For years Pan has been living happily with King Seronisis at his palace. Yet nothing can compare with the happiness Pan experiences whenever he is able to visit his parents and sisters on their farm by the Great Forest.Being the king’s lover and most trusted confidante is a dangerous thing to be.<br><br>When Pan returns to the palace after a month-long visit with his family, he stops along the way to bathe in a small lake not far from the palace. But during his swim, his escorts disappear and Pan is abducted.<br><br>Terrified, all Pan can think of is what his beloved King Seronisis will think when he doesn’t arrive home on time. He's taken across the desert to a cave where his captor lives in exile. When he discovers the reason for his abduction, he wonders how he can warn Seronisis of the forthcoming threat his abductor poses to the monarch. But how can he escape? And will he ever see his lover, King Seronisis, again?

The King's Secret

Ahead, someone turned the corner. He slowed his pace.


“What are you doing?” asked the man, a suspicious expression on his face.


Was it the same man who had seconds earlier been speaking to Bathor? The leather armour. The helmet. It had to be. 


“Am I not allowed here?” said Pan with a note of defiance. “I thought I was a guest here, not a prisoner.”


“You have no reason to be out of your room,” said the man, craning his neck to look further down the corridor.


“The smells of the kitchen lured me out. It is long past my usual dinner time and I’ve had nothing to eat since breakfast but a few grapes.”


The man nodded. “I’ll see to it a meal is brought to you. Do forgive his lordship. He’s been rather busy.”


I bet he has, thought Pan. “Thank you,” he said before continuing on his way, pleased with himself for the skillful way he had handled the situation. 


Chapter 6