The Groznyj Grad Living Novel

Kassian closed his eyes and drew in Isaev's scent, let his voice and his presence suffuse him.

They were just words, but Kassian felt himself relax in spite of everything.

He let his arms settle around Isaev's waist and brushed his thumbs against the small of Isaev's back.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes and leaned back, looking at Isaev again.

Smug, he thought, studying Isaev's wry expression.

Kassian knew it wouldn't be as easy as Isaev seemed to think.

As a child of privilege, Isaev couldn't imagine it going any other way than his, though this was no time to try to dissuade him.

Kassian leaned forward and brushed his lips across Isaev's.

"All right," he whispered.

Maybe in times like these, words were enough, at least for the moment.