He was almost to the table when a hand snaked out from between two tall rows, pulling him deep into the shadows. “Aaah—“ His cry of surprise was cut off by a set of warm, soft lips. /Keisri./

Wesley smiled into the kiss, holding Rraiec close so that his books didn’t fall. The blue dalhari tasted of po’infal and cream, sweet and thick. Rraiec leaned into the kiss, so Wesley deepened it, gently urging his mouth open.

Rraiec groaned at the first touch of Keisri’s tongue, just brushing his lower lip. The sensation was exquisite—the barest feathery pass. All too soon the kiss was over and he found himself back in the main aisle, Keisri handing him one of his texts. “I believe Baura will be along shortly,” Wesley said in a cheerful voice. He turned to walk away, but then stopped. “Oh! I almost forgot this.” He placed a small object on top of Rraiec’s books.

The midnight dalhari watched Keisri go, sauntering out of the library towards his quarters. Only after he was alone again did Rraiec look down at what he’d been given.

It was another rock.

“Good afternoon, Rraiec,” Baura said brightly as he joined his teacher just a moment later. “Is that another rock? Was Keisri here? I must have just missed him!”

“Yes, he was here,” Rraiec murmured. “Just a moment ago.”

“Ah,” Baura said. That must have been why Rraiec looked a bit…distant. The young Saydhe had immediately picked up on the pair’s improved relationship, noticing that they no longer seemed angry or frustrated with each other. That didn’t mean they didn’t act oddly, but Baura could tell the difference between nervousness and anxiety. Keisri made Rraiec nervous, but in a good way. It was difficult to make a dalhari as dark as Rraiec blush, but Keisri managed to do it on a regular basis.

Baura had a theory about why Keisri was more forward and confident than Rraiec, despite the fact that Rraiec was not only older, but had been a dalhari far longer. Much of Baura’s theory was based on growing up with Laio. His sister’s mate had a wisdom and maturity far beyond his years, as well as a characteristic self-confidence that set him apart from many dalhari. It was not so obvious that any outsider would notice, but to those around him, it was quite clear. Laio himself had said more than once that it probably came from his home world, a lingering facet of either his humanity or his time as a vampire.

Perhaps Keisri was more comfortable in the arena of courting because he’d done quite a bit of it before he came to this world. Although he was considered young for a dalhari, he had arrived here almost halfway through his human lifespan. Baura knew from some discrete questioning he’d done that Rraiec had been involved in only a few casual relationships over the years, none of them lasting very long.

Of course, Keisri was also simply more outspoken than Rraiec, who tended to remain under a veil of calm, choosing his words with great care. Watching Keisri fluster him was quite enjoyable.

“If you are finished pondering the state of dust on the ceiling, may we begin?” Rraiec said dryly, bringing Baura back to the present.

•••

Rraiec was grateful to see Baura heading for the kitchens. The young man had been unusually full of energy, asking difficult and enlightening questions. To Rraiec’s great pleasure, none of them had been on history of any kind. If he had to explain the intricacies of gupwur trading one more time, he was going to shave his head and start working in the tannery.

His mind was so occupied on visions of a fresh mug of po’el and a filling meal of hif shwir that he didn’t notice Keisri walking by his side until the younger dalhari pushed him into an alcove. Once again Rraiec found himself caught by his suitor, pressed tightly against him as he was firmly if briefly kissed. “Have a nice evening,” Wesley murmured as he dropped a small item into Rraiec’s hand and disappeared down the hall. Rraiec knew without looking that it was a rock. This one was no larger than his thumb, warmed by Keisri’s hand.

Rraiec cursed himself silently. He needed to work on his reflexes—and his concentration. Keisri kept getting the better of him and Rraiec never managed to keep hold of the man long enough to kiss him back. It was rather disconcerting.

When Rraiec got back to his quarters, he added the two rocks he’d received that day to the others. Keisri was insistent that the stones actually formed something, but Rraiec had never been particularly good at building things. Still, it was a challenge and Rraiec refused to be bested by a pile of stones an Keisri’s sense of humor.

Soon his meal was forgotten as Rraiec sorted the rocks by size and color. Eventually he saw a pattern, not in size or color so much as in shape. There was a group of rocks that, put together, would form a sort of base, perhaps half his height in length. He pushed those rocks together, until they formed a solid rectangle.

“Why couldn’t he have meditated in my honor?” Rraiec complained.

•••

This time, Rraiec knew he would catch Keisri before the younger man surprised him. He’d gotten the pattern figured out; Keisri waited until Rraiec was somewhere near a darkened place, without anyone around. Then he grabbed Rraiec and released him just as quickly. Today, though, Rraiec was ready.

The dark dalhari strode down the hall, noting the placement of each alcove and doorway. Finally he reached the one he was sure Keisri would be using. It was the deepest, darkest and least-used place on Rraiec’s morning walk. When he passed, Rraiec swiveled to one side, elegantly dancing away from any grasping hands. He looked back, disappointed to see no Keisri standing there, staring at his empty hands.

“Expecting me, perhaps?”

Rraiec spun around—only to be dragged into the alcove and pressed against the wall. This time as Keisri’s mouth sealed itself against his, strong workman’s hands roamed over his torso, pressing and testing the muscle there. Rraiec submitted to the erotic treatment, his mind a hazy mess of shock and pleasure.

Just as quickly, it was gone. Rraiec blinked and found himself alone, his books in a neat pile on the floor. On top of them was a rock. This one was a bit different; it had rather obviously been carved into a pattern. The abstract design reminded Rraiec of something, but he couldn’t place it. The dalhari stalked off, a bit perturbed at not being able to best Keisri, but mostly just flustered.

•••

“Baura?” Rraiec called out. He was stuck in the middle of the dining hall, surrounded by hundreds of his fellow dalhari. His only student had insisted on meeting for their daily lessons at this location, so that he could partake of the freshest sweetcakes of the day. Rraiec was regretting his concession; there was no way they were going to be able to get anything done in this cacophony. He couldn’t his own student, much less a place to sit.

“Have you seen Baura?” He asked an acquaintance. The dalhari shrugged and gestured towards the kitchens. Rraiec directed himself that way, winding his way though the press of bodies. He got smacked by a wing here and there when he skirted too close to some excited youth, and was once tripped up by a flailing tail. He’d thought it couldn’t get any worse, but he’d failed to realize that the reason his friend had directed him this way was because it was where all the younger dalhari sat, trying to catch the hottest food as it came out. Unfortunately the youth were less likely to exhibit perfectly honed manners.

When a pair of hands grabbed him, Rraiec thought that he must have accidentally stepped on someone. But when he turned to apologize, he came face to face with Keisri—who hauled him into the kitchens. Rraiec was carried all the way through to the far exit and into a much quieter hallway. Keisri carried to a window alcove and sat him on the ledge, immediately kissing the blue dalhari.

This time, Keisri didn’t break off the kiss. Instead, he traced the outline of Rraiec’s mouth, teasing apart quivering lips to twine with Rraiec’s tongue. Rraiec groaned at the sensation of slick, hot sliding-touching, brushing his fangs. Keisri dragged the rough, broad part of his tongue over the tips of Rraiec’s fangs, over and over. Rraiec felt the beautiful pressure of venom descending and shivered. He pulled back before Keisri could actually draw any out, instead resuming the sweet dueling of their tongues.

Meanwhile, the green dalhari’s hands weren’t idle. Rraiec froze when he felt curious fingers loosen the laces of his vest, worming their way inside. They made short work of the ties around his collar, parting the material to caress his neck. Keisri cupped Rraiec’s face in his hands, tilting his head back and deepening the kiss even more.

Rraiec was drowning, completely submerged in Keisri. Smooth, strong hands held him immobile and open for the other man’s perusal. He was ravaged, laid open and bare as Keisri gleefully took whatever he wanted, and gave in return incredible pleasure. Rraiec had never been kissed like this in all his years. It was as though he was being taken apart and then put back together, again and again.

The blue dalhari was so delirious from the kiss he barely registered the small stone pressed into his hand. His eyes didn’t open until he felt the draft that indicated Keisri’s departure. Only then did he look around and take note of his location. Anyone could come walking by, which spurred him into action. He jumped up and straightened his clothing, tucking his rock into a pocket. Then he hurried back into the dining hall to find Baura.

•••

“I cannot do this!” The statement was punctuated by the crash of several rocks falling to the floor. Rraiec kicked them for good measure, and then threw himself on the cushions he’d placed in front of the fire. He was working through Keisri’s puzzle-gift and was utterly confused. There was no pattern, no consistency beyond those first few stones. How was he supposed to find out what it was if the damned thing was made of random blocks?

He desperately wanted to figure this out. The puzzle was very much reflective of Keisri; deceptively complicated and frustrating. Rraiec *knew* that the solution was simple, that somewhere hidden amongst the stones was a clue that would tell him just what to do. Like learning about Keisri, all it took was a careful eye and a mind willing to work in unconventional ways. Once that key was found, he would be able to put the entire puzzle together, simply adding any new pieces Keisri gave him.

But for now, he was just frustrated. The clue might be there, but he couldn’t find it. All he saw were rocks; some smooth, some rough. Many were carved on at least one side; others were plain. A few looked like rubble from a wall building exercise; others resembled sculpture. Not knowing what to do was driving him insane.

And he wasn’t about to ask for help. This courtship was between him and Keisri. No one, not even Baura or Rinhe, was going to get anywhere near this puzzle. If he couldn’t figure it out, no one was.

Besides, he wanted to see Keisri’s expression when he showed the green dalhari the finished product. Rraiec suspected that Keisri didn’t think he could do it, couldn’t best something that came so naturally to the younger man.

That alone made Rraiec want to try harder. Keisri might be taking the more active role in this courtship, but Rraiec was not going to be run roughshod. That was exactly what was happening, though. Keisri was keeping him off-balance, always guessing. Perhaps it was time to change the tone of this courtship.

With that in mind, Rraiec poured himself a mug of water and began to scheme.