"C'mon," I said. "I've already got Alluin's clothes in a heap on my floor. Get undressed, wash your face off, steal a pair of Dain's pajamas, and go curl up with Alluin in my bed." I smiled at Zhiolas as he watched me with longing. "If nothing else, he could use a measure of comfort," I added, in my most alluring voice, which of course had nothing on his.

"Is that a command, my Queen?" he asked, one corner of his mouth kicking up, something that looked like gratefulness softening his expression.

"It is," I said, my own smile answering his. "You can even tell Alluin that, if you chicken out. But I strongly suspect that if you want to offer him more than a hug, he'll answer you with affection."

He made a little noise of assent and held out his hand. I took it and brought him over into Dain's half of the suite, and helped him get out of his armor. In the bathroom, he had to pause, his breath coming in heavy shudders, as the horror of the past three days thudded into him. Gently, I drew him away from the mirrors, dressed him in Dain's pajamas, and brushed out the loose waves of his white hair while he breathed heavily, on the edge of weeping.

Then I pushed open the unlocked adjoining door, holding Zhiolas' hand. "Alluin?"

There was the sound of movement in the bed, as if he rolled over. "Is something wrong?" he asked, his voice wavering.

"Everything is fine," I said, keeping my voice soothing. "Can I put Zhiolas in bed with you? He could use someone to curl up with."

Zhiolas' hand tightened on mine, almost painfully. I heard Alluin swallow.

"Yes," he said, sounding like he might start crying again. "I would like that a great deal."

Zhiolas didn't move, so I towed him over to the bed, close enough that I could make out Alluin's yearning expression in the dim light.

"Alluin," Zhiolas said, his voice shaking. A second later, he was clambering into bed, trembling like a leaf. "Alluin," he said again. "Alluin, Alluin—" And then he had his mouth on Alluin's, and his arms around him, plastering himself against that strong body.

In answer, Alluin buried his fingers in Zhiolas' hair with a moan, one of his hands sliding up under Zhiolas' shirt and baring his smooth pale skin.

I took myself elsewhere, and closed the adjoining door with a smile as my friends fell into each other, feeling very pleased with myself. Through the door I heard a muffled groan, and then Zhiolas crying out, his voice sharp and full of pleasure.

"Oh, gods, Alluin—" He was plenty loud enough that I could hear every syllable, the sound of his lust-soaked voice sending a pulse of tingling desire straight between my legs.