"Lance?" Joseph asked quietly, so as not to disturb his husband should he be doing something. "Are you busy?"

Sitting on the bed reading Hamlet, Lance looked up and smiled as Joseph entered the room. "I am never too busy for the most wonderful man in the world," he replied softly as he put down the book and held out his arms to his husband.

Walking into Lance's arms, Joseph kissed his husband on the cheek before looking behind him to see the book. "Hamlet? When did you start reading Hamlet?"

His smile growing wider, Lance looked up at Joseph. "I..I wanted to surprise you," the young lord replied. "I...I felt so embarrassed and awkward that night when..." Lance looked down, as memories of the night he met Christopher and what Joshua and Justin had done played over in his mind. After learning of Justin and Joshua's cruelty to Lance, Joseph had stripped them of their royal titles and had reduced them to the role of servant, Joshua going with Christopher to Williamsport and Justin remaining at Herforshire.

For the first few weeks, Justin was inconsolable at the loss of his love and often spent time in his room in tears. After a while, he slowly learned to adjust to his new station in life. Joshua had an equally hard time, saddened at the thought of not being with his young love. Often after the day's work had been finished, Joshua spent his evenings staring out of his window, longing to feel Justin in his arms. He prayed each night that one day, they would find their way back to each other.

Picking up the play, Lance stood in front of Joseph and began to read in a clear voice. Joseph smiled, his eyes filling with tears as he listened to his angel, his heart bursting with pride and with love for the young lord.

When Lance had finished a small piece, Joseph shook his head and smiled. "My young husband, now an educated scholar. I am so very proud of you."

Smiling, Lance embraced Joseph, his voice cracking. "Than...thank you, my love," he whispered. "I...I love you...so very much."

Whispering, Joseph replied that he loved Lance more then he would ever know. "But, there is something very important that I not told you. I did not want to hurt you again."

Lance sat down, looking at Joseph with concern and worry. "Wha...what is wrong?" he asked timidly. "Did I...did I do something wrong?"

Taking hold of Lance's hands, Joseph shook his head. "No Angel, you did nothing wrong. It is that..." Pausing, he searchef from the right words in which to tell Lance what needed to be said. Finally deciding to just come out and tell him, Joseph looked directly into Lance's green eyes. "Lance, I am to marry again. Very soon."

Lance looked at his handsome husband, tears filling his eyes. How he had enjoyed being with Joseph alone over the past few months. Now there would be another. Lance stood and walked over to the window looking out over the countryside, tears slowly sliding down his face.

"Angel," Joseph whispered, walking slowly up behind Lance. "I am sorry, but my father arranged this marriage as well. I must marry again." Wrapping his arms around Lance from behind, Joseph rested his head on his husband's shoulder. "Please say you understand?"

Saddened, but understanding, Lance turned in Joseph's arms to face him. "I...I understand," the young lord replied softly. "I...I just...I will miss our time together."

Cupping Lance's cheeks in his hands, Joseph gazed into the emerald eyes that had captured his heart when he first looked into them. "Oh Lance, I love you so much. Nothing will change. We will still have our nights together." Kissing Lance's forehead gently, Joseph also whispered, "You will always be my first husband, my dear, sweet, Angel."

"Bu...but...I...I was not your fir...first hus...husband," Lance replied softly.

"Joshua and Justin no longer count. As far as I am concerned Lance, they were never my husbands."

Walking back to the bed, Lance sat down and folded his hands in his lap, the tears still falling from his green eyes. "I...I know that we...we will still have our nights together but...it...it will not be the sa...same."

Kneeling in front of Lance, Joseph dried some of the tears for him and replied, "Oh Lance, I want nothing more than for things to stay as they are. I do not want them to change either. I wish there was more I could do, but my hands are tied."

"I...I understand," Lance whispered. "And I...I promise I will do my best to help the newest member of our family adjust to his new role."

Smiling, the elder one moved behind Lance, so that he could massage away the worry he still saw in his green eyes. "Our newest member and you already have something in common," he said quietly, kneading the muscles in Lance's back.

"What...what do you mean?" Lance asked, curious.

Smiling that he had gotten Lance's curiousity perked, Joseph replied, "He is also from the farm lands."

"Re...really?" the young lord gasped.

"Why so surprised Angel?" Joseph asked, a light laugh lacing his voice. "I hear he is from a village not to far from your own."

"I...I...I am happy for you, Joseph," Lance replied quietly. Looking to see the stars twinkling in the sky, Lance stood once more. "I guess it is time to get ready for bed."

Feeling somewhat guilty for having to wed again, Joseph stood and asked, "Do you need any help Angel?"

Smiling shyly at his husband, Lance nodded. "Ye...yes...I would like some help." Walking over and gently working his fingers to undo the buttons to Lance's silk shirt, Joseph smiled and leaned down, dropping kisses on skin as it became exposed.

Lance sighed and tilted his head to the side to allow Joseph better access to his neck. Joseph quickly removed his own tunic and lay Lance gently down on the bed, covering him with sweet kisses.

Moving his kisses down to one place he knew Lance liked to be kissed, Joseph took a delicitly firm hold on his waist, and began dropping kisses upon Lance's hip.

Whimpering, Lance squirmed under Joseph's touch. "I...I love you, Joseph," Lance whispered.

"I love you too Angel," Joseph replied, nuzzling Lance's legs apart light so that he would fit between them, once he had removed the black pants.

Lance closed his eyes as he felt Joseph removing his pants. Once he had done so, Joseph started a trail of kisses from Lance's neck down to his stomach. Lance whimpered, longing for Joseph to go lower.

Slipping his hands underneath Lance, Joseph lifted him slightly off the bed as he started paying special attention to Lance's lower regions. Digging his nails gently into Lance, Joseph took his husband into his mouth slowly, savoring the whimpers eminating from Lance.

"Jo...Joseph..." Lance whimpered, gripping in the sheets. His desire growing, Joseph increased his motions, causing Lance to moan a little louder as he let go of the sheets and buried his hands in Joseph's hair. With an unslicked finger, Joseph gently took Lance to the next level. Inserting a single finger into Lance's depths, he hoped to bring his husband to even greater hieghts. With his other hand, Joseph began stroking the bottom of Lance's shaft, while he kept increasing his motions. His body beginning to tremble, Lance's head turned from side to side, his breathing choppy. "Jo...Jo...Joseph...I...I...think I..."

Smiling, feeling Lance oh so close to receiving the ultimate pleasure, Joseph quickened his pace with his mouth, tightened his grip with his hand, and inserted another finger, all at the same time.

"Joseph" Lance squeaked as his body shook with his climax, Joseph tasting of his husband' sweet nectar. Once their breathing had returned to normal, Joseph climbed up and lay beside his precious angel.

"You have received your pleasure Angel," Joseph whispered, drawing Lance nearer to him. "Rest for a while, then perhaps, you will do me a special honor?"

"Yes, my love," Lance replied, smiling as ke kissed Joseph's cheek. "What would you like me to do?"

For the first time ever, in Lance's presence, Joseph blushed and lowered his eyes. Whispering in a quiet voice, he asked, "Will you allow me, should you want to, to be under you?"

Whispering, Lance nodded his head, blushing as well. "Ye...yes, my love," the young lord replied. Kissing Lance gently on the temple, Joseph smiled as he stood and removed his garments, laying them beside Lance's on a small couch that sat in the corner of the room. Returning to lay upon the bed, Joseph looked over at Lance, his eyes revealing all they love and more he was capable of.

Wanting so much to please his husband, Lance climbed on top of Joseph and gently placed his legs onto his shoulders, entering him slowly.

His eyes closing of their own volation, Joseph arched his back out of habit, a low groan filling the room as well. "La...Lance," he moaned as he felt his love continue to push into him. "Oh God...An...Angel..."

Gripping Joseph' s shoulders, Lance mimiced Joseph's action, going slowly at first then increased his rhythm as both his and Joseph's desire for each other grew.

"So...so goo...good La...Lance..." Joseph groaned, trying to open his eyes, but only succeeding half way. Intense need griping Lance, he increased his speed again, moaning Joseph's name over and over, taking them both higher and higher until they at last exploded in a rush of passion.

His eyes closing, sleeping quickly overtaking his body, Joseph slid his legs off Lance's shoulder, and held him in a way that would allow Lance to both lay comfortably upon his chest, and stay within his depths at the same time, somewhat lengthening their experience. "Thank you Angel," Joseph whispered, inhaling the musk scented oil that had been rubbed into his skin earlier that day.

"I...I love you, Joseph," Lance whispered, softly kissing his lips.

"I love you too my sweet Angel; my Lance. Never forget that. Never forget, no matter how many husbands come into our family, you will always have my heart," Joseph whispered once Lance broke the kiss.

Laying his head on Joseph's chest, Lance soon was asleep. Smiling, Joseph wrapped his arms around his sleeping angel, lightly kissing his cheek. In a few minutes, Joseph was also asleep, dreaming of the many many night with his angel to come.

Clad in the traditional ceremonial silk robe of a wedding, the smoothness of the white silk cloth only added to the chill in his body. Had he wanted to look around the room, he would only see white as well for the vail that covered his face, being held in place by a small crown like headdress covered the side of his eyes as well, blocking off view of the room.

He had sat in silence for a countless amount of time when he heard the sound of the door opening and closing, louder then before. Jumping slightly, he scolded himself as he heard his fathers' voice within his head. "Remain perfectly still." But, as hard as he tried, he could not keep his body from shaking out of nervousness.

Listening carefully for the sounds of the footsteps, he realized that they were coming towards him. Closing his eyes, he knew this was his husband, the one he had not seen before.

"Why do you shake?" a deep voice asked from directly in front of the frightened one.

"I...I...I'm sorry M'lord..." he stuttered dispite himself. "I...I'm just scared."

"What is there to be scared about?"

"I...I don't know...if you'll be pleased with me..."

"Do you not think my father was an excellent choice in mates," came the voice, this time harsh.

"Yes M'lord," replied the frightened one, his own voice barely audible.

"Lift the vail. I want to see your face."

Lifting his hands to the edge of the vail, he lifted it up and over his face, resting it upon the headdress. "Raise your eyes. I want to look at you."

Looking up, the boy saw that the man in front of him was dressed in a traditional robe as well. Only, unlike his own, this robe was blue. A lump formed in his stomach at the site of the blue robe. That meant that there were others before him, other husbands and wives. He would never be the most important; he would never be the first husband to this one. Continuing to raise his head, he finally came to his husbands' face. With a brown goatee, brown eyes, and brown hair, they complemented his body build, in his opinion. Standing at, what he guessed, was six foot, with broad shoulders.

A smile began to play his husbands' lips. "I do not have a blue eyed husband anymore," he spoke. "Until now. You are also the first with jet black hair. What is your name?"

"Jos...Joshua," he spoke quietly, feeling somewhat special already.

"Joshua? That name brings back unhappy, and unpleasent memories for the rest of my family. What is your second name?"

"James."

Smiling approvingly at hearing what his new husband's second name was, Joseph nodded, a twinkle appearing in his once emotionless eyes. "Very well," he whispered sweetly, thinking of someone not that many doors away from him. "I shall call you James."

Now that you have read Three's A Crowd, take the quiz and see how well you remember the story...no cheating now ;)