Life from the Ashes Book 3 - SBS
Chapter 5
A Long Cold Februaryby Jo B.
purplefox@usfamily.net***
St. Petersburg
Tuesday, February 8
10:00 a.m.Golden sunlight streamed in through the sheer fabric covering the tall windows casting a warm glow across the bedroom as Slava lovingly watched Mulder sleep. He had pulled down the bedcovers so he could admire his young lover's perfect body; he was feeling extremely giddy that his Fox was finally home. He gazed over long, toned limbs, an elegant throat, and dark, dusty nipples standing pert in the chilly bedroom. His eyes wandered lower to Fox's navel. It held a pleasant fascination for him; he saw no outward sign that it was anything but a navel. The little swelling and redness that had affected the area after they had had sex had long since disappeared. He studied the smooth, flat planes of his lover's belly, wondering what it would look like ripened with his child inside. Oh yes, his Fox was going to have his baby -- that would be the ultimate bond between them, sealing his beautiful lover to him for all of eternity. He had been keeping up with the world news involving the pregnant immortals, all the while worrying about his Fox being impregnated by another man's seed.
Mulder stirred rolling over on his side, his hand absently fumbled for the blankets. Not finding them, he sighed, and peered through heavy lids at Slava who was sitting smugly propped up against the headboard. Mulder's stomach growled. "Timesit," he mumbled.
"Time to get up and dressed for brunch, sleepy head," Slava purred affectionately.
"God, I'm hungry," Mulder said, sitting up slowly, relieved that most of the soreness was gone.
"How are you feeling, moi love?" Slava asked, slipping out of bed. He walked around to Mulder's side and helped him to his feet.
"Fine, but I could use a hot shower and *only* a shower," Mulder replied firmly.
"Don't worry, moi love, your virtue is safe for now. I don't want you smelling of sex outside of these rooms, it would drive my n'thral guards crazy," Slava said. Following Mulder into the shower he turned on the overhead spray, grabbed a washcloth and a bar of soap, and started washing his lover's sleek body.
"You should have them take the drug my friend invented, it eliminates their sex drive, and even dampens their revulsion to females," Mulder blurted out without thinking.
"Really, Fox? That would solve a lot of my problems, and I wouldn't even have to worry about making love to you around the palace. I'll have my agents retrieve it at the same time they get the formula for your anti-pheromone drug." He smiled dreamily. "I really would like to reenact that netsuke I sent you for your Thanksgiving celebration," he purred, kissing the side of Mulder's throat and trailing the washcloth down to the agent's groin.
Mulder silently cursed himself as he stood passively allowing the large Russian to wash his most private areas. "Speaking of drugs, Nikolai, when are you planning to send the SBS cure to my government?"
"Tomorrow, moi love, I need to have my scientists transcribe their notes into English," he lied.
Mulder shoved him away, glaring angrily at the larger man. "You told me you'd send it today! Are you reneging on the deal we made?" he snapped.
Slava fumed inwardly; he wasn't used to being talked to that way. "No, moi love, I am not reneging. My scientists require additional time to transcribe their notes. You wouldn't want them to mess up, now would you?" he asked through clenched teeth, pulling the angry young man back against his chest.
"Can I meet your scientists and see this drug?"
"Of course, Fox, but it will have to wait until tomorrow we have a busy schedule today."
Mulder held his tongue. He sensed that Slava was lying, but he wasn't sure if he was lying about having the drug or hedging on his promise to send the drug to the U.S. Mulder didn't dare call him on it just yet because he wanted to get the routine of the large palace down first. He already had the palace's floor plan memorized from a book he found in their library back home, it showed 'The Winter Palace' when it was still a museum. If he found out Slava was lying, then he'd be in a better position to escape and return to his family. He had to keep a tight grip on his temper, and convince Slava that there was no reason to worry about him escaping.
Slava sighed inwardly when Fox didn't press the issue. His Fox seemed tamer since the last time they were together. He wondered if Walter Skinner was the reason why. Had the man managed to teach Fox some obedience and patience? If so, he would add a couple of million onto the monetary settlement he was going to send Skinner in exchange for Fox. To cover the additional cost of training, he chuckled. He would have to test Fox to see how well he'd been trained.
"Now you can wash me, Fox," Slava said, handing Mulder the washcloth.
Mulder stared at Slava's handsome face as he ran the soapy cloth over his muscular biceps. Something had struck the Russian as funny. Mulder frowned and quickly ran the washcloth over Slava's hairless muscular body, wanting to get it over with as fast as possible. He swore inwardly when the Tsar's cock thickened and lengthened to its full twelve inches. However, it offered him the perfect opportunity to show Slava just what a devoted and passive lover he was. Smiling up at the large Cossack from his knees, Mulder gently kissed the head of the leaking cock guiltily savoring the mild tasting pre-cum. He peered up at Slava through thick lashes as if seeking approval, he used the washcloth to stroke and jerk the large organ while his mouth sucked and licked its head.
The Tsar's fingers laced through Mulder's damp hair holding him in place, while his other finger traced around Mulder's full lips, stretched apart by his cock. "Oh, moi beloved, you are truly a priceless treasure," he moaned, melting into the immortal's worshipping, hazel eyes.
With his other hand Mulder rolled and squeezed Slava's heavy balls as his tongue teased open his urethra. He applied just enough pressure and suction on the small slit, to cause the larger man to come hard. Mulder couldn't keep up with the flow of semen. He tilted his head back after Slava had stopped coming and allowed the shower spray to wash the milky fluid off his chin and chest.
Slava hauled him to his feet and into a passionate kiss, mashing him tightly against his broad chest. "Mine. You're all mine," he sighed into the younger man's mouth.
They finished their shower and slowly dried each another. The Tsar paying extra attention to the younger man's thick, chestnut hair, using his powers to dry it quickly. He ran his fingers through it fascinated by its wispy silkiness. They finished by shaving and brushing their teeth.
Slava then guided Mulder across the bedroom to the far wall and pressed a button. The wall opened to reveal an enormous walk-in closet.
Mulder cautiously followed the larger man inside. The closet was twice the size of his bedroom back home.
"This is your side of the closet, Fox," Slava informed Mulder, guiding him over to row upon row of elegant clothing and shoes. He pulled open several drawers, showing the younger man where his socks and underwear were stored. "My tailor custom-made all your outfits using only the finest fabrics."
Mulder didn't see any jeans or casual attire among the clothing. "Do you have anything a little less formal that I can wear?" He asked, rummaging through the underwear drawer until he located a pair of silk boxers underneath the countless thongs.
Slava snatched the boxers away and selected a leather thong instead, and he knelt down raising Mulder's feet one at a time, slipping the thong on him and up his long, toned legs. The larger man tenderly adjusted his lover's cock and balls in the leather sling, then made sure the string was nestled comfortably between the younger man's smooth butt cheeks.
"Fox, you have a status to maintain now. It wouldn't be appropriate for you to dress like a commoner. You are my prince, my lover, and hopefully soon, my husband." Slava spent some time caressing his lover's bare buttocks, before selecting an elegant black suit, silk dress shirt, and a silk tie for Mulder to wear.
"Nikolai, I already have two husbands, three would be a little bit of an overkill," Mulder quipped, trying to make light of the larger man's remarks.
"Of course, you'd need to get divorced from them first, which as the Tsar I can easily arrange."
"You seem to keep forgetting that I'm only going to be with you a year! At the end of that time I *will* be returning home to my family!" Mulder snapped. He pulled on the clothing Slava had handed him.
"Moi Fox, if you still wish to leave me after our year is up, so be it, I won't stop you. However, I believe that by the end of that time you will love me as much as I love you." Slava caressed the side of Mulder's face, staring deeply into his beautiful hazel eyes as his thumb traced circles around the immortal's pouty lower lip.
Mulder blushed; he was embarrassed that Slava's gentle touch was sending bolts of arousal straight to his groin. It distressed him the number of times that the Cossack had made him come last night; he did not want to feel pleasure from anyone but Alex and Walter.
Slava reluctantly pulled away and went to get dress. "Come, Fox, finish dressing. Our guests are waiting to meet you."
"Nikolai, you mentioned that I could call my family. I would like to do that before we go down to eat."
"Moi love, we are seven hours ahead of D.C. it would only be four o'clock in the morning there. Maybe it would be better if you waited until after brunch," Slava advised softly.
"Yeah, I forgot about the time difference. I wouldn't want to wake them too early. If you'll allow me to call them after we eat that should be soon enough," Mulder sighed.
"Fox, you don't have to ask my permission to call them. You can use any telephone in this apartment, if you want privacy there's a phone in the entertainment room."
"Thank you, Nikolai."
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, February 8
4:00 a.m.Scully tiredly laid her head on the pillow; she was finally able to close her eyes and willed herself to sleep. Faith had just fallen asleep nestled in her arms after spending most of the night crying despondently. Hope had been a problem earlier, but she quieted down once Mulder's old Oxford sweatshirt was spread on the bottom of her crib. She breathed in the baby's scent as she held her. Scully's hand wandered down to her own belly and wondered what her child would be like. Her hand fell away as sleep finally claimed her.
//I thought she'd never get Faith to sleep,// Krycek grumbled, staring at the two small figures sleeping in the middle of their large king-sized bed.
//Ssh, Alex, keep your voice down, you'll wake her,// Skinner scolded.
//Sorry, that would not be good,// Krycek replied sadly.
//No, it wouldn't be, Alyosha. Her crying is loud enough to wake the dead, literally.//
Both men turned toward the sound of the lilting female voice.
//Mother?//
//Yes, Alyosha,// Aleksandra replied, watching both of her sons lovingly.
Skinner stood frozen in place. It had been over forty years since he had last seen his mother.
//Why are you here, Mother?// Krycek asked.
//My granddaughters needed me, so I came,// the beautiful ghost replied.
//What do you mean?// Skinner asked, finally finding his tongue.
//My dear, they need your touch as well as your love. I'm here to show you how to touch them,// Aleksandra said.
//Mother, they needed that for over a week, why have you waited until now to come?// Krycek questioned.
//Alyosha, it is difficult for me to enter your world. I come now because Fox is gone and the others cannot give your children the love they crave. Only you and Vladimir can give them that.//
//Mother, please show me how to touch my daughter so she stops hating me,// Krycek begged.
//Precious, Faith doesn't hate you. She's only hurt that you won't pick her up and love her.//
//Show me how, Mother, please.//
//It is really very simple. Push out with your heart, instead of trying to pull in the energy around you. The energy already exists deep inside of both of you.//
//Is that all?// Skinner asked, flabbergasted; it seemed so simple. They had been trying unsuccessfully to harness the energy around them so they could use their sorcerer powers when the power already inside of them.
Faith stirred on the bed and started whimpering softly. Alex went over to her side and tried what his mother suggested, this time, instead of his hand passing through his daughter it made physical contact. //Ssh, cutie, daddy's here, we don't want to wake Auntie Dana,// Alex soothed as he lovingly brushed the hair away from his daughter's eyes.
The baby rolled away from Scully's body, and held up her little arms wanting to be picked up. She grinned happily when her daddy finally held her lovingly in his arms. "Dadda alek," she cooed.
Alex kissed the top of her head hugging her securely against his chest. //Thanks, Mother.// He grinned happily as Aleksandra smiled gently, then vanished.
//Walter, what?// Krycek asked, noticing the perplexed look on the older man's face.
//I've waited forty years to see her again . . . I just wished she would have stayed longer.// Skinner sighed and headed toward the nursery to see Hope.
***
St. Petersburg
Tuesday, February 8
11:00 a.m.The Winter Palace was bustling with activity as Slava led Mulder toward the dining hall. Servants prostrated themselves as they passed then scurried about on their daily tasks. Two n'thral guards opened the doors to the dining hall for them, inside was assembled Slava's upper echelon.
All the men present immediately rose from their seats and bowed respectfully toward their Tsar. Slava wrapped an arm around Mulder's waist. "Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce Fox Mulder. He is to be shown the same respect and loyalty as am I."
Mulder gazed over the faces of the assembled men; most were wearing stylish uniforms heavily decorated or elegant suits. Fyodorov was there, looking nervous and out of place, there was a Japanese man standing next to him, who also looked out of place among the fancy dressed Russians, but appeared calm and at ease.
Slava guided him around the room making introductions. Mulder soon discovered that all of the men were sorcerers, and that they were being trained as part of Slava's elite guard. They finally made their way over to Fyodorov and the Japanese man.
"Fox, I'd like you to meet Masataka Izumi. He's the palace's resident artist," Slava said proudly.
"Master Fox, it is a pleasure to finally meet you," Izumi replied, shaking the proffered hand.
"You're the artist who does the netsuke carving, aren't you?" Mulder asked.
"Yes. The Tsar has promised that you'd be able to model for the next one. It would make it easier to get the details right."
Mulder frowned. "Sorry, but I'm not really comfortable with the idea of posing for one of your carvings, Mr. Izumi." Something about the man was ringing a bell in his head. He had heard the name before.
"Nonsense, Fox. Izumi is a professional. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. Besides, I'll be posing with you," Slava replied.
Fyodorov frowned, noticing Mulder visibly cringe over Slava's callousness. He had discovered last night that it wasn't any fun spying on the two men. He had come away feeling dirty and saddened by the Tsar's treatment of the beautiful immortal. It didn't even occur to Slava that he was being abusive, and treating the younger man as a possession, not as the loving partner that the Tsar professed him to be. Unless Slava changed his ways, this relationship was doomed to fail.
"Moi Tsar, maybe it would be advisable to allow Master Fox to become comfortable with his new life here and with Mr. Izumi, before subjecting him to posing nude in front of him," Fyodorov suggested cautiously.
Mulder smiled appreciatively at the little man, which didn't go by Slava unnoticed. It angered the Tsar that his lover would waste a smile on the little insignificant troll. Fox hadn't even smiled at him like that, yet.
He leveled the little man was a cold stare. "Fyodorov, it would do you good to remember your place. You are a clairvoyant and nothing more! Remember, there are still several empty shafts in front of the palace, one of which is just waiting for your head to adorn it," the large man growled.
"Moi Tsar, please accept my humble apologies. I never meant to be disrespectful," Fyodorov groveled, wringing his hands nervously together.
"I'll overlook your insubordination this one time, Fyodorov. I suggest that you take yourself out of my sight immediately," Slava replied hotly.
"Yes, moi Tsar." The little man bowed respectfully then quickly scurried away.
Mulder felt sorry for Fyodorov, he seemed to want Slava's approval so badly. "Nikolai, he didn't mean anything by it, and he's right, I would like to become more familiar with my new home first," Mulder stated, watching Fyodorov's retreating back.
"My love, you need to become acquainted with the world's new social order," Slava replied as he guided Mulder over to a seat at the large banquet table. With a nod of his head, the other men took their assigned places at the table. "Immortals are on the top of the earth's social structure because of your rarity, beauty, and ability to provide the world with healthy female offspring. Next are sorcerers. We are both physically and mentally superior to any other race that has ever existed on earth. Clairvoyants, humans, and n'thrals are all subservient to us and need to be taught their proper places; we are the new leaders of this world," Slava said, signaling the servants to start serving.
"I don't agree, Nikolai. We are all part of the human race and should be accorded the same respect and dignity," Mulder argued. His attention wavered as a servant dished a couple of seafood filled crepes onto his plate and another dribbled a white sauce over it.
"That is utter nonsense, Fox, we have evolved above them. Humans are no more our equals than apes are to them," Slava replied, signaling the servant over with the champagne.
"You aren't seriously comparing humans to apes, are you? Nikolai, that is a little farfetched! A great percentage of humans are far more intelligent than your average sorcerer," Mulder scoffed, cutting into the crepe.
Slava realized that he wasn't going to win this argument, and he didn't like having his opinions challenged, even by his lover. "Fox, if you would like to put your assertions to a test that humans are our equals I'll be happy to oblige you. Pick out five of my human servants and one sorcerer at this table. If the sorcerer doesn't succeed in killing all five humans in under a minute then I will concede that you are right. If he does kill all five than you will admit that I am right, that is of course, unless you want to concede that point right now?"
Mulder's face drained of color, he had forgotten how ruthless Slava could be. "No, I'll admit that you are right that sorcerers are superior to humans," he replied weakly.
"I thought you'd see things my way, Fox," Slava smiled, patting Mulder's arm affectionately.
Izumi had been following their conversation and sympathized with Mulder, he had long ago realized his place in Slava's palace. As a human, he had quickly learned never to question the Tsar or to talk without being spoken to first. It didn't matter that Slava cherished his artwork or held him in high regard; he was still a human in the Cossack's eyes.
Mulder spent several minutes quietly eating, he muttered his thanks to each of the servants that added some new delicacy to his plate. His eyes looked over at Izumi; he was trying to figure out why the man seemed so familiar to him when it finally occurred to him. "Mr. Izumi, do you have any relatives?" he asked.
"Yes, Master Fox, I have a nephew, my sister's son. I haven't seen him in over two years, since the virus was released, I just wish I knew if he was okay," Izumi sighed.
"What does your nephew do?" Mulder asked, although he already knew the answer.
"He's a major in the Japanese army. I've been worried about him with the current skirmishes going on between Japan and Asia," Izumi replied solemnly.
Mulder smiled softly. "Your nephew's name wouldn't happen to be Kazuo Sawada, would it?"
"Yes, it is. How did you know?" Izumi asked, amazed. How could the American immortal have heard of his nephew?
"He's a very close friend of mine, and he's been worried about you, too," Mulder replied.
"Please, can you tell me more? I haven't talked to him since I've been here," Izumi asked anxiously. Although, they hadn't seen each other since the virus, they had kept in contact by telephone.
Slava silently listened to their conversation. He knew all about Major Sawada, but he hadn't known the man was related to his artist. He wondered if there would be a way that he could use the information to his advantage.
"Did you know that he is a sorcerer?" Mulder asked.
"No, I didn't. Is he very good?" Izumi was surprised by this news.
"He's one of the best. Kazuo lives in the United States with his immortal lover Shinji Takeda, they have a beautiful baby girl named Ayako," Mulder informed him.
Izumi's mouth hung open in shock, he couldn't picture his straight as an arrow nephew involved sexually with another man, let alone an immortal. His heart was racing with excitement; he took a deep breath and got his emotions under control. "Ayako was my sister's name. Master Fox, please, tell me about Shinji Takeda?"
"He's a remarkable young man, you would like him. Shin's highly intelligent, compassionate, and fun loving. We live together on a large country estate an hour drive from Washington D.C. Kazuo and Shinji have forty-nine other daughters that were placed with families back in Japan. The Japanese government would like them to have more babies," Mulder said.
"I'm having a very hard time picturing my nephew with this man. Kazuo is a very old fashioned and regimented young man; he's not very open to new ideas or alternative life styles. I could never tell him that I was gay; it would have been too hard for him to accept. So you see, the whole concept that my nephew could be living with another man, much less an immortal, is just hard for me to grasp," Izumi replied. He would give anything to see his nephew and his nephew's new family.
"Maybe someday you'll be able to visit them," Mulder replied.
Izumi looked sadly down at his plate. He was still Slava's slave. A highly pampered slave, but still a slave. "I don't think that would be possible."
Mulder studied the man's sad face, and he no longer had to wonder if Slava still dealt illegally in slaves. He now knew that he did. It was apparent that he was holding Izumi against his will, and Mulder was determined to secure the older man's freedom.
Slava rightly guessed the look outrage on his lover's face. "Fox, Izumi belongs to me. His work here is far more important than his previous life of a vagabond," he stated arrogantly.
"Nikolai, he's a Bohemian artist! There's a big difference between that and calling him a tramp," Mulder growled angrily.
"Regardless, Fox, he is my slave, and I take good care of him, he's well fed, clothed, and has a comfortable place to sleep. All that I expect in return is for him to continue to make his beautiful carvings and paintings for me."
"Are the servants here your slaves, too?"
"No, of course not. Fox, they're Russian citizens only foreigners can become slaves in this country, it has been written into law," Slava replied indifferently.
"So, you're still dealing in slaves?"
"Fox, my pet, I no longer have time to deal in slaves. However, slavery is no longer illegal here or in most countries throughout the world. Slaves are becoming a major part of the world's workforce. Unlike the U.S., most countries need to purchase men because they don't have them streaming into their countries voluntarily like the U.S. does."
"If those countries weren't run by dictators, thugs, and monsters, they wouldn't have men fleeing from them in the first place," Mulder countered.
"Fox, in spite of how much I enjoy debating this issue with you. I don't think it's an appropriate subject to discuss at the dinner table," Slava replied, ending their conversation.
Sighs of relief from the other guests could be heard as normal conversation resumed around the table. Mulder returned his attention to the plate of food in front of him, picking tentatively at an omelet. After ten minutes had passed, Mulder glanced thoughtfully over at the Tsar, and asked softly, "Nikolai, can I ask you one question?"
Slava sighed. He looked earnestly at his young lover, then put down his fork and leaned back in his chair. "Fox, of course."
"Why didn't you become a member of that seven-nation coalition?"
"There were many reasons. My main one was you. Fox, I could never join a group that's final aim would have caused you pain. If they are successful in invading the United States their first order of business would be to kill all the sorcerers, including your former lovers," Slava replied solemnly.
Mulder took a sip of his coffee in contemplative silence before he said carefully, "That won't happen as long as you keep your word and send my country the cure for SBS." He studied Slava's face for any emotion that might convey whether Slava did or didn't have the cure, finding none, he asked, "You said there were many reasons . . . what were the others?"
"If you really must know, I'm not very fond of several of the other members. The only members I can tolerate are King Gullbrand and King Raschan. I'm not familiar with the Australian Warlord Havock, and the others, particularly Emperor Kong Woo Long I'd much rather disembowel than speak to. Not to mention they have a n'thral as part of their coalition! I have little respect for fellow sorcerers that would treat one of those mindless brutes as an equal," Slava growled.
"These countries, they allow slavery, too?"
"Fox, I thought we agreed not to discuss this subject while eating," Slava snapped.
"I never agreed to anything! Besides, it's a valid question, I need to know what might happen to my countrymen if these nations are successful in invading it." Mulder looked at him pleadingly. "Please, Nikolai, tell me."
"Okay, moi love. Yes, all of the countries allow slavery, with the exception of the eastern half of Australia. However, the western half allows it under the rule of Warlord Beiran Havock. A council of sorcerers that still view humans as equals rules the eastern half. It does surprise me though, that this Havock has decided to join the coalition. I thought he had enough problems fighting an ongoing war with the east, let alone extending his resources to include the United States." Slava smirked as he remembered a message he had received from his foreign agents.
"What?" Mulder asked sadly, he was now even more worried for his country and family.
"That Aussie is going to be fit to be tied," Slava replied happily.
"Why?"
"Fox, you were supposed to be his spoils of war. There is no way that man will be able to get you now."
Mulder cringed. "I really hope not because I have a past history with Beiran Havock. But what's to prevent this coalition from attacking you someday?"
"I'm taking measures to strengthen my defenses, Fox. The men at this table with us are part of that defense. I'm training them, and in turn, they will train others. No foreign force will ever invade Russia; I give you my word on that. Now tell me how you know this Australian."
"I arrested him eleven years ago in a serial murder case. Beiran Havock was an extremely brilliant man, but he was also a complete psychopath. He was in the states giving a series of lectures at U.S. campuses on his books 'Surviving the Apocalypse' and 'The Spoils of War.' Havock would befriend a young man at his lecture, and the young man's body would later turn up with signs of being sexually tortured to death." Mulder frowned, and said sadly, "Havock had received multiple life sentences, but he must have escaped in the confusion following the virus."
"So this man wants you for revenge?"
"Yes, I suppose that would be his reason. He did threaten me during the trial."
Slava's eyes burned with rage. "I will kill him myself if ever our paths should cross!"
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, February 8
9:00 a.m.The whole family was together in the kitchen eating breakfast and ignoring the persistent ringing telephone.
"Let's not all rush to answer it at once," Gabriel Hunter grumbled, he quickly dried his hands on a kitchen towel as he went to answer the telephone.
"We're eating, Gabriel. Whoever it is will call back," Blaise insisted.
Hunter shot him a smoldering look and answered the telephone. "Foxfire Glenn Estate, Agent Hunter speaking."
"Gabriel, its Fox," Mulder replied.
"Fox, are you okay?"
All the family immediately forgot about breakfast and gathered around the telephone. Hunter switched the phone over to the speaker.
"I'm fine. I wanted to check on my daughters, and Walter and Alex," he replied guiltily.
Scully stepped up to the speaker. "Mulder, the babies are fine. They're behaving like perfect angels this morning, last night was another story, I had a hard time getting them to bed, especially Faith. Now she's all smiles and giggles for some reason. Mulder, where are you? Did you get away from Slava?" she asked, assuming Slava would never allow Mulder to call his family.
"No, I'm at the Winter Palace. I'm working at getting Slava to send the cure to United States," he replied quietly.
"Then he does have a cure?" Scully asked excitedly.
"I . . . ah, I think so, but I haven't actually seen it yet." Mulder leaned back on the plush sofa, looking up as Slava entered the room.
"Mulder, how could you put yourself in that man's hands when you weren't absolutely *positive* that he had a cure?" Scully scolded.
"Scully, the United States doesn't have much time left. If we don't have a cure by March, millions of Americans will be slaughtered or enslaved. I had to chance it don't you see?" Mulder argued, taking a glass of cognac from Slava, while the larger man sat down on the sofa next to him.
The immortals and Kimberly exchanged confused looks, wondering what Mulder had meant. Takeda looked over at his lovers and realized instantly from their guilty expressions that they both knew exactly what Mulder had meant. "Rory, Kazuo, we are all going to have a long family discussion after breakfast," he hissed.
Scully shot the young man a look to keep his voice down, then continued with her conversation. "Mulder, Shin and I are so close to finding a cure . . . I really wished you would have waited."
//You tell him, Dana,// Skinner growled. He was standing next to Hope's highchair, holding his daughter's hand as she spooned cereal into her mouth. If anyone had been paying attention, they would have been amazed at how good the nine-month-old was at handling a spoon.
"Scully, you couldn't guarantee a cure before March. Don't you see I had no choice," Mulder explained.
"Mulder, what are you going to do if he doesn't have a cure?"
"I don't know, Scully," he replied sadly, looking at Slava who was listening in on his call. He was beginning to feel like a complete fool. He knew deep down that if Slava had a cure he would have shown it to him today, and not made up that weak excuse about his scientists needing time to transcribe their notes to English.
Slava thought about his lover's dilemma. He wanted to offer Fox's family protection here in Russia, but his defenses weren't strong enough to stand up against the seven-nation coalition, and he knew that they would attack him to get the immortals. He decided that he could easily take in the baby girls, the women, and if it would make Fox happy, his two former lovers. After they were cured, he'd offer them a choice of sanctuary in return for their loyalty. Of course, they would never be permitted to touch Fox again.
"Mulder, we love you, please be careful. When Walter and Alex are cured we'll come and bring you home," Scully replied.
"No, Scully, under no circumstances do I want them or anyone else coming to Russia for me. I can, and will take care of myself," Mulder growled.
"Damn it, Mulder, you know they will never allow Slava to keep you! And don't go playing the martyr, they will rescue you with or without your approval," Scully snapped.
"Scully, I've made a deal with him, and I intend to uphold my end. If he has the cure, I'll be home in a year, and not before then. I'll tell Walter and Alex that myself." Mulder took a long sip of the cognac to calm his nerves. He would never have to tell his lovers anything because he wasn't going to be here much longer, and he certainly didn't want them to put their lives in danger trying to rescue him.
"It won't matter to them, Mulder. You should have thought of their feelings before you abandoned them for Slava."
"Scully, I have to go now. Kiss my babies for me," Mulder said softly, his hand shook as he placed the receiver back on its cradle. He couldn't handle the guilt that was gnawing at his guts, he was wrong to have come here. He had abandoned his lovers and daughters when they needed him most.
Slava pulled him into a soothing embrace. "Fox, it's going to be all right."
Mulder pushed him away angrily and stood. "No, it's not. You don't have a *fucking* cure do you? This whole thing was your way of tricking me into coming to you!"
"Fox, moi pet, you are overly tired. This day has been too hectic for you, come I will draw you a nice hot bath and give you a massage," Slava replied.
"I don't want a *fucking* bath! I want the goddamn truth!" Mulder snarled.
Slava sighed, he knew that he'd eventually have to tell his Fox that he did not have a cure, but he had wanted to hold off for as long as possible. "Okay, Fox, you're right. I lied to get you to come here. However, I did it for your own good. I wanted to protect you, and I knew you would never come willingly."
"FUCK YOU! YOU GODDAMN BASTARD!" Mulder hurled the glass of cognac at Slava.
The glass and the liquid froze in midair a few inches in front of the Tsar's face. Slava's face reddened with rage as he waved his hand and the glass and beverage disappeared. "No, Fox, I'm always the top. You on the other hand are the perfect bottom, so lusciously fuckable."
"You fucking arrogant bastard! I'm leaving!" Mulder started for the door.
"You need to be taught to curb that tongue of yours." Slava waved his hand again and all of over Mulder's clothes vanished from his body.
Mulder stopped dead in his tracks; spinning around he glared at Slava. "GO TO HEL … " and he instantly found himself bound spread eagle in the steel frame back in their bedroom, causing him to panic. He went into a frenzy, twisting and yanking violently at the restraints. The soft leather straps had been designed for comfort, but they still bit into Mulder's flesh causing his blood to run down his arms.
"Damn it, Fox, hold still!" Slava growled, appearing in the room beside him.
Mulder's body froze when the Tsar took control of his mind. Slava rested a calming hand on Mulder's chest as he ran a finger through the blood on Mulder's arm. Frowning he went into the bathroom for a wet washcloth.
Slava came back into the room and started to gently cleaning the blood off his lover's arms. The flow had already stopped as the cuts healed. "I really wish you wouldn't force me to discipline you. Fox, I love you, and don't want to hurt you, but I can't allow you to question my authority. I really wanted our relationship to be based solely on love and respect," he sighed regrettably. Looking into his lover's frightened hazel eyes, he asked, huskily, "Fox, if I loosen my control over your mind, will you promise me that you won't do yourself any more harm?"
Mulder was in hell; he hated mind control more than the physical restraints. He cursed himself for letting his temper get the upper hand. It only made it harder now for him to escape back to his family, he needed to use his head and try to reason with Slava. He breathed a sigh of relief when Slava gave him back his free will.
"I will never love you. You broke our agreement, let me go," Mulder grumbled.
"You already do love me, moi Fox," Slava's finger traced down Mulder's ribcage to his groin sending goose bumps dancing across his flesh. "Every time you come when we've made love is proof of that love."
"That doesn't mean I love you," Mulder sighed, trying to pull away from the other man's persistent touch. He blushed as the feathery light touch of the large man's finger tickled down his penis, causing it to thicken and lengthen.
"I beg to differ, moi love." Slava smiled triumphantly, he held up his hand and a cock ring appeared in it, which he slipped onto Mulder's growing erection. "This, moi lovely Fox, is a magical cock ring it will prevent you from coming until I take it off. I think that I'll shave you now, moi love." He kissed Mulder's lips lightly then headed back into the bathroom.
Mulder glared angrily over his shoulder toward the bathroom, shouting, "It's *not* love! I'm an immortal, dammit! Our bodies are specifically designed for sex. We're overly sensitized to it! Damn you! Are you even listening?"
Slava came back out of the bathroom and placed the items he was carrying on a small table. "Fox, you can rationalize your feelings for me all you want, but deep down we both know its love." He smeared foam over his lover's chest and under his armpits, then picked up a straight edged razor.
"Bullshit! You don't really love me, my body's chemistry has altered yours making you want me. I'm affecting you like a drug, don't you understand?"
Slava scraped the razor down Mulder's chest removing the light dusting of hair. "Fox, it doesn't matter. You are the most important person in my life; whether it's caused by your body's pheromones or some weird chemical make up I don't really care. I love you, that is all that matters to me."
"I hate you for doing this to me, *Nick*. How could you claim to love me after betraying me? I hate your lies, I hate your deception, and I hate you! I hate you as much as I hate the man who tricked and deceived me on my birthday, there is no difference between you and him because rape is still rape!"
"Don't call me Nick," Slava said absently. His heart was bleeding inwardly, each time Fox had said that he hated him it felt like a knife had been plunged into it. He silently continued to shave his lover's body as he thought over his words. It was not rape. Fox had enjoyed their love making. Fox would never have had an orgasm if it were rape. He was sure that his Fox did love him, and would love him even more after their daughters were born. He couldn't wait to see the look of surprise on his beautiful Fox's face when he surprises him with them on the day of their birth. "I love you, Fox," he replied quietly.
"Please, Nikolai. If you love me, set me free. Allow me to return to my family," he begged.
"Fox, it is too dangerous back in the States for you. The only reason I lied to you was to protect you and your daughters because I knew you wouldn't come to me willingly. I will have your baby girls brought over here for you, and I want you to know that I still have my scientists working on a cure for SBS. If they find one, I will not hesitate to send it to the American government."
Mulder closed his eyes as Slava started shaving his legs, he realized that he would never convince the man to let him go. "My daughters belong with their other fathers, it would kill Walter and Alex to lose them. You have no idea what a father's love for his children is like. Nikolai, I will stay here with you forever, if you protect both my lovers and daughters." For some reason Mulder felt guilty for knowingly lying to the man, but he knew it was justified.
Slava bit his tongue; he wanted to tell his lover that he did know what it was like to be a father. How his and Fox's unborn daughters were already the joys of his life. Instead he looked up at Mulder and said, "All right, Fox, I'll arrange for my men to bring your daughters and lovers over to Russia."
"No, not yet. I want to give my friends time to develop a cure, if no cure is discovered by the beginning of March then you can bring them over. God," Mulder moaned involuntarily, the razor had caused his skin to become overly sensitive. The hot air from the fireplace caressed his right hand side, competing with the cool air drifting though the drafty palace on his left.
Slava smiled up at his beautiful lover, standing he set down the razor, and used a washcloth to clean off the foam and hair from the young man's body. "Very well, Fox, I'll wait for three weeks." He leaned down and took Mulder's nipple into his mouth, sucking on it hard as his hands squeezed the younger man's buttocks. He pulled them apart and his fingers delved into the crack, teasing his lover's anus.
The Cossack's mouth locked onto the side of his throat sucking and licking the salty flesh until a red mark appeared. He pushed a dry finger into Mulder's tight hole, twisting it to rub back and forth over his prostate. Slava's mouth next followed a path down the younger man's smooth chest, and past the leather belt fastened around his waist. The Tsar nudged the belt up so he could explore Mulder's navel with his tongue and breathe in its incredibly arousing scent. He was overcome by the exotic flavor as his tongue delved into the orifice.
Mulder groaned and tried to pull away from the double stimulation, it was becoming too much. He wished Slava would just use a whip or a paddle to punish him, that he could consciously back away from, but sex was his and every other immortal's downfall. His cock swelled painfully, and it strained against the cock ring. He tugged uselessly on the restraints, wanting desperately to remove the ring, so he could come.
Slava worked his way back up the younger man's body, stopping again at his nipples to tease them, then moved on to mark the other side of Mulder's throat. "You want to come, lover?" Slava whispered into his ear. He nibbled on the lobe as he pushed a second finger into Mulder's ass.
"Yes, please," Mulder whined breathlessly.
"Not yet. I told you that I was going to punish you. This . . ." Slava said, grasping Mulder's impossibly hard cock. "Is part of your punishment. I want you to admit it to yourself that you love me," he purred lustfully. Then he went back to teasing the younger man's nipples, until they were red and swollen; a pair of nipple clamps appeared in his hand and he attached them to Mulder's sore nipples.
Mulder shrieked from the pain, he panted heavily as the larger man knelt in front of him taking his cock into his mouth, sucking him down his throat. Mulder immediately forgot the pain on his chest, as a new ache developed in his balls. Slava worked his cock for over twenty minutes as he inserted three fingers into his lover's tight ass and two into his navel, twisting and scissoring them, until the younger man was begging him for release.
Mulder writhed in the restraints as his body pushed back on the fingers up his ass then forward into Slava's mouth. He tried desperately to make those large fingers scrape against his prostate. He moaned with pleasure when Slava slipped a fourth finger into him.
Slava grinned wickedly up at his lover as he removed his fingers from the younger man's navel and a feather appeared in his hand. He used the tip of the feather to trace around Mulder's overly stimulated cock head, paying special attention to the small slit until his lover was thrashing around uncontrollably in his restraints, his anus was pulsating pleasurably around Slava's fingers.
Mulder had never felt anything more agonizing as the feather light tickle on his sensitive cock. It left him screaming at the top of his lungs. He couldn't take anymore as he whimpered pathetically.
"I'm going to fuck you now, Fox, if you apologize nicely enough for your earlier behavior I might allow you to come," Slava murmured breathlessly. He could no longer hold back, he pulled his painfully throbbing cock from his slacks and coated it with lubricant. He spun the frame around until it was horizontal with Mulder facing the floor. The leather belt around younger man's waist attached to the frame and supported his weight. Slava stepped between his widely spread legs, gazing lovingly at the tightly puckered hole. His hands spread the firm ass cheeks further apart as he positioned his thick cock then slowly pushed inside the hot, delicious body.
Mulder moaned as he was being slowly opened and exquisitely filled with the large organ. It moved deeper and deeper inside, totally stuffing him until he thought he couldn't take another inch within him then Slava shoved the final three inches in hard, making him cry out in pain and pleasure. He felt his ass throbbing around the immense cock buried deep within him as the Tsar stood perfectly still. Mulder thought his cock was going to implode if he didn't get any outward release soon, and when Slava started thrusting in and out of his body, he couldn't take it any longer.
"Nikolai, oh god, please, I'm sorry, please . . . let me come," he begged pitifully.
"What are you sorry for, moi Fox?" Slava taunted, slapping his firm buttocks causing Mulder's sphincter muscle to clench pleasurably around his cock as the young man tensed. He wanted Mulder to give himself up totally.
"Oh god, for mouthing off to you . . . for . . . for throwing that glass at you," he gasped out breathlessly.
"And?" Slava asked, twisting his hips he thrust back in hard.
"FUCK? AND? . . . and it won't happen again. Oh jeez, I'm SORRY!" Mulder cried out, tears were streaming down his cheeks.
"Very good, moi love, now that wasn't so bad. We'll work on exploring your true feeling for me some other time," Slava said, reaching under his lover's hip he removed the cock ring. He plunged all the way into Mulder's body as the younger man tensed then came hard. Slava rode out his lover's orgasm as his anus clenched pleasurably around his cock, squeezing it painfully tight. Oh, the joys of having an immortal for a lover, Fox would never lose that exquisite tightness.
After Mulder had finished coming, he hung limply in the restraints as Slava proceeded to fuck the daylights out of him. Slava's fingers dug into his hips, holding him steady as he pulled his cock all the way out and slammed back in. Until Mulder's body once more responded to the stimulation and he came again painfully. He felt Slava's hot release fill him moments later as the large man shot his seed deep within him. At that moment, all that Mulder wanted to do was to go to sleep in a nice soft, warm bed.
Slava breathed heavily, totally sated, he lovingly stroked Mulder's back. "You did really well, moi love. I'll clean you off first then put you to bed," he said, gently pulling out of the younger man's body. He snatched a washcloth out of thin air then righted the frame to its vertical position and gently washed the sweat and semen from Mulder's exhausted body. When he was clean Slava waved his hand and Mulder vanished, reappearing under the blankets in the large bed. Slava pressed a button and watched as the frame rose back into the ceiling. He was satisfied that he had taught his lover an important lesson, and didn't expect him to be disobedient any time soon.
***
Foxfire Glenn Estate
Tuesday, February 8
10:30 a.m."You've been keeping this from us for how long?" Blaise snarled angrily. Like Mulder, he was fed up with being protected for his own good.
MacIver hedged guiltily, "Justin, I thought, we thought, it was best not to tell you or the others because of your current delicate condition. I didn't want to put too much stress on Shin, you, Joe, and Hans."
"Don't fucking coddle me! Something of this magnitude we need to know!" Blaise shouted.
Hawk placed a soothing hand on his lover's arm. "Justin, calm down, I think you've made the point for all of us," he said. Hawk was still reeling from the news about the invasion force headed toward the United States, and the information that he was to be the prize for Pharaoh Menes II. He had been following the world news closely, and had read 'The Magic Bullet' issue on the New World leaders published by the Lone Gunmen. Pharaoh Menes II was one of the most cruel and sadistic leaders that had surfaced in the last two years. It frightened him that he might fall into that man's hands, but he guessed the reason he was chosen by him, was that his great grandmother had been an Egyptian.
"Sorry, Joe, it just pisses me off," Blaise replied, looking into his lover's warm brown eyes, he kissed him gently on the lips. "So, what are we going to do?" he asked in a calmer voice.
Sawada spoke up. "We've been moving provisions out to Duffy's cave in the mountains, if worse comes to worse we will move there until Dana and Shinji can develop the cure. It's pretty isolated we should be relatively safe. It will take them months to track us down."
Hans Schatz clung to Frohike's arm and buried his face against the older man's shoulder. He was scared to death at the thought of his former captor getting his hands on him again. He was worried about the baby girl he was carrying. He was certain that Hector Cardoso would kill her instantly upon her birth, or sell her.
"It's going to be okay, Hans. I won't let that monster touch you again," Frohike murmured soothingly.
"I'm so scared, Melvin. I had finally started to forget about him. God, I wish he were dead!" Schatz exclaimed.
Hunter looked tenderly over at Schatz. "If he comes anywhere near you, Hans, he will be," the older man promised.
Schatz's eyes were filled with appreciation as he looked up at the handsome blonde sorcerer. "Thanks, Gabriel."
***
Five Days Later
Cairo
Sunday, February 13
3:00 p.m.Pharaoh Menes II studied the map in his council chambers. His armies had been successful in capturing new territories increasing the size of Egypt to include most of Libya and half of Sudan. He walked outside onto the balcony overlooking his land; in the distance, he could see his n'thral slaves erecting a new palace in his honor. He was going to be greater than Egypt's first Pharaoh from whom he had taken his name.
He felt the powerful presence of the other sorcerers entering his chambers. They were necessary for him to expand his empire, but in time, his armies would invade even their lands.
King Raschan stepped out onto the balcony. "Congratulations, Menes, I heard about your recent victories."
"And yourself, Raschan. Turkey has finally reclaimed all the lands she had lost over the centuries," Menes replied.
"Yes, the Ottoman Empire has reclaimed her past glory, soon we will begin our campaign against Romania and Hungary," King Raschan announced. "Come, the others await inside."
Pharaoh Menes II gazed over the men assembled around his council chambers. A foul smell of body odor permeated the room; he glared at China's nomadic Emperor. The man lived on his horse; he found no need for the social graces such as regular baths. The immense n'thral Warlord Hector Cardoso was no better, his hair was greasy and his clothes unwashed. The two men sat across from each other with their feet propped up on his polished maple conference table.
Across the room and well away from the other two men, was the handsome Nordic King Gullbrand, his long blonde hair was worn in braids, giving him the look of his Viking ancestors. Next to him was Sultan Kahlid Casmiri of Persia, the sultan was the youngest member of the coalition at only twenty-six years of age. Warlord Beiran Havock was leaning against the door. The Australian was a ruggedly handsome man; he wore several knives and guns openly displayed on his body. As a sorcerer the weapons were more for show, than for actual use. He was having a heated discussion with the other two men.
"Gentlemen, shall we begin the meeting?" the Pharaoh asked, interrupting them.
The others took their places at the table, choosing the chairs the furthest away from Kong and Cardoso.
When all the men were seated, Menes II began the meeting. "The Americans are aware of our plans to invade their country. They have appealed to England, Japan, and Germany for assistance. Those country's governments have yet to respond to their request for protection."
"I would be surprised if they send a single sorcerer, it would leave their countries open for invasion by us," King Gullbrand replied. He had seized control over Norway and Sweden, then his forces conquered Finland, and he would just love the opportunity to expand down through Denmark and into Germany.
"We are closely monitoring the situation, if word comes back that they will be supplying the Americans with sorcerers, then we will have to speed up our invasion to this month," Menes II replied.
"What about Nikolai Slava?" Havock asked angrily.
"What about him, Aussie?" Cardoso smirked mockingly, knowing the Australian was angry over losing Fox Mulder to him.
"I agreed to become part of this coalition because you promised me Fox Mulder. What's in this for me now that that Cossack bastard has him?" Havock growled.
"Havock, there are fifteen other immortals scattered throughout the world, pick one of them," King Raschan suggested.
"I wanted Fox Mulder!" he snarled. He had wanted to take his revenge upon Special Agent Fox Mulder who had arrested him for the sexual murders of thirteen male collage students. He would still be locked up in that American prison if it wasn't for the chaos that ensued after the alien virus had left many prisons understaffed. When he discovered his new sorcerer powers, he easily managed to escape. Nine long years in prison had left him a bitter angry man and he passed the time thinking of ways to torture one GQ FBI agent. "Very well, I will settle for another immortal," Havock replied, deciding to pursue Fox Mulder on his own, but not wanting to pass up the opportunity to get his own immortal.
The n'thral warlord jumped to his feet. "No way am I risking my troops so he can get his hands on an immortal. Besides, there are already two immortals living in Australia, let him capture one of them," he growled.
"I share Cardoso's concerns. We formed this alliance to invade the Americans, there were no plans to go up against countries where their sorcerers are healthy and quite capable of fighting back," Sultan Casmiri replied.
"We shall put it to a vote. The majority rules. All those in favor of expanding our campaign show your hands," Menes requested.
King Gullbrand, Warlord Havock, and King Raschan all raised their hands.
"Opposed."
The other four men raised their hands.
"The opposed have it. Warlord Havock, are you going to be all right with this or do you want to back out of the alliance?" Pharaoh Menes asked.
Havock glared openly at the Egyptian. "I'll have to be. My men are looking forward to plundering America," he replied bitterly. He had decided he would find a way of getting Fox Mulder on his own, but he had liked the idea of having another immortal to play with. His eyes briefly met King Gullbrand's, and the king sent him a telepathic message wanting to meet him in private later.
After the meeting adjourned, Havock followed Gullbrand back to his room. "What do you want, Thor?" he asked. The two men had become friends over the two weeks they'd spent planning the invasion. They shared many of the same likes and dislikes.
"Beiran, I have an offer to make you," Gullbrand replied with a wicked gleam in his eyes.
"And what would that be?"
"What do you think of Justin Blaise?"
"He's not Fox Mulder, but I do have a thing for law enforcement officers, and Blaise was a Texas Ranger. He would have been my second choice. Why? You've chosen him to be your immortal," Havock asked, confused at where this was going.
"He was my second choice, too. As beautiful as he is, I would have preferred Hans Schatz, he's closer to the blood of my people," the king replied.
"So, Thor, what are you suggesting?" Havock was starting to like where this conversation was heading.
"After we seize control of the immortals and America, Hector Cardoso will have an unfortunate accident, leaving Hans Schatz yours," King Gullbrand said.
"And you'll trade me Justin Blaise for him." Havock smiled broadly, sitting down on the bed. "What about the sorcerers and clairvoyants Cardoso has surrounding him. They aren't going to be too happy with their ruler's untimely death," he questioned.
Gullbrand sat next to the dashing Australian and pushed him back on the bed as he started nibbling at his neck. "Any sorcerer or clairvoyant that would follow an n'thral deserves death."
Havock moaned turning his head, he captured the Scandinavian's mouth in a brutal kiss, firmly sealing their agreement. The two men quickly shed their garments and fell onto each other violently in search for sexual release.
Pharaoh Menes II spied on the two men, chuckling to himself. He hated the n'thral warlord and would just as soon be rid of him after his usefulness was over. He would do very well to watch his back with this group, each of the leaders had gotten to his current position by ruthlessly killing all opposition. He returned his attention to the plans for his new capital city. He would surround it with monuments for each of his daughters. He pulled out a photograph of Joseph Shadow Hawk and laid it on the plans, the young man's resemblance to an Egyptian was remarkable. He wondered if at some point if his bloodline crossed with his people.
***
The Winter Palace
Friday, February 18
10:00 a.m.Mulder stood in front of the tall bedroom windows, staring out at the bleak frozen landscape. He was barefoot and bundled in a long plush robe. His body ached over every single inch; Slava had just left him, after spending the morning taking pleasure from his body. He had not been allowed to leave the apartment, since their altercation ten days earlier when he found out that Slava had lied to him.
He turned when he heard a knock on the door. "Come in," he said.
A servant entered, bowing respectfully. "Master Fox, your breakfast is ready." The young man held the door open for another servant who wheeled in a serving cart loaded with covered dishes.
Mulder walked over to the table as the two men arranged the plates on it. One of the servants intentionally brushed against him and he felt a note slipped into his hand. Mulder closed his fist tightly around it and waited for the two men to leave. He sat at the breakfast table and unfolded the note. [Be ready to leave March 1. P.] After reading the brief note, Mulder destroyed it.
Twelve more days and hopefully he'd be back home with his family, and still they had not discovered a cure.
***