The Favor

EXCERPT:

He swallowed tightly as he heard his name introduced. Already he could feel his palms slick with sweat, his heartbeat quickening at a rather alarming rate and words he had so carefully formed in his mind, quickly disappearing as he stepped into the ornately furnished quarters.

The Count was seated at the dining table, reading what seemed to be a book but the blond couldn’t be sure. All he could see, smell, feel was the very essence and presence of this man. There was small wonder that Albert had been infatuated. There was something so potent about being in the Count’s presence – something so…exotic and out-of-this world. He could feel his cheeks rise with heat and he knew he would have to literally sell his soul to the devil if he wanted the older man’s help.

“I’m sorry for bothering you this late in the evening,” he began, kicking himself inwardly at how much his voice seemed to tremble with emotion. It’s all for Albert, he chanted inwardly. All for Albert…

“What brought you here? You don’t look well,” came the concerned question from the Count as he glanced over his shoulder at the trembling young man.

Franz d’Epinay stared into those dark eyes and felt his resolve breaking into a million tiny pieces like shattering glass. With the deepest of bows, he finally caved in, almost shouting in his helplessness.

“Count, please! I beg of you! It’s…It’s Albert!”

He failed to notice the small smirk of victory on the older man’s face as he launched into a hasty tirade of what had happened to his best friend. But the Count would have none of that. He rose to his feet, a smooth graceful movement that betrayed the tension within his being.

“Come now, Franz,” he cajoled softly as he placed a gentle hand upon the younger man’s shoulders. “Come sit over here and tell me all that has happened. Perhaps…a little drink will help to soothe your anguish.”

Too agitated to care much, although inwardly glad that the Count wasn’t turning him away, Franz allowed himself to be led to the comfortable and rather expensive looking lounge chair. He sat down heavily, watching with slightly shimmering eyes as the Count made his way towards a small mini-bar filled with drinks of the likes Franz had never seen. He sat up with a small but grateful smile as he was given the small glass cup filled with pale brown liquid.

“Now drink,” the Count said softly as he sat across his blond companion. “And tell me…everything…”





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