He didn't see it, but he was no fool. Having it spelled out for him that way made his mouth fall open in genuine shock. He had never considered his master gaining feelings for him, for he had never considered it a possibility that an Aesir might love a slave beyond the station he had been granted.

"I am being dismissed because you--" He couldn't even bring himself to say it, shaking his head in defiance. "Do not do this. If I serve you well and you are happy with that service, then do not send me away. You can abstain from using me for bed sport, you can appoint another your personal slave, but do not dismiss me entirely."

It didn't seem fair.

But then, much of life was unfair. Especially when Anthony doted over his master and was clearly doted on in return, why were they not seen as equally unacceptable?