Snow in pink sakura petals. Volume 5. "The Book of Flame". Chapter 1

 Kai turned the rudder smoothly to the right, driving the fighter into a U-turn. Now the sun was to his left. He changed the angle, and part of the ground was visible through the plane's protective glass. Then, the plane ascended rapidly.

 

The task was completed for today. He provided air support for his people, video filming of the enemy's fortifications had been made, control marks were dropped in the established square. He could return to base.

 

So he lived for the last two months. From the garrison, he was transferred here, to a military airfield, which was located not far from Kamrat. The proximity of the city and civilization at first even pleased him, but then it turned out that he did not even have time to sleep, let alone get to the city.

 

The two months were very stressful due to the constant flights. In addition to the assignments that he received from the leadership of the base, under the orders of which he arrived, he had his own assignments from the center. Actually, for the sake of these tasks, he was sent here. He made aerial surveys of the fortifications and scattered control marks and beacons in certain squares. To find out why and what for, he had long ceased. What did it matter to him? They said to do - do it. So he lived all this time.

 

Although, he "lived" badly, if you mean housing. The military airfield was located practically in an open field. It was a rocky valley with an airstrip and hastily constructed minimum living conditions for those who were here.

The headquarters was located in the only miraculously preserved brick building that had not been bombed earlier, but everything else was brought. These were containers with equipped rooms inside with minimal amenities, but basically, everyone lived in military tents, connected in long sections with a single awning and fabric partitions. All of this was covered from above with a camouflage net. They lived in such tents. There was a common kitchen and bunks for relaxation.

 

After his dwelling of the garrison, Kai again found himself in the barracks. Of course, he endured everything stoically, but it was very difficult for him to return to this again. Several shared beds - iron, hard and uncomfortable. It was a constant circulation of the people, as some were resting, while others were preparing for flights and service. There was noise in the barracks, voices, somebody smoked, someone else shared their soulful experiences while drinking a bottle of intoxicant, others strummed the guitar. In such conditions, he had to sleep and live. Sometimes he was so tired that he turned off, barely falling on the bed, and sometimes he did not sleep for half a night, trying to abstract from what was around him.

 

The only bright spot in all this was to meet Senya and Vadik here. How glad he was to them, and they did not hide their joy to see him here. It turned out that under the contract they were transferred here to guard the airfield, however, they were soon to be sent somewhere else. But while they were here, and this brightened up their coexistence. Although, often their shifts did not coincide, and when Kai slept or was on departure, they rested, and when he had a free minute, they were on duty. But there were moments when their free time coincided, then they talked a lot, remembered the past, talked about where they had already managed to visit on duty.

 

***

 

In the evening they had one of these sincere gatherings. Senya took out the bottle of cognac he had stored and, placing three disposable plastic cups on the bedside table, began to pour it.

 

Kai was sitting in Turkish on the bed closer to the bedside table, Vadik sat next to him, Senya was sitting on the bed opposite.

 

"And this is for children!" Vadik solemnly took a chocolate bar out of his pocket and handed it to Kai.

 

"What kind of children?! Just for a snack," Senya muttered, trying to pour the cognac equally evenly into the cups.

 

"Will you cheat the child? Here, look, his eyes are already lit up."

 

"Well, let him eat, I am joking," Senya glanced briefly at Kai, who was enthusiastically unwrapping the chocolate, knowing that here in general it was bad with delicacies of food, and rarely anyone had time to go to the city.

 

"I'll share," Kai broke the chocolate into pieces and put it on the table.

 

"Come on, eat. We're going to have a snack on an orange," Vadik began to peel an orange.

 

"So, startle!" Senya raised a glass. "Well, for us!" he solemnly uttered, clinked glasses with each, and drank cognac dashingly.

 

Kai drank and began to enthusiastically eat chocolate, which he had not eaten for a long time while being here.

 

Senya poured again, raised the glass.

 

"Come on, without clinking glasses, for Mishka," his voice trembled.

 

They drank in silence, trying not to look each other in the eyes, as if they felt guilty for being here, alive, and he was no longer there.

 

Kai remembered the warm blood on his fingers, it seemed like it was so recently and so long ago. It hurt him for the death of this young, cheerful guy, whose life was just beginning and ended like this ... he sadly put the glass on the table.

 

"Come on, why be sad now ..." Vadik tried to cheer everyone up and himself with these words. "Let's hope that he feels good there ..."

 

They sat for a while in silence.

 

"Tomorrow we'll go to the city and buy you some chocolate," while pouring more, said Senya.

 

"Great, and the thin cigarettes," Kai perked up such a small joy in his life.

 

"Well, I remember what you smoke. We'll buy it. So wait. But we will only arrive in a day. You'll have to endure."

 

"Will you have fun?" Kai looked at their conspiratorial faces.

 

"Not, what you have thought."

 

"What have I thought?" Kai smiled.

 

"Well, not girls. We have more serious business there. But we'll tell you," Senya paused, then drinking again, continued. "We go to play cards. One institution was suggested to us. They play for money, everything is serious. We have played several times already. Vadik raised the money pretty well."

 

Kai frowned at the guys' idealistic-naive faces.

 

"There is such a tough person, they call him Basilisk, such a moniker. By the way, he lives not far from here. He has a mansion near Kamrat. So, he has money up the wazoo. He loses them with ease."

 

"Are you sure he really loses?" Kai more and more did not like this story.

 

"Do you think he's playing along on purpose? Come on, what kind of fool would waste money? After all, we can take all winnings and never come back to play."

 

"But you’re coming."

 

"Listen, I don’t know what you’re hinting at, but, you know, we're rather big ones, we’ll figure it out ourselves. Eh ... what are you, offended?" Senya looked at Kai's distant face. "That's it, let's change the subject - come on, shuddered," he raised the glass again.

 

"I've heard about this Basilisk from Sebastian," Kai said thoughtfully. "He warned me that it is better to stay away from this type. Sebastian is my friend. He will not speak empty words."

 

"Well, we stay away. We'll cash in tomorrow and again we'll stay away."

 

"They say bad things about him," Kai said vaguely, remembering Sebastian’s story.

 

"That he loves boys. Why should we care? We will play cards with him."

 

"Guys, maybe it is not worth it?" Kai looked at Senya and Vadik.

 

"Hey, we, of course, respect you, but you don't need to tell us what to do," seeing how Kai was glaring at them, Senya poured another glass. "That's it, let's close this topic. I didn't think it would upset you so. Come on, in short, for us!"

 

They did not return to this conversation again that evening. After finishing the cognac and chatting about everything, they went to their bunks, Kai lay down on his own. In the morning he had a flight, there was not much time left for sleep.

 

But he could not sleep, remembering Sebastian's story about Basilisk. Then he did not attach any importance to this story, but now, having heard that his friends so frivolously believed in his deception, he felt that it would not end well.

 

Sebastian told him a little about him. He said that such a pervert lived with his friends, the same as him, in a mansion. That he seemed to be Russian, although it was not clear what he was doing here and why, with his money and hobbies, he settled here, and not in the Canaries, for example. Probably, here he had his interests. He was involved in shady dealings, something with the resale of weapons and something else. And in his free time from the business, he had fun. As Sebastian said, this Basilisk was a fuck, and his friends were the same.

 

Kai also didn't like Senya's story about their luck in cards. He knew very well, since he perfectly calculated himself all the card combinations, that it was easy to play giveaway, but then at the right moment, when the bait was swallowed, to take and to win. But why was it necessary to Basilisk? Although, if a person was having so much fun ... Kai felt hurt that his friends did not take his words seriously. But his sensei often told him, you cannot put your mind to another. On this, he fell asleep.

 

The next day began early for him, with a sortie. He returned only for dinner. The plane was refueled, and it took off again, although two hours later it had already returned. But the load was strong, the guy felt how he was shaken as he walked to the tents. Pressure, elevation changes, and tension - after all, he flew not to have fun - all these put together made themselves felt.

 

He forced himself to eat in the dining room. He did not even touch the soup - what was floating there did not attract him. Buckwheat in grain form with two half-wilted cucumber slices was the only thing that he chose from the dining room's assortment. He also did not eat the mysterious composition of the cutlet. He finished another slice of black bread, believing that it would be good for him. He remembered that the guys would bring chocolate and cigarettes only tomorrow, which upset him but also gave hope for small joys in his life. Then he dragged himself to his bunk and fell on top of it in his clothes. Around, as always, it was noisy and lively.

 

Three bunks later, the guys chatted merrily, discussing the last fight. In the right corner, the guy tortured the guitar and sang pitifully in the presence of a weak voice, but sang with heart, and therefore found fans of his talent in the form of five colleagues who occasionally sang along with him.

 

Various people constantly walked along the aisle.

 

Kai looked up at the canvas ceiling and closed his eyes. He needed to rest. Nobody canceled his work, and the conditions - well, it happened even worse.

 

His thoughts took him to Toyami's tent when he had woken up in his bed, and the samurai brought him a glass of champagne - pink. And then it was good for Kai - to see him, to listen. In general, it was good at Toyami's...

 

"So! Stop!"

 

It was not the first time he caught himself on such memories. Too often they began to stalk him. All their previous meetings, minor episodes, words, phrases thrown by him. Everything floated to his mind.

 

He tried to think about something else, but then again, imperceptibly for himself, he again recalled various episodes where he was in his life.

 

Kai tried to figure it out. Maybe there was simply nothing more to think about here? He could not even read here, the tension from the flights was too strong - he could only lie and stare at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to turn off his consciousness.

 

But, strangely, he wanted to recall only this and only think about it.

 

He tried to figure it out again. He tried to think about Prokhor, their life, but all this was very far away, there, in the past, and here with him, in the present, he was, and Kai returned his thoughts to him, and he felt calm, good and not lonely ...

 

He knew that Toyami often visited Kamrat, but now he had no opportunity even to go there, although the city was within easy reach. Although, why go? To accidentally bump into him at the hotel restaurant, where he dined so often? And, by the way, he was invited there many times. Only, what would he tell him, and why should they encounter? Too many questions, too many doubts, too ...

 

He was confused about this, lost, did not understand.

 

And so it was all this time, while he lived here. During these brief intervals of his rest, his memory persistently brought him back to Toyami. Sometimes he strenuously resisted this, and sometimes he allowed himself to remember, and then it became good, just good.

He fell asleep remembering him, and when he woke up, he was angry with himself, promising that he would no longer allow himself to remember him and think about him.

 

***

 

In the morning, Kai had a scheduled flight. He scrambled the fighter, quickly climbed, and set a course. He soon received the coordinates of the target. It was necessary to hit it and return to base. But something went wrong. He was not provided with a cover, he saw flashes in the sky, and three fighters flew past, clearly not related to their allies.

There was a noise on the radio.

 

"Hawk, this is the base, how do you hear? Over."

 

"Base, it's a hawk. I hear you well," Kai replied, sharply turning the plane.

 

"There are three enemy fighters next to you. But your assignment is not canceled. Hold on until reinforcements arrive. We are sending help. How do you understand me? Over."

 

"Got it. I must hold out until reinforcements arrive. Abort."

 

Kai climbed sharply as he watched the missiles fired into his fighter jet past on the screen. He turned the plane around again, tracking the points following him on the monitor.

 

So, changing the angles of flight and altitude, he managed to go into the tail of one of the pursuing fighters and release a rocket that hit the target. He saw the pilot eject from the burning and falling plane.

 

There were still two left. A red button on the panel blinked, indicating that a homing missile was approaching.

 

Kai sharply climbed again, then turned the plane and went into a tailspin. The rocket pursued him, but such a maneuver allowed him to buy time. And then he saw one of the pursuers' planes. He brought his plane out of a tailspin and almost head-on went on a fighter flying at him. They opened fire, but Kai made an unrealistic maneuver, turning the plane on its side and flying, almost touching the oncoming fighter with the wing. The rocket flying behind him hit a new target, which was clearly on its course.

 

He again saw how the pilot ejected from the second falling plane.

 

Finally, reinforcements arrived. Three fighters intercepted the aircraft going to Kai and opened fire on it. It became clear that it was no longer up to the pursuit, it went into a dive, saving itself.

Kai saw that someone was no longer pursuing him, went to the target, and launched rockets at it. Then he turned to the base, reporting by radio that the target was hit.

 

Getting out of the plane, he staggered from such overloads but managed to restore the clarity of the picture before his eyes and went to the headquarters for a report.

Snow in pink sakura petals. Volume 5. "The Book of Flame" Prologue

 

Ah, no matter how much I looked at the cherry blossom petals

In the mountains covered with a haze of fog -

The eyes will not get tired!

And you, like those flowers ...

And I won't get tired of admiring you!

 

Ki-no Tomonori

 

 

********************

 

Clear blue sky overhead. You fly, piercing this blue, feeling free. The glare of the sun through the protective glass, the hum of the engine ...

But there is an unpleasant feeling inside from the constant changes in altitude and high pressure that made it impossible to fully enjoy the flight. No, he didn't like heights. The earth was closer to him, on it he felt more confident. But did he have a choice?

 

 

Stars are reflected in your eyes. Volume 4. "Book of Flame" Chapter 2

 Kai reached Kamrat quickly. Five hours' drive - and he was already in place.

Before the trip, he dropped by home to make himself tidy and change into civilian clothes. He decided to remove the bandages from his hands, he didn't want to attract too much attention, and the wounds were practically healed.

When he arrived at the hotel, he saw the Sheikh's limousine, his guards, and people next to him. Arshad also saw his car, waved the hand at him. Kai gave the car to the parking attendant and went to Arshad, who grabbed him into the arms and then turned him around to face those who were behind him.

"Kai, I want to fly to Las Vegas now, have some fun. My plane is already waiting for us. I am so glad that you've agreed to be with me, besides Toyami did not refuse to join our company."

And here Kai saw Toyami in front of him. He looked at Arshad's smiling face, then at Toyami's impenetrable face.

"Well, why have you froze? You know each other!" Arshad was having fun, looking at Kai. "Two of my friends will fly with me. We'll have a lot of fun! Come on, let's go, the plane is waiting."

Arshad, without giving Kai his senses, led him to the open door of the limousine. Toyami sat down there, along with Maksud and Gifar.

Everything happened so quickly and unexpectedly that Kai did not even have time to do anything. He leaned wearily back in his seat. Realizing that he now no longer had the strength to argue, and even more so to come up with a convincing reason for refusing to fly with Toyami to Las Vegas.

"Las Vegas? Yes, Arshad has said we are flying there," the guy thought and closed his eyes. Too much had happened lately.

"Kai," he opened his eyes and saw Arshad's anxious look, "when did you sleep for the last time? Did you eat?"

"I look so bad?" he asked wearily.

"You need to rest," Arshad looked at Kai's tired face.

"I'll sleep on the plane; won't you be offended?"

"Not. Excuse me. I keep thinking about entertainment, but you must have had a hard time all this time."

"It was as always. Thanks for the invitation. Now I really want to change the situation."

"What's wrong with your hands?" Arshad saw his palms and took them in his, examining them.

Kai didn't resist it.

"I dug trenches for disciplinary purposes."

"And how? Have you been re-educated?"

"Not."

"What does it mean to dig trenches?" Toyami spoke for the first time.

"You don't know yet? It is customary for the Russians to send them digging trenches for a fault. As long as I know Kai, he regularly digs them."

"Do you break discipline so often?" Toyami looked at Kai.

"Always."

Toyami wanted to continue asking why then Kai was in the army if he did not accept the discipline of army life, but seeing his tired face, he decided that now was not the best time for a conversation.

Kai began to look out the window, and a few minutes later his head fell on the shoulder of Arshad, with whom he was sitting next. He fell asleep, all his moral and physical strength was exhausted on this.

Arshad looked up and met the gaze of Toyami, who was sitting opposite him in the limousine. Arshad saw envy in Toyami's eyes. Yes, he was not mistaken in his feelings for Kai. But now he didn't want to exacerbate this topic.

"He’s always like that," Arshad explained, nodding at Kai, "when I invite him anywhere, he just sleeps off for the first few days."

"Well, I see he is very tired."

It was only now that Toyami began to understand what Kai was like. After all, for him, serving in the army was akin to another entertainment. He could afford everything: a luxurious tent, and regular trips with Kodji to the city to have fun. His service was not stressful and even boring, which was why he and Kodji so often looked for opportunities to diversify their leisure time. Kai was clearly different. His service was real, and now he saw it from the way Kai was laid out in the car.

Then, passing by his seat in the aircraft cabin, he also saw him sleeping.

Throughout the flight, Kai slept, occasionally waking up and falling asleep again, wrapped in a blanket. His tired face and dark circles under his eyes spoke volumes. Kai was exhausted and was now sleeping off, regaining his strength.

He vaguely remembered the arrival in Las Vegas. Maksud took care of him all the way. He covered him with a blanket, then brought drinks, but now Kai could not eat because of fatigue.

When they landed, Maksud carefully woke him up and brought him to the waiting limousine, still sleepy, and then escorted him to his hotel room, where he helped him to come to his senses, since everyone was waiting for him at the table for dinner. With the help of his servants, Maksud prepared a bath for Kai, after which he noticeably cheered up, then helped him get dressed.

Kai glanced at himself in the mirror, noting that he was wearing a nice dark suit that Maksud had picked up for him.

Accompanied by Maksud, he came to the table, where Arshad and Toyami were already waiting for him.

"Well, the sleeping beauty has come!" Arshad exclaimed cheerfully, smiling at him. "How are you, my friend?"

"Sorry that I slept all the time and did not share your company."

"I’m glad you rested, we didn’t miss you, although it would be better with you. Isn’t it true, Toyami?"

"Are you always so exhausted?" Toyami saw that now Kai came to his senses a little, and that made him happy.

"This is my job."

"Stop talking, eat," Arshad watched Kai distantly look at the plates of food. "By the way, Toyami, you already know that Kai needs to be fed, otherwise he forgets about it."

"Yes, I am aware of this peculiarity."

"Well, then I’m calm, now there is someone to take care of him in my absence," Arshad said it without any hint.

Kai from such words did not bring a piece of food to his mouth, he looked at Arshad.

"Why have you decided that we are seeing each other at all?"

Arshad laughed.

"Eat, do not be distracted, I've warned Toyami for the future."

Kai realized that he didn't understand anything.

"Why does Arshad think that I am meeting with Toyami? All our meetings before were pure accident and concurrence. And this last captivity in his tent is complete nonsense! I have no thoughts to meet with him."

Fortunately, further conversation at the table turned to neutral topics. Kai was again surprised at the suddenly arisen friendship between Arshad and Toyami - how many common interests there were between them. He sat and rejoiced, watching how they chatted animatedly.

From the food that got into the stomach, he again began to feel sleepy. Sleeping on a car seat and an airplane seat does not provide an opportunity to fully recover.

"Kai," came the voice of Arshad, "wake up. Go to sleep, my friend, or you'll fall asleep on your plate."

"I didn’t fall asleep, I was just distracted," Kai said sleepily, feeling that it was hard for him to sit at the table, he wanted to lie down.

"Go to sleep. Maksud, see our friend out. We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Thank you, I think I'll go."

Seeing Kai's guilty look as he left their company, Arshad added:

"Don’t worry, we’ll find something to do tonight, right, Toyami?"- Arshad again looked at Kai. "Or did you also want to visit one institution with us to have some fun?"

Seeing now the horror on Kai's face, Arshad laughed.

"Go, I know you don't like our entertainment. It's good that I have someone with whom I can share them," Arshad sly winked Toyami.

Kai did not delve into their entertainment, knowing that this would be another elite establishment with sophisticated tastes for visitors.

"Why are my friends so perverts?" he thought, walking with Maksud, guards, and servants to his room.

***

Waking up at noon, Kai learned from Maksud, who again took care of him, that everyone was waiting for him for breakfast in Arshad's room.

Arshad's room was so huge that without Maksud's help he would have wandered through the large rooms with luxurious interior for a long time. Finally, Maksud took him out to a large balcony with an amazing view of the entire city on the twenty-fifth floor. The day was sunny and warm. Everyone was already sitting at the table and having breakfast.

Arshad waved a greeting to Kai, not looking up from his conversation with Toyami. Judging by the excerpts from the conversation, Kai heard that yesterday they hotted up in no childish way. They heatedly discussed the specifics of their night's rest, until Arshad noticed the embarrassment on Kai's face.

"That's all! Do not worry, we will not discuss this anymore," Arshad looked meaningfully at Toyami, "otherwise we are embarrassing our young friend."

Toyami also saw that Kai was hiding his eyes while listening to their conversations, which amused him.

"Did you sleep well?" Arshad continued to look at Kai.

"Yes. I'm much better now. The bed is good; in recent months I don't even remember when I slept on the bed."

"How are your hands?"

"Maksud processes, everything has already healed."

Arshad fixed his gaze on Kai, who was now wearing ordinary jeans and a shirt, but even such clothes fit him perfectly. Then he said, already addressing everyone:

"I have a surprise for you, my friends. Now we'll have breakfast and visit my friend at the ranch. It is not far from here. He is waiting for us, he promised to show us a real cowboy show and a lot more. We will not be bored at his place!"

"Does he have horses?" Kai perked up.

"Yes, but this time no riding," seeing the disappointment on Kai's face, Arshad explained. "I don't want to worry about you, I just want to relax in your company."

"Do you ride?" Toyami again realized that he still does not know much about Kai.

"Yes, he does," answered Arshad for him. "He doesn't just ride, and he always chooses the wildest ones and breaks into a gallop. Sometimes I get scared for him."

"Yes, I really love horses," Kai explained, "I don’t gallop, I just love energetic and fast ones," then he looked at Arshad. "But what about you? You also love to race."

"This is in the desert, there is sand, and here I am against your rides. Okay? Let's just look at the cowboys. By the way, Toyami, I will be glad if you come to my desert in my palace, we will all take a horse ride together. You ride a horse, don't you?"

"Yes, all samurai ride, but I don't like it," Toyami, looking at Kai, continued. "But I'll be glad to go with you."

"That's great, soon I will have a birthday, and I will send you an invitation. We will celebrate in my palace. Will you come?"

"Thank you for the invitation," Toyami bowed politely to Arshad, and they exchanged strange, meaningful smiles.

Kai understood that now he would definitely see Toyami often.

Toyami gladly accepted Arshad's invitation. He liked Arshad as a person, an interlocutor, a friend. And also Toyami liked this feeling of the game, which was played by Arshad and in which he was now involved.

At first, Toyami was very surprised to hear Arshad's voice on the receiver, who personally called him and invited him to fly to Las Vegas with Kai. Toyami, of course, understood that this was part of Arshad's game, but it did not bother him. Let Arshad play his game, he decided to play his own and see who would outplay whom. He, like a child, would not avoid Arshad, knowing his insidious plans concerning Kai. This was stupid. What for? On the contrary, with this call, Arshad invited him to join his difficult game, and Toyami agreed, while not holding a stone in his bosom against Arshad. So what if they had common claims, did this interfere with having a good time together, having fun, and enjoying each other's company? On the contrary, this made the game even more exciting.

And now, on the very first evening in Vegas, they had great fun with Arshad in one closed club, realizing that they had similar interests and inclinations. Toyami behaved correctly with Arshad, like an adult sensible person, and Arshad appreciated this, guessing that Toyami suspected something in his relationship with Kai. Now they had an interesting triangle in which they were all friends, but at the same time, each was playing his own game. Rather, Toyami and Arshad were playing their game, but Kai was just resting. But was it really bad? Especially since nobody did any intrigues and dirty tricks in this game. Their play was noble and complex, like a combination of chess moves. Well, Arshad made a move by inviting them to Las Vegas, Toyami made a response, accepted the invitation. Toyami knew that they had a long game ahead of them. But then he did not even imagine that for a lifetime ...

***

After breakfast, they got into the limousine and drove towards the ranch.

Although the view of the area from the car window was rather monotonous, it fascinated Kai. He looked with interest at the cacti of bizarre peculiar shapes standing alone by the road, small stony embankments, and thin, stunted bushes. Then they drove into a fairly green area, where there were trees and grass, everything looked very different.

Arshad and Toyami occasionally talked about all sorts of trifles, at first they tried to involve Kai in the conversation, but seeing his keen look out the window, they left him with his thoughts.

The ranch was located in the center of a green oasis. It was a ranch - huge buildings in the style of cowboy times: barns, cattle sheds, warehouses, and then the house itself - a large one, with a huge number of balconies and open terraces. There were animals everywhere, though in paddocks. Sheep, goats, cows, and, of course, horses grazed here. Those same cowboys on horseback rode around the ranch. They were dressed as cowboys and that was their everyday clothes.

At the stairs to the house, everyone was met by the owner himself, a short, pot-bellied man of about forty with a Hollywood smile on his tanned face. With him stood several more men of about the same age and the same large sizes. Smith had known Arshad for a long time, they had common affairs in the oil business, so they hugged like old friends, then Arshad introduced his guests. Smith, in turn, introduced his own.

As he greeted Kai, Smith held his hand in his, unceremoniously examining him from head to toe. Kai calmly endured his gaze.

Arshad, apparently, warned in advance who would come with him, and therefore Smith was aware of who Kai was.

"You are Russian? It cannot be. That's not how I've imagined you. Are all Russians like that in Russia?" Smith mumbled, looking at him.

"They are different," Kai answered evasively, already tired of such attention to himself.

"I will be proud that I know the Russian, such a Russian!" then Smith looked at everyone. "Well, let's go, I'll show you my property."

Smith finally let go of Kai's hand and walking forward began to show first his house, and then, leading everyone to the balcony of the second floor, his possessions, which were visible from above.

Then everyone was invited to the table, which was set in the garden under the summer canopy. The food was in American style; it was a lot of everything.

At the table, Arshad discussed with Smith his business affairs, general issues, then moved on to discussing the health of the Smith family. It turned out to be very huge, it took quite a lot of time to list all the nephews, cousins ​​, and grandparents.

All this time, Kai was not particularly bored, examining the surrounding environment of the life of the cowboy ranch.

Finally, Smith said that he was inviting everyone to go to the cowboy show prepared for them. Several open cars arrived, in which they had driven to the stands with a fenced arena. When everyone was seated, the show began.

The show, indeed, was in the style of the wild west: cowboys rode horses and, with the help of a lasso, caught wild gobies released into the arena. Then the cowboys began to ride out one by one on wild, unbroken horses. It looked very impressive. The horses were wild and kicked violently, trying to throw off their riders. All the guests perked up, placing bets on who could hold out how long. In these disputes, Kai always won, since from the first seconds he saw the cowboy's skill and the horse's temperament and could say for sure who and how long would last in the saddle.

At the end of the show, the fun began. Cowboys rode wild bulls. The bulls were huge, with formidable horns and bloodshot eyes. It was already really dangerous. Several times, the thrown off cowboys miraculously did not fall on the horns or under the hooves of angry animals.

All this captured Kai, he enthusiastically watched the action in the arena, placed bets, argued, and applauded the brave guys. Arshad and Toyami were not very impressed, they were happy rather for Kai, who was so childishly happy with the performance.

The show was over. Smith said that he would not let his guests go and asked them to stay overnight, otherwise he would be offended. Arshad decided that they were in no hurry and did not object, Kai and Toyami agreed with his decision.

In the house, the guests were allocated bedrooms, where, after a dusty show program, everyone could freshen up in their private baths and change into other clothes, it had prudently been taken by Maksud. For dinner, everyone came out cheerful and fresh.

Supper was served in the house, in the great hall. There was again an abundance of food and liquor. At the end of the dinner, Smith mysteriously said that he was asking everyone to move to another hall, where the guests would have a continuation of the cowboy show.

The other room was small, with sofas and small tables. In the corner, there was a small stage with a pole. The lights were dim and the music played. All sat down on sofas, drinks and snacks were brought to them. Smith nodded, giving the command to begin.

As Kai predicted, the presence of the pole on stage did not bode well. His assumptions came true. Cowboys began to appear on the stage, but already a little different - clean, sleek, with smooth movements and staged gestures. They began to act out small scenes from cowboy life, gradually undressing and exposing their strong, muscular bodies.

Kai did not understand what was the interest in looking at half-naked guys, he had seen enough of them in the army. It would be better if the girls were invited, but, apparently, the girls here were not interested in anyone. At the fourth dance, the cowboys began to descend from the stage and approach the guests.

Smith's friends, like himself, began to actively touch the guys who wriggled around them.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kai saw the burning gaze of Toyami, which he held on one of the cowboys. This look was caught by Smith, who whispered something to the cowboy, who unceremoniously sat down next to Toyami. They sat so sweetly, continuing to watch the show and whispering.

The cowboys did not approach Kai, meeting his cold gaze, they only sent him smiles from afar.

Finally, Arshad took pity on Kai's torment, which he watched. He called Maksud to him, who then, going up to Kai, said that he would take him to his room. This meant that Arshad permitted to leave their party. Kai nodded gratefully to Arshad and followed Maksud. Smith, turning to Arshad, asked him something, Kai understood - about him, Arshad shook his head.

Kai was glad to be released from this party. Today was a lot of impressions, he liked that real cowboy show. Remembering the spectacular races on wild stallions and the dangerous duels between cowboys and bulls, he quickly fell asleep.

***

The next morning everyone came out late for breakfast. The evening "show" dragged on and turned into a night one, Kai guessed from the faces of those present at the table.

Toyami went to the table with yesterday's cowboy. However, the "cowboy" was now dressed more decently, he was wearing ordinary jeans and a plaid shirt. He threw languid glances at Toyami, Toyami smiled back at him.

Smith at breakfast began to ask Kai if he was bored here and what he would like to see more. Kai graciously answered questions from the hospitable host. Smith did not lag behind with questions, and then Kai said that he would like to ride a horse.

Smith jumped up in his chair and immediately called the manager to him, giving him orders to organize a horse ride.

Kai felt Arshad's displeased look on him.

"It's safe," Smith said after hearing Arshad’s concerns. "Kai will have the calmest horse and experienced escorts."

"I don't need a calm horse!" Kai exclaimed.

"Then I forbid you to go," Arshad's voice sounded like a sentence.

Kai frowned but did not want to quarrel with Arshad.

"Well, let it be a calm horse. Then do you mind if I go?"

"I’m against it, but you’re not listening to me."

"Arshad, let him go, there are beautiful places, let him look, chirk up," Smith tried to settle the dispute.

"Okay, but just let it be the calmest horse!" Arshad answered with displeasure.

"Gentlemen, who else would like to join the horse ride?" Smith asked, addressing everyone.

Everyone shook their heads. Toyami generally got carried away with the conversation with the cowboy and did not participate in this discussion.

The manager came and said that everything was ready. Kai went with him, feeling Arshad's anger by his back. He, of course, did not want to upset him, but he could not deny himself the pleasure of riding, and then in America, on real cowboy horses, he could not.

The cowboys who were waiting for him were real, the very ones who worked on the farm. They looked at him indifferently and waited for him to sit in the saddle. From the look of his horse, Kai realized that it was the slowest nag of all. This upset him greatly, he looked with envy at the young stallion prancing under the cowboy. He wouldn’t refuse to take a ride on this one.

Before the trip, Kai changed into regular blue jeans, a T-shirt, and a shirt top. The manager found a matching cowboy boot for Kai and gave him a cowboy hat. He put it on, knowing it would be hot in the sun.

At first, they drove in silence, then we got into conversation. Kai commented on the action of the horses under the guys, they were surprised that he understands this, and immediately a lively conversation with a common hobby - horses - was formed.

They drove to a small farm with a paddock, where they broke the horses. There, the farmworkers were busy with this right now. Kai's eyes lit up.

He asked if he could sit on a wild horse. The guys accompanying him did not receive any instructions on this matter. They had one goal - to make Kai's vacation as interesting as possible. They decided that this request did not contradict Mr. Smith's instructions.

Kai was led to a paddock, where a wild mustang wheezing with rage was sandwiched between two shields. He climbed onto the shield along the crossbeams and sat down in the saddle from above, the gate opened. The Mustang lunged forward, kicking. Kai held on. To the surprise of everyone, he behaved better than the cowboys. But then, with another kick, he flew out of the saddle. Getting up quickly, he stood up, watching the guys catch the horse around the corral.

The cowboys began to shake his hand, pat him on the shoulder and look at him differently, not as a pampered guest of Mr. Smith but as one of them.

He asked for another permission to sit on the mustang. Nobody objected. So they had fun.

Having galloped on five wild horses and with pleasure rolled in the dust during the fallings, they drove on to admire the beauties of nature.

It was very beautiful here. Leaving the wooded area, they climbed the path to a low canyon, from the flat plateau of which a beautiful view of the valley opened up.

Returning home, Kai asked to exchange horses with him and allow him to gallop, since there was a flat valley ahead. The cowboys didn't mind. One of them gave his horse to him. Then those who were supposed to participate in the race separated from the rest and drove off.

That was a delight, a flight of a bird. They galloped at full gallop across the plain, raising columns of dust. The horses were almost equal in strength and therefore went head to head. The valley ended, they jumped out onto the road and in front of them saw stopped cars and people.

Having approached closer, Kai saw that it was their company that had gone for a walk in cars. And everyone watched them gallop across the plain.

Already from afar, Kai saw Arshad, and now he felt like a schoolboy going to the principal's office.

"And what does all this mean?" Smith asked angrily as the cowboys drove up. Apparently, Arshad had already told him everything. "I told him to give him the calmest horse."

"You shouldn't worry, Mr. Smith," said the chief of the cowboys, whose name was Sam, spitting on the ground. "The guy drives normally. Here in the rodeo on five horses, he lasted the longest."

"What rodeo?" Arshad asked menacingly.

"And we stopped by at the farm to the Nicholas," Sam began to tell innocently. "It was there that they had been breaking the mustangs. So he rode on them."

"I forbade it!" cried Smith in panic.

"No, you did not forbid anything. You said that the guest should not be bored, so he did not get bored. Really, Kai?"

Kai listened to all this with horror, even being afraid to look at Arshad.

"Arshad, don't swear. The guys have nothing to do with it. I didn't listen to you."

"And why didn't you listen to me?" Arshad was very angry.

"Sorry…"

Arshad's eyes flashed fire, now he was not joking, he was pissed off by Kai's behavior.

"Arshad, look, Kai is happy, he liked it,"  all this time Toyami only watched what was happening, but now he decided to stand up for Kai, seeing that the situation was heating up.

"Okay. Let's end this conversation. I'll talk to you later," said Arshad, looking at Kai. His voice did not bode well.

Smith took the initiative and, as a caring host, continued to entertain his guests.

The cowboys and Kai drove along the path towards the house, the cars with the guests also turned towards the house since it was clear from Arshad's mood that he no longer wanted to admire the beauty of nature.

Naturally, the cars returned home first, then the cowboys arrived.

Kai thought about Arshad and his very harsh reaction to everything. Although, why be surprised - Arshad got used to completing the submission, but here such a situation arose and even in front of everyone. But how could Kai resist horses?

Going to his room to change, Kai met Maksud, who, beckoning him with his hand, led the guy after himself. Approaching the door with him, Maksud opened it, let Kai in, and remained standing at the door on the other side.

Walking forward, Kai froze, seeing Arshad, who was looking at him.

"Come in," anger was felt in Arshad's voice.

Kai began to approach, not knowing what to expect from the angry Sheikh.

"You disobeyed me in front of everyone! I am not asking to carry out my orders - it was a request to you," Arshad also began to approach Kai. "I hate it when my friend behaves this way. There is no need to question my authority in front of everyone. Do you understand that?"

"Arshad, I didn’t want to offend you, I didn’t think that you would take everything like that, I…" Kai's voice trailed off, he felt Arshad's hands on his waist and froze.

Arshad began to walk slowly around him, touching his clothes with the hands. Already from behind, Arshad ran his hand along his back, then just as slowly moved his hands to his shoulders. Embracing him and putting his arms forward, he began to unbutton the buttons of Kai's shirt. Kai felt his hot breath on his cheek.

"Arshad, what are you doing?" Kai's voice was lost with excitement.

"What I want. After all, you also do what you want."

The unbuttoned shirt flew off Kai's shoulders. Arshad began to take out his T-shirt, tucked into jeans.

"I'm dusty," Kai said in a trembling voice, feeling his hands already under his shirt.

"I like you like that - a real cowboy. You smell like horses, dust, and yourself ... " Arshad's voice trembled with excitement.

He pressed closer to his back, caressing his stomach and chest with his hands. Kai, frozen, waited, feeling a wave of goosebumps on his body and the pleasant warmth that these hands gave him.

Arshad grasped his condition, slowly turned to face him. Raised his chin, looked into his eyes, in which he saw confusion.

"Don’t," Kai breathed, remembering that he could not touch Arshad with his hands, and now he was completely in his power.

"Don't need what?" Arshad whispered almost into his lips. "I told you that too, but you didn't listen to me."

And then Kai gasped from the kiss, from the hands that so roughly pressed him and squeezed so that all the ribs crumpled from falling from the horses immediately made themselves felt.

Arshad kissed him passionately, demandingly penetrating him, and in response to the slightest resistance, squeezed him even tighter.

Then he pulled back.

"Should I continue punishment?" Arshad's voice changed, now passion, a desire was felt in him.

Arshad understood how he had not kissed Kai for a long time and how wonderful it was. Now he remembered how good it was for them then, and how all this time he wanted this, wanted him.

He pulled Kai again and captured his lips again. But now he was kissing gently, carefully, wanting to prolong this pleasure. Their distant tenderness arose from the corners of memory. Forgotten sensations, feelings, memories returned ...

Arshad ran his hand tighter along Kai's side and climbed under his shirt. Kai jerked and exhaled. Arshad pulled back and looked at him.

"What, ribs hurt? Why did you climb on these horses?" asked Arshad in his usual voice.

"I really wanted it," Arshad's face was very close. Kai felt his hot palms on his body. "Do not be offended."

Arshad froze, looking into his eyes, then released him and walked to the window.

"Why are you standing, go change your clothes. We'll have a snack and head back to Vegas."

Kai, bewilderedly picking up his shirt from the carpet, moved towards the door.

"Do you remember the terms of our contract?" looking at him, as if casually asked Arshad.

Kai turned around, uncomprehending looked up at him.

Arshad continued:

"That I will be the second with you. You will give me the night ..."

"What are you talking about now?" Kai has not yet fully recovered from the kisses.

"I'm talking about our contract."

Now Kai got the whole point of what was said.

The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 6

Three days later, they again gathered in Arshad's office. From the faces of Gifar and Maksud, Arshad understood that they had learned news bordering on the truth about the creation of the world, no less.

Arshad even got scared to ask them what had happened. Gifar spoke himself.

"I've found out who he is."

"And who?" Arshad said in a frightened voice, looking at one, then at the other.

Gifar paused theatrical and said:

"He is Russian!"

There was silence. Maksud and Gifar already knew about this news and were now waiting for Arshad's reaction to it. Arshad was ready to hear anything, including a Lao or Vietnamese, but to find out that he was Russian ...

The first few minutes he stared at them blankly, then he just stared in front of him.

Then he laughed.

"Well, of course, how could I not have guessed at once by the amount of alcohol he had drunk! Only Russians can drink so much!" Arshad again laughed to tears in his eyes, remembering Kai, as he lay unconscious with a bottle of brandy in his hand.

Gifar pointed to the tablet.

"Here are some of his photographs."

Arshad took the tablet and sat down at the table, behind him stood Maksud and Gifar. Arshad ran his finger across the monitor. The screen came to life, and from it, Kai in military uniform was looking at Arshad. It was a standard photo from a personal file, ordinary, official, scrolling further, Arshad saw Kai sitting on an armored personnel carrier, with a submachine gun in his lap and with a scarf around his neck. Apparently, the photographer accidentally photographed him, since the main object of the photo was the passage of a convoy of armored personnel carriers. Turning a little more, Arshad saw Kai walking along the parade ground, in full dress, with orders on his chest. Again it was clear that they did not take a photo of him, he just got into the frame. Arshad brought the photo closer, the medals became more visible. And a few more shots, again random ones, where he got into the frame.

"Is it all?" Arshad raised his eyes to Gifar.

"Yes, it is. You don't know the main thing. He not only serves in the army, but he also works for special services, so all information about him is classified and there is nothing. Here are just these random shots. He is not a private, he is an officer. That's all I could find out about him.

Arshad automatically flipped through Kai's photos on the tablet monitor.

"But why! Why, of all nations, he turned out to be exactly Russian," finally exclaimed Arshad. " I do not understand them at all. This is a dark forest! They don't understand themselves. If he had been someone else, he would have jumped into my bed," Arshad flipped through the photos again. "Now I don't even have a chance."

"There are always chances, you said he liked it ..."

"Yes, he liked it, and then he lost his attraction. That's all because he is Russian. They are all like that. I do not understand them. I do not understand him!"

"Arshad, have you tried to talk to him about this?" Maksud smiled mysteriously again. "Of course, you are used to not talking with those you like, but here is another case. If this person is really important to you, talk to him frankly about your relationship."

Arshad got up from his chair and went to the window.

"Okay, you're right. I want to talk to him. By the way, what's his name?"

"Kai."

"How? Kai ... But this is not quite a Russian name."

"He was born in Moscow; his parents are Russian. He is Russian."

"That's what I'm talking about, that I don't understand them, Russians. I don't understand at all!" Arshad turned to Maksud. "Bring him to the garden today, when I smoke a hookah."

***

Kai lived a strangely calm life these days. He did not want to think about what had happened and did not want to think about what would be. He made the decision to just wait.

When Maksud said that Arshad was waiting for him in the garden, Kai knew that the waiting time had come to an end. He understood that he would find out his further destiny. It didn't scare him. It was much scarier to live in obscurity. The realization that now everything would be clarified filled him with inner joy and tranquility.

He walked through the beautiful fairy garden to the pavilion. Peacocks, smoothly shaking their magic tails, parted in front of him. The rose bushes were fragrant. Palm trees gave shade with their quaint crowns, and numerous fountains and ponds filled the air with freshness.

Arshad, as always, was reclining in the arbor and puffing on a hookah. He immediately noticed Kai and kept his eyes on him as he walked.

"Sit down, why are you standing?" Arshad pointed to the sofa opposite him.

Kai walked over to him and sat down.

"Hello, Kai."

Kai raised his eyes to Arshad. They looked at each other for a long time, Kai was the first to speak.

"You have found out everything about me."

"I've learned exactly as much as you can learn about a person working for the special services. Therefore, I want to know more about you. Are you really Russian?"

"Yes."

"And your name?"

"So my father decided."

"Why did you become a military man, why did you go to war?"

Kai shrugged vaguely. Arshad continued:

"Don't lie to me that you like it. I saw your face when you looked at the dead bird. I saw your eyes. Why are you in this war?"

"Becoming a military man is my father's choice. Everyone in our family was military."

"You are an obedient son. It's good. Or am I wrong?"

"Arshad, why do you need it? What do you want to know?"

Arshad took a drag on the hookah.

"I want to understand you. Our relationship. Perhaps I was wrong. I was in a hurry. But you ... I don't understand you ... why you don't want ... you don't want anything," Arshad tried to find the answer on Kai's face. "Just don't say that you were scared, I know that you stayed on the plane, allowing jumping off it to everyone. Did they know your parachute was torn?"

"Not."

"Did you know?"

"I knew."

"Why did you do it for them? Was there someone important to you?"

"Not. But this is what is usually done ..."

"Russians," Arshad interrupted him, "that's what I told Maksud that I was not lucky that you turned out to be Russian."

"If I were not Russian, you would have been hacked to death at your coup," said Kai angrily.

"Yes, you are right, only a Russian can, instead of running to the helicopter, save the one who dragged him across the desert for a horse. By the way, why did you help me?"

"You were alone. There were many of them. In such a position, I would help everyone."

"And I thought, or rather, hoped that I arouse you at least an ounce of sympathy."

Kai didn't answer. He poured the wine into a glass and took a sip.

"Let's continue our conversation," Arshad again took a drag on the hookah, then, looking at Kai, said. "I like you, you understand in what sense I say this. But why are you acting like that? What's wrong? Explain to me. I am ready not to force, not to rush you. I know that you have not slept with a man," Kai lowered his eyes. "I will be very gentle with you; I will not hurt you. Kai, look at me. I can't understand you," Arshad straightened up on the pillows. "Well, let's start with a simple explanation - am I unpleasant to you? Don't you like me?"

"Not! What are you, it is not so!"

Arshad looked at Kai's face and smiled, seeing that Kai said it too quickly, too emotionally, which meant he nevertheless liked him.

"Okay. Then what is it?" Arshad slightly moved to the table, looking at Kai point-blank. "You know; I never ask those whom I want about anything. I'm used to taking what I want. For the first time, I try to understand, although a wave of my hand is enough - and you will lie on that bed face down, butt up. Don't be silent, explain to me why you are behaving this way with me?"

Kai understood that Arshad was trying to give him a chance to say, although earlier he just took what he wanted.

Kai slipped his hand under the collar of his shirt and took out a cross on a chain hanging from his neck. He showed it to Arshad.

"I am a believer, baptized. According to the Orthodox faith, sodomy is a terrible sin. I will be damned and go to hell. I just live according to the laws of my faith," Kai put the cross back.

Arshad moved away from the table and lay down on the pillows again. He waved his hand, pointing to the burnt coals in the hookah. A servant ran up and fussed.

Kai and Arshad silently watched as the servant changed coals and re-inflated the hookah. Then Arshad dragged on again. It was seen that he was thinking. Kai did not bother him, occasionally bringing a glass of wine to his lips.

So twenty minutes passed.

Finally, Arshad spoke:

"I have deep respect for people who honor their faith. It doesn't matter if this belief contradicts mine. For me, any believer is worthy of respect. I realized that you are not hiding behind religion, you say what you have in your soul. That is why I have pondered your words for so long. Now I understand you and your behavior," Arshad looked into Kai's eyes. "Listen to my decision: I do not want to become the one who will send your soul to hell. I will not take such a sin upon myself, my God will punish me for it. Therefore, I want to come to a reasonable agreement with you in our relationship with you. I have already said that you have nothing to fear, I will not become the culprit of getting you into hell. It can be if only you make a decision for yourself to be with me. But if you decide to be with another man, then you must be with me. I want you to swear on your cross that you agree to such a treaty."

"Do you want me to swear on the cross that I will sleep with you if I sleep with someone else?!"

"I want you to swear that you will fulfill our agreement," seeing Kai's indignant face, Arshad continued. "Do not test my patience, it was very difficult for me to make such a decision. I don't usually suffer from heightened virtue for my ... those whom I want."

"You said that your god would punish you if you did it."

"This will be done with you by my guard in front of my eyes, and then I will continue."

Arshad was not joking. His eyes turned black as night.

"I agree to our contract with you. I will fulfill it," Kai took out the cross and kissed it. " I swear."

Arshad exhaled and smiled.

"There was the risk, I was ready to change my mind, but now you have sealed my words with your oath. Remember this. Remember our contract."

Arshad leaned back on the pillow and took a drag on the hookah.

"Now let's talk about the first clause of the agreement, according to which you've left me a chance to hear from you - yes," Kai averted his eyes. "Well, why are you embarrassed? Let me take care of you, maybe you want to yourself?"

Arshad smiled slyly, Kai drank his wine nervously. Arshad continued:

"I know your faith well. I will kiss you, even if they are between men, they are not a mortal sin, well, let's just say it is a sin, but you and I have many such minor sins. So let’s sin a little?" Arshad waved his hand. "Come to me. Kai, don't try my patience. Do you hear? We have a contract. You gave me a chance yourself to gallant you. How am I supposed to do this? At a distance, or what?"

Kai understood that it was better not to anger Arshad, and so now a miracle happened. Arshad would not touch him if he did not agree to this himself or there was no other man in his life, but Kai did not even think about such things. All this for him was from the realm of the unreal. Therefore, after thinking, he got up and, uncertainly walking around the table, walked over to Arshad.

He watched the guy's move, and then abruptly grabbed the floor of the brocade robe and pulled on himself. Kai lost his balance from surprise and fell directly into the arms of Arshad, who was waiting for this. Arshad immediately fell to his lips with a long kiss. At first, Kai jerked, and then decided not to, and relaxed, allowing himself to be kissed.

Arshad felt this change in him and instead of a greedy kiss, he slowly began to enjoy it, knowing that now he was his.

Arshad kissed now eagerly and passionately, now tenderly, but so skillfully. Kai felt that no one had ever kissed him like that in his life. He didn't even know that it was possible to kiss like that and that it could be so good when men kiss you ... - further Kai was afraid to voice this thought in his head. And then there were no more thoughts, only lips giving him this pleasure.

He woke up from the loss of those sweet lips, opened his eyes, and saw the dark, bottomless eyes of Arshad.

"I want wine," Kai whispered.

Arshad's lips stretched out in such a bewitching and forged smile. He stretched out his hand, took a glass of wine, drank, and, lifting Kai's head, pressed the guy's lips to his. Kai parted his lips and felt the taste of wine, which poured into him, penetrated and intoxicated.

"Do you want more?" Arshad breathed into his lips.

"Yes."

Arshad again drank wine and again fell to Kai's lips. How long the kiss lasted now, Kai did not remember. He did not remember himself, did not remember where he was and who, but he clearly understood that these were the lips of Arshad on his lips, and this was his embrace, in which he was now.

Once again waking up from strange oblivion, Kai met the eyes of Arshad, looking down at him.

"There are enough kisses for today," Arshad smiled slyly again. "Let's take a break. But I can show you another pleasure," seeing the lack of understanding in Kai's eyes, Arshad continued. "Did you smoke that?" he pointed to the hookah.

Kai nodded his head in the affirmative.

"Lie down," Arshad took a pillow and put it on his lap.

Kai did not argue, rested his head on the pillow, fully stretched out on the couch. Arshad reached for the hookah.

"I will now breathe in the smoke, and you open your lips, I will breathe it into you. Breathe it in and hold your breath."

"So what is next?" Kai felt Arshad's hand stroking his curls, tangling in them with his fingers and plunging into them.

"You will see."

Arshad sucked in the hookah smoke and bent down to Kai's lips, he did as Arshad said, and then the world spun into a motley merry-go-round. He felt like a butterfly fluttering over a flowering meadow. He flew, it was easy and good for him. Nothing darkened his consciousness. Around him flashed color pictures of beautiful fields, rivers, and fragrant gardens ...

Arshad continued to play with his curls, winding them around his fingers, then releasing them, watching the elastic curl slip, leaving the feeling of black silk. He saw that now Kai was well. He felt good too, probably for the first time in all these years. It was good with the man who was now lying on his lap - so handsome, young and so rebellious, unbroken, strong. Arshad admired and delighted him.

He heard footsteps and raised his eyes, Maksud and Gifar entered the arbor, who did not hide their joyful smiles, seeing this idealistic picture.

"Have you agreed"- Maksud smiled sincerely, seeing now the face of Arshad.

"Yes. We’ve made a contract."

"Even a contract? Is everything so serious?"

"Yes, it is very serious," seeing that his friends listen to him with attention, Arshad continued. " Kai is a believer, for him, relations with a man is a sin. I respect his faith and will not become the culprit of his fall. Only if he  changes his mind himself or if he has relations with another man - then he is mine."

Gifar and Maksud fell into a sludge from this, realizing that Arshad was ready to wait, and not to take by force what he so wanted.

Seeing their surprise, Arshad continued:

"This is not the version of a boy who cries theatrically for a couple of days and then consoles himself with a bank account."

"You have become wiser. I am proud that we have such a ruler," the eunuch bowed.

"The Almighty has sent me a test, I think I've made the right decision."

"I don’t understand, but why? After all, you like him," Gifar still could not believe the essence of what was said.

"That's exactly why. If I take what I want, he will hate me. Then I will lose him forever and ever. I do not want it. I want to be with him. Let it take time. I will be patient. Patience is a test and a gift. If a test of my patience is sent to me from above, then I will be rewarded for this ... someday," the Sheikh thought, continuing to caress these silky curls.

"You have a business," the eunuch interrupted his thoughts.

"Yes," the Sheikh began to get up, gently lifting Kai, and then put him back. He bent over him, kissed him on the lips, then stood up. "Now he won't come to himself soon, you will take care of him," he looked at Maksud.

"Don't worry, my master."

They went towards the palace, leaving Kai asleep in the arbor.

When he woke up from a dream, although it was not even a dream, but a transition to another reality, he realized that he was lying in the arbor in this Garden of Eden. Turning his head, Kai saw a peacock walking slowly along the path and fluffing its tail. Birds chirped over him. The incredibly beautiful butterfly sat on a glass of wine, and then flew up."

His soul was peaceful, calm, and quiet.  By this contract, he removed the tension and uncertainty in his fate. Even so, even if not everything was clear to the end, the main thing between him and Arshad had now been clarified. Life had acquired at least some stability, it was not so bad in his position. He understood that. Now he did not want to think about what had allowed Arshad, maybe in that distant world of his it caused condemnation, but here, when his life had no value, everything was completely different.

Kai smiled, feeling that his lips were swollen from kisses which were so sweet, delightful ...

The day passed quietly. There were also kisses, it was felt that Arshad was enjoying what he had wanted for so long. In the evening he sent him to bed, saying that in the morning they would go for a horse ride.

***

The next day brought with it even more pleasant surprises. First, they rode on horseback through the desert, overtaking the wind and each other.

Returning, Arshad drove up very close and, grabbing Kai by the silk belt, pulled him towards himself. Their lips met. He tore a long kiss from his beautiful lips, feeling his breath, either by a jump or by this kiss.

Kai was embarrassed, whispered that they were not alone. But then he saw that for Arshad, all the people around him did not matter.

Getting off the horses, Kai again fell into his arms when the Sheikh, jumping off first, was next to his horse. Kai did not expect this, staggered, and Arshad's strong arms hugged him, and his lips made him forget about everything again.

Unsaddling the horse and leading it to the stall, Kai was pinned down there by Arshad, and they kissed for a long time, listening to the tired horse crunching with pleasure with fresh hay at their feet. Arshad pressed him against the wall of the stall, grabbing the bars of the grate on both sides of his head with his hands and putting his knee between his legs. Kai tried to remember only one thing, that one should not touch the Sheikh. He held his hands down, grabbing the wall and the hem of his robe, and gasped at those demanding lips.

***

After breakfast, Arshad, taking him by the waist, led him to his office, telling Maksud and Gifar to follow them.

Kai was in Arshad's office for the first time. It was a large room, again in an oriental force, with carpets, stucco, gold candelabra, and magnificent mosaics. At the same time, there was modern expensive furniture for offices: a table with a huge armchair, a conference table and a sofa with armchairs against the wall. Everything was equipped with modern office equipment.

"You probably need to call, say that you are alive," said Arshad, watching as Kai is interested in examining his office.

Kai didn't even immediately grasp the meaning of what was said. He looked at Arshad in surprise.

"Here is the phone," he pointed to the table. "Only, please, speak on the speakerphone and in English, and you have only one call," he took Kai by the shoulders and led him to the phone on the table.

Gifar and Maksud also had no less surprised faces.

"Well, tell them that I'll let you go soon, let them not worry."

Hearing this, Kai was completely at a loss, leaning on the table. Then he forced himself to concentrate. He dialed the number. The signal passed, he spoke in English.

"How do you do, Pyotr Ivanovich. This is Kai."

At first, there was silence in the receiver, then Russian swearing, and only then a voice in English answered him.

"Alive! And we kept thinking ... so much time has passed since the disappearance of the plane. Likely alive? Is everything intact?"

"Don't worry, Pyotr Ivanovich, I'm safe and sound.  There was no way to inform about myself earlier."

"I understand ... and now I understand everything," the colonel guessed, if Kai spoke English, it meant that everything was not so simple.

"I have to return soon, I don't know for sure, but I will. You will inform the center about it."

"Yes, immediately. We will wait for your return."

"How is the aircraft commander? Did his mate and everyone else survive?"

"Yes, everyone is alive. Our people found them, they were all picked up. The commander has a very serious wound, but he will live. Those two are feeling better, they are already on the mend," the colonel thought, and then said very seriously. "You are great. I'm proud of you. Come back!"

"Thank you, Pyotr Ivanovich."

Kai hung up.

"Hero, then, " Arshad also looked at him very seriously, then waved towards the door. "Go."

Kai realized that he could go. He left the office and, still not believing in what was happening, went towards the library.

"Will you let him go?" Gifar sat down at the table.

"In what status can I leave him here? A boy for comfort? Unfortunately, he is not suitable for this role. I have nothing to offer him besides me. I want to remain his friend."

"You are becoming very wise, our ruler," Gifar bowed politely.

Then they moved on to the pressing issues of government in their country.

***

Kai was enthusiastically reading the next work of Arab philosophers when he felt hot hands on his shoulders and the burning heat of breath on his cheek.

Arshad bent over him, hugging him from behind, and began, slowly, covering his cheek, cheekbones, chin with light kisses, and then his ear, at the end biting his lobe. Kai groaned, clenching his hands on the table.

Arshad threw back his head and, raising his chin, fell to his lips.

"What are you reading?" through kisses, he asked.

"Philosophical views of Al-Farabi."

"Is it so interesting?" Arshad had already regained his breath and, going around the table, sat down in another chair. "What will you say? Share your opinion."

At first, Kai's thoughts were still confused, but gradually his mind gained clarity, and his voice - an even presentation. The Sheikh was a very educated and well-read person, and therefore it was interesting for them to talk to each other about such exclusive topics as the philosophical treatises of Al-Farabi of nine hundred years and the influence of the works of Plato on his philosophy. So gradually they found each other in conversation.

***

In the evening, Maksud, having dressed Kai in incredible clothes for its luxury and beauty, brought him to a huge hall, where Arshad was reclining on ottomans. They settled down comfortably next to them, a light supper was brought to them, which they had to eat reclining, and a show unfolded in front of them.

Acrobats and equilibrists performed. Then there were circus acts with animals. Later, when the snacks were replaced by sweets and the lights in the hall became more subdued, dancers came to the center of the hall. These were girls and boys who replaced each other. They danced in translucent dresses to oriental music. Their dances were erotic and frank.

Arshad beckoned Kai to him and he, feeling a kick from Maksud, moved to the Sheikh. Rather, he again found himself in his arms and, having settled comfortably, reclined with his back on his chest, allowing himself to be hugged. So they watched the performance. Kai sipped wine, the Sheikh - a hookah and regularly pressed close to his lips.

Arshad watched Kai through half-closed eyes how he looked at the dancers. When the girls danced, the Sheikh saw that Kai's eyes were looking at them, but it was rather an admiring look, as children look at outlandish animals in a zoo. When half-naked youths came out, Kai usually averted his eyes and was distracted, looking at his surroundings.

"Do you like girls who dance?" finally asked Arshad.

"Yes! They are like that, well, you will not see such girls on the street. I didn't even think that there are such, and there are so many. They are all incredible!"

"And young men, look at their bodies, they are also perfect."

"I've seen enough of these bodies in the barracks," Kai muttered.

Arshad burst into laughter, and then, seeing the frowning Kai began to kiss him until he forgot everything and melted in his arms.

From these embraces, Maksud took him and carefully led him to bed. Arshad remained to continue the fun, but already in the night apartments with those whom he had chosen in the dance.

Now, this was how their time passed. In the morning - a horse ride, or rather, a frantic race, then breakfast, then Arshad minded his own business and found Kai in the library, where they could talk, discuss, argue for hours, then an evening performance, which Kai mentally called for himself "folk amateur performance". But the most important thing in this pastime was the constant kissing of Arshad. He always did this, finding moments, drew Kai to himself and did not let him come to his senses, and then, smiling, he pulled back and continued to ride, walk, talk as if nothing had happened. But Kai for a long time then restored his breathing and calmed the heart leaping out of his chest.