After Korina and the Countess left, Velona was able to relax some. Of course he never truly let his guard down, alone or in the company of others, he was always on alert. However with them gone he needed only to focus on himself.

He found Beckett and they shared another dance before conversing with others. Lady Waters slowly made her way over to him and was happy to see, Velona had chosen to stay a bit longer. She asked him several questions about Korina. Velona kept his answers vague but knew from time to time, in order to get information, he had to give it.

In this case, giving information was also to his benefit. He let it "slip" that Korina would be attending the debutante ball. He made it a point, to tell Lady Waters it was a secret, ensuring that she would no doubt, tell everyone. Once she learned the information, she quickly came up with a reason to excuse herself. He watched her practically bounce around the room, with excitement as she went from guest to guest.

He knew by tomorrow, rumors of Korinas' arrival and intention to attend the debutante ball, would spread throughout Crestmoore. Interest would no doubt be piqued and garner the attention of any potential suitors. Though given the scandal of Korinas' mother, he didn't expect much.

They stayed for another hour or so before taking their leave. The ride home was quiet and content. They said a few things here or there but nothing of true importance, one could never be too careful. Velona took the time to think, finding he had much to consider.

Korina had done fairly well, beyond a few mistakes here or there and barely passable piano. Every time she missed a note, he considered taking a chocolate away, from her reward. Still he supposed she done decent enough, given her background and how little time, they had to prepare, she could have done a lot worse. Though he could only imagine, what she'd gotten up to on her own.

Velona hadn't planned on leaving her side but when Beckett had arrived, he'd been called away. He'd been surprised to see Beckett. He'd been expecting him just not here and now. He'd worried something had gone wrong. However Beckett had quickly let him know, in their own way, everything was okay.

He'd simply returned this morning and found Velona gone. He learned of the party and had thought it might be nice to join him. While unexpected, Velona supposed it would be good for people, to see them together, out and about as it had been some time.

He thought to introduce Beckett to Korina, however when he sought her out, he found her standing alone. It was his mistake, to assume the Countess was capable of watching her own granddaughter, for more then a few minutes. He'd been quite upset and nearly took her home, right then and there. Korina claimed she'd done nothing wrong and yet a moment later, Duke Kerr and his daughter, approached them.

Korinas' connection to Duke Kerr was quite surprising. He himself had not managed to make introductions. He'd only seen the Kerrs in passing and learned about them through other people. He didn't know why but their familiarity with Korina bothered him, especially when they had left, right after she had as if they had only come to see her. Of course, that was no doubt why, most if not all, the guests had attended.

Velona had to hand it, to Lady Waters, all things considered, her meager garden party had been a success. She would no doubt live off the clout of this, for many years, if not the rest of her life. For someone of her status, one good party was all that it took to be fulfilled.

When they arrived home, they dismissed the servants for the night. The staff had their own housing, beyond the stables. There were still servants that stayed close by, walking the grounds with dogs and securing the area but for the most part, they had the manor to themselves. Of course, if they needed anything, in the night, they had a bell service connected to the servants housing, they simply needed to pull a string.

Velona went upstairs to change, while Beckett made himself a drink and checked the house, to make sure all of the servants had left. Velona took off his jewelry and washed the makeup from his face. He let his hair down and brushed it out before he loosened his corset and straps.

He often wore them to bed but they didn't need to be so tight. It was strange to think, one day he might never need to wear a corset or straps again. However just because he didn't need to, didn't mean he wouldn't. He had found there was a certain freedom, an advantage of being able to switch back and forth. Though he often wondered, what it would be like to have short hair or even grow a beard.

He changed into a loose evening gown and then prepared himself for sex. It was often expected upon reuniting. He supposed he could say it was to keep up appearances, should anyone question their validity as a couple but some husbands and wives never touched. It was not uncommon for married couples to never share a bed or even a room for that matter.

No, the sex was something they both enjoyed. Though it didn't hurt, from time to time, to have the staff catch a controlled whimper or uncompromising position. Velona, more than anyone knew, the staff could talk, after all, that was how he often got most of his information.

Velona finished preparing and wiped his body down, with sweet smelling oils. He went into the bedroom and found Beckett, sitting on the end of the bed, unbuttoning his shirt.

"So tell me, how have you been?" asked Beckett, taking off his shirt.

"Well enough as you know from my letters, I've been quite busy." said Velona, pulling the decorative pillows from the bed.

"Yes, she looked well enough," said Beckett, unbuttoning his pants.

"You should have seen her, when I first got her. She was worse then, Cornett."

Beckett let out a low whistle. "Really, then I'm glad I wasn't here for that. As I recall Cornett was a struggle."

"Yes, she was." said Velona thinking back on it. He smiled to himself and continued, "But I pulled through then and I'll do it again. In a matter of weeks, I will no longer be in debt, to that old crone."

"Does it really matter?"asked Beckett, dropping his pants. "In a few months, we'll be done here."

"Yes but the last thing I need, is that old bat dying with a debt owed. You know me, I like to tie up loose ends, whenever I can."

"That you do, that you do."said Beckett, removing his undergarments.

Velona pulled back the blankets and then looked Beckett up and down, taking in every inch of him. He let out a pleasant sigh. Though it had been a few months, since they had last been together, he was happy to see, Beckett had kept in shape.

Beckett gave Velona a sly smile and then slowly made his way around the room, blowing out all the candles. The moon was full and shined through the tall windows, casting shadows across the room. Velona found he preferred the dark, he'd always felt more like himself among the shadows. If he had his way, it would always be like this.

Beckett approached him and they embraced. Velona ran his hands across Becketts' muscles, he traced his scars, finding he knew his body, almost as well as his own. Beckett leaned in to Velona, smelling him. He pressed his cheek against Velonas' and slowly slid down to his neck. He kissed it gently and then trailed, light kisses to his shoulder. He grasped hold of Velonas' nightgown, bunching it up before he lifted it over Velonas' head. He let the soft silky fabric, fall to the floor.

Velona studied Becketts' expression as he ran his fingers across Velonas' corset and straps. He knew Beckett longed, to free him from his burdens but no one could. Vengeance… Vengeance, was the only thing that would set Velona free. Though he often wondered, if he could ever truly be free. Vengeance and pain was all he'd ever know. When all things were said and done, what would be left of him. It would be foolish to think there would be anything beyond the pain...

Beckett tangled his fingers in Velonas' hair, tilting his head back. He passionately kissing him and realized he'd become distracted. Beckett fell to his knees, determined to pull Velona from his dark thoughts and keep him here. Velonas' member was aroused but not quite hard. Beckett took it in his mouth, moving his tongue under the head. He licked and sucked causing Velona to stir from his thoughts and stumble back.

Velona let out a heavy breath and looked down at Beckett, moving along his shaft. Their eyes met and Beckett smiled, happy to have Velonas' full attention. He ran his hands up the back of Velonas' legs before grasping hold of his buttocks. He squeezed them and pulled Velona into him and to the back of his throat. Velona closed his eyes and let another deep breath, escape his lips

Becket moved his middle finger to Velonas' rectum. He lightly circled it before sliding in. Velona quivered as Beckett began to massage him. He let his head fall back and enjoyed himself for a moment. When he was hard enough...ready, Beckett slipped out his finger and pulled from Velonas' member.

He rose standing once more. Velona looked at him in the moonlight. For a moment the two just stared at each other and then they leaned in to one another. Their lips met in another passionate kiss that lingered for a moment before turning into a series of hot and heavy kisses.

When they pulled apart, Velona rubbed his face against Becketts' chest and then turned his back to him. He rubbed his body against him, he could feel the stiffness of his member. Beckett wrapped his arms around Velona, holding him against his chest. He breathed him in and then moved Velonas' hair to one side so that he could kiss the back of his neck.

Beckett ran his hands down Velonas' body until they fell on his hips. He guided Velona forward toward the bed. Velona leaned against one of the sturdy bedposts and parted his legs, getting into position. Beckett placed himself and inserted his thickness with ease.

He let out a low groan and then paused, waiting for Velonas' body to adjust to his girth. Velona braced himself, against the bedpost for a moment and then pushed back against Beckett, letting him know, he was more than ready. Beckett tighten his grasp on Velonas' hips and slowly pulled back and then pushed in once more, harder, faster. He quickly found a steady pace.

Velona smiled to himself, thinking back to their first time. Beckett had been quite inexperienced, Velona had been his first and was his only as far as he knew. Beckett had fumbled a lot, rushed with excitement, he had no self control what so ever. Velona had been patient, he'd been with many a lover at that point. He took his time, training Beckett, he'd needed a lot of training but in the end, it had paid off.

Velona turned so they could kiss as Beckett grinded into him. When they parted lips, Velona turned back and grasped the bedpost tighter. It felt good, really good but he pushed it down, held it in, knowing the longer he could control himself, the better it was going to be.

Beckett grunted and groaned, picking up the pace. Velona pressed back against him, breathing deeply. He made light grunts and groans of his own but they were barely audible. He'd been taught to keep quiet and it was a hard habit to break.

Beckett pulled out after a minute or so and Velona turned to face him. They embraced, kissing almost feverishly. They crawled onto the bed and Velona laid down on his back. Beckett got on top of him, entering him once more. He grinded into him and they continued to kiss.

They breathed heavily, running their hands over one another. Velona could feel it again, the tension building. He turned his head to the side, refusing to give in, to let go just yet. Beckett ran his hand along Velonas' neck line. The bed shook as he pumping into him.

Velonas' breaths became quicker and harder. He was finding it difficult to control himself. Perhaps it had been longer than he'd realized. Beckett studied Velonas' expression. He smiled at Beckett's devotion and dedication to his needs, though he knew he was struggling with his own mounting pressure.

Velona lifted himself, reaching out for Beckett, he pulled him in, kissing him. Their tongues entangling, when Velona pulled back, he was nearly out of breath. He could see Beckett was, staining, struggling, he wanted it, wanted to let go but held on waiting for Velona, wanting his satisfaction more. Velona basked in the power, the control. Beckett was ever the servant, trying to please his master.

Velona felt himself nearing the edge. He smirked and nodded to Beckett. They pulled apart again. Velona flipped himself on his stomach, getting to his hands and knees. They were barely apart for a second before Beckett grabbed his hips and thrust back into him.

Velona tangled his fingers in the blankets, twisting them up in his grasp as it became frenzied. He felt it rise up in him and he knew it was time, gloriously, it was time. He wrapped a hand around his engorged member and began to stroke. Beckett continued to pound and buck into him from behind. His fingers trembled with anticipation.

Velona continued to stroke himself, drawling it out until finally, he jutted, feeling the tension erupt within him. Pleasure spread throughout his entire body and his seed shot out, onto the bed, spraying the blankets. Velona gasped and shook with his release. His euphoria sent Beckett over the edge.

Becket quickly let go, with a mighty roar. Velona felt his seed fill him. He enjoyed the warm sensation as it tangled with his own, intoxicating release. Beckett continued to empty inside him as he trembled and groaned, breathing heavily. He pressed against Velona for a moment, caressing him. He kissed his back before he pulled out and rolled off to the side.

Velona let himself drop to the bed. Both men panted, enjoying the intensity. Their bodies spasmsed for a moment longer as they caught their breathes. Velona felt tired, his eyes half slits, a smile on his face. He knew he should clean up but didn't care right then and there. He closed his eyes, drifting for a moment. He felt Beckett move closer to him and cuddle up. Velona was so tired that he allowed it, though he wasn't much for such things.

A moment later, he heard Beckett softly snoring. Velona continued to drift. He found himself running barefoot, his small feet, falling against hard marble floors. There was smoke everywhere... fire. He could hardly see, tears blurring his vision. The walls and ceiling began to crumble around him. He was frightened...scared, so alone...so alone. His heart felt like it was going to explode in his chest but he kept going, he had to get out... had to get away... Had to...

Velonas' breath caught, he opened his eyes. He could hear a light rain, falling against the windows. It was darker now. The shadows danced across the ceiling. His chest rose and sunk as it took him a moment, to realize, to remember, it had all happened... so long ago.

He swallowed, his throat dry. He turned his head and saw Beckett sound asleep, his arm was over Velonas' chest. He rolled, sliding out from underneath it, without waking him. His bare feet touched the cold marble floor. For a moment the nightmare flashed through him, he pushed it away and got up, pouring himself a drink.

He drank it quickly and then cleaned himself up. He didn't bother with the bed, some cum wasn't unheard of, for the staff to clean up. He put his nightgown back on and then poured himself another drink. He drank this one slower, swirling it, in his glass.

He stared out the window, watching the rain, thinking, plotting, it was the only thing that helped, to plan it out in his head, to run through it, again and again. He would imagine everything he was going to do and everyone he was going to do it to, in as much detail as possible. He took a drink and then continued to swirl his glass, assuring himself. "Soon… soon..."

Thank you for Reading^^