Cinderfella

Story: Cinderfella 2: A New Life

Chapter: 5 Charges

Author: Eric McQueen (mcqueen.richarderic@gmail.com)

Mature Readers only due to sexual situations and graphic sexual content

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The story never ends. As long as I'm alive, I will write. Again, guys with short hair, few beards unless I say otherwise, and none of those ballooning pant things. Pants! Your imagination is right with everything else.

Charges

Seth thought a few minutes. "If we do this," He said slowly. "How are we going to feed a baby? We have nipples, but nothing's coming out of here." He tapped his own chest and grinned at me. "And try as I might, nothing comes out of you." His finger brushed me on the shirt.

Christian's fork made a loud clank as he dropped his fork, holding his head, "I don't need to know this." He muttered.

I chuckled as my brother started to turn a little pink.

Ella smiled, shaking her head. "You can always hire a wet nurse. She can breastfeed a baby." Then she thought, "Of course, cow's milk or goat's will do fine, just dilute it. Cow's milk is better when they're very young. I had to with Ada and Ana." She hefted a breast. "And that little monster you're holding, Seth, can clean me out!"

Christian moaned, "Do they have to hear that?" He asked his wife.

"It's a natural thing, Honey." Ella didn't understand her husband's embarrassment. Then she grinned at me a little evilly, "Even Christian likes it."

Now Christian was beet red. "Ella!!" He moaned covering his face with both hands.

I chuckled at my brother, "Well, there are other things a person can suck on with men, but milk doesn't come out of there either."

Christian rose from his chair, now putting fingers in his ears. "I don't want to know!" He began humming so he couldn't hear.

Seth and I were laughing with Ella. I got up and pulled my brother back down. "We're sorry, Christian. No more talk about whose sucking what on anyone else."

Christian nodded unsurely. "Okay," He said as his color returned to normal.

"Though it does explain why Ella can't keep up with Edward," I added with a chuckle as his color went back to red.

"Okay!" Christian said firmly holding his hands out to stop this attack on his virtues. "As king, I'm telling you guys to knock it off!"

Seth laughed, "Technically, Christian, you're not Erik's and my king. My brother Sam is." Making the three other adults laugh, but not Christian.

Christian narrowed his eyes, "Then as your older brother, knock it off!" He groused.

I got up, kissing Christian on the temple. "We're kidding you. You know that."

Christian nodded. "I know, it's just so...."

"Personal?" Ella questioned patting her husband's arm. "Breastfeeding isn't. It will and has to happen." Then she looked at Seth and me. "Eric helped me with Thomas, Ada, and Ana. He's seen me feed them. And helped me."

Christian's eyes grew alarmed. "What!?"

"Milk, honey. He's seen me feed them cow's milk." Ella said smiling again but shaking her head.

I chuckled again. "Even if I had seen her breastfeed. You know I wouldn't be interested." I patted Seth's arm as he held Edward.

Christian wasn't really angry, uncomfortable yes, but not angry. His eyes rolled. "I'm just glad the older children aren't here now. They'd be asking questions...."

"Well, in four- or five-years Thomas will want to know about it all." I smiled at Christian. "And you promised." Reminding him of his promise to me on the way to Blethos for the first time before Seth and I even met. "You'd be honest with him."

Christian's head lowered to the table. "I did." Then his head rose. "It's just not...a subject we talked about growing up. Now I know how Dad felt about talking to us."

I nodded. "I was raised here, too. I know, but it's so important. Maybe the older children should have been here. So, they could ask their questions." I smiled returning to eating my breakfast. "There will be time."

Christian sighed, "I hope so." Then brightened. "We have a week left!" He looked at the two of us. "Is there anything you two want to do?"

The whole situation with Seth, me, Christian and Ella was mostly humorous, but there had to be changes with people need to make. Why would two people wait until their wedding night to figure out how things work? Christian and I knew because we had a library and a tutor that explained some basics. Seth found out about two men from seeing it. But practical knowledge was needed. Young people out in this world didn't always have that and ignorance was dangerous.

We had a good time with the family, but as always...good times ended. Seth and I had the carriage readied again with supplies, horses hitched and stood in the courtyard saying our goodbyes.

"'Eth." Edward said to Seth.

All of us just stared at the little boy.

Seth smiled holding Edward out, looking proud. "He said my name!"

I chuckled. "It's better than him calling me ick. The letter R is tough in my name." Now I was crying. "This is agony," I said as tears again were flowing from everyone.

"I know what you mean." Christian nodded hugging me. "But we have Demetrius to keep in touch. And you will come back."

I nodded. "Absolutely." Then I watched Seth, who was handing Edward back to Ella.

Edward was fussing and then crying as he reached for Seth. Seth was also crying.

"I wish we didn't have to leave!" Seth moaned. "This has been so wonderful." He kissed Ella on the cheek, then kissed Edward on the head as Edward wanted Seth back. "It's breaking my heart."

Christian put his arms around Seth. "This proves we're a family. Parting hurts, and Edward's tears tell you that for certain, you will be missed. By all of us."

Ella kissed me. "We love you two. You have to come back." She tried to jostle Edward, but he was still reaching for me and Seth as his little heart was breaking. "I'm going to have a time with this one," Ella admitted sadly.

I nodded, taking Seth's arm. "I'll have a time with this one." I grinned as we headed to the carriage. "But we'll be back. I promise." Hugs to everyone and we climbed up in the carriage and headed out.

Seth sniffed and rubbed his face to clear it of tears. "You've got a great family."

"Which is also your family," I reminded him.

He nodded. "I know." He grinned at me. "With Sam and Terry, they are only a couple of days away. These are so far away!"

I shrugged, "But it can't be helped. We have a life in Royal Valley."

Halfway between A'Dore and Blethos, Seth and I were relaxing by a fire we had cooked on during the evening, now we're just relaxing as Seth lounged against me. There was the sound of a bell.

I grinned at Seth. "Guess who."

"At least he rings now first." Seth chuckled.

Demetrius came out of the darkness. "I hope I'm not interrupting."

Seth smiled, "Not yet."

I grinned at Demetrius. "It's been a while. How have you been?"

Demetrius sat near us. "Fine. There are others that I help. So, it's sort of busy. I just came to say hello." He grinned. "Hello."

I hadn't thought about that. "Others? You help others." I nodded. "That makes sense. You have all this time, so why not?"

Seth looked at Demetrius, then sat up a little. "Are you finished with us?"

Demetrius looked surprised. "Heavens no, you've both alive. We'll be in each other's lives a long, long time."

Seth nodded, "Then could we ask you something?"

Demetrius nodded and grinned, "You just did."

Seth rolled his eyes. "A potential favor," He clarified.

"Oh," Demetrius smiled. "You can ask. Whether I can do it or not is another thing."

Seth looked at me. "We want a child."

Demetrius' eyes grew hearing that. "A child!?" He shook his head. "We can do some miraculous things, but a child with two men..."

Seth reached and shook Demetrius' arm. "No, no...I mean, we want a child, but there will be other problems," He explained. "Laws and rules are few about taking a child in. Many couples find a child and keep them when no one wants them. No questions are asked. In both A'Dore and Blethos, to be a member of a House, the head of the house makes a public statement and it's done. And the orphanages are all pretty much run by the Church, and they would never give us a child." He gave a shrugging nod knowing that wasn't always true. "We could bribe them and maybe then, but...you never know with these orphanages. They could be the child of thieves, or murderers. Or even with a good family line, there are potential dangers from insanity to diseases."

I gave Seth a little shove, "That's true with one if we could have one of our own. We don't know. No child has any guarantees."

Seth nodded, "I know...and I don't mean to sound like we're better or anything, but..."

Demetrius nodded, "But a good family history sort of helps."

"Sure, it does," Seth said. "There has to be someone out there, having a child they won't be able to raise. Good family history and healthy. That wouldn't mind their child being raised by us." He said waving at me and him. "We have money. It would be well cared for..."

"I'm not a baby broker," Demetrius said sadly. Then he sighed, "Many times, when a young girl finds herself in this sort of trouble...giving up a child can be traumatic. Death can be involved, or a rape..." then he looked at us. "Or just because she trusted the person she was with just once. Foolish or not."

I shook my head, "We won't care about that."

"Not everyone in my own family would I want a child from. Arthur, Darius, and Deena are prime examples of who I do not want as a parent of any child we get, and they were family! Many others trying to be king or queen either are just as bad...not criminal..."

"A young woman who was raped?" I asked. "Her family history could be fine, but her rapist? What would be passed to the child? It's not the girl's fault or the child's but..."

Demetrius nodded, "I get it." He waved his hands to stop us from continuing, "I get it."

"There are hundreds of children born unwanted and unloved..." Seth continued.

"Guys!" Demetrius said suddenly, "I get it." He sighed. "I don't make things happen. You know that." Then he nodded, "But I do present opportunities. There is a choice that people can make to take these opportunities or not." He nodded again, "I can ask the others. Someone has to know of someone." He grinned. "We're not omnipotent. We can't always just know. But I will ask." Then he looked at our spit we'd put aside with an animal that we cooked. "That rabbit looks good. Can I have some?"

I chuckled, "It may be overdone now but help yourself."

"And Erik wasn't convinced I could hunt," Seth grinned. "I showed him. I can handle a bow and arrow just fine."

We got back to Royal Valley and were stunned! It was growing! There were people moving there. Okay, that shouldn't have been so surprising, but who was moving there was. As Seth and I rode through town, we noticed a business that hadn't been there before. We'd been gone for almost two months, so there was time for something like this.

"Teas and cakes?" Seth read the sign. The store was a building that had been something else but now had a festive awning. The windows had baked goods from cookies, cakes, and pies. Breads! The fancy kind, not the loaves we all knew. Scones! I knew the bakery would be upset at that. Seth pulled the horses to a stop when we spotted Zeke and Gabe inside. Zeke was working with his father and Gabe worked in the winery and Royal Valley, so they were customers. Seth stepped down from the carriage as did I. We walked in a store where there were places to sit with tables. It was like they wanted you to stay and eat.

Zeke looked up from the man he was talking with as we came in, his eyes grew large. "Seth! Erik!" He hurried over and hugged us. "Welcome home!"

Gabe who had been sitting with Zeke hurried over as well. "Did you have a good trip?"

And of course, we nodded, greeting our two friends. "It was great!" I answered. "But Zeke was right, it is a long, long way. We're glad to be home." Then I looked at the man Zeke had been talking to. He wore something around his waist, like an apron. "What's all this?" I motioned to the store.

"Isn't it great?" Zeke asked us. "Daryl, meet Prince Erik and Prince Seth!"

Daryl's eyes grew in shock. A handsome man, in his early thirties with brown hair and eyes. "Your Highness," He began to bow.

Seth hit Zeke lightly. "Stop that!" He said to Zeke who only pretended to worry, but only a little and all was kidding. Seth grinned at Daryl. "Yes, we are, but we're just people here in Royal Valley."

Daryl nodded, "But you were king! Everyone in Blethos knows that. Probably around the world!" He shook Seth's hand. Then he looked at me. "And you're the man he married that made him king!" He smiled at me.

I nodded, "I am."

Daryl turned to look in a portion we couldn't see, "Curt! Come meet Prince Erik and Prince Seth!"

We had people from other countries that lived in A'Dore and Blethos, but clearly from the name he was from Germania. That was on a whole other continent! The man that came out wiping his hands on a cloth as he came was blond! Very handsome, in his middle thirties with blue eyes and he was most definitely from Germania. Our histories told of conquerors in the past that had come from Germania and other continents in ancient times. Ella's people in ancient times had come from Scanavol. Another country known as conquerors in the past, that was why she had the blonde hair. But Curt looked...well, he was nice looking but big!! Huge! He was taller than Seth. He must have been over six feet and five inches. A giant! "Really?" The man asked coming over quickly. Then he shook our hands. "It is a great honor to meet you!" He spoke our language just fine but accented. I'd heard Germanians before, so I knew some of it.

Gabe nodded. "They are a couple! Just like Zeke and me. And you two!"

Seth's eyes told me he was not prepared for this, "Oh!"

Daryl nodded. "We met in Berl. In his country ten years ago, we fell in love, but word about your marriage came and we had to come to Blethos! Then we get here and heard you've moved here, so, we came here to open this!" He waved at his store.

"And there's another male couple in town!" Zeke said excitedly. "They haven't opened a business like this but are looking for work. Isn't it great?"

I looked at Seth, who was still in shock. "Yeah." I nodded and grinned back at Daryl and Curt. "Welcome to Royal Valley." Then I got closer to them, "You know it's still illegal here."

Curt waved that off. "It is everywhere. But we thought maybe here they would be more receptive if they knew the truth."

"Has anyone here given you problems?" Seth asked.

"A few," Daryl nodded. "But not that much. We get some strange looks occasionally, but no one has come right out and said anything." He chuckled. "Safety in numbers."

Gabe shook his head, "I just know more are on the way!" He was almost giddy!

As happy as Zeke and Gabe were, I was okay with it, but Seth looked worried. "I appreciate the idea of a place where those of us that are in relationships like ours feel safe, but this isn't the answer. Not here. None of us are safe here."

Curt nodded. "We understand that, believe me, but we are safer here than any place in the world."

Daryl nodded and began seriously, "I was raised in Seaside Vista in A'Dore. I went to Berl on business where Curt and I fell in love, but if we had been discovered there, we would have been beaten, flogged and publicly humiliated. Then killed. In that order." He said sadly. Then he looked at Seth and me. "You two are the only two men that are legally married in the world! To be king, you got married to a man!" Daryl stressed looking at Seth but pointing at me.

Seth nodded. "It could have been just for the alliance. Not a real marriage."

Daryl smiled. "It is a real marriage! And you were king! Without this marriage, you wouldn't be. And your brother, who is now king, loves you." He looked at me, "And I know King Christian loves you, doesn't he?"

I nodded, "We just came from there. Yes, he loves me. And Seth is family."

Curt nodded, "You see?" He waved at the surroundings. "Where could we go, but a town where the man was made king by his marriage to a man, that is a real marriage and loved as a couple, by the kings of two countries!? Where would be safer?"

Seth nodded, "I suppose."

I took Seth's hand, "It makes sense."

"There are countries that will stone us," Curt said, urging us to see his point. "But not here."

Seth nodded but was cautious. "I get that. But it's still illegal here. We could still be killed."

Daryl smiled with a nod, "And therein lays the difference. Could be versus would be. Anywhere else, it's a certain thing, death, but not here."

"This country wouldn't put up with an attack on you," Curt nodded.

"Is it true?" Daryl asked looking at Seth's face closer. "It must be because I don't see any scars."

Curt nodded. "All I see is a very handsome man."

I watched Seth look a little unsettled by them talking about the scars. I squeezed his hand, but Seth should hear more before he got upset. "What did you hear?" I asked Curt and Daryl.

"That a man, cursed by an evil wizard, scarred and with love's kiss from the man he loved, the scars magically went away," Daryl replied smiled.

Curt nodded. "It's spreading like crazy in our circles."

"Even more than the story of Cinderella and Prince Charming," Daryl waggled his eyebrows at me. "Which we know is about your brother and sister-in-law."

Pulling Seth closer to me his presence next to me was to comfort Seth. "Arthur was evil." I grinned as Seth looked at me and slowly grinned. "We don't have to tell anyone he was no wizard. The story will take a life of its own."

Seth chuckled, "Yes, it will." Then he looked at Curt and Daryl. "But can we call it Cinderfella?"

Daryl looked confused. "Cinderfella?"

I put my arm around Seth's waist. "It's a joke." I waved as Zeke and Gabe had been listening. "I had a fairy of my own, just like Ella to get my brother. A fairy godfather, he made the marriage of Seth and me possible."

Seth looked startled. "Should you be telling them that?" He hissed in a whisper that could be heard by everyone. "Demetrius may not..."

"A fairy godfather!!" Gabe hit his forehead like he made some awesome discovery. "Of course! Now it makes sense!" He turned as he thought about it.

Zeke nodded, "I wondered how that happened." He pointed walking around Seth. He turned to Curt and Daryl. "He was really scarred. On his right side. I've known him all my life. Believe me, it was there."

Zeke nodded. "And Grace, the lady that worked the old Thorne place said he was spouting off about witchcraft and dark magic. He was so sure Darius was going to be king. No one dared to ask."

Gabe was nodding in agreement. "When Thorne got back, his was soooo mad!" He said with all the enthusiasm of my nephew when he was six!

I waved at our friends. "See?" I asked Seth. "It'll take on a life of its own. Relax."

Seth nodded. "Fine, but how are the people here going to react when more men like us arrive?" He asked incredulously.

"And women!" Curt added.

"What!?" Seth asked them.

Daryl nodded. "There are those of us that want the world to see them as women?" He looked at us, and we were totally unprepared for that.

"Men that want the world to see them as women!?" That never occurred to me! A man that wants everyone to think he was a woman! "How do they do that!?"

Curt snickered. "You don't have them here? I bet you do. As a matter of fact, I know you do. Men that wear dresses and wear their hair long like a woman. Some even think somehow, they were born male, but should have been female."

"And some of these women you'd be hard to tell they weren't men!" Daryl laughed. "They're big in Germania."

There were women I met they you had to look a few times to see they were women. Their actions and mannerisms were male! Some were as large as Curt, but not all of them. "How do they get by with that?" I asked. "With the threat of death, they wouldn't dare!"

"They don't necessarily do it in public," Curt chuckled.

"There are a few that are certain they'd pass as...whatever they want to portray and do so...fooling everyone!" Daryl nodded. "And sometimes they're caught. That's where the flogging comes before they're killed."

Curt nodded. "Mostly it's done in private places. Locations known by only us and watched carefully to make sure whoever comes in is one of us."

Daryl nodded. "We had them in A'Dore." Then he grinned, "In the capital city even. One near the palace!"

I threw my hands up in exasperation, "I never knew!"

Daryl laughed. "Of course, you didn't. How often did you leave the palace?"

My eye narrowed. "I left the palace," I said in a growl.

Daryl nodded. "With an armed guard escort. You didn't see the real capital. There are plenty of us there. A few work in the palace. Two were guards."

"Homosexual? Or wanting to be women?" I wondered if the two I saw giving pleasure with their hands with each other were the ones he was mentioning, but that was so long ago. There were more!? Daryl just smiled but wasn't answering me.

Seth shook his head. "Hey, the evil wizard had me trapped, I never knew they were in Blethos." He grinned. Then he looked at me, "Maybe Sam should rule that we should not be prosecuted. If there are as many as they say...This could be a problem when more and more show up here."

"Well," I said with a smile to our new acquaintances. "We look forward to getting to know you." I shook their hands again. "Maybe we should plan to have you come to the manor." I grabbed Seth's arm. "But not tonight, we have to unpack. It'll be dark soon, we'd better go."

Seth nodded, "Yes, it is getting late." He grinned, and raised an arm, sniffing his armpit. "It's been a long, long trip. I look forward to a nice hot bath. We'll be stinking soon."

Getting back on the carriage, we headed home. Entering the manor, both of us let out a sigh. We were weary. Not sleepy, but it was a long journey and tiring and it was great to be home.

I grinned at Seth as he lit the coals under the water heater in our bathroom and we unhitched the horses and stowed the carriage. By then we had the precious hot water. Filling the tub, I was busy thinking of what was happening and trying to think of what that would mean, not only for Royal Valley but Blethos as a whole.

Slowly, I entered the hot water, feeling tired muscles ease and relax as I gave into the luxuriant sensations. I was so busy thinking it was only as Seth's wandering toe wiggling against a private portion of me did I come back.

"Those are some pretty heavy thoughts," Seth commented softly. "Care to share?"

I smiled at him. "I was just thinking...this is a pretty important thing happening here."

Seth nodded moving from his end of the tub over to sit next to me, "I know." He kissed me gently.

"There will be more coming to Royal Valley," I said.

"I heard," Seth nodded.

"This will make us a target," I put out. "If we are in one town...all it would take is one attack and a lot of people could get hurt or killed." Then I felt his arms come around me. "What's so wrong with what we are? We don't do anything but love a member of our own gender."

Seth nodded. "Perhaps it is not normal."

I frowned. "Why?" I asked. I looked at him seriously. "I am so attracted to you. Why?"

He shrugged. "I don't know." He grinned, "To be honest, I mostly see me as I was. Ugly." He held up his finger to my lips that were starting to object. "I know you say I'm not and you see me otherwise and always did, but I was ugly for so long. When we met, you never really saw it. You saw me." He smiled. "Now, I am so attracted to you. You are beautiful. You're a kind man. Intelligent and you have a good heart." Then his voice got softer. "But what's really important. I like you."

I smiled as he said it as he did.

"I enjoy being around you. We're lovers yes. But I like you. I love you, of course, but you are my best friend. I can't imagine life without you. There would be no life for me if you weren't here." He gave me a glance, sort of sideways. "I'd die if you left."

I felt my heart swell with love. "As I would if you left. I never thought anyone would mean as much to me as you do." I grinned. "I like you, too. We get along well together because we are best friends. And I hate to admit it, but life with Arthur carved at you, but your character never gave in. You did become this diamond of a human being. You were when I married you and you are now, the most beautiful soul I have ever met. That you love me, I am humbled."

Seth nodded. "As am I, by you." He began kissing me gently, increasing the kiss as passion stirred within each of us. "Make love to me."

I grinned, "With pleasure."

Seth and I began our lives, the daily routines began again, and work was continued as always. It seemed that almost every week a new couple arrived in Royal Valley. Male couples and female couples. They were greeted with a little restraint by most. The people of Royal Valley were nice enough, at first. But as space became an issue, there were some that didn't like it. There weren't enough houses or dwellings to hold them all. Construction began as homes went up. Businesses opened almost every week! We had a restaurant now! Not a pub, but a nice place to sit and have a meal. And it was good! With the increased business, the demand for things became a problem. Goods, like foodstuff, was needed. The farms around Royal Valley were having to increase their yield. The bakery had to compete with these other businesses like Teas and Cakes. Women loved a lot of these new businesses as there were many women that worked either in the winery or in the other businesses as help was needed. They had jobs! There wasn't always time to prepare a meal when they got home. They'd stop into Teas and Cakes, pick up some those fancy breads and cheese at another business, or even the restaurant to get something for their family. It was convenient! Zeke and Gabe had a very nice home now. With plumbing! More homes now had the hot water heaters and toilets in them, but not everyone was happy. In fact, a special meeting was called for in the town hall to address these issues.

"...there is no more room!" A man complained as many were nodding in agreement. "Royal Valley is being overcrowded."

"But that's what we want, isn't it?" Keith Davidson, the mayor reasoned. "Don't you understand? More citizens mean more money! More services."

"But where are they coming from?" A woman asked. "Most of these new people are couples like Seth and Erik!"

And there it was. I cringed. As a citizen of Royal Valley, I had been asked to sit in on the panel of members. "And is that a problem?" I asked quietly.

"With more people, the potential of bad people increase," The woman argued. "One or two couples are fine. How many are here now?"

"They could molest our children!" A woman said.

"They're evil! Perverts!" A man said.

That's when Eb, Zeke's father rose, "My son is no pervert!" Then we waved at me, "Neither are they!" Most were nodding, but I saw a few faces that said they were not agreeing at all.

I shook my head, "No, Seth, Gabriel or Zeke are not perverts." I picked up a piece of paper. "On this sheet is a list of crimes done. Ignoring the general theft, the only disturbances are not done by anyone like us. In fact, they are done by people in general. The only crime of sexual in nature is done by others that have been here for years!"

"They should be told to leave!" The woman stated. "They aren't welcome."

Seth was listening in the front row of the crowd. "Including us?"

That got no reply. As loathe as some were about the increase of the population by those in relationships with members of the same gender, the vineyard and winery was the main source of income in Royal Valley. Could the winemaking business come to a halt if Seth and I weren't there? It could continue without us, but the vineyard and winery were owned by the royal family of Blethos, and Seth and I were members of that family.

"You're different," A man said slowly.

"How?" I asked. "Because we're married?"

"Yes," The woman nodded.

"Then let these people marry. There will be no more problems," Seth reasoned.

"But it's illegal!" The woman said.

"But we were able to marry!" I said angrily.

"By the Kings of Blethos and A'Dore!" The man said.

"So, we need to have them married by the king of Blethos," Seth reasoned.

"They can't!" I said simply. "Seth and my marriage was so there would be a king on the throne. But we are still married even if he's not on the throne anymore."

"It's a sin!" A voice said.

I looked for the voice. A man in all black. I recognized as the priest for Royal Valley. We had a church here, it was not big, but it was still a part of the overall Church. I never darkened their threshold.

"Yes, it is," I agreed. "According to the scriptures, it is."

"To welcome these people, we risk condemnation by God!" The priest said. The people started to mummer. The priest's words carried weight. "In ancient times there were two cities destroyed by God for it. We could be the third."

I sat back. Say what you will, it was written that it happened. History had more to say, but people didn't hear about that. "Then why do those scriptures only talk about the sin of the cities themselves. Not just our sin?" I shook my head. "I studied those scriptures. The old ones as well as the new ones. But during that time, there were five cities destroyed, not just the two."

"They were the only ones that mattered," The priest said.

"So, the three other three cities weren't important?" I smiled. "Were they committing the same sin? They had to be if God destroyed them as well. It says the sin was a lot of other sins. The only reference to the sin we're accused of is when the men there wanted the angels to come out so they could know them." I grinned, "It was written in ancient Italia. Translating it into our language is tricky. They had so many words for the same sins."

"God said for a man to lie with a man is a sin!" The priest argued.

"No, He did not!" I said loudly as people were now speaking more to each other. "A Prophet did. And he was a man, speaking to men. The only things we have that God said are the commandments. Not one of them says that. The Prophet says he heard from God, but that's hearsay. I could tell you Seth said something, but until he says it to you, it's hearsay."

The Priest was not happy, "He says that God told him."

I shook my head, "No, he didn't. He just says it is a rule. You won't win this. I've read the scriptures in their original form and language. There are rules for everything, including what we're allowed to eat, which we often ignore. Even what should be done after a woman has her menses? Do you make sure that's done every month by every woman in Royal Valley? You're picking these rules to enforce! Others you're ignoring."

"You don't believe in God," The priest said angrily.

My eyes widened. "How the hell do you know what I believe? Can you read minds?" I shook my head. "I've seen more evidence there is a God than most people do. My husband is proof!"

Mayor Davidson raised his hands. "This is not a theological debate, gentlemen." He sighed. "Until there is some crime, my hands are tied. These people, any people that come are welcome. They can make a life here, pay taxes and brighten everyone's lives. There is only one thing that can be done for the citizens not comfortable anymore here." Then he stood and looked at the woman. "Move away!" Now those that are okay with all these new people, and they were the majority, were clapping in agreement. The woman could see she was outnumbered. Seth was smiling as he nodded to me. "Now." The mayor continued. "If more structures are needed, we'll just have to build!"

At the end of the meeting, I got to meet many of the new citizens, and they were a very interesting group of people. Most we just regular men and women. As far as I could tell. Nothing about them told what they did in the bedroom of their home, but why would there be anything to see to say that? I did get a surprise by one couple. Upon our meeting, I thought they were just a regular couple. A man and wife. He was not great looking, but not ugly. She was beautiful! Blonde hair. Yuk. They came up to Seth and me as we were breaking up the meeting and preparing to go home.

"I'm David." The man said and motioned to the woman, "This is Janie."

I nodded as I shook their hands. But then my eyes looked at this Janie. She was very pretty but had this scarf-thing around her neck. But as we spoke, I saw something bob under it. She had an Adam's apple. She was a man! But she had breasts and sounded like a woman! Only men had Adam's apples. Thin and she had the figure of a woman. Were her breasts real? But she had to be a man. Men don't have breasts! And what Curt and Daryl said was true. There were women here that I would have sworn were men, except they did have breasts! Most of these women were a little heavy like they were trying to hide they were really female. Not all of them. There was a woman there with all the correct parts a woman had, only she wore the same sort of clothes a man would wear. The woman she was in a relationship with was dressed like any other female and pretty. Many, including the men, had children at home. Children! I just had to assume they had lived a conventional life before and became a couple of the same genders because of the death of the other spouse or the other spouse left! I was learning a lot.

As Seth and I rode back. Seth was smiling at me, "I married a very smart man!" He said with a grin.

I looked surprised, "You said you'd never married before!"

He moved his horse toward me and gave me a swat, "I mean you! Dummy."

I chuckled, "Oh. Thanks." I shrugged. "I try."

"You've really read all those scriptures?" Seth marveled.

I nodded. "It was a course I had to take," I explained. "It was supposed to give me structure in my thinking. My tutor at the time was certain knowledge of such things was important to have to be a great leader."

Seth nodded. "Well, you sounded great. You knew what you were talking about."

"But I made the priest an enemy."

Seth shook his head. "He was our enemy before that discussion. He's a priest." He all but spat, "They all hate us."

"Men like him, and Arthur were right about keeping people ignorant," I grinned. "If they know the whole truth they can fight back. They don't like that. They lose control." I sighed, "But Sam is going to have to rule about this situation. He really doesn't have a choice."

Seth nodded, "I know."

I turned twenty. We had a party at the house and invited many from Royal Valley to attend. There were a few of the new citizens, but most were friends we'd made over the year. I was happy, but felt a little sad, too.

"What's wrong?" Seth asked me quietly at the party.

I grinned and shrugged, "It's stupid."

Seth nodded but knew there was something. "Uh, huh," He turned me to face him, "What?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not a teenager."

Seth laughed at that, hugging me. "You are hardly an old man! We've got a long life together, the best for us has yet to come!"

I smirked at him. "You're just happy you're not married to a child anymore."

Seth barrel laughed. "I never was!" He claimed and kissed me passionately.

The time went by and life here was getting back to being more routine. The town of Royal Valley was still growing, even more! We had to increase the men that patrolled Royal Valley, and not just at night. We had to increase the number of lamps on the street. We added sidewalks for some of the shops. Paved a good bit of the streets in the central area. Now it was not just a town of employees for the vineyard or winery. It was a town that just happened to have a winery and vineyard attached to it.

The priest became an outspoken person about those in the town there were in same-gender relationships. Most all his hate sermons were said from...that thing he preached from every Sunday. When he finished his scripture reading, in the ancient language no one understood and why is that!? He would preach against us from that moment on! Some listened, but most waved him off, demanding to know what the scriptures really said about it. Mostly what the scriptures really said, no one here understood that ancient language. I didn't stop them! In fact, I encouraged them to do it. He could quote the parts that said it was wrong to do something. Now the people want him to tell them how the Church got the rules and how the ancient language was is interrupted.

"Don't believe something because someone tells you to," I said many times. "Find out where the belief came from and demanded to see the proof! No one tells me what to think or do. Laws are written to be read, not just obeyed. Understand what you believe was critical. Then you can be confident in what you believe. Know the whole story and background."

The priest was not happy with us, or me in particular. Many of the people had heard me argue the scriptures with some knowledge of them and knew there was more than what they were being told. I would show proof in the scriptures. He began telling them what to believe and now he might be mistaken!? Before, that was unthinkable. There four nuns that worked with him, but the increase of citizens meant more donations, so the local Church was doing fine, but now there were more demands on his time. He was busy! The people of Royal Valley were improving their lives. They were being educated and were starving for knowledge. We had a vendor that moved in that had books! Hundreds of books. Those books he rented to citizens that liked to read. These were hand-printed books, and a book was expensive, and now that someone in town had the books, for a price they could take it home and read! The danger with that was, not everyone was careful with these precious books. Some got ripped or torn. Well, the agreement was if it was damaged, you paid for it! A few times that kind of damage happened, and when the damaged book was discovered, and the agreement which was signed that they would pay for the repair or for the book, people were more careful.

I grinned as I looked out on the town below from my home office window. It was beginning to bustle! People were busy anyway, now it was very busy.

I heard Seth come in, and as usual. "Where are you?" I heard. It was a daily occurrence. I made comments that were pretty much wisecracks normally in the past.

"In here, baby." I smiled to myself at his predictable pattern.

Seth came in the room, and I felt his arms go around me from behind. "What? You haven't run off with a manly hunter or a handsome salesman of hardly ever used gadgets?"

I chuckled as I wrapped my hands over his arms. "Not today." Seth smelled like a man that worked hard. I could smell the rich earth he'd been working in. It wasn't unpleasant. Seth loved it. I picked up one of his hands, seeing the dirt under his fingernails. Yep, he worked very hard. "It's a good thing we have hot water. We probably keep Grace busy with the laundry."

He turned me around. "Well, it's a good thing she likes us."

"She loves you." I smiled, "It's almost as if she sees herself as your mother."

Seth gave me a questioning look. "So? She loves you, too," He defended. "I guess she's our mother."

"I lit the fire under the water heater." We both heard Grace say as she passed by the door. "It won't be long."

I grinned at Seth, then we both said. "Thanks, Mom."

We heard her footsteps stop, come back a little and her head looked around the door. "Thanks...Mom?"

Seth and I didn't let each other go, I grinned at her. "I said you were his mother."

Seth nodded. "And I said you were our mother."

She smiled at that. "Well then..." an eye narrowed as she looked at us, "Put those dirty clothes in the bin. And when's the last either of you had a haircut? Or do I get ribbons?" Then winked, blew us a kiss, and went to the kitchen as Seth and I laughed at her.

Things were pretty sweet.

"The new grapes from Italia were planted," Seth told me as I was washing his back. "But it will be a while before we get many grapes." Then he sniffed, "That feels different. What are you using? It smells different."

"It's a new soap from Parisa," I grinned liking the suds it made on him.

"It smells like flowers," Seth said. "Can I see it?"

I handed him the bar of soap. "That's because it is floral based. Not ash and animal fat based like many soaps."

"Lye." Seth sniffed the bar.

"Right," I took the soap back. "This doesn't have the animal fat, but plant oils."

His eyes told me he was impressed. "Where'd you get that?"

I chuckled, "Hey, we have a real town here now. They have a shop for this stuff, too! Can you believe it?"

"No kidding," He grinned getting some on his hands and the suds that came up easily. "It's slippery."

"Soap usually is," I smiled. "Even with lye soap."

"But needs no effort to get the suds. And it smells good," Seth nodded.

"So will you now."

Our bath is done, clean clothes and a good meal was enjoyed. As we were at the end, there was a pounding on our front door.

"What on earth?" Grace asked as she came into the dining room and answered the door.

"Seth! Erik!" We heard Zek's voice shout as we heard fast footsteps running through the house. He sounded scared.

"Zeke?" I shouted at him. Seth was standing as we heard the footsteps come toward us.

Zeke charged in, nearly out of breath. "They arrested them!" He was pointing at the direction of town as he gasped for air. "They've got Gabe, Curt, Daryl, Caroline...all of them!"

The icy spike went in my heart. "Who is arrested?"

"For what!?" Seth asked.

Zeke pointed at himself and us. "All like us! They were after me, too, but I ran. I had to tell you! You gotta come quick!"

Seth and I were running out the door with Zeke back to town. There was a mob scene in front of the mayor's house and the town hall and the prison house which were close together. Norton was trying to push into the place where they'd taken his son. Eb, Zeke's big father was arguing with someone else that looked as if it was coming to blows! Someone was arguing with the mayor, I think it was Gabe's mother.

I stopped in front of what we had as a prison house, we almost never had more than one or two in it at a time, now there were over a dozen people crowded in it. I looked at the man in front, Bent was his name. Bent looked very uncomfortable as he was stopping Norton from entering.

"He was arrested. I'm just doing my job," Bent said sadly hoping Norton would understand. "Please, Norton."

I looked at him, "Someone pressed charges? Who?"

Bent pointed at the same woman who had been so vocal at the meeting, was now being yelled at by a lot of people around her, but I noticed the priest smiling behind her. He was the one that had her do it. I would wager the house on it. She was Margret, the same woman that didn't see how two men could be in love when Zeke and Gabe moved in together. Walking to the woman, the others stopped yelling at her and watched me approach.

"You're really doing this?" I asked her.

"They're breaking the law," She nodded simply and shrugged.

I turned to Seth. "It seems we have no choice." Say what you will, but married people learn to read each other without using words. Seth looked alarmed only for a second but then nodded. I turned to Bent standing in front of the prison house. "Take us in."

The woman wasn't prepared for this, turned to the priest, "But you're not breaking the law." She objected to me. "You are married."

I waved at the others being held. "They can't! Either they get married or arrest us! The law can't be interpreted both ways."

Margret turned to the priest. "What do we do, Father?"

The priest came up. "The marriage between you two makes what you're doing legal, not moral, but legal, there was no choice."

Seth frowned and then shouted. "Were you there? If you were, I don't remember you. It was most definitely our choice. He could have married anyone, including a number of my female cousins, but he chose me, I chose him! Of course, we had a choice!!"

I held up my hand to stop the debate. "Wait! How many people do you have in there?"

"Fifteen so far." The man guarding them said. "More are on the way."

I turned to Keith Davidson, the mayor. "When a group of ten or more are brought up on a charge, they can request to be heard before the king."

Mayor Davidson's eyes widened. "The king?"

"It is the law," I said calmly. "I know there's a copy of those laws here. I've read them in the palace of Blethos before I married Seth." I turned to the priest and woman. "And that includes you two."

"I just wanted them out of town!" The woman said weakly. "I have to appear before the king!? I take the charges back."

"Many of these people have children!" I said to Mayor Davidson.

The woman turned to the priest. "This is becoming more than I bargained for. I can't."

The priest frowned. "You can't. The accusation has been made." He nodded. "We will appear before the king."

I said to Mayor Davidson, but more the priest, "And as this is going to take a couple of weeks, we all have to travel to the capital of Blethos, and that's two days journey. And two days back. No telling how long before we get a ruling. Those children need a parent."

The priest nodded, "Let one of the parents go to care for the children, the other goes to see the king."

I narrowed a look at them. "And no one just disappears, damn it," I said flatly. "Or I bring charges against you!" Walking past Bent who didn't stop Seth and me now.

Seth looked at Norton, "We'll take care of Gabe and Zeke." He smiled. "Take care of my babies on the vine."

"This was what I feared from the beginning! They will execute Gabriel and Ezekiel!" Norton moaned. "I have to be there!"

Seth took Norton's arm. "They won't, I promise." He came in behind me. Looking at the prison house once we were inside. He frowned. "We don't have enough chairs!"

Bent rolled his eyes. "I'll find more," He said glumly and walked off to find some chairs. He really was a nice man.

It was an uncomfortable night, no one really slept. There weren't enough beds!

"What do you think he'll do?" Curt asked Seth as I sat held by Seth between his legs on the floor. My back to his chest. Most people here were afraid to act like a couple. Seth shrugged when they said that.

"We're being charged for being in love, why shouldn't we behave like we are. Acting like we are not is sort of moot now." Seth said. Seth grinned at Curt, "The king is my brother. And he is reasonable." He put his face against my head. "He has to rule on this. That's it."

"Either that or kill us all," I added with a smile.

Curt smiled now, looked at Daryl who was dozing against him. He saw Seth and I were together, so he threw his arm around Daryl. "I knew it was smart to move here." Curt smiled wider.

The trip to Blethos' capital was difficult because there was no prison wagon. We all had to ride either a carriage or horse to get there. Now we were all motivated to go, so no one was trying to escape. Margret rode in a carriage with the priest and both were looking as if they had won already. What would be two days was three. No one of the accused was dragging, but Margret and the priest. I heard them plotting. Okay, I did eavesdrop. Wouldn't you?

"He has to rule against them," The priest explained to Margret. "If not, I'll claim the marriage of Seth and Erik is not valid, it goes against the Church. Therefore, the throne was taken on a false claim and there will be a trial. Not only about what they're doing, but about Seth's rise to the throne. If the claim is false, then so is his brother on the throne. He won't be king after that."

I smiled. I had to admit, it was a good plan. The fool.

Upon arriving at the palace, and as in travel back and forth from Blethos to A'Dore, hot baths were impossible, so we all took turns around a fire where a pot of water was boiled. At least we were clean enough not to offend anyone when we were escorted in the throne room, where Samuel would hold court. If he'd known we were coming. He stood shocked as we all walked in.

"These are plaintiffs from Royal Valley, Sire," The man that scheduled appearances before the king said shakily.

"My brothers are plaintiffs?" Samuel asked.

The man shook his head, "No, Sire. Margret Hammel is, and Father Markum are the plaintiffs. They..." he looked at Seth and me in a little terror for what he had to say. "...are the accused."

Samuel looked at the man like he'd lost his mind! "What!? Accused!? Of what?"

"For living a life of sin," The priest said coming forward. "They all are." He waved at all of us. "The charges against Seth and Erik were not going to be done, but they chose to stand with others like them."