Irinel ran through the forest, not knowing where his feet would take him. He was facing punishment for violating orders to remain silent about the princess, and he was afraid that he might be beaten with whips. His unquenchable passion often turned into wild pain for him. He fell in front of a large tree, sobbing heart-rendingly and bursting into burning tears, desperately wishing that no one would find him. But after some time, someone approached him, and the gentle voice was heard:
"Hey boy, are you lost or something?"
Irinel turned around in horror and saw in front of him an unfamiliar white-winged vampire, piercing him right through with bright turquoise eyes.
"What's the point of hiding here? They will still find you."
Irinel shook his head desperately, leaning his back against the tree trunk.
"Don't give me to Adivaris! Please!" The young man screamed desperately.
The stranger sighed and stood next to him.
"Are you afraid of the Ruler? But he's not an executioner! This is not Xanthari, but a kingdom free from tyranny. I am Palien, I live in my house nearby. I felt your strong emotions and hurried to you."
Palien extended his hand to the guy and helped him up.
"We haven't met before, have we? I am Irinel, musician."
"The son of Lamronius, who abandoned you, the brother of Lantas! So similar! You're only about two hundred, right? How did you end up on Zaria?"
"Tarmio, my patron, arrived here on business, and I moved with him, I wanted to visit Gedeon."
"So you visited young God, now you're shaking with fear," - Palien laughed. "Do you like men? But I always only chased after women and won hundreds of hearts. I've never been attracted to guys. Have you always been like this?"
"Yes, but I adore women too. But my sisters do not want intimacy with me."
"It would be strange if they seduced you," - Palien laughed.
Tears flowed from Irinel's eyes again.
"Now he hates me too! He didn't appreciate my passion. I was so hoping for reciprocity."
"Oh! How you suffer for him!" Palien was perplexed. "But it's clear: God after all! I don't even know how to calm you down."
Irinel suddenly grabbed his interlocutor by the waist and buried his head in his chest. Palien was confused by his behavior and said:
"How strange you are! Hermaphrodite? You have unusual energy and you are so loving. What kind of enchantment is this?"
Palien's hand automatically fell on Irinel's head and began stroking his hair. He stopped crying and calmed down.
Palien gently pulled away from him.
"Your strength will increase over time. I thought Ramies was the most talented Lamori. Do you know him?"
"Avilena's husband? I've heard about him, but haven't seen."
"You need to get together with him to take your mind off Deo. He is just like you, quick to seduce and lustful, but he has an acquired gift, and you were born this way. My former officer traveled for a long time in my fleet, and now lives here; I think he will be happy to take care of you."
Irinel looked into Palien's eyes with gratitude and smiled, trying to get closer to him.
"Why do you live alone? I couldn't do that, I always need attention."
"The King did not allow me to live in Ornalion, and Azaren is far from my kids."
"What have you done so handsome?" Irinel asked, coquettishly smoothing his hair. "King Lariel seems kind. I really liked him when I saw him in the city, I'm impressed by his image and amazing charisma."
"Ah! It will take a long time to tell this unpleasant story. Love makes you to do all sorts of stupid things, you know. How did you even survive on Xantari with such an orientation?"
"Yes, I experienced a lot of pain because of my addictions. The previous Rulers were cruel to persons like me, but Rohen changed my life for the better, and now I live peacefully with my Tarmio."
"I'm shocked that so many events have happened, the permanent power has fallen under the strength of Rohen and all this is far from me," Palien complained with annoyance. "All my life I have served the ideals of Xantari and the eternal Rulers, that now I feel an unpleasant emptiness inside me, as if something had died in me and crumbled to dust."
"Yeah … I got it. It's not easy to realize that something immutable has disappeared," - Irinel muttered sympathetically and asked worriedly:
"You said that the power of seduction will grow in me, is it really noticeable?"
"I can recognize abilities and gifts by looking at a person, as well as penetrate the mind of others. Not a very pleasant gift - you have to feel envy of the talents, but it's necessary in military service. Thus, I, as Commander, recruited the crew for the fleet. All five officers should be ladies' vamps, not just starship captains. I valued the Warriors of Love and forgave them a lot because of their precious qualities, bringing them together with princesses for encouragement. And your mission is the same, you would be very useful as an emissary, but now there is no need for interstellar expeditions of the previous scale, and the Source will still find a use for you. Your gift is too exotic."
"Am I attracting you?" Irinel asked with narrowed eyes.
Palien stared at the guy in amazement.
"Ah, no! This is too weird for me. I, of course, feel an unusual magnetism, but it's better to refrain. I can only hug you, but we have already done this, and even then, I showed excessive sympathy. You already got what you wanted from Gedeon, isn't it enough for you?"
"The prince is special for me and leaves an unforgettable feeling, there's no way to explain it."
"It's hard for me to understand, but I'll try."
Palien suddenly frowned, turning his gaze into the distance.
"Adivaris is very angry now and is looking for you, so stay with me a while. I'll try to calm him down so he will not do something stupid. Let's go to my hideout."