They ate in deafening silence. Thane was still trying to understand his first experience with a man and the feelings he was finally willing to admit he had for Leighton. Leighton was trying to retain his composure over the cruel irony of finally having Thane's affections while on the way to his hanging.

     "You haven't touched your food," Thane blurted, breaking the stillness of the room.

     Leighton swallowed the burning lump in his throat as he tried to speak.

     "Just not hungry, I guess," he replied softly. "I think I'll go to sleep. It's late and we have a long journey ahead."

     Thane drank from his wine cup as he watched Leighton prepare a pallet on the floor.

     "That isn't necessary," he said, gripping the cup as he nervously made peace with this new feeling. "We can share the bed."

     Leighton stopped what he was doing and stared at Thane. Any other time, he would have gushed at the opportunity. Now, he wasn't so sure he should allow them to become closer.

     "Are you feeling all right?" Thane asked worriedly. It wasn't like Leighton to hesitate with such an offer. "Did I hurt you?"

     He quickly stood and went over to Leighton, who backed away to protect himself from more heartache.

     Thane grabbed his arm before he could move farther away and pulled him closer.

     "Answer me, dammit," he insisted. "Are you hurt?"

     Leighton shook his head.

     "No, no, it isn't that," he said with a forced smile. "I guess I'm still surprised by it all. I'm not sure what to say."

     Thane squinted his eyes as he watched him lie. He released him and watched as Leighton began to spread out a blanket to sleep on. He huffed and pulled the blanket off the floor.

     "I said we'll share the bed," he grumbled. "Quit pouting like a spoiled little girl. It doesn't suit you."

     Leighton watched as Thane removed his tunic and climbed into bed.

     "Don't stand there all night. You're making me nervous," he complained.

     Leighton gave him a sincere smile that time. He climbed onto the bed and before Thane could react, he nestled against him and rested his head on top of his chest.

     "What the..." Thane raised his arms as he watched Leighton settle down.

     He sighed and gingerly lowered his arms until one hand was rested on his belly and the other was holding onto Leighton. They'd mated like a pair of wild dogs already. He didn't think allowing Leighton this bit of affection would hurt.

     As Thane listened to him fall fast asleep, his breathing quiet as his body relaxed against him, he thought of his duty. He stared up at the ceiling above the bed. It was rotted in places, molded in others, and he wondered if it would come crashing down at any moment.

     His arm squeezed gently around Leighton as he thought of what the end of their journey had in store for them both. He'd thought about it every day since he got the assignment to bring him in. He'd even considered finding a way to help Leighton escape, but then the soldiers arrived with orders from the king to escort them.

     The woman he stole from was no ordinary Lady. She was the king's cousin and the spoiled daughter of a rich and influential aristocrat. Leighton wasn't getting out of this one. He would hang and Thane didn't know what he could do to help him.