Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2016 05:37:11 -0500
From: Kody Boye <boyekody@gmail.com>
Subject: His Touch of Ice - Part 35

DISCLAIMER:

This is a work of fiction, and contains scenes of graphic violence and
explicit male/male sex. If you are not of the legal age to read this, or
are uncomfortable with this sort of content, please turn back now.

HIS TOUCH OF ICE (The Ice Men, Book 1) is copyright © Kody Boye. All
Rights are reserved.

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A knock came at the door in the later hours of the night. Freshly filled
from dinner and spread out along the couch, Guy lifted his head from its
place on the armrest and sighed as he withdrew his arm from my shoulders.

"Sorry," he said.

I shook my head to show indifference and watched him walk to the door. When
he opened it, I caught sight of Amadeo standing in the doorway, speaking in
hushed tones to Guy.

Guy turned and gestured me up.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"My father wants to see you," he said. "If that's all right?"

"It's fine." I looked up at Amadeo. "Hello."

"Good evening," Amadeo said, his kind eyes dull with remorse of a sour
situation.

With nothing else to do or say, I turned to face Guy. "Guess I'll be back
later," I said, stepping out through an open door. "Keep an ear out for
me?"

"I won't lock you out," he said.

We exchanged awkward waves before the door closed behind me.

"This way," Amadeo said.

He led me through the series of hallways that still remained confusing and
directed us toward the far wing on the east side. Our footsteps sounded
monstrous in the silence of the beautiful home, which only further added to
my unease, but I managed to maintain myself and kept my gaze straight
ahead.

"I was not aware that you and he had such an... awkward relationship,"
Amadeo offered.

I stopped in the middle of the hall, near where the banister overlooked the
expansive living room, and frowned. "Sorry?" I asked.

"When he brought you here, I assumed that you might have been a longtime
lover. But judging by your actions..."

"It's ok," I said, in the silence after he faded off. "You can continue."

Amadeo scanned my face before nodding, the unease wiped clean of his
face. "Mr. Winters and I were concerned when we learned about the alleged
murder allegations. When you walked through the door, I expected the pair
of you to act in a more intimate manner. But now that I see that you
haven't... well... it makes me concerned for your wellbeing. Both of you."

I wasn't sure how to respond. "Guy called you `Papa,'" I said a short
moment later, when the memory flickered across my conscience like a
lonesome butterfly. "Does that mean you're one of his parents?"

"Yes. I've been in Guy's life since he was quite young. I practically
watched him grow up."

"I asked because he seems more relaxed around you."

"Ah... the good parent, bad parent thing," Amadeo said. He gestured me
along and I followed him deeper into the house. "Elliot has always been
hard on him, but with good intentions. He merely wants Guy to fulfill his
legacy. I could care less what he does so long as he's happy."

"But Guy's gay. Why is his father so concerned about continuing their
bloodline?"

"Because he himself did it, despite his persuasion. He believes personal
sacrifice is necessary if it is for the good of the people, regardless of
whether the individual believes so or not."

"So Mr. Winters thinks Guy's being stubborn?"

"In a way, yes. But he fails to acknowledge the fact that Guy's mother died
during childbirth."

I wasn't sure what I'd expected. I'd thought that maybe the Kelda might
have had something to do with Guy's conception, or maybe his human mother
had simply faded into the back of Guy's life without question—lost to
the tune of the everyday grind through the sway of persuasion wrought by
one simple touch. I never expected this.

"How'd it happen?" I asked.

"That isn't something I should be discussing with you," Amadeo said. He
stopped near another set of double doors and knocked. "Elliot."

"Yes?" the senior Winters asked.

"I've brought the boy. Jason. Our son's admiration."

The door opened to reveal Elliot Winters in full, his clothes casual but
not inappropriate for the evening. "Come in. I've been expecting you."
____________________________________________________________________________
If you enjoyed this installment of HIS TOUCH OF ICE, consider emailing the
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