Verin's breath stutters as Essek flexes his thighs, but it is his words that hit him harder than he could have imagined. He should have been here more, but leaving Bazzoxan was not easy--until today. Even that was under duress, and it took several officers and at least one secretary to talk him out of going back. But it wasn't only them. One thought struck him to his core, and it was the one thing to make him turn back to Rosohna.

He shudders over his brother and he cannot grab his chin and kiss him the way he suddenly, urgently wants to; nor can he coax Essek's finger away from his mouth. He keeps his head down, reverent, and his hair falls over his shoulders to shroud them both. Verin curls his fingers carefully the next time he pushes them in, and it only takes him a few strokes to find the spot he's looking for. He knows he's hit it for sure when Essek's body tightens and trembles around him.

"Light, Essek--you already feel ready for me." That's a surprise, and Verin has to wonder how the Shadowhand was occupying himself yesterday. He gently bites Essek's earlobe, mindful of the jewelry. "Are you? You know your thighs alone would make me come."

And he is tempted to find his finish there, but he aches to be inside Essek. He wants to give his brother everything.