Lio was staring at himself in the mirror again. He couldn't understand it. He was well aware of his exotic, handsome looks, and he took pride in his appearance. Whenever he was advised of a new Master, he took special pains to make sure that he was clean, inside and out, that his startling dark hair was brushed until it gleamed. He tried; he tried so hard to please them, to serve the Masters perfectly, to anticipate the Masters' every need even before it was voiced.

But it was never enough. They always left him alone again. 'What is wrong with me?' he thought in misery. 'Why doesn't anyone want me, want only me, want me enough to never leave, to keep me all for himself?'

He knew it was done, that sometimes the Keys were sold to one and only one Master. There had even been those who had been stolen away, freed some had said, by a Master that couldn't bear to leave them locked up in their narrow rooms for the rest of their lives. But not to him. Never to him. 'Why? Why?'

Lio knew he was falling into despair again. It didn't happen often, but since the warrior had left him, he had no new Master in such a long time. The pages and other workers of the Palace were too busy to talk to him, much less play a game or seek mutual pleasure.

He left the mirror and lay naked on the floor of the large room, directly under the high, vaulted ceiling with the large sunroof above. Closing his eyes, he felt the warmth as the bright light crept across his body, caressing him in the absence of any other lover.

Idly he allowed his hands to roam over his own body, stroking and rubbing, pinching, and pulling. He imagined the warrior was still with him, playing with his body in the sun as they had done before. But his body knew the difference and refused to be a party to his deception. In frustration, Lio jumped up and whirled madly about the room. He spun until he was dizzy, then fell panting on the floor.

When he was able to breath normally again, he tried to bring himself under control. He started with a series of stretches, concentrating on loosening his muscles and joints, feeling the blood flowing through his veins. He stood and took several deep breaths, then began to move.

Sinuously, his hands began to weave the forms of Tai Chi as his body twisted, his feet taking precise positions on the floor.

-Lazily Tying Coat to Six Sealing and Four Closing then Single Whip

He let his mind empty as his body took on the various poses and movements it knew so well.

-Blue Dragon Out of Water and Push Both Hands now Change Palms Three Times

Time ceased to exist. There was only him, his body moving, now faster and faster.

-Step Back and Press Elbow into White Crane Spreads Wings then Walking Obliquely with Twist Step on Both Sides

-Hidden Thrust Punch - yes!

-Single Whip - again!

-Step Back and Mount Tiger - no, too soon!

-Cannon Right Overhead and there were only two forms left to go and he needed more faster harder twisting turning faster kicking punching harder pushing straining moving driving out the loneliness despair anguish despondency pain oh gods the pain in his hand and his arm and now he's falling falling forever and there is no one to catch him no Master that cares enough to hold him and keep him safe and catch him when he falls and crashes into the cold hard floor.

Lio woke to the dark night, a single candle throwing flickering shadows across the wall. He lay in his bed, listening to soft snores. Someone was in the room with him. A new Master? He couldn't remember. This was so embarrassing. But if the Master was asleep, then maybe he could sneak out of bed and take a look, and then he would remember.

He turned his head, surprised to find that his Master was not in the bed with him. The person snoring had pulled one of the comfortable chairs from the sitting area over next to the bed. Well, that was ridiculous. His Master should be in the bed with him. Lio would get up and tell him so, entice him into the bed with sweet words and gentle caresses and then he would have someone that loved him, if only for a while.

Lio rolled over and began to push himself upright. Bright shards of pain lanced up his right arm. He fell back with a cry, clenching his jaw against the agony. The man in the chair jumped up and was at his side in an instant.

"Sh, sh, Lio. It is only me, Demetri, the healer. Lie still before you start bleeding again." The cool dry hands of the old healer pressed him against the bed, stilling his head as he thrashed back and forth.

"Be quiet, please, there now, it's going to be all right." The old man's voice soothed him for a moment, long enough for Demetri to get a cup from a small table beside the large bed.

"Here, drink this. I know, it tastes horrible, that's how I know it's good for you! No, don't spit it out, swallow it, boy. There, you'll feel better soon, you'll sleep and the pain will go away. See, you're eyes are closing, that's it, don't fight it, Lio. Oh my boy, what have you done now? Your poor hand."

Again, Lio woke. The sun was bright in the room and the healer was gone. This time, he had his full memory of what had happened the day before. He had been alone, and began to feel the depression that crept up on him when he was too long between Masters. He had tried to dance the pain away, turning the steps of Tai Chi into his own personal exorcism, but it hadn't worked. He had tried harder and faster, but nothing could drive the ice from his soul.

Ending up in front of the mirror yet again, he had stared at his body, naked and flushed and powerful, sheened with sweat from his exertions. He had stared at the reflection that stood there, alone, all alone in that room. He hated that image that was so lonely and desperate. He had struck out.

His door opened. Lio turned his head to watch the page that brought in the tray, setting it on the table by the bed.

"Good day, Gryphon Key," the page said formally. "The healer will be back soon. He said for you to eat what you can and to at least drink the juice. Do you need any help?"

To Lio's dismay, he did. He allowed the boy to help him sit up, arranging the pillows behind his back. The boy seemed shy and nervous, so Lio began to talk to him. If nothing else, here was another human being he could interact with. All too soon the boy had to leave, and Lio was alone.

He lifted his hand and examined the bandages wrapped from his fingers halfway to his elbow. The limb was sore and ached, but the piercing pain from last night was gone. The Palace had remarkable healers on its staff. They had to.

The days went by and Lio healed. If it seemed the pages and staff members came by his room more often to talk and visit, he did not remark on it. He knew what they were doing. They were afraid that he would try to hurt himself again, maybe even try to take his own life. On one hand, he was embarrassed that they felt he needed such support. On the other, he realized his worth to the Palace, and could not fault their dedication to safekeeping a valuable asset. Besides, he liked the company.

The wounds on his hand and arm healed quickly, partly due to his youth and vigorous nature, as well as the skill of the healer. The dark pink scars faded into thin white lines. Still, they bothered Lio. They seemed a constant witness to his loss of control. Lio began to keep that hand and arm covered, using lengths of colored cloth that matched the various pieces of clothing he wore when anyone came to see him.

Lio was enjoying his afternoon alone, a rare occurrence since his injury. But the Palace was opening a new wing, and the staff members were very busy. As much as Lio had enjoyed the steady stream of visitors, he had begun to feel the need to test himself alone.

The sun was high overhead, shining down almost directly into the large window in the ceiling over the main room. Lio was lying on the rug beneath, naked, soaking in the warmth. He rolled over, propping his chin on his hands. He had still not had a Master since the blond warrior, waiting for his injury to fully heal. Thinking of the big man reminded Lio of the bracelet he had been given, and Lio decided to take a look at it again.

Going to the window seat between the two bookcases, Lio lifted the seat to peer into the hollow below. In there, he kept a couple of spare pillows and an extra blanket. He also kept his treasure chest; a plain wooden box filled with the gifts and trinkets his Masters often gave him.

Grunting, Lio lifted the box out. It was heavy because most of the items in there were gold. Lio loved the way the precious metal looked and felt, but he hardly ever wore any of the jewelry unless a Master specifically asked for it. He regularly wore the beads and feathers in his hair, and the silver earring shaped like a Gryphon that dangled from his left lobe. But other than that, he simply preferred to be unadorned.

Lio carried the box over to the patch of sunlight and opened it. One by one, he lifted the items out to examine them. Some of his favorite things were the gold coins Masters brought from far away lands. Some had pictures of people or animals on them, some had strange symbols and oddly shaped letters. He inspected them one by one and set them aside, making neat little stacks of coins in the sunshine.

He made a pile of necklaces and chains, some heavy, some light, some intricately woven and others just plain gold. Lio began to put the chains over his head, and soon was draped in gold from his neck down to his stomach, with one chain that hung almost to his navel.

He picked up the bracelets and armbands, fitting them around his upper arms and wrists. Experimentally, he lifted his arms up and down, amazed at the weight of the decorations. There were a couple of gold chains he used as belts, hanging them around his waist, letting the ends dangle down to brush his cock and balls.

He took some of the larger bracelets and fastened them around his ankles. Carefully, unused to the extra weight, Lio climbed to his feet and headed into the bathroom. He posed in front of the mirror; laughing at the image he presented all draped in gold from head to foot. Feeling better than he had in a long time, Lio put his treasure away again and lay down on the bed to take a nap.

The sharp knocking at his door pulled him reluctantly from pleasant dreams. Yawning and scratching, Lio padded quietly to the door. He knelt to wait until the door was opened, and one of the senior pages entered his room.

Alexir was carrying a tray with fresh fruits and cheese, and a pot of hot tea. "Lio, please, get up. It's only me. I've brought you a snack and some news."

Lio joined the page at the table and waited while his tea was poured. After studying him for a minute, the page asked, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Lio answered. "My arm is completely healed, although the scars have not yet disappeared." He held up his hand, uncovered since he was naked. He hadn't dressed since he wasn't expecting anyone, but Alexir simply ignored his nudity, well used to it after years of service.

"And otherwise?" inquired the page.

Lio looked down into his cup of steaming tea. "Better. Much better. It was nice of everyone to come visit so much, but I don't want to be a bother. I'm all right now, really." Lio looked up and smiled at Alexir, in what he hoped was a convincing manner.

It was true, he did feel better about his situation, and had not had one bout of depression since his injury. But then again, he hadn't really had time with all the visitors he had received. Now he was ready to stand on his own two feet again, not be the Key who was too weak and needy to spend a few days by himself.

"Good," replied Alexir. "Because we have had a request for you, specifically, from the Queen herself. A reward for one of her officers who is retiring. Do you think you're ready?"

Lio felt a thrill of pride. He was being requested specifically! By no one less than the Queen, at that. He liked the thought of being a special reward bestowed by the crown. But hot on the heels of that thought was a stab of shame that the senior page of the Palace had to come check on him, make sure he was fit for duty. Once upon a time, there was no question of his ability. A brief notice was all that was required because the staff at the Palace could count on him without fail. He felt that he had lost something quite valuable, his reputation for reliability.

Looking Alexir steadily in the eye, Lio said, "Yes. I am ready. I will not disappoint you again."

"Oh, Lio. You didn't disappoint us. We take most of the blame for your…accident. It is our job to take care of the Keys and make sure they are safe. We failed you, not the other way around. I just want to make sure we are not rushing you back into something you are not ready for."

Lio looked down, examining his hand and arm. "I am ready for a new Master. Please, let me prove myself to you again."

"You didn't hear a word I said, did you?" Alexir shook his head. Lio had lost confidence in himself, and there was only one way for him to regain it. "Very well, your Master will be here tomorrow morning. Be ready."

Lio nodded and stood while the page left. Once he was alone again, Lio danced madly about the room. They still trusted him. He was to get a new Master! And apparently a very special one at that. Lio hurried to select the perfect wardrobe.