All three reached back to their room. It was cleaned up and fresh blankets were laid out. Eloy sat on the bed. He had a chain around his hip which accentuated his hip now. He wore it when he dresses separately. All married men, submissives, wore them. His husbands were looking at him. Both men went down on their knees and lifted his legs. They both looked at him for permission. Once he nodded, they slid a toe ring each, proclaiming their fidelity in the marriage. Then he bent down and wore the toe rings on both of his Emperors' toe. Finally, Eloy looked at them both."Now you," he said. Both the emperors looked at each other. Mithraos wore one on Adharva's toe. Then Adharva slipped one into Mithraos's toe.Silence reigned. "I think it is time to sleep," said Eloy and moved up to the bed and laid down. He closed his eyes. He never knew awkwardness could be like this. He felt the emperors move and lay down on his sides. He was silent when he heard the rustle of the blankets. He felt

Eloy looked at his husbands. Both were lounging in the room. They seemed to have had a cordial talk earlier. Shikhar has not expected him to keep what they spoke about as a secret. Primarily because,there should be no secrets in a marriage."I spoke to apaa," said Eloy.That got him both of their attention. Eloy told them about what happened without leaving a word out. Adharva's face was red with anger and betrayal. "You shouldn't judge brother too harshly. At that age, we talk before we think," said Mithraos."I agree with His Highness," said Eloy."When do you not agree with him?" snapped Adharva.There was silence after that. Adharva just stormed out of the room. Eloy watched worried."He will calm down," said Mithraos placing his arm around Eloy who nodded. Both were settled in the bed, awake and waiting. Adharva stepped in having calmed down. He laid down and lowered the flames."I shouldn't have taken my anger out on you both," said Adharva.Eloy flushed when he felt Adharv

On their last day in the woods, Eloy woke up first. He felt the two set of firm arms around him. Eloy always wondered these days as they got physically close if the emperors would like it if he initiated touches. He would like to. Emperor Adharva's hair was strewn all over his face. He wanted to move it away. But the man intimidated him on some level. And Mithraos had always been indifferent after they grew up. Earlier he used to play with Eloy's hair a lot. They were kids then. Mithraos would comb his hair and plate them for him. When Mithraos stopped doing it, asking for it, Eloy tied up his hair. In childish anger he has never let his hair down before the emperor after that.He wanted to touch Emperor Mithraos's cheek sometimes but he worried if he would like it. Eloy was wary of stepping over the line. He got up and went looking for Hawa. He was curled up in the front room. He gathered Hawa and was saying farewell. ---------Hawa followed them to the palace grounds much to bot

Life was strange. Married life was stranger. Adharva woke up to see Eloy already awake. It was either him or Eloy who wakes up first and he was more or less sure that the day Mithraos wakes up first, pigs would fly.It was the first full court sitting after the wedding. Eloy will also sit with them. He knew there will be conflict of interests. But it will work out, maybe.For now, he looked at his one husband in the bed and then at the other who was at the door having shooed off some maid to bring in their morning drinks himself, politely of course. If he is not polite to servants, he wouldn't be Eloy.This was a regular thing now. Eloy guarded their quarters with as much passion as he himself does. Never lets the helps into the quarters.He took the tea and then they both eyed Mithraos. The man must have sensed the smell of tea, he stirred. "Am I an exhibit?" he asked grouchily as he sat up and took his tea."Not yet. If you sleep in a similar manner during the wars, maybe," said A

Adharva woke up when he felt Eloy's hand on him. "Your highness, it is late. Please join us for breakfast," said Eloy as he picked the robe for Adharva and brought it. The man sat up and wore it and took the tea from him."How is Mithraos?" asked Adharva."I think he is in pain. He will die before admitting it," said Eloy.They both reached the dining area. Mithraos looked up. His and Adharva's eyes met. All sat down and Eloy served the food. They all silently ate it.Eloy looked at Mithraos who stubbornly remained silent."Let us deal with the culprit first thing," said Adharva on his feet. All three walked towards the healer's chamber.Adharva and Mithraos were trailing behind as Eloy rushed to ensure that the man was properly tied up, lest he try to attack the emperors."I was angry, Adharva. I shouldn't have said that," said Mithraos slowly. Eloy did not turn even though he heard the conversation."You were right, it was my fault. I should have been more careful about your securi