The next morning, the Emperor summoned Teal to his quarters. Apart from the servants conducting their usual errands and tasks, the palace appeared to be in a lazy slumber compared to how busy it had been over the past couple of days. Most of the palace guests were recovering from the celebrations of the night before.

Teal walked slowly, his head sore. He vaguely remembered being guided back to his private quarters at some point in the middle of the early hours of morning by his and Lana's maids and eunuchs. He remembered the Emperor's kiss and how comfortable it had been to have Jale sitting so close to him and touching him. He wanted his thoughts to linger on those two men. Unfortunately, his thoughts also fell on his incident with Prince Yernal and berating his own stupid actions seemed more appropriate. He should have handled the situation better.

Teal trudged up the stairs to the Emperor's formal day room all too aware of the two guards at his back today. Was it just him or did they seem even more threatening than usual? The guards meant business. That they would really try to kill him if he posed a threat, hung heavily over his shoulders. He had falsely believed he had been easing into his new life at the palace, but just because he was getting used to everyone around him, didn't mean they were getting used to him.

The morning brought, along with his hangover, a newfound determination to completely immerse himself into palace life and to be accepted. He had been hired for a job to satisfy the Emperor's needs, and it was time that he started doing just that. No more daydreaming over Jale. No more shying away from the Emperor. It was time to become a valued member of the Purple Jade Palace. Not only that, it was time he began acting like his old self. The old self that was comfortable and confident with who he was, who was calm and self-sured when dealing with other people. The old self that wasn't scared to take a leap and embark on an adventure of a lifetime and help the Emperor.

Teal reached the top of the stairs, and the Emperor's personal guards opened the door allowing him to enter.

The main greeting room was empty. He stood at the top and waited, and when the Emperor did not appear, Teal started to wander around the room looking at what items were on display. It wasn't until he reached the far corner that he noticed a door leading to another room – one that Teal had not been in before - was open ajar. He was about to walk straight past when he heard a muffled noise coming from within. Teal stopped and looked through the small gap, ignoring the fact that his two guards would see what he was doing.

Teal's eyes landed on the Emperor and Lana, Lana in the Emperor's lap in his bed. She rocked forward moaning softly, her hands on his shoulders while the Emperor wrapped his arms around her slim waist, holding her close. Teal pulled away slightly when the Emperor moved, lifting her up with his body as he slowly lowered her onto her back, exposing her breasts. The Emperor's mouth traveled eagerly over every inch of their flesh, and once he was settled back in between her thighs, he lined himself up and thrust back into her again.

It was an intense sight. One that he wanted to continue to watch but not wanting to pry on their privacy, Teal took a step back. Just as he did, something else caught his eye. It wasn't until he had moved, with the Emperor and Lana in their new position, that Teal also saw Jale flat on his stomach fast asleep beside the pair.

More disappointment filled Teal, and he moved away from the door, feeling real rejection in his veins. Out of the three people who had been asked to accompany the Emperor the night before, he was the only one who had not been asked to join the Emperor back to his quarters.

Teal squared his shoulders. He wasn’t going to wallow. It only gave him more determination.

Teal walked back to the main part of the greeting room and moved his attention to the books along one wall opposite to the wide-open windows, windows much like the ones in the Empress's quarters. A short time later, he startled to attention when the door creaked open, and the Emperor stepped through.

>>

Jale stirred and while he had a prominent headache, it was not as bad as it could have been. He noted Lana curled up in the sheets beside him, the soft steady pace of breathing indicating someone in a peaceful slumber. Jale rolled onto his back and shifted one arm under his head while he stared at the ceiling and tried to gain enough resemblance of the waking world before he would consider venturing out into it.

If anyone had told him ten years earlier that he would wake up in the sheets of the Emperor's bed, in his personal chambers with a naked woman beside him, and feel completely comfortable with it, he would have laughed in their face. He breathed in deeply and took in the smell of Lana's perfumed presence. It was more subtle than Delba's, more of a hint of a fragrance, delicate and fragile just like her personality. Delba's was, on the other hand, while still pleasant, brutal and strong ordering attention. Jale would and could never lie amongst the sheets naked like this with Delba.

Lana murmured in her sleep and rolled towards his direction, but stopped before she reached him. That's why Jale loved her. That even in sleep she didn't encroach into his personal space, and the fact that she was never worried about his dislike of a woman's body on his skin, when touch was such a vital instinct to her.

The honest truth was though, the way in which they had been thrown together on many occasions in the past, Jale did not mind her presence under the sheets and it was not uncommon for him to wake up with her snuggled in between the Emperor and himself, especially when he’d drunk too much. Lana was one of those rare people that he could take any day, in any mood.

Jale's attention darted to the Emperor's main greeting room, the sound of Teal's voice coming through the open door, the soft creamy voice that his ears were always drawn to. Jale sighed and absentmindedly moved his other hand in between his legs and began to stroke.

Without giving any other indication that she had woken, Lana spoke, her voice muffled. "You really do like him, don't you," she said.

Jale sighed again. "Nothing gets past you, does it?"

"In all the time I have known you, Jale, you have never sort to pleasure yourself when it's only me lying beside you." Lana rolled onto her back as well, a soft smile on her lips. "You should tell the Emperor. I'm sure he'll be happy to share."

"He probably will but that won't happen for a while because I'm pretty certain the Emperor will want to keep Teal to himself for at least six months."

"You never know," Lana said. "You have been loyal to the Emperor for the past ten years. You have not bedded anyone but the Emperor in all that time. I'm sure he'll be happy to share, and anyway," she yawned, "I'm sure Teal would be happy to indulge in you as well."

Jale tried to scoff off her suggestion, but Lana continued, "Teal dotes on you. The way his voice lights up when you come into his presence or when he talks about you. He is quite infatuated."

Jale was silent again, his hand impatiently resting only inches from its destination while they both listened to Teal's voice in the next room over. "We'll see," Jale said finally. "I know the Emperor is having fun right now making Teal wait."

"He better do something soon," Lana said. "After what happened to Teal last night, I think he could do with having some of his tension released."

"Hmm," Jale agreed thoughtfully. "You might be right. But for now, since I don't think the Emperor will be interested in sharing Teal any time soon, I will resort to my imagination."

Lana's smile widened. "In that case, I will leave you to your imagination and give you the privacy you need." She sat up and scooted away from him until she reached the edge of the bed. He watched her walk the four steps towards her chair where her maid would have placed her items before retreating the night before. He waited until she had wrapped her robe around her body and secured it tightly. "Have fun," she said in his direction. "I'll talk to you later."

"Thanks," Jale called after her. His hand was back in place before she had even reached the door.

>>

Teal turned and faced the Emperor, who was standing tall with only a sarong wrapped around his waist. Teal walked towards him and kowtowed before the Emperor could offer his hand.

"I wanted to thank you for being so understanding and patient with me last night," Teal said once he had risen to his feet. He looked the Emperor squarely in the eyes. "I know my behavior was inexcusable and I only embarrassed you and the empire. I am sorry."

The Emperor crossed his arms over his chest. "You know what, Teal," he stated. "I do believe you are making progress." He placed both his hands on Teal's shoulders. "I won't lie, you had me worried for a minute last night as to what you might do, but Prince Yernal is a pain in the ass and I actually enjoyed seeing him squirm."

He let go of Teal's shoulders and walked across the room continuing to speak as he walked. "If we didn't need this trading agreement so much, I wouldn't have been so polite." His hand reached up, and he picked a book from one of the shelves and walked back across to Teal. "Just remember what I warned you," he said, holding the book out for Teal.

Teal accepted it. "I will."

"Good. I'll be taking some time to enjoy myself for a couple of days," the Emperor said. "I thought we might make a start on The Lost Seas Sagas."

Just before Teal could respond, Lana walked into the room.

"Wait," the Emperor spoke softly, stepping up to her. His hands went to the strap on her shoulder that was twisted.

"You know you don't need to help me," she said, but she didn't move as his fingers worked to correct her robe.

"You know that I like to," the Emperor returned. He leaned down slowly and kissed her gently on the lips. "Here," he said, pulling back. "I can't have you walking around the palace in such a state." He reached out to fix her hair, some of the pieces having come loose from where they had been together.

Teal coughed politely to allow Lana know he was there. They both looked over in his direction.

"Teal," Lana spoke.

"I just arrived," he answered.

Neither the Emperor or Lana responded to his statement. Lana turned to the Emperor. "If it is all right with you, I'll take my leave."

The Emperor leaned down and gently brushed his lips over hers, and she took his hand within her own and kissed his knuckles before turning to leave. Teal looked away, the act so suddenly more intimate and private. He startled when Lana stopped in front of him. She lifted her hands, finding his arms and trailed her fingers down to take his hands.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked kindly. "Last night was a bit rough for you."

Teal didn't want to be reminded of the way he had behaved. "I am, thank you."

"Do not worry about me," she said. "Jale always informs me of things that I miss. I appreciate your defensiveness in regards to Prince Yernal, but the Emperor's men are more than aware of the Prince's interest and ensure that he never gets too close."

Her words made Teal tense again. "I'm glad they look out for you."

"Don't worry, Teal," she said kindly. "Everything always gets easier."

Teal squeezed her hands in response and waited on the spot until she had left.

"Jale also accompanied you last night," Teal couldn't stop himself from saying.

"Yes," the Emperor stated. He stared at Teal curiously. "I'm sure he will have a bad head all day."

Teal stepped from one foot to the other. "I didn't think Jale enjoyed the company of women..."

"He doesn't," the Emperor stated. "Jale passed out last night and Lana was more than willing to oblige." The Emperor folded his arms over his chest, his eyes on the door to where he must have been imagining the sight of Jale naked and lying in his bed. The Emperor chuckled. "They both can't handle their drinks. Ralen and Delba, on the other hand..."

Teal nodded, and he again tried to hide his feelings of disappointment.

As if he was able to read Teal's mind, the Emperor rested his hand on Teal's arm. "All in good time, Teal."

Their eyes met, and Teal swallowed down a sudden rush of desire. It didn't go unmissed by the Emperor, and Teal remembered his earlier promise to himself and his resolve resurfaced again. "I was wondering when you were planning to ask me to swear my loyalty to you."

The Emperor allowed a delighted and pleased expression to fall on his features. He remained silent as if he was waiting for Teal to say something more, but when he didn't, the Emperor simply nodded. "Soon."

Teal's shoulders dropped, and the Emperor chuckled as he placed a guiding hand on Teal's shoulders. "For now, I would like you to read to me." He turned Teal towards a seat a short distance away, and Teal moved towards it. The Emperor didn't join him, but turned to gaze at the view off of his balcony while he listened.

Teal started on a verse covering the simple joys of sailing over the ocean, an introduction it seemed to the book. When he finished, Teal glanced up and admired the shape of the Emperor's naked back.

"Thank you, Teal," he simply said. "Come back tomorrow."

Teal sighed, put down the book, bade the necessary formalities and left.