They reached their homeland early on the third day, the dragon soaring through the magical barrier with a grimace of distaste. As Libertine has promised everything was as it had been left. There was no crops dying in the fields as Alexei had feared and when they stopped for a few moments at a small village Alexei slipping into a home to inspect the larders only to find the food still fresh, proof that time really had stopped in his father’s kingdom.

When the palace rose up before them, Alexei laughed in happiness, turning to smile at the bird at their side. The firebird chirped and dove towards the hidden orchard. The dragon landed just outside reaching over the high wall to deposit the squirming wolf before reached out and plucking the human prince from the ground and placing him gently within the orchard.

“Thank you.” Alexei whispered, reaching out to the dragon. “If you are ever in need come to me and I shall help you in any way I can.”

The dragon nodded. “Good luck to you, human child. I do not envy you the battle you will face with the rusalki.” With that the dragon spread its wide wings and rejoined the creatures of the sky.

Alexei turned and held out the golden pendant. The firebird bowed its head and he slid it over its neck. The feathers disappeared and he met his uncle’s golden eyes. “Its your turn, now.” He whispered.

Trey smiled and pressed a kiss to the prince’s forehead. “Thank you.” He whispered.

Alexei smiled brightly as he watched the man enter the palace. Kneeling he caught Yala about the neck and hugged her tightly. “We did it!” He crowed happily.

The wolf yipped and danced around his feet, sharing in his joy.

Trey stood in the doorway, peering down at his lover’s form. His hand came up to touch the golden pendant. As though in a dream he strode forward. Lifting one knee he knelt on the wide bed. Slowly he lowered his face to the sleeping one beneath him. Their lips met and he closed his eyes, praying he had not been betrayed.

The lips under his parted and warm breath blew over his lips. Opening his eyes he met Ivan’s confused gaze. Emerald eyes glanced at the sunlight flowing in through the window and a frown tugged at Ivan’s lips.

“Shouldn’t you be gone from here?” Ivan asked.

Trey sobbed as the dream gave way and reality came crashing down upon him. Ivan held him as he cried, long fingers brushing through his hair until the tears gave way to laughter. Catching his lover’s face between his hands he covered Ivan’s face in kisses.

“Its over!” He whispered, “It’s over.”

Before Ivan could reply a second red head crashed down upon them. “Father!” Alexei cried out happily, wedging his way in between them and enveloping the confused man in a crushing hug.

Ivan managed to dislodge his son and gasped in surprise as he stared at the boy who was no longer a boy. “Alexei you . . .”

The young prince laughed and sat up. Reaching out he caught the golden necklace about his uncle’s neck and pulled it free. Handing it to his father he pressed a kiss to the squawking bird’s head.

“You should do it.” Alexei responded to his father’s surprised look. “That way you can take it off when you finally find a way to truly free him from the spell.”

Ivan stared down at the necklace in his hands before slowing reaching out and replacing it about the firebird’s neck.

Alexei cried out as he was caught in a firm grip and dragged to the door. “Don’t you have someone to check up on?” Trey asked, shoving him through and slamming the door firmly behind the prince.

Turning on his heel he met his lover’s determined gaze.

“Do you have something to tell me?” Ivan asked dryly.

Trey laughed as he returned to the bed. Taking his lover in his arms Trey buried his head under Ivan’s chin, simply enjoying the feel of the arms about him.

“Yes,” he murmured, “Happy birthday, love.”

Three days later Libertine crashed down upon the palace as a storm, her anger striking against the stone palace and her irate screams echoed in the thunder. Through it all the palace and its occupants stood firm. Years of searching for a cure to the curse had served Ivan well in other areas such as magical defense and as the day fell the tsar, his son, and the firebird was left standing while the defeated Libertine slunk back to her island.

Ivan took his throne back to the relief of the young prince. Messengers were sent out to explain to the neighboring kingdoms that their kingdom had suffered from a curse but the curse was over. Confused but always willing to have a chance to celebrate the palace was immersed in an impromptu victory party.

Ivan suffered through it only have the pleasure of seeing his grown son dance gaily with his merchant’s daughter. He suspected that more had happened then what he had been told but he did not mind. Everyone was entitled to their own adventures and their secrets.

His attention was caught by a familiar figure hovering in a doorway and he smiled. Waving his guard off he followed the fleeting form back to their rooms. Wrapping his arms about his lover’s neck he fell into the strong hold.

They tumbled onto the bed and Ivan rest his head on the broad chest. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, “I’m sorry that I was not the one to free you.”

Trey shook his head. “You did free me, Ivan. If it weren’t for you I would have given up a long time ago. Besides, if you hadn’t raised such a fine, sweet tongued, stubborn son he would not have been able to do it.”

Ivan smiled. “He is rather good at that isn’t he? Talking his way out of trouble I mean.”

Trey laughed. “Yes.”

Reaching into one of the pockets in his robe Ivan produced a wooden flute. “I found this in the orchard.”

Trey grimaced in distaste. “Destroy it, lock it away, I do not care. I don’t ever want to see it again.”

Ivan shook his head. “Do not hate yourself over such a small thing, Trey.” He admonished, “By playing that song you kept us all safe. It is a thing to be treasured, not distained.”

With a sigh Trey took the flute. He stared at it for a long moment. “My father gave me this,” he murmured, “For my tenth birthday. He told me that whenever I felt lonely I could play it and it would cheer me up for as long as there is music in the world there is nothing that cannot be overcome.”

Ivan sat up and brushed his hand over his lover’s cheek. “You see? Don’t silence that music, love.”

Trey set the flute aside and captured Ivan’s face between his hands. “As you wish.” He whispered before bringing their lips together.

Ivan shivered as Trey’s tongue slipped into his mouth. He lowered his head, deepening the kiss as hands pushed the robe off of his shoulders and slid under his shirt. He groaned as strong fingers teased the sensitive nubs on his chest.

“Trey . . .” He whispered, pulling away from the kiss and catching himself on the bed as a wave of weakness came over him. “I don’t think I can.”

“Hush, love,” the red haired man replied, “Let me do this.”

He was drawn forward and down until a hot mouth could close over his nipple. Throwing back his head he gasped as sharp teeth pulled at the flesh, making it and other things tighten deliciously. Hands traveled down his stomach before slipping around his waist and cupping his ass.

A finger ran down the crease and he stiffened as fear spiked through him.

“It’s all right,” Trey whispered, stroking his back.

Ivan grit his teeth. “I can’t do this.” He hissed.

“Yes you can. You said it yourself earlier this evening, Ivan. This is a night of new beginnings. No more fear, no more pain, no more loneliness. Let the past die, love. Let me help you get over that final fear that makes you cry out at night.”

Ivan closed his eyes in shame. “How can I let that go, Trey? You don’t understand.”

Trey stroked the long black hair. “He’s gone, Ivan. Your father is dead. You don’t have to lie awake for fear that he will come to your bed at night anymore. This doesn’t have to be something hurtful. Let me show you. Let me erase those memories as you did for me.”

Slowly he let his hand slid back down and gently he touched that vulnerable spot. The man in his arms trembled but remained silent. “Relax,” Trey whispered, pressing a kiss to the pale neck, “Just feel, love. You will see how different it is.”

Lapping at the stiff nub he reached between them and gripped Ivan’s limp cock. He worked it slowly and despite his unease Ivan began to relax in his arms. Ever so slowly the narrow hips began to move in time with his strokes and he gently let his finger slid into his lover. Ivan stiffened but Trey refused to relent. Eventually the thin body began to move again, working his finger in and out with the thrusts.

Ivan’s body began to loosen and he heard the groans his lover tried to conceal. Smiling to himself Trey pushed in deeper. When his lover gave no indication that he had noticed he inserted a second finger. Ivan began to tremble in his arms but kept rocking against each hand.

His fingers brushed against Ivan’s pleasure spot and the black haired tsar arched in surprise, a cry escaping him. Grinning Trey pressed ruthlessly against that spot until his lover was writing against him. He arched up and licked at the exposed stomach and long fingers buried themselves in his hair.

Knowing it had to be soon, Trey pulled his hand away, earning a disappointed cry from his lover. Unlacing his pants he winced as he freed himself. Spreading Ivan’s legs wider he gently urged the man to sit back. Ivan whimpered and for a fleeting second Trey feared he would flee but emerald eyes met his trustingly and slowly Ivan lowered himself down onto his desire.

Trey hissed, suddenly understanding what others saw in this act. Ivan was warm and soft around him and the urge to move was nearly impossibly to ignore. It brought out a strange overwhelming primitive desire within him that was wholly unlike what he felt when he was in the other position. He felt powerful and for the first time since his captivity he felt in control of his own body.

Ivan lifted himself up only to drop back down and Trey arched up to meet the falling body. His lover cried out and repeated the motion. They moved against each other, their cries mingling as each of them rediscovered a piece of what had been taken from them from the same cruel, merciless man. It did not take either of them long to tumble into blissful oblivion.

Ivan lay silently in his lover’s tight embrace. Trey’s breath was warm on the back of his neck and just beyond the door he could hear Alexei’s voice mingled with a wolf’s playful growls. It made him feel complete and safe. For the first time in his life he felt content and he finally realized what had been missing all of his life. Smiling he glanced at the books and golden crown on the nearby table.

He had been raised to think that material wealth would make him happy. Later he had through it was knowledge that would fill that hole in his life. Finally it was the need to possess the only man he had ever desired but in the end it had been the one thing he couldn’t cajole or take that had healed his wounded heart.

Finally after so long and so many years of sadness he had obtained the one thing he had longed for his entire life.

He had a family.

And suddenly, he didn’t fear the future or the past any longer.