Liamterra 8

Liamterra

Author: Jo B purplefox@usfamily.net

Rating: NC-17

Spoilers: none

Keywords: M/Sk SLASH WIP

Disclaimer: The X-Files characters are the property Chris
Carter, 1013 productions and Fox Broadcasting. No money is being
made from their use.

Summary: AU. Mulder is abducted and carried through a gateway
to another dimension, where magic is real and mythical creatures
exist. Skinner follows, and the two men must make a new life for
themselves while they search for a way back home.

Authors Notes: This is a sequel to my story North Woods.

Special thanks to my beta-readers Nicole and Lyrical Soul for
an incredible job of fixing all of my mistakes.

Feedback is always welcome. Any constructive suggestions are
appreciated.

WARNING! This story contains explicit Sex/Romance between two
men. Turn back now, if the subject matter offends you.

Archive: MTA, DitB, Slashing Mulder, all others please ask first.

Web site: http://slashingmulder.com/JoB/

Chapter 8
The Search
By Jo B

Air rushed quickly by Mulder's body, taking his breath away, as
the Dendroid lowered him toward the ground. His stomach did a
flip-flop at the speed of his descent. He felt sure that he was
going to end up splattered on the ground. So he closed his eyes
tightly to block out his imminent death, only to reopen them as
his descent slowed and he was gently placed on the moss-covered
ground. The vines holding his body were removed. He lay on his
belly, breathing in the scent of fresh earth and he tried to
force his numb limbs to move. A twig snapped near Mulder's head,
and his eyes fell on a pair of highly polished black boots.

Raising his head weakly, Mulder was surprised to find himself
surrounded by a band of goblins. He tried to reach for his
sword, but found it impossible to lift his arm. The circulation
in his arms had been cut off from being so tightly bound for
countless hours. One of the goblins relieved him of his sword,
while two others helped him to his feet. They supported him by
draping his arms around their shoulders when his legs refused to
hold up his weight. His circulation started coming back as they
walked him to a rowboat banked on the sandy beach.

Mulder made a sudden attempt to flee, throwing off the two
goblins holding him. He dashed for the woods, only to be tackled
from behind and thrown to the ground again. His arms were yanked
behind his back and bound.

"Don't bruise him! The King will have our heads served up on a
platter if his beloved is marked!"

Mulder looked up at the goblin issuing the orders. The creature
was more muscular than most goblins, and was dressed similarly
to the goblin nobility in Kallen. His clothes and jewels were
exquisite as well as expensive. Mulder tried to gather as much
information as possible while struggling against leather cord
binding his wrists.

"Let me go!"

The goblin's eyes traveled lustfully over Mulder's lean body.
"Our King awaits your arrival, Lord Fox. From your loins will
spring the future King of Zaltaria."

Mulder's eyes widened. No way was he going to betray Walter in
such a horrible manner. "Does your King rape everyone who
catches his fancy?" He glared at the goblin as he was lifted to
his feet.

"There will be no need for rape, Lord Fox. You will go
willingly to our King's bed." The goblin placed his hand over
Mulder's groin, and squeezed gently. "My King is quite fortunate
to find a mate so well-endowed."

Mulder blushed as all the goblins stared at him in open
admiration. Sand clung to his clothes and hair as he was dragged
over to the rowboat and lifted aboard. All six goblins pushed
the boat out into the waves, then boarded. From his position on
the wide center seat, sandwiched between two goblins with oars,
Mulder could see a large warship in the distance. All hope for
escape dimmed as he realized how tightly his wrists here bound.
He could barely move them. The boat bobbed up and down on the
waves as they rowed away from the shore.

"How far is Zaltaria from Kallen?" Mulder asked, watching the
warship loom menacingly on the horizon as the rowboat approached
it.

"It depends on where in Zaltaria you are. It's northern lands
border Kallen. By the way, Lord Fox, I'm Overseer Averil," the
goblin said.

Mulder ignored the introduction. "How far from Kallen will we
be in Zaltaria?"

Averil laughed. "Lord Fox, are you planning to flee to King
Pyralis for protection?"

Mulder pulled on the leather binding, feeling it cut into his
flesh. Maybe if his blood soaked the leather, he'd be able to
stretch it and slip his hands out of the bindings. Meeting
Averil's eyes, he continued to work on the bindings. "Are you
going to answer my question?" Even though the leather was making
inroads on his wrist, his voice was deceptively calm.

"There are several hundred miles from Mei, the capital of
Zaltaria, and Anlon, the capital of Kallen."

Moving his wrists in a circular motion, Mulder felt the
dampened leather bindings loosen and stretch.

The goblin sitting behind him shouted, "Overseer Averil! The
pretty human has injured his wrists."

Averil sighed with exasperation. "Humans!" Opening the pouch
hanging from his belt, he pulled out a silver flask. "Hold Lord
Fox's head, Gronac, and squeeze his nostrils closed."

Gronac grabbed Mulder around the throat and tilted back his
head back. Being careful not to injure the King's betrothed, he
gently pinched Mulder's nostrils shut. Averil grabbed Mulder's
jaw and forced his mouth open, pouring the potion from the flask
inside and squeezing his mouth shut.

Gasping for air, Mulder choked down the foul concoction. After
he swallowed the potion, he was released.

"What was that?" Mulder muttered groggily. The world around him
slowed, and he realized he couldn't move. Averil's voice sounded
like it came from a great distance.

"A special concoction that's been in my family for generations.
It numbs the body. We use it for our wounded, but found it works
equally well for subduing prisoners without the need for a
binding spell. Gronac, remove the leather binding from our
Lord's wrists."

The bindings were cut away, but Mulder was unable to move his
arms. Gronac had to ease his hands forward onto his lap where
Averil took hold of them.

The goblin turned them, studying the cuts, he sighed, shaking
his head. "I pray your wrists mend before we reach Mei, Lord
Fox. King Kiros will be most displeased."

The rowboat came along side the warship as Mulder stared
blankly at Averil, unable to speak or move. The goblins quickly
secured the boat and it was lifted out of the water with pulleys
from above. It was tied off once it was level with railing. Two
goblins lifted Mulder carefully out of the rowboat and stepped
down onto the deck.

Without being able to move his head, Mulder was having a
difficult time seeing where he was being carried. At least the
goblins were carrying him face up. He watched as the pale blue
sky was replaced by polished cherry wood as he was carried below
deck. The lighting was dim as they walked down a short corridor,
then into a well lit cabin where he was set down on a soft
mattress.

"What's wrong with him?" Mulder heard another voice ask.

"He was injuring himself. I gave him a potion to calm him,"
Averil said, walking into Mulder's limited field of vision. "It
should wear off in a couple of hours."

The other speaker moved to stand beside Averil, looking down at
Mulder. Mulder noted that he was an attractive goblin dressed in
the robes of a healer.

"Overlord Averil, he's human. You have no idea how that potion
might have affected him. Please do not give my charge any more
drugs." The healer sat on the bed next to Mulder and checked his
pulse rate, then his pupils. "He seems fine. I will bathe him,
then attend to his wrists."

Mulder wanted to scream as his clothes were removed, and he was
lifted like a baby then lowered into a tub of steaming water.
Being unable to move caused an added anxiety, as the fear of
drowning made his heart beat faster. A whimper escaped his lips.

"Shh, my Lord, no harm will come to you while you're in my
care," Healer San purred softly. "It looks like the potion is
already wearing off." The healer turned to speak to someone
behind Mulder. "Take these clothes and toss them in the sea, but
keep the sword. Our Lord Fox will be wearing the betrothal robe,
from now, until the mating ceremony."

The sponge was ran gently over Mulder's chest as Healer San
washed him, taking extra care around the nipple ring.

"I heard great tales of your bravery in battle, my Lord,"
Healer San murmured as he ran the sponge over Mulder's belly and
down to his groin. The healer stroked his penis, then cradled
his heavy sacks. "Many powerful Zaltarian princes will come from
your full loins. The King is quite fortunate to have found you."

Mulder blocked out all of the Healer's words as he focused on
an image of his lover's handsome face. 'Walter, I will stay true
to you. No matter what happens I will never betray our love.'

***

Northern Frye
Five days later

Skinner looked up at the sun blazing down on them. Sweat ran in
droplets down his back, soaking his tunic and the waistband of
his breeches. It had been almost a week since Fox was snatched
from him and they finally tracked the dendriod to the sandy
beach on the far side of the Frye. The creature had moved
unbelievably fast. Covering the distance five times faster than
Walter and the Gunman had been able to do on horseback. Now
Skinner stood gazing out at the aqua-blue Morwenna Sea, holding
the braided leather bracelet Fox had been wearing. He found it
on the beach near the site of what appeared to be a scuffle.
Skinner recalled when he had braided it while waiting for Fox to
recover from the virus. He did it to keep his hands occupied and
never planned to give it to Fox. What would his lover want with
a crudely made bracelet?

Fox had awoken and saw him fiddling with it. "Is that for me?"
he asked.

"It's just something my sister taught me how to make."

"We used to have those when I was in school. They're called
friendship bracelets."

"Really? Well, since you're my best friend, I guess this is for
you."

Fox had looked longingly at the bracelet. "Other than Frohike,
I've never been anyone's best friend before," he whispered
hoarsely.

"You're mine, Fox. Nothing against Frohike, but I never liked
the way he used to look at your butt."

"Walter, I never noticed he was interested in anything but
friendship. Besides, he's checked out your butt, too." Fox
smiled for the first time in days as Skinner fastened the
bracelet on his wrist. The only time he removed it was when he
bathed. Skinner brushed a tear away as he clutched the bracelet.

"We'll find him, Walter. Keep the faith," Frohike said, coming
up to stand next to him.

"Melvin, we need to hire a ship and crew to take us to
Zaltaria. That means wasting five more days going back to Orla
Glenn and talking to Queen Charmaine. It will take us weeks to
reach Zaltaria at this rate. No telling what will happen to Fox
in that time. He might not even want to come back to me—"
Skinner's mind was focused on how King Pyralis had stolen
Jonathan's heart away from Emma.

"Walter, I've known Mulder for over twelve years. In all those
years, I've never seen him truly happy until these past several
months. You've made him happy. You've given him something he's
been lacking all of his life—love and commitment. No one can
steal him from you." Looking out over the water, Frohike's voice
turned hard. "And you better not hold what *may* happen to him
against him," he warned. "If you do, I'll kick your butt!"

"What's with your fascination butts?" Skinner quipped, then
looked back out at the sea. "He's my whole life, Melvin. I won't
rest until I have him back!"

***

Southern Frye

Krycek kneeled beside Prince Kedar on the damp mossy ground.
The binding spell holding him at Kedar's mercy had been removed
on the second day of their quest. The Prince touched his arm and
motioned for him to follow. They were scouting the forest around
the Centaur's village of Fennella. This past week had been
confusing for Krycek. He couldn't quite fathom the goblin
Prince's behavior, or his reaction whenever Kedar was close to
him. A mere touch of those long elegant fingers ignited a fire
in his groin. Krycek didn't want to be attracted to Kedar; he
was in love with Mulder. Wasn't he? It was becoming harder and
harder for him to remember what had attracted him to Mulder.

They stayed low as they maneuvered the uneven terrain. Krycek
found himself admiring the sinewy legs and round ass of the
Prince.

There was a movement to the left and they froze in place.
Prince Kedar freed a throwing knife from its sheath at the small
of his back. With the grace of a cat, he turned and threw the
knife. It found its target in the throat of a centaur. The
creature toppled with a thud.

"They'll know we're here when that centaur doesn't report in.
We're going to have to attack now," Kedar growled. "Alex, I want
you to stay here." He'd been training Krycek to use a sword
during their short trip to the centaur village, but he was weeks
away from being proficient.

"I'm not staying behind. I still have ammo in my weapon,"
Krycek growled, patting his carbine.

Kedar's eyes focused on the bulge in Krycek's leather breeches.
"I bet you do, my love."

Unable to think of a witty retort, Krycek reddened.

Kedar smirked, patting his shoulder. "Now be quiet. I need to
focus on contacting the Queen's soldiers." Kedar ignored the
angry look Krycek shot him as he used his mage powers to
communicate with the head of the Renny Queen's army. They were
waiting, a mile from the village, for his order to attack.

It didn't take long for the Renny solders on horseback to
charge by them as Krycek and Kedar drew their weapons to follow.

The village was made up of earthen huts with straw roofs. Tiny
children, both human girls and centaur boys ran away from the
Rennys as they stormed into the village. The centaur warriors
scrambled for their weapons to defend their village.

Krycek and Kedar arrived as the centaurs and Rennys were
attacking each other with swords and spears. One centaur used a
crossbow to kill a Renny soldier. Krycek gunned him down, then
proceeded to mow down four of the centaur's finest warriors in a
matter of seconds. It didn't take long for the rest of the
centaurs to see the futility of fighting against the strange one-
armed human with the mysterious weapon that tore through their
metal shields like butter. They laid down their weapons and
surrendered.

"Where is she?" Krycek growled.

The centaur who appeared to be the leader spoke up. "If we give
her back, do you promise to leave us in peace?"

Prince Kedar stepped in front of Krycek, holding his head
proudly. "I am Prince Kedar of the royal house of Kallen. The
villain who kidnapped Lady Dana must pay the price for his
treachery," he said firmly.

Krycek watched as the centaur paled and appeared about to
refuse Kedar's demand. He wondered what terrified the creature.

As the minutes ticked by, Prince Kedar became impatient.
"You're beginning to try my patience! Bring me the Lady Dana and
the centaur responsible!"

The centaur nodded to four of his men. They headed across the
village to a small cottage. Krycek kept his finger on the
trigger of his carbine as he waited. He sighed with relief as
Scully was led through the door, frowning when he noticed she
was having difficulty walking. He holstered his weapon and ran
over to her, catching her against his side as she swooned. He
had a hard time holding her upright with only one arm.

"Hey, Scully, wake up...I've got you."

Scully stared blankly at him, but allowed Krycek to help her
away from the cottage.

Eachann was led out of the cottage next. The creature balked,
but he was held firmly as he was escorted over to the goblin
Prince.

The suddenness of Kedar's action startled Krycek. He held
Scully tighter as he watched Eachann's head fly from his body
and roll across the ground. The centaur's headless corpse
collapsed to the ground. Kedar reached down and scooped up a
handful of sandy soil and cleaned the blood from his blade.

Centaur children started crying from inside the cottages. Kedar
took the reins of his horse that a Renny soldier brought over to
him. Mounting the beast, he guided it over to where Krycek stood
holding Scully, who was crying against his shoulder. "We were
too late," he said sadly. "I'm sorry, I know she was a friend of
yours, Alex."

"She's not dead—"

"She could die if that creature has impregnated her with a male
centaur."

"She's barren—"

"She's pregnant."

"That's not possible—"

"Alex, we must pray that it will be with a female child," Kedar
said, reaching down for Scully. "Hand her up to me then mount
your horse."

Krycek maneuvered Scully into Kedar's waiting arms.

Kedar scooped her up and positioned Scully on the horse in
front of him, holding her securely against his chest.

Scully shuddered as her eyes traveled down to Eachann's body on
the ground. "Thank you," she whispered, relaxing against the
Prince's chest.

"We will stop at the nearest Renny village where you can be
treated by their doctor."

"I'm fine. I don't need to see a doctor." Scully closed her
eyes, resting her head against his chest.

Krycek rode up beside them. "Is she going to be all right?"

"I'm fine, Krycek," Scully muttered, not opening her eyes.
"Where's Mulder and Skinner?"

"I'll tell you later. Why don't you try to get some sleep?"

Scully peered at him tiredly through one partially opened
eyelid. She would have protested, but she really didn't want to
do anything right now but sleep and forget.

***

Zaltaria
The Capital of Mei
Eight days later
Mulder fought his captors as they tried to bath and anoint him
with the finest Zaltarian perfumes and oils. It was a losing
battle as they quickly subdued him. It took four goblins to hold
him still while his body hair was waxed off. Then, his long hair
was brushed until it shone and was then woven with gems. Two
goblins did his fingernails and toenails, while another applied
makeup to his eyes. The final humiliation...or the final touch,
which humiliated him most was the pure white, shimmering silk
robe he was forced to wear. Unlike the robe that Obi-Wan wore in
StarWars, this one was slit up the sides so the outsides of his
long legs and hips were on display. Finally, so he wouldn't ruin
their efforts, his wrists were bound in front him using the
finest silk scarf.

The one thing Mulder was grateful for was that the goblins were
a modest race, so his groin area remained covered. He was given
a pair of silk underpants to wear underneath the robe.

Overlord Averil and Healer San admired him as he stood
stubbornly before them.

"Smile, Lord Fox. You are not attending a funeral. You're
meeting your future betrothed for the first time," Overlord
Averil said.

"I already have someone I love. I don't need or want another."

"King Kiros is the most powerful ruler in the realm. You should
consider yourself blessed that he has chosen you."

"I consider myself cursed. Why can't you understand? Every
fiber of my being is in love with Walter Skinner? I can never
love your King Kiros—"

"It's not required that you love our King right away, only that
you obey and respect him." Healer San walked around Mulder,
smoothing the robe with his hands. "Love will come with time."

A guard entered the cabin, bowing. "Overlord Averil, the royal
guard has arrived from the palace."

The Overlord turned to Mulder. "My Lord, your destiny awaits."

Mulder held his tongue as he followed Lord Averil out of the
ship's cabin. He detested the feel of the gold sandals on his
feet as he stomped up the steps. He froze in his tracks, looking
out over the harbor. Never in his wildest imagination had he
expected the sight which awaited him on deck. The docks were
packed with brightly dressed goblins and the realm's other
races. All were here for the mere purpose of welcoming him to
Zaltaria.

Their cheers were near deafening as he was led off the ship and
helped into an open-air carriage with six white stallions
pulling it. Mulder sat rigidly on the soft leather seat. He was
measuring the odds of overpowering the troll sitting in the low
driver's seat in front of him. If only his hands weren't bound,
and he could get reins.... Mulder glanced on either side of the
solid gold carriage, where armed goblins dressed in their finest
uniforms rode alongside on horseback. They would pose a problem.

Mulder sighed, looking down at the sandals on his feet. They
were very simple, with gold painted leather lacing up from his
ankles to his knees. No way would he be able to run very far in
them. He would have to wait for a better opportunity to escape.
When there were less people surrounding him.

The whole thing felt like some warped fairytale. As the
carriage rattled down the cobblestone roads, crowds lined the
streets cheering as Mulder passed them. Mulder ignored them and
took in the view of the large port city. So unlike Kallen's
smaller inland city of Anlon. Mei was huge with tall, white
stone buildings and merchant carts lining the roads. There was a
snowcapped mountain range in the distance. He had to figure out
how to get to Kallen from here.

Mulder's eyes focused on the immense, shimmering, white palace
looming in front of him. It appeared to be part of the high,
rocky cliffs overlooking the harbor. Mulder swallowed as
apprehension made his stomach lurch. He closed his eyes and
pictured Walter's face. If he was to survive this, it would be
on the strength of his love for Walter. He could not allow
himself to be drawn into an unwanted love like Jonathan had
been. He could not allow his heart to be claimed by the goblin
King.

The carriage passed through a huge archway and into the
courtyard of the palace. It rolled by a large marble fountain.
Water shot over fifty feet into the air from the mouth of a gold
serpent. The carriage finally stopped in front of a wide
staircase leading up to the palace's arched entryway and solid
gold doors. Mulder's heart stopped as his eyes met those of King
Kiros for the first time. The King was waiting at the top of the
steps for him. He was the opposite in appearance of King
Pyralis. Where the Kallen King had white hair and blue eyes,
Kiros had black hair and silver eyes.

A servant rushed forward and placed a set of steps next to the
carriage. Overlord Averil appeared at the bottom of the steps
and held out his hand to Mulder. Mulder had wondered where he
and the Healer San had disappeared to. Apparently, they were
riding in a carriage behind his. Mulder glared at the Averil and
did not attempt to leave the carriage.

A murmur ran through the assembled dignitaries. Mulder glanced
around to see if his actions had caused the stir. His breath
caught when he realized all eyes were on the tall goblin King
who was descending the steps. He came to stand at the bottom of
the steps leading up to the high carriage.

"Beauty, I knew you'd be as stubborn as you are breathtaking.
Now...will you climb out of there on your own, or do I have to
force you? I'm sure my subjects will enjoy the show."

"Why don't you save us all the trouble, and just return me to
Frye?"

"This is your home now."

"My home is wherever Walter Skinner is."

Kiros glared up at him. "Don't force me to kill him, Beauty. I
will not be second in your heart."

Mulder scoffed, "You're not even in the top ten." His voice
turned deadly serious. "If you ever harm Walter, it will be the
last thing you do."

The King smiled. "Spirited. We will produce fine sons together."

King Kiros decided to use his mage powers to force Mulder to
climb down from the carriage. A few seconds later, he was
stunned when his powers had no effect on the human. Strange.
There were only a few creatures in the realm that were immune to
magic. Minotaurs, harpies, and dendroids. Kiros was going to
have to further test his future mate's resistance to magic. It
might prove interesting if their sons inherited their human
father's immunity to magic, while inheriting Kiros' mage powers.

Enough was enough. His people were watching them, Kiros hissed
threateningly, "I have the power to control great beasts. If you
do not climb down from that carriage now, I will send an army of
Wyverns and trolls to kill your precious Mage Skinner."

Mulder eyes shot daggers at him as he stood and carefully
climbed out of the carriage with his bound wrists in front of
him.

Kiros grabbed his hands, pulling Mulder against his chest. The
goblin King was two inches taller than Mulder and powerfully
built, making it impossible for Mulder to push him off. "You are
a true beauty. Unusual for a human."

"If it's looks you're interested in, I have an acquaintance who
you might find more appealing. Sable hair, green eyes...a real
looker," Mulder said quickly.

"If you're speaking about the human with the missing arm, he
doesn't appeal to me. I find your looks more exotic." Kiros
smiled, forcing Mulder to climb the steps at his side.

Once inside the palace, Mulder paid attention to every detail.
If he was to escape he'd need his wits. He froze as they walked
past a mirrored wall. Kiros allowed him to wander over and stare
at his reflection. It didn't look like him. His hair had so many
gems woven through it, that it hung well pass his shoulders,
glittering as the light shone off them. His eyes were lined and
his cheekbones emphasized. Walter would split a gut laughing if
he ever saw him looking like this.

The King caressed his shoulders, kissing the side of his neck.
"You're beautiful. Don't you think?"

Mulder fought down the urge to strike out. "I look like a
freak. Do you know how fucking uncomfortable these stones are in
my hair?"

Kiros chuckled. "Modesty is a noble trait. Come, I will show
you to your temporary room."

Mulder noted the army of guards and servants following several
yards behind them.

"What do you have planned for me?"

"You will be schooled on how to present yourself publicly as my
mate, and as a Prince of Zaltaria. You will learn to serve and
pleasure me. In turn, I will teach you what it means to be the
cherished mate of the King of Zaltaria."

"I can never love you. Why don't you find someone who can?"

"You don't understand, Beauty. Once we mate, I will own your
heart. You will be unable to love another. This Walter of yours
will come to mean nothing to you."

Mulder thought back to Jonathan and Emma. Jonathan ended up
going back to King Pyralis. He said the goblin King possessed
his heart, and he couldn't go on living without it. Would this
happen to him? Could Kiros really steal his ability to love
anyone but him?

They turned down a side corridor and came upon four tall
goblins standing on either side of a set of highly polished gold
doors. The goblins opened the doors as their King approached.
The room beyond was stark. No furniture, only a mat on the floor
for sleeping. The light in the room came from several overhead
skylights, which also made the room very hot. The skylights were
too high up for Mulder to use them to escape.

The King held Mulder's bound wrists and cut off the scarves.
"You will meditate here, in preparation of our joining. Only
sanctified food and beverages will be allowed pass your lush
lips, Beauty. Once a day, your body will be cleansed and
anointed with the finest oils. My head eunuch, Zeranic, will see
to your care and instruct you in the ways of pleasuring me. On
the summer equinox, we will be joined in a ceremony before my
people, where you will impregnate me."

Mulder head was awhirl. The temperature of the room was already
making him sweat. "You can't force me to have sex with you," he
said bravely. He wasn't going to let Kiros intimidate him.

"When the time comes, Beauty, you'll be unable to resist me. I
will leave you to your thoughts." The King walked out, leaving
Mulder standing alone in the middle of the room as the guards
closed the heavy doors.

Mulder wandered around the room, his sandal clad feet making a
clip-clop noise on the marble floor. He paced for nearly an
hour, before he gave up and sat down on the mat. The room was
stifling and it was becoming hard to breathe.

After three hours passed, his bladder protested. He crossed his
legs as the pressure became unbearable. Just as he thought he'd
have to relieve himself on the floor, the doors opened, and a
pretty goblin stepped into the room. Three other pretty goblins
waited in the doorway with their heads bowed obediently. The
four goblin guards stood behind them, ready for any trouble. The
pretty goblins were different than any goblin Mulder had met
since being in this strange universe. He could only think that
they appeared more feminine than the other goblins.

"I am Zeranic, our beloved King's head eunuch." The goblin
bowed deeply. "I am here to serve and instruct you, Lord Fox."

Mulder wondered how one would go about turning a hermaphrodite
into a eunuch. Was it only the male part of the body that was
castrated, or was something done to the female sex organ, too?

Zeranic held a deep clay pot in his hand. "You may relieve your
bladder here. I will hold it for you."

"My penis or the pot?" Mulder quipped, climbing to his feet.

One of the pretty goblins waiting in the doorway giggled.

"Both, if you'd prefer," Zeranic said, relaxing. He had been
fearing this moment for a very long time, having no idea what to
expect from the human his King had chosen for a mate.

"No. I prefer to hold it myself." Mulder smiled, deciding if he
was to escape he'd need to make some allies within the palace.
Pulling his robe to one side he freed his penis from the pure
white underpants and aimed the head into the clay pot.

Zeranic looked at the human's strange sex organ and commented,
"I've never seen one quite like that before. The human penises
I've seen had a skin covering the head. Why is the skin around
yours missing?"

Mulder rolled his eyes. The last thing he'd expected was to be
having a conversation about his circumcised dick with a eunuch.
"It is a tradition with some of my people to circumcise their
infant sons."

"Why?"

"For hygiene, and in some cases, religious reasons." Mulder
finished and was about to tuck his penis back under his robe.

"Stop!"

"What?"

"I need to clean you," Zeranic said, holding the clay pot out
to one of the servants, who rushed over and took it, while
another stepped forward with a bowl of soapy water and a cloth.

Mulder sighed. If he wasn't trying to win this goblin over to
his side, he'd tell him to fuck off. Instead, he stood still as
the eunuch cleaned and dried his penis. He tucked himself back
under the robe when the goblin was finished.

A third servant stepped forward with a goblet on a gold tray.
Zeranic took the goblet and held it out to Mulder, bowing. It
was filled with a sweet-honeyed juice. "Drink this, my Lord. It
will help cleanse your body."

"No. I don't want it." Mulder throat was parched, but he
ignored the offered beverage and turned his back, going back to
sit on the mat. He was only willing to cooperate so far.

"You must drink it—"

"Why?"

"You will not be brought anything else until tomorrow. Our King
expects you to spend the time meditating about your future as
his mate."

"That's too bad for him then, isn't it? I plan to spend the
time fantasizing about my lover."

Zeranic frowned. "My Lord, please don't fight the inevitable.
By the end of this week, all your thoughts will be solely on
King Kiros."

"I doubt that."

Zeranic placed the goblet back on the tray and signaled for the
servant to leave. "My Lord, I will be back in the morning to
take you for your cleansing."

Mulder didn't like the sound of that, but it might provide him
with an opportunity to escape. Glancing up at the skylights, he
noted that the sun was beginning to set and the room began to
darken...just like his mood.

Zeranic turned and sashayed out of the room, followed by the
other servants. The doors were again closed and locked. Less
than thirty minutes after being left alone, the room was pitch
black as the night fell. Mulder couldn't even see his hand in
front of his face. At least the temperature in the room went
down with the sun.

Mulder tried lying on the mat, but the gems woven into his hair
were too uncomfortable. He tried to pull them out, found it
impossible without ripping out chunks of his hair in the
process. "Fuck! How did my mom sleep with those curlers in her
hair at night?" he muttered as he tried different sleeping
positions. He finally settled for sleeping on his stomach with
his head resting on his forearm.

He was woke the next morning to a dimly lit room. The sun had
just risen above the horizon. Zeranic was back again, as were
the other three eunuchs and the guards.

"It is time for your cleansing, my Lord," Zeranic said, bowing
respectfully. "If you will follow us, please."

Thinking he might get the opportunity to escape, Mulder
followed them, only to be led ten feet across the corridor into
a small tiled room with an uncovered drain in the floor. He
recognized it from Kallen as the goblin's version of a public
toilet. Above the drain were soft leather manacles that hung
from a pulley in the ceiling. He noted the hooks on the floor
that were spaced on either side of the drain. This did not look
good.

The guards grabbed his arms, and Mulder kicked out. He
succeeded in knocking one of the four guards out cold, but the
other three soon overwhelmed him and forced his arms above his
head, securing the leather manacles around his wrists. He legs
were forced apart and his sandals removed. Then, similar cuffs
were used to secure his ankles to the hooks embedded in the tile
floor.

The guards left the room, carrying their fallen comrade with
them. The tiles were cool against the soles of his feet as
Mulder struggled against the bindings. Tugging and twisting for
several minutes, before finally giving up. He glared at Zeranic,
wondering what he was waiting for. It became obvious once King
Kiros stepped into the room, followed by another eunuch carrying
a chair. Mulder was beginning to recognize eunuchs by their
appearance. They seemed closer to females than males.

The King smiled radiantly at him. "Beauty, I hope you had a
pleasant sleep."

"Stop calling me that!" Mulder glared at him. "I will never
love you! Why can't you get that through your thick skull?"

The smile faltered slightly. "You will have no choice, once we
are bonded and I am carrying your child. Your heart will belong
to me, and only me." Kiros turned to his servant. "Remove his
garments, I wish to look at him."

Zeranic stepped forward and unfastened the robe. He used a
knife to slit the sleeves to remove it without unfastening the
cuffs. He handed the robe to a servant, and was reaching for the
skimpy underpants the human was wearing when Kiros interrupted
him.

"I'll remove those, Zeranic." The King stood and walked over to
Mulder, admiring the toned, muscular body. He caressed the
smooth flesh, feeling the human squirm deliciously under his
fingers.

"Beauty, you've become even more desirable since you arrived on
our world. Aren't you glad you left your world?"

"I didn't leave my world. You had that fucking bigfoot kidnap
me."

"Even so, your being here has had a nice affect on you. Your
muscles are more defined, and since you contracted the harpy
virus, your appearance is more youthful." The King had given
Mulder's immunity to magic some thought last night. "I believe
that is what made you are immune to magic."

Mulder looked at him confused. "I don't understand what you're
talking about. I'm not immune to magic." He tried desperately to
pull his legs together as Kiros hand tickled his inner thigh,
nudging the fabric covering his scrotum.

"You might not have been before, but you are now." Kiros smiled
as he unfastened the laces holding the skimpy underpants
together. He tossed the piece of fabric aside, then cupped
Mulder's heavy sacs. "And so, our sons will be immune."

"Don't—"

"You're going to have to get used to my touch, Beauty. We will
be much more intimate in time." Kiros stared deeply into
Mulder's sea green eyes as he stroked the human's penis until it
swelled and expanded under his fingertips. "I look forward to
the moment when you fuck me with this magnificent cock."

"I won't cheat on my lover."

"You will, my love." Kiros lowered his head and licked Mulder's
nipple, tugging at the nipple ring with his teeth. He chuckled
when his captive moaned and the cock twitched in his hand.
"Zeranic, you may proceed with cleaning out my love. Use two
bladders worth. I'd like to see my Beauty's belly expand."

Mulder's eyes widened as Zeranic and one of the servants
stepped forward, carrying two sacks made from the bladders of
some small animal. The sacks were filled with fluid and had a
long narrow tube coming out of one end. Another servant walked
behind them, carrying a jar filled with grease and a three-inch
in circumference butt plug. Mulder twisted his body, trying to
see what was going on behind him. He gasped as the end of the
greased tube was pushed inside him. He was stretched even
further as another narrow tube was inserted as well. There was
nothing he could do as the tubes slid up his rectum, then the
water was forced through the tubes into his bowels. He thought
he was going to burst as the water stretched and filled him to
the point of severe discomfort.

His distressed eyes locked with Kiros, who had gone to sit in
the chair to watch.

"Pain suits you, Beauty. You should see how exquisite you look."

The water finally stopped flowing, and as swiftly as the tubes
were removed, a butt plug was inserted, preventing Mulder from
expelling the water. Mulder glanced down at his painfully
distended belly. The first cramp hit, and Mulder twisted in the
bindings as a cold sweat broke out over his body. The severe
cramping continued for long minutes unabated.

Kiros rose from his chair and walked over to him again. His
hand caressed Mulder's swollen belly. "It's too bad you can't
become pregnant, Fox. You'd be radiant."

"Please—"

Kiros kissed Mulder's cheek. "Shh, love, you can endure a few
more minutes."

The pain was just too great, and Mulder didn't think he could
endure even a few more seconds. Kiros hugged Mulder, holding his
pain-racked body for several long minutes. The King nodded to
his head eunuch, and Zeranic pulled a lever that lowered the
pulley, holding Mulder's arms over his head. Kiros stepped away,
allowing two servants to help his beloved kneel over the drain
in the floor. Then the plug was removed, and Mulder moaned as
the contents in his bowels rushed out of him and down the drain,
splattering his legs.

Before Mulder had time to recover the pulley lifted him back to
his feet, stretching his arms back above his head. Zeranic then
proceeded to wash his body and face with a soft fabric cloth and
soapy water from a basin. Mulder was dried, and a lightly
fragrant oil was rubbed into his skin. Eyeliner and light makeup
were reapplied to his face. The eunuch put a fresh pair of silk
underpants on his charge, covering his penis, before calling the
guards back into the room.

They bowed to their King, then untied the his future mate.
Zeranic quickly wrapped a robe around Mulder's body.

As Kiros stepped up to Mulder, the guards moved into protective
positions around their King--in case the human tried to attack
him. "Zeranic informed me you didn't drink the juice from last
night. Today, you were to be given only water to purify your
body. I will make an exception this once and allow you one
goblet of juice."

Despite the gnawing hunger in his belly, Mulder wouldn't give
the goblin King the satisfaction of helping him. "The only thing
I want from you is my freedom!"

Kiros smiled smugly as he reached out and touched the emeralds
woven into his beloved's hair. Mulder jerked his head away and
the guards grabbed his arms, holding him still. "My love, in
time, all thoughts of freedom will become foreign to you. You'll
be begging me to spread my legs for you. You'll become addicted
to the pleasures of my body as I will be to yours."

The King turned to his head eunuch. "Zeranic, take Lord Fox
back to his room. I want him to spend the day in quiet
meditation."

Mulder frowned as he was led back across the corridor to his
room. The room was already heating up as the overhead sun
intruded. It would be like an oven in here in just a few hours.
Mulder glanced around the room toward a corner that was
currently out of the direct sunlight.

"My Lord, I will bring you a goblet of water every few hours.
In two days, after your cleansing and bath, you will be joining
our King for breakfast."

The word cleansing sent a sick feeling into Mulder's belly. He
did not want to go through that again. "Zeranic, may I ask you
something?"

"Of course, My Lord. I'm here to serve you."

"Am I going to be tied up and assaulted every morning?"

Zeranic frowned. "We don't wish to hurt you, my Lord. Once you
no longer resist or are viewed as a threat to us, you will not
have to be bound during your cleansing. You will be bathed and
pampered twice a day, but only cleaned out a couple times a
week." Zeranic ran a hand over his own belly. "I'm sure that in
time you'll come to enjoy the sensation of water filling you as
much as I do."

"I'm sure I won't." Sweat was beginning to trickle down
Mulder's forehead and back. He licked his dry lips. "Zeranic,
may I have some water?"

"Whatever, my Lord wishes." The eunuch bowed and nodded to one
of the servants standing in the doorway. "Bring our Lord some
water." The servant rushed out, returning a few minutes later
with a cold goblet of water. Mulder drank it greedily. "Thank
you," he said, handing the empty goblet back.

"You're welcome, my Lord. We will leave you to your
meditations. I'll return in three hours with more water. This
room tends to get quite hot during the day, and I'm sure you'll
be thirsty again," Zeranic said with a said frown. He knew that
the heat and isolation, coupled with the lack of food were meant
to break Lord Fox's will. His charge would come to rely on him
and look forward to his upcoming visits with King Kiros, where
he would be pampered and fed delicious delicacies. In a week's
time, he would begin Lord Fox's training.

After the door closed leaving him alone again, Mulder dragged
the thin mat to the corner of the room and sat in the somewhat
cooler corner. He sifted uncomfortably; his ass was still sore
from earlier. Pulling his knees up against his chest Mulder
wrapped his arms around them as he leaned back against the wall.
His thoughts turned to Walter, and he began working at removing
the gems from his hair.

Mulder closed his eyes and thought of how nice it was to kiss
and be kissed by Walter. The soft press of lips against lips,
and heady sensation of exploring the moist recesses of each
other's mouths. Fingers unconsciously roaming and caressing
muscular flesh as all their passions pooled in their groins. He
and Walter found the act even more intimate than fucking. Mulder
remembered how stunned he was the first time Walter kissed him
inside the cabin he was renting in northern Minnesota. Until
then, he hadn't known that Walter had been interested in him.
The kiss had left no doubt in his mind that Walter really wanted
him.

Opening his eyes, he peered up at the light coming in through
the skylights. He hoped his lover was handling his abduction all
right. If it were the other way around he'd be frantic with
worry.

***

The fire cracked and popped as Skinner added another stick to
it. He glanced over at the bedrolls scattered around the fire.
Considering how hard he was pushing them, the Gunmen were
holding up well. When they returned to Orla Glen, Queen
Charmaine informed Skinner that Kedar and Krycek had rescued
Scully several days earlier. The Queen had kept Prince Kedar
informed of their progress in rescuing Mulder. The goblin Prince
arranged for his father's warship to pick them up in Frye's
harbor town of Fernon. Skinner and the Gunmen were heading back
across the country to Fernon. Skinner sighed, tossing another
stick on the fire. It was taking too long. Fox could be in
Kiros' hands by now.

Jahr walked quietly up to the campfire where his Lord sat
staring sadly into the flames. "Mage Skinner, Jahr brought you a
mug of spiced wine."

"Hmm? Oh. Thanks, Jahr." Skinner took the mug from the troll,
crinkling his nose at the smell coming from the creature. He'd
have to make sure Jahr bathed at the next opportunity. Fox
usually took care of Jahr, seeing that the young troll was full,
clean, and happy. "Why aren't you sleeping?"

"Jahr worry about his Lord Fox." The troll scratched himself
under his hairy armpit. "Lord Fox showed trolls respect."

Skinner smiled. "It's in Fox's nature to want to learn about
those different from him. He seldom judges anyone by their
outward appearance. Trolls have proven to be good and loyal
friends." Skinner's eyes traveled over the powerfully built
creature. It was their ugliness, poor hygiene, and slow wit that
gave trolls a bad reputation around the realm. In addition to
their merciless prowess in battle had other races fearing them.

"Jahr help you get his Lord Fox back."

"Thank you, Jahr. Now go to bed. We need to get an early start
in the morning." When the troll hesitated, Skinner added, "I'll
be turning in shortly."

After Jahr went and laid on his bedroll on the other side of
the fire. Skinner sipped the wine and continued to watch the
fire. For a moment, he thought he saw his lover's face amongst
the flames. God, he missed Fox so much. The wind suddenly picked
up, causing the flames and ashes to jump. Within their depths,
an old man's face appeared, and a voice boomed out over the snap
and crackle of the fire. "I am Grand Mage Zendl of Liamterra. My
people have waited a long time for your coming."

"What do you want?" Skinner hissed, not sure if his eyes and
ears were playing tricks on him.

"To help you rescue the warrior Prince from King Kiros."
It didn't dawn on Skinner who the old man was talking about.
"Warrior Prince?"

"Lord Fox." Zendl sighed. He couldn't believe their savior
still had no idea of who he or the warrior prince was.

Skinner rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Oh, the prophecy. Fox is
no warrior Prince and I'm not your savior."

"You are, Mage Skinner. However, you cannot fulfill your
destiny unless the warrior Prince is at your side."

"And that is why you wish to help me rescue him. Isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Just how are you planning on helping me rescue Fox?" Skinner
wasn't quite sure if he trusted this human mage.

"I'm currently sailing onboard King Baldwin's warship. All
three Kings from the southern human kingdoms are heading toward
Zaltaria with their finest warships and warriors to assist you—"

Skinner frowned. He had not liked any of the humans he'd met
since coming here. The story Scully told him about their trip
onboard a human merchant ship hadn't improved his opinion of
them. "I do not wish a war to be started over this. Fox would
not want blood spilled over him."

"There may not be a need for bloodshed. Once King Kiros sees
the size of our fleet and the might of our warriors, he will
return Lord Fox to you unharmed."

"Grand Mage Zendl, I've learned quite a bit about this realm.
One thing I've learned is that King Kiros has the most powerful
kingdom in the realm—"

The fire flared and flames leapt high into the air. "King Kiros
may have the most powerful kingdom, but it is not as powerful as
the three human kingdoms combined. Nor is he as powerful a mage
as you or I. It's about time the goblins learn they cannot
abduct and bully the other races."

Skinner glared at him. "I'm meeting Prince Kedar at the docks
in Frye's port city of Fernon. Prince Kedar is King Pyralis'
oldest son and next in line to the Kallen throne. We're taking
his father's warship to Zaltaria. I don't want a conflict
between humans and the Kallen goblins."

Zendl's sad eyes bored into Skinner's. "Humans only want peace
with the other inhabitants of the realm. But what we want most
of all is to return to our own world. The world that you are
from, Mage Skinner."

Skinner rubbed his temples. "Very well, Grand Mage Zendl. I
will meet with your Kings and decide if I want their assistance
in rescuing Fox."

"We're a couple of days away from Fernon. We'll meet your ship
there and plan our strategy," Zendl said. Then his image
flickered and vanished from the flames.

Skinner closed his eyes and pictured Mulder's face, while
trying to think about how his lover would handle this situation.
He chuckled. Mulder would have ditched everyone and been in
Zaltaria already. Skinner did not have his lover's spontaneous
charge into danger and damn the consequences personality. He
needed to strategize and plan for the best way to rescue Mulder
with the fewest risks to those helping him. "Babe, I hope I'm
not making a big mistake getting involved with this Zendl and
the human Kings. You'll kick my butt for me if I am."

***

Krycek watched how gentle and solicitous Kedar was with Scully.
She seemed to have healed physically. The Renny doctor they took
her to see said there was no major damage done from the rape.
However, Scully would be sore for the next several days. It had
been six days since they visited the doctor.

Once Kedar determined that Scully was well enough, he purchased
a mare for her from some elves in the last town. Scully had not
said anything about her rape at the hands of the centaur. She
was keeping everything bottled up. Krycek had been watching her
closely for any sign that she might be having difficulties, but
she remained aloof except with Prince Kedar. Scully allowed the
Prince to comfort and wait on her. She even insisted on going
with them to Fernon, instead of returning to the safety of Orla
Glen. Mulder was in danger, and there was nothing that would
keep his partner from being part of his rescue team.

"What are you looking at, Krycek?" Scully snapped, looking at
him from over the head of her horse.

"Chill, Red. I was just checking to see if you were all right."

"I'm fine."

Prince Kedar stopped his horse in the middle of the dirt road,
waiting for the two humans to catch up. When they pulled their
horses along side his, he announced, "There is a stream up
ahead. I would like to bathe before we reach Fernon later today.
Dana, would you care to join me?"

"Yes. I would love a bath," she said, wiping at her sweaty brow.

Krycek felt a pang of jealousy over Prince Kedar's invitation.
Since they'd rescued Scully, Kedar had been spending most of his
time with her.

"Alex, why don't you fix us lunch while we're bathing?" Kedar
said as he started his horse down the path toward the stream
again.

"I might wish to wash up in the stream, too," Krycek grumbled.

Kedar turned his horse around and waited for Krycek to stop
beside him. He leaned over and kissed the pout off the bowed
lips. "You can't, my love. I have chosen you for my life mate,
and you cannot see me naked until our bonding ceremony."

"Why?" Krycek licked his lips, then reached out and caressed
the side of Kedar's pale face. The goblin was so beautiful, that
sometimes, Krycek found thinking difficult. Like now. In the
weeks since meeting Kedar, his whole world had been shaken. He
tried to fight against his feelings of desire for the goblin
Prince, but found it to be a losing battle. Most of his thoughts
lately had been centered around Kedar and the need to please him.

"Mostly tradition. I want us bonded in the traditional ceremony
of my people. Since you are one hundred percent male, we won't
have to decide who tops whom in the ceremony. Most couplings end
with one of the bond mates pregnant. I think we both know which
of us that will be." Kedar smiled radiantly.

Krycek wiggled in the saddle as he became uncomfortably erect.
"I'm not sure if I'm ready for fatherhood."

"Who is?" Kedar leaned in one more time and kissed Krycek. Then
he pulled away and followed Scully down the path.

Krycek sat for several long moments watching until Kedar
disappeared behind some trees. Looking up at the clear blue sky,
Krycek sighed. He was having a hard time coming to terms with
his feelings of happiness and dread. What was he doing falling
in love with someone who wasn't even human, let alone completely
male?

***

The cool water came up to Scully's breasts. Her nipples stood
pert as the water flowed over them. Looking down, she noted
several fish in the clear water. Scully wanted to wash all
traces of Eachann from her body. The water soothed and cleansed
her. Glancing over at the tall goblin bathing beside her, she
felt completely safe in his presence. She didn't know if she
would have made it through the last seven days without Kedar's
help. The goblin had been kind-hearted and caring toward her.
Almost like her mother would have been.

"Dana, do you think Alex is beginning to have feelings for me?"
Kedar asked as he passed her the soap. He did not find bathing
with the human female threatening as it would have been bathing
with male humans or other goblins. Scully was like a kindred
spirit, and Kedar enjoyed her company.

"Yes." Scully smiled softly. "I think you have him completely
befuddled."

Kedar smiled back. "If all goes as planned, I'll be caring his
baby before the first leaf falls from the trees back home in
Kallen." The Prince sighed. "I really miss my homeland, Dana.
The mountains and lakes are magnificent. Plus, at our palace we
have indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water. No where
else, except in the palace of Mei, is there hot and cold running
water. My father would like to have all the homes in Kallen
equipped with indoor plumbing someday."

"Your country sounds lovely. I'd like to visit it once we
rescue Mulder. Of course, I plan to spend most of my time in a
hot bath." Scully grinned.

Kedar chuckled. "When we get to Fernon, I'll see about having
hot baths prepared for both our rooms."

"Thanks." Scully dunked her head under the cool stream water,
rinsing the soap out of her hair. She wiped the water out of her
eyes when she resurfaced.

"How are you feeling, Dana?" Kedar asked softly.

A shadow passed over Scully's features. "During the day I try
not to think about it. At night, I can't get away from it, and I
feel so sick and helpless inside."

"I'm sorry this happened to you. Our realm can be quite ugly at
times."

"Kedar, back home I work for an agency that deals with all
sorts of ugliness. Mulder and I have come in contact with some
of the most vile human beings ever born. Men who experiment on
their fellow man, and refer to them as merchandise. Men who have
turned over their own children and loved ones to a race of
aliens for experimentation. I don't view what happened to me as
normal for this place, any more than I view those men as normal
human beings."

"You're a wise woman, Dana. I feel blessed to have you as a
friend." Kedar kissed her on the forehead, then waded out of the
water and started to dry himself. Scully followed, looking long
and hard at the goblin's toned, masculine body. It was hard to
believe that this creature was half female. "Kedar, do goblins
nurse their young?"

"Yes. We develop breasts about the size of yours, but only
while we're nursing. My father always complained about how
cumbersome they were." Kedar laughed.

Scully couldn't help laughing with him as they dressed. They
found Krycek sitting by the fire with a kettle bubbling away.

Kedar sank down next to him, breathing in the delicious
fragrance of vegetables stewing. "That was quick, my love."

Krycek shrugged his shoulders. "The wood was already laid out
in the fire pit. Scully chopped up the vegetables yesterday, so
my only work was collecting some water from the stream."

Sensing something was wrong with Krycek, the Prince asked,
"What is bothering you?"

Krycek bowed his head sadly, looking into the fire. "I want to
go back to my world and get a new prosthesis fitted."

"Why? Your missing limb does not bother me—"

"It bothers me! At least with my prosthesis, I was able to hold
things and maintain my balance. And I didn't get the stares of
disgust or pity that I've been getting here."

Kedar wrapped his arms around Krycek, holding him tighter as
Alex tried to shove him away. "Shh, Alex, you should have told
me. The Renny are the finest craftsmen in the realm. I'll hire
one in Fernon, and have him carve a new arm for you. It should
get you by until we can go to your world and have a better one
made."

Krycek relax against Kedar's chest. "You'd do that for me?"

"I'd do anything for you, my love."

Alex gazed into the sincere sapphire eyes. He took the Prince's
hand in his and placed it on his groin. "Kedar, this is what you
do to me. When will this bonding ceremony take place? As you can
tell, I want you." Krycek moaned as Kedar squeezed the hard
bulge in his pants.

"Alex, while we cannot have intercourse until the bonding
ceremony that doesn't mean I can't pleasure you in other ways."

Kedar met Scully's eyes over Krycek's shoulder. They exchanged
grins, and Scully rose. "I think I'll take a cup of stew to eat
down by the stream. Call me when you two are done."

Once Scully disappeared from view, Kedar unlaced Krycek's pants
and eased out his hard cock. He smiled. "You know I've had
fantasies about this beauty since I saw you naked in Orla Glen."
The Prince bent down and licked the head of Alex's cock.

Krycek gasped as the tip of Kedar's tongue pressed against his
slit. His fingers wove into the Prince's thick, snow white
locks, holding his head in place as the goblin took him deeper
into his moist mouth. Kedar hummed around the hard shaft as he
pulled back, then sucked it back down his throat. He enjoyed the
slightly salty taste of the human and the exotic noises Alex was
making as his hips pushed up in time with Kedar's blowjob.

Every time Krycek was close to coming, Kedar would pull back,
prolonging their intimate contact. It was over a half hour
before the Prince allowed his lover to come. He relished the
flavor of Krycek's semen as he swallowed it down.

Krycek collapsed against the Prince, breathing heavily as he
came down off his orgasm. His hand pulled Kedar closer as he
captured the goblin's lips in a deep kiss, tasting himself of
the Prince's tongue. "That was unbelievable. Do all goblins know
how to give head?"

"I'm not sure...I haven't had much experience. I learned how to
give a blowjob by watching Fox and Walter." Kedar giggled. "Fox
always seemed to take great pleasure in sucking Walter's penis.
I never knew what the attraction was until now."

A smile graced Krycek's lips as he looked at Kedar's happy
face. "I'd like to return the favor...if it wouldn't be breaking
any rules."

"I'd love to feel your mouth on me...tonight when we get to
Fernon. We should eat and continue on our journey."

Krycek kissed him one final time. "Then it will give me
something to look forward to."

***

The dining room was one of the most beautiful rooms Mulder had
ever beheld. The floors and walls were a shimmering pearl marble
with gold trim. A long table was on a raised platform in the
center of a large reflection pool. Solid gold bridges spanned
the pool to the platform. In the water, colorful fish swam.
Overhead was a high arched glass window that ran the length of
the large room. Trees and flowering plants were growing in beds
along paths that wove throughout the room. Exotic stone statues
of different creatures in the realm were placed among the
foliage. It reminded Mulder of a conservatory.

Zeranic led him over one of the bridges to the table. King
Kiros waited for him at the head of the table. Mulder licked his
lips as his eyes fell on the feast laid out on the table. It had
been over three days since he had last eaten.

"Beauty, I hope the time you've spent meditating has been
beneficial," Kiros said, taking Mulder's hand and kissing him on
the cheek.

Mulder pulled away and wiped his cheek. "Yes, I had many
pleasant fantasies about Walter, thank you for asking," he
replied sarcastically.

Kiros frowned, warning, "Until your fantasies involve me,
you'll continue to meditate in your room."

Mulder held his head proudly. "I guess I'll be meditating for
my entire stay here then." Inwardly Mulder was terrified. He
couldn't take the long hours of isolation, the hunger, or the
heat. After three days, he was beginning to even look forward to
his morning cleansings.

The King decided to give his betrothed a sample of what he'd be
missing if he didn't learn to obey. "Be seated, Beauty. Our
servants will prepare a plate for you. If you're good, we'll
take a walk through the gardens after breakfast."

Mulder raised an eyebrow. "If I'm not?"

"You'll be taken back to your room, where you'll spend the next
three days fasting and meditating."

"And after we're done with our walk?" Mulder kept one eye on
Kiros and another one of the servant filling a plate with fruit,
cheese, jam, and bread. He didn't see any meat on the table.

"You will be returned to your room, where you'll spend the rest
of the day meditating. If you continue to behave, we will share
breakfast again tomorrow. Eventually, depending on your
behavior, you will be sharing the noonday meal and dinner with
me." Kiros picked up his crystal goblet and took a sip of the
sweet juice. "Fox, your comfort is in your hands. I look forward
to the day where we can go hunting together, and you can ride at
my side into battle."

Mulder chewed on his bottom lip as he reached for the goblet in
front of him. If he could convince Kiros that he would behave,
maybe he'd be able to escape before the bonding ceremony. He sat
back as a servant placed a full plate in front of him. Taking a
swallow of the fruit juice, he set the goblet down and picked up
a slice of cheese and a slice of bread.

Kiros watched his future mate devour the food in front of him.
He was enjoying the battle of wills with the human. However, he
wasn't foolish enough to think that Fox would obey him anytime
soon. He'd spied on him and Mage Skinner long enough to know
what a tremendous mind and strong will his future mate
possessed. No, Fox was going to be a challenge, and he intended
to win this game before the bonding ceremony. He wanted to win
Fox's love before the human had no choice but to love him.

Licking the jam from his lips, Mulder glanced up at Kiros. He
blushed as the King gave him a bemused smile. Looking back down
at his empty plate, Mulder murmured, "You're the one who's
starved me for the last three days."

"Beauty, I enjoy seeing you eat. I'd love for you to dine with
me every day for the rest of our lives." Kiros set his napkin
down. "Now, if you're ready, we can take a stroll outside. All
of the plants are in bloom. The birds are singing. It is a
beautiful summer day."

"I would like that," Mulder said, forcing a smile and pushing
away from the table. He could do this.

Kiros took Mulder's hand and led him across one of the golden
bridges. An army of guards followed them out the door and into
the gardens. Mulder glanced back at the goblins spreading out
around the garden. Well, he wasn't planning on escaping today
anyway. Mulder was determined to plan his escape carefully. It
was something Walter would do. "This is a pretty plant. What is
it?" Mulder touched the petals on a bright orange bloom.

"It is called a morning sun. The flower only blooms in the
morning. It will fold up into itself once the sun gets too hot."

Mulder walked to the wall that looked out over the peaceful
harbor. He counted over one hundred ships--from warships to
merchant vessels to fishing boats. Closing his eyes, he breathed
in the fresh sea air. "It really is lovely here, Kiros. Do you
really want to ruin your city's tranquility by keeping me
prisoner?"

"How so, my love?"

"Walter will never stop until he gets me back. He'll burn your
city to the ground if that is what it will take." Mulder wasn't
sure how far Walter would go, but he hoped his bluff would
rattle the Zaltarian King.

"I will not give you up, Beauty. This city is at the end of a
long and narrow gulf. We have the entrance to the gulf heavily
fortified. It would take any attacking fleet months to break
through our defenses with a great loss of life."

Mulder sighed. "Find someone else, Kiros. I will never stop
loving Walter."

Kiros didn't look at him as he turned to his guards. "Take Lord
Fox back to his room, and inform Zeranic that he is to be given
nothing but water for the next three days."

***

End of Chapter 8 - The Search

Coming soon - Chapter 9 - Skinner's Fury