotions roiling through Crispin. Reading emotions was a two-edged sword. He knew how people felt but he never knew why. “What’s wrong, Crispin? I know you’re upset. Other people’s emotions can be hard for me to handle, but with you, it’s overwhelming. It hurts, Crispin. Please, I need to know what’s worrying you.” A Torquere Press Sip - 21

Crispin turned then, staring deeply into Zeke’s eyes. “I…I don’t want you to go.” “Go?” Zeke frowned. “Complete your interrupted journey; find the man your family wanted for you.” The sadness permeating Crispin was obvious, and Zeke took it to heart. If the idea of Zeke leaving hurt Crispin so much, then they felt the same. Holding Crispin’s gaze, he said, “I never wanted the partner my father picked out for me. It was only through familial duty that I was making the journey at all.” Zeke smiled then added, “Luckily I took the wrong path.” However, Crispin frowned. “I still don’t understand who pointed you astray, or why; damn, you could’ve been killed in that accident.” Zeke smiled again, “No, Crispin, I wasn’t pointed in the wrong direction but the right one. I hated the idea of doing what my family wanted. Being forced to take, at best, a poor substitute for the love I deserved. It seemed that the gods agreed with me. I was meant to be with you, don’t you see?” Relaxing, Crispin smiled. “Oh, yes I do now. All my blessings on the gods.” He pulled a very willing Zeke into his embrace. “We must always do their bidding.” The End A Torquere Press Sip - 22

The Wrong Path Copyright © 2007 by Stevie Woods All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680 Printed in the United States of America. Torquere Press, Inc.: Sips electronic edition / October 2007 Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680

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