Darkness
By: Mack MacKinnon
(© 2015 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

(Author's Note: I am terribly sorry for the long delay in posting, but my life is wonky. I will try to have more chapters up on a weekly basis. Again, my thanks go out to Chris, my editor/critic/friend, for his great help with the chapters.)

Chapter 2
A Prince’s Life 

“My Prince, the reason I am here is to introduce you to your AI (artificial intelligence). Alora is a next generation AI and for her diminutive size, is as powerful as Solonus. Alora, could you come and greet Prince Alexander?”

There was a shimmer in the air and a holographic avatar appeared. It stood just 5’ tall. Its blonde hair fell well past its shoulders in gentle waves. Its body was petite, in proportion to its height.

“Welcome, Prince Alexander, to your state-of-the-art home. I would like to give you a tour if that is acceptable?”

“Just one question before we begin, Alora; did I hear a lock and bolts put in place when you appeared?”

“Yes, my Prince. As you are now in residence, the automatic defense  system has been activated. Only you can change the parameters. Currently, you are the only one who can open the entry into the suite. You are the only one who can teleport into or out of the suite.”

“I want to change those parameters. I want everyone here to have full access to open the door or teleport from anywhere in the suite. Also, they will have the ability to teleport into the foyer of the suite.”

“Your wishes have been implemented, Prince Alexander.” The voice had originated from a hidden speaker.

“Would you like to start the tour, my Prince?” asked the Alora Avatar.

“Yes please, Alora.” Alex smiled.

“To start with, I would like to explain about this suite. It is fully self-contained. It is 30,000 sq. ft. on 3 levels. The top level contains the twelve bedrooms, with en-suites. All bedrooms have views and private sunbathing balconies. The outer walls are clear plast-steel and recessed 10 feet from the side of the suite, that 10 feet is the depth of the balconies. The suite is a spacecraft that can teleport independently should the need arise, due to catastrophic failure of the Habitat.

“The main level has a living room, study, dining room and kitchen. There are patios recessed in on each side of the dining room.

“The lower level is the recreation area. There is a theater as well as other areas for a gym, steam room, showers, sun room for tanning among other things.

“Here, off the foyer is the Command Centre, built in behind, and on the opposite wall are the engine rooms. The engines will get us where we want to go.”

“Thank you, Alora, for the introduction to the suite. You may go now.” said Alex. The avatar disappeared.

Brooks said his good bye and teleported out. Edward took Stefan into his arms, told Alex and Adrian that he would see them later, then teleported out.

Alex and Adrian started exploring the main level of the suite. They walked, holding hands, through the living room, and were very pleased by the decor. They saw a stocked bar on one end and walked over. They looked at the contents of all the shelves, refrigerators and cabinets. It had its own dishwasher and ice-making machine that emptied into a trough. They could see small-gauge lines running under the ice. The lines fed the liquor gun and the mix gun as well as ten draft beer taps attached to the bar counter. They poured themselves Hoffen’s lager (made on Celeste) and, with glass in hand, continued looking around the room. The wall opposite the entry appeared strange. There were decorated pillars that reached from floor to ceiling with a haze between the pillars.

“Alora, what is this haze between the pillars?” asked Adrian.

“That is a force field to contain the garden.”

“Is there a reason to contain the garden?” asked Alex.

“It is currently open to the Habitat environment; do you wish me to drop the force field?”

“Yes, please,” stated Alex.

The haze disappeared; in its place was a beautiful garden with pathways that meandered around beautiful flower gardens and ornamental trees and shrubs. The air was filled with the rich scents of flowers, trees and soil. They wandered through the garden and came across benches, strategically placed, for viewing individual garden beds. Closer to the center they found a large stone plaza with a fountain and tables and chairs to hold forty people.

“Beautiful spot for a garden party,” said Adrian.

“Let’s invite your Entourage to join us?”

Alex’s face blanched and he almost collapsed. Adrian assisted Alex to a chair and sat him down. Adrian took Alex’s beer from his hand and sat down as well. Taking Alex’s hand, Adrian said gently, “Your Father told me about the Entourage while offering the chance to stay with you here on Solonus Station. I understand the implications better than your Father expressed. They are your family, you grew up together and did what boys do, played, fought, and made love. I do not need the details; that is between you and them. You do need to see them, though it may be difficult and some bridges may need to be repaired. I am here for you always and will support you in this. I love you, Alex.”

With tears in his eyes, Alex leaned forward and gently kissed Adrian. “I love you too and you are also my best friend. I am sure I can face this, with your help . Now, should we have them visit or should we visit them? If we visit them, we can make a strategic withdrawal if things get out of hand.”

“Solonus, could you tell me where the guys are located?”

“Certainly, my Prince, they are in the next suite, to the left when you exit your suite.”

“Thank you Solonus.”

Leaving their beers on the table, they decided that they needed to freshen up before meeting the Entourage. They walked upstairs from the foyer and down the hallway. They passed the second level of the garden, which had a railing around it. They proceeded to the end of the hallway and looked into the first of two bedrooms on that side. It was beautifully appointed. There was a king size bed with satin sheets and a large fluffy comforter, all in a soft tan shade. The floor to ceiling drapes were the same color. All the furnishings were wood with a deep burgundy stain. They walked through a doorway on the left and found a walk-in closet. One side was definitely for Alex, the other was for Adrian. They noticed that they had a number of matching outfits. Beyond the closet was the en-suite. A small room held the toilet. There was a urinal on the wall beside the counter that contained two sinks and all the accessories a man could want. The mirror was from the counter to the ceiling. On the next wall there was a large jetted tub for two and a glass-sided shower stall that could easily hold four men.

The two men stripped and placed their clothing in a hamper that was nearby. Adrian entered the shower and set the temperature to warm, but not hot. They could see by the controls that the shower could be turned into a sauna, which explained the tiled platform on one side. They moved into the shower sprays and Adrian turned to face Alex. Alex took him into his arms and started to passionately kiss Adrian, who reciprocated. Their hands began to slowly roam over the other's  body, feeling for the first time the passion that was arising between them. Adrian slowly moved his lips to Alex’s jaw line and swept kisses and licks back to behind his ear.

They ran soapy hands over each other, finding every nook and cranny and stimulating it. Adrian reduced the temperature of the shower as he was starting to sprout wood. They quickly rinsed off, turned off the shower and turned on the dryer. Warm blasts of air rippled over their bodies as they used their hands to remove any excess moisture.

When dry, they stepped out of the shower and the dryer stopped. They fixed their hair to their liking and walked into the closet. Alex chose clothing for both of them and took it into the bedroom where he laid it on the bed. He then rummaged through the drawers and found very sexy and revealing underwear which they put on. They had to look away from each other as they were getting turned on. Alex then found them knee-high socks, which they put on, and then they put on the clothing Alex had chosen. He was wearing a one-piece uniform, similar to his father’s. It was black but had purple and gold stitching. Adrian put on a two-piece ensemble. A black shirt with purple stitching that made intricate patterns throughout the material, and black pants. Alex went back into the closet and returned with dark purple shoes.

After they finished dressing, they made their way downstairs and out of the suite. They turned and walked to the next door. Alex rang the bell and the door was opened by another avatar. “Prince Alexander, how good of you to come and this must be your friend, Adrian; please enter,” gushed the avatar. Once the door was closed, the avatar raced ahead and announced their arrival in the living room.

The men saw what Alexander was wearing and rose as one from their seats and bowed at the waist. “Please, do not bow to me in your own home,” Alex asked his friends. They slowly made their way to greet Alex and meet Adrian.

The first to arrive was Jamie Sinclair. Jamie hugged Alex and kissed him on the lips. He matched Alex in height at 6’. His short black hair, blue eyes and olive complexion caused his handsome features to be strikingly gorgeous. Alex explained they were the same age and had been together since they were one year old.

The next man was also handsomely put together. His name was Eric Black and he shared a hug and kiss with Alex. He was slightly shorter at 5’ 10”. His red hair, green eyes and freckled skin set off  his looks admirably. Alex said that Eric had arrived when they were two years old.

As Adrian looked at the men approaching, he realized they were all good looking, varying only in height and brawniness. Adrian lost track of who was who after Eric. They were all friendly towards him and shook his hand. By the end of the line, Adrian thought his hand would fall off.

Alex and Adrian noticed that this suite was larger than their own, but then again, there were fifteen men in this one, instead of two. They began wondering why their suite was so large. They chatted with the men about life on Celeste and at the University. They swapped hilarious stories about one another, all in good fun with no one showing signs of embarrassment.

Alex stood up and stated that they must leave as they were having dinner with His Majesty. The men this time stayed where they were and said their good-byes. Alex and Adrian left the suite and returned home. “When did you find out we were dining with your father?” Adrian asked. “We aren’t, I just wanted to leave. I want us to have a romantic dinner for two in the garden.” Alex replied with a little blush to his cheeks. Adrian grinned, took Alex into his arms and kissed him soundly.

The Alora avatar made her appearance known to the two men. “My Prince, there are just two more things to do for the suite to be fully integrated for you and Mr. Lacombe, if Mr. Lacombe will be staying here.”

Alex turned to Adrian with a look of fear in his eyes. “I hadn’t thought of that. You will stay with me, won’t you? I love you and have just ‘found’ you. Please don’t leave me.” Tears threatened to start to leave Alex’s eyes, but he stood tall as he searched Adrian’s face for an answer. Adrian had a shy smile on his face; he stepped towards Alex and took him in his arms again. He gently kissed the tears from Alex’s face, and then gently kissed his lips.

“I will never leave you; I love you! As you said, we have just ‘found’ each other and I would have to be hauled away, kicking and screaming,” Adrian whispered into Alex’s ear.

Alex grinned through his tears and said, “Alora, Mr. Lacombe will be staying with us indefinitely.”

“Very good, Prince Alexander; if you will follow me to the Command Centre, we can get started. Mr. Lacombe, you may want to get comfortable in the living room as this will take about an hour,” responded the avatar.

To be continued...

Posted: 07/10/15