
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/483480.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural_RPF
  Relationship:
      Jensen_Ackles/Jared_Padalecki, Jensen_Ackles/OMC, Misha_Collins/Vicki
      Collins/Chad_Michael_Murray, Alona_Tal/OMC
  Character:
      JD_Morgan, Megan_Padalecki, Josh_Ackles, Alona_Tal, Misha_Collins, Vicky
      Collins, Chad_Michael_Murray, Jake_Abel, Jim_Beaver, Christian_Kane
  Additional Tags:
      AU, Fantasy, War, Institutionalized_slavery, s/m_themes, D/s_themes,
      Institutionalized_Homophobia, Religious_overtones, Self-Harm, Torture,
      Genocide, Princes, Master/Slave
  Series:
      Part 1 of The_Unsuitable_Slave
  Stats:
      Published: 2012-08-11 Completed: 2012-08-25 Chapters: 35/35 Words: 139449
****** The Unsuitable Slave ******
by anniespinkhouse
Summary
     War and slavery are brutal and prophecies aren't always what they
     seem.
     When Prince Jared was seven he met Prince Jensen. Jared thought
     Jensen was the most exciting boy he’d ever met. Jensen just wanted to
     keep Jared.
     Six months before Prince Jared comes of age and succeeds to the
     throne of a Realm at war he stands alone and betrayed, against an
     overwhelming enemy. He makes a sudden and most unwise decision.
     Prince Jensen’s choice of slave is widely regarded as unsuitable and
     unwise too.
Notes
     In this story Jared is sixteen and Jensen is twenty, in a world where
     boys go to war at thirteen and terrible things happen in battle and
     beyond.
     I haven't written war or slavery as a romantic ideal here, so there
     are some dark and violent scenes.
     A quick heads up for those who are squicky about these things - This
     is not a death fic. and it is complete in itself.
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Prologue *****
Chapter Notes
     The beautiful art is by meus_venator and the art and includes
     wonderful snatchable icons. Her art post is here: http://meus-
     venator.livejournal.com/24334 so give it some love.
Prophecy

Jared was seven when the War began. Days of sunshine and innocence ceased with
a sudden and calamitous sense of loss.

A seer was summoned to the Realm and he stood before the Queen and was told to
speak the future. It was an unwise request, but the men with power and weapons
insisted. The seer bowed his head and closed his eyes. He wrung his hands and
dropped a tear as his voice shook and trembled. He said that the wild plains of
De’ith would see the grimmest hours and herald the sacrifice of her second son.
He told the Queen it would be Jared's gift that would return light to the
Realm, and while Prince Jared would never return home, his sun would burn
bright in the grace of love.
 
The seer did not see another dawn. The Queen kept these secrets safe and her
son safer. The Palace was his playground, its walls were his world, his brother
was his hero and his little sister was his greatest love.
 
Time passed, the Queen ailed, and Prince Jeffrey fought this war with Jeffrey,
the Lord Morgan by his side.
 
Jared’s brother died on a hazy, hot day in the chaos of the Battle of Mount
Burma and the young Prince Jared became reluctant heir to the throne of a Realm
he barely knew.
***** Chapter 2 *****
 
The Prince’s horse shifted beneath him and he leaned forward to rub her neck. 
Captain Christian Kane dropped the spyglass to his chest and spared a glance at
his young charge.  “We have to move. It doesn’t look well Sire.” 
The Prince straightened on his horse and the crimson silk of his tunic
shimmered in the afternoon sun. He was tall and awkward in his late teen growth
but his eyes shone hazel over pink-flushed cheekbones and a proud jaw-line. His
mouth was set in a wide pink grimace but Captain Kane knew the bright dimpled
smile of better days. His thick brunette hair swept wild about his face as the
wind whipped into him. His hands flexed about the reins then grasped at the
ruby-handled hilt of the sword by his side. “Where are our troops Kane?”
Laid out on the plain below a battle raged. The sharp clang of metal, whinnying
horses, yells and screams came floating in on bitter wind. It was hard to make
out the colors on the field but there was no mistaking that on the Plain of
De’ith on this day, the Queen’s forces were bending under a storm unleashed by
the barbarian King of Adomisa.
The Captain surveyed the young Prince’s pale features, his cat-like eyes and
serious expression. “Sire. It is no longer safe for you to stay. It helps
nobody if you are killed.”
“That’s my people Chris. I should be fighting. He dug his heels into his bay
mare, urging her forward.”
“No!” The Captain of the Queen’s Guard drew his horse level and grabbed at the
Prince’s reins.   “You think you can make a difference down there my Prince?
You, who are not yet seventeen, you who have barely left the palace in your few
years? It is a battalion we need, not a single swordsman. You must survive this
for six months Jared. Then you have the crown and the chance to make a
difference. I have never been shy to tell your mother she sheltered you for too
long but I am telling you, as a friend, that this is not the occasion for
heroics. You are naïve but you are not a fool my dear Prince.”
Jared stopped and turned his head at that. “What do you think I can do that
Lord Morgan has not achieved in seven years?”  He couldn’t voice what he really
meant. I’m not ready for it. I was never raised to be King. My brother was
meant to do this. He was strong and brave and perfect. I can’t be your King.  I
am wrong in every way. 
The Captain looked around them and back at the soft eyed young man who was
chewing his lip, deep in thought. Deep in doubt. He spoke carefully but low. “I
am just advising that you are a bright young man and there may be other ways of
looking at this conflict. You aren’t cut from the same cloth as your father or
your brother and in that there may actually be advantage. Until then you need
to take care. You should be very cautious indeed young Prince.”
Jared’s brows knotted, as the Captain looked away. Just recently Captain Kane
had been acting oddly. He couldn’t put his finger on it but right now he was
definitely alluding to something and that something was treacherous and
unacceptable in nature.
“Lord Morgan has kept our Kingdom from the hordes. He has taken all measures to
protect our land, our people. He has ensured the safety of our Queen, my
mother, throughout her sickness and I am here through his protection. If you
dare suggest anything other, then friend or no friend, I shall presume you
traitor and have you clapped in chains. Are we clear Captain Kane?”
The boy’s Counsel gave a tight lipped smile. “We are clear Sire, be in no doubt
my Prince, my loyalty to you is unshakeable.”
A courier rounded the muddy hillock, banner raised, horse slicked with sweat. A
command of four of Lord Morgan’s own men followed close behind.
The courier handed the sealed paper to Captain Kane and nodded his departure.
The Captain checked the seal, broke it and scanned the words rapidly, then
spoke gravely, “Our troops are lost to a skirmish in the North. We are to drop
back and regroup. There is a danger that we will be outflanked. It is Lord
Morgan’s order that I proceed South with you, My Prince. We shall find shelter
in the border villages. He has been generous to provide us with an escort from
his own House. We must ride swiftly. There is to be no question of you staying
here.”
“I came to learn. What shall I learn if I run away?”
“Do you want to learn how to die, young friend? For now you are my Prince and I
am your Counsel but I will follow my Queen’s orders to protect you. When you
are King you can question me, you can even choose to die. That would be your
prerogative.”
The young Prince set his jaw and huffed but he dug his heels into the flanks of
his mare and the small command wheeled to the right and rode off as one, making
fast time toward the mountain passes of the South Borderlands.
The horses wearied as nightfall beckoned. They stopped in a fragrant glade with
a fresh running brook. The young Prince politely acquainted himself with his
guard while they ate a simple campfire stew. There were three of Morgan’s most
experienced men. Grizzled and battle-scarred they boasted of old victories and
female conquests. The other, a younger recruit sat back shyly to listen to
their tales. He was handsome and tall with striking blue eyes. He could only be
Jared’s age and Jared found himself drawn to his beauty in the firelight. Their
eyes met briefly and the recruit colored and lowered his eyes. Jared smiled at
him, genuine and reassuring. He moved closer as the night drew in and found the
young soldier’s name was Jake. Jared asked him to talk and he lost his shyness
and discussed songs and stars. Jake had a mellow voice and sang for them all.
 
Captain Kane moved closer with blankets and a warning look to Jared. They
didn’t discuss where the Prince found beauty. Given time he would find himself
a gentle girl, a suitable lady and there would be no consideration to any other
desire or vice.  Kane had watched him blossom into tentative adulthood, seen
him dance with ladies of nobility and joke with maids and tradeswomen but his
eyes never sparked at them. He had seen him glance to the stable-boy’s form and
pulled him away with dire warning. The Elders would not tolerate a Deviant
King. In this crime there was no consideration of rank or heritage and death
was the only sentence for the convicted.
They set out again at dawn aiming to be in the South Borderlands by noon.
It was hard to discern who was the most surprised as they rounded the corner of
the pass, the Adomisan Patrol or the Queen’s Guard. There was no value or prize
in the Southern Borderlands and it remained mostly untouched by the fierce
fighting and political disarray. The Adomisan party was the lesser by one.
There was no discourse. They barely looked at the small guard, no recognition
of the Prince in their midst. Their greeting was unequivocal, rapid and brutal
and they crashed into the guard, swords swinging, blades thrusting, with
guttural yells and heavy breath.  
The Queen’s Guard fell in to surround the Prince, flanking him from all sides
in a protective circle. Well, in any case that is what should have happened.
Kane and Jake fell back to his side and drew swords. They glanced behind as
they braced themselves only to find the rest of the guard missing, their Prince
open to attack. There was no time to think on the matter. The battle was
fierce, the best swordsmen in the land fighting for their lives and for the
life of their future King. Jared was no mean swordsman himself. As a Misan fell
bloody from his horse Jared saw a slight hesitation in the Barbarian riding
toward him. He saw the calculating look in his eye as he reassessed the banner
of the Queen’s Guard and the crest on his cloth. He understood the measured
response as he tugged his horse to turn and gallop away leaving his fellow
soldiers in fierce battle. The Prince pulled harsh on the reins and spurred his
horse into fastest pace after him. A patrol meant a larger force was nearby.
Jared was confident of their ability to defeat this small party but they would
be under serious threat if news of his presence were to be communicated to the
larger troop. The chase was long and the ground rough. The Prince’s mare
threatened to stumble more than once and he reined her in to a slower pace,
keeping sight of the fleeing Barbarian while staying alert for signs of ambush.
The chase came to a halt under the gnarled branches of a lightning-struck tree.
The Misan’s horse fully stumbled with a crack of its leg and an agonized
whinny. The Barbarian rolled as he fell and lurched to his feet to stand his
ground. His long-stanced swing was effective as the Prince’s horse came close
and Jared came in with sword low. The encounter was short and bloody for both.
Jared felt a white hot pain and an ooze as his thigh was sliced but he carried
through without hesitation, the wicked sharp steel of his blade cut
effortlessly through the soft spot of the Misan’s neck and his adversary sank
soundlessly to his knees, eyes fixed, bleeding out in crimson rivulets.
The young Prince dismounted clumsily, he was panting with exertion and
perspiration damped his wayward hair. His brow knitted in pain as his foot
found ground and he stopped himself falling with a clutch at his steady mare.
“Good girl. Good girl” he murmured as she turned her soft brown eyes on him and
blew hot breath on his neck. He was in no doubt that any battle Kane and Jake
had been fighting would be over by now but he had faith in their abilities.  He
stopped to apply a rudimentary dressing to his wounds. There were glancing
blows to his shoulder and back as well as the deep gash in this thigh. The
wounds on his back would have to wait. He braced himself and grimaced as he
dragged the body of the Misan to a sheltered area of the tree and covered it
with branches and stones. It wasn’t a burial, simply a ruse to prevent rapid
discovery of the body which may give lie to his presence. He felt nothing for
the man or his family. It was a simple equation. Kill or be killed and Jared
wasn’t prepared to die yet.
He let his mare return at a canter, all the while alert for the enemy. He made
his way back to the pass carefully, behind cover of trees and rocky outcrops.
He checked his position twice before noting the red silk banner. Torn and
muddied, it fluttered, in the snag of a branch. On the uneven road two pools of
blood set sticky in the heat of the day. No horses champed nervously, no bodies
were visible. His own men were gone. This couldn’t be good.  Adrenalin started
to drain from him and he sank deeper into his saddle and rested his head
against his mare’s neck. He felt weary, confused, far too young and very alone.
 
After a few minutes Prince Jared raised his head, took a deep breath and
gathered his nerves together.  He considered the route that led him back to
De’ith and the other path winding deep into the villages of the South
Borderlands. He pondered on Captain Kane’s warning and the disappearance of
Lord Morgan’s men. He would need to warn Lord Morgan of the treachery in his
ranks but surely they would be watching for his return to De’ith.  Maybe not,
perhaps they lay in wait for him along the road to the rural villages that
should care for his safety. Of course, in all probability they were simply
deserters who presumed him dead already.  At last, with a dry hysterical laugh,
he threw a coin. With a drop of his mother’s profile he faced his horse South,
laid one hand on the hilt of his sword and set out at a fast walk for the
nearest village.
***
The rain started down a few miles from the village, trickling cold onto his
neck and over his cape. Jared had lost his supplies in the fracas, he was cold
and hungry. It took a few moments to register the grey storm cloud on the
horizon, to gaze at it as it curled and dissipated. Not cloud, smoke, he
thought and spurred his horse to travel faster. He left the pass and approached
the village in a crescent curve, stopping under cover to observe the chaos of a
fierce fight. From his vantage point the odds seemed insurmountable. A
substantial troop of Misan soldiers parried with steel blades at villagers with
makeshift weapons.  Slave raid, surmised Jared with a rising fury in his belly.
There was a rustle in the bushes below him and he gripped his sword in
readiness as a young man in a blind panic ran headlong into him.
“Woah.” Jared dismounted and grabbed him firmly by the shoulders. The man
struggled to escape then calmed as he noted the Prince’s crest. 
“Thank the stars. Our troops have come.”  The man panted heavily and leaned
over with his hands on his knees, puffing for breath. “The school, it’s hidden
behind the main village, they haven’t seen the school yet. The children…you
must…”
“Is that what you were doing?” Jared looked behind the man but couldn’t see any
children.
The man flushed guiltily and looked at his feet. “I, I have family,
responsibilities. This isn’t my village, I, no, just me but you can rescue
them." He looked behind Jared and confusion spread across his features.
“It’s just me” explained Jared a little impatiently, as he considered the man’s
cowardice. The man didn’t recognize his Prince, Jared hadn’t expected him to
and was grateful for the anonymity. He flicked his eyes to the small dwellings.
The battle appeared to have calmed and soldiers were herding villagers toward a
central location. The man was right; there was a singular lack of children
among their prisoners.
“Tell me the layout. How many warriors?”
Jared let the sobbing man explain. There was no point in asking for his help,
he was in no state to fight. “How do you know this?” The Prince asked.
“I’m Ryan Fleming. I just arrived; I was to be the new classroom assistant.
Then they they…” he pointed to the village and broke down again. Jared tutted.
As the streets cleared he formulated a plan. He looked Fleming up and down.
“I’m rather conspicuous in crimson. You need to give me your shirt. 
“What will I wear?”
Jared drew his sword and held it steady at Ryan’s neck.
“What do I care? You want to run and hide? There’s only one way past me.”
***
The shirt was itchy and tight across the shoulders but Jared thought it was
adequate. He left his mare grazing at the edge of the village and scouted the
stand of trees that surrounded the small school building. It was quiet. He ran
the last few meters to the school door and rattled on the handle. It was
locked.
“Open up. We have to get you out of here.” He called softly. The door opened a
fraction and he saw a slim young lady with dark eyes and a shock of black curly
hair, wielding an axe.
“Who in the stars are you?”
“My name is,” Jared paused “I’m just a Queen’s man, Ryan Fleming told me you
were here. There is a path to the North, if we skirt around while the others
are processed in the Village Hall we may make it.”
“What if we get caught? They are so young, and what about their families?”
“There’s nothing we can do for them.”
A tiny hand slipped around the lady’s ankle and a wail started, followed by a
series of whimpers.
“Sshh. Sshh.”
She opened the door to allow him access and he slid inside. Seven children
looked up at him. Wide eyed and terrified, the youngest could only be five and
the oldest, a lad of about thirteen held her tight in his arms, smoothing her
hair as she sucked on her thumb.
“You OK? I’m going to need you to be brave.” Jared spoke to the lad.
“S’my sister.” He replied, nodding gravely, showing the stubby dagger held in
his left hand.
Jared knelt to the level of the children. “OK. We need you all to be brave and
very, very quiet.” He shushed a finger to his lips in demonstration. We’re
going to hold hands and make a train. We’re going to open this door and run as
fast as we can to the thicket over there.” He pointed in the general direction,
hoping they knew their back yard well. “These two,” and he pointed at the
smallest children will get a lift from me and, oh I never got your name.” he
looked at the schoolteacher.
“Annie.” She hissed.
The young Prince hoisted a small boy onto his hip and held on to another by his
hand. “One, two, three. Go!”
Annie opened the door and started to run. She faltered and skittered to a halt
as two large warriors on horseback, closed in. A faint scream escaped her lips
as they scooped up the children directly behind her and held her at sword-
point.
Jared hardly had time to register as two more warriors, on foot, closed in on
the eldest lad with his sister in his arms and himself with a child gripping
his hip. He swung his sword from his side as the lad grabbed his dagger and
they fell back side by side, with the school house yards behind them. Two, he
could take,  ordinarily, but the crying child in his arms was grabbing his neck
and pleading. One of the warriors lunged a blade at him, it was aimed away from
the child, he could see that much and be grateful. He parried and twisted,
almost disarming him, but the barbarian was strong and held. From the corner of
his eye he saw the lad and his sister taken. Stupid he thought to himself, how
did I believe he could defend himself with that ridiculous knife? For a moment
the warrior fighting him was distracted, looking behind Jared, presumably at
his kinsman’s victory. The Prince parried furiously and suddenly they were at
an impasse, a blade at his own throat in exchange for the blade at his rival’s.
The child in his own arms wailed uncontrollably and that was when he felt it, a
solid mass behind him, smelling of horse oil, leather and sweat. Large hands
reached around his shoulders firmly but not brutally. A blade remained at his
neck, a hair away from death and there was a triumphant glint in the bearded
warrior’s eye as a strong hand pushed Jared’s sword downwards. A clear voice
shushed at him and at the child, like a rider calming his spooked horse.  A
sharp pain assaulted his wrist and his sword clattered from his grip to the
floor and again there was shushing and calming noises as the solid mass of
chest, leather and furs moved further into him and hot breath tickled his neck.
Annie and her charges were fully secured, tied and held by one Misan. The other
soldier left her side and closed in on Jared, taking the bearded warrior’s
place. The bearded warrior spoke and it surprised Jared that he knew the
language. Misans rarely bothered to learn the language of their slaves. It was
reciprocal, his own people did not learn Misan. As Crown Prince it was a part
of his education but there was a paltry number of citizens with such education.
 The Barbarian was smiling at the child in Jared’s arms and speaking
soothingly. His face seemed weathered and kindly. His language was flawless.
“Your mammy is missing you. We should go to find her. Will you come and find
her with me?”
Jared held more tightly, only to be shushed again from behind. The pressure of
the sword  at his throat now threatened to cut flesh and the bearded warrior
moved forward to collect the child from his arms. He took him gently and curled
the child into soft warm arms, wiping the tears from the small scrunched face.
As Jared’s arm was released from the child a strong grip took him. Warm hands
stroked down his arms and grasped at his wrists, pulling them to the small of
his back and unbalancing him. He leaned into the firm chest behind him, the
sword at his neck dropped and the soldier holding it backed off. For the
briefest moment it felt like safety but his hands were being expertly tied and
Jared was suddenly and blindingly aware of his own stupidity. He was the Crown
Prince and in one foolish moment of impetuousness he had been taken by the
enemy. He trembled and wriggled his hands in an attempt to free himself but the
warrior behind him came close again, strong arms circled him tightly. Hot
breath ghosted over his neck and he still did not cease in his struggles. A
sharp tug to his arms and a knee to the small of his back had him downed on the
ground and in another move his arms dug into the dirt behind him.
Jared found himself straddled by a young man, a few years his senior, of his
own height, but broader and muscular. The warrior’s eyes flashed a deep
emerald-gold and his skin was dappled with multiple freckles. His mouth was
pursed into full pink bow and he  leaned in close,  making soothing noises,
until he wasn’t, because his lips latched onto to Jared’s and kissed them. His
lips were warm and insistent against the Prince’s and Jared stilled, his
shocked hazel eyes stared at this strange proud warrior as he withdrew and
pulled a temporarily pliant Jared to his feet. Jared found himself herded with
Annie and the children, toward the Village Hall.
The bearded warrior followed with the green-eyed warrior. Everything about
their stance and dress suggested that Green-Eyes was the senior officer of the
group but it was the bearded man who spoke angrily in Misan. “What the hell was
that?” he sniped at the warrior in leather and furs. Jared translated it in his
head.
“He is courageous,” Green-Eyes grinned,  “and pretty too.”
***** Chapter 3 *****
Jared let his gaze wander surreptitiously as he was forced to the village hall.
Warriors were searching the village. Doors were flung open, barns left gaping.
If this was a slave raid it was certainly a very thorough one. This was not a
rag tag assortment of Barbarian raiders but an organized and efficient body of
men reporting to Bearded Warrior and Green-Eyes. Jared was shoved into the hall
where an entire village sat on the floor, guarded by well armed and fit
soldiers.
He concentrated on trying to discern words. It was clear that everything was
not well with the Misans. There were sharp glances and hurried words which
Jared couldn’t catch. The old bearded warrior seemed to act as a go between for
the ordinary soldiers and their imposing green-eyed commander. There was a
heated exchange and suddenly Green-Eyes stood and spoke loudly in Misan.
Everyone in the hall turned to look and a hush fell.
“I want to talk to every trader and farmer in this village. Take the young men
and bury the dead. The Mayor, the Nobles and the educated get the choice as
usual. Once the dead are at rest we set them the task.”  He nodded toward Annie
and Jared. “Include them.” He had a sword in his hand which he was turning in
his long fingers, caressing the crimson ruby on the hilt thoughtfully. Jared
restrained himself from staring. It was his sword.
“Sire?” the bearded man looked confused.
“I am weary of all this. Somewhere there is an informant who will not keep his
head. This is a set up and we know it. The question is, do they?” He jerked his
head toward the villagers and moved to the body of the hall.
The bearded warrior cleared his throat and spoke to the entire village,
enunciating the words in their own language. “I will be taking some of your
young men. Do not panic. We must bury our dead. Do not try to fight or escape.
We have no wish to bury more and nobody wishes for disease. Your men will
return here. After that, it is up to you. This village has a baker, a trader,
at least two farmers and a butcher. Of this we are sure. You will identify
yourselves. We wish to speak with you. You will not be harmed unless you try to
escape or fight us.”
A murmur passed through the huddles of civilians trembling on the floor.
Several women clutched at their husbands or teenage boys but there was an air
of acceptance and Jared watched several young lads kiss their mothers and stand
shakily, waiting for instruction.
A thin man with receding hairline got to his feet and spoke “I trade in cloth
and groceries”
A red-faced man with rounded belly joined him “I am the butcher.” he said
nervously.
Gradually, groups of citizens were led away by heavily armed soldiers. Jared
watched as the thirteen year old schoolboy prised his sister from his arms and
moved to join the detail to bury the dead. The Prince forced himself to his
feet to join him and was taken by a stern faced, sturdy warrior. A short knife
sawed through his bonds but he had no weapon and no chance of a successful
escape. He fought the urge to shake the man’s guiding grip on his arm. He was
the future King, nobody had ever touched him without permission but here and
now he had to blend in. He gritted his teeth and determined not to flinch
noticeably. For now he would be Ryan Fleming, just until he formulated a plan
or rescue arrived. 
The ground was hard and the digging difficult. The Prince’s battle injuries
flared bright pain in protest and the sweat ran in rivulets down his spine.
Others stripped their shirts and worked bare-chested in the drizzling rain but
he couldn’t risk drawing attention to his injuries. He continued working, tears
welled behind his eyelids and he wiped them away, streaking mud across his
face. Jared was surprised to see some of the warriors strip to their waists and
join them in the dig. One of them caught his eye and gestured to the body of
one of his own countrymen in a silent explanation – It’s our dead too.  The
actions of the Barbarians were confusing to him, right now they seemed far
removed from those he had studied on paper and different from his childhood
memories of the cruel Court he had visited, with his mother, in different
times.
9 years earlier.
“Mammy.”
 “sshh Jared”
 *tugging at Mam’s sleeve* “Mammy, but mammy, why don’t they have clothes?” he
was sneaking a peek through half closed eyes, horror and curiosity competing
for dominance.
 “Jared. For the last time, sshh.”
 “They are slaves, stupid. Your boy will be whipped for that. Where is he?
Mine’s over there. His name is Ethan. I don’t like him so much any more, so I
can say what I like. They’ll just whip him. Can’t whip me. I’m a Prince and I’m
already ten years old.”
  Jared turned to see a boy with messy golden brown hair and green eyes, his
pale skin  covered with brown dots. He seemed huge to the seven year old Jared.
He was dressed in fur and leather and sported a crystal topped dagger in his
belt and a cocky swagger older than his form. Jared thought he was the most
exciting boy he had ever seen. His mouth moved but no sound came out and the
older boy threw back his head and chuckled.
 “Jensen!” the voice was harsh and booming. “What did we tell you about
interrupting these talks?”
 The boy seemed to shrink before his eyes “I was not to, Your Highness.” Jensen
bowed his knee and his head bent downwards as his father addressed him.
 “Ethan!” the boy that Jensen had indicated, walked warily to Adomisa’s King
and bowed prostate before him.
 The King looked toward Jared’s mother and apologized “Excuse me. You must
understand, spare the rod and ruin the boy.” He looked expectantly at the Queen
who made no move to chastise Jared. He indicated toward one of the courtiers
who came forward with a long cane. “Ethan!” the boy removed his pants before
the entire court.
Jared saw Jensen pale, his bravado seeping from him. Jared had to turn away as
the cane swung hard and hit with a wet thwack and a short cry, six times. He
couldn’t understand what he was seeing but knew he should hold his tongue. He
grabbed at his mother’s hand and she squeezed his reassuringly.
 When it was over Ethan backed away to join Jensen, raw stripes visible on his
still-bare bottom. Jensen reached to the floor and snaked the boy’s pants away.
He put his arm around Ethan’s shoulder and hugged him close.
 “Jensen. Take Jared and Ethan and go play in the gardens.”
 Jared looked up at his mother and she nodded agreement. “Be good.” she said.
 They played at war and Jensen showed Jared his fort and his new sword. Ethan
joined in quietly.
“What did you do? Why did the man hit you?” asked Jared eventually, consumed by
curiosity.
 “It’s what I’m for, Silly. It’s not like you can whip a Prince.” Ethan talked
down at Jared as if he were a baby. “It’s OK. It’s better than the orphanage. I
get to live here and be friends with Jensen and play. When he does something
wrong I have to take his punishment but it doesn’t hurt for long. It’s cool.”
 Jared didn’t understand. When he misbehaved his mother or his nursemaid took
him somewhere quiet, explained what he had done and he lost privileges.
Sometimes he wasn’t allowed his hounds in his bedroom for a whole week and he
hated that punishment. Nobody hit anybody in his Palace.
 Jensen laughed when Jared snapped his eyes shut as a naked slave, with jewels
adorning his nipples offered them sweetmeats and drinks. “It’s not like they’re
real people Jared. It’s perfectly warm in the Palace, they don’t need clothes
and they’re nice to look at and touch. Jensen ran his hand over the slave’s
shoulder and down his back. Jared peeked out at the slave. He was tall and well
proportioned, his skin shone and he moved with grace. He didn’t react to
Jensen’s touch, his eyes remained downturned and he did not seem embarrassed by
his nudity. There was a wide leather collar at his neck. It reminded him of the
ones his dogs wore.
 Jared played with Jensen all day and when his nursemaid came to collect him he
was disappointed. She looked tired and her face was set. “We need to go.” she
said tersely. Jared was only seven but he sensed that something was wrong. “Say
good-bye to Jensen, Jared.”
 “We can play again another day.” said Jared determinedly.
 “No Jared, you really can’t. Say goodbye now.”
 Jensen bounced on his heels. “Daddy says if your mother doesn’t marry him we
will have a war. When we  win you can come and be mine, then we can play every
day."
 Jared’s mammy never remarried and he never saw Jensen again.
***
Jared was startled from his memories as a hand patted his back. The bearded
warrior indicated that everyone was finished and the first bodies were being
laid, side by side, in the trench. Jared must have shown his surprise as dead
warriors were laid beside unfortunate villagers. Bearded warrior smiled at him
sadly, “They shall find concord in death.”
Earth filled the trench, the Elders were brought from the hall and Green-Eyes
lagged just behind.  The Mayor said prayers for the departed and everyone
stood, heads bowed with respect. A command was given and the Barbarians
gathered their prisoners to return to the hall. Jared spied Green-Eyes, silent
and alone, with two roses in his hand. He laid the red one on the grave first
and then threw a single yellow rose on the earth before hurrying back to join
his men.
There was an air of anticipation among the villagers. He noted that the traders
and farmers had been returned to the room and seemed unharmed. An oval
banqueting table had been set up at one end of the hall with chairs about it.
Annie sat there with several richly dressed villagers. The Elders and the stout
 Mayor, were led to the table and asked to sit. Jared jumped as hands gripped
his shoulders and Green -Eyes guided him to a chair and pushed him to sit. The
bearded warrior took a chair at the vacant, far end of the table and put his
booted feet up onto the surface. He fiddled with a dagger as he spoke.
“Gentlemen and lady. As the senior representatives of this settlement you’re
being offered a choice. You have an hour to decide your course of action.”
 The Mayor looked about the table and scowled. He interrupted, pointed at Jared
and Annie. “They do not represent the Village, she is a mere teacher and, as
for him, we’ve never seen him before, it’s just as likely he’s one of yours.”
 Jared thought he saw a brief non-verbal exchange between bearded man and
Green-Eyes, as if Green-Eyes understood the words.
 Annie jumped to his defense and for a while he held his breath, wondering what
she was going to say. “He’s my teaching assistant. He may be new, but he tried
to save our children. He did more than you Mayor.” The Mayor was puffing and
furious, he looked about ready to explode.
 Bearded-warrior spoke “You’re wasting precious time, we can take the entire
village if it is your wish but that is tedious and we are willing to offer a
deal to make things easier for our journey. We have chosen who we want to
decide. You have no say in that matter.” He pointed his gleaming knife at the
Mayor and the man settled reluctantly back into his seat.
Jared listened as Bearded Warrior spoke. From the corner of his eye he could
see Green-Eyes moving purposefully among the groups of civilians. Every so
often he stopped and tapped the shoulder of a Villager and soldiers moved in to
forcefully separate them from the others. It occurred to him that the Villagers
had settled themselves in peer groups within the hall. There were the well
dressed families of the representatives at the table, the middle class families
and traders, the laborers and then the poor, the obvious outcasts a single
mother with her baby and a simple minded lad in his rags.
 “We have lost five of our comrades today. We will take ten of your people in
compensation…”
Green-Eyes tapped the single mother on the shoulder and she was taken, in
tears, with her baby, to join five strong teenage lads. He tapped the simple
lad and the boy grinned, happy to be selected, uncomprehending of his fate.
 “..unless you decide that you will offer two from around this table. A
voluntary offer to be enslaved by two of you would negate our choice. No-one
else would be taken. You cannot offer another person. Two of you would have to
willingly and graciously accept your own enslavement with full knowledge of
what it would entail.  If any of you decide on this course of action then I am
here to explain the commitment. Until then, you have sixty minutes.”  Bearded
Warrior let his boots drop to the floor and he stood to take his leave.
Green-Eyes tapped a ragged laborer, his wife and two toddlers and they moved to
one side. Bearded Warrior whistled and indicated another child, hiding behind a
box. Green-Eyes nodded and scooped the child in his own arms, returning it to
the mother.
 The Mayor blustered in fury. “That is more than ten.”
“The adults are slaves. Children remain free citizens.” Bearded Warrior’s eyes
flashed with impatience. “None of them need to be taken if you would
volunteer.”
“What idiot would do that? Would you?” the Mayor bitched.
 The Warrior spoke quietly, with ice in his voice “Yes. I would.” Jared glanced
to the sleeve that was rolled up, saw the brand of numbers and letters on the
Warrior’s wrist and suddenly made sense of the man’s perfect language. Jared
seethed inside at the treachery of the whiskered soldier.
The Mayor bitched again “This isn’t the offer we should have been given. There
are prisoners in our gaol. You were supposed to take them.” Green-Eyes stopped
his slow movement between villagers and Bearded Warrior grinned in triumph.
“Would you like to repeat that to your entire Village, Mayor, because it
sounded to me like you knew we were coming and somebody made you promises we
can’t keep.”
Green-Eyes nodded as two warriors dragged the Mayor out of the building. He
spoke in Misan. “I want to know who misled us and why. Fiscal accounts show
there was never a garrison or armory here. I’m not particular how you find out
or what you do to him after he talks, as long as his head is no longer attached
to his body. Check the gaol out. Take anyone worthwhile.”
 Jared felt his heart contract and a blackness consume him. They had been
tricked into being here at the very same time he would have arrived with Kane
and Jake. They would have been in battle dress and far outnumbered. Somebody
wanted him dead badly enough to risk a whole community. This wasn't a random
desertion of Morgan's men or a snap decision. Did the Mayor know who he was? He
felt sick. His leg ached and he shut his eyes.  His breath came in short bursts
and the blood drained from his face. He came-to with a sudden waft of lavender
under his nose and Annie holding his hand.  “C’mon, we’ve got to stay strong
for the children.” she was saying calmly.
 They argued for forty minutes. All the while the chosen citizens looked on.
Annie argued that two of them should volunteer. The Elders and nobles callously
accepted her offer but nobody would join her. The two Elders were in their
seventies, their families established and Jared was angry that they didn’t
offer. They argued back, indignant and assured of their Holy right to freedom,
above the despicable wayward teens, the unworthy single mother, and the
uneducated, lazy families. Jared’s mood blackened further. He didn’t understand
these values of his own society, began to think he didn’t want to represent
them. Then he looked at Annie, the brave thirteen year old lad that had stood
with him and the laborer’s family who waited with fear and dignity. These were
the citizens he chose to represent.
 After forty five minutes his mind started to turn on tactics and he wondered
at the choices Green-Eyes had made.  His mind filtered the bare facts and he
opened his mouth for one final argument. “The ones that they will be taking,
they’ve been chosen for a reason. They’re your future, the ones who will fight
to keep you safe, work to maintain the village and undertake the basic tasks.
If you let Annie go, they take your future too. They take your education and
your children’s prospects. You do understand that it is best for the whole
Village that they take the ones who no longer have many years left or
achievements to gain.” Jared couldn’t shake an uncomfortable feeling and he
looked around to see Green-Eyes staring quizzically at him with an eyebrow
raised.
 The Elders answered, stony faced, that there was no future in a wanton,
faithless society, that they were needed for the Village’s spiritual well-
being. The Nobles simply said no and it made him want to shout his Heritage and
denounce them where they sat, but he didn't.
 At sixty minutes the bearded warrior asked for a decision and the Elders told
them they were content with the ten that had been chosen. Annie started to cry
and took Bearded Warrior’s hand. “Take me and give us our boys back.”
 He shook his head and looked around the table. “No, two was the deal.”
 Jared bent his head to the table and breathed deep. He was as good as dead to
his own people anyway. He never asked for responsibility, never wanted it. He
lifted his head and turned his flecked hazel eyes toward Green-Eyes who viewed
the spectacle with interest. The Prince spoke firmly. “Two. You have two. You
have me. I volunteer.”
 ***
 “What will happen to us?” Annie trembled as they were taken into an office at
the side of the hall.
 Bearded Warrior spoke without malice. “You will give up everything, your
status, your name, your belongings, your clothes. You will be branded and
collared and become property of the Kingdom of Adomisa to be sold or bartered
as necessary. You will be used as your owner sees fit and you will be obedient
and pleasant. After a period of five years and each year after, your owner will
have the choice to end your tenure and give you the  freedom to become a
citizen of the Kingdom. It is not usually granted to troublesome slaves. It
isn’t easy and there is no guarantee. You have the right to back out of this
deal at any moment before the brand is applied and we will take the ten that
were already chosen. If you are troublesome, try to escape or are willful then
we can return here to take the slaves we are owed. People vary. Many owners are
fair. A few are cruel. Slaves have no rights.”
Annie squeaked “A brand, like cattle? That will hurt.”
Bearded Warrior nodded gravely “It is agony, but it will be tended and the pain
will pass after several days. It is a measure of your commitment.”
 Jared spoke up “Is that what happened with you? Did you turn traitor while it
still burned?”
“I served my tenure. I did not turn traitor. I am a citizen of the Kingdom. The
Realm of my birthright would have me killed from the moment I was branded and
you speak of treachery.” The warrior was angry but his voice quietened and
became sympathetic as he continued. “You know that if you take this route you
are disowned from the moment you are marked. You will feel betrayed by your own
Queen. How you deal with that is up to you. I chose to support the people who
accepted me, however unconventional that may seem.”
 Jared’s stomach knotted. There would be no going back from this. “The others,
if we back out, will they be branded?”
“The adults will, the children remain with their families but they retain their
freedom. There is a minimum ten year tenure on non-voluntary slaves.  They will
be obliged to serve that, whatever the circumstances.”
 Annie fought to hide her tears and Bearded Warrior offered her a handkerchief.
Jared gulped and stared at the floor.
 The sound of Green-Eyes arriving in the room diverted their attention. He
spoke with Bearded Warrior and Jared continued to translate in his head.
 “Move it on. We get them deleted from the records, brands applied and move
out. The rest can wait. The Mayor knew nothing. If this is a trap it’s a bad
one but I want out of here soon. Oh and James, you need a slave for your
kitchens. I know how you feel about slaves but you will take this girl or so
help me I will clap you back in a collar and you will dig latrines for the rest
of your life. Tie them well, it will be easier for them.” The freckled warrior
swung confidently out of the room.
 “It’s best if we get this done quickly. We need your names. When we get out
there we will scratch you from the Village records to make it official and then
brand you. You will kneel before the Commander for that and it will be public.
You’re lucky. You will keep your clothes until the end of our journey. Naked on
horseback is simply not practical. Make trouble and we will strip you and have
you slung over a mule. Understand?”
 The two prisoners nodded. “OK then. Turn around. Gonna loosen your clothes and
secure you. It’s easier  if you don’t struggle. The rope cuts less.”
Jared felt numb, the warrior secured his arms behind him at the elbows and
hobbled his feet. He thought of his dogs, how they bounced and whined when he
had a treat hidden for them. He thought of his sister in her ball gown, of blue
sky and green fields. He was dragged away from his daydreams and thrown to his
knees on the dais of the village hall where rough hands tugged a handful of his
hair, pulling his head back to look into the into stern face of the Misan
Commander. To the side of him there was the sizzle of searing metal burning
deep into the soft flesh of Annie’s wrist. There was a smell like roasting pork
and Annie wailed in pain and pleaded incoherently before the next scorching
identifier was applied. It was in vain. He heard the crackle and she cried out
as her shoulder was indelibly marked.
 “Name?” Bearded Warrior translated for the Commander.
 “Ryan Fleming” lied Jared “but I’m not on record because I only just got here,
like was said.”
Green-Eyes pored over the records and pointed to a short letter of engagement
in the school file. He ripped it into small pieces and let it flutter to the
floor. 
 “You have no name.” 
 The Commander reached to Jared’s shirt and pulled at it until his left breast
was exposed. His hands caressed the flesh and he hmmed appreciatively. Jared
caught a glance of a small pot of ointment hidden in the palm of the warrior’s
left hand and felt coldness as his skin numbed. Green –Eyes looked straight
into his face and mouthed “sshh” at him, then pushed Jared down until he could
reach the hands tied behind his back.
The young Prince felt the cold balm against the skin of his wrist. He was
surprised at the discovery of this small mercy and wondered at a ritual that
had the Commander hiding his actions. He didn't wonder for long. His mind
stuttered to a halt as searing heat met his flesh and he cried out at both
applications of the white hot brand, the tears sliding shamefully down his
cheeks. He had no concept of what the pain would be like without the balm and
no wish to find out. He found himself pulled back to his knees, his neck
exposed. Green–Eyes gently stroked tear-soaked hair from his face and away from
his neck. He wrapped a thick brown leather collar carefully around Jared’s neck
and buckled until it was taut but with room to slide one finger under. He
secured it with the click of a small, inbuilt lock.  Jared winced at the sound,
the very finality of the action. He was no longer a Prince. Not even a man. He
was just a slave. He had thrown away his responsibilities, his opportunities
and the chance to change his Realm. For the sake of ten citizens he had thrown
everything away. There was no going back. What would Kane have said? He shook
and he couldn’t stop the vibration from reaching every part of his body.
A warm hand stroked his back, soothing him . The Commander spoke to his troops
“I claim this slave as my own, as is my right.”
 There was a shocked silence among the warriors and then a furious Bearded
Warrior was in the Commander’s face, spitting fury in Misan. Jared remained
kneeling at their feet, unable to move, dizzy and sick with pain, no idea of
what was happening or what was expected from him.
 “What in the Stars? You said you never would.”
 “Sooner or later I was always going to have to. At least this way it is my
selection. He’s young and beautiful, he has strength of character and it was
his choice. He will adapt.”
 “Really? You think he should have to?”
 “It’s done. Leave it.”
 “No. Why would you do that? You can’t hide him in the kitchen like I can with
Annie.”
 “I want him.” There was a cold warning in the man’s voice.
 “Can you do it Jen? What you will have to do? These are your father’s
requirements  and he will enforce them. You know that don’t you?”
 “Enough!” There was a loud crack as Green-Eyes landed a heavy punch on Bearded
Warrior’s cheek. “I should have you disciplined.Take the slaves, find them a
horse. We move out quickly."
***** Chapter 4 *****
The Prince noticed the two women almost immediately. He tensed and spat out an
angry exclamation at Green-Eyes and  Bearded Warrior. “You said you wouldn’t
take any others. You lied.”
An open handed slap clipped his face as he received an angry retort. “Nobody
gave you permission to speak. I don’t have to explain my actions to you. They
choose to take our shelter. In this place they are condemned for their love and
that sickens me.” 
Jared scowled as his hands were tied in front and to the rein. Annie rode
behind him, sniffing back her tears. The piebald farm horse was steady and
gentle and attached by lead rein to the impressive black stallion that Green-
Eyes sat comfortably atop. The Prince noted his own bay mare bridled to a
covered carriage at the rear of the column. The journey would be long. He
remembered all that he had been taught of the foreign land. He calculated a
night to reach the border, another to the first major City and another if they
were heading for a significant army camp or fort.
He thought about escape but the brands condemned him. Jared had no idea if the
laws would be applied to him as any other citizen but there was no
investigation or hesitation once a brand was spotted. There was no need for
words, the mark spoke for itself. A history of traitorous ex-slaves with
murderous intentions meant that the reaction was cursory, immediate and lethal.
If he managed to cover the brands there was still the knowledge that others
would suffer in his place. Add to that his chance of escape was more than slim.
He was surrounded by efficient warriors, tied and carrying injuries.
The silence was deafening and he wanted to break it, he needed to know a little
about the man who had taken him. He felt an urge to learn his role, start his
new life, because if this was it and there was no rescue, then being in this
limbo, this between lives, the fear of what was to come was overwhelming him. 
They traveled uneventfully through villages and Jared was shocked at the ease
with which his people accepted the presence of this enemy force and allowed the
column to pass unhindered. As the sun reached its peak they passed through
another settlement and the innkeeper met them and greeted Green-Eyes with a
smile and mead for the men. Jared’s face flushed red with anger but he bit his
lip. An outburst would help no-one. He studied the innkeeper’s face with a
glare and was met with a glance of idle curiosity. They didn’t stop at the Inn.
They rode until nightfall when Green-Eyes called for camp to be made in the
sparse cover of stunted trees and rocky caverns of the border mountains. Annie
was limp with exhaustion and fell from the piebald into Bearded Warrior’s arms.
He set her down by a camp fire and snapped a chain to her collar, holding it
loosely in his hand.
Green-Eyes unfastened Jared from the horse and motioned him down. He clipped a
similar chain to his collar. Jared stood before him silent and sullen. Green-
Eyes leaned toward him and spoke calmly in Jared's own language “Traditionally,
this is where the slave kneels before his Master. We’re going to go with
tradition and, for your own sake, you will learn quickly.” The Commander pushed
forcefully on the Prince’s shoulders, grazing a cut on his back and the younger
man winced as he folded to his knees and dropped his head in submission.
Jared felt fingers softly caressing his hair as Green-Eyes spoke. “Perfect.”
The rest of the column moved away and started to set up camp but Green-Eyes
stayed and Jared felt his stare as the fingers continued to card through his
hair. He found the action surprisingly soothing and he unconsciously leaned in
to it. “You didn’t think I understood your language but I’m fluent. It suits my
purposes to pretend sometimes. It’s surprising what information can be gleaned
and I hear the truth. I hear how people really are. I heard everything you said
and I know it was no act. I was wishing for you to give yourself because I
wanted you.”
Jared didn’t know how to react, whether he should answer or nod. He stayed
still and silent. Elegant fingers reached to his face and chucked under his
chin, lifting his face to look upwards. “You may look at me. You must have
questions for me. I will allow you to walk. Learn to walk behind with the leash
almost at full extension and that will be satisfactory. When we stop, you will
kneel behind me and I will give further instruction. We’ll take dinner and I
will answer your questions. Then you will answer my questions. Do you
understand?”
“Yes, Sir.” Jared answered, his ears burning with humiliation.
 “The correct way to address me is Master, but Sir was a good enough guess. In
future you will use Master or accept punishment. When we are in private you
will use my name but it is important that you understand the distinction. The
consequences of a slip are serious.”
Jared bit his lip and turned his eyes downward. The reality of his impulsive
decision was harsh.  He had heard the stories of whippings and other cruel
punishments for minor misdemeanors of slaves and he knew he hadn’t the courage
to bear such things.
A thumb rubbed soothingly over Jared’s jaw and Green-Eyes crouched in front of
him. “Sshh. You need to understand that in our society a slave has an important
role. A good slave is valued by its Master. It is a different value from the
one placed on a free citizen but, if you know your own place and please me
there is no responsibility, no blame and no reason to feel shame. You have no
control over your fate. That lies with your Master and the Kingdom itself. You
have to trust me to make the right decisions. You can take pride in your
service. I hope to be proud of you.  I am not saying that it is right or easy
but it is the way it is and you must accept it and let go, or your suffering
will be unbearable.”
Jared sniffed miserably and fingers lifted his chin again, in a silent cue, he
sighed and his shoulders dropped as he responded to it “Yes, Master.”
“Good boy.” Fingers stroked his cheek affectionately.
Jared concentrated as Green-Eyes led him towards a fire on the outer edge of
the camp. When the Commander stopped abruptly to talk to one of his men,
Jared's feet kept moving and he found himself slipping into his Master’s back,
knocking him off-balance. He caught his breath before kneeling in the stony
ground, his heart pounding. I can’t even walk without messing up, he thought
with terror.
 His Master didn’t look back at him. “Well that needs a little work” he said
with a hint of a laugh before tugging at the leash and continuing.
***
Jared watched his Master. He sat beside him, as ordered, like a normal, free
man, in a collar. His meal had been the same as every other person in the camp
and he hadn’t been expecting that. He had imagined bread and water and maybe
the scraps, but instead his stomach was comfortably full with warm beans,
sausage and a hot coffee. The barbarian Commander finished his own meal and sat
on the ground, hugging his knees into himself. In the firelight he looked
tired, smaller and younger than Jared previously credited him. His features
were fine, his cheekbones high and jaw proud. Jared noticed golden flecks in
the deep green of his eyes and admired the curling long lashes that framed
them.  In other circumstances he would call him beautiful. Somewhere in the
back of his mind a memory of similar features scratched at the surface but he
was tired and the burning hot agony of his brands and the flaring pain in his
leg overtook all of his senses.
His Master was staring into the distance with a wistful expression and the
Prince followed his gaze to the two women who had chosen to flee with them.
They were pressed close in a passionate embrace, their mouths were locked
together and their eyes were closed.  Their hands roamed over each others'
bodies in an abandoned and joyful expression of lust. Jared had never seen
anything like it. He averted his eyes, shocked at the criminal display.
 There was a faint snort of amusement next to him. “It makes you
uncomfortable.”  The emerald gaze was upon him as fingers turned his face fully
to his Master. “It’s love. It’s perfect and incredible. Don’t you want
something like that for yourself one day?”
Jared shifted and shut his eyes. He was a slave. Love was no longer an option
for him. He was thinking it made things easier. He had been confused since the
age of thirteen when his voice lowered, his razor became useful and his wet
dreams inevitably involved explicit visions of the Palace gardener and the
blue-eyed stable-lad. He didn’t know what he was allowed to say and it scared
him. He remained mute.
 “I’m sorry. That was unfair. You know, I’m new at this too.” There was an air
of vulnerability in his Master's statement. “I want you to talk to me. I don’t
want you to be scared of speaking when it’s just us, like this.” He sighed and
chewed on his bottom lip as Jared nodded, still mute, then remembered and
rushed a “Yes, Master.” from his mouth.
 “I’m going to check your brands and then you will ask me some questions. Do
you think you can manage that?”
 “Yes, Master.”
“My name is Jensen. We’re alone Child.”
Jared’s mouth gaped open and he swung his head upwards to stare at his Master.
“Prince Jensen?” he gasped, forgetting his submission. The warrior’s form was
familiar to him now and Jared panicked, eyes wide open and muscles tensed for
flight. This man knew, better than most, who he was and may recognize him at
any moment. It took every fiber of his body to fight the urge to run.
Jensen chuckled and reached to his slave’s hand. Jared flinched, realizing his
insubordination. “That’s me. Hey. It’s alright. If you weren’t a little shocked
I would be worried.” He held the younger man’s hand, stroking it gently. The
action  grounded Jared for the moment. He breathed out and let the fear
subside. Whatever happened he had no control, there was nothing he could do.
Jensen spoke again. “You’ll get the hang of it and we’re not at Court yet.” He
knelt beside Jared and lifted the hand. He carefully peeled away the dressing
over the brand on his wrist. “It looks raw but it’s clean.” he stated softly.
He rubbed balm into the livid red marks and Jared hissed in pain. “Talk to me,
it will help,” Prince Jensen murmured as he replaced the dressing and moved to
the brand on Jared’s chest.
Jared stuttered a little, trying hard to think of an opening line. “Do I call
you Prince Jensen or Jensen?”
The warrior sat back on his heels and spoke with a wry grin, “I’m planning on
us becoming a little too intimate to bother with the Prince part.”
 Jared’s whole body tensed and a single tear rolled from his eye. In the years
after he met the ten year old Jensen and gazed in amazement at the Court of
Adomisa he had come to understand the full meaning of the behavior there. The
dawning of his own sexuality and the rapid absorption of his education had
opened his eyes to the immoral life that the naked slaves led.  In this life
Jared had chosen to become one of them, in his after-life he would be damned to
pits of hellfire for all eternity.
 “All done. You’re doing well.” He felt soft lips on his neck just below the
collar as Jensen placed a warm, dry kiss on him. He pulled away from the touch
and Jensen firmed his hands on his slave’s shoulders and pulled him back. “No!”
The Commander chastised, “This body belongs to me and I can do with it what I
want.” He softened his tone and continued “I am in control. I will never
permanently harm or scar you but I will have you and you will come to enjoy it.
You have to trust me.” He leaned in and kissed his slave’s neck again. Jared
trembled under his grasp but stayed still.  It wasn’t an awful sensation, it
tickled in a pleasant way but he knew it was corrupt and deviant. He was wrong
to allow it and evil for liking it. Jensen leaned in to nuzzle his neck and
placed a series of dry kisses at the nape of his neck. An electric sensation
coursed through Jared, his cock twitched in interest and he gasped. Jensen
patted his shoulder and ceased.  “That’s better,” he said and settled behind
Jared, drawing the boy in to lean against his chest. He held him lightly, a
hand placed over his slave’s heart just alongside the aching brand. “What else
will you ask me?”
 Jared fiddled with his fingers, he had so many conflicting questions and
emotions but he didn’t feel safe expressing or exploring them. He sought a
sensible question and steadied his voice.
“Why do you command these men? Your brother is Commander-in-Chief and you are
second to the throne. Would you not be kept safe at Court when he is in
battle?”
Jensen threw his head back and laughed “You will learn how very dull and
suffocating Court is, Child. I have no interest in affectations of pretty
suitors or in games of chance. The King lets me rebel in this small way,
providing I have the best warriors and a physician by my side. This life suits
me. There is an occasional skirmish and there is purpose in our incursions but
that purpose is none of your concern. You have an interesting knowledge of
politics. How is it that you are aware of a distant battle?”
Jared caught his breath and forcibly relaxed his muscles. “I am an educator. I
take an interest in politics. Is there a battle? I was speaking in general
terms.” He moved to change the subject. “Why do you call me Child, Jensen?”
The warrior’s arms encircled him completely and tightened around him. He
whispered in Jared’s ear, “Because Ryan Fleming was captured not two miles from
the village. He has twenty and two Summers, is almost certainly not a virgin
and is a loose-lipped coward who told us he met a lone soldier who promised to
rescue the school-children. On the other hand, while you are bursting with
strange courage, you have certainly not yet reached nineteen Summers and I fear
you are younger than your height suggests. You are but a child and have every
indication of being a virgin too.”
“I am not a child.” Jared said indignantly before rushing to add, “Master.”
Jensen sniggered “but that tells me that you are indeed a virgin.”
Jared’s cheeks flushed cherry red.
“So beautiful and shy.” breathed Jensen. “If you don’t want me to call you
Child you should give me your real name.”
Jared looked at the floor and remained silent.
“It is an interesting conundrum, just what you were doing alone there, Child.”
Jared fixed his eyes in a stare. His hands bunched into fists. “What will you
do with me?”
“I thought we’d already established that. It is already done. Do you wish me to
torture you for information? It would be boring and redundant for we have come
to no harm on this sortie. Besides,” Jensen adopted a sly and unnerving tone
“your older compatriot will give us that when he wakes, and the physician
assures me, he will awaken. Jensen gestured toward the covered wagon and the
bottom fell out of Jared’s world. “If you want to spare him, then feel free to
explain yourself at any time.”
Jared’s mind swirled and he fought for breath. The green-eyed Prince held him
tight and shushed him gently. “You think it matters any more what you were? You
left that soldier behind when you accepted my brand. If you are a deserter or
spy then you redeemed yourself with your courage before I could run you
through. I think you are beginning to understand my feelings about deviants,
there is no such crime in our society. You will tell me in your own time,
because you will come to trust me. For now you will sleep. It has been a long
day for me. I fear longer for you.”
There was the rattle of irons and Jared’s arms were pulled taut behind him and
secured. He obeyed his Master’s command to lie down on his side. Jensen moved
to his feet and fastened irons about his ankles and attached them to the wrist
chain, folding his slave into a curled position. He apologized as he worked.
“You must excuse me if I don’t trust a proven liar and possible spy not to try
to escape in the night.”  
Jared stared into the golden embers of the fire and fought to ignore the pain
and discomfort that assaulted every inch of his body. He was more than weary,
but his brands burned in agonizing pain, his leg was hot, it was sore and
itched. His bonds pulled at his muscles and his head ached. Jensen offered him
a cup of cool water and he drank it in tentative sips. Jensen settled a warm
fur over him. “Goodnight Child.”
“Goodnight, Jensen.”
“Good boy.”
Jensen took his leave and went to placate his warriors. Jared was aware of the
harsh voices and stern glares with which the Commander was greeted by his own
men but his eyelids began to droop and he fell into a fitful slumber.
***** Chapter 5 *****
Jared woke from a vivid nightmare with heat radiating from his body and sweat
glistening on his brow. He could no longer feel his arms and his shoulders
ached in their sockets. His hands were still fixed behind him and his legs in
irons, but he found he could stretch a little, the chain between his wrist and
ankles had been removed. There was a solid weight beside him and he opened one
hazy eye to see Jensen curled into him, his arm over Jared’s stomach. His face
was relaxed, eyelashes resting softly on freckled cheeks, his lips were
slightly parted and his breath even. His hair was mussed and spiked in all
directions. Jared smiled slightly at the sight, in spite of himself. It was
wrong in every way but he felt dizzy and weak and couldn’t muster any energy to
protest or pull away from the man. He had never experienced such closeness from
another person but sometimes his hounds flopped over him in his sleep. The
contact felt good and he resolved to beat himself up about it later. He closed
his eyes and returned to sleep but his nightmares still chased him.
In his dreams Christian shook him hard, shouting that he was evil. All around
him his lands burned and bodies lay rotting. There was shouting but he couldn’t
make out the words. The shaking increased and Jared woke with a start, to angry
emerald eyes and a sharp tug bringing him to his feet. He swayed and realized
he had no hands to steady him. He leaned in to the first support he could find
and knocked it off balance. Through blurred vision he realized it was Jensen.
His master. Oh stars! He had just knocked his Master over. There was a sharp
pain as an open palm met his cheek. It stung and he opened his eyes, wide awake
but dizzy. He felt sick and wondered what would happen if he threw up. He
swallowed and held it back.
“Wake up, Child.”
“Master?” Jared decided he wasn’t able to stand. He fell to his knees and let
his head bend to the cool ground in submission. In truth it was where his head
wanted to be.
He heard a click as his Master attached the leash to his collar. He felt a
steadying hand on him and then strong fingers lifted his gaze. “Not content
with lying about your identity, your friend decided she could back out of our
deal and tried to escape. Unfortunately for her she didn’t succeed. You will
watch this.” The voice was raw with anger and the young slave blanched with
fear. He watched as Annie was dragged before Jensen. She was hysterical and
weeping, her face was bruised and she was chained and hobbled.  The more
surprising thing was the arrival of Bearded Warrior, similarly chained and held
firmly by two of his kinsmen. He was pushed to his knees and knelt before his
Prince, head low.
“Sire. I recognize my errors. I beg forgiveness.”
Prince Jensen pursed his lips and stood tall, larger and more imposing in his
anger. “Do you have anything to say in your defence?”
“No Sire.” Behind him Annie wailed and a soldier slapped her hard. She bit her
lip and quietened.
“Captain Beaver, I understand you did not want this responsibility but it is
yours nonetheless. There are reasons we secure our slaves. You are fortunate
that the sentries apprehended her. If there had been a single death involved,
if we had not found her, you would not be kneeling before me, at least, not
with your head attached.” He nudged the man with his knee. “Get up, fool. You
will take your punishment as a man.” He indicated to the soldiers guarding him.
“Ten lashes. Don’t spare him.”
The irons were unlocked and the Bearded Warrior rubbed at his arms and removed
his shirt. He knelt in front of his Commander and Jared saw him take a deep
breath before another sturdy warrior stepped behind. He stared at the man’s
bare back. There was a criss-cross of ancient scars marking him, a history of
pain, clear for all to see.  The flogger was long and wicked thin. It whistled
as wetted leather whipped through the air. There was an unnatural silence in
Camp as it hit skin with the first ‘thwack’ and a red line bubbled up with
traces of crimson blood. There was a grunt from the Captain but he did not
flinch as the next stroke readied to land. Jared fought his urge to vomit as
the whip landed time and again and the flesh turned bright and wet. He tried to
look away but his Master gripped his chin and turned his head back to the
gruesome scene. Bearded Warrior counted as each stroke landed and after the
count of ten he looked up to his Commander and knelt up on one knee. “Thank
you. Sire” 
 Jensen threw his Captain’s shirt at him. “You don’t get out of this. You know
what you have to do. Do it properly.”
 “Sire.”  Captain Beaver rose and backed away, his head bowed.
 “Sergeant!” Another warrior hurried to the Commander’s side. “I don’t have
time for this. We must break camp. Take this. Make sure it sees the
consequences and return it to me before we leave.” Jared felt a tug on the
leash as he was passed to the soldier. There was a warning in his Master’s
voice as he finished his instructions “It will be prudent to remember that this
is my property.”
“Come.” The soldier’s voice was impersonal. Jared tried to stand but his legs
were jelly and folded beneath him. There was another tug at his leash. “Fine.
You want to crawl, slut, you can crawl.” Jared was dragged on his knees as the
leash was pulled, eventually he managed to struggle to his feet and stagger
after him.
Annie sobbed and struggled as the soldiers stripped her bare. Jared kneeled
wanting it to end, but the scene played out in front of him regardless. His
only relief was that the soldier holding him did not speak to him or expect any
reaction. Annie was secured by her wrists to the branch of a tree. She dangled
helplessly, her toes just touching the ground. The Captain stepped beside her
to speak quietly with her, before stripping the belt from his trousers. Ten
solid lashes of the belt left her with raised welts and puffed eyes. Her Master
threaded his belt back onto his trousers, took a cup of water and let her sip
from it before heaving her naked body across a mule and securing it like a sack
of grain. Jared could have sworn that the bearded Captain was crying but his
own vision was blurred and the world was swaying. He idly wondered when the
heated agony in his leg had surpassed the pain of his brands. He remembered the
terms of their deal and worry hit him for the ten villagers they had left
behind. He needed to speak with Jensen. He had to ask his Master not to return
for them. Beg if necessary.
Jared wasn’t sure when the black fog fell, but it passed and then consumed him
again.
“Get up you stupid bag of excrement.” Jared wondered how long the soldier had
been tugging at him. His knees burned and he understood he was being dragged.
His face hit the ground and there was a sticky wet sensation of dribbling on
his chin. “Please I have to..”  The fog fell again.
“Get up Child!”
Jared opened a glassy eye to the man in front of him. “I don’t feel so well,
Christian. We should take the hounds home.”
Prince Jensen crouched in front of Jared and studied his slave’s face. “What is
wrong with you, Child?”
Jared’s eyes rolled. “M’going to Hell, Christian, but the kisses are heavenly.”
He gave a delirious giggle, “I got kissed by a Prince. It was nice and m’gonna
do it again. Mammy’s gonna kill me. Oh..” He leaned over and vomited on the
ground. Jared felt the warmth of somebody holding him and a distant furious
shout “What the moons did you do to him?” There was a flash of steel blades and
a flurry of activity, a pleading whine and Jared snapped out of the fog for a
brief moment to hear his Master’s command “Strip him.”
He flailed in panic. “I tried. Please don’t. I didn’t mean to disobey. I
can’t.” Jared's voice was hoarse and dry. He closed his eyes and sighed then
flashed them open in panic “M’sorry should say Master, forgot.” Darkness
consumed him.
***
 Jared was lying in a boat. Waves lapped and rocked it gently. He must have
fallen asleep in the sunshine. His eyes were heavy and would not open. He was
hot and sweat was gathered on him.  A cooling cloth passed over his brow and
wiped his breast. “mmm” he said, “We should swim.” He heard a faint snicker
beside him.  “What? It would cool us. Did we catch any fish?”
The snicker became a full-blown snorting laugh and he sensed someone leaning
over him, blowing in his face. “Ugh. Christian. Stop it.”
“You say the sweetest things to me.” This was not Christian’s voice. Jared’s
eyes flew open to the vision of emerald and gold eyes inches away from his face
and a pink mouth with lips slick wet and parted, settling firmly and
insistently over his own mouth. His mouth parted in an ‘O’ of shock and a
tongue darted in and licked the hot cavern of his mouth. Fingers tangled in his
hair, holding his head in place while the lips slid deliciously against his
own. With a nip to his lower lip and a soft smacking noise it was over, too
quickly.
“You got kissed by a Prince and it was nice, and you’re going to do it again.
Nobody is going to kill you and you’re not going to Hell, Child.”
The vision drew back and Jared found himself lying on furs straddled at the
hips by a fully dressed green-eyed Prince. Jared blushed furiously when he
noticed he was naked aside from a splint and dressings on his leg. Jensen's
pants brushed lightly against his limp cock and he squirmed in embarrassment
trying to edge away from the intense sensation it created.
There was stretched canvas in a dome above them and the gaps in his muddled
mind started to fill. He was in a covered cart. It swayed and rattled as it
moved. He had been captured. Jensen was sitting over him, with lust-dark eyes
and a bright smile, Prince Jensen, his Master. His Master had kissed him. His
eyes widened as memories returned. He had displeased Jensen, there had been
shouting and they’d stripped him, the same as they’d stripped Annie.  He tried
to sit up “M  Master. I should. M’sorry.”
A hand pushed him back down. “You have blood poisoning from the gash on your
leg. You will live and your leg will be saved. It is a curious and severe
injury and you had no right to keep such a secret from me. Maybe Christian will
be able to tell me about it, do you think? In case you are wondering, he is
awake and I have left him with a friend. Couldn’t have you cozy in here,
comparing stories, could we? My friend has a pretty residence close to the
border and a very persuasive nature. No mind. That is no longer your concern.
He was before and I am after.” Jared was unsure what Jensen meant by that,
though he thought he detected a hint of jealousy in his tone. “For now you need
to concentrate on pleasing me. Your body is mine and you are not permitted to
damage it. It disappoints me that you did not think to mention your sickness.
In future you will report all discomfort or injuries. It is up to me to decide
if it is significant. Do you understand that?”
Jared felt frustration and anger boiling in him. Prince Jensen was calmly
talking about torturing his best friend, yet expected obedience. He had taken
his freedom and burned his skin, chained him and committed an act of deviance
with him. He had threatened children and ordered the whipping of an innocent
woman. Yet, here he sat, atop of him, with gentle voice, a kindly smile and a
pretense of care.  Jared clenched his fist and his jaw clenched with it.  His
Master’s eyes flickered downwards as he caught the change in Jared’s mood.
Jensen pounced on Jared’s wrists and held him down as he thrashed in anger.
 The younger man was weak and his struggles died out quickly. He lay still and
turned his face away from the Misan Prince in despair. He heard the click as
cold chains encircled his wrists once more.
“I asked if you understood, Child.”
“I’m not a child,” spat Jared.
“Then what is this tantrum?”
Jared refused to answer. He ground his teeth together.
“It was to be expected. This is your life now. Let the old one go. Now, I asked
if you understood who this body belongs to, who is responsible for your well-
being?”  Jensen ran his fingers down his slave's chest and came to rest at the
soft curls of his treasure trail. He paused expectantly and continued, inching
slowly downward. Jared arched his body in an effort to escape but Jensen held
his hip firmly with the other hand.
Jared whimpered and broke down “You, Master. You are responsible for me,
Master.”
“Was it so hard to admit?”
“Yes, Master.”
Jensen looked sadly at Jared. “I was wrong too. I ignored protocol. I permitted
you to keep your clothes. If I had taken them at your branding, looked
properly, this never would have happened.  We shall talk later, we’re almost
home and I have things to do. I may come back and kiss you.”  He pushed himself
up carefully, without brushing against Jared’s wounds. “Rest now, my beautiful
Child.”
“Yes, Master.” Jared’s voice was flat, defeated.
Jensen vaulted out of the cart while it bumped inexorably toward its
destination.
***** Chapter 6 *****
Jared slowly came to his senses when the clatter and sway of the cart ceased. A
horse stamped as it rattled at its harness and the wind blew a dent into the
canvas above him.
There were voices just beyond the canvas. Jensen was speaking to another, whose
voice he didn’t recognize.
 “What is so urgent that you send a messenger to bring me here? You will surely
be home by sundown.”
“I need you to perform a favor for me.”
 “And when does that ever end well?”
 “Please, Ethan.”
 “Tell me.” The voice was filled with exasperation.
“I need you to take something into my apartments as I return. I need you to
tend to it for a time. I do not want anyone to see it. I especially cannot have
The King see it.”
 “You have brought a present?”
 “Not exactly.”
 A corner of the canvas was rolled back and Jensen leaped in. He held out his
hand and helped another man in. The man was slight with a shock of black hair
and chocolate brown eyes in alabaster-white skin. He looked about the cart and
Jensen pointed at Jared.
“It’s a slave, Jensen.”

Ethan. The look was distinctive, not of this Kingdom, not even of this region.
It was the whipping boy of so long ago, and here they were again, the boys that
had played carefree in the sunshine together. How could it be so far
lost? Jared's heart hit the pit of his stomach, once more in fear of
recognition, but Ethan looked at him blankly, as new.
“It is my slave,” nodded Jensen with a guilty smile. He reached to ruffle
Jared’s hair and Jared glared at him.
 “It is a damaged slave.” Ethan put an emphasis on the word damaged. The small
man was regarding him with a look of intense distaste and Jared burned with
shame at his exposed body. He scooted backwards as far as his chains would
allow.
“It will heal.”
Ethan huffed. “It should be possible to take it in, undercover, but surely it
does not need my attention.” He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at the
freckled Prince. “I suppose your father should be grateful you have made any
effort to meet him in this matter. We thought you were set in your refusal and
you’re a stubborn man. You are right though, he would be after your hide for
purchasing faulty goods and it certainly isn’t the dainty lass your brother
would have in mind. I suggest you clean it up and set it to work in your rooms
until it is recovered enough to be presented.”
“It is not trained, Ethan.”
“What do you mean it is not trained? You know you cannot bring it in. Where did
you acquire it? Take it back and get another?”
“I found it on our sortie. I like it. I want to keep it.”  Jensen sounded like
a petulant child.
“Your Highness, have you lost your mind? Ethan raised his eyes to the ceiling,
calculating something  and then looked back at Jensen. “There has been no time
for it to be broken. There are reasons why we cannot have an unbroken,
untrained slave in Court. You will get us all killed.”
Jared didn’t like the sound of the word broken. He hoped his translation was
flawed.
“Don’t call me that! It won’t need to be broken, it gave itself, willingly.
Besides, it is just a child. It has a sweet temperament. We can train it. It is
bright and learns quickly.”
“You have it in chains Jensen. It has your height and it does not look amicable
to me.”
“It is hurting, and a little angry with me right now.”
Jared let his features relax. He was sure he didn’t want to be broken and he
suspected that appearing angry with Jensen, or anybody in his Master’s presence
was the wrong way to avoid it. He had spent his life tiptoeing around the
Palace avoiding the Elders’ ire, his Uncle’s sharp tongue and the Nobles’
disappointment. He could do diplomacy, he’d been practising it his entire life.
 “Define, angry.”
“I may have hinted that we will have to extricate information from its
boyfriend, in a confrontational manner. It will get over it.” Jensen chewed on
his nails and threw a little-boy-lost expression at Ethan which was highly
inappropriate for his rank and appeared to be a waste of time with the hard-
nosed Ethan. It was, however, incredibly comical to Jared and he sniggered
involuntarily, his lips curling into a smile.
“See. It has a nice smile,”  Jensen said triumphantly and grinned back at his
slave.
“Its mirth is directed at you Jen. You cannot do this. What are you going to do
while it is in training? You cannot keep it permanently chained to your bed.”
“Why not?”
“Your staff will think you have perversions.”
Jensen leaned in to Ethan and grabbed him close. He angled his mouth over the
man’s lips and kissed him passionately and deep. Jared wanted to look away but
somehow the display was mesmerizing. He recalled the heat and sensuality of
Jensen's tongue sliding over his own tongue, teeth and gums. Jensen caught his
eye and winked at him and Jared moved his gaze to one side.  “You know I do
Ethan.”
Ethan shifted on his feet and shook his head. “You know, your escapades always
end with me in hot water and this goes a long way beyond anything you have ever
done.”
“This is serious Ethan. I can’t sell it.”
 ”So give it away.”
“I mean, I have to have it, here, with me.”
“Why?”
“I can’t explain it.”
“Oh. By the Moons! You are attached to it. Your Highness, please think about
this. You cannot form a relationship with a slave. It is not fair on the slave,
and will bring disgrace on you. Can you even imagine your father's ire? It had
a boyfriend. Is it even a virgin?”
Jared opened his mouth to protest. He was not deviant. He most certainly did
not have a boyfriend. Good sense took over and he snapped it closed in silence.
“Yes, it is a virgin.”
Jared was listening in earnest now. His stomach was starting to turn flips at
the number of times different members of Prince Jensen’s entourage had
suggested that something unfair was going to happen to Jared if Jensen brought
him to Court This presumption, from a selection of people who generally
appeared to care nothing for slaves, was starting a coil of terror in him that
was wound tight by the thought of being permanently chained, like a dog. Added
to that, being smuggled into Court seemed an inherently bad idea. If it ended
badly for Jensen and Ethan, it could only be a hundred times worse for him.
Something must have shown in his expression. Jensen stopped in his arguments
and sat by Jared’s side. He checked his brow for fever and frowned. “What is
the matter, Child?” 
 For the first time Jensen’s words sounded genuine to him. There had been
rumors that reached even the court of the Realm, of Prince Jensen, the wayward,
deviant son. The one who cared little for structure or tradition. He had paid
little heed, what did it matter to him, providing their hordes were crushed?
Jared wondered how it must be to grow up second son to the tyrant who was his
father, to not be the ideal of what that man wanted him to be. He could
empathize but he had no idea what to say. He couldn’t admit to understanding
their conversation. The truth tumbled from him in an inexplicable loss of
control, “I’m frightened, Master.” 
Jensen bowed his head and shut his eyes. When he opened them again they were
over-bright. He jangled a key in his pocket, thinking on it. He bent over his
slave and kissed his cheek gently. “It is perfectly normal to be scared. I know
you will make mistakes. It is my responsibility to make the best of you and
there is no shame in giving pleasure. It is all with me. You are my property
and nobody can touch you without my permission. Will you trust me?”
Jared shook his head, his tousled hair fell around his face and hazel eyes
filled with the fears he could not express. “You do not understand.” He
received a sharp look from Ethan and corrected himself, “Master.”
 Jensen looked down at him for a long moment and his brows dipped and met. “You
know I really don’t, but I want to. If I make an effort to understand you, will
you make a similar attempt to understand me?”
 It wasn’t the answer Jared had expected. It gave him hope to grasp at. He
looked up at Jensen and nodded. He opened his mouth and Jensen placed a finger
on it.  “Child, if I hear the word Master once more, I shall stuff my ears with
wool. I am beginning to wonder how others bear such tiresomeness. It is my
command that when we are in private, we make normal conversation. We shall
review it if it becomes impracticable.”
Ethan threw up his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. “Jensen, you are making
all sorts of complications for yourself and while I would like to ask if you
know what you are getting into, I am sure that you do not.”
“I only need to know if you are with me Ethan.”
“Aren’t I always? Hasn’t it been my lifetime career to take care of the muddles
you get yourself into?”
“You no longer have to Ethan. You are Chief of Household Staff, it is a
respected position.”
 “True, but life in Court is dull without your adventures, and I hope I shall
always be your friend.”
 Jensen turned back to Jared and held up the key to his chains. “I am giving
this to Ethan and for now you will be in his care. I have known Ethan since we
were small, I trust him with my household and I trust him with my life. I know
with certainty he will look after my property and the people I care for. I care
for you Child, I know he understands that. You will be pleasant and obedient
for him. He has my permission to administer punishment but I am sure that will
not be required.”
Jared’s heart lightened. In a small way Jensen had referred to him as a person
and said he cared. Yes. Ma.., Yes sir.”
“You will remain restrained. You have seen the reason for that. It shall remove
temptation to run and that is easier for you. Let one of us know if the binding
starts to cut you. I do not want you further damaged.”
Jared nodded.
“And Child, it is your purpose to serve. Your first task is to find a way to
prevent Ethan from getting over excited by our cloak and dagger ventures.”
Jensen gave him a friendly smile.
 Ethan poked his friend in the ribs. “Don’t be cruel Jensen, you should start
the boy with something he can hope to achieve.”
Jared observed their easy friendship through soft strands of hair that had
fallen on his face. He felt a sudden sense of loss for his brother. They should
have had this. He should be immersed in friendly banter back in his own Realm,
with Christian and Jeff. Maybe Jensen knew the warrior who killed Jeff, perhaps
he had patted the officer on the back and congratulated him on his fine tactics
and swordsmanship. Jared could have done the same for the killer of one of
Jensen’s family or friends. He wondered at Christian’s fate. Christian would
die before giving Jared up and Jared would let him. Anything less would be a
betrayal of his Counsel’s loyalty and a slight to his friend’s honor. He pushed
the thoughts into a dark corner of his mind and resolved not to dwell on them.
Jensen’s soft touch pushed the hair from his eyes. He knelt over and kissed his
slave lightly on the brow. His other hand caressed Jared’s shoulder, trailed
across his chest and rested on the brand. Hot pain flared briefly and settled.
“Mine.” murmured Jensen.
He was a long way from home with no friends, no allies and no reprieve. Jared
let go. It felt like falling and only Jensen could catch him.
***** Chapter 7 *****
The smell of mothballs was overpowering and there wasn’t enough air. Jared's
limbs were unnaturally bent, his naked chest rose and fell too quickly, he was
slick with cold sweat, his collar was too tight and the drool slid out around a
ball that was jammed behind his teeth.
His bladder was full and his stomach cramped with the pain of holding it back.
Jared stared at pinholes of light in his restricted prison and reminded himself
that there was air. He closed his eyes and  tears slid from them. He was
cowardly and pathetic, he had made a poor choice and his people would suffer
for it.  A man had kissed him and he had enjoyed it. Jensen had lain close to
him and Jared had not rejected him. In his heart he knew what he was. He
understood the Gods’ wrath with him. He would accept this, he deserved it.
Jared didn’t know how long he was in the crate. His shoulders and knees bumped
against raw wood as he was carried into the Palace, just another item of Prince
Jensen’s belongings. The box settled and nobody came to release him. Footsteps
hurried all around and there was the sound of crates being dragged and scuffed
over the floor. There was a rustle and a crackling noise and the smell of a
wood fire chased the scent of mothballs away. Hushed voices and louder commands
accompanied the sounds of unpacking. There was a scrape and a lurch as his own
crate was upended and his head bumped on the side. He whimpered in surprise. He
heard Ethan speak, his tone agitated “I said leave that one.”
It seemed an eternity until the activity ceased. There was the thunk and creak
of heavy doors being closed and a lock rattled. Then there was silence and he
still remained a prisoner in his crate. Time passed in despair, and Jared could
no longer hold the urge to urinate. A damp patch oozed under him, wet, strong
smelling and acidic on his skin. Jared sobbed in humiliated misery. A crack of
light appeared above him and the lid was tugged away. Ethan looked down on him,
covering his nose from Jared’s stink. 
Jared stared up, into deep brown eyes. The small man was biting fingers and
flicking his eyes over the twisted, naked and filthy form below him. Jared had
struggled when they folded him into the crate and Ethan had enlisted the aid of
two of Jensen’s command to achieve the current situation. Now Ethan was left to
attend to Jensen’s slave alone and Jared could see the fear in his eyes. Ethan
was scared of him and Jared had no way to make that right, to let him know that
he would not harm him, he just wanted out of this coffin. He blinked his eyes
and sighed.
Ethan fiddled tentatively with the cuffs. He didn’t speak, simply looked Jared
and then did the same with his ankle restraints. Jared remained secured. The
small man sat back on his haunches and wiped his brow on his sleeve. “I don’t
know how.” he said, “It’s too squashed and I can’t lift you.” He spoke in
Jared's tongue. Of course he does, thought Jared, he will have been educated
with the Princes.
Jared bounced his hands behind him and tried to speak “Mmmf.’ He rolled his
eyes and shook his head. Nimble fingers reached around to the back of his head
and unclipped the strap. Jared held his mouth open and Ethan, scared of being
bitten, grabbed quickly behind his teeth to remove it.”
Jared flexed his lips and wet his tongue. He remembered to speak in his own
language. “Secure my hands in front of me and tip the crate on its side. I can
crawl out. I promise not to harm you.”
Ethan’s eyes widened. He clipped a leash to Jared’s collar, fussed with the
key, unclipped the wrist cuffs and pulled Jared’s arms in front. He massaged
them a little and looked at his charge. He didn’t clip the cuffs back together
“We pull you up?” he asked nervously and offered the naked slave his hand.
Jared fell out of the wooden box into a heap on the floor. He laid half on a
cold stone floor and half on a sumptuous rug of warm skins. He remembered his
revolting state and scrabbled fully onto the cold stones. He pulled his hobbled
ankles about and managed to contort himself into an approximation of kneeling.
He felt warmth in his hand and understood, with a jolt, that Ethan had not let
it go. Ethan was looking at him, his head tipped with puzzlement and sympathy.
Of all the expressions that Jared had faced this was the hardest to take. He
looked away with tears in his eyes, and Ethan let go and busied himself at re-
securing him. Jared blanked his mind and let himself be manipulated.
He sat with his knees folded into his chest. His wrist cuffs were secured in
front of him and attached to his ankle restraints. His leash was fixed to an
eye in the solid iron bed that graced the center of the room. It wasn’t the
most comfortable position but it was bearable. Ethan had drawn water from a jug
and let it stand by the large open fire before adding rosewater and taking a
cloth to wipe Jared. He applied firm pressure and cool water over all of
Jared’s body and the young slave squeezed his eyes shut and trembled as the
man’s hands worked methodically over his groin, down to his sac, between his
thighs and over his flaccid cock. There was nothing erotic in the actions, just
a businesslike, firm swipe. 
A dry cloth massaged the dampness away. Lastly he felt fresh dressings being
applied to his wounds and Jared reopened his swollen eyelids. “Thank you,
Ethan. The mess,”  he indicated the box which reeked of his shame. “Will you
punish me?”
 Ethan dried his hands and regarded him solemnly. “I'll take the box,” he said.
“It was my mistake if you don't mention it to Jensen.”
 “No. Not at all. You have been good to me Ethan.”  Ethan gave him a sip of
water, replaced the ball gag and secured the strap easily. He refreshed the
wood on the fire and stoked it. He blew out the candles and left. The doors
closed and locked behind him and Jared was left exhausted and uncomfortable,
alone in the dark, on a cold stone floor, watching the dancing glow of orange
flames.
 ***
Jared rested his head against the side of the bed and dozed. There was no hope
of sleep like this. The night passed slowly and the fire died to an ember. A
faint glow of purple dawn was visible through a bay window on the far side of
the room when the door finally opened and Jensen strode in. He walked past
Jared without acknowledgement, removed his outer clothes and boots and sank
into his bed, pulling the covers over him. He fidgeted a little before he lay
still and Jared heard his soft even breath. Jared couldn't explain the cold
disappointment that enveloped him or give a reason why he shuffled to be beside
the nearest part of the bed to his Master and laid his head on the feather
mattress, to watch him sleep.
 ***
Something tickled at the back of his neck and Jared woke with aching limbs. He
was sat on the floor with his neck lying awkwardly on a soft mattress. Jensen
lay stomach flat to the mattress with his intense green eyes focused on Jared’s
sticky hazel orbs. He was wriggling to keep his balance as his hands unbuckled
the strap of the ball-gag. He pulled it away and rubbed a thumb over Jared's
sore, swollen mouth. He pushed a thumb and forefinger into the back of Jared’s
jaw and forced his mouth open before grasping the soft brunette hair and
pulling his head up for better access. He slid his mouth over Jared’s with an
urgent, harsh pressure and his tongue explored his mouth, it licked and darted
inside.
Jared remained still, in shock, and Jensen tugged at his hair and pulled back
slightly. He spoke harshly, “Time to learn, Child. You will kiss me,” then
softer, “just copy me until it feels right.” Jared kept his mouth open and
Jensen removed his fingers. “If you bite I will whip you.”
Jared nodded his understanding and Jensen moved in again. Jared licked his lips
until they were slick and allowed Jensen to slide his own bow-pink lips over
them. He closed his eyes and moved his tongue against his Master’s. Jensen
gripped his hair and made a high pitched whine. They stayed like that for
several minutes and Jared matched his Master’s movements, allowed their tongues
to tangle together and ran his own tongue over Jensen’s teeth. Jensen sucked
Jared’s lower lip into his mouth and nipped at it until he drew a round drop of
blood which he forced back into Jared’s mouth, letting him taste the coppery
tang. Jared was panting when they parted, his mind spinning with pleasure, pain
and guilt. His hazel eyes opened to Jensen’s sparkling gaze. He sat as straight
as he could manage and Jensen rested his elbows on the bed and his chin on his
hands.
 “Have you ever kissed anyone before me, Child?”
 Jared flushed and lowered his eyes.
 “I will have an answer.” Jensen was firm.
 “There was a maid,” Jared said. “She put her lips on me but she didn’t kiss
like that. She wanted me to feel her breasts, she opened her tunic and put my
hands there.”
 “and?”
 “I didn’t want to, so I buttoned her tunic and sent her out.”
 Jensen giggled gleefully. “Did you kiss Christian?”
 “No!” Jared looked horrified at the thought. “He’s my friend.”
 “Ethan is my friend. We kiss.” Pointed out Jensen.
 Jared shook his head and lowered his gaze.
 “What? Tell me? You must be honest with me. I said I wanted to know.”
 “I can’t,” Jared said “You’ll be angry with me.”
 “Are you going to shout or be impolite? Or do you think I will disagree?”
 “It is not your belief.”
 “So it is like politics. We can debate. Tell me.”
 “It is wrong, to kiss another man, to lie with him. It is evil and deviant and
debased, and the Gods will punish you. You should not love him like that.”
 “I do not love him in any romantic sense. It is pleasurable and relaxing. It
is about enjoyment and affection. It is not negative like anger or vengeance or
hate, and it is not wrong. How can it be?”
 “It says so in the scriptures.”
 “It says it in your scriptures, not in ours. I don’t suppose we can be
simplistic about this and say that it is not wrong for us, here, because we do
not read the same books?”
 Jared shook his head miserably.
 “Did you ever want to kiss Christian but didn’t, because the scriptures said
you mustn’t?”
 “No. It wasn’t like that. He looked after me.”
 “Huh. When you have dreams; you know the ones,” Jensen smirked at him “Who do
you dream of? If the scriptures did not give an opinion, would you rather lie
with man or woman?”
 “Does it make a difference?”
 “I will take you whatever your preference, but I would like to get to know
you.”
 Jared stayed silent.
 Jensen bit at his lip in frustration. “It is not wrong Child. There is nothing
wrong with you. The scriptures are written by men and the Gods will not punish
you.”
 “They already have.” Jared pulled at his chains and Jensen paled.
 “That looks uncomfortable. How long have you been like that?”
 “It’s not so bad.”
 Jensen rolled off his bed and stepped over to a tall dresser. He opened a
drawer and withdrew a set of keys. “Ethan left them for me. I should have
checked.” He lifted Jared’s wrists. “Will you be obedient if I remove these? It
would be tiresome to have to return for ten slaves.”
Relief coursed through Jared and he smiled. His eyes shone, white teeth were
bared and deep dimples showed. As the cuffs separated he flung his arms around
the green-eyed Prince in a hug. “They are still safe. You didn’t go back? Thank
you”
He remembered his place within seconds and removed his arms, as though
scorched. “I apologize. I’m sorry Master. I don’t know…”
Jensen had a strange expression on his face. He pushed Jared’s knees down and
straddled his legs. He leaned close, his groin pushing down against Jared’s. “I
want you to hug me again.” Jared stiffly placed his arms back around him.
“Relax, like just now.” Jared grasped his warm arms around the older man.
Jensen put his own arms around Jared’s neck and pulled him close. This time,
when they kissed there was no hesitation. It was sweet, wet and erotic, the
sensation shot through Jared until the heat pooled in the base of his stomach
and he felt his cock swell. He moaned and pushed up into Jensen, chasing the
friction. Jensen ground down. Jared could feel his Master’s smile as he kissed
him and hear him murmur, “You have the most incredible smile.”
As they continued to rock together, Jared moaned and gave a whimper, his eyes
darkened with desire, his cheeks flushed but his brow deepened in confusion and
a tear slipped from him. Jensen wriggled out of the hug and moved back.  “Sshh
it’s alright. Trust me.” Jared felt Jensen pulling on the wrist cuffs and
snapped back in alarm as they were clipped above his head. Jensen kissed him
again and trailed one hand down his body. He teased Jared’s nipple then sucked
on it, swirling his tongue on the hard nub and nipping it until Jared arched
his back and gasped. Another tear ran down his cheek and Jensen wiped it away.
“Don’t you see Child? You cannot control this. You are mine. I take the
responsibility and the blame. There should be no shame, but if there is, it is
mine. Nobody can be angry with you. You are so beautiful like this, so young
and eager. Let go.”
 He placed three fingers at Jared’s lips and pushed in. Jared suckled at the
digits, eyes blown, hips pushing up. He felt the hard line of Jensen’s cock
straining at his undergarments and saw the engorged head as Jensen reached down
and took it out. Jared’s eyes widened, it was proud and erect. It didn’t
disgust him in the way he knew it should and he wanted to reach out and touch
it, feel it warm and pulsing in his hand.
Jensen pulled his hand from Jared’s mouth and reached down between them. He
grasped the younger man's shaft in the spit slick hand and caressed it slowly
from the base to the tip. He squeezed gently around the rim and his slave
moaned and pushed into it. “That’s it, so good. Fuck my hand. So good, Child.
You’re so good for me.”  Jensen continued caressing it, rubbing down along the
vein, twisting at the tip to see Jared throw his head back in ecstasy,
straining at his cuffs and arching his spine. Jensen kissed him again, his
tongue twisting hard in his mouth. Jared fucked into the fist faster, his
rhythm faltering and Jensen sucked on his tongue and pulled away with moan. He
nipped Jared’s ear and whispered hoarsely to him “Come for me, Child.”  The
brunette gave one last shout and pushed hard into Jensen’s hand, thick fluid
spurted, coating his fingers and stomach. He collapsed back into the pull of
the wrist cuffs, panting and boneless.
He felt a finger at his lips and heard the command to open, he parted them
thoughtlessly and was repulsed when the salty tang hit his tongue. He tried to
spit it out but found himself held. “Calm! It’s just you. It’s not dirty, it’s
amazing.” Jared watched Jensen lick a stripe up his own come-spattered hand,
back to his lips and grin. “You taste fantastic.”
He gagged desperately and Jensen slid the finger out. “We’ll try another way.”
He licked the rest of his fingers clean then angled Jared’s face to him and
kissed him, the salty tang on his tongue mixed with the heady pleasure of the
kiss and the sated calm that was seeping into him. It wasn’t so terrible. He
felt sleepy.
“I think you’ve forgotten something, Child. You are supposed to please me.”
Jensen had reached to his own cock and was fisting it in his hand.
Jared looked mortified. He forced himself to waken but he was restrained. Hazel
eyes pleaded under thick lashes “Forgive me. I don’t know how.” He wiggled his
fingers above his head.
Jensen gave a breathy laugh.  “C’mere.” He grabbed at Jared’s head and twisting
his hand in his hair, he nuzzled into his neck, licking along the line of the
collar. He latched onto soft skin with a twist of his teeth and sucked a purple
bruise into it “Mine!”
Jared gasped in surprise and Jensen continued teasing the skin with his tongue
as he rocked faster on his lap “Going to come over you, Child.”  Jared tensed,
he felt a spatter of warm fluid on his hip and Jensen collapsed into him with a
long groan. “So good for me.”  
Jared wriggled uncomfortably under him and his face contorted with disgust.
Jensen nuzzled in close to him and ran his hand through the come on his hip. He
trailed it, with a wet slide over Jared’s stomach and returned to scoop more
and paint it on his slave’s nipples and over his lips. “You look good coated in
my come. You shall stay that way for now.”  He licked his fingers again and
stared up through long curled lashes at his slave. “We will breakfast and we
will bathe.  Will you be able to stay calm if I release you? You can keep the
cuffs on if it helps. You would look sexy feeding from my hand.”
 Jared didn’t think he would be able to bear his repulsive and debauched state
without restraint. “Keep the cuffs.” he said quietly.
 “Hmm. Do you have any preferences?”
 Jared blinked lazily at him.
 “You did not thank me or ask after my pleasure. I must always be your primary
concern.  Believe me, your gratification was delicious but it must never come
first, excuse the term. If you cannot learn this basic rule then you will
suffer at every turn. How do you think I should discipline you?”
The younger man flinched and squeezed his fists. Jensen was watching him with a
steady gazed interest. Jared knew it was a test. He gathered his thoughts and
remembered all the words that had been spoken by his captor over the time since
he had given himself. “I trust you to choose for me Jensen. I am yours and you
will do what is best for me.”
 “Good Boy. I shall not be harsh this first time. I will think on it and let
you know. You learn quickly. It will get easier.”
***
Jensen took a piece of the soft, yellow fruit and sucked it into his own mouth,
chewed and swallowed. He took another piece from the plate, reached out and
placed it at Jared’s lips. “Open.”
Jared took it delicately with his teeth and chewed politely. “Thank you.”
 “Don’t expect this each day.” He presented the next piece, the juice ran down
his finger and across his hand. He left his fingers on the portion as Jared
took it and batted his eyelashes at the young slave. Jared licked
experimentally at the finger and Jensen nodded at him. He lapped at it and
sucked it into his mouth before swirling his tongue around it and releasing the
vacuum with a pop. “Stars! You learn well.” Jensen shared breakfast, piece by
piece with his slave, relaxed and unhurried.
“Can you read, or form letters?” Jensen asked conversationally, as he tipped
coffee to his slave's mouth.
Jared sipped the hot black fluid then answered, “I can.,” and added quickly,
“of a form.”
 “Have you any math?”
“Yes, Jensen”
“Huh. Of a form?” Jensen toyed with the fruit knife and pointed it at him. “You
have etiquette. It is ingrained.”
Jared tried not to react.
“Quiet too. I ride out today to meet my friend. I shall be seeing your friend.
Is there any message this young soldier would like to send? Have you anything
you would like to tell me about the day we met?”
 Jared stared, hazel eyes defiant into green. “No.”
“Have you no care to lessen his suffering?”
“He would not thank me for it.”
“Hmm. Loyalty. Do you think he would be as loyal to you?”
“He is my Captain. He taught me the meaning of the word.”
 “You are friends though.”
“Our Queen is our concern.”
“and the Prince Jared?”
 “Well of course, Master.”
“and the Lord Morgan.”
Jared hesitated a fraction and Jensen jumped on it. “Ha! Interesting!  No
matter.” He tipped his head and green-gold eyes looked close into Jared’s face.
“You have no Queen, Child. She no longer has want of you.” He peeled the
dressing off the brand on Jared’s chest and tapped on the raised scar. “It
would bear you well to remember that.”
The intense pain that Jared felt did not come from his brand.
***
There was a precise tap on the door and Jensen opened it a fraction and ushered
the visitor in, securing the lock behind the tall, naked and willowy blonde
girl. She approached with grace and fell to the floor in front of Jensen her
head touching the ground. “I attend at your request, Your Highness.”
“You may rise. I have tasks for you. The most important of these is for you to
draw me a bath.”
The girl got up with barely an effort of her lithe form. She stood upright in
perfect stance. Her hair shimmered on her head but her body was smooth and
perfectly hairless. Jewels sparkled on her pastel leather collar and in her
ears, nose and navel. Her eyes did not meet the Prince’s but she looked toward
Jared. She wrinkled her nose with an air of disgust.
Jensen laughed and looked to his slave. “It is not impressed with you Child.
You are somewhat rumpled and I suspect it thinks you should be drawing my bath.
It is perfectly correct and since you do not know how, it will show you.” he
looked at the blonde slave as he spoke.
“As you wish, Your Highness,” she bowed to one knee.
“Girl, you can stop showing off and being tiresomely correct while you are in
my rooms.” There was a momentary flicker of fear in her face and Jensen rubbed
at the bridge of his nose. “I just want you to do what you are told and make no
fuss.”
The girl hurried to one of the doors leading from the main room and Jensen
knelt to release Jared’s chains. He took both wrist cuffs off and rubbed his
slave’s arms to return the blood flow. He unclipped the ankle cuffs and placed
a length of chain between them. Lastly he unlocked the leash and rested it on
the dresser.
He looked at Jared. “You will need your hands but you will not be able to run.
The slave belongs to Ethan. It is a stickler for protocol, which can be
wearisome, but it is trustworthy and straightforward. Its name is Alona and it
would be unfair to terrify it. Be gentle, it is extremely well trained and can
help you learn. I expect you to be friendly and take its advice. I shall be in
my study so you can talk together.” Jensen pointed to a door at the opposite
side of the room. Knock if you need me.”
 ***
“I cannot believe he would take you like that. You are disgusting.” Alona
sniffed at him with an air of superiority. “You should wash.”
Jared remembered his Master’s instructions. “I am not permitted.”
“Oh!” she said surveying the thick fluid crusting to his body. “Oh.”
 “Is that all you will say of it?”
“First rule. It is not permitted to speak of your Master’s business. Second
rule, one slave must not touch another in lust.” Alona’s tone was purposeful,
“and I will have you punished if you try.”
Jared was startled, he had not thought about it. Alona was aesthetically
pleasing but he had not dwelt on it or stared.
She laughed and looked to Jared’s crotch. “Goodness, most men will at least
show some interest and since you are untrained I don't know whether to be
relieved or insulted. At least Prince Jensen will have no guilt in taking a
deviant.”
“I am not deviant.” He narrowed his eyes.
“In that case I am insulted. The bathing room is this way.” She pushed on a
door. The room was warm and incense burned by the side of a small grate. There
was a large, round bath sunk into the center of the room and basins stood on
shined marble surfaces with bottles of gaily colored liquid. There was one
large door leading to an enclosed cubicle and several, smaller sliding doors at
ground level. “It will be your task to keep all of this clean. There must not
be a single spot or hair.”
This was nothing like the cold and practical room he had for his ablutions when
he was in Court. In the time before, when he was a Prince. “How is it so warm?”
He asked.
“I’ll show you.” She took a towel and carefully slid one of the low level
doors. “It is hot,” she explained. In front of them was a pulley and a
platform. Several floors below them an enormous fire-place roared with flame
and pots hung warming over it. Beside the crackling furnace, a red faced slave,
dressed in thick fabric and sporting leather gauntlets, attached a bucket to
the pulley and Alona placed a towel about her own hands, wound it up, unhooked
it and tipped the hot water into the bath. See, it’s easy. The furnace serves
the entire palace and all of the family have this access. You continue. I will
lay out mats and towels, they're kept on this grid, to warm.”
“Was that a slave, in clothes?” Jared asked doubtfully.
 “Of course, Silly. What else?”
I didn’t think..”
“You didn’t think slaves wore clothes?  Of course they do. They do not want
their slaves burned, cut, grazed or sore. How would they get their crops in and
make their industries work with miserable, inefficient slaves? Slaves wear what
is appropriate to their task. We wear nothing because it is our task to bring
beauty, comfort and pleasure. It should make you proud, to be chosen by Prince
Jensen. It is quite an accolade for a scruffy, damaged and smelly youth.”
Jared glanced sideways at her but the edges of her mouth curled upward and he
did not take offense.
They worked together and for a while neither of them spoke. As the bath neared
completion Jared coughed and tried to restart the conversation. “Where are you
from? How did you get here?”
It is not important. I am Ethan’s property. I stay by his side.”
Jared raised his voice in frustration. “But you must have had a life before.
Don’t you miss it?”
She looked to him and shrugged. “The transition was difficult but once you
understand the rules, it is easy. Most slaves are better treated by their
Masters than by the Elders of the Queen’s Realm and I have never gone hungry
here. Ethan is a good Master. Prince Jensen is confusing, it will be difficult
with him but you must persevere. I think he means well.”
His cheeks reddened. “Does Ethan expect you to, you know, be carnal?”
“Of course! It is my place to please him and whoever he wishes me to please.”
Jared gaped and his eyes became rounder. “You mean?”
She giggled gaily at his face and then softened and became more serious “Oh you
poor innocent. You really did not know? Has the Physician not seen you? But of
course, you cannot be seen until you are trained and prepared. Oh my. I am
sorry Child.”
“Sorry for what?”
 “Your Master will explain when he is ready.”
 “Please.”
 “Pass me the blue oil. We shall have a measure of that and then we shall
inform your Master that all is ready.”  She wouldn’t look at him.
 ***
Alona guided Jared as he undressed his Master. She showed him the soft cloths
and fragrant soaps. Jensen slipped under the warm water with relish and a loud
exhalation. “You can leave now, Girl. Child will stay.”
Alona backed away gracefully and bowed. “Will you wish me to return, Your
Highness?”
“I will let Ethan know. I thank him for your service.”
Jensen dipped his head under the surface and playfully blew a spout of water.
Jared knelt by the side and lifted the different cloths experimentally,
wondering if each had a particular role.
“Child, there are keys on the dresser. Bring them to me.”
Jared rose and fetched them to his Master, he frowned as he passed them into
Jensen’s wet hand and Jensen gave them back.
“It perturbs you,” Jensen chuckled. “You wonder why I sent you to fetch the key
to your own restraints? But you already knew it was there. I took time to
observe when you thought I was closeted in my study. It was an interesting
experiment. I wondered what you would do and you surpassed my expectations. You
keep doing that. Now unlock your ankle cuffs and take them off, then put your
face close to mine.”
Jared did as he was told. Jensen snaked his hands from under the water and
pulled him in with an enormous splash and a belly-laugh. He pulled the slave to
his chest and growled in his ear. “You obeyed my order to stay covered in my
come and you have no idea how sexy that was. If I did not have commitments I
would play with you, but we are at war and I have duties, so we will wash. It
shall be quicker and far more fun to do it together, so, I shall share a secret
and you will wash my back and rinse my hair.”
The slave listened expectantly.
“I have not a clue what each cloth is for. Undertake the task however you think
it should be performed and I will be none the wiser.”
Jensen settled back and allowed Jared to soap him with careful concentration
and a soft touch. No foam stung his eyes as the slave rinsed his hair and
massaged his head.
He sighed contentedly. “You are a spy sent to distract me from my duties
Child.” He cracked open one eye and reassured Jared “A joke, Child.”
Jensen washed Jared himself. He soaped him efficiently and fast and made sure
his hair squeaked with cleanliness. After Jared had toweled them both dry, he
placed his slave by one of the basins and Jared sat rigid still while his
Master shaved him with an open razor. “One day you will perform this for me,
though I think not right away. There are more considerations for you, but I
must be away and they will wait.” He shaved himself and Jared helped to dress
him.
Jensen fetched Jared’s leash and clipped it back to his collar. He fixed it
once more to the eye on the end of the bed and threw the wrist and ankle cuffs
to him. “Put them on and fasten your ankles.”
Jared’s expression was one of hurt. Jensen checked the cuffs before fastening
his wrists in front of him with a short chain. He threw a fur on the floor for
him to sit on. “You have to believe me, it is easier for you this way. I shall
send someone in with meals and to allow you to toilet. You will have your
punishment to occupy you.”  He produced rough parchment and several fine
pencils. The first sheet had three phrases, written in Misan. ~Thank you
Master~ How may I please you? ~I beg your forgiveness.~ Written underneath each
phrase was its pronunciation and translation. Jensen pointed at each and
enunciated it clearly for him. “You shall repeat these in neat lettering until
the paper is filled. You will be able to say each when I return, at which time,
you will beg my forgiveness. You may ask Ethan or Alona to repeat the words
when they attend  you.”
He turned on his heel to leave and Jared said, in what he hoped sounded like
poorly spoken Misan, “Thank you Master.” He added to it in his own tongue,
almost as a whisper, “Be careful and return safe, Jensen.” He surprised himself
that he meant it.
Jensen looked down on him with a soft expression and a small smile. “Be good,
Child” He slammed the door to his rooms behind him and turned the key in the
lock.
***** Chapter 8 *****
He lay flat on his belly with the parchment and stuck his tongue out in
concentration. It was a long time passed that he had been given lines to
complete by his tutor. He formed the words neatly and roundly. He was not sure
why he was eager for the script to be perfect, except he was bored. Jared was
disappointed as he came to the bottom of the last parchment. He stacked it
carefully then sat up and considered what he could do next.
He looked about Prince Jensen’s bedroom. It was basic but comfortable. The
oversize iron bed dominated the space. It was unmade, its silken sheets were
thrown back with a soft eiderdown crumpled atop of them. There were several
large, soft chairs, a dressing room, a dresser, and shelves of heavy books.
Useful size tables were dotted about with a peculiar assortment of carelessly
abandoned items. He catalogued open books, quills and ink, a threaded needle, a
maid’s hair clips, some half dead flowers, candles, combs, clean dressings (for
his wounds)  and bundles of herbs. Paintings graced the walls, no squinting
Lords or victorious battles here, instead there were calming landscapes and a
portrait of excitable hounds that made him heartsick for his own dogs. There
was a leather-topped, high, wooden bench in a dark corner of the room. As his
eyes adjusted Jared could make out strong hooks jutting from it and he
understood its purpose with fright. There were strongly forged iron loops at
regular intervals and irregular heights, throughout the room.
A layer of dust stirred in gentle currents of air. It was not a neat area and
Jared puzzled whether it was in its natural state or whether the cleaning had
been postponed due to his presence. He felt an urge to tidy up. As a Prince he
had never done so. It was considered demeaning and there were servants to
undertake such work. He stood and tested the length of his leash. He shuffled
to the first table but could not find a rag with which to wipe the dust. He
returned to the side of the bed and smoothed the sheets as best he could,
plumped the pillows and straightened the eiderdown with a shake and a flurry,
sneezing as dust overtook him. He couldn’t reach the opposite side of the bed
but he realized, as he leaned over it, that his leash allowed him to lie or sit
on the bed. It would be more comfortable and he wondered if he should ask, but
he didn’t honestly need to be told that he was not permitted on the furniture.
He sat back on the floor and pondered the bay window on the far side of the
room. It was barred, to prevent slaves escaping or enemies intruding, he wasn’t
sure which, probably both. It had a soft, cushioned window seat and he longed
for the privilege of sitting cozily in its corner, taking its view. He could
make out a blue sky with low scudding grey clouds and weak sunshine. The top of
the Adomisa Royal Ensign fluttered easily in a breeze, and a falcon soared
until it was just a dot in the distance. As the bird disappeared Jared’s eyes
lighted back on the table and the clips and needle that rested there.
***
Jared’s tutor always said that idle hands make the devil’s tool. In retrospect
he was probably right.
His fingers bled as he removed the last cuff. There was raw skin on his ankles
and the heated pain in his wrist reminded him that he had chafed his brand. He
examined the raised code curiously, an orderly death sentence, burned into his
skin. He pictured homecoming, the joy of being in his own Realm coupled with
the terror of possible discovery and the quick, brutal death of a probable
traitor. He tried to remember when this had become the law, the normality that
his people faced, but that history lesson evaded him. He shook off the thought
and reached to the clip of the leash, shocked to find it had never been
secured. It made a faint ‘snick’ as it released and Jared was free.
Therein lay the problem. At the beginning, when he had started this, with a
dubious prod of a hairgrip in a lock, he had not considered it a realistic
goal. There was anger, curiosity and an all consuming need to take some control
back over his life. He worked through scenarios as he picked the locks. He
pictured a daring escape or an adventure in espionage with a hero’s welcome.
Those ideas faded with the reality of the penalty for deviancy and the unhappy
knowledge in his heart, that Morgan didn’t want him back. He had imagined
alternatives and continued to fiddle and poke. He could run and hide within the
Kingdom but what then? He could choose a martyr’s death, one with fire, revenge
and death-filled retribution. He stood by the window, no longer desperate for
the comfort of its seat. Below him, organized soldiers, ordinary people and
slaves went about their business. None of them were singly guilty for the
atrocities against his Realm. He hadn’t a fixed plan for destruction. He
watched children dodge and run as they played chase. Killing innocent civilians
wasn’t an honorable act and he doubted it would result in a quick demise.
All of his daydreams ended with the enslavement of ten citizens he had promised
to keep safe and none of them achieved a significant purpose. Furthermore,
revenge is an abstract concept when you cannot find a focus for your anger.
There wasn’t a single person involved in his predicament he honestly wished to
suffer, not even his Master. It occurred to him that he probably relinquished
control of his life a long time before Jensen found him, if he ever truly had
any. There was a desolate clarity to his conclusion. There was no purpose in
escape. He had nowhere and nobody to run to. Jensen and this room were his
whole world and the only safety he knew. Except, he had screwed up, he couldn’t
be trusted and there would be awful consequences. He grabbed at the cuffs,
ready to reinstate them but the locks had been forced to an angle and would
turn no further without a key.
 ***
Jared was searching through the contents of the dresser when Ethan entered
carrying a tray of food. There were tear stains on the young slave’s cheeks and
his eyes and nose were red. He startled and shrank back into the wall with
terror, awaiting the moment Ethan raised the alarm and summoned guards.
Ethan set the tray on a nearby surface and locked the door behind him. He
crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Jensen’s slave for explanation.
Jared froze. He doubted kneeling would save him. Ethan approached him warily
and stopped an arm’s length away. He held a set of keys for Jared to see.
“Looking for these?”
“There was dust. I wanted to clean. What will happen to me?” sniffed Jared
wearily and sank to the floor with his hands over his head.  It took a few
moments to realize that he had replied in perfect, fluent, Misan. He waited for
Ethan’s reaction, unable to breathe.
“Well it is a relief that we can all stop pretending, Child.  Do you honestly
think we did not suspect?”
Jared’s eyes widened and Ethan continued. “To be a part of the Queen’s Guard,
at such a young age, you had to be both privileged and exceptional, with not a
little learning. There were moments I think too, on your journey, that you
spoke in your delirium, but The Prince has not discussed it.”
“No! My Master set me learning this morning,” Jared spoke in Misan.
“Perhaps he was hoping for your honesty.”
Jared slumped further and rubbed his eyes. “I have made a mess of it all Ethan.
He will never trust me. What will I do?”
“Stay there Child.” Ethan busied himself in the bathing room, returning with
fresh water and a bottle of ointment. He rested them on one side of the window-
seat and settled next to them.
“Sit by me. I want to tell you a story,” said Ethan. Jared shuffled
apprehensively forward and knelt at his side. Ethan rested a hand to his hair.
“It is the first time I have seen you clean. You are lovely and I think, very
gentle. Jensen has a good eye. I wouldn’t want him to lose you.” He wet a
cloth. “Give me your foot.” He cleaned and dressed Jared’s injuries as he
spoke;
“I was five when soldiers came to my orphanage. I don’t remember it well. I
have flashes of memory, the flames and sounds of battle. There was fighting all
around me and I could not run from the fire. A soldier ran into the flames and
pulled me away. I remember being carried, running and then quiet. I don’t know
why the soldier kept me but I was young and I like to think he could not find a
safe place to lay me down and would not leave me. He brought me all the way
across the water and I stayed by his side for a year. He looked after me but it
was not ideal. One day we met with many other troops, there were tents and fine
horses and I met a child my own age. He was a cocky little boy, I suppose we
both were. He traveled with a large man, he called Papa. He brought Papa over
by the hand and said I want him. I laughed, but it was Jensen, his Papa was
King, and he got me.”
Ethan rinsed his cloth and continued. “Of course, nothing that Jensen ever got
has come without a price. We went everywhere together and our friendship was
encouraged. We even slept in the same bed. When I was six, it was decided I was
old enough to take a beating and Jensen loved me enough for it to be
effective.”
“You were his whipping boy?” Jared encouraged.
“It sounds terrible but it wasn’t so bad. At that young age it seemed
outrageous and I railed against it. When I was seven I took to fighting and
screaming and declared I would run away. Jensen’s mother was still alive then.
Each time, she would take a rope, bind my hands and feet together and lock me
in a room alone.” Ethan smiled fondly, “Of course the knots were always just a
little loose. I would work at the bindings, all the while plotting my escape,
working out every little detail. It would chafe and burn while I thought and
thought. When I finally got free, it was always with the same inevitable
conclusion. It was for nothing, because I had nowhere to go. Even if I did, I
didn’t want to go there without Jensen. Every time I panicked and tried to tie
the rope back, but she always knew.”
“What happened then?”
“She would untie me and give me a kiss. Then I would get the beating of my life
and Jensen would take me away and comfort me.” Ethan finished applying
ointment, sat back and produced the keys. “Now, shall we get you comfortable
and put those cuffs back on you?”
Jared sat meekly for Ethan to secure him. He ate his meal as instructed. Before
Ethan left he knelt before him. “Thank you. Ethan. I beg your forgiveness.”
“It is not my forgiveness to give, Child.”
“Will you tell my Master?”
“But of course.”
The door locked behind Ethan.
***
Jared stared into space. The minutes became hours and each one was longer than
he had ever imagined. As the day stretched he focused on a spot on the wall and
stared at it, trying to disappear into the safety of his mind but the
butterflies in his stomach fluttered and barged and refused to let him leave.
When darkness fell he still saw the spot, in the flicker of the firelight. The
next day was longer and the one after that interminable. He fidgeted in his
chains and died a little inside and the spot on the wall never moved.
Jensen arrived in the cold, silent time of the next night. He blew in as a
whirlwind with a dangerous glower and a smoke tinged presence. Jared sank to
his knees with his head to the floor and barely uttered his plea for
forgiveness before his leash was unclipped and he was dragged, by his collar,
into candlelight.  There was a reflection on cold steel as his Master wielded a
sword over his head. It whistled down, scything into the floor within a whisker
of his face. It embedded itself, reverberating with the action.
A hand tightened in his hair and his head was yanked to stare into the hilt of
the sword. Jared looked into the shining, crimson ruby of his own weapon.
“No lies. No clemency. You will tell me from where this blade came.”
Jared trembled but he had considered this question. He swallowed and pictured
Christian. It seemed as if their friendship had been a whole other lifetime ago
but Christian was his Ethan. The person who knew him best and the one Jared
knew most.
“I took it with me from the field at De’ith, Master.”
“And its owner? What of the man who dropped the sword?”
“He would never have let it go of his own free will.”
Jensen swayed back, pale and drawn, and studied his slave’s face. “You saw
him?”
“No, Master.”
Jensen roughly pushed Jared's head away. He stood for a moment and rubbed his
hands through his windswept hair and over his face. He turned down the covers
of his bed, the ones that Jared had smoothed, with good intention, all those
days before. His voice was cold and harsh. “Crawl! Get out of my sight, Slave.”
Jared curled himself at the foot of the cold iron bedstead. The bed settled
above him and soon after he heard the rattle and creak of the door. Ethan
crossed the space. He placed a fur over Jared’s bare and shaking body before
sitting beside Jensen. Jared heard faint whispers and Ethan lifted his feet and
got into bed with Jensen.
***** Chapter 9 *****
Jared woke to the sound of soft argument and the loud creak of the bed above
him. “No.” Ethan was firm.
“Please.”  Jensen’s voice was child-like, pleading with Ethan.
“We have both outgrown this Jen. It is inappropriate and unhealthy.”
“I need you.”
“You have me, always, but this, this is dependence. You will always use me and
I will always crave it.”
 Then give in, come back to bed Ethan.”
“I don’t want us to need it any more. I shouldn’t have come.”
“I can’t be alone. Not right now.”
 Jared heard heavy breath and the sound of gentle suction, the slide of their
lips on each other, then Ethan again “How many dead?”
“They took all their prisoners and raided our hospitals, all our injured, in
the night. They built a pyre, the size of a mountain. The flames lit the sky
for miles. The screams of the dying ... the smell…. and we couldn't reach them,
couldn't stop it.” There was a heavy pause, “There are no bodies to return,
just lists to be made of the ones that cannot be found.” The Prince’s voice was
cracked, broken. “It wasn’t the worst of it Eth. There is far worse.”
 "I know. Of course, I knew right away.”
 “Just stay with me until morning. I can order you to.”
 “No. You can’t and you won’t. You have Child now. You can put it in your bed
and share some damn warmth with it, because what it has now is downright cruel
and I never would have thought it of you.”
“I can't bear to look at it. You don’t understand.” Jensen sounded tearful. 
“No I don’t, and you will not let me in. So sort it out. Deal with it and sell
it, or deal with it and make it presentable. My offer still stands.”
Jared squeezed his eyes shut and lay still as Ethan left. He feigned sleep even
as the warm breath of his Master whispered over him and he felt an emerald
stare burn into him.
Long after the presence had left him Jared lay with his eyes closed and the
words that had been spoken haunted him “They built a pyre.” It could not be
true, surely it was a trick, a ruse to draw him out, but the distress had been
real and the smoky tinge of roasted meat lingered where Jensen’s clothes lay.
 ***
Sunrise found Jensen pacing at the bay window, not a glance to his dishevelled
slave. Jared was at loss, his stomach roiled with fear of his Master’s mood and
of the punishment he knew was due. He had no permission to speak, or even be
seen. He had no clue what he could do to make things right.
The sounds of shouting, quick footsteps in the halls and an insistent, heavy
hammering at the door relieved the problem. His Master took off at a run. He
left Jared in chains, yet unleashed, and with the door ajar. Jared did not move
from his position until the hours had passed, his throat was sore with thirst
and his stomach contracted in pain. He crawled awkwardly to the bathing room to
use the cubicle and draw a little water from one of the basins. He felt weak
and it was exhausting. He rested in the room’s warmth before making his way
back to his self-imposed place at the base of the iron bed. He couldn’t help
feeling a sliver of hope that the Palace was under attack. That his army was
here to rescue him, but he knew it was a pipe-dream. He wondered if he was
allowed to look from the window but he was sure his unleashed state was an
oversight and had no wish to incur further wrath.
He could see sky. The clouds drifted and made shapes. His mind floated with
them, inventing worlds and stories. He remembered a time, far distant when his
mother had been brought, in a bath chair, to the Palace Lawns. He had settled
in her lap and they had looked to the blue and named the shapes on the horizon.
She no longer left her bed. The Queen was but a ghost, resting on silk and
lace, waited on by an anxious, grey nurse. Jared wondered if she was still
alive. There would be nobody to bear the news to him when she died and no way
to say the final farewell. He wondered if his young sister, the Princess Meghan
would speak his goodbye for him. In his heart, he knew she would.
Jared gradually became aware of a deep silence settled over the entire
fortress. No sound of footsteps, no distant child’s laughter or bustling crowd.
The fluttering ensign dropped below his sight and a single bugle called a clear
and slow lament. A human wail started in the grounds below the window and grew
in force joined by sobs and subdued chatter. Hushed footsteps restarted in the
hallways, He understood that shoes were not being worn and thought he
understood why.
Jared waited for his Master to return.
***
A burly slave trailed behind Jensen with a large dog cage which he placed in
the room. Jensen did not speak, simply flicked a hand in dismissal, locked the
door after him and turned to Jared. Green eyes were tinged red and burned
bright with emotion. His face was stone-grey, full of cold threat, lips drawn
into a snarl. He bore down on the younger man and Jared scuttled backwards
hitting his back on iron. He pleaded for forgiveness, repeating it in terror.
Fingers gripped like steel and he was flung across the room to the leather-
topped bench.
Jensen’s first sentence was like a blow to the gut. “We executed Captain Kane.”
“No!” Jared’s heart shattered.
“Shut up! Bend over and spread you legs.” Jared couldn’t move and Jensen kicked
his legs apart, attaching his cuffs to the loops on the bench.
“No, no, no, no, please Master.” Jared was shaking. Jensen forced the slave
over the bench at his waist and stretched his hands tight to the far end of it.
Prince Jensen's voice was barely controlled and menacing, “I can do whatever I
like. Shall I burn you alive or chop off your hands? Is it fun? Your countrymen
seem to think so.” 
“No, Master.” Jared fought to control his breath. He turned his head to the
side but he could not see Jensen from his position.
Jensen stepped back and removed his belt. Jared sensed him pausing, “Did you
learn anything, Child?” Jared closed his eyes and tried to calm himself, to
find a suitable answer but he was not sure that Jensen was referring to his
slave’s failure. There had been overheard conversation as well as the discovery
that the Nation was in mourning. He was silent too long. There was a whistle of
displaced air and the rigid leather belt hit him viciously on the back of his
thighs. He gave a high pitched cry of surprise and hitched his breath with the
sting. His hair was twisted in Jensen’s fist and his head raised painfully to
look at the furious man. “Thank me” His Master hissed.
 “Th, thank you, M m master,” Jared stuttered.  His muscles tensed with the
unconscious effort to escape the ties and strong fingers. “Please,” he begged,
but he knew there would be no reprieve.
“What did you learn?”
Jared had no time to think. He could only answer honestly. “I learned I had
nowhere to go. I learned my place is by your side. I learned that I am yours.”
“How many lashes should I give you?”
“I no longer have an opinion Master.” 
An open handed slap landed on his upturned cheek, clipping his lip and drawing
blood. “Don’t disrespect me.”
 Jared faltered.
“So be it.” A ball was forced behind his teeth and the strap fixed on the back
of his head. He felt the slide of leather against his back before Jensen raised
his arm high and with muscles taut, began a relentless assault.
There was no mercy as the welts burned deep into his thighs and again on his
bare ass, lashes rained down on his back and shoulders. As lashes criss-crossed
his bare flesh, the sticky seep of blood dampened his skin and dripped. Tears
and snot slid wet down the slave’s face and he whined his distress. Jared lost
count in his head at twenty, the agony engulfed all of his senses and he felt
his body give way, held only by the cuffs. He became silent.
Jensen hadn’t spoken again. There was the sound of panting as he unleashed his
full force in each strike and a suggestion of a hitch and a whimper in his
breath. Eventually the belt slipped to the ground with a sickening wet thump
and Jensen leaned breathless beside his slave. He lifted his slave's head once
more and looked into the traumatized, pale and tear stained face. Jared’s eyes
were barely focused but he could see tears and wretchedness on his Master’s
face. Jensen broke the silence. “Why are you still so beautiful to me?” Jared’s
head fell limp and Jensen cradled it in his hands. He leaned in and licked at
the blood around the gag. He kissed Jared's eyelids and his cheeks and then
licked around his jaw and around his neck, above and below the collar. “Why do
you do this to me?”
Jared drifted in and out of awareness. He felt the hot sting as Jensen ran his
hands over the lashes on his back and the soothing wet slick of his tongue that
followed in their wake. He felt a cool wet cloth and the slide of ointment over
burning skin. His eyes snapped open in horror as he felt his wounded ass cheeks
being parted and oiled fingers chasing the rim of his puckered hole. His body
found a renewed vigor to strain and wriggle in his bonds and he mewed behind
the gag.
“Ssh. You’re mine. You made the deal. You consented to this.” Two fingers
rammed forcefully inside the tight rings of muscle and Jared tried to move his
hips away from the violation that bruised and scraped the delicate flesh, but
he found only the bench. His cock rubbed against the smooth, sweat slicked
leather and unwelcome sensation coursed through him.
“Do you think my people consented to what they got?  Do you think they wanted
it?” Jensen's tone was vengeful and bitter. Fingers withdrew and the blunt
thickness of Jensen’s shaft was forced in. It felt huge, surely an impossible
fit as it forced the clenching muscle, but it found a way and tore inside. The
pain was unbearable and the young slave bit down on the ball in his mouth with
a high pitched squeal. His most intimate passage was stretched and filled,
hands grabbed harshly at his hips yanking him onto the unwelcome cock. There
was the tiniest relief at finding Jensen had made an effort to slick his length
with oil, but it was never going to be enough. It stuttered and stopped then
scraped and burned its way deeper. As Jared felt he would split, Jensen
withdrew, only to drive himself viciously deep, his balls slapping against
Jared’s wounded globes with agonizing sting. Jensen fucked callously, claiming
Jared in every stroke, grinding flares of pain into his tender, stinging flesh.
He bit a necklace of purple rounds on his neck and when that was covered in
bruises continued on the curve of his shoulders. He thrust into him, fucking
him raw until it was over with an animal cry and a splash of wet warmth inside
him. Jensen withdrew and come dripped, with the ooze of blood, down the inside
of Jared’s thigh. He felt his gag and cuffs being released and fell limply to
the floor.
In one last, humiliating gesture Jensen gathered his strength and dragged his
slave to the dog cage. He pushed and kicked at him until Jared was trembling
uncontrollably on the floor of the barred kennel, covered in sweat, bruises,
blood and come. Jensen locked him in and staggered into the bathing room.
***
When Jared came-to he was curled in a tight ball on the floor of a metal cage.
Searing pain tormented every inch of his flesh, his asshole was raw with agony,
shooting pains sliced through his insides and up into his stomach. Every
movement was an excruciating torture. There was an itchy crust on the inside of
his legs and the sensitive skin of his crotch was chafed. Fingerprint bruises
and purple bites decorated him.
The cage was closer to the fireplace than he remembered and he was at least
warm enough, without being hot.  A cup of cordial had been placed through the
bars. He reached to it and drank greedily, wincing as it touched his sensitive
lips and then scrunching his face as he registered the bitter taste. He raised
his head slowly, groaning at the ache.
“It will ease the pain.” the comment was whispered in a shaky voice.  
Jensen was sat on the floor by the fire. His knees were drawn to his chest and
his arms circled his knees, drawing them tight and making him appear small. His
face was pale, freckles standing starkly against them. His eyes were wide and
red rimmed. His hair was messy but not mussed and Jared realized, with a start,
that it had been cut, not neatly but in untidy clumps, as if it had been
grabbed in a frenzy and shorn with a razor. His Master was rocking back and
forth, agitated and nervous.
“My father loved your Queen. He would have done anything for her. She is so
beautiful. She has the most incredible eyes.” Jensen bit his lip hard enough to
make it bleed.
He squinted at his Master through blurred eyes and distracting pain. There was
something bothering him about the way that Jensen was sitting, some warning
sounding in his mind, but his senses were hazy. “I feel so tired,” Jared said.
He thought Jensen looked sleepy too and wondered, why, after all he had done,
he cared.
“I met her once. I wanted her to be my mother and I played with the Prince. I
never wanted anything as much as I wanted Jared. I cried when he left. I cried
every day for a week and I cried again when the Queen got ill and could not
marry Papa.” Jensen’s breath was erratic, there was a stain pooling on the
floor around his feet.
“Papa died today. Lord Morgan took his hands and sent him back bleeding. Said
he shouldn’t have tried to take what wasn’t his. He couldn’t be saved. Maybe
the Queen will join him soon. They can be together.”
Jared’s eyes filled with tears but they were not for his own pain.  
Jensen had stopped rocking and seemed instead, to be swaying.  We lost it all
at De’ith. We lost our last hope and the one we counted on most.”  Jensen
rubbed his face in his hands. “We lost Prince Jared. Killed at De’ith they
said. Ruined him and returned a charred body, identified and neat. Lord Morgan
will marry Princess Meghan and this will not stop until he has destroyed us. I
couldn't stop any of it, I had the most potent weapon in my care and I didn't
use it. Now it's worthless.”  Tears were sliding down freckled cheeks in
rivulets.
The green-eyed Prince crawled unsteadily to the cage and reached in to touch
Jared’s face with delicate fingers. He tipped his head and stared at him. “You
know, you have your mother’s eyes.” A large drip of blood hit the floor of the
cage. Jared registered the deep stains on the cloth of Jensen’s tunic and
gripped his Master’s hand tight to prevent him retreating.
Jared yelled for help as loudly as his abused body would allow him. He clawed
at the cage, rattling and banging and when it would not unlock and when Jensen
was leaning on the other side of the bars, too weak to fight him, Jared reached
through, tore at the fabric of his tunic and awkwardly applied makeshift
tourniquets.
 The rattle in the door seemed to take an age. Then there were hands snatching
Jensen from him “What did it do? Get it off him.” Angry eyes peered at him.
“Need help.” muttered Jared. He closed his eyes and let himself slip into the
black.
***** Chapter 10 *****
Jared was being watched. He lay inert on the thin mattress and stared at the
pattern on the rough hewn stone wall.
He remembered Ethan carrying him away from Jensen, snatching him out of the
cage, cradling him in his arms and taking him away from the loud, accusing
voices to somewhere quiet and warm. When he  thought about it, the small man's
strength surprised him. There had been blood, altogether too much blood, Jensen
soaked in it, Jared dripping it from his own wounds, it was on the floor,
soaked into the rugs, smeared over Ethan's skin and clothes. He had no memory
of being cleaned and bandaged then brought to this room or cell, whatever it
was, he hadn't asked and nobody offered the information.
Alona had visited, brief and formal, she had kneeled by his side to tell him
that he had been exonerated of all wrong doing and that Jensen lived. The
physician had examined him. Jared endured the shame of being rolled on his side
and his cheeks pulled apart while fingers probed at the sore and puffed hole.
There had been somebody watching them. The physician had displayed the intimate
wounds and discussed the pity that this pretty slave was not a virgin and would
not be suitable for Court. He had slathered ointment on his abused, puckered
muscle and forced fingers inside to apply a thick layer on the most private
damage. They talked about the slave’s reduced value like he was a slab of meat
at market, and Jared cringed at the indignity.
Different slaves attended him. They brought his food, removed his pot, provided
a wash cloth, rubbed ointment on him and turned him over to tend his internal
wounds as he cringed in shame.
Nobody spoke to him.
A high barred window showed the progression of the days and it was now ten
dawns since Jensen had whipped and taken him. The first days he had stayed
belly to the mattress, unable to move. The physical pain eased but Jared was in
Hell. He was hurt and wanted to be angry. He wanted to take his sword and run
Jensen through but when he imagined the action it always ended with his
Master’s desolate expression, the broken, rasped, words and the smell of
charred meat.
He knew his welts marked him as a troublesome slave, one worthy of punishment.
He understood why no other slave would speak to such a disgrace, one with
matted hair and marked skin, but it stung more than any wound that Jensen had
laid on him. In his loneliness he missed the cold familiarity of Jensen’s room.
He missed his Master’s voice, any voice. He yearned for the touch of fingers in
his hair with the comfort of the simple words “Good Boy.”
Jared thought maybe he had lost his mind. That none of it was real. He was back
in the room of his own Palace and Meghan would come dashing in, without so much
as a knock on his door and he would wake from this dream and growl at her to
stop pestering him.
The other person in the room shifted and cleared their throat. Jared remained
facing the cold stone wall. Let them speak for his attention. He needed the
comfort of a voice, any voice, be it angry or sad or mellow. Anything to prove
that he lived, that he still was.
“Come here, Child.”
A heavenly voice, sweet music of speech and yet; It was Jensen and it was not. 
Jared uncurled and rose stiffly, only to fall to his knees before the man. No
slave this, a man of his own height who reached his manicured fingers to lift
the slave’s face to look into curious deep green eyes. It was Jensen and yet,
it was not. “What is the magic that you weave, Child?”
“I beg forgiveness Master, I do not understand the question.” Jared’s voice was
hoarse with disuse.
“You are in every way unsuitable, and yet…” the eyes searched his face, gentle
fingers cupped his chin, and a thumb rubbed the scratchy line of his jaw. “Are
you recovering from your wounds, Child?”
“Yes Master.”
“You may call me Your Majesty. You have no Master.”
Jared bit back the sounds of his disappointment. His only purpose was to bring
comfort, beauty and pleasure. Maybe there had been another agenda but he
remembered the word, worthless. He had failed in all ways and was disowned. It
was much as he had suspected but the confirmation crushed him nevertheless.  He
dropped his eyes in shame. “Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Look at me, Child.” Jared reluctantly returned his gaze. “There are no laws,
but mistreatment of slaves, within these walls, will not be tolerated. Your
Master has not removed you from his service. His ownership was revoked.”
Jared frowned and shook his head. There had never been any sugar-coating to his
deal, slaves had no rights and owners could do what they wished. “I don’t
understand. I was disobedient. I took off my cuffs. Why? Your Majesty.”
“The punishment was not just. You should not have to look upon him or bear his
touch. He asked to offer you this small mercy.”
“Please, Your Majesty. What will happen to me?”
“You are an attractive and healthy young slave. You shall fetch a fair price at
a fair market.”
Jensen would sell him? Offer him to the highest bidder? He had taken everything
and everyone that he knew, condemned him to an afterlife of Hell and now he
would withdraw the only familiarity he had? Jared couldn’t stop to consider the
depth of fucked-up implied by the sudden realization that he favored a cold and
brutal familiarity within castle walls, over a lonely, unknown fate elsewhere,
he just knew that his Master’s rejection plunged him into a deeper despair than
he had yet known.
He gathered what inner strength he still possessed, it wasn’t a time for tears
or silent submission, he had learned that they got him nowhere. Jared
reassessed his visitor. “May I ask another question, Your Majesty?”
The King watched him with unnatural interest, “You may, Child.”
“Why is it you who bears this news to a mere slave? Is there anyone to listen
to my plea?”
“You are a bright thing, you are a slave and according to rules and precedent
there is nobody to listen to your words. Perhaps I came for you to listen to
mine. Maybe a new King can trade pleas with a slave because there is no-one to
correct him.”
“You would ask something of me, Your Majesty?”
“I would ask you to reject your Master’s mercy. I would have you return to him.
I would ask that you return his spirit to me because I fear that you are the
only one who can.”
Jared did not care, he was certain he could not fret for the man and yet he
needed to know. “What ails him? Surely there is Ethan?”
Joshua took his hand from Jared’s face and sat on the floor, cross legged in
front of the slave. “I shall be direct with you, Child. It is a bold thing for
a King to put his brother’s life into the hands of a slave, who was an enemy
but a moon ago, but I am quite desperate in this and am assured of your
extraordinary nature. You will understand that a betrayal of this strange trust
will result in more pain than you have ever experienced.”
“I understand, Your Majesty.
“Physically, Jensen is recovered, spiritually we cannot mend him. Ethan
believes you have chance where we do not succeed and he has an unerring sense
in affairs concerning Jensen. It baffles me that you did not take revenge when
you had the opportunity to see Jensen die slow, that in fact you put yourself
at risk to prevent it. You should hate me and everything I stand for, yet even
now you are gentle mannered.” Joshua paused.
Why exactly did he save Jensen? It wasn’t something that Jared had allowed
himself to dwell on.  He hadn’t been angry, not when it was raw and fresh. He
had simply acted. There had been overwhelming pain, fear and anxiety, maybe
pity and something more that was elusive and unnameable.
 Jared allowed him to continue.
“ In this one thing you have no obligation to accept, you may choose to go to
market this day and never speak of it. I cannot erase what my brother has done
to you and the path is difficult if you stay. There will be no suggestion or
rumor of Jensen’s melancholy and you will be presented as an ordinary Court
slave. Our enemies cannot become aware of our temporary loss and our own Lords
must not lose their morale. You may think on it before you reply.”
Jared nodded. He closed his eyes and thought of his mother. In the ten dawns he
had slept in this room, her face had been close in his mind, her wisdom closer.
 “Jared, your birthright is not only a privilege, but a responsibility. Royal
Heritage is given to bear both the joys and the sins of The Realm.”
 “..cut off his hands….They built a pyre….he will not stop…..you have your
mother’s eyes”
All Jared's blood could not wash away the sins of his Realm, the penance Jensen
had taken from him seemed paltry for the enormity of the crimes Jensen had
described, but maybe Jared could find a way to stand firm against the Sinful.
In this Palace, in Prince Jensen, he retained the faintest hope of influence.
It was a reason to remain though maybe not the only one.
“I should like to exchange my plea, Your Majesty.”
“You are a forward young thing,” King Joshua laughed. “Go ahead.”
“I have already lost everything, I have nothing to achieve with anger. Without
your brother, I have no place. I gave myself as a slave and I understood the
nature of the gift. The pain has been hard to bear but it is no less than the
pain that Jensen feels. Your Majesty, I wish to be returned to my Master’s
care.”
And how did that work?he wondered. Why make such a reckless decision? He
wouldn’t be able to bear such treatment again, didn’t even know how he would
look in his Master’s eyes or remain still with his touch, and yet it was a
touch he somehow craved. Not the vengeful grasp, but the soft kisses on his
neck and the solid warmth of his Master’s chest to lean upon.
King Joshua stood and paced the small room. “A slave is defenceless. It is
never acceptable to use it in anger. I give Jensen this one last chance but I
will not let him repeat his action. For now, you will accept direction, not
only from Jensen, but from Ethan, and The Princess Mackenzie. There may be
occasion when we will require you to go against your Master’s will and that
will be a test for you.” He gave a slight chuckle “and we shall try to be
consistent. You may use the term Master or Mistress, for all, as appropriate.”
“As you wish, Master.”
 The new King tapped at the door for his exit. “Oh and Child, you will not
attend Jensen until you have bathed and prepared. Ethan will ensure that such
matters are your first lesson.”
“Master?” The word felt good on his tongue
The King tutted with impatience.
“I am truly sorry for the loss of your father and for the deaths of your
countrymen.”
***
Jared held himself with poise and folded neatly to his knees atop the stool
that Ethan had placed near the bed. There was a shimmer of oil on his shaved
body. His carefully styled, silky locks fell softly over his collar. He carried
the faint perfume of zest of lime and sandalwood.  Ethan took his leash and
placed it on Jensen’s hand, folding The Prince’s fingers around it in a loose
hold.
“Your stubborn slave would not leave you, Jensen. It has insisted that it tend
you and we are going to let it. If you want to complain or change the
arrangement then you will at least need to speak.”
Jensen was still, the covers neatly pulled to his breast and his eyes staring
upward with an infrequent blink of his thick lashes.
Ethan bowed out of the room and locked the door. Jared wondered if he was
locking them in, or the rest of the Palace out. He reached to Jensen’s face and
stroked his cheek lightly. The action was easier than he imagined, it did not
invoke fear or disgust. Jensen was pale, warm and vulnerable. Jared wore the
collar but he was in control of the moment.  “I know it is not my right, but I
forgive you.”
Jensen turned his face away from Jared.
“You must think me naïve. I suppose I am. Well that ends. I am yours, I am not
equal but I am no mannequin. We once agreed we would try to understand each
other. Well, this is me, here, learning. I need you to keep your side of the
deal, Jensen.” He took Jensen’s hand in his own and lapsed into silence. They
sat while the sun rose to its peak and began its descent beyond hills that
Jared had never visited.  When Jensen would not sip at his drink Jared soaked a
sponge and dripped it in his mouth, stroking the newly styled short hair and
whispering reassurance.
Jared sat with him through that day and the next. Hushed consultations with
Ethan and Alona had Cookie providing honey rich liquid, broths, custards and
sieved fruit. He studied the books on Jensen’s shelves and picked out several
volumes of well thumbed poetry, he found the most dog eared pages and read them
aloud. It wasn’t a chore, he found Jensen’s taste in literature oddly similar
to his own and some of the pieces he read were old favorites. He kept up a one
sided conversation while he washed and soothed the fading red slashes that
savagely marred Jensen’s arms. He didn’t keep track of his insignificant
chatter, simply allowed himself to meander through descriptions of the day, as
viewed through the bay window, and memories of childhood, family and hounds.
During most of this attention Jensen lay mute, with an unfixed gaze, but every
now and again Jared would catch a sly glance in his direction and on one
occasion, as he described an unfortunate event involving his hounds, a loud
bugle and a manure ridden byre, there was a suggestion of a smile and a rare
glint in Jensen's eyes.
 ***
Candles burned, firelight that danced in the grate lit the man’s frail beauty
and Jared could not reconcile it with the one who had wrought such fury on him.
He saw the man who had nestled close by the camp fire, the one who had kissed
him so sweetly when he was in doubt.
He reached for a bottle of oil and massaged the fingers soothingly and extended
it to the rest of his hand. He took Jensen’s other hand and did the same. He
traced his fingers lightly over the scabbed skin of his Master’s scarred arms
and pressed feather light kisses over them, upward, over his shoulder and neck
to the beautiful plump lips, dry and cracked now. He felt a slight tremor
beneath his touch and the faintest whimper from the pink bow as he leaned
within a breath of the mouth that had once kissed him so sweetly. “You can tell
me, no,” whispered Jared. Jensen’s hand firmed around his leash, shortened it
and jerked his slave’s head back from his face. He rasped his first word since
Jared had returned. “No!” 
Jared waited, his head held still by the leash but Jensen didn’t slacken it or
speak again, he simply stared up into his slave’s eyes as if they contained
some dark secret.
A cold draft blew in with a bustle of fabric. Moss-green eyes appraised the
scene. “Jensen that’s not polite. How can your slave kneel before me when you
hold so tightly.”
She was a pretty girl, not yet twenty, with sparkling bright eyes and fair
skin. She leaned over the bed and forced Jensen’s fingers open. She took the
leash from him and Jared moved to the floor and kneeled, head bent low. She
tugged at his leash “Move for me Child. I want you here.” Her toe pointed a
little to the left and he could not understand why she would ask such a thing.
He hesitated. “Here, now!” Her voice was full of warning. He scrabbled to move,
a half walk and half crawl.  
“Stand! Down! Side!”  She clicked her fingers with a circular movement.
Jared tried to keep up but faltered at the command side, struggling to guess
its  precise meaning.”
She looked to the bed. “Jensen your slave is pathetic. It is to be presented
within this moon cycle and it will be eaten alive.”
Jared’s eyelashes parted wide.
“Not literally, Child.” She rolled her eyes.
His cheeks reddened, he was already disappointing the lady he assumed to be his
Mistress.
 “It is clueless and somewhat clumsy.”
“I beg forgiveness, Mistress.”
“I did not give you permission to speak.” She was sharp with Jared.
Jensen shifted a fraction in his bed. Jared realized that this position
afforded his Master with the best view of Jared with what must be his sister,
the Princess Mackenzie.
“Stand!”
Jared stood and with her hands on his hips, she manipulated him to face Jensen.
She tugged his head back roughly and he jumped as he felt her hands slide
downward over his groin. “Have to get used to this Slave.” She stood on tiptoes
and licked his ear, “Everyone is going to want a piece of you. Flinch once more
and I will have you punished.” Fingers trailed up to his chest and tugged at
his nipple and he bit his lip. He had imagined doing these things with
somebody, dreamed about them through his puberty and he had pictured it as
beautiful and erotic. This felt dirty and every muscle tensed and trembled,
fighting to run while his mind demanded that he stay. Her hand reached between
his thighs “Open them!” His leaden feet reluctantly obeyed. He felt his eyes
well with tears and fought to contain them. “You are one, worthless, inept and
stupid slave, Child. But your body does make up for it.” As her fingers gripped
his cock tightly he whimpered and a single tear slid over his lashes.
“No!”
Jared almost overbalanced as the pressure on his collar was released and
fingers fell from his skin. “Don’t ever do that to my property again Mac. Or I
swear..”
Jared looked on helplessly as Jensen pinned his sister to the wall by her neck.
Was this one of the moments he was supposed to intervene in contradiction of
his Master? Mackenzie lowered her head “Ow, no, no, Jensen please, I’m sorry.”
She wriggled theatrically and Jensen responded by releasing his hand. “Gah,
Mac, I’m, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. Are you hurt?” Mackenzie hugged into her
brother’s shoulder making little hurt noises in her throat. She raised her head
and looked directly at Jared. She gave a half grin and winked at him before
turning to face her brother with a sad, childlike expression. “I am bruised.”
“Child! Fetch cold water, a cloth and some arnica.” Jared was quick to obey.
“What on earth has got into you Mackenzie?”
“What has got into me? That is rich, dear brother. I was curious to see if you
could manage a care about anything. It will recover, I will recover and you
shall have to mend too.”
“What I did to you Mackenzie. I am so sorry. Everything I do just now is
wrong.”
Jensen looked pale and worn from the brief activity. Mackenzie guided him to an
armchair and sat him down. She sat too. “You look just terrible, you can start
with eating. I brought fruit.”
Jared looked to Jensen for approval and he nodded wearily. “Mistress, will you
allow me to tend to you?”
“Of course, Child.” She smiled warmly at him.
This, at least, was familiar. He had tended to Meghan’s wounds on countless
occasions when she came running in, tears streaming, afraid to admit to their
nursemaid that she had been climbing a tree or jumping on walls. Her big
brother would wipe her tears away, sit her on a chair and tell a nursery rhyme
as he dabbed at the inevitable results of her waywardness. His mind jumped to
the present and he tried not to think of Jensen’s suggestion that she would
marry Morgan. Meghan was too full of vibrancy and fun to be saddled with a
stern and pious old man but there was a political expediency to it. Meghan was
impulsive and cheery but she also had a strong sense of duty.
“Your mind is elsewhere, Child. We need to work on that. Your full attention
must always be with your owner and his desire.” Mackenzie was matter of fact
rather than harsh in her tone. “Do not bore me with apology for I fear there
will be a lot of correction in the days to come.”
“Mackenzie, it is not your slave to correct.” Jensen spoke from the comfort of
his chair, where he had curled his legs under him and rested his head on the
arm of the huge squashy piece of furniture.
She ignored her brother and waved Jared away. “There is fruit for your Master.
You shall ensure he eats it.” He considered the command for a moment, collected
the plate and knelt to one side of the chair where Jensen sat. He concentrated
on trying to be graceful but instead he wobbled and dropped a soft chunk of
food to the floor.” He drew his breath and squeezed his eyes together, awaiting
the inevitable censure. Instead he heard a quiet chuckle from his side and a
titter from Mackenzie. “Oh Moons!  It is perfectly adorable and yet a
ridiculously unsuitable selection. It is so, absolutely, yours.”
“Did you come here for any other reason than to insult my choice of slave
Mackenzie?”
“I came to cheer you up,” She smiled brightly, “though if I had Child, I doubt
I would require such a service and I would not want you to distract me from my
bed.”
“No. You didn’t Mackenzie.”
“Well there was something else Jensen.” She took a serious stance. “I want you
to try harder with Joshua. He believes you are not well enough to Campaign any
time soon and thinks you do not wish to participate in the direction of it. I
disagree. We are all we have now and it is time we worked together. I see value
in your approach and I know that Joshua does as well.”
Jensen started to speak and Mackenzie shushed him. Jared placed a chunk of
juicy red fruit on his lips and Jensen took it and chewed. “Joshua would never
criticize Papa’s approach while he was alive but I know he has doubts. He will
be amenable to constructing a fresh plan but only if he believes you are
healthy in mind and body, to take your part. Selling this to our allies and our
Lords will be difficult. To that end there will be a Banquet, a Summit if you
will. It will honor Joshua’s accession to the throne, it will demonstrate our
united front and it will reassure them that life in Court goes on, as normal,
with traditions intact. To that end you will attend in good form and Child will
be presented in the accustomed manner. The old King’s rebellious son will be
seen to have clipped his wings and taken life seriously at last.”
“I cannot present Child.” Jensen was distressed. “What I have done. It is too
soon.”
“You would worry about a slave, with the Kingdom in tatters? What do you think
Morgan’s men will do to it when we are overrun? Believe me, I concur that it is
too soon but I see no other way.”
Jared concentrated on lifting Jensen’s food to him. Jensen sighed and rubbed
his brow.
“You are tired Jensen. I should go. Joshua is not expecting you to leave your
apartments for seven dawns and I think that is wise. It will give you time to
relax, regain your vigor and think on your Campaign. Oh, and you should attempt
to smile. I lied when I said your slave is stupid. It is intelligent and
pliant. You should accept its care and amusement with some enthusiasm.” She
kissed her brother’s cheek. “Good night, Jensen.” The door banged and clicked
behind her.
Jared felt suction on his fingers and a tongue licked at the fruit juice on his
palm. Jensen took his hand and placed a kiss on the end of each of his slave’s
fingers then guided them to rest on the scars of his right arm. “What I did, I
thought I’d lost you” he whispered “and I needed to feel a greater pain, but it
wasn’t. Losing you still hurt more.”
“You didn’t lose me Master. I am here. My place is with you.”
“Come lie with me. Just lie. No more.”
Jared allowed himself to be taken to bed and Jensen settled the eiderdown over
them both. They lay shoulder to shoulder and Jared sank into the luxury of the
soft bed beside his Master’s solid presence. It didn’t seem wrong or
frightening when Jensen turned on his side to rest his head on Jared’s shoulder
and rest his arm over his chest. He closed his eyes and let himself pretend he
could always have this. He drifted to sleep.
***** Chapter 11 *****
Jared woke in the downy softness of his bed. There was the warmth of a heavy
shape by his side and a soft touch on his back.
“Get off me!” he moaned. He couldn’t tell if it was Harley or Sadie but,
whichever it was, it would leave a trail of fur on the covers. The hound wasn’t
moving. “Off!” he said with more conviction, and pushed at the warm body beside
him. His hand touched firm, smooth skin and for a moment he was confused. As
his mind awoke, a sick sensation rose in him. His hazel eyes shot open and he
scrabbled into a sitting position. Backed up against the head of the bed, with
his knees against his chest and his arms around his knees he held the sheet to
him and waited for Jensen’s rage. “M’sorry, sorry, sorry.”
Jensen sat too. The hand that had been caressing Jared’s back was still held in
midair and he stared back at his slave. A momentary look of shock crossed his
features and then he moved.
Jared flinched and tried to inch further away, but there was nowhere to go. He
needed to calm himself. He was sure he should act with dignity but his body
reacted with the memory of pain. Jared tried to slow his breathing and watched
as his Master sat upright in the bed and studied him. Jensen lifted the covers
and slid off the mattress. He padded across the room to his study and the door
banged shut behind him.
Jared stared at the door, waiting for Jensen’s return. His stomach was turning
loops, wondering what Jensen had gone into the room for. He shivered as he
climbed from under the warmth of the cover. He wished he had some idea of what
to expect and what was expected of him, he didn’t want to make his mistake any
worse. Should he go into the study after Jensen? He’d never been in there and
perhaps it would be another huge error. Should he try to undertake some tasks,
make the bed, prepare a bath, or would that be too forward without instruction?
Could it be any worse than telling your Master to get off you?  He thought a
book would be good, an instruction manual for slaves but there wasn’t one and
he was so screwed.
Jared settled on his knees by the bed and waited for his Master to return, it
would be another long wait. He was still there when Ethan strode in. He bowed
his head to the floor. A pair of shined boots appeared in his vision.  There
was no movement for a few minutes and Jared’s heart was hammering again. “Look
up, Child. Where is Jensen?”
Ethan was standing over him with his arms crossed, an impatient expression on
his face.
“He is in his study.” The words came out unsteadily.
“Why are you not with him?”
“I do not know what to do.”
“What did Jensen tell you to do?”
“He did not. At least, I did not hear an instruction.”
Ethan huffed, “You have been taught to present yourself, you are a mess Child,
tidy yourself up.”  He walked away and the door to the study slammed behind
him.
Jared washed his body and combed his hair. He applied a thin layer of oil all
over. When he appeared as he had been taught he drew breath and looked about
him. He set about ensuring there was not a speck of dirt in the bathing room
and then moved to the bedroom. He smoothed the bed-sheets and shook the
eiderdown.
Ethan returned to the room, shaking his head and muttering under his breath.
 He stopped still and stared at Jared. Jared lowered his eyes and waited for
the inevitable outburst but Ethan simply gestured to him. “Come here, Child.”
He laid his hands on Jared’s shoulders and smoothed them down his back. Jared
fought with himself not to squirm. “Relax. Nobody is going to hurt you. The
marks are fading, I can barely feel them. You know, you are quite breathtaking
and it is natural to want to touch you. You should be pleased. It is a good
quality.” The chocolate-eyed man settled in a soft armchair. “Sit.” He
indicated the floor by his side and Jared did.
Ethan nodded. “You are improving but it has to be said that you have unsuitably
frigid character and poor knowledge of your place. It is not your error. Jensen
made a mistake in taking you, and if it were not for his frail state and his
unusual attachment the remedy would be to send you for auction. There are many
other tasks you would be excellent for. Boys of your nationality and nature are
often excellent in industry. No matter, you chose to return to your Master, so
it is time to understand that your Master is a loving man. What he needs, in
private, are warm words, an affectionate touch and a slave who is not afraid to
think for itself and lead in small matters. What his position requires in
public, is a devoted slave who is perfectly presented and correct but above
all, relaxed and attentive to his needs and the desires of his guests. Can you
do this, Child? Or will we need to intervene? I do not wish Joshua to take you
from Jensen but we cannot continue this way.”
Jared's eyes filled briefly with tears but he swallowed back the sob “I want to
do this. I did not mean to reject him. I was mostly asleep and confused. I
forgot where I was, what I am.”
“You what?”
“I was dreaming, I was elsewhere.”
He felt brown eyes burn into him “You rejected him? Today?”
“I told him to get off me. I, I thought he was my hound. I had two, Harley and
Sadie, they would often..” Jared was gibbering and didn’t seem to be able to
stop his mouth.
“Ssh. Just stop now. Did you tell him this?”
Jared shook his head, “He went away. I thought he would collect a whip. He has
not punished me yet.” His voice became quieter “I would not have minded the
touch, not really, it was gentle and I am already damned.”
“Do you think you should be punished?”
“I know I cannot be allowed to reject my Master.”
Ethan ran his hands through his wayward black hair. “Have you ever given
massage, Child?”
“Yes, my mother was ill, sometimes it would help.” He stopped short, realizing
he was saying too much, there must be others with family who took sick but he
should not take chances.
“Massage will be a good way to start and then I think I should send Alona to
you. My girl is precious to me, ensure you do not waste its time. Oh, and
Child, I think it would be nice to talk about your dogs and maybe other cheery
topics, your face is pretty when you find something fond to think on.” Ethan
carefully ran his hand over Jared’s shoulder and up into his hair. Jared let
himself relax into the touch. “Good Boy.”
***
There was the sound of argument and the clattering of an item striking a wall,
then silence. Jensen followed Ethan from the room with a defiant stance and a
pout on his lips. Jared’s attention caught on the full, pink and kissable lips.
Jensen looked down at his clean and tidied slave and ran his tongue over them,
then bit down on his lower lip. Jared stared. Ethan looked between them and
laughed. “Well, honestly, I’m finding it difficult to see a problem here.”
Ethan took Jensen’s hand and placed it on Jared’s head. “I have insisted that
your slave explain its actions. I am away to cajole some baking from the
kitchens. Should I take the liberty of ordering single portions? I expect you
will be punishing Child with a fast today.”
Jensen’s body relaxed, and, as he breathed out, he directed the tiniest,
relieved smile at Ethan. “Yes. I expect that will prove appropriate.” 
Ethan stepped into the space in front of Jensen and pulled the green-eyed
Prince to him. He flashed a look at Jared as he planted a slippery wet kiss on
his friend’s lips and they melted in each others’ arms. Jared watched as
Ethan’s hand slid over Jensen’s back and cupped his ass. Jensen pulled him
closer, almost off his feet, and they continued the kiss, tongues deep in the
other’s mouth, as if in battle. Jensen made a little high-pitched whine and
there was the noise of suction and the smack of their lips as they parted,
panting slightly. “Stop stressing Jen.” Ethan gave an affectionate squeeze to
Jensen’s ass before removing his hands and leaving. They both looked content
and flushed.
***
Jensen settled in the armchair to eat his breakfast. Jared kneeled by him and
thought back on Ethan’s advice. His words were hesitant “The picture you have
of the hounds is colorful and lively. Are they your dogs?”
“I had them from puppies, they went everywhere with Ethan and I. Some nights
the bed would be a tangle of all of us and our nursemaid would despair.” Jensen
smiled at the memory. “They had a good long life, then suddenly I was grown up
and that’s the thing about responsibilities, they leave no time for such things
as puppy training. We have plenty of dogs and I can have them whenever I like,
it would just take a word with the hunt master. It’s not the same though.”
Jensen looked wistfully at the painting. “You had dogs, Harley and Sadie. They
slept in your room, would have defended you if necessary. You must miss them.”
Jared was shocked. “How do you know? Did Ethan tell you?”
 “Do you really think we did not consider the possibility of taking you? A
Royal bargaining chip? Your Palace was secure but there were small chances to
breach it.”
 “Why didn’t you?”
 “Papa believed in the honor of battlefield warfare. Such covert dealings were
beneath his dignity. In any case it would not have worked.”
 “Why?”
 There was pain in Jensen’s eyes as he replied “Oh Child! Do you really not
know the answer to that? Were you so closeted and apart from your people?”
Jared’s brows furrowed and he replied indignantly. “I was kept safe, I could
not be permitted to roam far, but I was educated, I read and I studied every
aspect of my people and my culture, I took lessons from the finest soldiers in
our army.”
Jensen interrupted him, “And Lord Morgan was your Mentor and the Elders tutored
you.” He left the comment hanging in the air.
 The slave forced himself to calm. He was sure he was not permitted to argue
with his Master.  “Please, I need to know what you mean by that comment.”
 “No! That was before, you are no longer that person, Child.”
 Why didn’t you take the opportunity you were given to have me as a Prince, to
use me that way?”
 “You have to keep asking don’t you? You offered yourself as a slave.”
 “You knew me right away, didn’t you?”
 “Prince Jared had a reputation among his people as a spoilt and uncaring child
with no interest to improve his citizens’ lot. He would not have considered
anyone over his own safety. I wanted to see what you would do, and you were not
expected to do that. It put me in an awkward position and I could not renege on
my agreement. I can see the vile lies now and you are not the Puppet Prince you
were made out to be. That is why Morgan could not have you survive to take the
throne. He would have been found out.”
Jared was slack jawed and pale. His own suspicions had been easy to push away,
but Prince Jensen's were untainted by warm childhood memories.“You think he
betrayed me?”
 “Don’t you? There had to be a reason we were given false information. You were
supposed to die at my hand. He must suspect you could have survived, or at
least some of your men, because Prince Jared is rumoured to have been deviant.
He apparently died at De’ith after giving orders that had so many of the
Realm’s captured men slaughtered that Morgan had to intervene. Prince Jared
took a fury and ordered the atrocities on the injured of the Kingdom. It was
one of the struggling men who unexpectedly bested him. He died from a wound to
the heart, no chance of recovery and was consumed by his own pyre, until little
was left of him. Apparently, he was a cold and heartless young man, and it is
an efficient propaganda machine that broadcasts it. There is, of course, an
official period of mourning. I do not see the evidence of tears on either side
of the border.”
Jared tried to process the information, his brain felt woolly and his mouth dry
“I didn’t, I would never, couldn’t ever do that. Not any of it.”
 “I know, Child. I am the one who can be sure you were not there, but it is too
little, too late. Prince Jared never stood a chance. He had my tears but he is
gone and you are what is left. You are an honorable slave and I am a hapless
Master, but for you, I will try to be better.”
 Jared squeezed his eyes and steeled himself to ask one last question, “Captain
Kane? Did he wish me dead?”
 “No. The Captain and young Jake, they are loyal to their Prince, to the end.”
 “Why should I trust you?”
 “Only you can decide who to trust, Child. I know I started badly but I hope to
earn it from you.”
The room remained silent for a long while. Jensen deposited his plate and
curled his legs under himself. He rested his head on his arms. “You’re tired,”
commented Jared.
 “I never meant to tell you, but you would find out, and I did not want it to
be at Court where there was no opportunity to recover from the hurt. You should
have time to mourn the Prince Jared, in private.”
 “He was a fool. I am over him.”
 “He was sweet, pure-hearted and courageous.” Jensen yawned, “How can I be so
weary when I have not long arisen?”
 “You have lost much these last weeks, and not a little blood, Master.” Jared
reached a hand to the older man. “Come and lie down, I can help.”
 “What did I say about Master?”
 “I was hoping that you would let me affirm my loyalty.” Jared spoke
uncertainly. It felt like their conversation had been honest and open, and he
hoped Jensen would not be offended. In this he wanted to lead. Right now,
belonging to Jensen felt like the only safety he had and he needed to
acknowledge it. Jensen swayed into Jared. They stood, their faces a breath away
from each other. Jensen reached to Jared’s collar and slowly traced its shape
around the younger man’s neck. “You are mine. I am proud you wish to affirm
it.” His lips stopped a moment from Jared’s and his eyes looked into the wide
hazel eyes, seeing the pupils rapidly dilating. He stepped back. “What will you
do for me, Child?”
Jared pulled him to sit on the bed. “Stay there.” He collected heated bowls of
finest almond oil and a blend of essences. He laid warm towels on the bed, his
confidence growing. “Can I ask to undress you? Is it correct?”
 “Of course, this would seem the right circumstances but I think I can manage
to undress myself.”  Jensen lifted his tunic over his head, revealing his pale,
firm chest and well-defined hips.
Jared watched. Jensen’s nipples were as pink as his lips and raised into firm
nubs. For a crazy moment he wanted to suck them into his mouth and nip at them,
he wanted to lick the shape of his hips and put his hands all over the firm,
freckled body. He bit back the wrongful desire and lifted a towel to cover
Jensen’s crotch as he undressed.
Jensen reached and pulled the towel down. “Child, we hold nothing back from
each other. You are naked to me always.”  Jared glanced at the already half
erect shaft and looked away quickly. For a moment he was back over the bench
and that thing was pushing in, filling and ripping him, and the pain was
merciless. He couldn't resolve the conflict of his feelings for this man, in
this moment so reasonable and vulnerable, and yet capable of such violence and
cruelty. Jared suddenly wanted to run, he should have taken mercy, he would be
away from this man, his anger, the deviancy in him, the wrongit inspired in
Jared, and the way it hurt. His breath caught, perhaps there was no safety to
be found for a gullible Prince. Jensen noticed his distress. “It’s alright. You
wanted me to lie down?”
His Master lay down on his front and Jared’s panic faded.He coated his hands in
fragrant oil and thought only of his touch on the warm, silky skin. He worked
methodically from toes to head. His hands buffed, kneaded and pummeled at the
firm torso. He lost himself in the rhythm and sensation of smooth skin and
solid muscle.
“Oh my stars,” Jensen groaned, “this is the best thing ever.”
Jared laughed and bent to his ear, “But we’re only half way. I need you to turn
over now.”
Jensen turned and there was no mistaking his erect cock curling proudly to his
stomach. Jared blushed, but his eyes were drawn to it. The purple head was
oozing pre-come from its slit and the vein throbbed purple.  His heart was
pounding and his thoughts were warring once again. With a horrified gasp he
felt his own cock twitch and the blood surged and pooled and filled it. 
 “I know I hurt you. I won’t do that again. Not ever like that. It can be
different.” Jensen’s voice was rasping but his guilt was written in clouded
green eyes and the pained lines on his face. He lifted a towel to his crotch
and covered it, the fabric tenting around his erection. “Please finish.” Jared
avoided any glance at his Master's erection, found an empty place in his mind
and continued the massage, his long fingers trailed over Jensen’s body, they
were firm, even and healing. Jensen was lulled into a trance, he closed his
eyes and breathed slow, deep and even. When Jared stopped he continued to
relax. The slave fetched fresh warm towels and placed them over his Master. He
sat on the edge of the bed and watched the rise and fall of Jensen’s chest and
the slightest flutter of his eyelashes on his cheeks. He noted the shape of his
ears and the proud nose and jaw-line. He wanted to run his hands through the
soft spikes of mussed golden-brown hair.
Jared's hand reached to his own throbbing erection and he palmed at it with
sweet sensation coursing through him as his young body chased a release. There
was a quiet voice of command by his side, “I can’t let you do that.” Jensen had
one eye open and spoke sleepily, “Convention and etiquette. It is not yours to
take pleasure from.” Jared stopped abruptly. He felt frustration and
desperation building in him.  
Jensen pushed himself up on one elbow and captured Jared’s face “We can come to
an arrangement. Let me have the oil. He dipped his hand and coated his fingers
liberally.
Jared tensed. He didn’t want this but his body appeared to have other ideas.
However wrong it was, he couldn't will his erection away.
“Sshh. You're young. You need this. You’ll like it, I promise.” Jensen dipped
in for a short, sweet kiss then reached both hands to Jared’s waist, “Just sit
over me, where I put you. Remember, I am responsible, I am in control but I
will not hold you against your will, you can move away. I’m not going to fuck
you unless you ask. I can’t. Let go and enjoy it.”
Hormones and desire overtook caution and Jared straddled him, their shafts
pressed against each other. Jensen reached to Jared’s face and caressed it, his
voice was needy and cracked, “Thank you for trusting me. You can touch me, lick
or kiss me but you don’t have to. You can stop at any moment without fear of my
anger.” The younger man moaned and thrust up against him. The friction was
incredible, the thrill shot up and down his spine.
Jensen laughed and took both cocks in his slick hand. “Give me your hand,
Child.” He took it in his own and guided his fingers around the throbbing
erections. Jared felt Jensen’s soft, silken skin and the beat of his heart in
the vein. He looked down on darkened desire-filled green eyes and sex flushed
cheeks and understood this was the effect he had on his Master. It was at once,
exhilarating and wonderful. They stroked in time together and Jensen took his
fingers and showed him the sensitive spots. He twisted as he reached the ridge
of the head and Jared gasped and emulated it on the next stroke. He had never
experienced such pleasure in the hurried moments of masturbation that he denied
to the Elders. Together they stroked and explored. Jensen encouraged Jared to
rub the sensitive head of his shaft, to dip into the wet slit and collect the
pre-come on his fingers before sliding them again. They picked up speed and
Jared sat upright, his head thrown back in pleasure, his collar clearly exposed
around his neck. He reached his other hand to Jensen’s chest and toyed with the
nipples and Jensen shouted obscenities and begged him to squeeze and stroke and
rub. Jared screamed out as his balls tightened and Jensen released his grip
then tightened his hand around the base of his cock, denying his gathering
orgasm, “Nuh.” The need for release was dizzying and Jared was begging and
pleading, Jensen placed his hand over Jared’s hand and guided him back to his
own need. He fucked Jared’s hand till his pace was ragged and screamed as he
came over his slave’s fingers. Jared’s eyes were blown and he was whining with
need. Jensen released his grip and gave one final stroke “Come for me.”
Jared came with a shout of “Jen-sen!” and a rope of thick fluid over his
Master’s stomach.  His sluggish mind was working just enough to ensure that
when he collapsed, boneless, it was by the side of his Master.
 They were panting and coated with sweat. Jensen reached to ruffle Jared’s
hair. “That was amazing.”
“Mmm.” agreed the brunette.
 “You have to thank me,” Jensen reminded helpfully.
 “Oh right. Mm. Thank you, thank you, truly, thank you.”
 “Good boy.”
 “Can I kiss you?”
 “Thought you’d never ask,” murmured Jensen
 “I don’t get this,” muttered Jared. It wasn’t just the rules and etiquette
that confused him, he shouldn’t want this and he frowned in confusion.
 “Stop thinking then.”  Their lips met in a clash and a slide and their tongues
followed, dipping and licking, twisting and sucking. Jensen ran his fingers
through Jared’s hair and pulled on his collar. He nipped at Jared's lip as he
stopped for air, then kissed his neck and sucked a small purple mark into his
shoulder. “Mine,” Jensen said and fell back into the comfort of his cushions.
 “Mm, tired.” His eyes fluttered shut and his breath evened.
 Jensen’s slave recalled the original purpose of the massage. He reached for a
cloth and wiped Jensen carefully. He pulled the eiderdown over him and tucked
it under his chin. He smoothed his Master's hair and touched his face lightly.
 He tidied away the oils and towels then splashed cold water on his own face.
He forced himself to stay awake before taking the time to make himself
presentable once more.
Jared didn’t feel damned and he couldn't feel the flames of Hell's fire licking
at his soul. In this moment he felt calm and even if he hated to admit it to
himself, happy. Perhaps there was something else too, hope.
***** Chapter 12 *****
Alona was silent on her feet. “Aw. He’s absolutely fast asleep. What did you
do?”
Jared blushed.
“Oh! That! That’s good. Fantastic. Everyone was starting to wonder.”
“How do we do this then? Is there any way we have to be? I mean I don’t really
know the rules. Do I call you something?”
Alona’s laugh was delicate and pretty. It matched her looks. “You and I are
equals. When we are alone we can relax and be ourselves. What is your real
name, Child?”
He ignored the question. “How can we be equals? You are, well,” he pointed his
finger up and down at her. “It doesn’t feel that way.”
“Child, the only difference between you and I is training, and, I suppose,
temperament. It is unusual for one slave to train another, but then it is
unheard of to take a new slave in these circumstances, especially a boy from
the Realm. Such boys are uptight and have ingrained views of sex.”
Jared opened his mouth to protest and she shot a sharp look his way. He closed
it again.
I have heard this life has been difficult for you to accept.” She gestured for
him to sit and they kneeled together on a rug in his Master’s room. She put her
hand on his knee and rubbed his thigh. He startled and tensed.
“Hmm. See?”
“How do you cope with it, the touches and the requirements?”
There was that tuneful giggle again. “How do I cope with the appreciation and
the sex? What is there to cope with? I enjoy it. Who would not want to be
admired, cared for and touched. Sex can be a revelation and I am lucky to
belong to Ethan. Even with others, the sensations, the feeling of connection
and belonging is amazing. The moment you give someone that high, the look on
their face and the satisfaction afterwards. The knowledge you fulfilled your
Master’s wishes and he is pleased with you. There is nothing like it.”
Jared could not disguise his shock.
“You think I’m a slut.”
“No. Of course not,” he said, overly fast “I’ve just never met anyone like
you.”
“Well, Child. The like can be said of you. You know, the intimacy will prove to
be a small part of your life. It is exciting at first, with much to learn of
each other, but it settles.”
“How did you come to be here?”
“It is where I always wanted to be. My mother was a general slave in a Lord’s
House.”
“I thought that children could not be slaves?”
“Hush! You have to learn to listen without interrupting. It will prove
important. You should practice with me.”
Jared let her continue.
“When I was young I would watch the Lords and Ladies arrive. Sometimes there
would be a Court Slave with its Master or Mistress. I would serve at banquets
to assist my mother, I was never required to do so, but I adored the etiquette
and the fuss. The Court Slaves, the way they were with their Masters, it was
something else. The relationship seemed so very proper and glamorous, yet the
interaction was affectionate and tender, it was so romantic. I wanted that from
the age of ten. I observed all the training I could and I yearned for more.
When my mother’s tenure was complete, I was sixteen. Her Master offered freedom
which she wished to take, but it is costly to find a home. Of course, everyone
knew I had ambition to be a Court Slave and I am lucky her Master thought I had
potential. A good price was paid to my mother and I was sent for training until
I was ready to be presented.  My mother has her freedom. I have a life at the
Palace.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.”  She could see the doubt in his expression. “I’m not unusual. Many
aspire to this. It is an accolade. This is not the only Land in the region
which keeps or deals in slaves. It is a way of life for many and nothing to be
ashamed of. It is one of the few nations which values its slaves and offers the
chance of freedom. There are many who would wish to be here. Some will cross
into Adomisa to sell themselves into slavery rather than wait to be taken in
their homeland.”
Jared’s stomach growled loudly, “Excuse me.”
“You should eat.”
“I am to fast, it is a punishment.” He dropped his eyes with the shame.
“Oh, Child! You are lost in this strange way of life. The expectations are
onerous. My training was extensive, yet I knew the basic rules and commands
before I was twelve. I have never taught another, but I will try my best. I am
instructed to train you to walk on leash and without leash and have you
familiar with all the basic commands, especially the wordless ones because
Master will never use a voice command at a Royal function.
There will be other tasks to show you, but it will become clear what you need
as we work. For this to succeed, you shall need to ask questions and make sure
you absorb the answers. You will haver to continue to practise when you are
alone. Do you understand all that?”
“Yes, of course,” He grimaced, “I may not be very good at it. I tried to walk
on leash once and I almost knocked Jensen over.” 
Alona laughed, “Ethan warned that you may need a training leash, he left it
here, hang on.” She pushed herself up without effort and reached to the
dresser. She showed him the chain and rubbed the solid wooden insert. “It
cannot slacken too far, while you get used to distances and stopping.” She gave
a cheesy white-toothed grin. So we’ll start with the basic positions and a bit
of walking then. Up you get.”
***
Jared held his head high and placed his feet delicately on the imaginary line.
He took paces, not too short, not too long. He remembered to keep his eyes in
line with the leash and his face relaxed with a slight upturn on his lips. He
wasn’t faking the smile, he was doing better than he had all afternoon, and for
the first time he felt poised. Then Alona stepped left and stopped abruptly, he
continued forward, the stiff leash poked into his neck, his feet tangled and he
crashed to the ground.
A quiet snigger started and grew until it became a snorting laugh and Jared
turned to see Jensen folded over with laughter. Alona had dropped the leash to
prevent harm and Jared untangled himself and curled miserably on the floor.
Alona crouched by him and rubbed his back. “You did great. You’re just tired
and hungry. We should stop.”
Jensen’s face sobered. “You have improved so much, Child. I’m sorry I laughed,
but truly, you had to see your swan dive from here.”
 Jared wondered at the shocked expression that flitted briefly over Alona’s
face. Jensen saw it and rubbed his hands over his eyes. “and now Ethan’s
perfectly correct Girl has caught me in incorrect behavior and I am going to
have to beg her not to tell.”
 “Jensen.” She dropped to one knee and bowed her head, “If my Master does not
ask, then I shall not offer the information.”
“Good Girl, but do not make things awkward for yourself. It is no more than
everyone expects of me.” He looked over at the crumpled shape on the floor. “An
owner must not make apologies to its slave. It weakens his position and sets a
precedent. You see, it shouldn’t matter if I am wrong, it is my issue alone. It
is important you know that.” His tone had an appeal and urgency to it.
Jared moved gracefully to his Master’s side and placed his hand over Jensen’s.
Alona nodded her approval at his movement and position. He took a breath for
confidence and looked up directly into his eyes. “I understand. I think I
already understood even that day.”
Jensen’s eyes closed briefly and then opened, fresh and wet. “Good. That’s
good.” He patted the bed and Jared moved swiftly to sit there. “I was awake
awhile. Both of you worked hard, I can see the progress. I think Alona should
return to her own Master and we shall have some time together. I would thank
the sweet Girl, alas, that would flout convention as well.”
“Alona smiled as she closed the door. “Thank you, Jensen. Be comfortable.”
Prince Jensen eyed his slave thoughtfully, “Do you play chess?” He didn’t wait
for an answer, “Of course you do.”
 ***
“So come in.”
The study was larger than Jared had imagined. In fact it was huge. There were
cases of leather bound tomes and maps, tables of scaled models and an enormous
oak desk with space for eight heavy oak chairs about it. There was a large open
space, off to one side, with a timber rail separating it from the main space.
Aside a gap in the rail an assortment of blades were held firm in a purpose-
built sheath.
The hearth was proportionally large but there was no fire lit. Jared shivered
in the chill air as his gaze returned to the openly stored swords. Jensen
followed his stare and crossed the room. He unsheathed a shining blade with a
swish through the air. “Come here, Child.” He flicked the fingers of his other
hand, walk straight ahead.
Jared tried to remember the day’s training as he approached, but ice green eyes
turned on him and the weapon was held directly toward him. He swallowed as he
attempted to contain his fear.
“Do you trust me? Keep walking.” Jensen’s face was unreadable. His slave slowed
and worked to overcome his body’s overwhelming desire to run, to stop or step
to one side.
Jensen made a faint movement with his other hand, palm out and Jared halted,
without hesitation, on the ball of his foot and with his body straight, a mere
hands length from the tip. His Master nodded appreciatively but the sword
remained poised. “So, now you know where I keep my favorite blades. It would be
easy for you to reach them, to touch them, to take them.”
The older man circled with the cold steel, the fragile distance to Jared’s
flesh was unwavering. “Would it feel good to run me through, to have your
revenge? Where would you go? How far do you think you would get? How warm would
your welcome home be?” He reached full rotation and reached back to the rack.
With a smooth action he retrieved another blade and Jared had seconds to
register its arc through the air. He caught it reflexively by its hilt, testing
its familiar weight and gripping over its sparkling ruby. Jensen withdrew his
own gleaming metal. He retreated two paces, bent his head and turned his back
to slide his own weapon into the holder. Jared drew breath. His hand shook as
he lifted his trusted steel.
“It would be swift justice,” Jensen spoke calmly and remained with his back to
Jared.
Jared swallowed and found his voice, “So, turn around. I don’t stab anyone in
the back.”
The Adomisan Prince turned to face him, a reverse of their previous situation.
There was something dead in his expression. Jared lifted his arm and tensed but
could not meet the green-eyes. His gaze fell instead, on the model by their
side, a scale model of the Plains of De’ith. He looked back to the man before
him who was closing his eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he held his head
high. Jared relaxed his grip and lowered his arm as he spoke, “I am not going
to do that for you Jensen.”  He held the ruby studded handle out to his Master
“This belongs to you.”
There was an audible release of breath as Jensen accepted his offering and
replaced it in the stand. “You will never touch these without my permission.”
“Of course not.”
“Good Boy.”
Jared’s eyes were drawn, yet again, to the model of De’ith. Jensen watched with
interest as he ran his fingers over the contours and lifted a cavalryman.
“What?”
“It is wrong.” Jared was perplexed.
“You would give your version of events?” Jensen regarded him, curiously.
“I did not say that. Would it shock you? Would you even trust it?”
“I would listen, but this is accurate.”
“There was a skirmish to the North. We were defeated there and we retreated on
the Plains. You were to outflank us.” Jared moved pieces on the reconstruction.
Jensen picked up the pieces and returned them. He spoke gently, “There was no
skirmish to the North. There was only a battalion hidden in wait. Your forces
lost good men while they delayed. It was a mystery why you should have done
that.”  He didn’t comment any further but he was thoughtful as he studied the
reconstruction. His next question was unexpected. “Child, when precisely did
your mother first ail?”
Jared’s brow knitted as he calculated the answer, “I would have been seven or
eight. It was not long after we met.”
There was no more said on the topic.
***
Two armchairs stood beside a chequered table, at the side of the hearth. Pieces
carved in rose quartz and onyx stood to attention in neat files. His Master
flicked three fingers and Jared sank to the floor by the nearest armchair. The
floor was cold and his teeth chattered. Jensen reached out to him as he sat in
the comfort of his chair. “You’re frozen, Child. We should light this fire.”
Jared moved toward the hearth. He was startled as Jensen removed a fur from his
shoulders and placed it on him. “Let me help.” His Master crouched by his side
with the bellows.
“I should do this,” protested his slave.
“Honestly, who do you think did all these tasks before I brought you home?”
“You have slaves to undertake these things.”
“Is this how it was at your Palace?”
“There were no slaves, I had servants, a maid. It was not permitted to take
their tasks.”
“To have others frequently poking in my rooms is annoying. Maybe I am not regal
enough for you?”
“I am here now. You can let me help.”
Jensen gave a wry smile. “You have a skill with tact, Child.”
***
Jensen ate a light meal as they played. Jared’s belly ached and grumbled but he
looked away from the food and reminded himself that this was not a hardship.
There were many who did not get proper nutrition in days, sometimes weeks. This
much he had observed since Captain Kane had first taken him outside his Palace
walls.
Jared’s skin glowed in the firelight, his hair shone and his eyes were multi-
coloured with reflection. He chewed his lip in concentration as he considered
the board and Jensen let his eyes roam over the view. Jared’s rook took
Jensen’s bishop and his Master's hand dropped to his slave's shoulders shucking
the borrowed fur from him. Fingers massaged the top of his spine and the bishop
dropped from Jared's grasp and clattered to the floor.
 “I frighten you.” Jensen stilled for a moment, then his fingers tightened
around the back of Jared’s collar and pulled on it. “You are young, alone and
horny.  You are easily aroused and desperate for release. You let me touch you
because you have no other option and it feels good in that moment. You don’t
even like me, do you? My beautiful slave would have used that blade if there
had been a true opportunity.”
The collar pulled against his throat and Jared fought for air and struggled for
reason. “I hardly know you Master. I want to know you. I think I could, if you
let me, I could care for you.” I already care too much, want too much.
“And if I wanted you to love me?”
“It was my decision to return to you.” I’m not sure what love is but sometimes
when I look at you my emotions overwhelm me. 
 
The green-eyed Prince inclined his head pensively. “You can leave me now. Put
your cuffs on and secure yourself.”
Jared backed out of his Master's presence in the appropriate manner. He banged
his fists against the feather mattress of Jensen's bed in frustration before he
crumpled to the floor at the end of the iron bedstead and clicked the locks
shut between his ankles and wrists. In one final fit of temper he lobbed the
keys against the main door and they bounced back to the floor with a noisy
metallic echo.
***** Chapter 13 *****
Jared had to admit, Mackenzie’s timing was impeccable, it could not have looked
worse. He struggled to his knees as she looked him over. She swung into the
study and Jared waited. He wondered if he would ever get used to the waiting,
to the not knowing, the lack of control that had him free-falling and anxious
at every turn.
There was the, now familiar, sound of raised voices and then a hush and the
Princess held the door open and tapped her foot as they re-entered the room.
Jensen followed her meekly and Jared almost laughed at the peculiar notion, but
it forced a comparison to his relationship with Meghan and he was, all of a
sudden, homesick and missing his little sister with all his heart.
“Josh sent you because he knew I’d beat his ass.” Jensen crossed his arms and
glared at her.
“Well you catch more flies with honey than vinegar, darling. This is ridiculous
and if you were thinking even half straight you would know it too.”
“We’re giving these people hope when there will only be death.”
“We are giving them respect Jensen, and I for one, refuse to give up. There has
to be a way. We will find one. Do you remember the child’s tale about the three
pigs and the wolf? Well our forts are made of stone and I am boiling the water
as we speak.”
Jensen smirked but there was little light in his eyes “You just called yourself
a little pig.”
“I believe I included you and Josh.” Mackenzie imitated his smirk, then
frowned, “Jensen. Why is your slave in chains, again? If it cannot be trusted
get rid of it.”
Jensen’s brows knotted and for a moment he appeared surprised to see him there,
as if he had forgotten about him.”
“Oh, yes. No. I mean, I just got annoyed because it was winning at chess.” It
was an obvious lie but she did not call him out on it.
“So unlock it.” 
Jared’s heart pounded and a small bead of sweat formed on his upper lip. The
keys lay carelessly abandoned, on the floor, where he had thrown them. Jensen’s
eyes followed his slave’s guilty gaze. “I was planning something, with him, in
chains.” he said raising his eyebrows suggestively at her.
“Oh stars! I did not need to know that Jensen Ross.” She moved toward the exit
but spoke directly to Jared. “Your Master will be attending a ceremony at noon
tomorrow. You will ensure he is bathed and dressed in a timely fashion. You
will be at his heel. Ensure you do not disgrace him.” She looked to her brother
once more. “In the event that you do not attend, Joshua will assume that your
slave is at fault and it will be punished accordingly.” She switched her gaze
once more, “Do not disappoint us, Child.”
Jared’s lips parted, as if to speak, but no words would form. The command was
not reasonable. If Jensen wished not to do something, he would simply keep
Jared chained.
 Jensen was woken from his daze, fists clenched and furious, “What the moons
sort of threat was that Mack? Am I to be a child with a whipping boy again? I
thought I had proven I do not care for this one.”
“Indeed,” She purred as she stooped to retrieve the clinking loop of metal “and
that will be why you did not wish me to notice these?” she threw them in the
air as she slammed the door and Jensen caught them easily, in the fingers of
one hand.
Jared’s heart was jack-rabbiting through his ribs. He miserably folded his body
into itself and could not bring himself to look into the face of his Master.
It was too quiet and his Master too still. He could hear Jensen breathing, feel
his intense stare,then there was the sound of retreating steps and the swing of
the study door. Jared rested his head on his knees and closed his eyes. He
wouldn’t cry, he had no reason to cry, it was degrading and he had no way to
wipe the tears or catch his sniffs. The resolve did not prevent the tears from
silently falling and his chest heaving with the effort of restraining his
gulped breath.
He wasn’t aware of falling asleep but the embers of a fire were dying in the
hearth when he awoke and Jensen was thrashing restlessly in his slumber, his
eiderdown tangling into an impossible twist. He stared into the hynotizing glow
of flickering ash and his eyelids became heavy again. He considered how quickly
his body had adjusted to the unforgiving cold floor and confines of shackles
that anchored him to his new life, he let himself drift.
He woke again in the thick dark and stillness of pre-dawn. There was a rustling
and a golden flickering of candlelight. Jared did not make a sound.
Jensen was laying a fire. His bare chest was pale, muscular and smooth with a
smattering of tan dots and glint of fine hair. Eyes that were fixed in
concentration reflected the warm glow of light. His impossibly long lashes
curled upwards from red-rimmed, emerald eyes. His freckles seemed to dance over
the handsome profile of his face and his lips were parted a fraction, revealing
his tongue, caught between his teeth. The faintest sliver of yellow flame
licked through the tinder, Jensen leaned to it and his plush lips formed an O
as he blew gently. The glow spread and evolved with rich oranges and red eating
at the kindling and reaching upwards about thick logs, toward the flue, bathing
his Master with its light. Jared could not tear his gaze away. He bit back a
whimper on the inside of his cheek. If this were the only beauty he was allowed
to look upon, for the rest of his life, he thought it might not be a curse.
His Master finished and sat back in the honey illumination of his endeavor and
watched it with a blank-eyed stare. “It was never supposed to be like this. I
don’t know if I can and if I’m wrong, we’re all damned. ” He spoke the words
into the flare, let the sparks burn into them and carry them up the chimney on
shimmering air. “Show us hope, give me strength.”  It was a private prayer to
an unknown deity. He sighed, uncurled and padded back to his bed.
Jared heard the covers being ruffled, then a sharp intake of breath. The bed
rattled and the mattress puffed air as Jensen bounced and shuffled to the end
and peered at his slave over the edge. “Jared! Oh No! Wait. Hang on. Keys,
keys” He vaulted to the floor and in a few long strides had retrieved what he
needed and sat back, on the floor, beside him. “You should have said something.
Why didn’t you say anything? How could I forget? How could I forget you? Why
did you let me?” The cuffs fell to the floor and Jared remained frozen in his
confusion. It wasn’t as if he hadn’t been left in this precise manner, for days
on end. Jensen had called him by his name. Why would he do that? He had
forgotten him? His brain couldn’t formulate an answer and his tongue wouldn’t
loosen.
Hands cupped his jaw and stroked the hair from his face. “You’ve been crying.
C’mon, let’s get you over by the fire.”  His muscles were stiff and his legs
were bent and creaky, he stumbled as he tried to stand and Jensen steadied him
with a hand around his waist. “Take it easy. Just a moment,” Jensen grabbed at
his plump pillows and threw them to the floor by the hearth. “all right, now
sit on those and stretch your legs out. Circle your hands to get them moving.”
There was a swish and a drag as the bedding was tugged to the floor and wrapped
around him.
 Jared finally got his mouth working, his voice rasping “It’s not too bad. You
don’t have to Jensen.”
“We have to get you something permanent. A mat and some blankets. When did you
last take a drink? Wait here.”  He fetched a pitcher of water and waited as
Jared drank thirstily. “There’s something I used to do, let me see.” He lifted
the lid of a trunk and there was clattering. “He returned, triumphant, with a
bronze pot and a sealed cloth bag. “ Coffee.” he announced as he filled the pot
and hung it over the fire. 
Jared snuggled into the soft cover, even if he was hallucinating, he was going
to enjoy it. Strong hands reached to his leg and then stopped “You should
probably massage them. May I?”  Jensen looked directly to his face.
Jared’s face scrunched in total confusion. “Why ask?”
“I don’t want to scare you. Whenever I touch you, it may as well be a scorpion
creeping on your flesh.” He looked sad and a little frustrated “I’m not going
to hurt you. I know I don’t deserve your trust but I won’t do anything like
that again. I will not force you. It didn’t, Hell! It didn’t feel good for me
either.”
“I know.” Jared was soft and reassuring in his reply. Jensen’s fingers rubbed
firmly over his calves, stroking circles to his ankles and flexing his feet.
Jared moaned. “Uh mmm, that is, oh!” 
“See you are not the only one with skills.” The edges of his mouth were
upturned and the tension in his jaw was released.  Jared relaxed into the touch
until the jangle of a vibrating pot disturbed them. The rich scent of coffee
filled the air. “Ha! A ‘Jensen special’ coming up. He poured thick black liquid
into rough camp mugs and handed one to the brunette “Don’t burn yourself.”  He
blew across the top of his own cup and tendrils of steam rose and curled,
capturing colors from the fire.
 Jared tapped on the side of his mug and picked at his thumbnail. He glanced at
the enigma who was settled on the floor by him and averted his eyes as the look
was returned.
“Jared.”
That alone had his attention back on the freckled face.
“I want to start over.”
“You want to give me my freedom?” he looked ruefully at the brand on his wrist.
“I cannot do that. Regardless, it may not be long until you have it.”
“Then it isn’t starting over. You truly think I can even start over, with
everything that I have done, everything I have become?”
“I said I want to start over.”
Jared shook his head and scrunched his nose “In what way?”
“I know how it looks. I treat you badly, then, the moment it looks as if the
wolf is at the door, I’m apologetic. I’m not after your mercy. If I wanted that
I would grant your freedom right now. I am too selfish to do that.”
“Am I allowed to tell you that you are making no sense to me?”
Jensen made a noise that strongly resembled a growl “That is precisely my
point. You shouldn’t have to ask, you should tell me. In no uncertain terms you
should let me know I’m an incoherent idiot.”
Jared blinked and shook his head.
“If this is to be the end, if there is little time before we are overrun and
Morgan does with us what he will, I want to dispense with the formality between
us. I spent half my life wanting you Jared and now that I have you here,
everything about it feels wrong. It was never supposed to be like this. You
should not fear me.” He hunched his shoulders over and his face twisted into a
frown. “I cannot remove the collar. I cannot even dispense with the formal
requirements of public behavior, but damn, if Joshua wants me to ‘man-up’ and
use the rebel in me, then I will be that man in my own home.”
“What do you mean there is little time until we are overrun?”
Jensen was open-mouthed. “You really don’t know?”
“I would not ask if I did?” he huffed.
“We threw everything we had at De’ith. We have no more left. Our men are on
retreat across the whole border. Our forts are falling. You will be home in no
time.”
Jared paled in horror. “What are you talking about?  I cannot go home.” He
grabbed at Jensen’s arm. “Have you any idea what they will do? To me?  To the
deviants? All your slaves? I cannot go back. I do not want to go back.”
“But you are their future King.”
“No. Their future King is dead and Morgan will not have him resurrected.
Perhaps my Queen, or even Jeffrey could have granted clemency but it will not
happen now.”
“The Queen?”  Jensen couldn’t hide his sarcasm.
Jared pushed him angrily. “She is still Monarch, if it weren’t for her
sickness, yes. It was always her will to have reform and reduce the power of
the Elders.”
Jensen reeled and raised his hands, palm out in defense. “Woah.”
Jared remembered his place and sank back a few inches, curling his legs to be
on his knees. “M’sorry.” He lowered his eyes.
“Do not! Just do not apologize! It is a difference in political opinion. Damn,
if an inability to communicate isn’t why we’re all where we are in the first
place.”
“But you have allies who would supply weapons and support.” It was a statement
of fact. There were countries who would not defend or supply the Queen’s Realm.
They did not display outright aggression but it was well known that they
supplied the Kingdom They were honest and mildly apologetic about it in talks
they had with Kane, Jared and Morgan.
“It is men we need. Jared. Why do you think we take slaves? Why do you think
children are encouraged as free citizens and we offer their parents citizenship
after their tenure? People are the one vital resource the Kingdom has always
been scarce of. We have no riches to entice them with paid employment. Meals
and a roof is all we can supply.  To watch your executions, the scant regard
your people have for life, it is sickening.”
“You think it is a good excuse to barter people as property? You think you are
any better?” Jared spoke with passion.
“No. I don’t. I never did and I vowed I never would, I never wanted a slave and
then you came along and pulled my world to pieces. I could not return you to
the Realm, you would not have survived another moon. I wouldn't have you
exposed and made an example by my father, nor could I let you go and lose track
of where you went.” Jensen looked shattered. “Not even Joshua thinks slavery is
just, but what would you have us do in the midst of losing a war?”
 Jared drew the eiderdown tighter around himself. “You must not lose.”
Jensen’s eyes widened as he looked at the boy huddled beside him. “You cannot
mean that.”
“I did not say I wanted you to win. I did not even say I would help. I just
wish there was a way to force negotiation.”
“Jared, in the past seven years we have offered negotiation seven times, and
the Realm would not consider it.”
“Which is why I said it has to be forced.” Jared shrugged, “I did not say I
knew how to force it without Morgan at the end of your blade.”
“Hey!” Jensen nudged Jared lightly. “Look!”  He pointed to the bay window. A
faint glow of distant light painted the horizon in purples, green and blue. “A
new day. Come sit with me. Please.”
Jared shrugged the eiderdown off his shoulders and Jensen pulled it back up.
“Keep it. It is cold by the window.”
He shuffled behind Jensen and folded to the floor by his knees. “Sit on the
seat, Jared.”
“Oh Right.” He leaned in close to Jensen. All around them stone and tiles
interlaced and formed a complication of towers, halls and defenses. Directly
below was an open street or market area. It was already busy with traders,
maids with milk churns and travelers. The fortress stood at the peak of an
impressive hill with a ravine to the side. It did not surprise him. He had
studied its defenses from books and intelligence. The ensign fluttered at half
mast over a red tiled roof. In the distance a flock of crows wheeled up as one,
blackening the horizon and breaking the silence with raucous chatter. Jared
could feel the raised bumps on Jensen’s arms and lifted the eiderdown from his
own shoulder to share it. His hot thigh pressed against the cool fabric of
Jensen’s night pants. His bare chest shared warmth with the cool flesh of
Jensen’s. “It’s the first time I’ve sat close to stare,” he remarked.
“You never looked?”
“A little, from afar. I did not think I was allowed here.”
“Honestly, you’re not an unsuitable slave at all. You just have a hopeless
Master.”
“Am I your first slave?”
“That was all my own? Yes, and I think it best I never take another.”
Jared was looking into his Master's eyes, enchanted by them. His face was close
and he could feel the warm exhale of the older man’s breath ghosting over the
fine hair on his cheek. “Does that mean you are going to keep me? I want you to
keep me.” Jared's voice was husky and his lips brushed tentatively against the
full pink bow of Jensen’s mouth, “Can I kiss you?”
Jensen didn’t reply. He reached a hand onto the back of his neck and pulled him
into his lips. He tangled his fingers in the soft brunette hair and moaned as
Jared crushed his lips with bruising force and his tongue slid into his mouth,
searching and thrusting. Then Jared was sucking on his tongue with a hunger,
and his hands, with those fine long fingers, were finally exploring the hard
planes of his chest, pulling on his nipples and caressing his neck.  Their
tongues continued to twist and push, their lips slid slick against each other
and Jared pulled away with a nip to Jensen’s chin, enough to be felt, not
enough to mark. He could see the dazed surprise in the green eyes and he smiled
at Jensen as he spoke, “Thank you, that was incredible.”
The pleasure died in Jensen’s face. “You don’t have to thank me any more,
Jared.”
“I wanted to.” Jared pulled him close and leaned in for a chaste kiss on his
lips. “I do not dislike you Jensen. Please smile again.”
Jensen pulled him in and kissed him, deep, slow and passionate. “Thank you
Jared,” he said with a smile. They both turned to the window as a swallow
dipped and dived on air currents before them.
“Umm” Jared was tangling his hands together and taking short glances at Jensen
from under the hair that fell silken over his face. Hidden beneath the
eiderdown his eager erection started to fade.
“What is it? Do you need something?” Jensen looked at him with concern.
“I think I may have lied, I did not know, not really, not had much of a chance
what with everythingand of course I would have to choose it, but I did not, I
promise I did not, I have no idea how, I just know I do. I think I am, at least
with you and perhaps there was a little with the gardener and Jake and the
stable lad but it could havebeen normal right? It’s just, I shouldn’t be that.
I shouldn't be wrong. I didn't ask for it, somehow, I really think I just am.”
The words came quickly and stumbled over each other, and he sounded like the
seven year old child Jensen had played with, all those years ago.
Jensen took a moment to interpret the jumbled selection of words that his slave
had spoken and then replied with a sad shake of his head, “Jared, nobody
chooses to be deviant! You just are what you are. Moons, you have me saying
that word, it is an awful word. You do not choose your sexuality. It is it what
it is, and it is amazing. You aren't wrong, you are amazing. I don’t know how I
will ever convince you, but I am telling the truth. Wait! Is that why you wish
to stay with me? Do you think you it makes you less, that you deserve to be a
slave, to be treated badly?” Hurt flashed across Jensen's features.
“No. Yes. Maybe.” Jared was picking at his fingernails again, and Jensen
slapped his hand to stop him. Jared stared at his fingers and continued, “The
collar, your collar, makes it alright to be what I am because everyone knows
you want me that way. I mean, you chose me, without knowing, or asking what I
was. You didn’t care and you’ve kept me. It offers me a life, the protection of
these walls and a meal every day. I know how many do not get that. I’m not
saying I want to be hurt, it’s just easier this way and some of it feels good.
It is nice to be embraced. I like to be touched, by you, not badly, not like
the one time, but the others, and I know sometimes, when it is unexpected, I
jump. It's just that I never had that, nobody ever touched me or held me. It
surprises me, and my body just does that stuff, I don’t want you to stop if I’m
startled.”
“You mean nobody has hugged you since you grew up?”
“Never, not a touch, not since Mother sickened,” his voice was barely a
whisper, “and you see me, when you look at me. I mean, when you don’t forget
about me, you see me. Everybody here sees me and wants to look at me. Sometimes
it's uncomfortable but mostly it's as if no-one notices that I am nude, just
that I am here. Even the Princess Mackenzie, she actually looks at me. Does
that sound vain? I like being seen. I don’t think anyone except Christian knew
what I looked like. I was just the spare wheel, the stand-in but I was judged
the Queen’s spoiled favorite, and nobody dared stare or know me.”
“Jared you don’t have to be a slave to want all that, to get that.”
“I’m not sure that is true, but it’s not all.” Jared bit down hard on the
inside of his cheek and stared down at the floor. “I like it. The way it feels,
not being left alone, not the cold floor, or being it, or the cuffs, well,
sometimes I like the cuffs; when they let me do the things I want. I like that
I only have one responsibility and the rest is taken from me. I want that one
responsibility because when I get it right, it feels, I don’t know, it just
gives me something warm, like I never had before. It’s the only responsibility
I ever craved.”
Jensen reached his hand out to stroke the hair from his slave's eyes.  “When
you get what right?”
“Making you happy.”
Jensen pulled back and scrutinized him carefully. “You’re not lying.”
“No. Why would I do that? I cannot explain it. I know it makes no sense, it
just,” Jared wrinkled his brow and fought for an explanation “It is what it
is.” He felt a strong, warm arm around his waist and felt the pull to lean
against Jensen’s shoulder and he melted into it.
“I don’t deserve you Jared. I do not know if I am capable of keeping anybody
safe any more. I should send you away. There are nations who would shelter you
at my request.” His voice was low and gravelly.
“You would not come with me. I have seen you, you think you have given up, but
you will not. Mackenzie is right. You should not be considering me. It is my
place to care for you, so you can find a way. That way we can all be safe. They
can be safe,” Jared gestured to the scene below the window, where crowds were
starting to gather.
Jensen rubbed circles on Jared’s back and watched the bustle below. “I try hard
to be like Joshua and Mackenzie. I can do it for a while, pretend I fit in.
Play the polite Prince at Court. In the end I always blow it. I never was cut
out for this life. Maybe I never grew up, but I dislike formality and
propriety, I keep it bottled until it explodes and spills over. Not generally
violently, but dramatic words and gestures with Joshua and not a few with
Ethan. I fall into myself and forget others. Ethan would make a far better
Prince than me. It is a lot for a slave to put up with, especially one with
more wisdom than I.”
Jared didn’t speak. He simply placed his hand on Jensen’s chest, feeling the
rhythm of his heart. They sat in silence, watching the intricacies of everyday
life unfold beyond the window.
***** Chapter 14 *****
“Just shush and come.” Jensen tugged Jared by his hand into the wide, stone
hallway.

You want me to accompany you, outside your room? I’m naked”

 “Of course! How else would a Court Slave be?”
 “Anyone can see me. All of me.” Jared was blushing a deep shade of rose.
 “I thought you wanted to be seen.” Jensen was still holding his hand, pulling
him across cool slabs and past burning torches. “ If you want to make me happy
you will have to know this route, and learn to play Cookie and you will be
doing it naked, just like any other Court Slave. I want to show you off. You’re
beautiful. Do you blame me?”
 "It’s just difficult. ”
 “It’s normal. Remember they see you, not your nakedness. You’d get more
glances if you were dressed. There is nobody, within these walls, who would
dare to leer at the Prince’s property. Besides, it’s too early to come across
many folk and you need to get used to it.” Jensen shook his head and continued
under his breath, “Preferably before Noon.”
Jared’s hearing was sharp. “Jensen. Why before Noon?” He had stopped following,
despite the pressure on his hand, and was looking wide-eyed at his Master.
 “Can we not do this here?”
 “Do what, Jensen?”
There was the heavy footfall of booted feet. Jensen swung Jared about and
pushed him against the wall, crowding into his side, fixing Jared's arms above
his head and kicking his legs apart, creating a vulnerable and open tableau. He
nipped on the flesh just below his collar and growled into his ear. “Create a
scene.”
The footfall lost rhythm for a moment and resumed again as a sentry passed them
by, with no more than an uncomplicated smile and an acknowledgement. “Fine
morning, Sire.”
 “Indeed Hawkins. Beautiful weather.” Jensen smiled against Jared’s flesh and
leaned his forehead to the younger man’s brow. “See, normal!”
Jared’s breath had quickened, the cold stone chilled his back, the grip on his
wrists was bruising and he could feel the bitten flesh of his neck. He felt
exposed and yet his flesh was reacting with a thrill of blood to his groin. His
cock twitched and began to swell.  Shame burned within him and he squirmed.
 “Please” he begged.
Jensen glanced downward and licked his lips.
“Oh, so, that is unexpected.” He raised his eyebrows and pushed away from the
brunette. “I forget your youthful hormones.” Jensen's voice continued in low
tone, “We shall need to address some of those issues.” He grabbed at Jared's
hand and resumed his rapid pace along hallways and down steep, spiraling
stairways, dragging the bewildered slave in his wake.
 ***
The kitchens bustled with activity. A gigantic fire roared and spat in a
smooth-worn hearth. Servants and slaves chopped, stirred and scrubbed without a
single glance to their visitors.
 “Jensen! Oh my! What is it you bring with you?” Jared felt the loss of his
Master’s hand as the Prince was enveloped by a petite but enthusiastic woman.
Her dark hair was pulled into a bun and she wore a flour-dusty overall upon a
grey gown. Her brown eyes sparkled as she hugged the green-eyed Prince.
Jensen patted his tunic as they parted, and puffs of the white dust became
airborne. “Cookie, this is Child.” He gestured to the woman and kissed her
lightly on the cheek. “Child, this is Cookie. She has the most important task
of the entire Kingdom. She directs our kitchens and ensures that our stomachs
never go empty.”
His slave hung back, motionless and silent.
 “You are allowed to say hello,” prompted Jensen.
 “Sorry.” Jared remembered his place, bowed his head and sunk to his knees, “I
beg forgiveness, Ma’am.” It occurred to him that he had not asked how he should
greet servants and nobody had suggested he may need to. Familiar butterflies
danced in his, decidedly empty, belly. It growled with hunger and he bowed his
head lower with embarrassment.
 “Well that is quite the strangest hello I have ever had. Jensen, have it off
its knees, it looks quite weak with hunger. I do not recall sending additional
portions to your rooms. Have you been feeding it? Boy, you are not too old to
be refused dessert if you have been starving it.”
 He flicked his fingers and Jared stood again but did not raise his eyes.
“Cookie, would I do that? But you are right, we are ravenous and we are growing
lads. Surely you would not have us wait for a little nutrition.” Jensen's voice
was honey and his face, gentle persuasion.
Cookie's fingers chucked Jared under the chin. Her expression was gentle and
compassionate. “Well, there was a rumor. It is certainly different, Jensen. It
has beautiful coloring and eyes. Has it been taught anything?”
Jensen shrugged sheepishly and she narrowed her eyes at him and then turned
back to his slave, “Child. Rules of the kitchen; Please do not kneel, nobody
wishes to spill a full dish or kettle tripping over you. My name is Cookie and
I will not be fawned over or bowed to, but I should like it if you would relax
and speak with me. I will have respect and cleanliness in my kitchen and you
will not take anything without my permission.” She leaned sideways to whack a
spoon against Jensen’s hand as it strayed toward a bowl of fruit. “My rules
apply equally to your Master. I suspect he will attempt to use your sweetness
to charm me into parting with food not meant for his table. Take my word for
it, he will not succeed.” Her lips made a thin line but the lines around her
eyes crinkled and the faint impression of dimples showed. “There is a pot to
the left of the fire which is always bubbling. It is provided to ensure no
slave is hungry. In the morning there is oatmeal and throughout the day it is
filled with soup. You are welcome to help yourself, at any time, assuming your
Master is agreeable. It is not for his use.” She leaned in to speak to Jared, a
smile playing on her lips, laughter in her voice. “Shockingly, it is not
unknown for Master Jensen to be witnessed stealing from the pot. Of course, I
am sure you will never knowingly connive to take a portion for him.”
 Jared was certain she was teasing but remained unsure how to react to her
words.
“Come now Cookie! Child cares for me. It would be rude of me to refuse if he
wished to share with me.” Jensen snaked a hand around her waist. “Now, you can
see how weak we are from hunger and Child has never witnessed your brilliance
with bacon, eggs and pancakes. It would be criminal if he did not get the
chance to taste such a thing when he is new and lost in this place. Of course
it would make him uncomfortable to eat on his own, so I should accompany him.”
He batted his eyelashes and pouted prettily.
She put her hands on her hips and sighed heavily, “Prince Jensen you are an
irredeemable rascal.” She herded them to a cool corner where a rough wooden
table was surrounded with stools. “Child, fetch two bowls of oatmeal. There are
cups on that counter and juice beside them. That should suffice while you
wait.”
Jared placed the bowls and cups on the table and remembering the rule of not
kneeling in the kitchen he sat timidly on one of the stools. Jensen pushed a
bowl and cup to him. “It is for you. It must have been hard not to eat for so
long. You didn’t mention it at all, even when your stomach was noisy in
complaint. You did well.”
“Do you often eat like this?” Jared was amazed at the informality.
Jensen emptied his spoonful, swallowed and grinned, “If I could, I would do it
all the time. There is a good class of company to be had and the food is so
much fresher without the fuss of a set table. Besides, this hour of dawn is too
early for most. Surely you are used to sneaking to the kitchen to eat? It is
the center of any household.”
Jared was a little lost, “Only servants entered the kitchens. Our mealtimes
were set, with prayers in the main dining hall.” He changed the subject. “What
game is it that I must play with Cookie?”
Jensen choked on his juice, “Sh. Keep your voice down. I said play Cookie, you
know, to get the best from her, as I just have.”
“It’s funny,” Jared started, then fell silent.
 “What is?”
 “All of this, your lifestyle, it’s nothing like I imagined.”
 “Whatever did you imagine? Banqueting tables with babies for dinner? An
entertaining beheading during an entrée of slave’s toes?” A voice boomed behind
him and Jared almost fell from his perch with surprise. He looked to Jensen for
instruction but found none.
 Jensen was grinning at his brother, “Joshua. Surely you are not here to steal
pancakes and bacon.”
 “I surely am.” The King slid onto a stool beside Jared, who looked again to
his Master but he was launching into a litany of reasons why Joshua should not
be entitled to the same perks as himself. Jared decided to busy himself and
fetch oatmeal and juice for the King.  He placed it in front of him and sat
again, attempting to be invisible in his deed.
 “Jensen. Your slave just served me oatmeal from the pot. Whatever have you
been teaching it?”
 Jensen beamed around his spoon. “Don’t pretend you don’t love it, Josh.” 
Joshua dug his spoon in and ate enthusiastically.

Cookie leaned across with three plates, piled high with pancakes, syrup, bacon
and scrambled eggs.  She spoke to the King “I knew you couldn’t stay away.”
He grabbed her waist in the same way as Jensen had, “What would we do without
you, Cookie?”
“Starve, or banquet on babies,” she quipped, unhanding herself to hurry back to
her tasks.
Jared stared at his plate and glanced again to Jensen, but he was busy chasing
egg onto his pancake and savoring the combination.  Joshua unexpectedly came to
his aid, “If your Master has acquired food for you Child, it would be rude of
you not to enjoy it.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, it looks delicious.” He didn’t waste any time in
wielding his cutlery to take a bite.”
“Jensen, I hope you will be ready for the memorial ceremony in plenty of time.
You should get your slave a black collar. Not a formal collar yet, but a black
one for now. I have placed you with Mackenzie and Ethan, their slaves should be
able to keep this one straight without it being too obvious.”
 “I do not need him to accompany me Joshua.”
 “It.”
“I said ‘him’ Joshua. I may have given in to pressure and acquired a slave but
I have decided I will not use the term ‘it’. He is a person and I refuse.”
“You will set a precedent.”
“What would be so terrible about that?”
Jared kept his gaze on the table and continued eating.
“We cannot flout tradition right now. We need all the support we can get.”
“That includes the support of our slaves Joshua. It is such a small concession,
who is going to notice? Nobody expects any more from me. As you say, you need
me to think differently, so suck it up and let me.”
Joshua wiped the syrup from his lips and rubbed his stomach. “Alright little
brother, but he will accompany you today. It is advantageous for the crowds to
witness a former soldier of the Realm, subdued, at your heel. It sends the
right message.”
Jared was glad he had almost finished his food. It fell heavily to the base of
his stomach and mixed with the bile that was trying to fight its way back up
his throat.
 ***
 He dropped the bottle of oil and flailed as he grabbed a cloth to wipe it. He
dropped the cloth and fumbled as he tried to put the stopper back into the
vial. Jensen observed him from the comfort of his bath. “Jared, what the devil
has got into you?”
He turned too quickly and slipped on the oily patch, bumping uncomfortably to
the floor. “Sorry. M’sorry.”
 “Stop saying that. Come here. Are you hurt?”
 “M’fine, Jensen. Thank you.”
 “Get in the bath with me Jared. Need to wash that oil off, ease the bruises.
Maybe we both need to relax a little.” Jensen spoke in a deep drawl as he let
his eyes wander over every part of his slave’s body.
Jensen spread his legs wide and had the younger man slide into the water
between his muscular thighs, his back pressed against him. The water surged and
rippled, then settled, covering them with its warmth and zesty fragrance. Jared
felt strong fingers reach into his hair and stroke through it. Another hand
reached under his arm and secured him while tracing fingers over his breast and
toying with his nipples. Jared’s breath hitched and his head fell back to
Jensen’s shoulder. There was a puff of hot breath on his ear as the older man
started to speak, “You are panicking like a fox who has scented hounds. Is this
about the memorial? Are you planning an escape?”
Jared’s heart started to hammer at an unruly pace. He couldn’t pretend he
hadn’t thought on it. From the moment Joshua mentioned the event and his
purpose in forcing Jared to attend, he had been an emotional mess. He wanted to
run away, get as far from this place as possible. Images of massed crowds
clawed memories, screeching and vivid, from another time and place. He had seen
crowds of hate, knew their savagery and had watched for his education, with
hidden horror, as they stoned convicted deviants to their death. What would the
mourning throng want to do to a soldier of the Realm who had been at
De’ith?  “Will you keep me with you, on my leash?” he murmured.
“It is a formal occasion. The purpose is to see you submit willingly and
gracefully, with nothing to hide from the Kingdom and your Master. You will
recall your training and do it properly, without ties.”
Jared was devastated. It was too much to be seen in that way, an enemy,
despised, naked and leered at in his enforced obedience. Without firm restraint
he could not imagine a way in which he would have the courage to stand and not
run. Every scenario he played out in his mind ended badly, he would run, he
would be caught and punished, or torn apart in the mass by a multitude of
hands.
The hand ceased its game with his nipple and stilled, steady and flat over his
drumming heart.  “You know I will not let you run. I will not allow you to
destroy yourself and take us with you. Even if you found a way to escape and
they welcomed you home, do you think you could spend a lifetime hiding what you
are, dying inside over time? I would rather have you die quick at my own hand.”
 “I know nothing.”
 Jensen's laugh was bitter. “You do not deny it. I should expect it, but I
hoped for more. Your own words and deeds made me think there was a chance for
us but inside that quiet boy you have been a firebrand from the very start.”
His voice quietened and he sounded sad, “You know more than you understand,
Child. Do not force my actions. I think it might break my heart.”
Jared closed his eyes and forced breath. He did not reply. Jensen’s hand
resumed a steady motion over his chest and his lips peppered kisses to the back
of his neck as he whispered into his slave's ear, “Can we at least have this?”
Every kiss, each touch, sensitized Jared's skin, sent a flare and a crackle
through his nerves, thrummed through the flow of his blood and he moaned. There
was a sharp nip and suck to his earlobe and his hips snapped upwards
involuntarily, sending waves of water slapping against the marble edge. As he
sank back into the firm body that supported him, he felt the thick, hard warmth
of Jensen’s swollen member pushing into the base of his spine. “Mmm. I’m going
to take that as yes. Is it a yes?” Jensen asked.
There was no reply. The man had been frank about the extent of his care for
him. There was no loyalty to his slave aside from promise of a fast demise.
Jared’s body was betraying him. Slick, plump lips were there again, pressing
hot onto his ear and Jared fought not to squirm. He didn't want to admit it,
even to himself, but he needed his Master to believe in him. He was on the edge
of a precipice, staring at a void and he knew he would step into it, fall
into him. “Yes.” he said “Yes,” he repeated on the exhalation of his heated
breath.
 “Have you ever tasted a man? Taken his dick in your mouth, licked and sucked
on him, swallowed him down and savored him?”
Brunette hair swished in the rippling water as Jared shook his head and his
hips ground uselessly through smooth liquid. His erection curled to his stomach
and his hand sliced water to reach it. Quick reaction pushed it away as his
Master snarled at him,“Not yours. Didn’t say you could. Have to earn it.” Then
it was back to honey drawl and sinful words, “So pure, so innocent, have you
even thought on it? Stroked yourself and imagined the feel of forbidden skin on
the tip of that thick, wet tongue? Did you ever think that a man could fuck
into your throat and you would be as accommodating, as hot and tight as any
slut’s cunt?”
Jared had not. He had never imagined such vice. He had looked at men, eyed
their form and jerked off hastily in his bed to the image of hard lines, firm
thighs and firm dick but he could not have envisaged the veniality of actions
that could be performed. Until Jensen had taken him by force he had no concept
that such deviant coupling was even possible. It simultaneously horrified and
excited him. He was pushed forward as Jensen flipped himself onto the side of
the sunken tub. Jared made to follow him, aware that he should be providing
warm towels.
 “No!”  The older man spread his legs into a wide vee and beckoned him forward
with the crook of his finger until he knelt upright in the swaying waves, his
face level with the thick length of his Master’s upright sex. Jensen took his
hands in his own and placed them on his hips. “Hold onto me. Now, just use that
beautiful mouth.” Hands tangled into his damp hair and pulled him forward. His
eyelids fluttered closed and the hands tugged and pulled his face upwards. “No.
I want you to look at me. I want you to see what you do to me.” He stared into
the chiseled face, opened his lips and wet them nervously before extending his
tongue and licking a tentative stripe up the length of the magnificent cock in
front of him. It was soft and warm, it smelled of lime and Jensen.
 Droplets of  water tickled his tongue as they slid into his mouth. He felt the
length twitch and throb as he took another swipe and ended in a circular motion
about the tip. It wasn’t unpleasant and he felt the sensation in his mouth
travel to the very curl of his toes and pulse in his groin. “Now suck on the
tip. I will whip you if you bite.” There it was, the jarring evidence of
mistrust, and Jared knew it wasn’t right, he should not continue but he could
not stop in his lust. His lips closed around the bulbous head and he stared
upward, an image of lost innocence, the hazel of his eyes blackening as his
pupils grew. His tongue swiped across the tip and swirled into the slit. A
burst of unexpected taste exploded on his tongue as pre-come seeped onto him.
Jensen threw his head back and moaned. “Now take it all. Suck it down.” Jared
felt pressure on his scalp as his head was manipulated. He wet his lips and
slid down the length. His cheeks hollowed as he sucked. He gagged as the tip
met the roof of his throat and the pressure eased as he rolled his lips back
up, trailing a sloppy tongue in its wake, dipping back in for another taste of
clear fluid.  Hips ground into him as Jared watched green eyes disappear under
the flutter of long lashes. A red flush blossomed below tan freckles and lips
formed soundless words and explosive groans.  Fingers tugged sharply at his
skull and forced an ever deepening rhythm. Jared gagged and choked as the cock
rammed deep into the tightness of his throat, stretching and burning the soft
tissue, but even as he fought to breathe, water slapped at his skin in time
with the fruitless, thrilled, grinding of his own hips. Jensen's eyes opened to
stare down at him and they seemed to glitter with strange excitement as Jared
struggled. His Master came undone with unprecedented fervour, a shout of
Jared's name and a final deep thrust, spilling hot liquid down the confines of
his throat and thrusting raggedly to drain evey drop.  Jensen finally gave in
to the panicking fingers bruising his hips, his slave gripping in his struggle
for air as darkness threatened to consume him.  He pulled out, panting and
flushed and his slave screwed his face up and gagged on the lingering bitter
saltiness and musk.
Jared rasped air into his lungs, wiped the tears of his breathlessness into the
fresh bathwater, swallowed saliva over his hoarse throat and mused on the
mistrust. He remembered his place, “Thank you, Master.”
Gentle hands cradled his face, smoothed his cheek and forced his attention “You
don’t have to thank me.”
Jared blinked and remained quiet.
Jensen considered the hazel orbs that could not look him straight in the face.
“You are an expert at speaking with silence, Child.” He slipped back into the
cooling water and manhandled Jared to his former position at the side of the
tub.  “Are we still adversaries, Jared? Will you trust me any better?”
Jared shivered as he felt the air on his skin and gravity forced water from him
in rivulets. The shivers were replaced with warm tremors of piercing sensation
as the slick, velvet heat of Jensen’s mouth swallowed his cock and sucked
expertly. Hands kneaded the inside of his thighs and rubbed into the crack of
his ass, parting the globes and caressing them as a long tongue licked and
slurped wetly along his length. His nails scraped on the hard floor as his
fingertips clenched and scrabbled for purchase.  All sensibility and self
consciousness left him as he gave into erotic heat. He whimpered, purred and
screamed as he carelessly fucked into the soft, willing cavern . The orgasm
that burst and filled Jensen’s mouth, ripped through Jared’s lungs, his heart,
his every fiber and he collapsed senseless into the Master he could neither
trust nor resist.
Jensen pulled him back into the water with an enthusiastic splash and water
spilled and crept across the floor in shiny streams. He licked white flecks of
fluid from his lips and smirked. “So you hated that then.” He grasped at the
damp collar and pulled Jared’s lips to his own. He kissed him deep, sharing his
seed with him and licking into every corner of his mouth, as if he were trying
to reach in to his very soul. When they finally parted with a wet smack of
their lips it was Jared that chased Jensen’s mouth in regret of it ending.
“We should probably get clean and then you can dress me.”  Jensen switched to
practical matters in a moment while his slave’s head swam in the aftermath of
discovery, guilt and uncertainty.
***
A crash and bang at the door signaled the tempestuous arrival of Jensen’s
disheveled Captain. He was swearing at a boy who he encouraged to follow him
with a tug to his richly decorated, silk shirt. James Beaver kicked the door
shut behind him as he called out to his Commander, “A little help here,
Genius.” The boy wriggled and his shirt tore, Jensen startled into action. With
a quick sidestep, he had the lad, panting and defiant, in his grip.
“You’d think we’d get some gratitude. Little git bit me.”  Captain Beaver
extended his hand to demonstrate the bloody, round, mark on his palm.
Jensen looked between the frail-looking dark haired boy and the stocky,
grizzled Captain. His eyes sparkled and he started to laugh, his body shaking
with mirth. “Have you seen the state of you James?” He knelt by the child and
his laughter stopped. “I’m assuming this huge monster of a warrior bested my
most fearsome soldier. He must be very brave.” 
The boy sniffed and Jensen touched his cheek gently. Jared could see the lad’s
eyes were rubbed sore and tear tracks stained his cheeks. 
The Commander looked to his Captain, he narrowed his gaze, al at once, he
became dangerous authority and angry seniority,  “Why the moons are you here?
Why is he here? You had your orders Captain.”
Captain Beaver flushed deep red and looked about to explode with fury. He
strode across the room with purpose, pulled the boy from Jensen’s arms and
threw him at Jared. “Hold him, Child. Do not let him go. You don’t speak to
him.”  He glared at the boy and pointed to Jared. “There’s no point in harming
him, he’s just a slave. YOU don’t speak to him.” The whiskered man was inches
from Jensen now, chest to chest, fists rising. He unclenched them long enough
to push his Commander forcefully toward the study. “We talk NOW.”
The lad was quiet and compliant in his arms until the moment the study door
slammed, then his boot found Jared’s bare foot with a vicious downward stamp
and he ran for the exit. Jared was faster. He caught him in a long armed hug,
fell to the floor with him and hung on until the struggles ceased and tears
fell. The boy curled into his arms, his chest heaving and nose snotty. He
finally risked a glance at his strange, naked captor. “You haven’t got any
clothes on, did you sin?” The boy said with a curious tilt of his head.
Jared nodded his reply to the first part before he listened to the question. He
wasn’t sure how to answer that, he simply nodded again. He thought it was
probably true. He had instructions not to speak but he didn’t think nodding was
included. For that matter, the instruction hadn’t been given by his Master so
he wasn’t sure it counted at all.
The boy straightened a little, looked to him and considered him further as he
spoke, “Are you really a slave?” and Jared's world jolted sideways once more.
Not by the question, but by the language of the Realm, tripping so easily from
the youngster’s tongue and the familiarity of face. Jared thought the boy would
be ten now. He would have been a mere toddler when they met, but the faint
Northern accent, the manner of dress and the predisposition to his father’s
features made Jared sure of his assessment.
He had to ask, “Colin of  Ford?”
Wide hazel eyes turned to stare up at him. “You know my name. Are you a
kidnapper too? Can slaves be kidnappers?”
“I’m not a kidnapper. I’m not going to hurt you.”
 “We can escape together,” the boy stated hopefully.
 “We wouldn’t get very far. Have they hurt you? I don’t think they’d harm you.”
The boy screwed his nose up and considered the question. “No, I’m not surprised
they are running from Pa’s army, they’re not fierce at all. The whiskery one is
funny. They’re not like the magistrate’s men who came to get me. Pa was real
mad with them.” He changed the subject abruptly, “We shouldn’t talk.
Disobedience is a sin.” His eyes started to fill with tears and he trembled, “I
don’t want too be taught bad sin again.”
They stayed on the floor. The small, tousled head rested against his chest and
Earl Ford’s son closed his eyes. He looked exhausted. When the Prince and his
Captain emerged from the study the boy was asleep. Captain Beaver lifted him
without an interruption to his snores.
 “Make sure you are prepared, I will return before eleven.” Jensen studied his
slave’s face, “Keep your judgement to yourself and have your cuffs on but not
secured.”
***
Jared tried not to dwell on the implications of a Captain of the Kingdom being
there with the offspring of one of the most powerful men in the Realm. Taking
Colin Ford would not force negotiation. It would bring down fire and
retribution of the worst kind, and Jensen deserved it because, however critical
a battle, the kidnap of a child was the lowest act. Jared sighed. Every time he
thought he understood his Master, may even grow to care for him, there came
another revelation, a facet that threw him off guard again.
Jared had barely placed the cuffs when Jensen returned.  “Get on the bed.” The
words were brusque and he didn’t look at his slave.
Jared was confused. “Jensen, the memorial is at Noon.”
“Don’t tell me my business. We can do this with you secured to the bench or you
can lie on the damn bed.”
He flinched. He never wanted to feel the bench beneath him again. He knew
better than to ask what he had done or refuse a command. He sat on the bed.
 “Lie down, on your back. Hands to the corners.” Jared wriggled to the center
of the bed, he heard the rattle of chains being attached to the iron bedposts.
Jensen kneeled over him and secured his wrists tightly. “Stop panicking. We
don't have the time for you to make a fuss. Now your ankles,” He spread them
wide and heard the click of the lock. “Try to move.” The chain rattled as he
tried to wriggle from his spread-eagle position but he was fixed tightly. “Good
boy.”
 There was the scrape of the door opening, the click of claws on the floor and
the eager yip of a hound. He twisted his head as a middle-aged man came into
view with a tall hunting dog by his side. The dog drooled and snarled,
revealing healthy teeth. Jared tugged on his chains but he knew they wouldn’t
give. He was beginning to sweat. He knew the dog would smell his fear, but he
couldn’t prevent it.
Jensen spoke sternly to him from a distance. “Hey. Stay still. Relax. I thought
you liked dogs. He’s just getting to know you.” The dog handler pulled on its
lead, gave a command and a cold nose snuffled over his arm. Jared left his
hands open as it licked at his fingers then stood two legged against the bed to
drool, sniff and lick at his face, his body, his crotch and his toes. Jensen
moved in, he placed a hand on his slave's chest and another brushed softly on
his hair “Not going to hurt you. Just let him.” It didn’t stop Jared's nerves
jangling and his chest tightening.
When the dog was pulled away, Jensen’s hands reached to the back of Jared's
neck and stroked his hair from the still damp collar. He heard the snick of the
lock opening and Jensen eased it from his neck, massaging the skin where it had
lain. His Master passed it to the dog handler who placed it into a canvas bag
on his belt. “That should be sufficient, yes?”
 “It will be plenty.”
The handler bowed as he exited with his hound and then Jensen was straddled
atop of him, hand soft on his cheek, lips sliding wet against his mouth, tongue
licking into him. Jared obediently let him in, but anger still coursed in him
and he would not respond. His Master stilled and drew back. “You’re angry with
me. Do you know the child? Answer me.”
Jared nodded, sparks of ire in his eyes. “He is the Earl of Ford’s son.”
 “Does he know you?”
 “No.”
 “Good. Understand that it is not something I will discuss with you. I am not
in the mood for your temper. One child is quite enough to deal with for the
day. Now listen very, very, carefully Jared. Nobody is to find out the boy was
here. Not Mackenzie, not Ethan, not even Joshua, and certainly not Alona. I
will not hesitate to put you back on the bench if you betray me in this.”
Jared’s mouth was dry and his head was starting to ache. He remembered Joshua’s
words and he did not want to consider the consequences of being caught between
the brothers. Jensen drew his legs up and got off the bed. “I have little time
to ready you for public. You said that cuffs or a leash might help. I can't do
that for you, but there are distractions we can use. I will not hurt you, but
you are going to have to trust me and do what you’re told. I don’t want this
any more than you do, but together we will do it right.”
Jensen brought bowls of warm water from the bathing room and set them on a
table with clean cloths and a jar of thick oil. He reached to the dresser and
pulled down several boxes. He opened the first to reveal a strip of shining
black leather, set with jet. His hands were gentle and he caressed the soft
skin of his slave’s throat as he positioned the collar carefully and locked it
in place. “There. Your old collar is with the hounds. The dog that scented you
is the best of the pack and the rest are well trained. If you run, they will be
set after you. Have you seen a pack take down a stag, Jared?” 
 Jared swallowed, wide eyed.
“Good. I don’t want to lose you, and I don’t think you want to die like that.”
He leaned down and kissed Jared’s brow before producing the gag with the ball
and forcing his mouth apart with finger and thumb. He slipped the ball behind
his teeth and secured the strap efficiently.  “This is not going to hurt. I
promise. Try not to panic or cry, relaxed is far easier. You look beautiful
Child. I don’t want you to have teary eyes and tangled hair."
 He opened a smaller box and withdrew a tapered metal rod of about four inches
with rounded bumps on its length and a jeweled ring at the top which fixed to a
tiny jeweled cuff. He showed it to the brunette. “Decorative and functional,”
he quipped.  
It was an exquisite piece but Jared had never seen anything like it. He was
still trying to make out its function when he felt the cold slide of oil on the
head of his cock. “Sshh.” Jensen took his flaccid penis carefully between his
fingers working oil into the hole and, with sickening realization, Jared knew
how the jewellery would be worn. He whined behind the gag and clenched all his
muscles against the chains that held him.
 “Hey.” An oily hand reached to massage his chest and stomach. “It’s safe.
Don’t think about it. It’s going to be fine. You know one day, when we have
more time, we’ll get to play with this. You’ll be begging me for it.” His lips
quirked suggestively but his focus stayed on the task, “for now its best if
you’re not enjoying it.” He oiled the rod and gently drew the hole of his penis
apart. Jared felt a cold metal push and a burn as Jensen worked it in. “Breathe
deep, in…now out, think of clouds or puppies or something.”
His flesh gave way and he felt the slide of cold intrusion, an uncomfortable
friction and impossible fullness inside his cock. Just when he thought it was
over Jensen adjusted the angle and gravity forced the metal further, Jared’s
hands bunched and strained, the pain and discomfort of being filled so
intimately, was almost unbearable. Then his hands flexed and his whole body
strained off the mattress, as a spasm of pure arousal shivered all the way up
his body and burst brightly into his consciousness.  He squeaked into the ball
as his body tried to thrash against his ties. He felt blood rush as his dick
twitched and hardened.
“Oh no, not all the way Child, half way is about right.”
He drew breath and held it as Jensen’s fingers nimbly secured the cuff around
the base of his glans and Jared discovered the agony of needle sharp extrusions
that clutched into the soft flesh as it swelled. His erection subsided with the
pain but the plug kept it from its natural state, he breathed in only for the
sweet sensation of arousal to hit the base of his brain once more and there it
was again, a needles sharp shock. It was unspeakably wonderful and yet the
worst pain imaginable. Jared had been a quiet child but he had never learned to
sit still. At that moment he wanted to be a statue, to be made of stone, both
motionless and emotionless.
“You’ll learn to control it. For now, you have to cope, just for a while.”
Jensen licked his lips and when he spoke again it was with a thick, lusty
voice, “So sexy. You’ll have to think of a way for me to reward you for this.
For now you’re killing me.” He pushed himself away and Jared could see the
telltale bulge of in his pants. Jensen adjusted them, shook his head and opened
another box. “This is simple enough.”  He held up a decorative ankle cuff with
a chain and toe ring. Tiny keys locked both cuffs. Embedded within the toe ring
was a short jagged blade. Jensen took his foot and fitted it carefully,
adjusting the ring and chain with precision. Jared was surprised that he felt
no pain. He listened as he was given explanation. “While you walk correctly,
the pin is simply a distraction. You will barely feel it. Try to place full
weight on your foot, as you would when running, it will produce a nasty gash
and ensure the cut stays open every step you take. It is not enough to do great
harm but it will slow you down and provide a blood trail to follow.  Are you
with me?”
 Jared blinked his understanding through teary eyes and Jensen pressed a cloth
to them. “There. I knew you wouldn’t cry. Good boy.” He unstrapped the gag and
pulled the ball out with a gentle kiss to the side of Jared’s mouth. Jared
turned his face away and Jensen did not censure him.
 “Alright. Let me give you a hand up. It may be a little uncomfortable at
first.” The cuffs were stacked on the dresser and Jensen took one hand and the
other supported his slave's back, rubbing gentle circles between his shoulders.
A jolt of pleasure-pain climbed under Jared’s skin and crawled there. He winced
and hissed. Jensen was putting pressure on his back, “Now get up. You have to
do better than this Jared. I know you can.”
The slave grabbed at Jensen’s shirt. He felt as if he might crack open and
apart at any moment. Every pore, every fiber of him was tingling and his flesh
was trying to crawl out of his skin. “Please, please don’t make me do this
Jensen. I can’t. You have to take it away. I can’t go out there.” He was
begging. It was degrading and cowardly and he didn’t know what mercy he was
most needy for.
There was a fleeting moment when Jensen’s face softened with a hint of regret
or concern but his Master's features soon smoothed and hardened. “Sort yourself
out and stand upright. There are far worse things on the battlefield. You’ll
not be the only decorated slave and I won’t have you let yourself down."
 He put his hands on Jared’s waist and pulled him to his chest. There was the
faintest touch of fabric against his plugged cock and Jared threw back his neck
and moaned before biting at his lip with a faint groan of pain. Jensen cupped
his slave’s face and rubbed his thumb slowly over his cheek,  finally his lips
turned down and wavered, the lines on his face deepened and his eyes watered.
“I don’t know how to do this for them Jared, I need you and this is the way
it’s done. This is the way it’s always been done.” He tugged his hand and
pulled him to the bay window. Jared followed without thought and stepped back,
in shock, at the sight. 
Thousands crowded the street and square below. A sea of silent mourners stood
patiently. They were black clad, with flowers pinned or sewn as decoration, on
their dark attire, sometimes just the one, others two or three. All colors and
varieties, wild flowers and lilies, scented and unscented. All made a blaze of
color on a black background.  Jensen’s voice rasped as he explained “Each
flower represents the life of a person who was lost and the hope that their
spirit can bring us a brighter future.”
 There were so many flowers, so much hope represented in them. The urgency of
Jared’s own anguish diminished as he started to comprehend the scale of loss
and need for assurance.
“Why are those people separated from the rest of the crowd?” Jared pointed to a
sizeable area of the square that was cordoned off with rope.
 “They have come from the Realm to mourn their own, or mourn with us. We do not
require answers of them, only respect.”
“How can you do that? That has to be madness. There will be bloodshed.”
 Jensen shrugged, “It has always been that way. There are many with family in
tenure or who choose to stay as free citizens. The Realm may have closed its
border but we have never closed ours to any. Many of your former kinsmen have
been lost. Their families need to grieve and you do your own people a
disservice by doubting them. The ordinary citizens are good people. They have
never treated our kindness with disrespect or conflict.” 
It was as if Jared was seeing Jensen for the first time. Here was a man who had
stood and watched family, friends and kinsmen die brutally at the hands of the
Realm, who was on the brink of seeing everything he knew and loved wiped out,
but had somehow never forgotten that everyone a nation represents is an
individual, capable of their own thoughts, love and actions. He had probably
made mistakes. He had certainly killed and maimed, kidnapped and stolen but
even now, when all sense suggested he would be bitter and malicious, he saw the
best in the citizens of a Realm that would destroy him.
Jared forced himself to calm. He had military training and he should use it. He
visualized his sensations, he put his pain and fear in a bottle and he saw
himself capping it. (and if that wasn’t a hell of an analogy, he thought wryly)
He remembered the blade beneath his toe and he stepped, with poise, into
Jensen’s space. He cautiously reached his hand to the freckled face and rubbed
his finger on the plump, pink lips. There are freckles even here, thought
Jared. He loved that there were freckles everywhere. “Can I kiss you?” The only
reply was the urgent mash of wet lips against his and the swipe of a tongue.
The kiss was harsh and needy and over too quickly. Jared kept his body apart,
scared to jolt any part of the jewellery that tortured him. He spoke while he
still had his resolve. “We should go now. We don’t want to be late.”
“Hang on. I thought if I wore a long cape, well, I know it looks affected but
it will give you some cover.” Jensen swung a long formal cape across his
shoulders and fixed the strap with a scowl.  “I look like a Dandy, so we can be
mortified together. When we stop and you kneel, I want you to take position
behind me and only just to the left. You may rest your forehead on the back of
my leg if you wish contact.”
 “Is that what you wish? Do you need contact?” Jared asked quietly.
“Yes. More than anything.” Jensen reached for his hand and Jared took it and
squeezed reassuringly.
“Then of course I shall, Master.” He smiled shyly to indicate the deliberate
use of the affectation. Jared ran his hands through his hair and made sure his
collar was straight. He focused on every instruction Alona had given him and
placed his feet correctly. He relaxed his hands and fixed his gaze just below
his Master’s.  “Ready.”
 “Good boy.” Jensen opened the door to the hallway circled his hand to indicate
left heel. Jared took the position with a self-conscious grace. If there was
the occasional wince or hiss of pain he ensured it was not obvious. 
***** Chapter 15 *****
They stepped into the room and all conversations halted, eyes followed his
hesitant progress and Jared wanted to flee and hide until he could be alone
again.
He stalled at the side of the door, it’s like being the new kid at school, he
thought, but he’d never been to school, perhaps if he had he wouldn’t resemble
a rabbit caught in torchlight.
Steady hands grabbed him as Jensen followed, “Hey.” Jared was pushed against
the wall and warm lips pressed against his neck. A wet tongue licked a stripe
from his throat, over his chin and up to his mouth to dip in for a brief kiss.
Jensen growled as he nipped a line to his slave's ear “You are the only one I
ever wanted and they’ll just have to get over it.” Jensen pushed himself away
but there was one last comment as he left. It was barely audible, even with
Jensen's lips hot against his lobe, “I love you, Jared,” and Jared thought he
must have misheard. Nevertheless, it was enough to distract him awhile from the
throbbing, chaotic neediness of his body.
Jared stayed by the wall, pink-flushed and anxious until Alona wove through the
room of shining, naked bodies and took him by the hand. “Child! You look
wonderful.”
There were nine perfect-skinned slaves in the room, all exhaustively prepared
and exquisitely decorated. A dark, slim girl tittered unkindly. Her hair was
slicked into a shining ponytail with a jewel encrusted clip and her pert
nipples were pierced with golden rings. “Well, goodness, yes. It is reassuring
to know that the Prince is setting a thrifty example to his Kingdom, by
choosing his property from the reject cage.” 
There were sniggers from all about the room and Jared pressed his back more
firmly to the wall and sighed. He had hoped for friendly words or witty banter
to settle his nerves. He supposed it was no more than he endured throughout his
childhood, as that weird little boy that nobody is allowed to talk to. He
pretended not to hear as the redhead replied in a disdainful voice “It is
damaged goods. Look at the scars on it. So inappropriate, and my stars, is that
restraint decoration? What sort of a disaster requires that? Well, what can you
expect from the Realm?”
It seemed that all eyes were directed at the tortuous device fixed in his
member and he fought a desire to cover himself with his hands, because that
would certainly bring more ridicule. Alona eased him from the wall by his hand
and shot a dark look at the red-head, “I’m sure Danneel doesn’t mean that
Child.”
A lower tone cut in, as a striking blonde man with piercing blue eyes and a
huge sapphire piercing in one ear, spoke up. He had the look of one from the
Northern Territories, a cold region of pale people, “Oh, I am absolutely sure
she did. You see she is a raging, spiteful bitch when she’s jealous and, by all
that is air, you are something to be envious of.” He stuck his hand out in
greeting and Jared shook it, surprised at the gesture. “I’m Chad. They don’t
like me either. They’re jealous as fuck of me.” 
Alona rolled her eyes. “Chad, nobody likes you because you are an annoying,
sarcastic low-life.”
“And you’re jealous. You love me really.”
Alona giggled. “Yeah, I’m jealous because, oh hang on, why am I jealous?”
“You have the hots for my Master and Mistress. Everyone desires Lord and Lady
Collins.” He spared a look at Jared, raised his eyebrows and licked his lips
suggestively. “Not that we don’t have a burning desire for Prince Jensen but
y’know, my owners, whoohoo, scorching.”
There were an assortment of comments thrown at the spiky haired blond slave
including “Get over yourself,” and, “Yeah, but what you wouldn’t give for a
foursome.”
Chad stuck his middle finger up at them and grinned mischievously at Jared.
“Believe me. I would have no objection to a fivesome.” Laughter filled the
room, dissipating the tension among the slaves, which just left the tension
thrumming through Jared’s body.
Alona subtly gave the sign for Jared to straighten. He hadn’t realized he was
hunching his shoulders so he nodded thanks and regained his poise. “Well then.
It appears you may, unfortunately have found an ally in Chad here. If you like
I can ask Mackenzie if she’ll swap places with Lord Collins so you can be
together. Mackenzie’s slave is lovely but he’s not particularly cuddly.”
“Unfortunately! Al, I’m not just cuddly, I’m awesome and you know it. Child,
you have to know, just by looking at me that I’m awesome.”
Jared’s dimples appeared, his teeth shone white and he full-on chuckled. He
struggled to remember when he had last done that “Please, Al.  That would be
good.”
 Chad grinned at him. “Damn boy. That smile is criminal! If you smile like that
around my Master, I’ll tape your mouth shut. I don’t need that sort of
competition.”
There was a derogatory sniff from the slave with the pony tail but nobody was
paying any attention to her.
It was an orderly formation of the Royal Household and Lords that filed onto
the raised platform in the square. Slaves followed at precisely the correct
distance and one after another bowed to their knees at heel, while their owners
stood and acknowledged the crowd. Jared felt the cold air on his skin and the
pain in his crotch as his penis tried to shrink, then aroused once more with a
shifting of the rod. He bit his lip and concentrated on the deliberate flicks
of Jensen’s hand to ensure his every movement was correct. He kept his poise
and set his feet carefully but somehow he could not keep his gaze low. Jensen
was pale, strain was etched on every feature, his steps were heavy on the
bouncing wood and when he halted, his shoulders dropped, Jared sank to his heel
swiftly and, desperate to demonstrate his support, his head bowed quickly to
 rest against his Master’s warm leg. Jensen flicked at his cloak, as if it were
an unconscious action but he flicked it again until it almost fully covered his
slave from the biting wind.
It was only when Jared heard a collective sigh of “Aw!” from somewhere to the
front that he became aware of the crowd. Jared felt a hand tangle in his hair
as Jensen risked a moment’s comfort. There was another “Aw” from the masses. 
To the side of him Lord Collins leaned toward Jensen and murmured, “I think
they need to see that.”  
Jared risked a sideways glance as Lord Collins made a similar action, stroking
Chad’s face appreciatively. There was clapping from the citizens who could see
them. On the other side of him, Ethan placed a steady hand on Alona’s head. The
unprecedented show of public affection for their slaves spread across the stage
and when the King followed suit the crowd broke into a roaring applause.
Jensen’s features relaxed with the suggestion of an upturn to his mouth and
Jared felt the knot in his stomach unfurl a fraction.
If it weren’t for the complicated attention to an unknown flower ritual, Jared
could almost have forgotten his naked submission. Terror rapidly morphed into
discomfort and boredom. In the moments that he forgot his place and glanced
into the crowd, he saw only grief and a rapt attention to the King's
activities.  Royal ceremony, pompous bugling and long, rousing speeches were
horribly familiar to him. He considered it ironic that the most important Royal
ceremony he had attended, to date, should be as a captive slave in another
Household.
 It was the Royal family’s first appearance since their father’s funeral and
Joshua’s first speech as King. It was mourning for brutal loss and affirmation
of commitment to their people. The King was unequivocal in his closing words.
It was a declaration to the Realm. The Kingdom would not surrender. It would
not give up on any of its citizens or potential citizens (and that raised some
eyebrows on the dais as the euphemism for slaves sank in). It would not accept
a closing of minds or a closing of its borders. The only way these things would
be lost was if they were taken and that was not an option. They would stand
together.
 The crowd were deafening in their support and Joshua gestured for Jensen and
Mackenzie to join him. Jensen palmed wait here and stepped to bury himself in a
bear hug with his brother and sister. He whispered something in their ears and
they all flicked their hands, heel. Jared crossed the space self-consciously,
his ears burned with his exposed state but Jensen was quick to give him cover
of his cloak. He reached for Jared’s hand and grasped it firmly and obviously.
Joshua nodded at Jensen and clutched at his own slave’s hand as he added to the
speech with an unplanned finale.
“We stand together, for everyone in the Kingdom. Let’s be clear, we stand for
citizens of every background and religion. We stand for love to be accepted in
every form. We stand for our slaves and for the refugees who have requested our
shelter. We stand for our children and the stability of this entire region.
What I ask is that ALL of you stand with us.”
They left the platform to a rapturous ovation. Jared’s gaze strayed upward and
he watched families, friends and strangers hold each other in hugs, a mixture
of hope, grief, despair and love expressed in such a simple action. For a
moment Jared’s eyes caught on a man squeezing through the crowd. In the time
that he blinked he was gone from view. He shook his head at the fleeting
hallucination of Christian Kane. He was under a lot of stress, it wasn’t
surprising he was conjuring up false images of his dead friend.
They retired to a brightly lit hall with warm fires blazing in the hearth,
homey rugs over the stone floor and large squashy armchairs. Jensen took time
to greet every Noble and ask after their family and health. If it weren’t for
the incessant agony below his waist, Jared would have smirked. However
reasonable the need for such conversation, he knew how tedious and wearing it
could be.
There were tables laid out with cold snacks and drinks. It was basic but
wholesome fare, and Jared wondered if it was always that way or if the recent
defeats had forced constraints. He left his Master’s heel without waiting for
instruction and collected a tankard of sweet smelling liquid and an assortment
of meats, bread and fruit.Jensen took the tankard from Jared and sank the
liquid back without a pause, then looked down at the slave at his foot. “Oh
moons. Child how long is it since you had a drink?”
Jared didn’t have a chance to answer before Lord Collins was at Jensen’s elbow.
“You sly campaigner. You know how to work the crowd don’t you?”
“I seem to recall it was your suggestion.”
“But you started it. Nice move, and as for bringing out your same sex slave
from the Realm, I mean WOW. You know how to make a statement.” The Lord reached
to caress the back of Jared’s neck.
Jensen frowned and was short with him, “Misha, You should know it wasn’t a
statement.  It is what I wanted.” He stepped possessively between his slave and
Chad’s Master.
Lord Collins wasn’t taking the hint. “Mackenzie tells me it is to be presented
at the next function. I’m looking forward to that. Perhaps I can be one of the
first to have the honor of his mouth.”
Jensen’s lips twitched and his eyes became cold. Chad made a face at Jared. It
seemed to be a cross between, look how hot my master is and oh good grief, look
how stupid my master is. “I’m not sure I can be making any promises for the
future my friend. Besides, you know you would break the heart of that beautiful
blue-eyed boy of yours.”
“It’s just a slave,” Misha laughed.
Jensen tipped his head to one side in a grimace and dropped his good manners.
“Chad is a person, Misha and Mother Earth help anyone who might try to take him
from you, because I have seen that you care. Child is a person. I care for him.
As I said earlier, we shouldn’t make promises for the future. We may not be
able to keep any of them, especially if we don’t have the support of all of our
people, citizens or not. You saw the crowd. Surely it’s not hard to work out
their feelings.”
“I’m not sure Joshua will approve of your opinions, Jensen.”
Jensen twitched his hand and Jared readied himself to follow him from the Hall.
“When has Joshua ever approved of my opinions Misha? As I said before, this
isn’t a statement, it is simply what I want and in the circumstances I truly do
not care what anybody else thinks on the matter.” He smirked in triumph at
Misha as he stalked deliberately out of the room with his slave following him
in perfect time and poise.
They made it up one flight of stone stairs and through a corridor before Jensen
crowded Jared into a shadowy recess. “Give me your foot.” Jared’s brows knitted
in confusion. “Need to get the toe ring off.”
“Oh.” He hopped on one foot as his Master slipped the tiny key in and released
the digit.
 Jensen balled up the chain with a clink and threw it into the corner of the
recess. “Now. Where was I?”  He forced the brunette’s hands above his head and
held them in one of his own. His other palm pushed flat against the brand on
his chest “Mine.” He backed him flat to the wall and gave a lust filled growl.
 “I’m going to take my hand from your wrists. Don’t you dare move.”
 Jared’s breath quickened as green eyes locked onto him in a heated haze. He
held his arms above his head as a delicious tingle spread and ended in sharp
agony of blades in his cock, tears filled his eyes and he wailed. “Nooo, ah.”
“Ah, Hell! Sorry, sorry.” One of Jensen’s hands wiped the tears from his cheek
while the other fumbled at his cock. “Just a moment, Child.” There was a barely
audible click as the ring around his glans was released, then Jensen’s mouth
was on his lips, all wet heat and lusty desire. “So fucking perfect for me.
Just fucking perfect. Gonna get you in that room and give you so much. Gonna
make you come so hard for me and you don’t have to wait for me and you won’t
have to say thank you because,”
Jared grabbed at his neck and pulled him onto his mouth “Shut up and do it
then.” He groaned, thick and wanting, with a high pitched whine as the cock
plug shifted and the blood ran unhindered to engorge his needy prick. “Mmm
Jen.” All thought left him and he gave in to sensation as Jensen’s tongue
plundered his mouth. He tasted of honey-mead, smoked ham and something else
that was entirely Jensen and Jared was ravenous for him.
Jensen’s eyes widened in surprise as Jared sucked hard on his tongue then
forced his own pink muscle inside. He had to know, neededto taste it all.
Jensen was mewling and grinding his hips against the slave’s naked body. His
cock strained at his pants, leaking a wet patch into the fabric and it was a
wondrous sight to his slave. Jared gave another suck to Jensen’s tongue then
pulled off with a wet smack. He kissed a trail down Jensen’s neck, he wanted
more of his flesh to kiss and to bite, more to feel and taste. He fought with
the buttons on the shirt but his fingers were unco-operative as his hips bucked
hard against the firm contours of Jensen’s body and Jensen pushed back creating
unearthly friction and a sweet moons, stars, freakin’ comets, sensation that
coursed through Jared and burst in fireworks at the base of his brain. His
balls pulled up but there was no means of release and he gave a squeaking whine
and growling moan, together and apart. Sweat slicked at his chest and he
panted. “Jen. Pleeeaaase. Oh stars, pleeeeease, can’t.”
Jensen gulped breath and slowed his grind, he looked down at Jared’s pulsing
cock and grasped it in his hand. Jared flung his head back, knocking the wall,
it was a sharp knock, it was painful and yet dismissed as unworthy of
attention. His body only cared for one thing. He gave a hissing, panted breath.
“No, uh, uh mmm.”
Jensen wheezed as he spoke, “Shouldn’t take it out like this, and not without
oil, hot water.”
Jared bucked his hips again, Jensen let the silky hot skin rub up through his
grasping fist and his slave moaned with tears of frustration. He’d never needed
so much, not ever, he might just die without the release his body sought “Just
do it! Just get it out.”
“Hey. Alright.” Jensen spoke gently, then growled again. “Keep your goddamned
hands up. Want to see you exposed and needy for me, where anyone can see you,
see how much you want it.”  Jared’s brain felt like it would explode, the words
crept under his flesh and his hips rolled with wanton abandon. The plug rolled
with it and he felt like his balls would rip in two with need. He didn’t think
it could get any worse but then Jensen was gone, suddenly on his knees below
him, looking up at him, all sex and softly slurping tongue around the metal of
the plug, his teeth clicking against it and Jared didn’t know if it was noise
or vibration or electric lightning that struck his length. Gentle fingers
tugged the rod out carefully, inch by inch on a tongue-slicked exit with jolts
of screeching friction and the chase of his orgasm.  As the plug finally ripped
from his slit Jensen’s mouth closed around the length of his shaft and he
hollowed his cheeks as he swallowed the bursting seed.  Jared’s world turned
lightning white with joyous, screaming, brain scorching pleasure, his eyes were
blown, pure black, and his muscles strained and contracted.
He laughed, adrenalin-high and hysterical, as his muscles turned to jelly.
“What sort of Master takes two drinks when his slave has had none?”
Jensen practically choked with laughter, on the last of the come, he licked his
lips and stood up, rubbing all the way against Jared. He pulled his slave's
arms down and took him into a hug.
“The sort of Master who lets his slave have an orgasm without him.” He
supported Jared in his arms. “You can collapse when we get in our room. Then
you can have a drink and believe me honey, you can drink as much of me as you
like.”
 Jared smiled, a full dimpled arc “Is that a promise?”
“I am so hard , it’s a guarantee Child.”
Jared let himself be manipulated back to their room and sported a contented,
smug smile when they met staff in the hallways who pretended not to stare at
the unsuitable slave who walked, with his Master’s arm curled around his waist,
in the most incorrect manner. He was satisfied and fuzzy.Right now, in this
moment, everything was perfect, if he was already condemned to Hell, he was
going with Jensen and they were going to make it one heck of a ride.
***** Chapter 16 *****
The slick length softened and slid slowly over Jared’s tongue. As his throat
fluttered desperately around it one last time he retched, gasped for breath and
reared up against the cuffs that held him tight.
“No. Clean me. I want you to lick every last drop from me.”
The swift return to his Master’s dominance had him chained with his head
beneath Jensen’s thighs, his face fucked like a cheap whore, cock so deep that
when it shot there was no taste, just hot liquid intrusion, sinking to his
belly and yet….
“You can do better than that.”
He grimaced and swirled his tongue around the hairy softness of the balls at
his lips. He kept his eyes open, he wanted approval, ached for it and he had
been instructed not to close them.
“I thought so.”
Jared whimpered. The taste was not sweet but there was an odor and after-taste
that was all Jensen. He retched again but it wasn’t violent, wouldn’t lead to
sickness so he stretched his tongue out and licked a stripe from balls to tip
and this time his stomach stayed quiet but there was no ignoring the thrumming
need of his own sacs and the hot ache of his erect dick that leaked pre-come
from its bobbing purple head.
There was a sultry moan above him and the thighs aside of him quivered and
shifted away. There was the snick and clink of chains being removed and his
Master landed beside him with a whump and a bright smile and pulled him in for
a messy, salty kiss. “Look at you. Fuck, Jared! So very needy. What damage has
been done with twisted words of hate?”
Jared turned his face away, he remembered begging for it, asking to give this
to Jensen, then pleading for the chains because he wanted to, goddamn he had
reallywanted and needed, but then the voices had started in his head, the
Elders, the scriptures, Morgan and Kane, all with condemnation and damnation.
Doubt flew in on the accusations and he had frozen, overcome with wrongful
desire, yet unable to continue.
“No! It’s alright, downright hot even. Jared, look at me, really, it’s okay.”
Gentle hands manipulated his tearful face until he was inches from his Master’s
and then they moved to his shoulders, pulling him in close, for a hug. “It
isn’t wrong. It is beautiful. You are beautiful, and I take it, I take it all,
the responsibility and the blame but I’m not taking shame and nor are you.
There is no shame in this,” Jensen soothed him. Jared let go of a shudder as
his shoulders relaxed into the hug. Soft lips nuzzled his neck. “Do you want to
come Jared?”
“Yes,” he breathed, his voice cracked and hoarse, “Yes, Master.” He did. More
than anything. He was wound tight and so desperate for release he thought he
might explode with it. Jensen reached a sweat-moist hand to release the cock
ring he had placed there, so much earlier, before his own orgasms. Jared jumped
at the touch, it was too much and not enough, all at once. The hand grasped
firm, slipped lazily along his length and twisted with a tug at the swollen
head.
“Tell me,” Jensen urged him, lusty and sinful in his ear.
“Want to come. Please. Ungh. Please. Need to come.” Jared's hips snapped
upwards and his head rolled back, hair damp and sticking curled to the shining
black collar around his sweat-sheened neck.
“Join me. You set the pace.” Jensen took his hand and wrapped it around his
thrumming cock with his own.
Jared groaned as he set a fast pace, he stripped his cock with steady pressure
and the erotic touch of Jensen’s fingers. Sharp teeth nipped at his shoulder
and a tongue worried at the wounds with a suck that marked him as Jensen’s in a
trail of purple bruises. It didn’t matter, he wanted it, needed it, welcomed it
and the pain translated into inexplicable pleasure that traveled every nerve to
his tightening balls. He came with delicious, overwhelming sensation and a
delirious, incoherent shout, the fluid shooting, squishy, wet and warm over his
sweat soaked stomach. He flopped against the bed sated and exhausted, his lips
turned up in a smile and his dimples deepened as his eyes fluttered shut.
A soft mouth pressed kisses all over his heaving, shaking, chest. His eyes
flashed open and with panicked memory he croaked, “Thank you, Master,” but even
as he spoke his mind ordered his thoughts, and he recalled Jensen’s later
instructions.
“Sshh. Good Boy. Sleep now.”
His Master curled close to him, sticky with sweat on heated flesh Jensen lay
his head on Jared's chest, over his rapid-beating heart, atop of his brand, and
settled with one arm flexed over his slave's stomach, tickling him with his
fingers drawing lazy patterns in the semen setting sticky there. Jared heard
the lick and suck as Jensen lifted his own fingers to his mouth and sucked on
his slave’s seed. Sweat and come mixed and cooled itchy on his skin, his wrists
ached from restraint, there was a sting in his bruises and Jensen’s weight was
not light but Jared felt himself drift. The words hadn’t been spoken again but
he was sure of it now, he felt it in his core, he was loved. Jensen cared, and
in his eyes Jared wasn’t deviant or wrong. Right now, it was all that mattered.
He succumbed to a satisfied, dreamless slumber.
***
Jared startled awake to the noise of a door opening, he shifted and forced his
head up and eyes open. Jensen was sprawled heavy on him and snoring softly. His
arm and leg tangled over him and his face nestled into the slave’s shoulder.
The main door to Jensen’s room remained locked, shut with the key in place.
Jared frowned, he was sure he had heard it. He pushed at Jensen’s limbs and sat
up. Jensen shifted and muttered in his sleep then settled. The study door
swished and clunked as a small gap closed. What in Moons?
He leaped from the bed. He crossed the space with bare-footed, slave-silent
steps. His eyes searched for something to use as a weapon, but found nothing.
Of course not, not in a room where a Master kept his unsuitable and
untrustworthy slave. He pushed the study door tentatively and it gave way
without sound, a dark gap appearing in its wake. He looked to the bed where
Jensen’s supine form continued to snuffle in easy sleep and he opened the door
further and stepped into the study.
There was a stony scrape, a dull thump and what sounded like footsteps on a
staircase. His eyes adjusted to the darker room and he scanned it. The desk
stood, neatly piled with parchment and feather quills. The fireplace was unlit
but stacked ready for flame, and swords waited at attention, for firm-handed
action. Jared eyed warily about him as he stepped over to the holder and
unsheathed the ruby-hilt blade. He stayed still and listened as he flicked his
eyes over every surface. There were faint muffled thuds from elsewhere in the
building but silence was thick within this space. He didn’t understand it. He
was so sure. He moved again and peered under tables and chairs, arm tensed,
sword raised in readiness. There was nothing out of place, except, his eyes
honed in on a dust cloud dancing in beams of faint afternoon light from the far
window. He traced the edge of the disturbance and found a mixture of mud and
grit at the front of the bookcases.
He walked to the shelves and bent to examine the strange phenomenon, but it was
all coming clear to him, something that had been said to Captain Beaver, the
hours that Jensen left him alone and sulked in this study. He had given his
Captain a command. His Captain had returned with Colin Ford and no-one was to
know, yet he hadn’t left his rooms to give any orders since the day of his
Father’s death. The Prince had been sick and confined by his siblings, given
orders to stay and recover. He could not have commanded his unit. Or could he?
Jared relaxed his sword by his side and smoothed the surfaces of the shelves
with probing fingers. He examined the pattern of dust on the volumes of
parchment and found a gap of finger-polished wood. There was a cough and the
swish of a sword being unsheathed. Jared swung around in alarm, unconsciously
adopting the natural stance of a swordsman, ready to attack. Jensen stood
readied, wearing just pants, he held his own blade in hand. He shook his head
and disappointment seemed to drip from his sad eyes. “I thought we were past
this Jared. I thought that just maybe, what we had was real. I’m an idiot.” He
raised the shining metal rigid, in front of his own face and lowered it slowly,
a symbol of duel and respect. “Should we end this as we should have, at very
start, Prince Jared?”
The brunette looked to his own stance in horror. He opened his hand and crimson
reflection shimmered as his blade twirled to the floor and landed with a
metallic clang. He sank to his knees amongst the sharp grit on the floor. “I, I
thought I heard something. I didn’t want to wake you, because it wasn’t
reasonable. I didn’t mean it. I wouldn’t hurt you Jensen. I wouldn’t. There was
someone in here, I was so sure.”
Jensen continued to grasp at his own steel as he crossed to Jared and stood
over him. “You stole a weapon,” he snarled.
Jared took a gasping breath as he understood the gravity of the statement.
“You took a weapon and you were looking for a way out.”
He forced himself to be calm. He would not beg but he would state his case. He
squeezed his eyes together and reopened them. He adjusted his posture so he
felt dignified in his submission. “I ask that you to listen to me Master. I
know I was wrong and I accept punishment that is due but I will not fight you
and did not wish to run from you. I feared for your safety.”
Jensen relaxed and the sharp point of his blade settled at the floor. He
twisted the hilt and it span in a lazy coil. “Why would you fear for me?”
“I heard a door open but it was this one, which isn’t possible, right? So I
thought to investigate. Anyone hiding here, they could only wish harm, so I
took the sword and I didn’t consider it, and I remember now, it was a rule but
it is what came naturally, only…” he faltered and his voice became quieter,
“there were just the sounds of retreat and I was curious because, all the time
you hide in here, the orders you couldn’t have given.” He trailed off. Jensen’s
face was unreadable and Jared’s explanation only dug him further into blame.
“But why would you fear for me?”
“There was somebody here. I know there was Jensen, and I can see that you have
a hidden door. I’m not sure how you use it but there is mud and grit. It has
been opened.”
“Why would you fear for me?” The question was repeated quietly.
“Isn’t it obvious Jensen? I care for you. Not because I’m your slave and it is
required, but because I genuinely …like you.” Jared wasn’t ready to utter the
other word that hid in his heart. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
Jensen continued to stare down at him. He toed at the mud and looked
thoughtful. “You took a weapon. Go and put your cuffs on. Fasten them together
and wait for me, by the bed. Do not speak a word until I say you can.”
Jared did as he was bidden. Jensen followed him. He checked Jared's chains, he
fastened wrist cuffs to ankle cuffs at the front, then dragged him to a ring in
the wall and locked his leash to it. He did not look his slave in the eyes or
speak to him once. He took a little time in the bathing room and dressed
himself. He looked back at his slave in silence as he entered the study and
banged the door behind him. Jared rested his head on his knees in familiar
position and wondered if the dark spot on the wall had changed at all.
***
Mackenzie flounced in after dark. The room was black and cold. She lit a candle
and glared at Jared. “Cookie did not receive a request for meals. What did you
do, Child? What did he do?” Jared shook his head then bowed it back to his
knee. “Not allowed to speak, huh?” He nodded again. “Do you know where he is
Child?” Jared shook his head. She huffed and approached him. “Oh, look at the
state of you. When he returns let him know I want to speak with him. Write it
in the dust if you have to. I shall ask Ethan to send Alona to set a fire, or
you will be blue with chill.”
In the end it wasn’t Alona who came to lay the fire. Chad breezed in with a
cheeky grin and cheerful chatter. “Oh man! Alona told me about you and she’s
busy with all the guests. Lord and Lady Collins are in the process of sucking
each others' face with no regard to how it makes me feel, so I asked and here I
am. Am I your hero? Tell me I’m your hero?” The blue-eyed slave did a pirouette
and ended with a bow.
Jared couldn’t help the trace of a smile that tugged at his lips.
“You’re not allowed to speak then. That stinks. I hate that punishment. Never
mind I shall have to speak instead, or sing or something.”
Jared’s lips parted into a grin and he shook his head animatedly, in mock
horror.
“What I don’t get is that when I last saw you I would have put bets on you two
staying holed up for sex till tomorrow at least. That is if I had anything to
wager, which I don’t of course, being a slave n’all. There’s my body of course,
because that is priceless, well if it was mine.” Chad lit the tinder with a
blaze of bright flame. He sat back on his heels to fan at it and gave Jared a
full head to toe survey while he did. “Oh, I see I wasn’t very far wrong. So
what happened, is he bad at sex? Are you?”
Jared pulled a face that, he hoped, showed disapproval for the questions.
Chad giggled. “I had to ask. I mean, aren’t you ever curious about, say, Ethan
and Alona? They must be HOT together, but in public, tch, stick up both their
asses.” He put his head to one side and considered the silent slave. “I reckon
you’re just so sexy Prince Jensen can’t handle it. They say the quiet ones are
the worst.”
Jared giggled and shook his head in wonder. He hadn’t been told he couldn’t
laugh so he didn’t feel bad about it. Jensen would have to be more specific in
future.
The fire took hold and blazed up toward the chimney. Chad put a steady hand on
Jared’s shoulder, “I have to go, I don’t want to get us both into trouble.
Look, try not to despair. I remember what it was like, the first few weeks, but
it does get better and, under all that temper and confusion, Prince Jensen is a
good man. Hey, don’t thank me, because you can’t.” He blew a kiss at Jared and
danced back out of the room.
Jared watched the colors and patterns in the flames. His skin itched and his
muscles ached in confinement, the floor was cold under his ass and the minutes
stretched, but for some reason it no longer seemed hard to bear. He deserved
this, and more, but he wasn’t completely alone and he knew, despite the
setback, Jensen cared.
It wasn’t long after Chad left that Jared heard a commotion. Jensen flung the
study door wide and stomped in, swearing under his breath. He stopped in his
tracks as he noted the fire blazing in the grate. He looked to Jared and saw he
was still chained. “Who the hell did that?” He yelled.
Jared looked at him in silence.
“I said who the hell….oh right.” Jensen rubbed at his chin and winced in pain.
A red trickle extended over his hand and he wiped it on his waistcoat. He
grabbed for a handkerchief and spat red into it. Jared’s eyes widened as the
flickering light revealed his Master’s bruised and bloody face. He strained at
his chains, reached out to Jensen.
“I should probably let you speak again then. You can speak Jared.”
“You’re hurt. I should see to that. What happened? Who did that? Are you hurt
anywhere else? You should sit.”
Jensen gave a wry smile. “It’s nothing. I deserve it. Jared, I asked about the
fire?”
“Chad did it. Lord Collins’ slave. Mackenzie asked Alona who asked him.
Mackenzie was here by the way. She says she needs to speak to you.” Jared drew
breath and continued, “Did he get his ass kicked? Nobody can be allowed to do
that to you. You need a cold compress, some arnica, a little salt water to
rinse your mouth and for the cuts. Jensen, please sit down, you look awful.”
“Whoa.” Jensen spat more blood and wobbled a tooth in curiosity. “Were you
always this verbose? Or is it just unwise to stop you speaking for a few
hours.”
“You’re hurt.” Jared didn’t feel the need for any more explanation.
“I said, I deserve it.” Jensen didn’t elaborate.
“It doesn’t mean you have to continue to suffer, Jensen.”
“This is just a ploy to get you out of those chains isn’t it Jared?” Jensen
grabbed at the keys on the dresser, snapped the cuffs off and loosened the
leash. His knuckles were bruised. Jared sniffed curiously, he couldn’t smell
ale on the older man’s breath.
“It wasn’t a bar brawl, Jared.”
How did Jensen always know what he was thinking?
“You are so transparent. In about two minutes you are going to wonder how I
will punish you for taking the sword without permission.”
Jared swallowed. He had known this was coming and wanted it over with. He
wondered if it would be any harsher after Jensen’s obviously poor evening.
“It’s done. I have learned that you did not lie to me. It was your judgement
and not your intention that was flawed. You clearly hate being made silent, and
I know you dislike being bound. So there it is. Done. What did you learn?”
He wasn’t sure he heard right, was Jensen toying with him? “Um. Thank you
Jensen. You, er, taught me that I must be obedient. That I must not take a
weapon, or search your rooms.” He tacked another line to the end as he realized
the mercy “You showed me you are merciful and kind.”
“No, Jared! I am neither of those. I am selfish. So, the next time there is an
intruder in our rooms, by all that is earth, you WAKE ME UP. I can take a sword
and give one to you and then we will both survive whatever murderous plans
someone may have for us. You do not try to get yourself killed going after an
intruder on your own. Your death would upset me, possibly more than my own,
since I would be too dead to worry about that. Now go and find me that cold
water and arnica. Mackenzie will throw a blue fit and I have no way to explain
to her.”
The slave chuckled, “You’re scared of your sister.”
“Damn right I am! When the men of this Kingdom are busy throwing heroics and
fighting rages out on the fields, who do you think it is that runs the entire
show?"
Jared tended Jensen with soft hands. He dabbed at a swollen black eye, the
split lip and bruised chin. He washed his bloody nose but it didn’t appear to
be broken. His Master reached to touch him and rubbed tenderly at his bare
arms.
Jared leaned into the touch, basked in it. “Why would anyone do this to you
Jensen? Will they come back?”
“Leave it Jared. The intruder wasn’t unfriendly, nobody bad can know that route
or use it. You should be safe, at least until, well, you know.” Jensen fell
silent.
When Jared was finished with the last rub of ointment his Master placed a kiss
on his brow. “You are so good to me, I don’t deserve you. I’m going to see
Mackenzie. Make use of the bathing room to freshen up, you can put coffee over
the fire and if you want to take a walk to the kitchens to fetch some soup for
yourself, there should be some there. If I’m not back you must get into my bed
and try to sleep. I want to hold you tonight. Is that alright, Child?”
"Yes, Jensen."
"Good boy."
Jared woke briefly when Jensen slipped under the covers with him. He spooned
his slave close, kissed at his neck and went to sleep with an arm around his
waist. Jared melted into the close, gentle, touch and went back to sleep
feeling safe and content.
***** Chapter 17 *****
Daylight was a grey streak of promise in the sky. The bed dipped and squeaked
in rhythm and there was laughter, damp heat and a low drawn out groan. A hand
reached to touch Jared's hair, tangling around it and trailing to his neck. He
turned sleepily toward the touch and nestled against the firm, heated body.
“It’s so lovely, Jen.” The voice was Ethan's.
Jared's eyelids pushed apart in an instant, all trace of sleep gone. He pulled
away from the soft caress and sat upright, gaze fixed in horror, on the scene
beside him.
Ethan’s fingers remained outstretched from the sudden loss of contact with
Jared's hair. Ethan and Jensen were naked in each others’ arms, eyes glazed
with sex and desire. They were slick with sweat and joined. Joined.  The small
man lay under Jensen, his legs, pushed up and splayed wide with the green-eyed
man impaling him, stretching him open and grinding hard into him as he swung
his pelvis up to meet the thrust. They eased pace and Jensen smiled at him and
spoke, lust-strained and breathy. “Good mornin'. Come here and kiss me.”
Ethan moaned in pleasure, “Mmm, yeah, harder Jen, want more,” then squirmed,
rolled his hips and pulled Jensen harshly into him. Jensen threw back his head
and cried out, loud and primal. Jared swung his legs over the edge of the bed
and ran from the scene. The bathing room door banged behind him and he sank to
the warm floor with his hands over his ears to block the animal cries, the
passionate words and the overt demonstration of his insignificance. How could
he be so stupid to think there could be anything with Jensen? He was a slave,
just that, nothing more. 
It wasn’t a deliberate decision to hide beneath the tables, maybe it felt safe,
but he couldn’t escape the turmoil of his own mind, the alternate disgust and
arousal at the scene he had witnessed. He didn’t understand Ethan’s apparent
pleasure at the act which had been so harrowing and abhorrent to him, and the
coil of anticipation he experienced when Jensen asked him to kiss, was
inexplicable. Then, there was the simple fact; Jensen and Ethan were beautiful
together. Jared had looked at paintings, seen the illustrations of desire and
even penetration between men and women but nothing, not a one, had prepared him
for the beauty, love and trust he had just witnessed. It stirred something in
him and he wondered what would have happened if he had stayed and kissed
Jensen, if he had perhaps kissed Ethan and allowed them both to touch him.
Would Ethan taste like Jensen? Would his lips and fingers excite him in the
same way? Blood pooled and gathered as his cock twitched and engorged. Jared
let his fingers touch the head, dipped into the slit and then grasped and
pulled at the silky skin of his shaft. He wanted more. He slid his hand slowly
downwards and back up to the head, biting at the inside of his cheek to silence
himself. He closed his eyes and lost himself in pure base instinct, fingers
working to a fast, dirty climax that sprayed hot over his fingers.
His lashes still rested over flushed cheeks when Jared was yanked by his collar
and dragged over the stone floor. The blow to his cheek was open handed but
uncompromising, it repeated on the other side of his face and returned again
three more times to each cheek with a vicious sting and red-hot burn.
Ethan stood over him, face contorted, seething with fury. “How could you? How
dare you? You turn him around, shake his existence and then you refuse him. You
disobey your Master, so directly, in the presence of another, humiliate him and
then come here to take pleasure in yourself.”  Jared's hands were wrenched
behind his back and cuffs locked together. Ethan dragged a large tub of water
toward him and though Jared had seen it, he was not prepared for the cold shock
of liquid over his head, the swallow of water and burst of his lungs, as strong
hands submerged his face and held him under until he was flailing with need for
air. His senses dimmed and the edges of his mind were fuzzy. He was going to
die, expire in a bucket of water, on a bare floor, on foreign soil. What a
ridiculous end. Stars burst bright and his chest prepared to explode as he was
dragged up into sweet air with a tearing pull to his hair. He gasped deep,
choked, rasped and struggled before he was plunged back into the watery
torture.
Jared didn’t know how many times the small man sank his head under the surface
or how long he endured the treatment. Consciousness returned with a wet retch
and a hoarse, choking cough. He was lying on the floor, shaking, limp and
soaked. Ethan stood over him, his face and hand had livid red bruises and Jared
recalled fragments of his struggle against the man, knew how they had been
acquired, wondered wryly what the payback would be for them, what other
punishment awaited  him.
“You’re awake.” The statement was flat, but Jared glimpsed a hand movement and
struggled to move to his knees.
“Good boy.” Ethan's praise seemed out of place.
“I hurt you. I beg forgiveness, Ethan.” Jared tried to sound genuine in his
gasped apology, he no longer had so much pride that he would needlessly court
punishment.
The small man shrugged. “It was an unpleasant punishment and you were frantic,
it means you will remember it.” Ethan crouched in front of him, pushed the
dripping hair from Jared's face and tucked it behind his ears. “I know you
remember Joshua’s instructions. I cannot fully save my oldest friend from the
disaster he has created with you, but you need to listen to me, Child, before
it destroys us all.”
The small man sat heavily on the floor in front of him. “You won’t repeat what
I am going to say to you, firstly because, on behalf of the King,  I instruct
you not to, but mostly because it is not my intention to ever belittle or hurt
Jensen and I do not think it would be yours either.” The deep brown eyes
searched his face and Jared gave the faintest nod of assent. Cold water dripped
and ran down the curve of his spine and he shivered involuntarily as Ethan
resumed speaking.
“You and I, we don’t get to have what we want. Jensen doesn’t get to have what
he wants. I can see how far he has fallen for you, but we all know it cannot
be. It hurts, to know that I am the familiar comfort blanket, used when he is
needy but it’s what I have always been and fool that I am, I always return. I
cannot resent you, but I will not tolerate behavior that hurts him. Asking you
to do what is required of a Court Slave is disabling him, he can see your fear
and he will not push you. He is allowing you to lead and it is making him
hesitant and you uncertain. In only days there will be a summit. It is our last
chance to maintain our hold on the Lords that provide our armies and to gain
favor with potential allies.
Adomisa is on its knees Child. This is our last chance and we are not above
whoring our trade, our belongings and our allegiances and, I shall put this
bluntly, we cannot be above whoring you. It is routine duty for a Court Slave
to please guests. It has never been a consideration that one may not be
agreeable. You will be presented and it is going to be difficult for Jensen.
There are a number of important players about the table who may well have a
fascination for you. To refuse them your service would be seen as a direct
slight by Jensen, one that the Kingdom may not recover from. Do you understand
what I am saying here?”
Jared’s brows knitted and he shook his head.
“Could he have found one more innocent?” Ethan sighed. “Just now, all that was
asked was a kiss, and yet you ran and hid. In your fear, you broke every rule.
This time it resulted in uncomfortable discipline. If you refuse to co-operate
in Court and Jensen chooses to defend you, it may lose us the war. It will
certainly earn you a slow and painful death. I assure you, Joshua will consider
it treason. You do not have to be the best fuck in the room, it is fortunate
that your naivete is attractive, but you will be one of the fucks in the room.
You will offer it confidently and participate willingly, so Jensen doesn’t have
to falter in his response. You shall attend with the physician today and I will
find you some books that are applicable to your situation. You will learn.”
Jared nodded dumbly. It had always been there, the implication of being
presented to others. Alona had hinted at the circumstances and there had been
other references he hadn’t let himself dwell upon. He didn’t think he could do
it but he knew he wasn’t getting a choice. He was damned, maybe Jensen was
damned with him. He felt numb.
“I am going to let you prepare for the day. Jensen is still sleeping. You
should organize his breakfast and wake him gently. I have a household to run.”
With that Ethan unlocked his cuffs and left him alone.
***
He allowed his Master to wake slowly to the aromatic jangle of the coffee pot
and the smell of fresh cooked bacon. He busied himself with the tray and
presented it with his gaze low.
“Jared where is your breakfast?”
“I had oatmeal from the pot, Jensen.”
“Will you look at me Jared, please?”
He looked up sheepishly but his gaze slid to the side under Jensen’s scrutiny.
“Are you so very angry with me?”
He was quick to reassure his Master, “No, of course not, I have nothing to be
angry about. I disobeyed and refused you. I was wrong and I’m sorry for that.
Ethan was correct to punish me.” He bit his lip, pale and sick at the memory.
“Ethan spoke to you? Do you understand now?”
Jared’s cat-like eyes rounded, he didn’t know what to say, how much Jensen
knew. Whatever he said was likely to be wrong. He stayed silent.
Jensen scowled, “Are we really back to silence? What is wrong with you Jared?”
He realized he hadn’t acknowledged his discipline. Jensen would be waiting on
his experience. “I have learned that I must never refuse you. I shall let you
and let anyone else use me and ..” his voice reduced to a stuttering whisper,
“fuck me whatever way you wish.”
The tray clattered to the floor and a tar-black pool of coffee gathered and
soaked into the bread that scattered with it. “Jared, what in moons did Ethan
do to you?”
His voice remained whispered and broken, “Nothing I didn’t deserve, Master.” A
tear pooled at the edge of his eye but he would not cry.
Jensen was grasping Jared by the shoulders, turning him, his hands smoothed all
over his skin. “What did he do? Are you hurt? I’ll kill him. I swear I will
kill the little freak. If you do not tell me what he did, I will search him out
and ask him and he will not refuse.”
“I’m well. It was just a little water. He cares for you and he was right.”
Jensen guided him to the huge squashy armchair, curled Jared onto his lap and
reached an arm around his waist. “No, he’s not, because you never would have
said that if he was speaking for me. I care for you and I care for Ethan. Ethan
and I, it’s complicated. I suppose we love each other in a way. In bed, I
didn’t ask you to leave because I wanted you there. I wanted you to wake and
see how wonderful sex can be. It doesn’t have to hurt. It can be good, fun
even. I’m sorry I spooked you by asking for a kiss. You were just beautiful,
all sleepy and dewy eyed. I would have said yes if you’d asked but I wouldn’t
have forced you to join in.” He drew Jared’s face close and placed dry kisses
over his face, across his nose and down to his chin and throat. “I want to fuck
you, I want to feel everything, bury myself in you, but I only want to do it
when you are ready. I took you in anger. I screwed up and hurt you. I’m the
reason it scares you and I can wait forever if necessary.” He rested his
forehead against his slave’s brow.
 “I made a deal, I gave myself and I will honor that.” Jared forced a smile.
Jensen shook his head and backed up, examining his slave’s fake smile. “No, no,
no. That doesn’t happen. Promise me, Jared. I need you to promise me you will
never open yourself to me, to anyone if you don’t want to. All I need to know
is that you will consider it, that one day you might feel strongly enough to do
that for me because you want to.”
“I promise I will consider what you ask of me.”
“That is not the promise I requested. Are you Morgan’s twisted protégé once
more?”
Jared winced at the slight, “I’m a slave, I remember my position. Do you?”
Jensen’s fingers dug cruelly into Jared's hips. He shifted from under his slave
letting Jared slide into the chair as he stood. Frustration bled into his
speech and actions, he rubbed at his temple and tapped his foot. “I haven’t
time for a personal predicament, I have to….” He paused and recollected his
thoughts, “I’m going out. Clear up the mess and change the bedding. Find
yourself a set of clothing that fits and put it on.”
“Yes Jensen.”
“You know I’m not angry with you, don’t you?”
He didn’t. Jensen seemed angry. Jared nodded anyway.
His Master leaned down to place a warm, closed-lip kiss on his mouth. “Good
Boy”
***
Housekeeping wasn’t as straightforward as Jared imagined. Where even was the
fresh bedding stored? Where did the dirty bedding go? Should he use wax polish
and where did all Jensen’s knick knacks belong? Why did the mirror glass smear
when he polished it? The castle was a maze of corridors and everyone avoided
the slave. He sneaked down to the kitchen and hoped that Cookie would provide
answers. She did one better and procured a jolly matron of a house slave to
show him the laundry and share her wisdom with him. He soon had an armory of
essential little items such as vinegar, lemon juice and beeswax and quickly
mastered the skills to use them. He was loathe to admit it, but after days of
imprisonment and inactivity he felt a buzz of achievement in the simple tasks.
He was whistling a tune when Jensen returned wearing a bright beam of his own
and carrying a deep, uncovered, wooden carton.
Jensen stopped in his tracks as his eyes traveled the room and returned to
Jared who was wearing a pair of his plain black pants with a white collared
shirt and leather waistcoat. He set the crate carefully, in a quiet corner and
returned to stand in front of his slave. He smoothed the crisp white collar
open at the neck reaching his hand to the shining black slave collar beneath
it.
“Moons! Jared! What you do to me! Your body is incredible and I love that I see
it but, Gods! Sometimes a wrapping teases with the prospect of what is under.
You are …perfect.”
There was a scratching noise and Jared looked about in surprise. “What was
that?”
“We have mice,” said Jensen sagely, but he was unable to suppress a wide grin.
“I didn’t notice any when I swept.”
“You swept?” Jensen looked afresh at the room and sniffed, “Wow. Cinderella,
you’re good.”
There was more scratching and a high pitched wail.
“Jensen, that sounds like an enormous mouse.”
“Oh that!” Jensen tugged at the leather collar forcing Jared to follow him. He
leaned over the crate and picked out a handful of squirming grey fluff, with
vivid blue eyes. “That’s the cat we need to control the mice.” The older man
thrust the fidgeting fur-ball into Jared’s large hands and it calmed and
stilled. It stared up at the brunette and blinked before breaking into a
disproportionately loud purr and settling on his hand with the padding of tiny
needle-trimmed paws.
Jared was entranced, he held it gently and stared in open-mouthed awe. “It’s a
kitten. It’s so small, it would be eaten by a mouse.”
“Ha! I get no respect in this Palace, I ask for a cat and this is the best they
can do. Should I take it back?” His Master asked the question but his green
eyes twinkled and laughter lines creased. Jared wondered why he had never
noticed the lines that were unusual on a young man but complemented his
features so well.
“No.” Jared hugged it into his chest. “This is just a clever disguise, it is a
covert rodent-catching agent.” He grinned up at Jensen. “Thank you Jensen, but
why?”
The laughter lines moved and morphed as tension returned. “I don’t want you to
get lonely. You should let it sleep for now.”
Jared smoothed the vibrating feline as he placed it back into the blanket lined
crate. “Why would I get lonely?”
Jensen squeezed the bridge of his nose as he dropped his gaze. “We have
important matters to discuss. I had you dress so that you can come and fence a
little with me, I think it wise to keep your skills honed. We’ll talk as we
spar.”
The Prince took up his own sword and returned Jared’s ruby-hilt blade to him.
“With my permission,” he stated with purpose. Jared gripped it comfortably and
for a while they both glimpsed a shadow of his former self.
***
Jared had to admit, Jensen was sneaky, he had a few tricks and light feet. They
were both panting, the sweat glistening on their brows. Jensen had driven him
back and was smiling with a confident swagger, ready for his decisive thrust,
cocky bastard. Jared returned a half smile before hitting the floor with a roll
and a twist, an imp’s grin with a devil’s move that finished Jensen with his
opponent behind him, sword pointed full at his nape. Jensen shook his head and
bent with his hands on his knees, catching a breath. Jared threw his neck back
and laughed, full, genuine and unstoppably joyous. It felt good to best Jensen.
They had sparred for nigh on an hour and Jared had poured himself into the
game, invested in it. He felt his anger and frustration bleed into the blade,
and dissipate through the air with each deliberate thrust, parry and defense.
It was comfortable and familiar, the way he had dealt with his negative
emotions since childhood, in a Palace where so little expression was permitted.
Jensen smiled at the sight of his slave, helpless with laughter, sword tucked
back in its sheath. “Admit it Jensen, you thought I would be easy.”
“I knew you were good. I saw it in you the first day, but this,” Jensen stepped
back and gestured up and down at his body “this is amazing. You think you have
no grace but have you seen you fight?”
“Generally I am too busy pinning my opponent for that.” He eyed the blooming
purple swell of bruising on Jensen’s face “ I imagine I would have found you
more difficult if you were properly recovered and had full use of both eyes.”
Jensen reached his fingers to his own face and traced the scabbing wound on his
lip, dabbed at the fluid filled pocket about his eye and shrugged. “I’ve had
far worse so I won’t make excuses, the last move, I have never seen and I have
been in many a fracas.”
Jared wiped his hand across his brow and pushed his sweat-damp hair from his
face “I’m not sure it would work in real life. Sometimes Meggie and I would get
bored of the routine practice, we would dare each other to come up with the
most ridiculous and extreme move. This one seemed to work but like I say,
unproven, and may get you killed on the battlefield.”
Jensen’s face soured momentarily. “Was Meggie a soldier at the Palace?”
“Meggie is Meghan, my sister. We learned together. She would beat your ass.”
The older man seemed to reel in surprise. “Your sister fights like this?”
“Just with me. She isn’t one for lace and teacups. She has less strength and
reach but she makes up for it in guile.” Jared spoke proudly, his young sister
was one of the strongest women he knew and he loved her entirely. It was after
that the pang of regret hit him. Who would spar with Meghan now?
Jensen bit his lip and his smile died. Jared didn’t know what to make of it.
“Is it a problem?”
“No, no. Just hate to think there’s something I don’t know.” The answer was
hurried. “Will you teach me?”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“We should probably have something soft for you to learn on.”
“Jared, the ground always has rocks, I can take it.”
He taught it step-by-step, one firm hand on Jensen’s waist, the other
supporting his neck as he perfected the low flip. When he completed it
successfully, Jared clapped. His Master sprang back to his feet and clasped
Jared by the waist. He angled his head to him, not a demand but an invitation.
Jared bent his head to meet it, he shut his eyes, licked his lips and let
himself feel the slide and suck of it, the smell and taste of Jensen on his
tongue and in his throat, enveloping him as he licked and sucked, tangled his
tongue in delicious battle and devoured it all with a passion and a moan.
Jensen pulled back with a suck to Jared’s top lip and soft kisses on his jaw
and chin. The slave opened his gaze to a warm green stare and a “Thank-you
Jared.”
 
The freckled man adjusted his pants and sheathed his sword. He adopted a
serious manner. “We were supposed to have a conversation but I needed all my
concentration.”
“Because I was awesome,” Jared teased.
“Because you were awesome, and since you have won our wager by three to one you
get to ask me a question.”
Jared found himself guided to a couch a little way from the hearth, beside the
stool on which they had placed drinks and a sandwich in the interval after
their first bout. Jensen sat him down and curled beside him, head resting over
his heart and his brand. “You can ask.”
“Have you an intention to harm Meghan? I will not hesitate to kill you if you
do.”
Jensen’s whole body stiffened and he sat up straight. “You forget your place.”
“No, I do not, my place will always be to defend my little sister. Tell me you
do not feel the same way about Mackenzie and I will apologize. You said you
would answer any question, so you should do that before you punish me.”
His Master regarded him seriously, “It is not my intention to hurt Meghan. I do
not wish her harmed by anyone and that includes Morgan. Good enough for you?”
Jared stared into the gold-flecked green and thought it was the truth.
Jensen broke the sandwich in two and offered him a piece, “Here, I am not going
to punish you. It is a natural sentiment to defend your kin, I wouldn’t want to
change it. I rather like who you are, even if you do shame my swordsmanship.”
A warm thrill of satisfaction crept through Jared’s soul and he pulled Jensen
back to him. The older man relaxed into him and spoke, “My father would have
liked you. Perhaps not as a slave, but he would admire the real Prince Jared. I
wish he had been able to know you.”
***
They ate a while in silence. It seemed to Jared that Jensen was having
difficulty finding the words he wanted to say. In the end they were blurted
out, in a rush. “I have to go away.”
“But it hasn’t been seven nights.”
“I am aware of that, but I have to go and nobody must know, especially not
Joshua.” He paused and wriggled around to face Jared. “I need your help. I
cannot believe who I am asking for assistance but I must.” A hand snaked around
the slave’s waist and clung to him.
“You aren’t fully healed Jensen. You should wait.”
“Jared, we may not have a week to wait. Morgan is at our door and our first
defenses are lost. It is likely less than ten dawns before they reach this
place. If I do not do this now, there may not be another chance.”
The slave was fully alert now. “That cannot be.”
“My sources are reliable, Child”
“How will I hide your disappearance for an entire day?”
Jensen chewed at his swollen lip. “It will be for longer than that. I need you
to hold out for as long as possible.”
“How much time do you need?”
Jensen was silent, his eyes slid away from Jared’s gaze. “As long as you can.
When Joshua finds out he will want to change his tactics. It won’t work if he
adjusts his plans for me. He cannot consider me. You have to stop that from
happening.”
Jared’s heart sank, Jensen was saying goodbye, for that was what lay in his
unspoken manner. “Where are you going?” the question was rasped.
Jensen shook his head, “Joshua will ask and he cannot be told. I know it seems
too much, but I have seen you, you are the bravest and most self reliant
soldier I know. You think I have not noticed the way that you have borne the
atrocious thing I have forced on you? Others could not have done so.” Jensen
stood and took his hand, as he led him to the window. It looked over the swell
and fall of the hill beyond the fortress.  A city of tents and makeshift
shelters littered the fields, fluttering canvas and shanty huts as far as the
eye could see. “Here, you need to see.”
“What on Earth?” Jared frowned.
“Many would not return to the Realm, they wait here, have vowed to defend us.
The others are refugees, they seek shelter now their homes are lost.” Jensen
took both his hands between his own. “You told me to find a way to force a
negotiation but we are beyond that, we have nothing to barter with. You made me
think, turn it around and re-evaluate.  There is a chance and I know it is
slim, but there is a possibility nonetheless, that there is a way to reach
stalemate with no winner or loser between us. I have to try Jared but I need
you to be with me.” It was an impassioned plea.
“What is it that you will do?”
“You can’t know that. Just understand that if it all goes wrong, whatever you
hear of me, you must trust me, I would never mean to hurt you.”
“I could go with you. You have seen me fight.”
“No, Jared. I need you here because you can fight.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“When it comes to the end, there are arrangements, for Joshua and Mackenzie and
their slaves, there is an escape set up, a safe exile. If I was here then you
would go with me but, there are so many more Morgan will see tortured. The
ordinary servants should be safe, they will be needed in any regime and our
army will defend them but the other slaves have nobody except Ethan.”
Jared raised his eyebrows and scoffed.
“I know he’s a strict disciplinarian, he thinks it makes it easier if a slave
knows its place, has consistency. Whatever you think of that, he will fight
with you, all of you. You don’t know him Jared. In his head it’s what he’s
always been. He never chose his life either.”
“If I was here…, Jensen surely you are planning to be here to defend a siege
with us?”
Jensen wiped his hand across his eyes, gripped the top of his nose between
thumb and forefinger, “If it comes to a siege Jared, then we did not accomplish
our mission.”
It was Jared’s turn to sit straight, he pushed Jensen’s hand away from his eyes
and looked directly into them, searching for an answer, “What sort of rubbish
is this, you didn’t succeed in killing yourself so you thought you’d have
another try?”
“I am doing the best for our citizens and it is precisely what you would do, I
know because I was there, remember? I am going to do this, you can choose to
assist me the way I ask or I can take leeway by tying you up until somebody
thinks to look for me.”
The flinch was visible and Jensen reached for his hand. “If I make it through,
will you be here for me?  If I could return a treaty would you remain mine,
even if everything changes?” there was a plea in the question.
It was theoretical. His answer meant nothing because there could be no such
outcome. So why was it so hard to reply? He didn’t get the opportunity to fully
consider it because Ethan banged on the door and swung in, face sour and voice
raised.
“Where in stars is that stupid slave of yours, he has not arrived with the
physician. Oh.” Ethan stood still and looked at Jared, dressed and sat on the
couch.
“I did not make any such arrangement, Ethan.”
“I did. He should have informed you.” Ethan scrutinized Jared, observing his
clothed state. “He should take those off, what were you thinking?”
“I was thinking that I was a Prince in my own quarters who wished to spar with
his slave. I was thinking that you were in my employ and should respect my
decisions.”
Ethan colored and bunched his fists. Jared touched Jensen lightly, “Forgive me,
he is right, I should have told you. I forgot.”
Jensen looked worried. “Why would you need to see the physician?”
Ethan opened his mouth and Jared spoke before he could. “I suppose he will
determine if I have healed.” Why upset Jensen? If he wasn’t going to come back
then, the Summit, his Presentation, everything was irrelevant anyway.
Ethan closed his mouth and nodded.
Jared crossed the space and kneeled before Ethan. “I beg your forgiveness
Ethan.”
Ethan nudged him with a booted toe, “Get up, undress, I will accompany you.”
***
“What was that about?” Ethan asked, as they descended a staircase.
Jared followed close behind in the correct manner. “Jensen does not want it to
happen. He doesn’t need to worry about it for now, we’ve got time to sort it
out. Isn’t that what you wanted of me, to accept this so he can?”
Ethan eyed him suspiciously, “It is a turnaround for you.”
“You made it clear to understand, Master”
“Good.” The small man seemed satisfied.
***
Jared wondered if the physician was unpleasant to all in his care, or whether
it was only the slaves. Ethan handed the man a sealed envelope. The physician
opened it and scowled as he read the note within. He screwed it up and threw it
in the hearth. The flames blazed and settled again. “So the King would have me
lie.”
Ethan leaned against the wall with his arms folded. “If you value your
employment in this household and the position of your head on its shoulders you
will do as you are told and there will have been no lie.”
“I examined this slave less than a full moon gone, he was certainly no virgin.”
Ethan pushed himself from the wall and stalked toward the man. Jared had seen
him angry, he had been disciplined by him, but he had never seen this look of
menace.
“Nobody has ever been in any doubt that the boy was a virgin when he entered
this household and that includes the King. Examine him for disease if you must
but we all know you did not find any previously and you will not now. The paper
is dated and written, all we need from you is your name. The boy was virgin
yesterday and taken today, there is no argument to be had.” Ethan had one hand
on his dagger and Jared could see him toying with a small set of cuffs hanging
from his belt.
“I will not sign without a consultation.”
“Nobody asked you to forego the consultation. In the circumstances it is
essential. I am busy, we have stores to increase against possible siege, so I
shall have the paper and you can direct the slave to its Master when you are
done.”
The man scowled and signed his name. Ethan took the paper and left Jared with
him.
“Lie on the table, hands above your head, knees up and as wide as you can get
them.” The physician’s tone was ice-cold. There were two surfaces in the room,
Jared didn’t need to ask, he skirted the cushioned one and lay himself on the
cold wooden surface  with fixed cuffs. “There’s a very painful way to do this
or you can choose the  uncomfortable version, so I suggest you do as you’re
told and don’t struggle, but of course you are a trained and experienced slave
so you do not need my advice.” It was a sarcastic comment.
His arms were fixed tight. Until then he could pretend he was calm. This wasn’t
anything like the times his Master had used the cuffs to placate him, the
times, before Jensen had returned from De’ith, when he had trusted Jensen. He
didn’t have the time to consider that revelation before his legs were being
pulled by strong, cold hands and fixed to firm cuffs attached by chains to a
pulley above the table. The chain was tightened until he splayed wide,
displayed crudely. The door was opened wide to the hallway. “The door is open,”
Jared commented helpfully.
The physician reached to his desk and returned with a wooden paddle, he lined
it up with the base of Jared’s raised and exposed ass and brought it down
heavily with a sharp sting. Jared reacted with a short cry and tensed muscles
as the ache radiated heat. “Well you might be as dull as ditch-water but you
have good reflexes and nice muscle tone. Do not speak unless I ask a direct
question, is that clear?”
“Yes Sir.”
A lamp was brought close and the cold hands squeezed and rolled at his sac,
pulled and grasped his cock, Jared shrank back as far as he could, arched his
spine but couldn’t escape. “Stay still!”  There was indescribable pain of the
physician’s sudden tight squeeze to his balls and he bit his cheek hard to stop
himself crying out. The pressure abated and the man began to whistle to himself
as he worked. Jared felt the cold smear of lubricant on his tight hole and then
two fingers invading, scissoring and stretching him open. “Mmm. Tight.” The
commented wasn’t directed at anybody.
Jared had guessed the purpose of the examination, was determined to remain
unflustered but his body had other ideas. His round muscle fluttered, trying to
close around the offending digits, he could feel his heart racing, pounding
hard against his ribcage. When he felt something solid, smooth and cold forcing
into him, sliding deep and filling him, his vision closed in and he strained
against the chains, claustrophobic and panicking.
He woke from his faint, choking on icy and brackish water, opened his eyes
briefly and closed them against the deluge being poured from a large bucket.
Jared took a breath as it ceased, coughed and choked to clear his lungs but the
chains had not been loosened and the examination continued.
“You will clear that up as soon as the consultation is through.”
The thick invasion pumped into him and, with a twist of the man’s hand, the
angle changed and Jared tensed as a surge of sensation traveled his body. With
a traitorous twitch of his entire being his cock filled and grew. He bit on his
lip, unaware of the bloody copper tang on his teeth, and barely suppressed his
sharp, surprised moan.
For the first time the man examining him smiled, a wry, knowing arc, he spoke
to himself. “Little whore, likes that.”
The action repeated and Jared swore with the shame of his response, received
the sharp sting of the paddle for his indiscipline and struggled through
repeated bouts of the bright, popping tingling to thank the man for his
attention to Jared’s training. He felt the tension in his balls, struggled to
stop it, thought of every awful thing.
“Oh yes. No problems there. Is the Prince Jensen as talented as me, slave?”
He came without a touch, red-flushed, his lip streaming blood over his cheek
and eyes bright but with no tears. He would not cry for this hateful man. The
physician withdrew the tool roughly, left the spattered fluid caking his
stomach and altered position to look down upon Jared’s face. The slave guessed
what he was expecting, what this cruel man enjoyed, and when the man met the
murderous, set face on the young slave he was shaken, stepped back and breathed
in before looking back to continue. He reached to open Jared’s mouth and Jared
curled his lips into a snarl. Nothing disobedient, but he enjoyed the man’s
nerves until the hard, cold, steel ‘0’ was forced behind his teeth, keeping his
mouth wide.
His flecked hazel eyes shone cold and vengeful at the man while he probed at
his tongue, his teeth and finally pushed the length that had tortured him to
the back of his throat. Thick and unwashed Jared gagged about it as it was
forced past his tonsils and the physician told him to breathe through his nose.
He was sure he kept it there longer than necessary, enjoying the power, but
Jared had found his zone. Years of folding his face to the required features
kicked in on the back of this humiliation and anger. He could submit. He would
do no harm, but the physician did not have to know that. Very soon he would
have to release Jared and Jared was going to make it as uncomfortable as
possible for the bastard.
***
The slave kept his gaze at precisely the correct level as the physician toyed
with the locks on his cuffs. Jared had no tears or crumpled expression, he was
cold steel and curled lip. The man was fumbling with the small key. “I can have
you whipped with a word,” he blustered and Jared forced the corner of his lip
upward, “Yes, Sir.”
“I will you know.”
“I understand the need for correct and just punishment, Sir, as does my Master
the Prince Jensen and his brother the King.”
“D d don’t t try anything.” The chain securing his legs was unfastened and the
cuffs released.
Jared used the moment to swing his legs dramatically, it could look like the
beginnings of a kick and the man jerked back. “Oh forgive me Sir. I seem to
have lost feeling in my legs.”
The cuffs on his hands fell open and he made over-enthusiastic movement with
them. He didn’t sit up, he hadn’t been told to. He waited as the physician
moved away from him. “You may sit.”
“Thank you Sir.” Excessively polite and formal, he sat up. He spotted a sentry
waiting in the hallway, cradling a sore arm, he remembered his name, Hawkins,
and flashed him a genuine bright smile, ensured it had been seen and
reciprocated, before returning his correct and attentive gaze to the physician,
in perfect slave behavior.
“There are diagrams of the positions you may be asked to adopt for sex, details
on how you can best serve and information on how to limit any damage to the
body your Master owns.” He put the book into Jared’s hand and handed a
substantial jar of balm to him. Jared gripped his large hand around it,
ensuring his fingertips grazed the other man’s hand. “There is always balm
available, use it liberally. I cannot be bothered to treat a slave who lets
itself get damaged by its own carelessness.”
“Of course, Sir.” He gave a wide predatory smile and was gratified to see the
disconcerting effect it had on the man.
He made a show of efficiently mopping the water on the floor, before bowing in
supplication but his lips snarled once more “Am I to leave here now, Sir?”
“Get out whore, you waste my time.”
Jared assessed the distance and angles between Hawkins and the physician. He
lowered his voice so only the physician could hear and knew that Hawkins would
not see. “You know what makes you insecure Sir? That piece of paper you signed,
it proves that I am more important to the King than you are.”
He left the room and the man was gaping and furious, looking to Hawkins for
support, but Hawkins was smiling at Jared as he took slave-soft steps through
the hallway.
***** Chapter 18 *****
Jared took his time returning to Jensen. He explored hallways and stairs and
peered into open rooms. When he declared himself lost sentries turned him
around with rolled eyes and knowing grins. He wasn’t untruthful but he was
never lost in the physical sense, he could use markers and judge distances and
direction perfectly well. He needed opportunity to think, not in chains, not
with his Master’s watchful gaze and not with Ethan carefully nudging his
behavior.
For the first time since he had made his impulsive decision in the small
village of the Realm he was fully awake to the position he was in. No longer
floating in denial or fear, or even relief at finding himself excused awful
responsibility, it was time to face himself, as he really was and accept the
limitations and power it lent him. It was time to work through what he felt for
Jensen, as his Master and as a person, because he knew he would wait for
Jensen, even if the Kingdom burned around him he would be the last person
standing for him and would take whatever he could get with him. Jared wasn’t
completely sure what that meant because it wasn’t a healthy choice.
 
When he returned to Jensen’s rooms his Master was sat on an armchair with a
piece of string by his knee and an intrepid piece of grey fluff scaling his
legs. He was welcomed with a guilty smile. “She needed to get out.” He scanned
Jared’s face “Gods! What has he done? You are bleeding.”
“I bit my lip. I am fine Jensen.”
“How did it go? Are you recovered?”
“It was all right. I am perfectly well.” He grinned at the memory of the
physician’s discomfort. “It went better than expected.”
“You’ve changed,” Jensen was regarding him with interest. “Or maybe you’re just
being you. If I’d known a little swordplay would toughen you up I would have
done it long before now.”
“I’m a slave, you don’t want me to toughen up. I am supposed to be submissive,
quiet and obedient.”
“Being a slave is the toughest thing of all, but I never wanted a slave, I just
wanted you, I sort of screwed that up,” Jensen’s eyes dropped and he fiddled
with the piece of string.
Jared gave a short scoffing laugh. “Yeah, the whole brand and chains thing
tends to do that.”
Needled claws drew blood from his ankle and sharp teeth nipped at his toe.
“She’s like you,” commented Jensen, “Soft and fluffy in appearance, nice to
cuddle but she is a born predator with a sharp bite.”
“I’d hardly say that.”
“No because you’ve been hiding it your entire life but it is your second
nature. I’ve watched you. You have given yourself and submitted, but you never
backed down and lost yourself entirely, not even at the worst. You’re a strong
person Jared and there is so much more behind that facade. You forgave me and I
know I would not be able to in your position.”
“You could, you just never had to.” Jared kneeled by the side of Jensen's
chair.
“For goodness sake sit on the furniture Jared.”
“No, Jensen.”
“What?!” Jensen was flabbergasted.
“When I told you it was easier this way, that the collar released me, I was
telling the truth. If you want to return my life, then you must take me with
you, as an equal. I am willing to try, but that is not what you are offering.
If you succeed there will be a solution, you will return and I will remain your
slave but I can never be more than that. There will always be others in your
bed, eventually a partner, someone with the correct standing and connections.”
“You have…”
 Jared cut him off, “No. Not any more. What you said about Ethan, about
consistency, I thought about it and he’s right, it is easier to be a slave that
way. I cannot pretend I’m not a slave and I have to stop wishing for what I
cannot have. I need to get on and accept it. It makes it easier for me if you
accept it too.”
“I only asked you to sit on the furniture.”
“You want to pretend. You will behave as if I am an equal, kiss me sweetly,
tell me again that you love me then you will leave me and command me to stay
like a faithful hound.”
“Whatever the risks, it remains safer than taking you with me. Is it so bad?”
Jared’s answer was soft, he took his Master’s hand and rubbed it gently “It
depends what your reasons are. I think it is because you believe you will not
return to deal with the consequences, with me and with your emotions.”
Emerald gaze bored into him, Jensen lifted their entwined hands and rubbed them
over his cheek “I may not return. The rest….” He sighed and rubbed his face.
“You won’t return if you think that way. For today I want you to be my Master.
When you return, if you still want to pretend, then there will be plenty of
opportunity for us to work out how to be together. Then you can tell me you
love me and there is hope that I may believe you, then you get to ask if I will
stay and receive an answer, but for all of that you have to come back.” His
mind added more that he could not speak, and by then I may have worked out how
I feel.
“If I don’t survive?” Jensen’s voice cracked.
“That is a future neither of us can see.”
“When did you get so wise, Child?”
“It isn’t wisdom, it’s just words and ignorance. Wisdom comes with age,
experience and travel. I have none of that, just a dusty life spent behind
walls, with people who could not understand me and a library where I was free
to go anywhere, as long as it was in my imagination. I’ve never actually been
anywhere. I can be told anything and I have no experience to guide me to trust
or distrust it. I have no idea if you are truthful or a liar and the same is
true of Morgan. All I can do is wait for the future to play out and then I will
know for sure who is trustworthy and who is not.”
“You have better judgement than most. You follow your heart.”
“You flatter me Master.” Jared placed a hand on Jensen’s thigh, brushed it
affectionately with his fingertips and left it laying solid there.
The change in manner was subtle but Jared noticed it, Jensen carded his hands
through Jared’s hair and followed the curve of his collar around his neck with
a finger, traced it up to his chin and lifted his face gently to stare in his
eyes. “My good boy.”
He gave the slightest hand movement and Jared stood. Jensen placed the kitten
in its bed-box and led into the study, he drew a rug across the cold floor to
lie by the impressive desk and with a flick of his fingers Jared kneeled on it,
settled comfortably, his head just level with the edge of the wooden surface.
 His Master pushed a stack of sealed parchment toward him. “Pre-dated meal
orders for Cookie, some for me, others for us both and a few for when I have a
guest.”
“What guest?”
“Lord Collins and I shall be spending time together, which, in the
circumstances, is not a lie. Misha lost his home and land, his was one of the
first to fall. Remember I told you I had a friend on the Border? He and Lady
Victoria are lodged here for now.”
“I didn’t know.” 
“How could you?”
“What will they do now?”
“What is left of their army will fall back and return to the fight, his senior
men will cover for the fact that he will be accompanying me. Lady Victoria and
Chad are with you in delaying the knowledge of our mission.” Jensen let his
hand stray to Jared’s face and stroke his cheek, trailing it to rub the bloody
mark on his mouth with his thumb. “Victoria will not allow you to take the
blame for following my orders. I have left a note of explanation with her.”
Jared tried to control the butterflies that churned and fluttered in his
stomach. He suspected the note might be sufficient if he hadn’t given the King
his word to stand against Jensen, if he weren’t required to report to Ethan and
Mackenzie on an equal status. He schooled his features “Thank-you Jensen.”
“You will assist me in packing the minimum possible, I leave after dark. It
will give a head start until morning at the very least. I have listed tasks for
you to undertake once I am gone.” He pushed another sealed parchment at his
slave. “Take it, hide it well, destroy it if you must.”
***
Everything was in order with a good portion of daylight remaining. Jensen left
him to his own devices, didn’t give a reason or say how long he would be, he
didn’t have to explain his actions to his slave.
The kitten darted under the bed after a spider, batted the unfortunate creature
between its paws and let it go, only to wriggle her bum, wag her tail and
pounce after it again. Jared watched for a moment and smiled but pulled his
glance away as his gaze fell on the small book the physician had handed him.
Books were familiar, they had been his refuge when life with the Elders had
become too hard. He would find a hidden corner of the library and search the
furthest high shelves for delicious contraband, a fiction of peculiar
characters or descriptive text of far away places he might one day see.
Jared was puzzled as to what sort of volume the physician would give him. He
settled on the floor by the armchair and flicked to the center pages. He
squinted at the drawing depicted on the paper and rotated the book a whole,
slow, 360 degrees. He paled and read the text. He turned the pages then,
quickly scanning drawings and text, color draining and eyes widening in horror.
He was too absorbed to hear the door shut.
“Child?”
He flicked another page, chewed on his fingernail and visibly flinched as he
emitted a short high pitched gasp.
“Jared, what have you got there?” His Master kneeled with him and gently prised
his shaking fingers from the bound volume.
“Hey. Why so scared?” Jensen flicked the pages on the book, his brows knotted
and then his hands were gripped tight about  it, whitening at the knuckles as
his face reddened in rage. “Where did you get this?” he spat, voice of sharp
gravel and low danger.
The kitten stopped in its play, flattened its ears and hid in the darkest
recesses under the bed, its glowing blue eyes just visible. Jensen’s slave
shrank from him “Forgive me Master.”
“Why Child? What am I to forgive you for?” Jensen was yelling.
“I, I, didn’t mean to, I looked and I can’t, I just can’t.” Jared was folding
his body inwards, bracing for the blows he was sure were imminent.
“Stop! Just stop!” Jensen was breathing hard, as if working to regain control,
he shuffled on his knees toward Jared and took his hand, rubbed a slow soothing
circle  on it with his thumb and shushed him, “I’m not angry with you Child,
look at me, I’m not angry with you. Whoever gave you this, whoever scared you
so needlessly, that is who I’m angry with.”  A strong, warm arm snaked around
his waist and pulled him flush to Jensen’s side. “When I left you not more than
an hour earlier you were so strong and confident. What happened? It’s alright,
tell me.”
Jared swallowed and reined his fear back, a heartbeat at a time. Jensen stroked
his hand over his shoulders and down the curve of his spine. It grounded him
and he leaned into the action.
“Take your time.” All anger was gone from him.
“The physician gave me it. He said this is what I would do, how to serve you
and well whoever.” He flailed his arms toward the book “He didn’t say whoever
but I can see…”
Jensen placed a finger over his lip, “Sshh, I get it.”  He took his finger
away, lifted the book from the floor and tossed it, with good aim, into the
fire which ate it with eager flames. “That thing is ridiculously outdated.” He
tilted Jared’s face so he was staring into the gold-flecked green, could see
the faintest flutter of the long lashes, “There are things in there I would
never do, never let anyone do to you. The things that we might try will never
be like that, not cold, not without care, never unless you want to and not
without love, Jared. You are mine, you will never be a whore.”
Jared released a long shuddering breath. “Oh. Good.” His nerves were too shot
to think of a better reply. Jensen’s fingers resumed toying with his hair.
“Child, what precisely did your visit to the physician entail? Whatever it was,
I shan’t be angry with you.”
Jared looked downwards as he described the entire visit. Jensen shifted and his
hand stopped in its soothing arc across his back. “I don’t understand why
Joshua would interfere to have you certified for Presentation. I have never
given him any indication that I would let that happen to you. Why did Ethan not
tell me the truth? Why didn’t you?”
Jared couldn’t return the green-eyed gaze. He took Jensen’s hand and clung to
it. He didn’t want to lie, not now that this may be his last day with Jensen.
“I agreed with Joshua that I would do everything that was required of me, as a
normal Court slave. Ethan wanted to tell you but I thought it was best that you
did not have the stress of knowing, since you would likely not be here for the
Summit.”
Jensen look confused. “You have hardly met Joshua.”
“We talked, when you were sick.”
“Why would he do that?”
Jared could see when understanding finally bloomed on Jensen’s face and this
time the man paled, freckles becoming a stark contrast. “I let you go. He
forced you to return to me didn’t he? How? What did he do? Are you his spy?” he
looked dejected.
“I wanted to return and Joshua let me, providing that I took Ethan’s and
Mackenzie’s guidance. Your brother just wants you healthy, I would never agree
to spy on anyone Jensen and especially not you. You can trust me.” The last was
a plea, though Jared was not sure how he would live up to it. He had promised
to betray Jensen if necessary and it would be the King that would be denied if
he did not. He let it lie, it seemed he could not tell his Master the whole
truth after all.
“I’m glad you came back to me. It’s not like I have time to fret about the
rest.” Jensen worried at his lip, huffed and squeezed Jared even closer to him.
“I am disappointed that you didn’t tell me but it seems my family placed you in
an impossible position.” He kissed Jared’s brow.
The kitten slunk to Jared’s knees and mewed until a large hand reached to
cradle it. The younger man curled it against his chest and it purred, loud and
content.
“You must name her.” Jensen commented.
“Can I?”
Jensen reached over to scratch the fluffy, upright ears. “She’s your
responsibility.”
“Hope. I’ll call her Hope.”
“Good choice, Child.”
***
Light was fading to hazy dusk, Jensen stood at the window to watch the twin
moons rise with the sun’s demise. For a few minutes golden light pooled with
reflected white light over the distant hills and they shone, iridescent and
alluring.
“It is so beautiful.” Jared couldn’t help the words that spilled. He kneeled at
his Master’s side, careful in his posture.
Jensen looked wistfully at the scene.  “One day I will go there for the beauty,
to drink it in and revel in it. We pass through for our purposes and the nature
of it is forgotten.”
“I have never been to such a place, not really anywhere. I came here when I was
small and after that, nothing until I turned sixteen and then Morgan only had
me attend battle scenes for my education. Sometimes I wonder about it all, what
I could see, all the experiences I am missing but then I know it scares me too,
to go outside the walls on my own, it is all so vast and alien. I wish I had
been well when you brought me here, I could have seen it, secure in your
chains, which would not let me hide.” 
Jensen turned his head down to look at him at him, a hint of surprise in his
demeanor, “Nobody really knows you, do they Jared?”
He ducked his head, Dumb fool! Why did he have to say something so stupid and
weak? 
Jensen didn’t laugh at him or chastise. He looked to the hills once more. “I
spend all my time escaping this place, its constraints choke me. When this war
ends, however it ends, I will miss it. ”
Jared tried not to look shocked but the chuckle from his Master showed that he
did not succeed, he continued, “I don’t like death and pointless destruction
but there is something thrilling in the plot and execution of missions, the
adrenaline of a stealthy approach to a covert target. I have the trust of my
family and my troop, and I never reported all my dealings to my father or
Joshua. I like life on the road, freedom of a pack and a horse, a camp fire and
stars over my bed. I enjoy meeting new people and learning other culture with
no walls and no restricting tradition or regulation. Is it so very strange?”
“Like that, it sounds a wonderful adventure.”
“Put your cuffs on Child.”
Jared stilled for a moment, tried to process what it was he had done wrong.
“Trust me.”
He rose with obedient grace and did as he was bidden, his heart fluttering with
each beat. He felt the weight and the tight clasp of each restraint as he
clicked them around his wrists and ankles and the locks slid into place.
“Good Boy.”
Jared followed silent instruction and stood before Jensen, his breaths shorter
and more hurried, eyes a fraction too wide.
Jensen cupped his face in his hand, long fingers brushed over his jawline. His
breath whispered over his slave’s cheek as he spoke quietly, “Turn around and
look again.” He moved his hands to the dent of Jared's hip bones and encouraged
the twist, pulled him in against his chest and held him close, hands meeting
around the slim waist. He spoke again, hot into the shell of Jared's ear “When
it is all over, we should go, travel to the furthest places and explore
everything they have to offer and I can keep you like this, keep you close to
me. Would these be sufficient to make you safe, keep you from hiding behind
walls?” There was a tug on his collar and Jensen drew his wrists behind his
back and held them loosely by the cuffs.
A delicious shudder radiated through Jared, he felt the heat and breath of his
Master on him and the solid comfort of his strong yet gentle hold.  “Yes.” He
breathed “Yes, I think I would like that, I think it would work out.”
“We’ll start with those hills, camp through a sunset.” Jensen stroked a hand
over his chest, leaving a tingling trail of sensation in its wake, “and we’ll
just keep on going.”
***
He couldn't be sure how much later the sound of stone grating over floor
interrupted them, Jared was pinned firm to the wall, Jensen was using one hand
to fix his cuffed wrists above his head, while the other roamed his flesh, his
Master’s tongue plundered his mouth and Jared returned the kiss
enthusiastically, lips spit-slick and swollen. 
Captain Beaver coughed, “We’re ready to go Sire.”
Jensen gave a low moan and locked eyes with Jared in a heated, unspoken moment.
He pulled back with an obscene smacking noise and Jared was left exposed with
arms aloft, eyes glazed, cock spent and stomach wet with the pungent odor of
sex. He colored and looked away in shame.
“No worries Child, I’m old enough to have seen it all.” The whiskered warrior
commented, brash and cheerful but he glared in harsh judgement at his
Commander.
“I have to freshen up, Misha will be here soon enough.” Jensen adjusted his
clothes, covering up his own flesh, but not hiding the fresh stain on his
pants. “Jared you can let your arms down now.” The green-eyed Prince offered
his hand to lead him, “We’ll get those cuffs off and you can wash. Good Boy.”
Lord Collins brought Chad with him. The two slaves grinned at each other and
nodded a greeting. The blue-eyed Lord appraised Jared from head to toe and
smirked “Any time your Master isn’t treating you right …”
Jensen clipped his hand across his friend’s ear and finished for him, “you
shouldn’t  even consider running to this old pervert.” He returned to his quiet
conversation with his Captain.
Misha’s eyes sparkled, he grinned at Chad and Jared and had them follow him to
the far side of the study “I assume you know what you’re doing, you’re bright
slaves. I suggest you spend some time formulating plans. Jensen has let it be
known that he is using his last days of rest to ensure that Child’s intimate
education is sufficient. To that end nobody should be bothering you as long as
you look the part. Child, you shall sleep in Jensen’s bed, ruffle the sheets,
stain them a little and take them to laundry too often, looking tired.” He
wiggled his eyebrows at them. “Chad will bring a few toys for you to be seen
with, to complete the picture.”
Jensen looked across from his own conversation and interrupted, with a glance
at Jared and reassuring words. “Of course if I am not back I cannot be there to
present you and if I am here I can refuse.”
 
Jared released the breath he had been holding.
Jensen contnued, "They spar twice a day, stay sharp and work out routes to the
rooms where every Court Slave is housed. They organize clothing, find a hiding
place and formulate a plan of evacuation.”
“Yes, Master.” Jared replied, in clipped military style.
Chad and Misha looked doubtful.  “Can they do all that?” Misha asked.
“I know that Child can and I have faith in Chad’s abilities.”
“Thank you Sir.” Chad bounced like a puppy with a stick.
***
Dread overtook Jared as conversation wound down and Jensen hauled his pack onto
his back.  Two moons suffused soft light and the stars watched over the earth
with bright points of care. He offered a silent prayer to the Gods that rode
the stars and tethered the moons and hoped they would spare time to listen to a
damned boy.
Misha kissed Chad on the cheek, squeezed his hand “Look after my Love for me
Baby Boy.”
Chad looked decidedly uncomfortable at the familiar term being revealed to all
present. “Be careful, Master,” he returned.
Misha pulled the Captain to the secret doorway in an attempt at tact but they
remained peeping through the gap in the wall. There was the low chatter of
others waiting on the stairs below the false opening.Grey fluff skittered sharp
claws over floor as Hope slid after an imaginary prey, then scaled the leg of a
chair.
Jared felt warm, sturdy arms envelop him and hands curl into the hair at his
neck. “I give you permission to touch yourself when you think of me. If you
need to use the cuffs to feel safe, you can ask Lady Victoria or Chad, I give
them my permission to use them wisely. Don’t let anyone use you, Jared. If I’m
not there they can’t make you attend the Summit. Don’t give in to Joshua, don’t
let him Present you without me. If it gets bad don’t you dare get wounded or
captured, do you hear me? Promise me.”
“I won’t.” Jared spoke softly, they both knew these were promises he couldn’t
truly make. “Come back to me Jensen. I want to travel with you.”
Jensen put his head down and didn’t look back. Jared’s eyes glistened but he
wasn’t crying , damnit he wasn’t crying.
“Close the door after us Child.”
Jared moved to follow the command just as a streak of charcoal leaped through
the opening. Jared lunged after Hope and grabbed her on the top step of a
winding stairway. He stopped and hugged her into the crook of his arm. He
looked down the staircase into the shocked blue stare of a Queen’s man. The
expression changed to fury as Jake finally comprehended the naked and collared
Prince. Jake squared his shoulders and prepared a punch for Jensen and another
man grasped him and held him back.
“It’s done Jake. I already did it. Now is not the time.” Captain Kane shouted
into his face and shook him.
Jared and Jake looked in unison at Jensen’s bruised and battered face.
“He did. He really did,” confirmed Jensen, with his hand unconsciously dabbing
at his wounded lip.
.
“Chris?”
Kane dipped a bow and Misha took over guiding Jake down the stairs.
“I’m sorry Jared. We have to do this. We will come back for you, I give my word
and my honor.” His friend sounded small and broken.
Jensen grasped at Kane and roughly turned him away and downwards. “Shut the
door, Child.” Jared stared after them, unable to move.
Misha took control, “Chad! Get Child out of here, close the door and put the
cuffs on him. Stay with him till he calms.”
Chad moved quickly and Jared let himself be manipulated, felt the cuffs heavy
and safe around him and breathed slow with Chad by his side.
***** Chapter 19 *****
“Well that was odd.”
Jared continued to breathe slow, he didn’t look at Chad.
“Been a lot of odd things with your Master and mine recently.” Chad was being
conversational, small, curious glances at the Jensen's slave.
Jared didn’t make a sound.
“Started with the day Prince Jensen turned up with you and the other two, then
two days later they let the other two go. Just let them go and they went with
Captain Beaver,” Chad paused, got no reaction.
“It turned stupid strange when they returned, with that kid, in the middle of
battle.”
Jared closed his eyes. Not going to take the bait.
Chad went for the jugular, “That there, just now, he bowed to you, Child. Bowed
and called you Jared.”
Jared snapped. “Jared is a popular name for a child of the Realm.” Damn. 
Chad laughed, “Knew you couldn’t play dumb forever, because you certainly
aren’t.” He touched Jared’s arm, “I’m not part of the slave gossip club, I’m
not going to say anything. If we’re going to do what has been asked of us we
need to trust each other. It would be easy for you to use that passage,” Chad
nodded to the study, “It takes you to the outer walls, by the stables. You
could run, it wouldn’t take long to reach your troops, and in this confusion,
with all the refugees, it wouldn’t be difficult. Do you want to? I can unlock
you.”
“No. Do you?”
“Nah. I’ve never been anything but a slave, I wouldn’t have the first idea what
to do, and if I got back to the North, I’d still be a slave. Misha and Victoria
are good to me. I’ll stay, take what comes. I think we should trust Jensen,
there’s things he’s done, I can’t say them all, but he’s a good man.”
“You think?”
“He’s been a bastard to you, there has been talk about that. Something about
you twists his guts up. Lady Victoria has a theory about it.”
Jared scoffed, “What is this grand theory?”
Chad spoke softly, “He fell in love with you.”
Jared shifted uncomfortably. “You can unchain me now, Chad.”
Chad bounced up on his heels, poised, just like that, Jared blinked, it was
such a fast, graceful move, like an acrobat. He knew Chad had to possess the
same skills as Alona but his manner was so entirely different that he had
forgotten it.  “I’ll leave them on until later. You see I’ve a theory about
you.”
Jared was amused, “Oh! Pray tell.”
“Chad was crossing the room to the door. “You care for Jensen. If I take these
off you’re going to use that passage to go after him. You’ll get yourself
killed for no purpose and I’ll be left with too much to do on my own. So, yeah,
for selfish reasons you stay this way for now. I’ll be back. He blew a kiss at
Jared. Hope chewed Jared's toes for a few minutes before settling with a
squeaky purr, on his feet.
Chad released him five hours later, too late to have a hope of tracking Jensen
and Kane.
Kane, that threw him for the biggest loop. What was Chris doing with Jensen?
His brain ached, tying itself in complicated knots just trying to figure it
out, but he was doomed not to know, he had no outside knowledge. Moons, if
Jensen’s words could be trusted then he’d never had the correct knowledge in
the first place.
***
It was peculiar sleeping in his Master’s bed alone. He should have been
comfortable, reveling in the luxury, no longer confined to a cold, hard floor,
but his brain wouldn’t switch off, the space was too large, the comfort
unfamiliar. Ghosting memories of a strong warm arm rested over his chest and
the breathy snuffles of Jensen spooning him, with his head on his shoulder,
assaulted him. He missed him. He missed Jensen and that made no sense.
He rose at dawn, lit the fire, tidied himself to the approved standard,
collected two breakfasts, ate what he could and consigned the rest to the fire.
He made the bed, used the laundry and tidied the room, all the while tripping
on Hope, letting her catch on threads and pounce on whatever moved. Then it was
done, and all he had was to wait. The time hung heavy, the air still and
silent.  He watched at the window and even the traders seemed subdued in their
work.
Chad bounced in after lunchtime, Jared drew his own sword from the sheath and
Chad teased him for choosing the girly, jeweled one. He stopped laughing after
a bout where he was thoroughly outclassed. Jared took time to analyze his
moves, suggest improvement and even took his arm, held it loosely as he
demonstrated better technique.  They sat together after practice and made a
plan. Jared found parchment and they made lists, Chad sketched the layout of
Palace apartments, where Court Slaves resided with their owners.  From the
study windows, the view of the hill beyond the fortress filled with a steady
stream of weary, bedraggled people carrying a smattering of belongings.
They heard the knock at the main door and Chad ducked behind the desk. Jared
moved back into the bedroom and lay on the bed, grateful that he had thought to
remove the clothes he had been sparring in, yet hadn’t had time to wash his
sweat or tidy his hair. There was another knock. The caller was unwilling to
disturb Jensen in an intimate moment. Jared wondered if he should stay silent
and hope they would turn away but he knew that Jensen would always answer. In
fact he was sure that, in most situations, he would not turn a visitor away
even in the most heated sexual moments with his slave. He could not imitate his
Master’s voice and he didn’t want to explain if he remained silent and Ethan or
Mackenzie walked in, regardless.
“Um yes.” was his strangled answer. He cleared his throat and tried again,
attempting to control his jitters, “Come in.”
He had a sheet pulled up to his neck when Alona stepped softly inside the room.
She surveyed the area quickly, looking for Jensen.
“Em. Jensen stepped out. Did you need something Al?”
“Ethan sent me, to continue with your formal training. He thought that Jensen
may need a break. I can see he already took one. She smiled at Jared,
appraising his position on the bed “You’re flushed, did he give youprivate
study Child?”
Jared made a face that he thought best approximated embarrassment. “Mm. Yeah.”
She giggled, “Oh, Child. I had better not stay. I shall ask Ethan to track him
down and find a better time.”
Jared started to nod and then realized the danger in that intention, “No, wait
Alona. He said he would be taking a ride out, this eve, before sundown, that I
could rest at that time. We should take that opportunity.”
“I should check with Jensen. It would be correct.”
“No. It would be better if he did not find out. It would be pleasant surprise
when he finds my skills improved. Please, Al.”
She took time to think about it and then answered, a little uncomfortably “Yes,
alright, I don’t think that would be wrong.”
Jared couldn’t help a small stab of guilt, wondering if it could get her into
trouble when he was discovered, but he pushed it away and gave a tight smile as
she turned to leave.
She turned back just as she opened the door. “Are you getting along with
everything? If you need some help with thatyou must say, I’ve seen it all you
know.” She directed her gaze to his midriff, hidden below the covers.
Jared gripped the sheet tighter and shook his head vigorously. “No, No. It’s
all under control Alona.”
Her peals of laughter faded as she made her way back to Ethan’s rooms.
 ***
The last of the daylight faded beyond the windows. Alona had been gentle and
her instruction had been useful. Jared now understood all forms of greeting and
could assist at table. He wasn’t sure, in the circumstances, if he would ever
need to use such skills but it had given him something to concentrate on, a
diversion from his worries for Jensen.
Chad had arrived some minutes after she left and Jared didn’t ask, but he
wondered if he’d been watching for her exit. He brought a canvas bag with him.
“Gifts” he’d chuckled. The blond slave lifted an object for him to see more
clearly in firelight. Jared shook his head and frowned, reached his hand to
take it.
“What do I do with it?”
Chad began to laugh and then stopped abruptly. He looked at his new friend as
if he had grown two heads and turned green.
“You seriously don’t know, do you?”
Jared turned the smooth tapering cone in his hand, feeling the flare at the
base, he gave another shake of his head.
Chad swallowed hard and tipped the bag. “Tell me if you recognize anything.”
There were some thin leather ties and a set of wicked looking metal clamps with
jewelled chains and then finally, something familiar. Jared paled and picked up
the smooth curved imitation of a penis. He paled and his fingers shook as he
held the object so similar to the one the physician had used to torment him.
“This. It was, er, used. The physician used it.”
Chad became silent and looked sideways at Jared. He fiddled with the strings of
the bag before blowing out a breath and reaching to take Jared's trembling
hand. “I’ve got a bit of a reputation with the other slaves for being a
complete dick. I’m not the perfect example that Alona is. Misha never wanted me
that way and I suppose I was imperfect goods, pre-owned in the North and all
that. What I didn’t know about sex before I was fifteen isn’t worth knowing. I
was a virgin, they kept you that way, if they thought you were pretty, could
make them enough money. I was familiar with all these toys, could use them to
make me feel good, but the first time was still scary. I remember that and I’m
not so much of an ass that I don’t see how much this is freaking you out. Alona
will tell you that you can’t discuss your relationship with Jensen. I’m telling
you, as a friend, I think you have to tell somebody, and I am never going to
break that confidence. Stars, I’m not even here, right?”
Jared chewed his lip and looked to the floor.
Chad spoke uncharacteristically gently, “Start at the beginning, tell me how
Jensen came to procure you.”
Jared would never be able to explain how it was that the cocky slave with the
spiky blonde hair broke through his defenses and stayed with him for hours as
he sobbed for the loss of his family, his identity, his life and after-life,
and then again for the brutal loss of his innocence to a man he wanted to hate
but couldn’t. Chad sat through it with him, let him spill the whole mixed-up
tale of his experience, with just a short prompt when he faltered or a pat of
his hand when he managed to verbalize his pain. He didn’t offer platitudes or
judgement, he just listened. He didn’t tell him that tears would heal him or
suggest he shouldn’t cry, he simply found a stash of Jensen’s handkerchiefs and
stayed at Jared’s side. He didn’t even ask why, after all that, Jared sobbed at
the thought of losing Jensen.
 Chad returned the items to the bag and stashed it out of sight. He fetched the
cuffs when Jared requested them and fitted them for him, leaving them
unchained. He ensured his friend was comfortable in Jensen’s bed and that Hope
was safely tucked on the eiderdown with him.  At some point before Jared
allowed his puffed red eyes to close for sleep, he realized why Lord and Lady
Collins valued their rather brash slave, so much.
***
Even the pillowy-soft decadence which couched Jared in warm comfort could not
prevent his lurch into anxious wakefulness in the moments before sunrise. His
eyes struggled to open, they were swollen and sticky-shut with the salt tears
of his shattering breakdown. He felt raw, tender in places that had no right to
feel, but it was alright, nobody had come to take him in the night, either his
secret was safe or nobody cared who he had been. The full weight of his trauma
had been relieved and he could carry on, he would feel the closeness of his
Master through the cuffs and would continue with his instructions on the paper
he had been given. He would live in the present, without thinking on the
meaning of the commands and without dwelling on probabilities and grim futures.
Chad had taught him that, or maybe Jensen, perhaps both in their own way. A
slave lives to serve, in the present only, because anything else is the
responsibility of their Master.
He read his Master’s words on the page, traced them with his own hand, thought
of the deep green eyes and freckled face, the freckle on his lip and the ones
over his shoulders. He pictured the way the man smiled and the feel of his
fingers, cold against his heated skin. Jensen’s words on the parchment said
he’d be thinking of him now, his slave, his Child, that in the time when the
sun rose hopeful over the hills, he would be doing this too.  The bag was where
Chad left it. He tipped the contents onto the bed and inspected them once more.
He picked up the small jeweled clamps, turned them in his hand, squeezed the
tip of his finger between the gripping jaws and recalled where he had seen such
items. He imagined them in Jensen’s hands. Jensen would kiss him hard and deep,
crawl on top of him, the hard naked planes of his chest against him, his strong
arms and legs pinning him in place. He would lick and suck at his skin, pull on
his collar to remind him of his place, tease and squeeze his nipples before
pushing him flat with a palm on his brand and making those soothing noises that
Jensen had used to calm him, since his very first touch.
Jared’s hands traversed his own chest in imitation, then taking the first clamp
he held it open, squeezed his left nub to a hardened point and clamped the
metal jaws shut with a sudden hot point of pain and an erotic shiver that
extended to his toes.  Jensen would want him to moan, would enjoy the flare of
pain in his eyes and have Jared touch his erect cock with him, feel the arousal
it created. He clipped the other clamp around his right nipple, shivering in
expectation as it closed, but letting it snap regardless. His cock stood
upright and weeping now, he licked his hand and grasped the shaft firm, with
the other hand he tugged experimentally on the short jeweled chain on the
clamps. He gasped, his back arched and his cock slid through the loose grasp of
his hand.
He wondered what Jensen was imagining, what act he would be desecrating Jared
with if he were here, his hot, slick, wanting flesh writhing hard against his
slave’s body. Jared twisted as he tugged over his cock, the way Jensen would.
Jared closed his eyes, buried his face into the pillow that still smelled of
his Master and let Jensen’s hand take over, let him tease and stop, then strip
fast at the flesh, squeeze, torment stroke and smooth, him. He came hard onto
his stomach and panted, alone in the soft support of the feather bed. He traced
a hand through the viscous mess on his firm belly, spread the warm stain to the
dent of his hip and raised a finger to his mouth, imagined the soft, long
fingers of the older man, parting his lips, tasted himself in compliance with
his Master’s instructions. He didn’t retch. It did get easier, more familiar.
***
Cookie raised one eyebrow as her stare was drawn to the shining jeweled chain
between his nipples, she was too polite to glance lower, at the setting, sticky
mess. “Well, you two must be starving. You can tell Jensen he should be looking
after you better, he wants to decorate you, he should fetch his own food.” She
grinned as she handed him the tray.
Wearing the nipple clamps was easy enough, numbness quickly settled. Removing
them was the bitch. In retrospect he had gone about it too quickly and it
brought tears of pain to Jared’s eyes as his blood-flow resumed too quickly.
“Sheesh!” He thought Jensen would laugh at him, a full body, belly laugh but he
would kiss him too and massage the poor reddened peaks. 
Chad benefited from the sore nipples as they chafed on the shirt Jared wore for
sparring, he laughed at Jared wincing through standard moves and the young
swordsman barely avoided being beaten by the blue-eyed slave.
 When they were done with sparring and planning, they sat together, on the
floor and Chad reintroduced the bag of items to Jared. He explained the dildo
and the ass plug and showed him how to lube and care for himself. Jared
declined a demonstration and was treated to a laugh and sarcastic comment about
shyness. He promised to practice on his own but he couldn’t bring himself to
believe Chad’s assurances that they were safe and fun to use. When Chad was
done teasing him he wriggled on his knees and chewed at his fingernail, Chad
smacked his hand from his mouth in the same way Jensen always did. His question
was hesitant, face partially hidden by his retreating hand. “What happens when
a slave is presented?”
Chad paused, “I don’t think Jensen is going to let that happen.”
“He’s not here Chad. Humor me, I’m curious.”
“It is a literal thing. You are presented to Court by your Master, well at
least to be sampled by the men of the Court because ladies do not participate
in public. It is a demonstration of your obedience and trust in your Master and
a symbol of his acceptance of your overall purpose. You have to understand the
way a Court Slave is regarded.”
“We are property. What more is there?”
“We are the same as any other slave. Ultimately, we are property of the
Kingdom, not of our owner. We all belong to the King and his Court. We
represent the ideal that a slave serves its Master and the Kingdom with total
obedience and affection and that is rewarded with affection in return, but
never love because that would be inappropriate. We are undamaged because it
must be seen by the citizens and by other Nations that our Masters are merciful
and our submission is not obtained through violence and torture. Of course, it
is generally forgotten that the training of a Court Slave is at least six moons
before they reach the Palace and in order to achieve obedience any pain is
permissible provided it does not cause permanent scarring. Retraining or resale
can be ordered at any time that the slave is unsatisfactory, though it is
regarded as a weakness of the Master.”
“Is that what happened to you?” It was the first time Jared had seen Chad look
small and pained.
“I guess I was mostly there already, in our land a slave is born and raised
that way. Still it was hard. They teach you to be the best. The very pinnacle
of our profession.” Chad spat the sentence bitterly and Jared wondered if he
had been wise to stir the slave’s bad memories. “It’s all about appearances.
Arranged marriages are not unheard of, political expediency can lead to unhappy
partnerships. It is useful to have an outlet for frustrations that will not
cause an international incident. Single men can also be unwise in their casual
encounters. A Court Slave who is introduced as a virgin cannot spread disease.
Of course a single slave cannot compete with the pleasures of a brothel and the
King does not want his Lords to appear loose with their affections so a balance
is struck to keep them away from such establishments.  Slaves are shared at
public occasions and by private arrangement and few activities are off limits.”
“So. Why present us?”
“It is accepted practice within the region and especially with the slave
dealing countries, to provide comfort to visiting dignitaries, it oils the
wheels of politics, but you surely knew that.”
“Of course, but why a Presentation and the Summit specifically?”
“Oh, Child! Because you are young, beautiful and innocent. You are a real prize
to the most discerning of men. It will be seen as a mark of great honor and
regard to the visitors in the room that the Prince himself offers his own slave
to them, in your first service. Your successful submission, with your coloring
and appearance, clearly of the Realm, will be a source of pride and kudos for
the King and a sign of strength to other slaving nations.”
“There was a book, the physician showed me it. There were pictures of slaves
being used by more than one Master at a time.”
Chad smirked, “Well, with the right ones that can be fun.” Jared paled and Chad
became serious. “My presentation, there were seven, all separate. Misha
wouldn’t allow anyone to damage me. I was too busy concentrating on getting it
right to have fun. It was scary and I was sore but it was over in a night and I
have never had to service as many in a short time since.” 
“I can’t do that.” Jared's voice cracked, he looked terrified.
Chad took his hand “You’d be surprised what you can do, but why torture
yourself with the thought when Jensen isn’t here. Circumstances are different
now his father is no longer King, he would have demanded that Jensen show his
dominance by taking your virginity in front of the room. Joshua has allowed a
doctor’s certificate and I have never seen him stay for long or participate in
public. He will ensure that appearances are correct but I think he is not all
comfortable with the concept. I am sure we will see changes.”
Jared nodded dumbly. He wished he hadn’t asked, wondered how easy it would be
to get lost in crowds of refugees.
Chad took his hand, rubbed it. “Cuffs?” he asked. Jared nodded and held his
wrists to him, he would live in the now, safe in his Master’s ownership.
***
They visited the laundry while servants and slaves took their break. Linen
swapped, Chad and Jared set about inspecting the clothes that were stored at
the base of the piles, on the bottom shelves, that had a layer of fine dust
settling on them. Finding worn but respectable clothing for the male slaves
seemed simple enough. They estimated sizes between them and kept the designs
flexible and plain.  The girls were a completely different matter. Chad was
experienced in the variety of women’s undergarments, but estimating sizes to
fit the likes of Alona and Danneel was impossible, he had to cover his mouth to
stifle the giggles that were produced when Chad paraded in a pink corset that
could barely lace, with a full skirt that swirled about his shins. In the end
they decided to ask Lady Victoria for her assistance in acquiring garments for
the girls. Chad joked that she might well ask him to model the girls’ clothes
anyway.
***
The third day seemed easier. It had become a routine. A distant good morning to
Jensen on the rays of a rising sun, breakfast, sparring with Chad, cleaning and
time playing with Hope.  A  prayer for the refugees multiplying in makeshift
homes beyond fortress walls, training with Alona and more time with Chad. At
the end of the day he wished Jensen and Chris well on the points of the stars
and glow of the moons. It couldn’t last but it wasn’t his place to worry about
anything other than the tasks he had been set.
He no longer removed his cuffs except to wash and at night he pushed his face
into the pillow and breathed the scent of Jensen.
***** Chapter 20 *****
                                       O
On the fifth morn there were no distant hills to stare upon, no sky to share
with Jensen and no sun to bless him upon. Fog shrouded the fortress, clung to
it, insidious and choking. He had instructions, completed the act with a fast
physical release and a spurt of warm fluid which he wiped quickly with a cloth.
He felt no connection to his Master, wondered if he still existed, out there,
beyond his own confined world.
 
He wandered through the rooms, trailed his hand over smooth polished furniture
and pondered the various paintings. His fingers feathered over the contours of
De’ith and worried on a replica of Mount Burma. He stood in the middle of the
study and turned slowly, taking in the models, the open books and the stacks of
parchment on Jensen’s desk. He removed his cuffs with deliberation and placed
them on the side of the muddled work surface.
Jared started with the documents in the center. He glanced at each paper,
dismissing them quickly. Beneath the stack of parchment he found two volumes.
One ancient tome and another, modern edition, were dog eared, bookmarked and
folded in on each other. More peculiarly, they had been marked with notes
written in the margins in Jensen’s neat hand. Jared took them in his hand and
his breath caught as he recognized the formal edition of The Sciptures and then
noted the faded and dusty antique version presented in a long disused dialect.
He touched it reverently, smoothed across the decaying pages and frowned. He
had never seen such an old version of The Scriptures, even the most secure
vault of the library, in his childhood home, had no such thing.
***
The fog started to dissipate as the mid-morning sun burned at its edges. Jared
stirred in the chair where he sat with the two books of Scripture. He checked
Jensen’s translations of the key sections over again. His nails were bitten to
the quick, frayed and with blood leaking at the fingertips. He finished reading
and stared into space. The sheer scale of the betrayal of his family, of his
people, of the entire Realm was overwhelming. He gripped at the modern book, he
wanted to rip it, let it flutter in tiny, hateful confetti, into a fire.  Sense
won over. Some way, somehow, there would be a way to reveal all of this and put
it right. The research was needed.  He raised his arm and threw the book hard
at the opposite wall, let it slam and slide against the stone. He smacked his
own hand onto the solid desk top, felt it bruise and hit harder until there was
a crack of bone shattering in his smallest finger with a splintering sharp pain
that could compete with the agony of this knowledge. He deserved this damage,
stupid foolish, unquestioning sheep that he was. Jensen deserved for his
property to be damaged because Jensen had known and said nothing.
The pain in his hand screeched for his attention, he wrenched the desk drawers
out looking for something to use as a splint and binding. He tipped them on the
floor in anger, watching herbs, quills, and papers spill, roll, and settle.
There was an essay on plants for use in treatments of all types of illness and
injury and another on their use in poisoning and simulation of ailments. He
passed them over with a cursory glance but his attention caught on a
description of the use of poisons to produce the symptoms of heart weariness.
He had seen the interest in plants from the first days with Jensen, they were
littered about his rooms in bundles but it still seemed a strange hobby for a
warrior. 
He found a silk tie and bound his hand then surveyed his surroundings and
 repeated his actions on the cabinets and storage throughout the study. He
ransacked the room and found no trace of Jensen’s whereabouts or of his
mission. He didn’t think he’d even found a clue to the man’s true character or
allegiances. Standing in the scattered debris of his destruction he saw the
sunlight finally break through. A ray shone bright across the study and lit the
cause of his meltdown, where it lay on the floor. A small piece of parchment
had fluttered from its covers.  He picked it up between the long fingers of his
undamaged hand, traced over the short note, in Jensen’s neat writing;
Jared
Did you really think I’d leave details of my whereabouts?
I guess you’ve read my research. You aren’t ready to know this, how can you
ever be ready for this?  I wanted to tell you but I think I already mentioned
that I’m selfish. I couldn’t risk losing you. 
Forgive me for what I am about to do, just know, I did the only thing that I
could.
Jx
A realization seeped slowly into his consciousness, lodged and grew until it
spilled in spoken word, gushed loudly to the empty space “I am not deviant.
There is no such thing as deviant.” There was never a choice, never a
distinction. No form of love was ever supposed to be ostracized or twisted. “I
am NOT wrong.”
He came to himself in horror as more sunshine pushed through the window and he
looked again at the disorder created by his outburst, noted the position of the
sun in the sky and observed that Chad was late to practice. He had broken the
rules, disobeyed his Master on every level. He had damaged his property and
searched through his study, a stipulation which had so recently been reinforced
with punishment. He ached for discipline, needed the absolution of carefully
applied censure and the hurt of Jensen not being there to enforce it, was
almost physical.
He confined Hope to her box and busied himself tidying the mess he had made.
Chad never arrived.
The study was practically restored to its natural state when Alona breezed in.
“We’re going to try something different today,” she said, too cheerfully, and
picked up his cuffs. “Here, you’ll need these on.” She snapped a medium chain
between the ankle cuffs and gave a small smile which didn’t reach her eyes and
he knew. 
Jared spoke softly “It’s alright Alona. It's orders, you have to follow them.
Just tell me what I have to do.”
She looked as if she were about to cry. She rubbed at her eye, “Er, wrists
behind your back Child.” She fixed them and tested the hold before clipping a
heavy leash to his collar and snapping it to a ring on the nearby wall. She
clicked the ball gag into place in his mouth and stepped away. “I have to let
them in now.”
He nodded.
Ethan kissed Alona’s forehead, “Good Girl. You should go now.” She took one
last, sad look at Jensen’s slave before turning into the hallway, lost from his
sight.
There were two large and surly sentries with Ethan. He closed the door and
locked it. The chocolate eyes burned with hate and rage, the small body was
held stiff as he stood before Jared.  The slave dropped his gaze in submission
and waited for the small man to speak. He was caught off guard as Ethan
barreled into him and swung a hefty punch to his guts. “I trusted you. He
trusted you. He loved you. Where is he? What did you do?”  He was yelling,
voice high with passion and loss.
Jared dropped to the floor, wheezing for breath and banging his broken hand
against the wall, his vision blacked briefly but he gathered himself rapidly,
stayed on his knees before them.
The sentries fought Ethan off, pulling him away as he kicked a harsh blow to
the slave’s ribs.  “Nobody likes a traitor, Child.” Ethan spoke coldly as he
struggled to be allowed to stand. “You have no idea what I want to do to you
for this. I imagine the King will let me have my way, but first you are going
with these gentlemen. You are going to tell them where Jensen is and what you
plan to do with him.”
The leash was removed and Jared was hauled up with a sentry grasping each arm
and dragging him to the corridor.
“Wait!” Ethan reached to a pocket and returned his hand with a set of bolt
clippers “I came prepared.”  He grabbed at Jared’s hair and pulled his head
back. “Leave it there or I won’t be responsible for the damage.” he hissed. He
pulled the black collar forward, slipped the cutters in and pressed the handle.
Suddenly Jared saw the intention and he could no longer stay still and silent.
He struggled and writhed, screeched behind the ball as the collar was destroyed
and slid from his neck. The small man held the broken loop for him to see.
“You’re not worthy of this. You never were.”
 A tear slid down Jared's cheek as they dragged him away. The punishment was
already too much to bear.
***
They dressed him in a simple prison shift and chained him to a solid, stiff
backed chair by a wrought iron table. There was large ewer of water and a mug
within reach but his hands were chained.  His gag was removed and he was forced
to be still while a vile paste was painted in his mouth and a funnel placed to
the back of his throat.
 “This should be simple enough for you to swallow.” The paste burned an acid
path down Jared's throat to his belly, where it roiled and flared bubbling
pain. They reinserted the gag, left him and closed the door with the clatter of
a heavy lock. The cell was solid, no light penetrated from any source and there
was not a single noise to be heard. Jared waited for his eyes to adjust to the
cloying dark but there was no relief with time. The pain in his guts grew until
it was an unrelenting, savage blade, serrated, twisting and cruel. The thirst
started soon after, raging and dizzying in the force of his need for water.
Still he was left alone here. He could not see the water, the jug and the mug
but he knew it was there, could shut his eyes and recall its position and the
tantalizing vision of its clear, cold medicine.
He wondered if he should be flattered by the expense his tormentors had gone
to, Dragonweed and Witches Wyrt are the most tortuous combination of poisons
when mixed with common salt. They are a rare and inordinately expensive form of
torture with an incredibly simple cure, water, gallons of it, taken within six
hours to prevent a hideously painful death through the rapid dessication of
internal organs.
He tried to calculate the passage of time but he was disoriented and confused.
There were pin sharp pains through every nerve of his body and his bowels
lurched ominously.
This was wrong, he was Jensen’s. He wasn’t permitted to damage this body. They
only had to ask and he would tell them everything that Jensen had instructed
him he could, but they had taken his collar and clothed him as a captured
enemy. They had taken his coveted position as Court Slave and reassigned him
‘spy’. Only my Master can do that, he thought with a sudden flare of anger,
only Jensen could tell him he was disowned. He would refuse to accept it from
anybody else and would do everything in his power to wait for him, to be there
for him, however long it took.
***
The pain should have driven tears down his cheeks in rivulets, except he
couldn’t cry. His eyes were sticky with heat and every blink scratched and
scraped across the drying orb. There was no saliva to swallow and still he
remained alone in oppressive coal-black silence. If they didn’t come soon there
would be no recovery.
The arrival of his interrogator was announced with the shocking glare of a
bright potassium-lantern and a crashing thump of the door. It was a
deliberately impressive entrance. He blinked and flinched at the agony of it.
The man had the posture of a senior officer with fine clothing and an elderly
face. “Hello Child.” he said and raised a cup of hot coffee and a horse whip in
salutation. He took his time dragging his own chair into a comfortable position
and sipped at his drink as he stared thoughtfully at the young brunette. There
was the sound of a grate being opened in the cell door, but there was no way of
seeing who was watching them.
The man put his own cup and the whip on the table and made a show of lifting
the ewer and pouring water into the mug, he pushed it to the very extreme of
the table, within inches of Jared, so he could see the air bubbles rise and the
meniscus settle as the fluid calmed. Jared gave a rasped whine and raised his
yellowing eyes in a silent plea. His torturer got out of his seat and moved to
perch on the table by the water and next to Jared. He picked up the whip and
flicked it casually. The end caught on the slave’s arm and air whistled through
his gagged mouth as he gasped in pained shock.
“I am told that once the body is dry, the skin loses its elasticity and the
application of such a whip becomes, far, far more painful. What do you think,
Child?” Jared nodded an agreement and he placed the whip back on the table. “Do
you know what it is that we had you swallow Child?”
Jared nodded affirmation.
“Good. You have been here for three hours so we both know how much time you
have left if I choose not to give you water. What I do not know is what sort of
danger Prince Jensen is in and how much time he has left. Will you speak to me
if I let you drink?” he spoke deliberately kindly.
Jared nodded again, tried to move his tongue behind the gag, but it was stuck
dry to the roof of his mouth.
***
He drank thirstily from the mug that was tipped to his lips and the officer
withdrew it “Ah, ah! Just enough to allow speech.” Jared moaned at the loss.
The water was like nectar, refreshing and delicious he kept a little in his
mouth without swallowing and rolled it around his gums and over his tongue in
an attempt to wash the paste away.
“Where is Prince Jensen, Child?”
“He would not tell where he was headed Sir, and it is not my business.”
“Tch.” The whip came down hard behind him, landing in a red hot stripe of pain
over his hands. Jared tried to order the thoughts in his fading, dried mind.
“He left a note with Lady Victoria.” His tongue was thick and heavy, the words
were slurred and hoarse. The interviewer was a blur of color in his fading
vision.
“Speak up.”
Jared tried but he couldn’t form words. His interrogator poured more water and
let him drink. He dipped his hand in the jug and allowed a merciful drip over
the young slave’s brows and into his eyes.
“He wrote a note. He made a letter and gave it to Lady Victoria.”
The officer looked to the observer behind the grate and shook his head. There
was the sound of it shutting and the man sat again on the corner of the table
by Jared and proffered the mug. He drank it dry and sighed. His breath was
rattling in his chest and he coughed. His ribs were too tight on his lungs and
he gritted his teeth with the effort of breathing in.
“Why did you continue with the charade that the Prince was present? How long
has he been gone?”
He tried to remember, to count the dawns but it was muddled. “Five I think,
five days. He commanded me to do this. I am his slave.” He repeated himself,
allowed himself to feel the familiarity of his Master’s cuffs on his wrists and
ankles. “I am his slave.”
“No. That was your cover. You are a spy. You need to think harder Child. He
would not trust a slave over his brother, over Ethan. How can you think we will
fall for that?” He lifted the whip once more and Jared shrank back into his
chair, ready for the blow but it didn’t come.
He struggled to find the right words, to make this man understand. “I am
Jensen’s slave. My Master trusted me to care less than The King and Ethan. They
love him too much to let him do this, they would have saved him from himself
and Jensen didn’t want that. He wanted the opportunity to save others, to save
them.”
The officer tipped his head and tapped a finger on his lip. He seemed to
consider Jared’s statement carefully. “You still call him Master. You would
prefer to die a lowly slave rather than a hero of the Realm, the man who gave
them Prince Jensen?” He gave the brunette another drink, fixed the hazel eyes
open with his fingers and dripped water into them then closed the lids briefly
with his thumbs and dripped more on the lashes.
“No. I would prefer to live and serve at my Master’s side when he returns.”
“Child of the Realm, why should you assist the Kingdom that enslaved you?
Soldier, why would you betray your own people?”
Jared gave a sarcastic laugh which degraded into a wheezing and pained cough.
“My people are betrayed already, by their own Governance. Jensen thought he
could return a Treaty. He will return a Treaty.”  Jared had so little left to
trust in, he would not think on the forgiveness his Master had asked for, he
would believe in Jensen until the stars burned out and his bones were earth.
More water. It bathed his mouth and sated his throat but his stomach cramped
and seized at the contact, he was being ripped apart from the inside out. He
tried to double over, curl in on himself but the bindings kept him straight and
he keened with a pathetic whine.
“Is it too much?” his interviewer asked coolly.
Jared gave a strangled sob and nodded. No false courage remained, only
desperation.
“There are faster treatments, if you co-operate.”
“I am giving you everything.” It was a wretched plea.
There was the sound of the door grate being opened and his interrogator pushed
off the table. “Think on it for a moment Child. I will be back.”
He took the lantern with him and slammed the door behind him, Jared found
himself couched in dark silence once more. He was sure the time was too long.
He could feel the paper tightness of his skin over cramped muscle and
screeching innards. Every breath was a fight against his stiffened lungs.
***
The door opened and a lantern was gradually introduced. His tormentor brought a
second ewer of water with him and poured some straight away, put it to his lips
and rubbed at his belly while he drank. The touch surprised him and his eyes
widened as he tried to focus on the man. More water was dripped into his eyes.
“Who were the men that Prince Jensen departed with, Child?”
“If he wanted you to know, he would have written it for you.”
The soft touch on his belly was removed as a sharp back-handed slap met his
cheek and had him reel in his chair. “Don’t be stubborn. I will remove your
water. If you are being truthful then you know that the Prince would not want
you permanently damaged. Will you defy your Master, Child?”
The gentle massage of his stomach resumed.
Five days, his Master was five days out and whatever it was that he hoped to
achieve he was either committed to the task or failed and dead, or worse. The
Realm’s troops were closing in on the fortress within weeks or days of them. He
could see it making no difference if he told. “There was a Captain of the
Queen’s Guard and his soldier. They were familiar to me. He was not forced but
neither were they. They were amicable, allied in some way. Please, it’s all I
know Sir.” He turned blurry, begging eyes on the man before him and slumped,
defeated and agonized, in his chair.
The questions continued, answers were repeated back to him in twisted variation
and he struggled to answer correctly. There was a peculiar sense of superiority
that they did not seem to know the right questions to get the best answers.
Never once did they question the lowly slave's birthright or name. If he could
have smirked at that, he would have. He didn't because his sensibility was fast
disappearing into the dark, swirling void of coma.
“One more thing,” the man looked toward the door, as if taking instruction,
“Are you in love with him? Child, do you love Prince Jensen?”
He couldn’t see the relevance of the question, it had to be a trick. He
remained silent. Water sloshed into the mug and he reached his lips for it. At
the last moment it was pulled away and he heard the awful splash of wasted
liquid upon the floor. He was dying and too weary to lie. “I love him. I didn’t
want to die without him beside me.” He rasped the last with labored breath and
a deep frown upon his features. He felt the mug upon his lips but he was too
weak to take it. Cold hands grabbed at his face and tipped his head back. He
felt a funnel tube being forced into his throat and the rush of cold liquid
into his protesting gut.
The officer left him there, with the funnel still in place and he heard
whispered consultation at the door of the cell and an instruction to fetch the
Physician.  There was Ethan’s voice, a shade louder now, “…as much water as you
can…” 
He let his eyelids scrape down over his aching eyes as he descended into the
flickering, flaming, black fires of Hell and that was fine because he had
always known he wasn’t good enough. He was always going to end here.
***** Chapter 21 *****
Something doused the fires, pulled him up through a racing, dizzy confusion of
color and noise until he reached the cold ground and lay there aching, soggy
and cramped. Hell had been more comfortable.

He wondered if he still had eyes. The sockets burned and itched as if they had
been ripped from him. He forced an eyelid open experimentally.

“Child.”

His hearing remained.

“Child. I need you to answer me carefully.”

Deep brown eyes stared down at him in a serious face with set lips and deep
brows under a shock of untidy brown hair.  It confirmed that at least one of
his eyes stayed in place, assuming he was alive.

“Nod if you can understand me.”

Jared swallowed and his brain asked his head to move but it wouldn’t. He opened
his eyes, both eyes, wide and blinked them in a slow and deliberate movement.

“Good Boy.”

He blinked again, the same deliberation.

“You were supposed to protect your Master, keep him safe in his recovery and
you failed, you should have told us of his intentions. The King has offered a
choice. You can choose to die here. We will stop with this treatment, let you
go. You can close your eyes and never feel again. There is no shame in it
Child.”

Jared thought his breath would not return, that the decision would be made
without further input from Ethan or Joshua.  He hadn’t earned this, Jensen
didn’t deserve this.

“Let me finish. Breathe. Are you still listening?”

There was the icy slap of water being dumped unceremoniously over him. He
gasped breath inward over the arid spaces of his lungs. The sudden pain was
piercing sharp and he struggled to exhale with slow care.

“…or you can be the slave you are supposed to be. Prince Jensen is missing, you
will be in Joshua’s care and there will be no concessions or leniency for
errors in behavior. The decision of whether to return you to Jensen if he
returns is Joshua’s alone. Make no mistake, he grieves for his brother and is
angry at your betrayal. We have no time to spare attention to you. There is
paste remaining and we will not hesitate to repeat this exercise, without
reprieve, in the event that you do not co-operate. Any small mercy is for the
benefit of Jensen, if he should live, not for you.”

Jared wanted to roll over, push himself up and punch Ethan. He wanted to give a
sarcastic reply and taunt them in to carrying out his swift end but he couldn’t
so much as raise his head in protest and besides, he had made this decision the
day Jensen left, his heart refused him an option. He would wait for his Master.

***

Ethan left him on the floor, to be tended by the bitter Physician. Jared was
forced to recall all the reasons why one should never make cutting remarks to
another, however well deserved. The man was instructed to cure the young slave
but he had no obligation to be gentle. Jared's mouth was jammed open with a
metal ‘0’ and a tube forced into his throat with rapid, scraping carelessness
until he felt a steady drip against his cramping stomach. Unfamiliar slaves
hauled him up and dumped him on a short table from which his legs dangled. They
clipped his wrist cuffs over his head and his ankle cuffs to chains and
attached them to a pulley above the table, spread him wide and vulnerable in a
repeat of his previous visit to the Physician.

He found enough voice to give a low pitched whine when oily fingers probed at
the tight rose of his asshole. They forced in and stretched at the ring of
muscle, too quickly. His hand suddenly found movement. It clenched and banged
against the surface of the table. The pain reminded him of the damage he had
inflicted on himself. The Physician laughed and pushed the muscle open more
forcefully before reaching behind himself to tighten the ankle chains until
Jared’s ass was dragged upward in the air, toward the ceiling and he was
resting mostly on his shoulders. A cold metal nozzle was forced through the
clenching, resistant muscle and he found himself forming a muffled scream. He
wasn’t expecting what followed. The flood of cold, soapy liquid into his hot
anal channel was intrusive and uncomfortable. The swell of his bowels and
distension of his lower belly was a whole new pain and humiliation. He felt the
removal of the nozzle and the insertion of a large round ended plug and then he
was left in this crude position while the physician bustled in and out of the
room and whistled a happy tune.

 Slaves placed a tub beneath the end of the table, the plug was released and
the ankle chains loosened. He had no control over his body to prevent the
bruising fall of his legs against the end of the table and the revolting
release of foul water from his bowels. A tear found its way from his left eye
and trickled down his cheek. He heard the banging of the door as the Physician
left the room and saw one of the slaves take a furtive look behind him,
checking for the man’s absence. The soft pad of a finger collected the round
drop from his face and the slave spoke sympathetically, “Tears are a good sign
Child. The procedure is uncomfortable but necessary. We'll repeat it several
times to flush all the poison from you. It’s an unpleasant procedure so he
won’t bother to disturb us much.” There was a noise outside the door and the
unfamiliar slave glanced about again. “Can’t talk to you.” Jared managed the
faintest movement of his head in acknowledgement.

They repeated the procedure twice more before releasing him to lie on the floor
again. The throat feed was left in, dripping life back to him.

When all poison had been chased from his ravaged body, the tube was snatched
out, he was washed, given a new collar in basic brown leather and brought to
the King’s chambers. Ethan settled him into a large cage on a thin mattress. He
set a warm blanket on him and tucked it under his chin. The small man placed a
closed lip kiss on his cheek, stroked his hair and spoke softly to him “Rest
now.”

***

He was shaken awake by Genevieve, she was petite and extraordinarily pretty
with deep brown eyes, thick dark hair and a sweet smile. “You have to arise, we
have plenty to do and you do not want to give Master more reason to be angry
with you.”

He felt so very weary, he ached all over, his bandaged hand throbbed with dull
pain and he could not find a care. He stared blankly at the girl and she pulled
again on his arm through the bars of the cage. “Please. Master has many
pressures today and he tasked me with this.” She looked apprehensively about
her as if she expected the King's presence any moment.

Jared crept sluggishly from his blanket and crawled to the open door of his
cage. He paused at the edge “Is it alright, can I come out?”

“If it has been opened of course you can, Silly.” She frowned and shook her
head at him. 

He ducked through the opening and kneeled on the floor beside her. He clutched
at his sore head and struggled to his feet with a yawn.

“You need to look lively, Child”

“I don’t feel lively.”

“Do you think that matters? Try a splash of cold water but you have to be
cheerful and compliant.”

He gave a sarcastic shrug “What more can be done to me?”

“The King seemed to think you knew the answer to that.”  She was giving him a
steady gaze. “You had a bad day, this day can only be better.”

Jared thought she must be an expert in understatement but she didn’t appear to
be mocking or cruel so he gave her the fake smile that Alona had taught him and
asked if it was appropriate to use the bathing room.

Genevieve's manners were as correct and gentle as Alona and whenever she spoke
of Joshua, her Master, there was the hint of a smile that spoke of sweet
secrets. Jared was confined to the apartment to lay fires, clean and sweep
while she hurried back and forth with various items and messages. The King
swept past him in cold silence, not a glance in his direction but for Genevieve
he stopped and exchanged a smile, brief kisses and affectionate touches, and,
in those moments he missed Jensen with an intensity that mimicked physical
pain.

He was collected by Ethan after breakfast and taken to the Great Hall. A crowd
of servants and slaves busied themselves over an enormous and lavishly
decorated banqueting table. Ethan stayed to direct the work and Jared was set
the task of polishing and laying silver cutlery to precise measurements. He was
about a third of the way up the table when he first had to stop and steady
himself against the shining wood of a chair. He continued after a brief respite
but as he stopped for a second time he felt Ethan’s arm around his waist. The
Prince’s friend took the silverware from his hand and passed it to another.
“You are obliged to tell when you are unwell, Child.”

“I am just tired, Master.”

Ethan rubbed his arm, “You remember your manners even after Jensen broke you
from them. Well done. You are pale and exhausted and that will not do for this
evening. Come on.” Ethan returned him to the mattress within the cage but he
didn’t shut the door. “Sleep a while. Gen will wake you when it is time to get
ready.”

He had seen the preparations, he did not need to be told what he was to be
woken for, he was just too tired to fret about it. He was asleep the moment he
lay his head down.

The nap was refreshing and he was woken by Genevieve bearing sweet honey drink
and a substantial soup. “You need your strength. You must bathe and prepare
carefully, then you will report to Master in his study.”

***

However hard he scrubbed, whatever oil he applied there was no hiding the
blooming bruises of yesterday’s experiences from his skin. He washed and styled
his hair so it shone and he filed the mess he had made of his nails,
nevertheless, he was nobody’s example of a perfect Court slave. He hoped his
best efforts were sufficient, straightened his shoulders, dropped his eyes and
kneeled before King Joshua in submissive silence.

Soft fingers stroked the blue sheen on his face and traced over the multi-
colour marks left by the end of the Physician’s table. “Oh Child! What damage
has been done? What would Jensen think to see you now?” The question was not
asked in a way that required answer.  “No mind. You are, in any case,
beautiful. We shall tell that you received the marks in defense of your Master,
which is not untrue.”

 A hand cupped the slave’s chin and raised his head while the leather collar
was released. “I have something for your presentation. I know that Jensen will
like it on you. I chose to his taste.”  He held a shining metal collar with a
dark green velvet lining and a solid loop at the front. He smoothed Jared’s
hair from his neck and fastened it before reaching into another box for a
decorated silver tag. He showed it to Jensen’s slave. The Royal Crest was
engraved upon it, beside the interwoven JRA, his Master’s initials. Joshua
snapped it to the ring and added a beautifully woven leather braided leash
which he held loosely in his hand as he admired the new look.

There was the sound of rushing, heavy footsteps in the corridor and frenzied
rapping at the King’s door. Joshua tugged on Jared’s leash and had him kneel
beside him as if at rest. “Be relaxed and decorative.” he commanded.

A General of the King’s forces strode in with a hurried bow. “Your Majesty,
Envoy Woolvett of the Federated States has arrived. He is demanding an
immediate audience.”

The King’s brows knitted heavily. “The States have no invitation. What
involvement would they want in all this?”

“He claims that he attends as a potential ally, that he may be of more value
than any of your invited guests. He asks to be seen and he is here.” The last
part was hissed with a heavy glance by the General to the corridor outside the
room.

“Why would you let him come to my Chambers?”

“He refused to be left standing and in the circumstances I did not think it
polite to have him struck down.”

Joshua tutted and drew noisy breath, as if in deep thought, he reached a hand
to Jared’s head and unconsciously stroked through his hair. “Send him in alone,
post sentries at the door.”

***

Jared dared not raise his eyes as the King greeted his guest but he was alert
for movements of hand and served drinks efficiently without spilling a drop or
drawing attention to himself in any way. He was surprised to feel a warm hand
stroke his back and a murmur of “Good Boy” as he placed himself back at
Joshua’s side.

“Envoy Gordon Woolvett, this is a surprise. What would bring you here at such a
time?” The King boomed in an over-enthusiastic manner and shook the man’s hand
firmly.

The Envoy was not a large man or even old and sage. He was of mid age and mid
height with middle-blonde hair and a cocky attitude. He spoke cheerfully “My
Government send their condolences for the passing of your father and are
curious to know the new King. We feel that it would be foolish to pass you over
as a copy of your father’s rule.”

“What a peculiar time to make such an undertaking, you must know that there are
risks in traveling here and that this status may not last?”

“Of course. Our sources put the Queen’s army within a week of this place and
note that the Earl of Ford has raised his largest and best equipped army yet.
He aims to meet with Morgan’s troops in two days and then it will be all over
for you.” The Envoy paused, “Unless you have a suitable trick up your sleeve or
a new ally at your side.”

“Why would you ally with us Envoy? We have nothing to offer to you, I believe
we have had this conversation several times over the years.”

“I did not say we would. You must be aware that our laws will not allow full
trade and alliances with nations that have human trade practices. Perhaps we
had hopes, but I see all your guests favor your own trading traditions. You do
know that you do not have enough for them? They are shallow and will take
whatever gifts you have to offer but they will watch as you are crushed and buy
bargain pieces of you in the aftermath.”

The King’s hand carded nervously through Jared’s hair and Woolvett followed the
action with his gaze. “What happened to the sweet girl that you had?”

Joshua startled as he realized his action “Gen remains with me. I treasure her
presence. The boy is my brother’s property. I am caring for him while Jensen
travels. You understand we are at war.”

The Envoy sounded incredulous in his reply, “Prince Jensen took a slave?” He
took several steps and bent to peer at Jared. Jared bowed his head further, hid
his face behind his flowing hair but Woolvett pushed the dark curtain aside and
lifted his face. Jared thought he saw shock flit across his features but it was
soon schooled. “Is he Realm?”

“Yes. My brother took him as an injured soldier, in the Borderlands. It means
he has scars and a poor knowledge of his place, but you know my brother.”
Joshua chuckled fondly.

“I thought I did but this is unexpected.”

“It was unexpected for everybody but he is a sweet addition. He is somewhat
hesitant, but a diamond in the rough.”

The Envoy clicked a heavy ring against his glass as he imbibed his drink. He
set it down and Jared refilled it without instruction. “Sometimes it can be
hard to judge the full value of what you have,” Woolvett tested, but the King
did not react to the comment. He took a drink from the refreshed glass. “There
has been a change in your attitude Your Majesty.”

“In what way?”

“You refer to the boy as a person, a he. Is there to be a change in the
treatment of slaves?”

The King bristled, “We treat our slaves in an exemplary manner. It is Jensen’s
wish to use this form of address. In his usual rebellious manner he has put it
into being and I follow suit because it is unfair to confuse the lad. That is
all.”

Jared had to bite at his cheek to prevent an unsuitable outburst. If Joshua
wanted to demonstrate continuity then he would not be having him presented this
evening.

“It’s a pity,” spoke the Envoy quietly. He glanced at Jared, his eyes kept
returning to stare at him and he licked his lips.

The King did not miss the stare, he placed a steadying hand on Jared’s
shoulder. “You did not come here to discuss our slave Gordon. There are many
who may baulk at your presence this evening so perhaps you can elaborate on the
reason for your visit.”

“I will summarize dear Joshua. My Government are not comfortable with your
trading associations. We do not ally with slavers, however, we have other
issues with the Realm and you are at least, a quiet and unaggressive neighbor.
I cannot make promises at this very moment but I should like to stay and be
involved in your negotiations this evening and I will attempt to be inoffensive
to your other visitors. At the very least I expect to be able to offer some
sanctuary for your Lord’s and their pets in the event of your defeat.” He
grinned at the King over his glass and eyed Jared once more.

Joshua sighed. “You are welcome Gordon. I shall ensure that there is a place
for you. Perhaps you should like the comfort of a familiar slave to serve you?
I can arrange for this one to be by your side. It appears that Prince Jensen
shall not be back in time for dinner and we would not want the boy to feel
redundant.”

The Envoy moved a hand to stroke Jared’s hair and face. “It would be much
appreciated. Thank you, Your Majesty.” He gave a bright smile and a bow as he
left the King’s presence.

***

Genevieve left with her Master and Ethan slipped into the apartment with a
tight lipped soldier and a set of cuffs. Jared couldn’t pretend he hadn’t been
expecting it with burgeoning dread. Once he was restrained they tipped his head
to ensure that he would drink the tincture that they brought. “It will help to
calm you.”

All Jared could see was a bitter paste that had been used a day before.  He
twisted his head and fought the reflex to swallow as his nose was held closed.
There was the whistle of a cane through the air and he felt the sharp burn of a
lash to the sole of his feet. He gasped in pained surprise and sweet fluid
drained into his throat, forcing him to swallow whatever poison they had chosen
to give him this time.

 “This can get so much worse Child. I thought you understood your choice. Now
settle.” Ethan was businesslike, no anger or passion in his voice.

The tincture didn’t take long to take hold, there was a pleasant buzz starting
to cloak his mind into a blank space as fingers slipped a generous quantity of
balm into his still sore and sensitive puckered hole and worked him open until
three fingers pushed and scissored. More balm was dripped into the opening and
he squirmed with the revolting squelch that it provoked. It was no more erotic
than the Physician but at least Ethan was taking care in the process. The small
man mumbled reassurance as he worked but he was starting to breathe heavy and
Jared could hear his arousal. Finally an ass plug was worked into him and Ethan
reached to stroke the slave’s cock as he angled the plug to brush the prostate.
 The slave’s member swelled and stiffened in defiance of his own will.

“You keep this in. Only your master or someone you are asked to serve can
remove it. Understand?” Ethan jostled the plug and Jared’s hips arched
forwards, grinding against air. “Understand?”

“Yes, Master.”  He was grateful that Chad had introduced him to the item and he
had taken time to get used to it in private.

“Good Boy. Just one more thing…” Ethan had his tongue between his teeth in
concentration and in a bid to hide his own arousal.

No, no, no thought Jared. Even through the floating drug-haze he knew he
couldn’t go through the agony of having his cock plugged. He whined and
struggled against his ties. Ethan held up solid twin metal rings and he
calmed, that wasn’t so bad. Jensen had used it on him once, it created a
frustration and sweet desperation but for the most part it was bearable. He
closed his eyes and pictured Jensen. He remembered his teasing fingers and
glinting green eyes as he played with his balls, rolled them and licked a
stripe from the base of his cock to the purple swollen tip. He recalled the
rush of sensation as his Master crawled atop of him and gave a wicked smile
while he grasped his erection and slid the ring to the base, pulled his balls
through and dared him to taunt his Master, then forbade his orgasm before
sliding the engorged flesh between the full pout of his lips, ripping moans and
pleas and sex-spawned babble from his slave.

His cock twitched as the rings were pulled firmly into place. “Beautiful! You
need no decoration,” exclaimed Ethan. “Now, whatever happens, however you are
used, this will help but you know that you are not allowed to take your own
pleasure. If you are tempted, think of Dragonweed and Witches’ Wyrt because
that is what it will earn you if you come.” 
 
Jared understood the threat even through the induced calm of his body. He
shivered but he couldn’t imagine taking any pleasure in the evening’s
activities.
Ethan released the restraints and re-clipped his leash, “Time to go.” He gave a
final comb to the soft, styled hair before leading him into the hallway.
***
Ethan kept the leash pulled tight while he waited for a cue. He tugged at it
and Jared followed, stepping at the precise distance required. He was
apprehensive, scared even, but the message didn’t seem to travel from his brain
to his body. He was outwardly relaxed and confident, watching himself from
afar.
There were slaves kneeled by their owners throughout the room, most naked but
others dressed in short silk shifts. Joshua was speaking to a crowd of Lords,
Ladies and Ambassadors, it appeared that he was coming to the end of an
address. Jared could hear the words as he was led toward the doors that
separated the ante-room from the Great Hall.
 “…Ethan has had the household busy preparing this magnificent feast.  There
has been far too much doom and gloom in our talks so we have taken the
opportunity to present the newest addition to our Court. Prince Jensen has
taken a delightful young slave and since my brother is away, what with war and
all that…” there was a nervous laugh from the guests, “it is my honor to
present it to you, in its first service. Jensen has already taken his
pleasure.  You know my brother, he never could wait! The boy, being Jensen’s
did not arrive pre-trained so it is still a little shy but that does not mean
you have to be.” There was more laughter and the murmur of low gossip in the
room. Jared kept his eyes to the floor, relieved that he didn’t have to see the
stares that would be directed at the new slave, standing naked and leashed. The
door to the Great Hall was pulled open and the sumptuously decorated banqueting
tables were revealed.
“Enjoy our hospitality,” The King completed and made a gesture to Ethan.
The guests filed past Jared, many took a wide berth and kept walking but for
each that approached he was made to bow in perfect submission with his head
touching the floor. Some leered and touched him, others commented on his
physique, many on his lack of decoration. None spoke to him. One or two had him
turn around and they felt the curve of his spine and the globes of his ass,
separated them and casually pulled or pushed at the base of the butt-plug, and,
while his body was sublimely relaxed about the touch, Jared was grateful that
he faced the wall in those moments, so he could hide his glistening eyes.
Once he had been thoroughly examined and humiliated Ethan passed his leash to
Envoy Woolvett. The Envoy looked confused “What am I supposed to do now? I’ve
never had a slave to command.” Ethan bowed a little and gave a friendly smile,
“Child will mostly know what to do on his own, other than that you can speak to
him. He responds well to that.”
Each chair had a cushion placed beside it. Slaves dragged the chairs back and
settled their owners in comfort, served a drink and then kneeled by their side
ready to serve each course and attend to details. Jared noticed that the King
sat without a slave, Genevieve and Alona were assigned to serve lone
ambassadors, much as he had been. A subdued and wan Chad kneeled by an equally
pale and worn Lady Victoria and Ethan was not at the table, because, for all
his loyalty and friendship he was not born to nobility. He was the servant that
organized his friends’ banquets but would never be invited. Jared thought that
it must be intensely hurtful to the small man. He pulled his attention back to
Envoy Woolvett, made him comfortable and kneeled dutifully beside him.
***
Jared made it through the first course without error or spill and breathed out.
He peeked about the room, careful not to be seen. The guests chatted, nobody
took any notice of slaves aside from a brief touch or chastisement. He startled
when he felt a solid grasp on his shoulder and Envoy Woolvett passed a piece of
sugared sesame bread under the table. Jared recalled his training, he took it
lightly in soft lips, sucked gently on the man’s fingertips and then kissed
them and said “”Thank you, Sir.”  Woolvett pulled his hand back in  hurried
alarm and Jared panicked. He had made the man feel uncomfortable and needed to
make amends, he pressed his head to the ground by the man and begged his
forgiveness.
“No, no. Up! Get up!” The Envoy hissed at him.
He scrabbled to regain his position, mortified that he was a source of
distraction to his Guest. He wasn’t sure if he had said as much, out loud,
because his body and brain were floating in different directions and Woolvett
answered with a whisper, “Nobody wants to talk to me so feel free to distract
me, just lay off sucking my fingers.” The Envoy looked across at a Northern
Ambassador with his whip-marked slave who was mouthing at his master’s crotch
under the table and added “In fact do not suck at anything, Child!”
It took thoughts of Dragonweed and Witches’ Wyrt to suppress his giggles and
the Envoy surreptitiously passed him another piece of bread. When he had
finished chewing a giggle escaped him anyway. Envoy Woolvett’s hand reached to
his chin and tipped it to look into the slave’s glazed eyes and he spoke with
sadness, “Oh Child! What did they drug you with?”
Jared didn’t reply, he didn’t know the answer.
Envoy Woolvett attempted a conversation with the frightening leather clad lady
to one side of him, the thin snooty fellow on the other and the sexually active
Northerner opposite him. When the discussions faltered and they turned away
from him he gave up and started to whisper an amusing commentary on the
evening’s proceedings, directed at the slave by his side. Jared was bold enough
to reply with witty rejoinder to some of his remarks, creating muffled laughter
in his Guest. The Envoy shared each course with him and had him sip at his
wine. It all felt oddly clandestine and at some point in the proceedings he
decided that he liked Envoy Woolvett and he was actually having fun.
***
There was a ridiculous number of small courses and entertainment between each.
It seemed that the King was not going to have much of a meal. At each course he
met with another of his guests and took them to a separate table. As the
evening progressed King Joshua’s face became ever more haggard, his hospitality
more strained.
At some point the Ladies said goodnight and departed, some of the men took the
opportunity to leave with them, citing long journeys and busy schedules as
excuse. Mackenzie commanded her slave to stay and entertain the remaining
guests and the other Ladies of the Kingdom followed her example. The remaining
guests scattered to drink and take entertainment in the ante-room.
The King sought out Envoy Woolvett and invited him to his table in the now,
almost-deserted, Hall. Ethan returned to collect Jared. “There are Guests
awaiting your service.”
***
The coarse language and raw stench of sex pervaded the ante room. The
candlelight was dim but he could make out the shapes of slaves being fucked in
every orifice, over every surface, across tables and chairs, on the floor and
even against the cold walls. Wall sex, that’s my favorite when I’m with
Jensen added Jared’s drug-high mind unhelpfully, but none of these men were
Jensen and he didn’t want to allow them in, to use him in ways that only his
Master should.
His body kept moving, relaxed and unresisting it followed Ethan and kneeled
before the small crowd of men. Ignorant of his mind his fingers reached to the
buckle of the man before him and released his full and hard cock, took it in
his mouth and worked his tongue around it, bobbing his head up and down over
its length. His ears heard the lewd comments and understood the descriptions of
the acts that the men in the room planned to perform with him but he continued
making the man moan and grunt while strong hands gripped at his head and urged
him on. He felt the ache of his lips, smelled the strong musk that was all
wrong but he sucked his cheeks in and let him blow his load in his mouth and
over his face then push him away like a broken toy and let another take his
place.
He was a good little cocksucker, this much he had learned from the first three
guests but number four was going to “fuck him raw” over the arm of the chair
that he roughly pushed him onto to. A hand reached to push and pull at the plug
in his hole, to remove it brutally while onlookers laughed. He squirmed but
could not move away. In defiance of his obedient body, a tear slipped through
his eyelashes and over his cheek. His self pity was interrupted by a pained
screech uttered, then rapidly bitten back by whatever slave had been hurt. The
sound was so out of place among the moans and screams of pleasure that it was
obviously not the result of an erotic game. The man who was readying to defile
him straightened and peered across the dimly lit room. A second screech
followed with a restrained sob and the man hauled Jared back up from the chair
and set him to kneel and wait. The entire room seemed to stop with the
exception of a few couples. Too far gone to cease, they continued to pant and
moan in the ecstasy of orgasm. 
Jared followed everyone’s gaze to where the King was leaving Envoy Woolvett’s
side and cutting through the crowd, then snatching Genevieve from the clutches
of a large, crimson-faced and sweaty Ambassador. There was another disturbance
from the hallway and, suddenly, everybody was looking between the furious green
eyes of their Monarch and the battle-ragged form of his brother who summed up
the scene in a moment, pulled his dagger from his belt and took the room in
five strides to be beside Joshua.
Sentries arrived quickly to escort the Ambassador away. They held the King and
his sibling back, reminding them of the political ramifications of attacking
the man.
Ethan carried Genevieve away, lamps were brought in to brighten the room and
King Joshua stood to speak to the room. Jared thought he looked old and
defeated. The King began a polite speech and stopped to rub at his furrowed
brow. He looked back at Envoy Woolvett and shrugged. “You know what, it is late
and this Kingdom has a war to win. It has become clear to me that, with the
exception of one Nation, nobody here holds an interest in allying with us
without unreasonable demand. My Lords should retire to rest for the fight
ahead. The rest of you should make preparations to leave as soon as possible
lest you get caught in bad blood. Our slaves have done too many favors
already.”
You could have heard a pin drop in the thick silence that followed. Jared saw
Woolvett smirk and nod while others scowled and pouted but the room cleared
rapidly around two green eyed brothers who held each other in a close embrace.
Jensen is safe, Jensen is here, Jensen came back. Jared’s heart felt as is it
could burst with emotion.
Jensen pulled back from his brother, patted him on the back and promised to
explain himself. In inimitable Jensen-style he noted the banqueting table “Oh
there had better be steak and ribs left over for me Josh!”
It was then that Jared felt his Master’s gaze find him. He could not conceive
the speed with which Jensen came to be on his knees beside him, an arm around
his waist,  looking into the pin-pupil eyes on his come splattered face.
“What did you do? What in Hell’s Moons did you do?”
He realized then, he had done everything that his Master had begged him not to.
***** Chapter 22 *****
“What do you mean by what did I do?” Joshua snatched his brother up and spun
him around. He shook Jensen by his shoulders and yelled at him. “Where have you
been? Have you any idea what you have done? The trauma you created? What you
put Lady Victoria and Ethan through? What you put your own slave through? And
for what? Tell me what is different little brother.”
 
The room cleared rapidly, Jared and Envoy Woolvett remained, along with a
single household sentry, uncertain of what he should do.
 
Jensen was rattled and adrenalin-high from his mission, he pushed back and
swung a punch at his brother which connected with a loud snap. “He’s not a
whore!”
 
The sentry approached with purpose and Woolvett blocked his path just as Joshua
retaliated with an equal blow to his brother’s gut.
 “Family argument, as long as they don’t involve any blades,” the envoy said
quietly. The sentry looked unsure, he didn’t know who Woolvett was, but he
stopped and waited. 
Jensen pushed back hard at Joshua and there was a smacking noise as his hand
met shoulder. “Don’t, just don’t Josh!” 
 
The King grunted and stepped back, off-balanced and red with anger. They were
both breathing hard, their focus had slipped to nothing more than themselves,
in the moment.
 
“He’s not a spy or a traitor Jensen but we didn’t know that. We couldn’t know
that because you didn’t tell anyone that you were leaving or what you were
doing. Even if your note was real it gave nothing. I thought you were dead. I
thought he had betrayed you. Even when they said that nobody lies after three
hours I wasn’t sure, not until the moment you walked through that door.”
 Joshua held his hand to his head in despair.
 
“What do you mean, you thought he was a spy?” Jensen stalked forward and they
circled each other warily. “You whored him because you were angry with him?”
 
I was angry with him and I was angry with you Jen. I just lost Papa and you go
to get yourself killed because you have to do things differently, go your own
way with no regard to tradition or teamwork.”
“You think I would have enjoyed presenting him?” disbelief laced the question.
“He is a prize, a source of pride.”
“There was something broken in Papa and there’s something broken in you Josh.”
Jensen shook his head sadly and continued speaking, “I’m not dead, I simply
can’t trust you not to treat me as a child. I have held this command since I
was fourteen and still you cannot trust my decisions.” As Jensen’s fingers
grasped at the hilt of his blade Woolvett nodded to the sentry and took
position in front of the younger brother, the sentry blocked Joshua and they
broke eye contact with a sudden realization of the public nature of their
disagreement.
Jared was powerless to intervene. He hid his face in his knees. This wasn’t how
it was meant to be, he should have been in Jensen’s arms, welcoming him home,
showing him that he waited, telling him that he always would.
 
 “Prince Jensen. It’s lovely to see you again. Perhaps we can retire somewhere
quiet to continue this.”
 
“Envoy Woolvett?” Jensen looked at the man in confusion, “Who made you umpire?”
 
“Jen!” warned Joshua “He’s right. We are both worked up. I have had a rotten
day and it looks as if yours has been little better. He raised both arms, away
from his weapons.
 
Woolvett spoke softly to the King and tipped his head to Jared, “Maybe we
should get him somewhere quiet and check on your girl.”
 
Josh agreed and reached his hand to Jensen, “We should retire to my chambers.” 
Jensen cold-shouldered him and returned to his slave. Jared couldn’t look at
him, His mind was still reeling and dizzy and he retained the reeking evidence
of his shame all over his skin. Jensen’s letter hadn’t protected him.  It had
given nothing when Jensen had promised protection. Joshua had believed Jared
was to blame and Jensen hadn’t prevented any of this. Jensen told him he
couldn’t be presented without him and Joshua had once told him that a slave
should never be used in anger but they had done all of that today. He
concentrated hard and refused Jensen’s hand. His Master reeled back with hurt
in his eyes. Joshua gave a direct order with his hand and again with voice
command and he still sat, unmoveable. Whatever spell the tincture had worked
was unraveling with time or with his anger. He wouldn’t be a pawn in their
sibling rivalry.
 
“You two go ahead. Tell me to pick up the boy.” Envoy Woolvett winked at them,
raised a single brow toward the hallway where he was sure eavesdroppers waited
and added in a whisper, “damage limitation.”
 
The brothers left the room with the sentry who was warily separating them by a
step. For the first time it was just Envoy Woolvett and the naked slave, alone
in a cavernous room with scattered furniture, stray clothes and the strong
smell of sex. The envoy took his hand and spoke low, “You know Prince Jared,
when we last met and I told you I wished to see more of you, I didn’t mean it
quite so literally.”
 
Jared gave in to a fit of chemical induced giggles, “Rumors of my death have
been greatly exaggerated.”
 
You are the best company in this Palace. You did a damn fine job of putting me
at my ease and I told the King that. Is it always this dysfunctional around
here?”
 
Jared laughed again at that, at least his body chuckled while his mind caught
up. “No. They love each other really.” Then he shushed Woolvett with a finger
to his lips “Joshua doesn’t know about me. Oh moons, did you…? ”
 
“Of course not, and Jensen?”
 
“Of course, he always did.”
 
“So he is hiding you in plain sight. He is right, Joshua underestimates him.”
 
“Jensen’s an ass and an idiot. They are both liars.”
 
“And despite everything, it is transparent you care for Jensen. Don’t bother to
deny it because I saw your face when he walked in that door. You, being his
slave. Is it real?”
 
Jared huffed and indicated the state he was in. “What do you think?” he asked
bitterly.
A soldier of the household guard approached. “His Majesty has asked me to show
you the way to his Chambers.”
The Envoy looked to Jared's crumpled and debauched state, “Can you do this?”
 Jared knew he saw bruises and scars. 
Jared gathered his resolve and rose elegantly to his feet. “Yes, Sir. You walk
and I will follow.”
 
***
Tension crackled like a storm in the air. The brothers stopped talking the
moment Woolvett walked into the apartment with Jared. It crossed the slave’s
mind that at least they seemed to be talking rather than yelling.
 
Jensen looked to the Envoy as he stepped into the room and when the man stayed
he swivelled his head to his brother and opened his arms in a gesture of query.
“Why is he here Josh?”
 
The King ignored his brother’s question, “Apologies, Gordon. This has been out
of order, I cannot believe you are still here. Please sit.”   
 
The Envoy smiled politely and took a seat. “Family drama happens to us all and
current circumstances must be very stressful.”
 
Jared took a place by Woolvett’s side. Jensen’s eyes widened and he was back in
his brother’s space with his fists raised. “Did you sell him?” He demanded to
know. Joshua stepped back and Jensen stepped forward again.
 “Back off Jen! I didn’t. I should have done. I should have done it the first
time the boy suffered, but I stupidly thought you cared enough for him,” He
shot an angry look at Jared “and I should have known he would prove
insufficient for our purposes.”
 
“Yours and Ethan’s purposes? He’s my sl..” Jensen stopped, as if the word
choked him, shook his head, “He’s mine, he’s more than sufficient for me and I
am an adult.”
 
“You were ill, incapable.”
 
“I was angry and grieving, for a few days Josh, for a few days.”
 
Woolvett coughed lightly. “He has an exquisite silver tag Jensen. Your initials
are engraved upon it.”
 
Jensen took another short glance at where Jared sat by the man but he seemed to
calm. “I’m sorry. It’s been a strange few days. I shouldn’t have…Oh moons we
have thoroughly screwed all protocol this evening haven’t we?”
 
The Envoy smiled indulgently. “Don’t mind me. These things are almost always
deadly boring. Tonight has been one of the most exciting evenings I have had in
years and a fruitful one for our Nations, I hope.”
 
Joshua explained, “The Envoy is hopeful that there can be a small alliance
between the Kingdom and the States. There are some limited troops that would be
made available and they can shelter the vulnerable members of our Household and
the Court slaves. They would only take the slaves as free citizens and we could
not make them stay with their Masters, but they would be safe from the Realm
and away from cruel resale.”
 
“Why do they change their attitude to us now? Is it not too late?”
 
Woolvett interrupted them to speak, “We have no wish to see Morgan as our
neighbor but it is the Kingdom’s change of heart that will make it happen.”
Woolvett raised the glass which Jared had just filled for him. “I should leave
you to discuss it as a family.”
 
“I have made some tentative agreements but we should talk them over,” explained
Joshua.
 
“If someone will show me to my room I shall take Child and retire. We will
finalize details in the morning.” The Envoy stood and stretched.
 
Joshua indicated for Jared to follow him and stepped into Jensen’s path to pre-
empt his brother’s outburst. “It is part of our agreement. Child will stay with
Gordon tonight, while we make our decisions. Just tonight Jensen.”
 
“No! It doesn’t happen. He isn’t anybody’s whore. This man pretends to be
shocked by our practices then demands sexual favors. No Joshua, I won’t let it
happen.”
 
“I am content to do this Jensen. Trust me.” Jared’s voice was soft but quite
unexpected in its interruption.
 
“No, Child. I forbid it. You are not all yourself, I can see in your eyes that
you are not capable of refusal and decisions are not yours to make.”
 
“I refused you and Joshua, did I not? I want to go with him. Why would his
company be any worse than yours? I wish to be away from your arguments and
hate.”  The words tumbled angrily from him before he could reconsider them and
it was too late to rescind them. He wondered what the punishment would be. They
would wait until Woolvett was gone, he was sure of that. He moved closer to the
Envoy but he would not lower his eyes, he kept a defiant stare.
 
Jensen winced, he stood over his slave, spoke with his voice raised and sour,
“Why do you deliberately mess me around, give me promises and break them? Do
you want him? Did you make your decision and regret my return? Is that what
this is about?” 
Jensen turned his back on Jared as Joshua stepped back into his space, hand on
his dagger while Jared’s own anger finally bubbled through and somehow the
slave managed to drag his worn and weary body up and step forward, fists
forming. Woolvett grabbed at him and flung him back to his knees with little
effort. The envoy put one hand on Jared's shoulder and applied pressure to have
him stay down.
 
Joshua and Jensen paid no heed to the slave or his temporary protector. The
King had Jensen by the throat and slammed to the wall at the point of his
dagger. “That’s it! Did I mention I had a really bad day.  I’ve had enough.
Child asked you to trust him and if you have any sense left, you will.”
 
Jensen squirmed, “You would let a slave defy me, have him speak so insolently
to us?”
 
Joshua continued “We deserve it Jensen. We were wrong. What I did to him today,
I was wrong to do it, but he went through with it all for the chance to be with
you. You have no idea what that boy went through for you, because of your
stupidity. He stayed loyal through unimaginable torment. I thought he was
buying time for co-conspirators, but here you are, you’re alive, and the only
explanation is, he did it for you. You left him opportunity to escape at any
time.  He could have chosen the easy way out, over and again, but he didn’t, he
chose to wait for you.” He pulled the dagger away as Jensen lowered his eyes
and looked to Jared and his body sagged against the wall as if unable to stand
on his own.   
 
“Josh, you have never said that before, never admitted to being wrong. What
happened?” Jensen looked devastated.
 
“Let them retire to their room and we can talk. I have made promises. I will
not renege on them.”
 
Both men stood down and the tension broke with a slight, edgy laugh from
Jensen, “Josh, did you just end the party by throwing every ambassador and
representative out?”
 
“I think I did.” Joshua’s laugh was no less hysterical. “Except for Envoy
Woolvett here, who got his own floor show. We should let him take Child and
retire while we discuss our options. I have sent for Mack. Don’t make her kick
your ass too.”
 
“Can I speak to Child alone first? Please.”
 
“You should ask him that, Jen.”
 
Jensen kneeled by his slave, gently tucked a strand of sweat stiffened hair
over his ear and kissed the top of his head softly. His eyes were more gold
than green and his expression begged of need for Jared’s trust. “Can you bear
me long enough to speak with me, Child?”
 
Jared nodded numbly, face of stone but his fists began to unclench. Woolvett
released the pressure on his shoulder with a pat.
 
“Come through to the bathing room with me.” Jensen took his hand and squeezed
it gently, then spoke to the others, “Excuse us a time.”
 
Jensen settled him on a chair and drew warm water. He bathed residue from
Jared’s body with tender care as he spoke. “You’re angry with me and you have
every right to be. This shouldn’t have happened. It wasn’t supposed to. There
has never been a case in my lifetime, where a slave was presented without its
Master. For everything, I’m so sorry. Do you remember what I told you about
blame? It still holds true. You can take no blame for anything that has
happened. I am to blame for it all. I am your Master and I allowed these things
to happen to you. Whatever happened this evening, the shame is all with me and
with Joshua. This won’t happen again. I’m never going to underestimate the
risks to you again. It’s my place to protect you and from now on that’s what
I’ll do.  I’ll even let you take a swing, beat me black and blue, but not right
here and now, when it will earn you punishment.” Jensen was biting his lip and
pointing to his chin
 
“I could kick your ass all the way back to the Realm,” snarled Jared with
passion, but the menace was starting to fade with soft touches and the sincere
and sorrowful expression in wide green eyes. He had missed Jensen, missed that
emerald stare and those long, gentle fingers.
 
“Good. I’ll find somewhere..”
 
“Don’t be stupid Jensen. Where would it all stop?” Jared exhaled loudly, “You
came back, you rescued me. You were late but it is over and I didn’t give
myself to anyone.”
 
Jensen grabbed him, held him in a crushing hug for a moment. Jared didn’t want
to need it but it felt like the only thing that could hold him together. He let
Jensen clasp his journey-grimed arms about him and closed his eyes in weary
acceptance.
 
Oh Jared, I was carried away with the intricacies of my mission, there was so
little time, so much to do. Everything moved so fast and Earl Ford’s boy has
been lost without any family. It was difficult to balance between being found
out and taking care of you and of him. I didn’t stop to consider the plans I
made for you. I didn’t make enough provision for you or anyone else that I got
involved in this scheme. ”
 
“Is Colin Ford safe?”
 
“It is typical of you, to ask after the lad before worrying about yourself. He
is confused and homesick and I cannot make any promises to him. Wait! Does
Joshua know of him? Were we found out?”
 
“I was not asked and I did not say. Why did you take him, Jensen?” Jared wanted
to understand.
 
Jensen didn’t seem to hear his query in his eagerness for an answer to his own
question. “You waited for me, despite everything?”
 
“Yes.”
 
“You shouldn’t have. I’m not worthy. I should tell you to go with Gordon, to
leave with him, and I cannot stop you if want that, but as ever, I am needy for
your help.”
 
“Do you only need me for my assistance in this war?”
 
“I need you whatever the circumstances, Jared. I would need you if there was no
war and I wasn’t a Prince.”
 
Jared listened but he couldn’t be sure. Jensen was a natural campaigner and his
own mind was still drug-addled and suggestible. His fury had deserted him and
he shrank into himself, becoming wary and fearful once more, unsure if he could
believe this man’s sweet promises and gentle encouragement. He was so very
tired and confused.
 
Jensen looked to his demeanor and cocked his head thoughtfully. He lowered his
voice and spoke with authority. “You are mine, Jared, you belong at my side. I
will have you there.”
 
The words felt right, these weren’t platitudes and false hope, they were
strength and leadership and they felt good. Jared’s entire being warmed to the
thrill of them but he didn’t want to show his reaction. He continued with his
questions.
 
“Why did you take Colin?”
 
“In two days Morgan’s forces will meet with Earl Ford’s army, they will march
to meet the small army of the Southern Borderlands. Morgan’s intention is to
pillage our Kingdom and lay siege to this fortress. Unfortunately for him, it
is the intention of Earl Ford and the Southern Landowners to defeat him and
seize the Realm from his power. It is my promise to keep Colin safe when the
Realm goes to war against its own.”
 
Jared couldn’t catch his breath. He snatched his undamaged hand to the nearest
surface for support. “You already knew. The note! You were always going to do
this. You set my people against each other? You would have families fight each
other?” He was shaking his head in disbelief “You started a civil war with a
child for ransom? How could you? Oh Gods, what have you done?”
 
“I only stirred the pot. The Realm has been a tinderbox for a long time. The
only thing that has kept your Nation united so long has been this war against
us. You must know it in your heart Jared. The Elders have been allowed to take
too much from the citizens for too long. It has been fueled by Morgan’s
obsessions and it is them that lit the flame. They did that, not us.”
 
“How?”
 
“They accused Ford’s boy of seducing an Elder, of tricking him into deviant
behavior. They were delusional enough to believe that Earl Ford would hand him
over for trial and punishment. Morgan defended the Elder’s rights as moral
guides for society and insisted Colin be tried. Earl Ford has been holding back
on Morgan for a long time now. This was the end of his patience.”
 
“The boy is only ten.” Jared couldn’t disguise his horror.
 
“It was a poor excuse for the rape of a boy and it is not the first occasion it
has happened. It is simply the first time it has happened to a family that
could make a difference. Earl Ford is a good citizen and of course he sent his
child by carriage, for trial.  He cannot be blamed for our subsequent attack,
on said carriage.
 
“So you didn’t kidnap him?”
 
“Technically we did. Morally, perhaps not.”
 
“Did you let Joshua suffer through the loss of his people just so he would
continue to take desperate last measures, so there will be no hint of this
ambush? It is a cruel thing to do, he is ill with defeat. Surely he would have
made pretense if he knew.”
 
“There are many who see through false actions and I am sure he would not be
negotiating with the Federated States if he knew. That is a good surprise to
return to. There is always a chance that Earl Ford or others will double cross
us and then we will need an ally or a haven.”
 
“Surely you will tell Joshua this night and then he will stop the
negotiations.”
 
“I shall not be telling him and neither will you. That is a command. When it is
all over and the Realm has different governance, it will be best if the Kingdom
was never known to be involved. I was never there.”
 
“How will you explain your long absence?”
 
“I shall tell him that we kidnapped your mother. It is not untrue.”
 
Jared was grateful he was already seated. The blood drained from his face and
he thought he would faint. “What will you do with her? Where is she? What did
you do? She isn’t strong enough Jensen, you will kill her.”
 
“Too many questions, Jared! We simply mean to keep her safe from thoughtless
retribution. She is frail but she has tenacity. My own physician is with her,
Jake Abel is by her side and we are hopeful we will see some recovery. She
needs to see you, it will help I think.”
 
“I am dead. The shock of my presence will stop her heart.”
 
“Her heart is perfectly strong Jared. It is the withdrawal of poisons she was
fed for so long that threatens to kill her. She needs reason to fight the
addiction that has formed.”
 
Jared's whole life fell into place in a single moment. Missing pieces and
unexplained events resolved to form a new story of his childhood and of his
Uncle. He knew with certainty where truth lay and that Jensen had not lied to
him. “I missed it. I was with her, I could have protected her from him. It was
my duty to protect her.” A terrifying thought struck him and he had to ask
“Meghan? What about Meghan?”
 
Jensen spoke gently, “We tried Jared. Really we did, and it is not hopeless but
Morgan is keeping her close. She is important to him and we could not reach
her. We won’t stop trying. Kane has a small band of loyal men. They will fight
till the last. We all will.”
 
Jared was unraveling, threatening to fall apart. The whole day, the evening,
this revelation, it was too much and he was going to shatter.
 
Jensen saw the first tremble, the moment it broke across Jared's face. He
gripped his slave’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes.  “Jared. You were a
child, even your brother was too young to have seen it; Not from where you
were. Not with the people that surrounded you. You are mine. You are strong
enough to get through all this.” He rubbed his slave’s arms gently. “You no
longer have responsibility, it is mine to take and I take it. I take it all. I
am going to make this right, whatever it takes.”
 
Jared’s hands shook so hard they tapped a noise upon the surface on which they
rested.  “I need…” he struggled with words and Jensen continued to stroke his
arms soothingly.
 
”What do you need? You can tell me.”
 
“Cuffs. I need cuffs. I need to feel safe, feel you.”
 
Jensen took a leather strip and some rope from his pockets. I’m going to use
this as a leash, tether you and tie your hands for a moment while I sort some
out. Will that be alright? Will it let you cope for a moment?” Jared clutched
at him but he nodded and blew out a breath.
 
***
 
Jensen kissed the skin on which the restraints would lie and fitted each with
care, tight enough for Jared to feel their security but not so tight they
marked. “Mine” he said as he closed each clasp. Jared calmed with the snick of
each lock. Jensen finished by peppering kisses over his slave’s face and around
the entire line of his collar. He nipped and sucked a deep purple bruise into
the flesh below his skin. “Mine and make sure Woolvett remembers it,” he
growled.
 
“Yours.”
 
“This collar looks amazing on you.”
 
“Joshua chose it, in your taste, Master.”
 
Do you like it? Shall we keep it?
 
“If it makes you happy then I like it too.”
 
Jensen smoothed the silver tag with his fingers. “I like you bearing my
initials. It is more personal than the brand.” He sat with Jared, holding his
hand and neither spoke for a while. Jared’s breathing steadied and Jensen saw
the black of his eyes return to their natural state as the effects of the
tincture finally receded. “Nobody should have given you anything to influence
your self control. I will not allow it to happen again. Do you understand? I am
going to take better care of you.”
 
“I understand. Will you punish me for my insolence, Master?”
 
“Do you think it merits discipline?”
 
Jared chewed at his lip as he struggled with his mixed emotions. He surprised
himself with the honest answer. “Yes I do, Jensen.”
 
Jensen looked unsure for a fleeting moment before he replied, “Very well, I
will think on it. You will report to me after breakfast. You will submit for
punishment and thank me for my consideration to teaching you manners.”
 
“Yes Master.”
 
“Good Boy. Now that you are back to yourself, do you remain content to spend
the night with Envoy Woolvett?”
 
“Yes. I think he only wants to speak with me.”
 
Jensen tugged at the loop on his collar, pulled him flush to his body and
tilted his head to place a kiss on his lips. Jared sighed and his eyelashes
fluttered as he closed his eyes and opened his mouth to the hot slick lips and
searching tongue. They kissed slow and wet, as Jensen stroked smooth circles on
his back. Jensen pulled away with low moan and a nip and suck to Jared’s bottom
lip
 
“I trust you Jared. Are you sure you trust him?”
 
“He’s an honorable man. I think he wants to rescue me. We have met before. I
never spoke much to him, Morgan was keen to forge some trade but the States
politely told us to go to the deepest pits of hellfire. Gordon was always nice
to me.”
 
“Do you want him to rescue you?”
 
“You rescue me,” murmured the slave. He leaned into Jensen and buried his head
into the fur and leather over the firm chest. Jensen took him back in his arms
and held him close, his chin resting on the crown of his head.
 
“We rescue each other Jared.”
***** Chapter 23 *****
He put a basin of fresh water to warm by the fire and bent to unlace Woolvett’s
boots, removing them with care and massaging the cramped, sweaty, feet. The
Envoy swirled his drink and stared into the burgundy fluid.  Jared finished and
came to rest on the floor beside him.
“Have you everything you need, Sir?”
“I’m more than comfortable, Jared, just a little fazed by your attentions. Have
you finished everything that you are supposed to do, or should I brace myself
for more?”
“I do whatever you ask of me.” Jared swallowed hard and resolved to end his
nerves. He would ask outright, “You are allowed to request anything of me.” He
raised his hand to the man’s thigh and stroked it. He watched his arm move,
taking care not to catch his leather cuffs against the man.  “Some would use my
mouth or have me in their bed. Is that your desire, Sir?”
There was no reply from the Envoy. Jared didn’t dare look up at the man, he
continued to concentrate on the gentle rhythm with which he caressed the strong
thigh and he let his fingers stray upward toward Woolvett's crotch. The silence
was unnerving. What if he’d read his intentions wrong. What if… 
 “Prince Jared, stop!”
His hand was pushed away and the slave stilled, he held his breath.
“I don’t want to do anything like that to you. You are a beautiful young man
but the thought of taking a slave does not excite me. This is not your consent
Prince Jared. However they may pitch it at you, it is manipulated behavior and
I cannot condone it.”
Jared breathed again.  “I’m not a Prince. Not even Jared any more. You should
call me Child.” The fingers of his right hand rubbed unconsciously across the
leather cuff on his left wrist.
“Will you be punished if I don’t use your body or if I continue to use your
proper name?”
“No, Sir. Our time together is private. I would not speak of it.”
“And if I hurt you?”
“Then I have my Master’s permission to run from here and return to him.” He
tried to sound confident but his voice was thin, “Do you want to hurt me?”
“No. Stars! No! I was curious. I have little understanding of the expectations
placed upon you.” The Envoy was quick to reassure him. “I had another purpose
in bringing you here. I would like to talk with you, to the Prince Jared.”
“You have questions for me?”
“I have heard King Joshua, I have listened to his promises and protestations.
There are things that I have negotiated, but nothing is agreed or signed yet.
The States has spent long years avoiding entanglement in this messy war and I
am about to launch us into a new stance. You have the opportunity to prevent
me. I would listen to your plea on behalf of the Realm.”
“I have no plea for the Realm. You should sign the agreement with King Joshua.”
Woolvett sucked a noisy breath. He reached to Jared’s face and tipped it up to
look into his own.  His other hand reached to the Jared's wrist, caught on the
cuff and held it. “They have held you captive, stripped and hurt you. I have no
concept of what you went through tonight, except it was rape, it was wrong and
it was torture. Look at you Jared! Jensen reminds you even now of his
ownership. I am asking you to give your own opinion. I will not turn to tell
your Master.”
Jared pulled his face from the hand, glanced to his wrists “It is my opinion.
Whatever I think of the Kingdom and my own situation is irrelevant. I cannot
support Morgan and his Elders. Sometimes a boil must be lanced and it is
painful. I don’t expect you to understand.”
“Did you ask to be Prince Jensen's slave?”
“There was a choice and it was my decision. It is a step up from being dead
which was Morgan’s intention, and the cuffs, Sir, they are my decision too.”
“You wish your people to go through what you have, to be under the rule of
slavers?”
“I thought that was your purpose in negotiation, Gordon. Surely the States will
not support that?” Jared was heated in his argument.
“What of the rest of the Realm. You would nevertheless ask us to stand against
them, to crush them. For what? Revenge against your Uncle?”
“They are already crushed by Morgan, by the Elders. The Kingdom is no worse.
Perhaps with your involvement there is hope for new structure all around.”
“Earlier, you told me that King Joshua was a liar. Do you think he will honor
an agreement that he makes with the States?” Woolvett searched the slave’s face
for tells.
Jared sighed heavily as he pondered the query, “I think you caught us at bad
time. What is between Joshua and his brother is personal. I don’t believe it is
relevant to Joshua’s standing as a King. All families bicker and bitch.
Everything I have seen of this family indicates that honor and duty guide them,
I think they will be obliged to keep their word, as bound.”
The Envoy laughed. “You are an optimist. How do you even do that right here and
now?”
Jared shrugged. “I cannot dwell on the other.”
“I can make it a stipulation that Jensen release you. I can take you with me.
Offer you sanctuary and freedom in the States. You're well educated and bright.
I can find you an identity and a position in government, one with excellent
reward and standing.  What we cannot do, whatever the outcome of this war, is
to help you to attain the throne.”
He frowned, he hadn’t thought on such an eventuality. “Why would you say that?”
“We are not offering our assistance for the sake of the Kingdom or the Realm.
It is a selfish need to retain the stability of this region. If we should
succeed in regaining some balance, then, honestly, it would be foolish to throw
that away by reinstating you.” He looked apologetically at Jared. “I like you
Jared, I have always thought that you were the one bright hope to stop this
madness but that ended with your death. It is a step too far for us to support
your reintroduction, alive, with the rumors that surround your participation at
De'ith. Add to that your apparent collusion with the Kingdom and obvious,
deviant behavior. Now, I have no issue with sexuality , nor does my Nation but
ask the citizens of the Realm to cope with it while wounds are raw and minds
still set and civil unrest is inevitable. It takes years of careful nurture to
erase such mindset. We could not entertain the risk.”
“I didn’t do what they said.” Jared needed him to believe it.
“I never thought you did, but it is politics and reputation. Please do not beg
me for this Jared.”
“I will not beg. I do not wish to have the throne. I never did. All I crave is
justice and safety for the people of the Realm.”
The Envoy reached for a bottle of wine, stilled the slave’s hand as he reached
to do it for him. He poured a fresh glass and put it into Jared's hand. “It
breaks my heart that it should take all this to find that you have the most
care for your people, yet you cannot be their King. We should look forward
though, celebrate your freedom.”
Jared looked perplexed, “The war is not won, it is not even certain.”
“No, but your freedom is. You should decide what it is you will do when you
reach our Country. You will be able to choose your own destiny.”
Jared faltered in his reply. He pictured miles of open countryside, doors that
led away, roads that stretched with unnamed junctions and a far off horizon. He
pictured strange faces and unfamiliar people. He saw it without Jensen at his
side and pictured loneliness. His heart raced, unruly and terrified. “I, I did
not say I would come.”
“Of course you will want it. Nobody will punish you for this. I will ensure
it.”
“No! I will stay. I want to be at Jensen’s side.”
“Jared, I know you feel a bond. I understand how the ownership process works
but it isn’t real. You should break away now, while you are able. The regret
will not last. You will see clearly in short time.”
“My vision is perfect right now, Sir.”
Woolvett circled him carefully, eyes oozing sympathy, like he was an injured
animal. “You can accompany us, settle in a new home. If Jensen truly loves you
he will follow and find you but I will be realistic, it will not happen and
soon you will not want him.”
It was a flawless argument. Jared remained silent, weighed the words and
pictured Jensen, riding in for him. He blinked and his mind produced other
scenarios. Jensen, bitter at Jared’s rejection, in the arms of another lover,
Jensen, dying in pain and alone. Jensen alone, defending Jared’s mother. He
would take what he could get with Jensen. Hadn’t he already decided that? His
fingers pressed the livid purple bruise on his neck, felt the sweet ache and
then reached to touch the smooth metal of his collar. “You cannot know our
relationship Sir. It suits me to stay by my Master’s side.”
“Love makes you blind, Jared.” 
“Then I shall let Jensen lead me.”
Woolvett shook his head sadly. “I believe you will Prince Jared.”
“It isn’t all bad.” The slave wanted him to understand.
“No, I will admit there is a difference in you and it makes me wonder. In all
the times before, when I met you, you were a quiet, pale thing. You stayed at
your Uncle’s side and repeated his words or stayed silent in your discomfort.
You were painfully shy. It is strange how Jensen’s collar has made you bold and
definite, strong enough to refuse my plans for you. I never imagined it could
work that way.”
Jared found a smile that reached his eyes, crinkled his nose and produced
dimples. “I am not constrained with heritage and expectation, I am free to be
myself with Prince Jensen.”
The Envoy smiled back at him. He raised his glass and clinked it against the
one that Jared held. “I’ll drink to that, Child.”
The slave’s smile became impossibly wide and his eyes sparkled with hazel, blue
and golden hues. He sipped at the wine, appreciating a sweet, flowery nose and
full rich flavor.
“Finish your wine Child and return to Jensen. I will not keep you from him. You
should have what you want tonight, you have earned it.”
Jared turned to Woolvett as he left the room. “Thank you, Sir. Sleep well.”
“There will be one more chance for your freedom in the morning Jared. Please
think on it.”
Jared nodded and smiled at the Envoy and shut the door softly.
***
Jensen’s rooms were cold and empty. Hope flung herself across the space and
attempted to climb his legs. Jared eased tiny points of pain from his ankles as
he extricated her claws and cuddled her into his arms. She left a trail of soft
fur on his skin as she rubbed against his face with a satisfied purr.
“I know how you feel girl. I’m glad to be back too.”
The little grey feline climbed to his shoulder and settled by his collar while
he lit a lamp, stoked the fire and turned down the bed. He couldn’t help his
disappointment at finding himself alone, he wanted strong arms and reassurance
and he especially didn’t want this opportunity to think about the things that
had been forced upon him, these last days.
His mind returned to cold floor under his knees and strangers’ cocks in his
mouth, to crude comments and unkind words, the smell and sound of sex all
around him, in him and over his skin. The details were foggy, faces unclear.
His lips were swollen and marked,his throat ripped, and dried come stiffly
glued strands of his hair. The things he had done should disgust him but he had
not stopped them, not even protested. His mind painted an outsider’s picture,
refused the reality, but his body spoke otherwise. He drew a scalding bath and
found the roughest cloth. He scrubbed at his skin until it glowed red with heat
and friction and he still didn’t feel clean.
Jensen found him there, scraped raw and shivering in soap-scummy water that had
faded to cold. He coaxed him out of the water, threw the softest towels around
him and dabbed him dry. He rinsed his hair and combed it through and shaved his
face smooth. He found a fragrant lotion and spread it carefully over the
irritated skin. There were no words just the punctuation of an occasional
chaste kiss on Jared’s skin as Jensen cared for him.
They lay side by side on the bed and Jared stared at the ceiling, watching
flickering shadows with unusual concentration.
“Joshua told me everything,” Jensen started.
Jared’s eyes flicked toward him and returned to stare upwards.
“You can tell me he’s my family. Protest in your sweet way but I will not
forgive him. I cannot forgive any of them.”
Jared showed no sign of attention.
“That arrogant, envious little freak colluded with Joshua to keep me in my
room, insisted my heath was poor and had you prepared to betray me and yet he
could not comprehend why I did not tell him my plans. He would not believe my
written word and neither would my own brother.” Jensen sounded lost.
Jared didn’t know what words could make things better. He reached his hand to
the older man’s and snatched it to him, curled his fingers into it so their
hands were entwined.  Jensen squeezed into the hold.
“Ethan did everything Josh asked of him. He had Alona entrap you, he accepted
the physician’ poison to have your co-operation, without a thought, not so much
as a query to its possible consequences. Almost killed Victoria and Chad,
almost killed you. My brother showed such gratitude for his loyalty,” Jensen
gave a dark laugh “he had Ethan whipped for failing to handle you adequately.
What sort of man does that Jared?” he paused for a moment. “My father would
have. He was that sort of man.”
“Morgan is that sort of man,” Jared commented, his gaze still firmly fixed on
the ceiling. “Your brother is nothing like Morgan. He has hardly had
opportunity to find his own way.”
“I cannot find any excuse for what he did to you. There is none.” Jensen turned
on his side to face Jared, he continued to clutch his hand.
 “Will Ethan be alright?”
“He was well enough to take you for Presentation, how do you even care Jared?
He is dead to me, but he participated in harm to Lady Victoria and Chad, it is
Misha he can never turn his back to. If he has a sense of self-preservation he
will leave with Envoy Woolvett. I shall not beg him to stay.”
Jared fidgeted and his leg came to rest, flush and warm against Jensen’s.
Reflection of firelight and slivers of dark still danced on the ceiling. “I
wasn’t brave. I gave them answers as soon as they asked. I did what Joshua
required without question. I had no loyalty or courage.”
Jensen pushed himself onto his elbow and looked down upon Jared’s face. “How
can you even say that? You were perfect. You gave me five days. You did as I
asked, everything except the one thing you couldn’t control. I have nothing but
awe for you. Chad too.”
“Chad is amazing and a good friend.”
“You are awesome.” His Master reached his hand to stroke the soft brown hair
that tumbled onto the pillow. He bent to lick at Jared’s ear and sucked on the
lobe before whispering into its shell, “You deserve a reward, some
compensation. Ask me for something, anything.”
Jared made a decision in a heartbeat and moved with rapid purpose. Jensen's
eyes startled, wide and vibrant green-gold as Jared rolled over him, hooked a
leg over Jensen’s thigh and an arm over his chest. Oval eyes with hazel orbs
looked down at the older man as his mouth covered the plush pink lips, begging
access. They kissed deep and lazy, slow suction and wet tongue exploring and
competing. Jared’s hand cupped his Master’s face, angled and controlled it, set
the pace and demanded the time.
They paused for panting breath and Jared finally found the words for his
request. “I want to stop being afraid. I can’t stop the memories. You told me
that it can be good, sex together.” He nuzzled at Jensen’s neck before
continuing, “I want you to give me good memories to cover the bad. I want you
to do with me what you do with Ethan. I want you to fuck me tonight, show me
how it is supposed to be. I want you to make me forget before, and all the
rest.”
“No Jared. Not gonna fuck you and it will never be like it was with Ethan.”
The slave drew back, with a sudden expression of hurt. “You said anything.”
“I have never loved Ethan like I love you. This will mean far more to me, be
much more than that. Never going to just fuck you, Child, I'm going to make
love to you, if you’re certain. Are you absolutely sure?”
He gave a tiny relieved grin, “M’sure, Jensen.”
Jensen let his hand trail over Jared’s neck and down to his body, he caressed
his chest and tweaked a nipple. “I won’t use restraints,” he said, “Not going
to hold you down, won't be your Master in this. I have nightmares sometimes, of
what I did to you. I can’t repeat it. I need you to be definite, I want you to
have control.”
“I trust you.”  
There were a few moments of silent hesitation, Jensen’s hand stilled and he
stared into nothing.
“Jensen. Jen!”
Jensen blinked and came back to himself. He looked up at his slave “You should,
I could. I mean, it might be better if, this time, you topped.”
Silky hair tickled at the freckled nose as Jared brought his head down and
kissed at his neck. The slave’s hand tangled into Jensen’s hair and fingertips
scraped gently at his scalp. A small moan escaped his lips as he felt Jensen's
length harden under his thigh.
“Do you prefer it that way or are you trying to escape responsibility?”
Jensen laughed and licked at the smooth shoulder playfully, “You know me too
well but I would, for you I would Jared.”
“No. It’s not going to solve our problems, not this time. I want this. I want
you to take care of me. You said anything.”  Jared’s fingers smoothed over his
face and rested on Jensen’s plump pink lips.
Jensen fluttered his eyelashes at the younger man and drew the bitten fingers
into his mouth, with hollowed cheeks. He suckled the digits with noisy abandon
and a wet tongue, before releasing them with a lewd pop. Jared’s eyes grew
brighter and a faint blush rose to his cheek as his cock twitched against
Jensen’s hip. Jensen untangled his hand from his slave’s hair and exhaled with
a faint growl. He put his palms firmly on either side of Jared’s neck and let
them move, fraction, by slow fraction over the skin in tandem. His fingers
trailed behind, splayed and curious for every variation in the texture and map
of this beautiful body.
Jared relaxed into the bright thrills of pressure on his skin, into the warm
touch and slow promise of Jensen’s hands. He moved in to kiss at the freckled
brow but the pressure increased and he found himself repelled and positions
reversed. Jensen kneeled over him, flashed a dazzling bright smile at him and
long fingers continued their traverse over his chest and down to his hips,
moulding into the dents that led to his abdomen and onto the smooth exposed
flesh where soft curled hair should have been. The big hands met there and
fingertips brushed lightly downwards to the base of his cock. Jared inhaled
with a squeak and pushed up against the touch.
“Not yet, not yet,” Jensen crooned, massaging his abdomen and over his hips,
dipping back to the half hard member that nestled under his splayed thighs.
Jensen's firm erection, red, swollen and magnificent bobbed against his
stomach, leaking pre-come and Jared couldn't help that his stare was drawn to
it.
“You’re scared, my Child.”  Warm hands restarted their journey and Jared felt
them firm on the outside of his thigh. Jensen shuffled backwards on his knees
to feel every knuckle and bump of his slave’s toes before beginning a slow
ascent back over knobbly ankle bone and firm calf, smooth leg and strong knee.
His fingers met again as he appreciated the gently trembling muscles of Jared's
inner thighs. Jared breathed heavily and reached to touch Jensen’s arms, stroke
his torso and tug at his hair. Jensen groaned at the touch.  “My good boy.”
Jared felt the blood rush and pool downwards, was embarrassed at such an
obvious reaction to the words. He saw Jensen look at his rapidly swelling dick
and smile before dipping his head down and placing a kiss on the tip. His
Master's plump lipped mouth continued kissing down the length of his cock to
the junction with his crotch and back up his body, stopping to lick into his
navel and suck at his hardened nipples, until finally they were flush to each
others' body with arms wrapped around each other and tongues locking in a deep,
lip-bruising kiss. Jared squirmed as perspiration started to shine on him and
slick their movements. They rutted there, high on kisses and touch, hands
tangled in the others’ hair, mouths wet and swollen, reluctant to part. He felt
the heat and sweet, nerve tingling sensation as their erections ground against
each other in a lusty need and he craved more of Jensen, more than this.  He
was moaning in short, high, needy bursts and he heard Jensen growl in his
throat. “Please,” he finally managed to vocalize.
Jensen slowed his rhythm and managed to stop for a moment. He looked down upon
Jared with glazed eyes and pink cheeks, a bead of sweat trickled over one
eyebrow. “Are you sure? You have to be sure.”
Jared wriggled for movement and rutted up to him. “M’sure. Moons, I’m sure
Jensen. Need this, need it. Please Jen.”
Jensen groaned, sex thick and aroused, he sucked a bruise just below Jared’s
ear “I like that, when you call me Jen. Gonna need plenty of oil and it’s going
to be uncomfortable, may be a little painful, just at first. Then we’ll make it
good. So damn good! You with me?”
Jared struggled to control his breath and speak, “I put it under the bed. I
used things, when you were away, know how it is Jen.” He thrashed his head to
the side as Jensen reached to stroke between his thighs, rested his fingers on
the taint between his balls and puckered hole,  “Oh, ummm.”
“Want to see you. Stay on your back.” Firm hands manipulated Jared, and he bent
his legs, spread them  willingly, opened himself fully for his Master, for Jen.
Slick fingers prepared him, slow and thorough between kisses and heated touch.
Jared caught an erect nipple in his mouth as Jensen leaned over him and sucked
at it greedily, nipped and licked it as he watched the tensed pleasure response
and heard the babbled words of mock censure. Fingers slid inside him and it
wasn’t an unwelcome intrusion and it wasn’t wrong. They worked his muscle open,
one, two, and then three. A finger crooked and brushed a bundle of nerves and
Jared arched and screamed, not for mercy, but for repeat. Jensen withdrew his
fingers with a teasing smile and covered him with his body. Jared felt blunt
pressure at his hole and for the first time he tensed and his eyes, sex-blown
and black widened in fear as he looked into Jensen’s face. He nodded though and
urged with cracked voice, “Do it, I’m fine, please, just do it.”
Jensen faltered and Jared could see fear reflected back at him, feel tension in
his body and a softening of his cock. Jared reached to the firm globes of
Jensen’s ass and pulled the man into him, “I trust you,” he reiterated and he
felt the older man relax, harden again and begin to push with him. He gasped as
he was finally breached. It was a burning, uncomfortable sensation but it sent
a frisson of excitement through his whole being and he wanted more.
Jensen let him rest for a moment, then began a slow, delicious slide until he
was full and balls slapped against his skin and Jared understood what it should
be, what it was to give himself totally and be given everything from another.
They stayed like that for what seemed an age, enough for more kisses, time for
Jensen to be reassured by Jared’s fervor. Then it started again, the steady
push-pull of raw affection, punctuated by  strangled cries and speechless
screams and moments of pure ecstasy as Jensen slipped over the pleasure center
of his prostate with deliberate movement and happy smirk.
Jared begged and pleaded but Jensen built to ragged senselessness, slowly and
it was perfect and enough and yet too slow and not enough for the youthful
vigor of the slave. Finally, finally, Jensen lost his control, pounded deep and
fast and Jared 's senses exploded with each thrust. Jensen reached to grab
Jared’s hand and put it on his throbbing cock. “Want you to come with me,” he
moaned throatily.
It took barely a touch before Jared was tightening in orgasm, fluid threads
streaming on his stomach, white-hot pleasure flowing through every fiber and
flooding him with fulfilment. His lips moved in unchecked truth, “I love you
Jen,” He felt Jensen tensing as his own muscles clenched around him and Jensen
came to the sound of Jared’s name being ripped from his own lips.
His master collapsed into him and pulled out gently with a wet squelch.  “Oh
Gods! That! You! Hmm.”  They were panting together, in time with the others’
hasty breaths.  Jared laughed in a happy endorphin rush, “You’re heavy. M’not
sleeping on the wet patch.” He wriggled from under Jensen onto the dry side of
the bed where he caught a brief glimpse of anxious blue eyes staring wide from
under a low table. He giggled and pointed it out to Jensen. “I think we just
destroyed her innocence,” he declared and then added, “ Thank you.” He snuggled
down into the mattress and backed into Jensen’s form as his eyes started to
droop.
Jensen poked him in the ribs playfully, “Don’t you dare fall asleep until I’ve
had the chance to cuddle you.” He made an icky sound as he sidled further to
spoon Jared and then flung the covers off and padded into the bathing room. He
grabbed some cloths and returned to clean Jared with gentle swipes and small
kisses. He folded a towel over the sticky patch and returned to the bed with a
satisfied sigh. “There, better,” he said. Jared’s breath was steady now and he
floated on a near-sleep haze as Jensen spooned him close, kissed all around his
collar and faintly whispered to him, “I’ve been in love with you since I was
ten Summers of age, Jared of the Realm.”
“I kissed a Prince and I liked it. I’m not afraid any more and we’re not
damned,” Jared spoke imperceptibly, a mere breath that Jensen could barely
hear, but his Master understood it anyway, and as he gave in to welcome
slumber, Jared felt Jensen's lips move into a smile against the hot, damp flesh
of his shoulder.
***** Chapter 24 *****
He woke, with a start, to the loving touch of fingers through his hair and a
kiss on his cheek. “Wake up, Jared.” 
There was the smell of coffee and the sun was established in the sky. He
realized with dismay that he had slept through dawn, disobeyed yet again.  He
threw the eiderdown off, rolled from the bed onto the floor and adopted a
posture of submission before speaking.  “I beg your forgiveness Master. I am
late for punishment.” 
Jensen was fully dressed. He stepped in front of his slave and all that Jared
could see of him were his shined black boots. He spoke formally and
authoritatively, “Plans have altered. It suited me to let you sleep, there will
be no punishment for this lack of punctuality.” 
“Thank you, Master.” 
“Jared. I want you to go and wait by the desk in my study. I want you to think
of the reasons why you asked for my discipline. Take your time. We have no
hurry to leave.” There was no softness in the tone, it was assertive and
controlled and Jared let the reassurance of it wash over him. 
He kneeled by the desk and wrestled with his thoughts. He wasn’t sure which
 moment, which breech of rules, was the most important to Jensen but if it was
important to his Master, he had to get it right. 
There was a flash of anger or maybe impatience that Jensen should delay the
discipline like this, he couldn’t see why it mattered. He had been insolent and
a slave is punished for such contempt.   
Jensen sat at his desk for a while, sorting through papers and searching
through items. As time passed his activity quietened and he sighed. “Jared, I
am not asking for details of why you are to be punished but rather the reason
why you acquiesce so easily to the notion of being punished.” 
“It is the rules Master. I merely wished to save you the discomfort of
commanding it.” 
“It is the rules if there is an ordinary Master and slave relationship but I
wouldn’t describe anything about our relationship as ordinary these last days.
Would you?” 
“No, Master.” 
“Do you truly believe that I would punish you for lack of co-operation in the
circumstances that I found you?” 
“I’m not sure, Master.” 
“Jared?” Jensen skirted the desk to perch on the edge of the desk. He lifted
his slave's face with his fingers and stared into the hazel orbs. “Really? Try
again.” 
Jared struggled with notion. 
“I’m going to find some clothes for you. Find an honest answer before I
return.” Jensen removed his hand and his slave dropped his gaze to the floor
once more and furrowed his brow as he concentrated on separating the turmoil of
his emotions. 
*** 
He raised his eyes, as Jensen returned to a wide bridle-leather strip on a
braided handle.  “I have decided to discipline you with ten strikes of tawse.
It will remain uncomfortable, as we shall be riding all day. Whatever you tell
me, the punishment will not alter and I will never divulge details of our
conversation to anybody. This is between us. Have you found an answer, Child?” 
“I think I have, Master.” 
“Go ahead.” Jensen nodded kindly at him. 
He spoke quietly, with irregular breath and uncertainty. “I asked to be
punished because I feel out of control. I want you to take control for me.” 
“Go on.” Jensen stroked Jared's face and then let his fingers stray to his
collar and tag, rubbing over the initials on the silver disc. 
“I want you to take the responsibility. The things I did, whatever I might do,
I want you to take them, the blame and the memories. I want to be in the
moment, just your slave, but to do that I have to accept your control, your
rules and your weaknesses.” 
“Why did your own insolence particularly upset you? Joshua and I were poor in
our judgement and it impacted on you. Surely you had a right to say your
piece?” 
“It was uncontrolled and publicly vented. I risked the future of negotiations
that would help your cause and mine.  It was your mistake to make, not mine and
I should have trusted you.” 
“It is difficult to trust a person who has repeatedly let you down Jared.” 
“I need this to work between us and I need the closure that discipline
brings.” 
Jensen kneeled to the level of his slave and looked directly into the nervous,
teary eyes. “When I went away you told me that if I returned you would have an
answer for me. You said that we would work out how to be together. Do you have
an idea of what you need from me?” 
“I need you to be my Master. I need you to lead.” 
“Is that all you ask of me Jared?” 
“If I am your slave then I have to trust you for the rest.” 
“I was hoping that you needed my love. It’s what I have to give you.” Jensen
looked disappointed but Jared couldn’t bring himself to confirm his own
feelings, not yet. Jensen continued, “I can tell you what  I need and you can
tell me, truthfully, if you think it will work for you. Can you do that?” 
“Yes, Jensen.” 
“Good Boy.” Jensen stroked the tawse as he spoke. “I want to be your Master, I
want to love you and I hope that you might grow to love me. I need what is
between us to be special, unsullied by others. I don’t want to take another to
my bed or take a partner and I never wish anybody else to lay a finger upon
you. Just me and you Jared and if you wish for another then I would ask you to
leave my service, I would have you return my collar and leave me.” 
Jared nodded affirmation, “Of course, but it is not my business if you choose
to take comfort in another. I know that you will want Ethan sometimes and a
wife one day.”
“No! Jared. You’re not understanding me. I don’t want any other. Ethan and I
are over, forever, and I will certainly never wish for a wife. That you wear my
collar gives me responsibility to guide you, to make the best of you. I need
you to grow in confidence by my side. I need you to be my equal. I need you to
wear my collar as a symbol of trust and commitment, in deference to the way in
which we choose to order our relationship but never to indicate that you are
less than me. You have become an important part of me Child, do not belittle
it. I cannot continue to be your Master if you will not accept a balance
between us.” He was bending the tawse in his fingers now. “I will discipline
you, not because it is my right or because there are rules to follow but
because you crave it. For whatever reason, you seem to need to give control, to
feel physical censure for your conscience. I cannot understand how you place
such trust in me but I want to be good enough. I will try.” 
“I don’t understand how a slave can be an equal, Master.” 
“You are no less for wearing my collar and accepting my guidance. Orders and
commitment are asked of soldiers and they are not slaves. Perhaps others will
not understand, but this is about making things work, just you and I. It is
nobody’s business but ours. Can we make some agreement to try to make it work
this way?” Jensen’s hands were trembling upon the leather as he looked intently
at his slave. 
Jared was shocked. It was far removed from any conversation he was expecting to
have. The words that tumbled from him had little in common with the gravity of
Jensen’s words “I searched your study. I damaged my hand, my hand is your
property,” he babbled guiltily. 
Jensen reached to take the bandaged hand, carefully in his own. He gave it a
kiss. “I already knew. Thank you for your honesty. I told you, your punishment
will not change Jared and it won’t. Do you have anything else to say?” 
“M’sorry. It was just, it has been bothering me, that I did that.” 
“I guessed.” 
“Yes. I mean yes, Jensen. I’d like to try things your way.” 
“Our way, Jared.” 
He nodded enthusiastically at the older man, “Our way, Jensen.” 
“Good Boy. Now! Stand and bend with your hands flat on this desk and your spine
straight. You will acknowledge the tawse with a kiss at the start and you will
thank me for your discipline after ten strokes.”  Jensen offered the thin
paddle to his slave and Jared placed his lips upon it as required. He braced
himself for the inevitable pain. Jensen traced a hand firmly down his spine and
caressed the firm globes of his rump, rubbing and warming them “It will hurt
but then everything will be over and forgotten and you will learn to take
control of your actions. This discipline is earned through insolence,
disobedience and for the damage of my property. Do you understand, Jared?”
“Yes, Master.” 
He raised his arm high and brought it down on Jared’s ass with a firm whack and
shocking pain. Jared’s heart raced and he gasped, his knees sank in an
ineffectual response, to avoid the impact but Jensen held him firm. A pink
stripe glowed in its wake and Jensen raised his arm once more. A second stripe
was added by the first to a soft whimper from Jared. With each strike he let
the red-hot pain take moments from him, the search of Jensen’s office, the
wanton damage of his hand, the fast spill of Jensen’s secrets, every touch of
strange hands and suck of strange skin. Betrayals and anger fell from him.
 Jensen took care to ensure that none of the strikes overlapped, he smacked the
paddle over his flesh in a solid, even rhythm. On the eighth stroke tears fell
silently over Jared’s lashes but it felt like forgiveness and he allowed
himself to fall into the moment. Jensen caressed the striped warm flesh lightly
“Almost over my Child.” He added the last two, no less firmly but a little
faster. He dropped the tawse to the floor immediately after the tenth strike
and reached to remove his slave’s hands from the desk. He took Jared in his
arms and folded him into his embrace. 
Jared collapsed, sobbing, into the warm care of his Master and accepted the
kisses that were placed over his salty teardrops. “Thank you, Master.”  His
sobs were heavy and broken- hearted, out of all proportion with the physical
glow of pain, but Jensen seemed to understand, he held him close until the
heave of his chest lessened and the tears stopped falling. Jared wiped his eyes
and sniffed. 
“Better?” enquired Jensen and kissed his brow. 
Jared sniffed once more and nestled his head against his Master’s shoulder. He
felt lighter of spirit. Whatever this new arrangement brought for him, he would
cope.“S’much better,” he confirmed. 
“Then we should take breakfast and ready for our journey.”
*** 
The clothes were heavy and hot and they itched. They were not the light
britches and shirt that Jared had worn to spar in and he had become unused to
such restriction. “Clothes are so uncomfortable,” he complained. 
 Jensen laughed as his slave pulled at the cloth and scowled. “Not three moons
ago you were shocked at the notion of being naked and now you whine because I
wish to clothe you. You are so very contrary Child.”
Jared grinned in acknowledgement and his Master adjusted the cloth at his
wrists to cover the leather restraint cuff that nestled close over his wrist
and then smoothed the lapels of his jacket so his silver collar gleamed in the
space between. 
“Why are we delayed?” asked Jared curiously. 
“There are promises we have made to the States. We will honor them before we
leave. Come on, we have to attend in the Main Hall.” 
Jared paled and Jensen took his hand and pushed the sleeve up revealing his
cuff, “Bad memories? I’m with you now. You’re safe.” 
“I should prepare. I’m not right Jensen.” 
“You’re perfect. Today, will change everything Jared and you are part of it,
you brought much of it. I am so proud of you.” Jensen kissed him, a mere ghost
upon his lips.  “From now on you are only naked for me and only if you wish to
be.” 
Jensen pulled him by the hand through the corridors, to stand at his side with
no kneeling, no distance or lowered eyes. Jared tried not to shrink under a
mass of disapproving stares. His Master squeezed his hand and rubbed his palm
in reassurance.
Lord and Lady Collins met them in the ante-room. Chad stood upright at Lady
Victoria’s side, dressed and grinning widely at Jared. They were all ready to
ride, even Victoria was in sensible britches and plain jacket. Jared took a
second glance at Chad, he looked somehow different, aside from being fully
clothed he no longer wore a slave collar and was visibly brighter and more
bold.
The large room filled with a mass of chattering bodies yet there was an
invisible line around their small group which nobody crossed. Jared looked
around and back at Jensen, “It looks like the entire Household is here,” he
said. 
“They are,” replied the older man. “Time to make changes,” he added
cryptically. 
Ethan entered the room, a shade before Mackenzie and Joshua, with Woolvett’s
delegation in tow. He looked about the room, searching for somebody and when
his gaze stopped on Jensen his eyes dropped and he appeared to shrink into
himself. Mackenzie spoke with him and he shook his head vehemently, refusing a
request of some kind. Mackenzie dismissed him with a short, impatient gesture
and continued over to Jensen. Her slave followed at the correct distance and
dropped to his knee when she stopped by her brother, with crossed arms and an
angry glare. “You need to speak with Ethan, Jen. He 's leaving because of you
and he is too scared to even say goodbye.  He doesn’t deserve it. Not that! Not
after all you had together. It's wrong to hurt him like this over a slave. Grow
up and apologize!” 
“He's an adult Mack. He made the choices and now he takes the consequences.” 
“He included my wife and my Boy in his petty jealousies Miss Mackenzie, so if
he comes near me, I will break his delicate neck,” menaced Misha, breaking into
their conversation. 
“Misha!” The Princess was taken aback at the interruption and looked aghast to
Chad, dressed and collarless by his side. 
“Leave it Mack!” hissed Jensen in warning. 
“Fine!” she huffed. “It is time. We have everyone gathered but one. Ethan
thought you may know of his whereabouts.” 
“Really, who would it be and why should I know?” 
“We cannot locate the Physician. His slaves are no help at all.” 
Jared noted the stone-cold smile on his Master’s face. “He won’t be attending,
Joshua should start.” 
“There is a stipulation. There can be no exceptions Jensen. Where can he be
found?” 
“There is no point in a dead man’s attendance. He really should have taken more
care mixing his poisons.” Jensen’s tone was ice and Mack reeled back from her
brother, wide eyed and horrified. 
“Jen. You can’t have. Joshua will…” 
Jared’s hand loosened grip on his Master’s as the words and their meaning sank
in. Misha and Victoria looked visibly shaken but Chad smiled, wide and smug.
Jensen leaned in to his sister and spoke with quiet purpose, “Accidents happen,
dear Sister and there is no evidence to suggest this was anything other.
The Princess pursed her lips in disapproval, shook her head sadly and turned
her back on her brother. “We should start.” 
Jensen grabbed to retrieve Jared’s hand and gripped it. He leaned in close to
his slave’s ear and whispered, “Breathe. Let it go, Jared.” Jared wondered if
he would ever really know the man. 
*** 
The gathering was solemn, Lords and Ladies paid respect to Joshua with formal
bow and pretty curtsies, Last in line was Jensen with Misha and Victoria. A
gasp was heard as they filed past their King with a nod of acknowledgement to
Woolvett but no more. There was the tiniest incline of Joshua’s head and he
raised his hand to silence the gasps and gossip. “Thank you for coming,” he
offered Jensen with grace, and for a brief moment the brothers locked eyes in
silent understanding. 
Jensen did not move to stand with his brother and sister on the small stage. He
rested casually by the wall and pulled Jared into him, circling strong arms
around his waist. Jared’s back was flush with him and he could feel the steady
rise and fall of his Master's chest and the warm exhalation of breath tickling
his neck. 
The announcement was unexpected and its reception mixed. Woolvett and his aide
stood in witness at the act of good faith that the Kingdom undertook. They
asked each slave in turn and in person, to give their own decision without a
thought for their Master or Mistress. Ethan took stance with the States’ men in
a new role, with responsibility for the safe passage of slaves who took
refuge. 
Genevieve was asked to make her choice first. She looked to the King with sad
reluctance but made the expected sacrifice so that others would follow.
“Freedom,” she said clearly and full of regret. “I will go.” Her fingertips
brushed against Joshua’s for the last time and she moved to Ethan’s side.
 Mackenzie’s slave followed her lead with more enthusiasm. Cookie pushed every
kitchen slave forward and threatened their heads if they did not take freedom
with the Envoy and he had to silence her when several chose to stay. She broke
protocol, with glittering eyes to demand that the King release their tenures
and remove their collars, so they could remain as servants and Joshua
reluctantly agreed.   
Jared refused freedom with clear voice and Woolvett lingered to repeat the
choice but the turn of his lip as he assessed the Realm’s Prince, in his close
embrace with Jensen, indicated that he didn’t expect otherwise. 
Chad announced, to the shock of the gathering, that Lord and Lady Collins had
already released his tenure but that he remained at their side, as soldier and
comrade. 
Alona was the last to be asked. She looked to Ethan and he begged her to go
with him. She ducked her eyes and shook her head. “No.” she said and Ethan's
face crumpled and his shoulders fell.
“What will you do?” he asked and Joshua answered for her. She understands your
job better than anybody Ethan, I am hoping she will accept the release of her
tenure and a position in the Household administration.”  In that moment Jared
didn’t think he had ever seen a lonelier person than Ethan. The chocolate eyes
clouded as the man nodded, faked a smile and congratulated her. “It’s a good
offer Al, really good.” 
Jared felt several wet drops against his head and he couldn’t be sure, but it
felt like Jensen’s tears. He turned to look up at his Master’s face, Jensen’s
eyes were closed. When the lashes re-opened on green–gold orbs, he wore a mask
of indifference. 
The terms were repeated for all to be clear, an immediate cessation to taking
new slaves, legislation to restrict the import of established slaves, a five
year plan for the release of all foreign-taken slaves and a ten year plan for
the complete abolition of slavery. There was a commitment to return some power
of government to the people within five years. In return The Kingdom would be
treated by the States as a free democracy and their laws would allow an
alliance. Even now their messengers rode hard to deliver the agreement to their
parliament and soldiers rallied to march. Jared recognized that it was a
drastic and brave change in policy that would force enmity with some of the
Kingdom’s former allies but it represented a new hope too. He nestled as close
to Jensen as he could achieve as he considered the magnitude of responsibility
upon the King Joshua's shoulders. He felt soft lips on the back of his neck as
Jensen kissed him, a subtle reassurance from his Master. 
*** 
They didn’t waste any time in starting out on their trek. They had been delayed
enough. 
His boots felt heavy on his feet as they squelched through soft muddied grass.
He breathed in and relished it. He had forgotten the feel of wind upon his face
and the sour-earth smell of stabled horses. He touched the ruby handled sword
at his side and felt his dagger in its scabbard. The stable lad assisted with
bridles and saddles with friendly efficiency and Jared could not help but pull
a memory of another stable lad a lifetime ago. He must have stopped in awe as a
familiar bay mare clopped into the yard and snickered her recognition. He
welcomed her soft nose into his arms and let her blow thick equine breath over
his face, “Hey, Girl!” 
“I kept her safe for you.” His Master stood close, respecting the moment. 
“Thank you.” Jared flung his arms around the older man and squeezed him briefly
and the stable lad pretended not to notice. “Thank you, Jensen.” 
There were others readying for a journey at the opposite end of the stables.
Jared caught a glimpse of Ethan turning to look at Jensen as he saddled a
dapple-grey mare. Jared took his Master by his elbow. “Jen, if I ask you to do
something will you consider it for me?” 
“You know I will.” 
“Say goodbye to Ethan. Give him that at least. Let yourself have that.” 
“Why do you ask the one thing I can’t do Child? I cannot forgive him.” 
“He did what he thought was best for you, Jen. It was wrong and it was warped
but his intention was good. You don’t have to forgive him, just acknowledge
that he mattered to you once, that you keep the good times with you.” 
“I’m not sure I can.” 
“He got me through it you know, the first days when you left me. He gave me
cover when you left me cold, he bathed my wounds and he rescued me from your
cage. He screwed up and hurt me, maybe he’s bitter with me and I acknowledge
that but I don’t forget the rest Jensen.” 
The green-eyed Prince scrunched his face up and scowled at him, “I hate you,”
he stated half-heartedly, “Wait here.” 
Jared didn’t intrude on their privacy, he strapped his pack and checked his
bridle. He talked to his girl and smoothed her mane. 
Jensen returned to him in lighter mood, he gave him a kiss and a playful slap
on his rump and Jared jumped and hissed at the discomfort. “I said you’d feel
it all day.” his Master laughed.
As Jared stepped into the stirrup and swung to his saddle he asked the question
that had been puzzling him deeply “Why did you allow Joshua to make such
stringent promises, to put so many changes in place when you know you may not
need their aid?”
Jensen looked, surprised, as if the answer were plain and obvious, “Because
they are good changes, ones that needed to be made regardless of alliances.
Because Joshua may not have had the courage to make them unless he was pushed.”
“Sometimes your deviousness concerns me Jensen.”
“Sometimes it scares me too, Jared.”
They rode out, a party of five, across a drawbridge that crossed a ravine,
through makeshift tents and bundles of displaced humanity and then they were
alone in an empty landscape with a wide open sky stretching before them. Jensen
stayed close to his slave, his horse a mere step away. Jared’s collar and cuffs
molded to him in the snug safety of Jensen's ownership and he let himself look
at the lay of the land, the curve of the hills and the colors of earth. He saw
the subtle sway of the trees and felt the breeze that created it. He heard the
crows with their discordant caws and the distant babble of a brook.  He saw the
landscape , felt it, heard it and tasted it. He did it all with his Master by
his side and a collar curved about his neck, and yet he had never felt so free.
***** Chapter 25 *****
They traveled in silence, took back routes and skirted settlements. The pace
was fast and nobody fell behind. Lady Victoria and Chad rode as competently as
any soldier Jared had met and both kept a bow and quiver on their back. As the
day wore on Jensen pulled over and waved the others on. He dismounted and had
Jared stand by him. He reached into his pocket and produced a small key. “By my
estimation we are into no-mans land by now. We could run into Morgan’s men any
time." He gave his slave a sympathetic look, "We have to take your collar off,
Jared.” 
Jared chewed at his lip, he hadn't considered its removal, it felt like
nakedness and vulnerability. “I have brands Jensen, you cannot take them away.
I’m not ashamed to be yours, I can cover it with a scarf but I shall keep it
on.” 
“We will have to cut into civilization soon. It's dangerous.” 
“It is all dangerous. The solution is to get them before they get us.” 
“You would fight? This is your own people, Jared.” 
He glanced to the sky and landscape and calculated the hours. “Jensen, these
are your villages and your citizens. If a soldier chooses to dishonor our
ethics of occupation, then a civil war may not have begun but he has already
chosen a side and it is not the Queen’s.”  He wound his scarf around his neck
for a third time and slipped his boot back into his stirrup. “Yes Jensen. I
will fight. This is my family and our honor and I will not have it further
destroyed.” 
They followed a river as it grew and widened, ran fast as it wound its way
South, and soon there was no option but to cross. The bridge was on a well-used
route, through a thriving market community. They paused to hide weapons and
check that Chad and Jared’s brands were sufficiently hidden by their clothes.
Jensen rewound Jared’s scarf to his satisfaction. 
They smelled the town before they saw it. Chad paled and looked sick. Misha,
Victoria and Jensen set their faces and gripped their reins over-tight. Bodies
lay rotting and fly infested in the muddied roadside. There was no specific
target, the dead were collared and uncollared, young and old, children, parents
and grandparents. Jared recalled the day Jensen had taken him, the care taken
to reduce fatalities and bury the dead with respect, and his bile rose, sick
with guilt. His pace slowed as he found himself unable to turn away. He
mentally cataloged the sights, tallying the numbers. His armies, his
responsibility. “They should have a burial.” 
He felt a brush against his leg as Jensen drew in close. “Its not you, Jared.
Not your fault, not your responsibility.” 
“My Realm.” 
Jensen was firm with him. “Button it up and listen to me Jared. It’s wrong.
It’s not under your control or mine. You ride, you keep pace and you put it
away until you need to use it. Then you take out whatever sons-of–bitches you
need to, in order to complete the task and stop it all. Understand? Answer me!”
 
“Yes, Jensen.” Jared pulled his gaze away and straightened, he quickened his
canter to return to pace.
They recced the bridge from a vantage point, counted six soldiers, two elders
and only four citizens, none of whom were being granted access to the bridge,
one citizen appeared to argue and was summarily cut down, the three remaining
civilians backed off and left the way they had come.  A brief sortie to the
outer limits indicated supplies and horses for around 50 soldiers in occupation
and Jensen's small group hid themselves well to discuss their options. The
river was in full flood so there was no hope of successful crossing through it.
There were no other bridges or fords within a reasonable distance and bribery
looked to be off the cards.
“If there’s a fuss we’ll be overrun in no time,” said Misha. 
“So we need to be quiet.” 
“Freakin’ silent, and invisible,” added Chad. 
“We need a distraction,” said Jared. He unwound his scarf, opened his lapel to
show the shiny metal of his collar and grinned at Jensen before speaking again.
“An archer either side,” he nodded at Misha and Victoria, “Two head to head and
one distraction. How many should I get away from the bridge?” 
“No!” hissed Jensen. “That isn’t an option.” 
“Why not?” Jared spoke decisively, “You know it’s our best chance. They won’t
be expecting it in the chaos. I'll just be one of hundreds of slaves on the
run, hoping for rescue."
“It makes sense,” said Misha.
 Jensen shook his head but he wasn’t convincing. “I could be the distraction,”
offered Chad. 
“I’m better able to defend myself alone, I’m the better swordsman and you all
know it.”
" Execution is summary, there have been too many incidents. Will they even stop
to ask?” wondered Victoria. 
“I’m a rich man’s slave, that much can be seen. They’ll want information first.
They’ll take me to the billet.” He nodded to the area that seemed be
commandeered for troops. 
“If they get you there, you’ll be lost. I need you. We need you,” complained
Jensen.
 “There are blind spots, I won’t let them get me that far. We need over the
bridge or everything falls apart. Trust me Jen, please.”
 Jensen pulled on the tag of his collar and kissed him, brief but passionate.
“I trust you. Don’t take any unnecessary risks. You are not permitted to get
injured or killed.” 
“No, Master,” Jared returned with a cheeky salute. 
He rode fast, with no finesse, his bay was puffed and had no stirrups or
saddle, just a poorly fitted bridle which he gripped with his bandaged hand. He
pulled up, too sharp, barely avoiding being dismounted and slid from the horse
to reach for the soldiers with desperation. 
There were quick-drawn swords and a flourish which he ducked with lucky reflex
and Jared was forced to consider his lack of real-life experience as cold steel
cut through air toward him. He made to draw his own hidden weapon but there was
a sharply spoken order and activity ceased as the senior officer stepped up to
survey the breathless and panicky slave. 
Jared hunched his shoulders, looked through disheveled hair with wide,
childlike eyes and spoke in stuttering nervous gasps, indicating towards the
hills and dense woodland. He didn’t let anyone see the sigh of relief as a
single soldier and one of the Elders gripped him by the elbows to lead him
away, with the other Elder following. He had hoped for two of the enlisted men
but this would do. He staggered and let them take his weight. 
“Nice collar. Do you fuck him? Does your Master play with his pet?” the Elder
gripping his right arm spoke with a leer and gave a deliberately harsh pinch to
Jared's flesh. The soldier holding his other arm laughed and dragged hard on
him. Jared gritted his teeth, hid his rage and kept his eyes low, but he didn’t
miss the obvious discomfort of the other religious man at their behavior.  
They passed into a muddied gulley between homes. Water ran rancid-red into the
stinking drain and smoke curled from smouldering houses. “What happened here?”
asked Jared.
“What do you care? Faithless varmint and deviant evil happened here. They were
judged and found wanting.” It was an ugly sneer on the Elder’s face.  
Fully hidden, between charred walls, Jared acted, doubled over, faking pain
with a cry, and palmed his dagger. The soldier first, he thought. The Elder on
his arm would take longer to react. Every instinct told him that the other
robed man would be soundless in his shock. It was all he had and possibly his
only chance. He straightened with frightening speed and strength, pulling the
surprised warrior into a deadly embrace. His knife tore easily into the flesh
between ribs to rupture the black heart with an upward twist and a cry muffled
by the closeting hug. He pulled his blade out with a sickening squelch and
kicked the body backwards with relish. There was an audible gasp from both
Elders and he acted instantly to shake off the firm hand of the cruel Elder, to
grasp at his head with a palm over his mouth and wrench it with the satisfying
snap of bones. Adrenalin flooded his body and he panted in sick pleasure, over
his deeds.
The other religious man stood agape and trembling. Jared thought he looked
young and lost. It was a smooth move that had him in Jared's arms, mouth
covered and dagger to his throat. “Sorry,” he said, as he pressed sharp edge
into delicate skin. He froze, his anger was fading with the cooling shame of
the bodies at his feet. He wasn’t sure how many moments they stood like that.
The young cleric didn’t struggle, he licked his lips and spoke against the
restraining fingers. “My sister is a slave in the Kingdom.”  His voice died to
nothing and gathered strength again as he began to pray, a hopeless plea for
the Gods’ forgiveness and Stars’ care. 
Jared couldn’t complete the task. He span the man around, “If you don’t believe
them, if you cannot stomach their deeds then it is time to find others and stop
them. In that there may be redemption.” He swung a clenched fist direct to the
cleric's chin and watched as the man sank onto oozing mud. 
He sensed presence of another without a glance. Jared's steel was unsheathed
and raised before he was even half turned to this new adversary. 
“Predator!” Jensen leaned casually against a blackened post, blood was
spattered over his jacket and hands but it wasn’t his own “What are you doing
with that?” He nodded to the Elder who was struggling to his feet with his hand
clutching his chin and his feet sliding back into the mire.  
“He’s not going to give us away,” Jared glared at the man, “Are you?” He
sheathed his sword as the man shook his head in mute fear.
“Come on then,” Jensen grabbed Jared’s hand and pulled. 
The river raged beneath the bridge as they crossed. Bodies of silently-fallen
soldiers sank and drifted with the current and Jared offered a quiet prayer for
their souls. 
*** 
They stopped high in the barren stones of the hills. Weary and hungry, they
watered and tended their horses before sinking to the ground by a roasting-warm
fire. Conversation was sparse as they ate their basic provisions. Misha, Chad
and Victoria bade them goodnight and retired to the lee of a large rock, where
they cuddled together, sharing blankets, warmth and affections. Jared pretended
not to hear the soft sighs and suckling. He pasted himself to Jensen’s side and
let the older man cuddle him close. They shared mugs of steaming coffee and
stared at the stars. 
“You still pray to them, your Gods and your stars. For a time I thought you
lost your faith but today you prayed,” Jensen spoke softly. 
“From the start, I prayed for you,” replied Jared, “I still do.” 
“Did you pray for me to lose my deviancy?” The older man asked. 
“At the beginning I did. I prayed for lots of things, even when I believed us
damned.”
“And now?” 
“I pray for the people. I pray for my family, I pray for us. I pray that my
temper does not lead me. Those things I did today, I was so angry, it became
fulfilling and that has to be wrong. I am inexperienced and I let my ire
overtake me.” 
“It was righteous anger Jared.” Jensen pulled his hands into his own and
smoothed his fingers over his slave’s restraints, “You saved the one that you
could, you spared him where others would not and your instinct was correct, no
alarm was raised.” His Master looked thoughtful, “I think your Gods look after
you still. Perhaps, with all of your pleas, they look out for me too.” 
“I believed we were lost to them for a time, but now I’m not sure. Maybe they
do care for us still.” 
Jensen dropped his hands to take his slave's face and tilt it to his own. He
leaned in and kissed him, and Jared’s lips parted to let him in. He withdrew
briefly, “Your Gods may want to avert their eyes around about now.” 
Jared chuckled, “They might enjoy it.” 
Jared let Jensen lead, he submitted control to his Master, took the desire and
the comfort of it in firm touches and loving caresses, in the heat and need,
the wet suction and sweaty hot slide. They let the wind carry their cries of
pleasure and the moons light their naked motion. The stars glistened their care
over their love as momentum gathered and peaked in grunted orgasms and an
outpouring of whispered endearments. Jared collapsed boneless into the firm
hold of his Master. Even in the deepest of his sleep Jensen didn’t relinquish
his hold on his slave. Jared slept there, under a great, wide, unending sky
clutched close and safe in strong warm arms. 
***
Morning was cold and damp, the hot coffee welcome and strong. 
“How much further?” asked Jared. 
Misha answered, “We will be there by noon if we meet no resistance.” 
Victoria clarified, “Most Realm troops have moved up and through. They see no
gain to stay in the Southern Borderlands.” 
“But Jensen always had purpose here. I remember he told me that.” 
Jensen sat beside him, placed an arm round his waist. “Morgan underestimates
the landowners there. They have always aided us.” 
“Why?” 
“There has been a network, an escape route, in place for several years. One
that brings deviants and other political refugees, safely from the Realm into
the Kingdom. Sometimes we took slaves too. It soothed my father’s opinion and
gave the network cover. Besides, many did not have the food on their table to
live here and sons are lost as fodder in Morgan's ranks.” 
Chad interrupted. “Jensen started it and kept it open.” 
Jared leaned into his Master’s embrace. “I misjudged you.” 
“You were supposed to. Every village we terrorized we offered the choice. It is
an excellent measure of the caliber and leaning of the town seniors. We found a
lot of friends and learned our enemies well.” 
“My mother is with friends in that network?” 
“Yes. She’s with people we can wholeheartedly trust.” 
“Thank you Jensen.” He kissed his green-eyed warrior gently on his neck. 
They packed up efficiently and rode through thick mud and driving rain. They
picked their way over rough terrain to avoid patrols and stray soldiers. Twice
they stilled like statues, behind cover, as marching men and horseback officers
passed them by. 
A few miles from their destination Jared brought his bay mare beside Jensen’s
steady stallion. “I don’t understand Kane’s involvement. You said he didn’t
betray me but was he always with you? Was it his way to remove me from Morgan?”
Jensen looked at him, steady in his green gaze. “No.” His eyes shifted away in
guilt, “I used you as leverage, to bargain with him.”
“He wouldn’t have done that.” 
Jensen rubbed a hand across his eyes. “He woke up and I showed him your
injuries. Doc Grey, my own physician, explained your fever and I told Kane I
could let you suffer and die or we could cure you and keep you safe, away from
my father and safe from Morgan. He chose the latter and we came to an
agreement. Your fever was useful to me, I had  enough personal snippets of your
life to convince him of my care for you, to keep him co-operating. He trusted
me.” 
“You made me a slave, how is that care?” 
“You were already a slave when we made the agreement. I simply hid the
evidence. And I paid for it the day he saw you in the Square, he saw what I had
done, what you had become, and he laid into me, would have killed me if it
hadn’t been for James.” 
“And Jake?” 
“Kane commands him for now. I ask for his assistance. He was Morgan’s man but
he could not go through with the final betrayal, so he settles for working to
ease his conscience. He’s angry with me too. I seem to have that effect.” 
“I don’t understand. Why do you still work together?” 
“We may not be on the same page but we found that we were reading the same
book. Our goals coincide, so they deal with the devil and pray for your soul.” 
“I am still alive,” conceded Jared. 
“Your body has been ravaged and your soul is tarnished.” 
“My soul is just fine and my body is recovered.” 
“You have been reading.”
“You left it for me to see.” 
“I did. I’m a coward.” 
“I’m glad, Master. It was painful but necessary.” 
Jensen showed some surprise at the use of the affectation and Jared gave a shy
smile. “Surely I remain yours, even here, since it is what I wish?” 
“You remain mine, wherever we are and for as long as you want Jared, but surely
you will not want that with your mother. We will remove the collar and
restraints for now.” 
They were reducing to a fast walk, a manor loomed, lonesome and imposing upon
the moor. Around its location, in the distance, specks of activity could be
seen as their party was spotted. Jared was aware of the cold run of rain down
his neck as his cape reached saturation and his feet were damp and chilled.
“No,” he said. “Of all the people I might lie to, my Mam is not one. She will
have me as I am, as I have become and am content. She will know that I..” he
paused, “ .. kept a promise, and I came to care for the Prince of Adomisa, that
I wish for a peaceful solution to this war.” 
Green eyes bored into him and Jensen appeared to have an argument to return
 but he simply dug his heels into his stallion's flanks to encourage it on and
replied with a short, “As you wish, Child.” 
They were welcomed by earnest ostlers and bustling maids. Warm drinks were
served next to a roaring hearth and cloaks and shoes set to dry. They were
introduced to the Lord and Lady of the Manor. Steve and Sophia were cheerful
and welcoming but their gaze fell to their Prince’s collar and they moved their
eyes away in discomfort as Jensen reached to stroke Jared’s face and tangle his
hand through his hair. Jared leaned into the touch and responded with a brush
of their fingers, regardless of their opinions. 
Jake came for him, blue eyes unable to meet his hazel gaze. He stared at the
collar, before turning away, his discomfort obvious. Jensen followed a few
steps behind them both and Jared couldn’t help feeling that was the wrong way
around, but his Master insisted. 
Jake spoke, “Your mother is awake, Your Highness.” 
“I’m not a Prince any longer Jake. It is plain Jared or Child.” 
Jake bristled and scowled, “You will always be our Prince, Sire.” 
Jared was firm but not unkind, “Then take my orders and call me by my name, as
I wish it to be.” 
The soldier nodded affirmation and opened the door to a darkened sick room with
a cheery fire and blankets stacked at the end of a generous and comfortable
bed. A woman was propped against a pile of soft pillows. Thin and pale, her
hands shook as they held a short novel and she squinted at the words on the
page. 
“Mam,” Jared spoke softly, afraid to break the spell that had his mother in
this room with him. Her hair was ragged and greying and the eyes that squinted
were the palest of hazel surrounded by reddened rims in sallow, lined, skin.
Her thin, cracked lips pursed as she registered the word and she looked up for
the source of it. She found his face and stared into it without emotion, as if
she wouldn’t allow herself to believe it. He stepped forward with slave-soft
steps and grace, let the light catch on his profile and reflect on the sheen of
his collar, “Hey. So, it’s me Mam.” 
She tipped her head to one side and surveyed him properly. Her eyes filled with
tears as a sad smile arced her mouth, “Jare. Is that really you? They said you
lived, that you would come. Is this real?” 
He stepped the rest of the way and sat on the side of the bed. He reached out
his hand and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Feel me. I’m solid. I left De’ith
and I did not die. I met someone and they kept me safe, much as they have with
you.”
She clutched at him, ran her hands over him and cupped his face. She settled a
finger on his collar and gasped, looking to him for explanation.  “This can’t
be. You are to be King. You are my son, it isn’t right Jared.”
“You think I am wrong? Would you have me dead rather then deviant?” his face
crumpled and his shoulders fell.
“No, darling, you misunderstand me. I always knew you were different.” Her
voice was starting to fade and her grip loosened but her fingertips slid to the
engraved tag and smoothed its cold metal. “You are nobody’s property, no toy to
scrape before another man’s throne.”
“I’m not, Mam!”
“He’s not! Never that!” It was an indignant rebuttal. Jensen stepped up, solid
and reassuring, from the shadows behind Jared. He placed a hand on Jared’s
shoulder, squeezing it lightly.
“It was a fair won battle, I took a choice and keep my promise. I do not regret
it, Jensen is an honorable victor.”
“There were others he saved by it, Your Majesty, your citizens. Jared is
bursting with courage and that light will not be extinguished in him.” His
Master was answering the Queen but he talked to his slave, looking at him with
an open expression of awe, as if he were the only person in the room.
The Queen tugged Jared into a tight hug. “Oh! My baby.” Tears flowed freely
over her cheeks and Jared could pretend the wetness on his own face was hers
but his eyes glistened and pooled. She grasped him by his elbows and pushed him
back again to get a better look at her son. “Such a bright light,” she murmured
and sank into the soft, silk-clad pillows with a pained frown.  “You’re not
coming back for the throne, are you?” she asked.
“No.” He answered her softly. “No, there is too much gone past. I am no longer
the prince who was a ghost within the Palace walls. I am dead to our people and
it is best I remain so.”
“So why do you come to me? Why does my enemy’s brother tease me with your
presence?”
“You misjudge Jensen, Mother. He keeps you safe so you can recover. You will
not abdicate for me and in natural progression Meghan will succeed you.”
“Jared? No! You can still return.” Jensen patted his hand on the younger man’s
shoulder, let his hand trail and rub at his arm.
“No, Jensen, I can’t. I’m not what the Realm needs." He hadn't discussed his
conversation with Woolvett and didn't want to divulge it here and now. "It’s
alright because it has the appropriate person and she will recover. That is why
I came all this way, to ensure my mother recovers her health, and she will.” He
gave his mother a stern gaze with the barest twinkle of fun in it.  “That’s
right, isn’t it Mam?”
 “You love him don’t you?” she was looking directly at Jensen. 
They answered in unison, both thought the question was directed to them. “Yes,”
they said and Jensen startled at Jared’s reply with wide lashes over green-gold
eyes and the formation of a round O with his plush pink lips. Jared shrugged,
turned dark lash-lined eyes to him, “I can’t lie to my mother.” 
The Queen smoothed a hand over her son’s fingers and gave a wistful smile. “You
sacrificed yourself and I never considered such an interpretation. I think the
darkest hour is through,” she paused and yawned, “extinguished in your
radiance. Hold onto him Jared,” she nodded at Jensen, “because you will be
loved in his grace.” 
Jared didn’t understand the choice of whispered words but she was relaxed and
serene. Her book dropped from the bed with a thunk and she closed her eyes and
drifted into sleep with her hand fixed on Jared’s arm. Jensen moved an armchair
close and they sat to watch over her in the curtained, cozy room.
***** Chapter 26 *****
Jared placed a kiss on his mother’s forehead and smoothed her brow. He moved
from the bed to kneel on the floor beside Jensen. His eyes met Jake’s glass-
blue gaze across the room and he gave a smile designed to reassure. 
Jensen tensed then his hand twitched, relax, and Jared settled. He sat
comfortably stretched with his legs bent slightly at the knees, leaning into
Jensen. He breathed in the older man’s scent and let his hand and head rest on
the firm thighs, allowing the thick fabric of Jensen’s traveling pants to
scratch against his cheek. His fingers absently padded into his Master’s leg.
Jensen returned the gesture with a steady scrape of fingernails into his scalp,
through his thick, tangled hair. 
“You love me? Really? I thought I’d misheard before, or it was in the moment.”
Jensen spoke with a sense of wonder. 
“Yes. Really.” Jared lifted his head to look up at him and continued his
padding. 
The loud crash of a chair tipping to the floor interrupted them. Jake stood,
his lips were drawn into a thin line and his eyes glittered with unspoken fury.
The soldier retrieved the chair, set it upright and paced back and forth across
the room. The Master and his slave watched for a few moments then Jensen broke
the silence. “Jake, you may leave the room if we make you uncomfortable.” 
“And leave you alone with our Prince under your spell and our Queen in your
reach? I think not.” 
“How dare you speak to me like that!” 
“You are not our Prince. You hold no rank here and our Prince refuses to
acknowledge his responsibility.” Jake was being churlish. 
A single movement silenced Jared before he could respond. “Are you saying you
don’t trust the man you keep calling your Prince?” 
Jake's lip curled in a snarl, “We don’t trust you. It extends to Prince Jared
while he is in your enthral.” 
Jared struggled with the instruction to remain quiet, he couldn’t believe what
he was hearing. 
Jensen scoffed and raked his eyes over Jake’s frame. “You’re not even
disgusted, you’re jealous.” 
A red flush crept from Jake’s neck to the high points of his cheeks. “My
feelings aren’t important. You lied to us, betrayed our trust. I answer to
Captain Kane and serve my Queen. I will carry out my orders, as instructed, and
 I am ordered not to trust you.” 
“I misled you! Jared was always safe!” Jensen paused, “Mostly.” He chewed at
his lip, rubbed at his neck and cast his eyes down. 
“Prince Jensen, you offer a so called ‘solution’ but you are the enemy of this
Realm and will be until Treaty is reached. You’re starting this dogfight with
our troops on your threshold. It would be easy for you to wait on our turmoil
and walk into our doors. How much easier if you have our Sovereign?” 
Jensen had tensed again, coiled to strike and it was Jared’s turn to provide
comfort. He grabbed at his Master’s hand and kissed his fingertips, smiled up
at him. Jared had been given the opportunity to collect his thoughts, “Let me
speak, Jen.” 
Jensen sighed and gave wordless permission. 
“As I recall it, you betrayed me, Jake. You must have known Morgan’s
intentions. We had an entire evening together and you said nothing.” 
Jake pouted, “I didn’t do it. I didn’t leave your side. You rode off and left
us to fight alone.” 
“I rode after the scout, I was preventing our discovery but you could have
prevented everything.” 
“Morgan would have killed all of us, if we returned.” 
“So, overall it worked out well. We survived and we had our eyes opened to our
true allies and enemies. The Gods watched over us.” 
The surprise at Jared’s statement was clear. “How can you even say that? The
Gods damned you a long time ago.” 
“Have faith, Jake. I will not allow anybody to hurt my own mother and I will
always have the citizens of the Realm in my heart.” 
The blond soldier shook his head and sat back down. He wiped a sweaty palm
across his pants. “How do you even do that, have faith? Are you truly content
to be this way?” 
“I have more knowledge than you and yes, I am happy this way. I can see why you
do not trust us and would watch us at every turn, but Soldier, we have to work
together and we may as well be pleasant.” There was more command in his tongue
than he intended and Jake straightened and gave the ingrained response, “Yes,
Sir.” 
Jensen smirked and returned his hand to massage Jared’s shoulder slowly. They
all returned their attention to the unconscious Queen. 
*** 
The Queen didn’t recognize Jared when she next woke. She thrashed in her fever
and called for her nursemaid to bring her young children. She squinted at
Jared's collar and asked where the King was, asked if her lover was angry and
cried when he would not come. Jared took her hands as she trembled and called
him a good boy, begged him to fetch his Master. Jensen assisted his own
physician in preparing a cold herbal wrap and helped to apply it. He slid an
arm around Jared’s waist and pulled him close as they stood by her bedside and
waited for the delirium to subside. 
Evening gave way to still night and Sophia rapped at the door and let herself
in. Jared was curled on the floor, wrapped in a blanket at Jensen’s feet.
Jensen lolled his neck in an awkward position in his chair, mouth open in his
slumber. She crossed the room to her husband who had taken over Jake’s vigil.
 Jared opened one eye and watched her progress and closed it again as Sophia
gave Steve a passionate embrace and kiss.
“Early report,” she whispered to him, “Morgan and Ford will meet at dawn. Our
troops stand ready.” 
“Thanks. You alright?”  He hugged her tight and kissed her again. 
“Yeah. We should get them somewhere comfortable. Tomorrow will be tough on
them."
“Are we secure?” 
“As safe as we can be. It’s never going to be perfect but everyone is on
alert.” 
Jared let himself be shaken to wakefulness. Sophia’s expression was dark and he
couldn’t fathom what he had done to deserve it but he was too tired to worry on
it. He stopped Sophia from repeating the action with his Master. He leaned over
Jensen and placed his lips against the full pink bow, slid his tongue in the
warm, wet mouth and licked into it. “Wake up Sleepy-Head,” he murmured. 
Jensen’s hands snaked around his waist and snatched him onto his lap. Jared let
himself drop onto the older man’s thighs, legs astride him, arms around his
neck and deepened the kiss with passion and a whine. There was a giggle from
Sophia and Jensen snapped his eyes wide and broke off with a wet smack of his
lips. “hmm” 
“You should keep that in the bedroom. Our staff is used to strangers but not to
open affection in the hallways,” laughed Steve.  
“Noted,” nodded Jensen. 
“Time for bed,” Jared arched an eyebrow at Jensen. 
“Your mother?” Jensen seemed somehow distant with him. 
“She’s settled for the night. Steve will send somebody if we’re needed.” He
looked to the landowner. 
“Yeah, no worries, we will,” the man replied. 
***
The bedroom was warm and well prepared. A bath of hot water stood by the fire
and warming irons heated the large, turned-down bed. 
“Mm. Did I mention how I love Sophia and Steve,” Jensen groaned as he swished a
hand in the hot tub. 
“How did you meet?” asked Jared, following suit and trailing his hand in the
wet heat.
Jensen didn’t answer him. He grabbed his slave’s arm painfully tight, and, with
an angry growl, span him around and backed him into the wall. He hemmed him in,
between muscular arms that leaned against the wall. “What in Stars has today
been all about?” Jensen waited for an answer, green gaze boring into his
slave. 
“I don’t understand,” Jared's breath hitched in a brief moment of panic.
“Neither do I Jared. That’s the point.” 
Jared’s cock had sprung to attention, straining at his pants but this wasn’t
foreplay, his Master was confused and frustrated, looking to him for an answer
and he had no idea what the question was. He shook his head and must have
looked every bit as lost as Jensen. 
Jensen spoke again, controlling a faint streak of bitterness in his tone. 
“These people are my friends, I respect them and I think they respected me
too.” 
“Jen, they do, I can see that. I hardly know them but they seem good people.
Did I offend them in some way?” 
He could feel Jensen’s breath, hot and menacing, on his skin. “What am I to you
Jared? At one moment I am a monster who keeps you in a collar, at whose side
you kneel , at whose feet you sleep  and moons, what could make me look more of
a monster than that? Then I am the man you need to make a claim to, wake me to
a public kiss, for what? To declare me yours? Or show yourself to be an
obedient slut? How is it you see our relationship working Jared?” 
Jared swallowed, his stomach did a flip as he considered his actions from
Sophia’s and Steve’s perspective. “You could have said something,” he offered
lamely. 
“What? I could ask you to ‘act normal and stop grovelling’. Like anyone would
believe it was anything but an act for me to save face. As if anyone would
think it from the first moment you kneeled for me.” 
“I was comfortable and you seemed to relax.” He reached a hand to Jensen’s
face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think. I just wanted…,” he bit back the rest of his
explanation as he considered his own words, “I wanted”. He had been brought up
to always think of the consequences of his actions, to ensure that he was
correct from all views and angles. He understood diplomacy and public
perception and could adjust his speech and deeds accordingly. Life was never as
simple as I want. As his tutors had taught him, with a slew of lessons, there
is no 'i' in Royalty.  If he felt like the spotlight was on his behaviour for
most of his childhood, what must Jensen feel like here, as visiting Royalty,
feared warrior and uneasy ally? Yeah, there’s no 'i' in slave either, he
thought wryly. He wondered when he let go of his sense of public perception so
completely. Jensen had suggested he remove his collar but hadn’t pushed the
subject and Jared hadn’t truly listened or asked for further reasoning, he had
simply wanted and Jensen had let him because it was what Jared wished. 
“I wasn’t thinking,” he admitted, paling with the sickness in his stomach. “I
didn’t want to make you look bad, I wanted to feel your safety and give you
comfort, it seemed so close, how we were, I didn’t want to give it up to sit in
another chair. I like being that way with you, I forgot how it would look, here
in the Realm.” 
“I thought we’d agreed that you are my equal. Equals don’t kneel for another.” 
“Unless that’s how they are comfortable, how they choose to order their
relationship.” Jared tried to explain but he lowered his eyes and continued,
“M’sorry, I can see now how it would look, I just forgot.” 
Jensen bent his arms to lean in closer to Jared. He spoke directly into the
shell of his ear, with a puff of hot breath and the scrape of stubble on
stubble, “and the kiss?” 
“Because you looked so beautiful and I wanted to be the one you opened your
eyes to, because I’m selfish and I always want that.” 
“Because you wanted everybody to know that I am yours?” 
“Would that be so terrible, Jen?” 
There were no more words, only a crushing pressure on his mouth, hot tongue and
rasping of unshaven skin. He opened his mouth and let him in, let Jensen take
what he needed from him. He felt the forceful suck against his tongue and the
nip of his lip. He snapped his hips forward, arousal pooling in the base of his
stomach, He felt hands pin his hips to the wall and push his pants down over
his swollen erection, allowing it to bob free to his stomach. 
“Mmhmm, Child. You have a kink for cold walls,” Jensen purred. He reached a
hand to stroke Jared’s cock. 
“You have a thing for me against cold walls,” Jared replied breathily. 
“I do. Tell me Jared, do you wish to remain my slave? 
Jared threw his head back and mewled as fingers gripped and teased, “Yes,
Master.” 
“To be a Royal slave, you must think as Royalty, you should not need my command
in simple matters of sense and I know you are perfectly capable. I am
disappointed in you.” Jensen removed his hand and stood back from him. 
The words burned more than any whip could and Jared felt the chill as Jensen’s
body separated from his own. He ached with need. “Please Jen, I’m sorry.” 
“I know you are but you are the one who wishes to get this right so you will
accept the consequences.” 
Consequences. Jared’s eyes pooled as he stared at the man before him. 
“Do you trust me? Will you accept my discipline and learn?” 
Jared did trust him but it didn’t make the prospect of punishment any easier.
He replied with a slight tremble in his voice. “Yes, Master.” 
“Good. Now strip.”  
Jared blinked and hesitated. 
“This morning you were complaining about having to wear clothes. Get on with it
Child.” 
He fumbled with his buttons, removed his waistcoat, stepped out of the pants at
his feet and removed his socks before peeling his shirt and underclothes off
under the scrutiny of Jensen’s dispassionate gaze. 
“Good boy.” 
Damnit. Damn those words. His cock took extra interest and he felt the damp
drop of pre-come at its tip. Jensen’s lips curved upwards as he observed the
response. 
“I want your back against the wall.” Jensen inspected his posture as a
Commander would inspect his troops, “Heels all the way to the wall, spine
straight, chin up,” he commanded. 
Jared obeyed, looked him directly in the eyes and answered, “Yes Jensen.” He
understood the task and it was not uncomfortable yet, but over time it would
ache and strain his joints. He wondered how long Jensen would leave him this
way. 
“Now put your arms over your head, straight up, fingers straight and keep them
there.” 
And if that didn’t really up the ante and put stress on his muscles and
joints. 
“Good Boy” 
And that was deliberately cruel, thought Jared as his erection grew and ached,
without a touch. 
Jensen smirked and began to discard his own clothes. He took his time, turned
to give Jared the best view as creamy, freckled skin was revealed piece by
teasing piece. As the final fold of cloth was removed to reveal Jensen’s own
arousal Jared drooled and whined with frustration. His Master flashed him a
pearl toothed smile as he grabbed a cloth and soap and climbed into the warm
tub of water “Well that is quite the best view I have ever had while bathing.”
 There had been a time when this would have made Jared flush with shame. He
realized with a jolt that all he felt was the sexual frustration of his
untended arousal and the physical ache of his body.   
“It’s a pity Jared, you should be over here to wash me all over,” teased Jensen
as he trailed the cloth slowly all over his firm flesh. Jared bit his lip. He
wouldn’t cheek Jensen and risk additional punishment.
It became increasingly hard to remain still as Jensen winked at him and took
his own erection in hand.  The edge of the tub covered the detail of his
Master’s actions but there was no mistaking the flush of the older man’s cheeks
and increasing movement of his arm as he continued to stare at Jared’s
frustration and discomfort. He came with a short cry, into the bathwater and
finished washing then stepped from the water, full frontal view to his slave
with water running in shining droplets over his muscled body. Jensen fastened a
towel around his waist before stalking over to stand inches from Jared. 
“You can put your arms down and relax, Child. It’s your turn in the tub.”  He
reached out and stroked the silky skin of Jared’s erection once more. “This is
mine. You don’t touch it or we start over. Make sure you shave everywhere,
won’t you?” 
Jared groaned and did as he was told. Jensen passed the soap but would not
touch him. His neediness became a physical ache and wasn’t helped by the tell-
tale signs of his Master’s release swirling in the water he was immersed in. A
little reminder of his ownership, washing all over him and damn if that didn’t
make him hotter and ready to crawl from his own skin for want. 
Jensen finished shaving and tucked himself under the covers of the bed. “You
may get out now. I have washed the razor for you to use. I trust you with it.” 
For all the frustration of his current predicament Jared was able to appreciate
how far they had progressed, Jensen trusted him to use an open razor on his
own. He felt a warm curl of pride in his simple faith. He concentrated on use
of the cold steel, sidelining other needs to ensure he did not make a single
nick or mark on the body that belonged to Jensen. It helped to lose himself in
the task and his arousal gradually abated. 
Jensen curled into the soft eiderdown, he still watched over Jared, looking
into the mirror at him but he looked exhausted and Jared saw his eyelids
fluttering. “You should sleep Jen,” Jared said softly. 
“You too, soon. Do you want to sleep on the floor?” the green eyes struggled to
stay open. 
“Do you want me to?” 
“No. Want you here, but y’can, if you need to.” 
“Of course I want to come to bed with you Jensen,” he spoke affectionately. 
“Good. M’find it hard to understand you sometimes, m’trying Jare.”
“I know. I don’t understand myself most of the time. I’m sorry, Jen.” 
“S’alright. You’re still a kid, I forget it sometimes, you act more mature than
me.” 
Jared finished up and wiped with a towel. He approached the bed with a very
adult leer, “Not SO much a kid, Jensen.” 
“Hmph, Child?” 
“Yeah.” 
“No clothes and no touching yourself. We’ll review it in the morning.” 
Jared snuggled close to Jensen, breathed in the fresh citrus of his clean hair
and when he received no reprimand he reached his arm over the freshly bathed,
smooth skin of his Master’s waist and spooned him close.
***
Jared woke as first light shattered the sky into shredded ribbons of colour.
Jensen slept beside him slack faced and free from worry lines. His arms rested
on top of the eiderdown and Jared was drawn to trace the tight, shiny, red
lines of his scars with the very pad of his fingertips. How long had it been
since that catastrophic event? It was mere weeks, yet it seemed a lifetime had
passed and they were irrevocably changed by the circumstances that marked those
days. These were the visible scars. He knew the invisible ones ran deeper and
were harder to fix. This was his task, something he had control of, and it was
his resolve to succeed in it. 
Out there, beyond his sheltered existence, today would be marked with
catastrophe for his Nation and innumerable families. The scars would run deep,
septic wounds would be bled of rancid pus and healing would be slow, without
assurance. All he had was trust. He would relinquish control to the charge of
others and wait for the news. 
Jared kissed each of the stark lines with the barest brush of soft lips before
rising from the warmth of his sleeping place and folding warm covers over the
still, slumbering form of his Master. He made sure his chores were complete, he
unpacked what had been left the day before, made the room tidy and placed
Jensen’s clothes to warm, by the fire.
Jensen continued to sleep. Jared hadn’t been given instruction to wake him and
he could see no benefit in doing so. All they had was to wait and the hours
would drag. He hailed the sun in traditional manner, wondered if Meghan was
doing the same thing, somewhere under the same sky. He blew out the lamp and
offered a prayer to soothe the sleeping Gods of the Moons and Stars before
asking the Sun for its mercy. Gold shards faded to faint yellow streaks in a
span of blue-grey as the burning ball of light broke the horizon over flat
moors and jagged crags. Bent shrubbery blew in a stiff wind and the grounds of
the house were quiet aside from the steady steps of sentries patrolling the
grounds.
Jensen snuffled and fidgeted in the bed and Jared broke into his reverie to
rejoin him. 
 “Mm. Are you there? Can I open my eyes yet, Child?”
 Jared kissed his cheek and trailed fingers along the proud jaw, “I’m here,” he
said. 
“Thank goodness for that, I need to wake up and get on with life but apparently
this fussy damn slave wants to be here when I first wake.”  Long eyelashes
fluttered and parted and Jared was treated to a flash of colour, every bit as
bright as the sunrise. “You’re supposed to kiss Sleeping Beauty,” Jensen
snarked playfully. 
“But what’s the point?” teased Jared, “she’s already awake.” 
A low rumble from Jensen’s throat accompanied grasping hands that pulled him to
his Master for a breath-stealing kiss. They came up for air and Jensen
retaliated cheerfully, “When did this slave start to think it safe to cheek his
Master?”
“When his Master decided to punish him for it with kisses,” retorted Jared with
an impish, dimpled grin. 
“You need to be taught a serious lesson.”  Jensen’s face shone with mischief
and he sat up and rolled Jared onto his back, clambered over him and dipped
back in for another kiss before shuffling backwards, settling his weight on
Jared’s left leg and grasping Jared’s right foot in one hand. He bent to suck
the big toe into his mouth and wrap his tongue around it, while using the other
to tickle at it’s sole. 
“Oh, no, no, no. no, Jen,” Jared screeched, thrashing and laughing. 
Jensen chuckled around his toe and godsdamn if that didn’t tickle even more. It
was all he could do to prevent himself from kicking out at the older man.
“Ssh,” garbled Jensen, toe still in mouth, “wha’ dey gun ‘ink m’doin?” Jared
sat up to look at the ridiculous sight and laughed even harder, then reached to
Jensen’s shoulders to yank him away from his foot and up the bed before diving
in to tickle at his ribs. “Unfff. S’unfair,” complained Jensen, writhing and
giggling uncontrollably.
At some point their hysterical laughter ceased and shifted with the hunger of
arousal. They devoured each others lips, let their tongues fuck into the others
mouth, their cocks pressed hard and they rutted against one another. There was
no defined moment when they started and neither of them led. They felt no
compunction to change the action or ask more of each other, they allowed
themselves to follow the natural course and when they were panting and close
Jensen whispered just two words to Jared “Come, now!” If the world ended,
thought Jared, he had at least managed to find the perfect moment with Jensen. 
Jensen had him remain naked, he allowed Jared to assist him in washing and
dressing then had him kneel while he scraped pen over parchment, making notes
and instructions. “I’m going to organize my day,” he said as he finished his
tasks and tidied his pens, “I want you to stay this way until I return and then
you will tell me what you have learned. I will ensure you are not disturbed
with servants.”
 
Jared was relieved, he had come to crave this structure, it allowed him to
think clearly, order his thoughts and contemplate improvement. He wasn’t sure
where it stemmed from but he knew that whatever public façade Jensen wanted he
was always going to need this submission in some form. He wondered if it would
become an issue as they moved to the equality that Jensen coveted. 
***
Jensen fixed his slave’s cuffs tightly behind his back and lifted them upwards
to shoulder height, stretching the muscles and ligaments painfully, watching
his slave carefully. 
Jared was grateful for the burn and ache of it. 
“What did you learn?”
“I learned that I am needy. I learned that I must control my neediness
according to the circumstances.” 
“You need this? You need to give me control and show me your submission, is
that what you need Jared?” 
“Yes, Master.” 
“Huh.” 
“Do you like me to punish you? Does it give you a thrill?” 
“No, mostly not, Jensen.”  
Jensen screwed up his face in a moment of confusion before asking another
question. “Do you need me to punish you when you disappoint?” 
Jared was ashamed. He bent his head down and stared to the floor. He couldn’t
be normal. 
“Jared, if this is going to work between us, you need to answer me honestly.
You know I won’t judge any answer you give.” 
“Yes, Jensen.” 
“Tell me.” 
“I need the punishment Master. I need closure and the opportunity to make
myself better. Sometimes the cuffs and when you handle me roughly, it does turn
me on but it’s different when I have failed you, it feels different then.” 
“Good. You see, you are at least consistent. You told me this before and I
listened, I had to be sure this wasn’t a one time thing and now I know."
“I shouldn’t ask you to do this, should I? I’m a freak, aren’t I?” asked Jared
sadly. 
Jensen tugged his arms sharply upward and he winced at the pain in his
shoulders. “Don’t ever think that! I agreed to this relationship too. Does it
make me a freak?” 
“No, Master.” 
“Good boy. Now, bear in mind that you have already been given your discipline
and tell me what you think we should do to make things better.” 
“I must not forget that your comfort includes your ability to relax in all
circumstances. I should adjust my own behavior according to situation.” 
Jensen parted the cuffs and gently put Jared’s arms down. He massaged his
shoulders. 
“I asked what we should do about it, because I don’t remember any useful
instructions or hints coming from me. I shouldn’t have assumed that you would
be in any fit state to think about appearances.” 
“We should ,er, probably make more plans, talk to each other,” offered Jared
with a little more confidence. 
“Bulls-eye! The boy wins a prize,” quipped Jensen light-heartedly. 
“This counts as talking, right?” Jared hedged. 
“Another direct hit,” said Jensen and stroked a hand through Jared’s hair. “Do
you want me to make suggestions or will you?” 
“You can, Jen.” 
“For now, you will not defer, kneel or submit to me in company unless we have
agreed in advance or you can ask me without scandal.”
Jared looked crestfallen, Jensen studied him and continued, “Once we are alone,
or otherwise private, then you can choose to serve me as usual. You can even
strip if your clothes are getting on your nerves.” 
Jared cheered up a little, it wasn’t so bad. 
“Once a day I will require you to come to me, like this, so we can talk about
the good and bad points of the day, then we can move on to think about what may
happen on the morrow. I can do this Jared but I don’t want your submission to
be associated with everything bad. You have no idea how beautiful I find you
like this, how privileged it makes me, I can’t sour it by associating it only
with mistakes and punishment. There must be rewards too. How do you feel about
that?”  
“It sounds sensible.” He took a moment more to think about it, “It actually
sounds really good Jensen as long as you are open with me too. You need to talk
things through as well.” 
“Like what?” 
“Like losing your best friend, your father’s death, your relationship with Josh
and how you are coping,” he looked directly at Jensen and added,“or not.” 
“Touché,”  Jensen said as he visibly squirmed. “Yeah, I will try, Jared.” 
“I think you had me at rewards though,” joked Jared licking his lips. 
“Get up, get dressed and then you can have a reward for just being you.” 
“You want me to get dressed for a reward? I’m disappointed,” mocked Jared. 
Jensen gave him a playful slap on the ass, “Better get on with it or I am going
to steal that treat and keep it all for myself.” Jensen threw undergarments to
him and rummaged for his pants, “Jared, remember to warm your own clothes when
you warm mine, I’d hate any important parts to catch a chill,” he smiled. 
Jared chose a shirt and held his hands out to his Master. “You should probably
remove these now,” he nervously indicated the cuffs. 
“No, you can keep those, just cover them well.” 
Jared puffed out a relieved breath, “Thanks,” he said.
He bounced on his heels as Jensen reached into his bag and drew out a small
paper-wrapped package. He knew he was ridiculously excited but since the day he
had been taken by Jensen he had been allowed nothing for himself. He hadn’t
realized, until this moment, how much a small gesture could mean to him. He
unwrapped it slowly, savoring the crinkle of paper and smoothing it. 
“Oh wow. How did you know?”
It is the one fact that kept cropping up when you were young and we first
bounced the idea of getting you from the Palace. Kitchen suppliers can be very
informative. For a while it was a running joke that we wouldn't  need to abduct
you, we could simply lay a trail of candy that led to the Kingdom and you would
follow it on your own."
“It's just, wow, can I?” he broke a shard off the edge. 
Jensen chuckled, “Of course. It’s yours. I had Cookie make it for you before I
went away. In the rush I forgot to give it to you, so here it is now.” 
Jared inhaled the seductive caramel scent before popping the fragment of fudge
into his mouth and licking every remnant from his fingers. It was soft, buttery
and sweet with a hint of vanilla and he let it melt against his tongue slowly
with a look of bliss on his face. He broke another piece from the block and
offered it to Jensen, “Its official, Cookie is amazing.” 
Jensen took it with thanks. “The rest is just for you, don’t eat it all before
breakfast.” 
“Can I give some to my mother?” 
“As long as Doc Grey says she can have it.” 
Jared wrapped the rest carefully and stashed it in his pack. He threw his arms
around Jensen and hugged him tight, “Thanks, Jen.”  
His Master kissed his cheek and his smile crinkled the lines of his eyes,
“You’re worth it."
***** Chapter 27 *****
Breakfast was a raucous affair at a table in the kitchen. It was the first
opportunity for Jared  to get to know their hosts. Sophia was a slight lady
with dark eyes and shiny auburn hair. She was elegant and vivacious, with a
ready smile for everybody, especially Steve, who accepted her lively wit and
cheery nags with fondness. The darkness Jared sensed the previous day was gone,
she smiled widely as Jensen and Jared squashed through the door in a race to
bag the place nearest the ovens and sat in adjacent chairs with giggles and
affectionate touches. Steve was less forward, he sat back to appreciate his
wife’s animated participation with supportive words and loving glances.  While
he had an obvious, established relationship with Jensen, Misha and Victoria, he
regarded Jared and Chad with a barely cloaked mistrust. 
“Its a bit weird, this far into the Realm, how on earth did you meet Jensen?”
Jared asked Sophia as he licked stray pancake syrup from his lips.
Steve leaned forward beside Sophia. “That’s for you to wonder and for us to
know.” 
“Steve!” Sophia and Jensen protested together. 
He put his hands up and inclined his head to Jared. “Just being cautious,
there’s  more people than us in this and a whole mix of different loyalties
crowding our house. I’m not saying I don’t trust you, just saying that we don’t
know more than tales of you and walls have ears, y’know.” 
Jared calmed Jensen with a touch to his arm. “S’alright. I get it. Need to know
and I don’t need to know.” 
Doc Grey called for them some way into the morning and Jared was relieved to
find his mother bright and lucid.  Jared and Jensen sat either side of the bed
and once small talk of weather and horses had been exhausted, the Queen asked
for a pack of cards and dealt the deck for a game of Rummy. She avoided any
political conversation and would not broach the subject of her son’s attachment
to Jensen, her eyes met his face but would not linger on his collar. As noon
passed she grew weary and Jensen left Jared with her while Jake watched.
Jared held his mother's hand, running his thumb back and forth across her
knuckles as the awkward silence forced worries through his head. Steve was
right, the household was full of different factions. Jake remained loyal only
to a Queen who would likely be deposed in the following weeks. Steve and
Sophia, he guessed, were part of the revolution, backing the fall of Morgan’s
(and therefore his mother’s) current governance. Jensen was in attendance to
benefit the Kingdom and he couldn’t sort out his own alliances in his swirling
head. Somewhere out there Kane and James Beaver worked together or apart, for
the Queen and for Jensen. It was a recipe that was going to end in disaster or
glory, there was little ground between. 
“Jared, darling!” his mother repeated and he jumped. Jake was moving toward her
bedside and she was looking at Jared in concern. 
“Sorry, Ma. You surprised me.” 
“You were so far away Jare. Where did you go?” 
“Just thinking, Mam.” 
“Why am I here Jared? Why are you?” 
“You need to get better Mam. We think Jeffrey has been giving you poison, so we
needed to get you away from him awhile. ” 
“You planned this?” 
“Jensen did.” 
“Am I a prisoner? Will he use me to keep the Realm from his door? It is too
late for that and Morgan will not bargain for me.” 
“You’re not a prisoner.” 
“Then we should leave, we should go home. We will have the Guard find Morgan
and bring him to justice, our troops can ride into a defeated and subdued
Kingdom and we can we can move on in peace.” 
Jared couldn’t look at her, he picked at his nails and spoke in an almost-
whisper “It isn’t so easy.” 
“Why not? What hold does Prince Jensen have over you?” 
“It’s irrelevant, Mam, you’re not strong enough to leave.”
“I was strong enough to be kidnapped by Barbarians.” 
Her voice was rising and he recognized the build-up to a rage. He had been
warned of the possibility, a side effect of her withdrawal. He wasn’t fast
enough to avoid the vicious swipe of sharp nails across his face as she
released a banshee screech, “You’re not my son. Not him! He grasped her wrists
and held her away as she writhed and struggled to release herself from his
grip. “My Jared is dead. HELP! GUARDS!” Tears wet her cheeks as she twisted in
his hold.
The pain of the statement twisted his heart and squeezed at it. In some way it
was true, she had lost him at De'ith and he could never again be the Prince and
quiet son she had loved.
Jake stepped in, took The Queen firmly by the hands and spoke reassurances in
flat military speak. “Get out!” he hissed at Jared. Jared stepped back and
looked at him in disbelief. “Just get out and call for the Doc. I’ve got her
for now. There’s nothing you can do, you’ll just make it worse. Go!”  
*** 
Jared was in the kitchen, leaning on his elbows, looking morosely into his
coffee when Steve found him. The man set himself on a chair opposite him and
leaned on his elbows to look at Jared's face. “That looks sore,” he commented.
“It’s just a scratch.”
“Deep, though.” Steve got up and returned with a clean, wet cloth to stand
beside the slave. “Here, we shouldn’t risk an infection.” he dabbed at the
wound with care and continued to speak, “Is it tough, to see her like that?” 
“What do you care?” 
“Ouch man. That stings.” 
“True though.” 
“Not at all. We agreed to keep our Queen here, at our risk, and we are invested
in seeing her recover.” 
“So that when the revolution is over you can have a show trial for her ‘crimes’
to legitimize your cause. Is that why I am here too?” 
“Wow! You have some trust issues. Have you even spoken to Jensen about this?” 
Jared swirled his finger in the lukewarm drink and scowled, “So we both have
trust issues. We should make a toast to it.” 
Steve threw his head back and his whole, large frame shook as he laughed, “I
think I like you Prince Jared.” 
“Don’t call me that. I’m not,” he was being petty but Steve had avoided his
question.
“Jared. We are going to have a show trial, but it will be for Morgan and your
mother will be the first victim to act as witness. We thought perhaps you would
share your betrayal but I can tell that isn’t going to work for you.” 
“Because nobody will believe I am innocent?” 
Steve didn’t reply, he looked at the slave and Jared hated the pity he saw in
his face.
“You think anyone is going to buy into it?” 
“You think that anybody intelligent hasn’t seen where this war started Jared?
Half the population has suspected your mother’s illness was induced by Morgan,
this war engineered by him. His jealousy was poisonous from the moment the King
of Adomisa looked at her and she returned his stare. Moons help anybody who
said as much, because they were never going to live for long. What nobody can
work out, is why you and your brother never had the balls to call him on it. I
mean, where were her sons in all this?” 
Jared slammed his mug to the table with the messy spill of displaced coffee. He
bit his tongue and concentrated on the coppery tang in his mouth as he shoved
the chair back and stood. “I have to go, somewhere, now,” he managed, and
turned his back to exit rapidly. 
He heard Steve call after him but he continued walking somewhere else, anywhere
else.
***
Jared brushed in circular motions. His mare stood still for him, the occasional
huff let him know she was enjoying his grooming and his company. His brow
rested against her warmth as he lost himself in the soothing action.  He raised
his head to push a strand of hair from his eyes, and caught a slight movement
in an adjacent stall. The lad was watching him, had been spying on him since he
arrived, asked for the bay, took hoof-pick, brushes and curry combs from the
store and shut himself in with his mare. The lad had protested that it was his
job to care for the horse, that the Lord and Lady of the House would not
approve but Jared had continued silently on, with a side-step and a moody
glower. The stable-boy had disappeared for ten minutes before slipping back
into the building and shadowing him close. Jared assumed he found somebody
senior to share his concerns with and was returned with instruction not to let
Prince Jensen’s slave out of his sight. No matter, he was here, and the lad was
not preventing his actions. In fact he was trying so very hard to be stealthy
and unseen, and failing so miserably, that it amused Jared and he had managed
to snap out of the funk he had been in. 
Swapping the brush for a wide comb, he ran it through his girl’s tail, snagging
on knots and despatching them with care. There was a bored sigh and the rustle
of hay from the nearby stall and Jared’s lips quirked upwards. “You know, if
you’re forced to keep watch of me you may as well join me. I promise I won’t
slaughter you and ride off.”
He stepped to the edge of the stall and peered over. The boy startled and
stared up at him with wide brown eyes and open mouth. “I, er, I wasn’t.” 
“Of course not,” agreed Jared “but I suspect that your Lord doesn’t trust me.”
“He doesn’t trust anybody,” the stable lad replied, rather too quickly. 
“Not even you?” asked Jared with a grin.
“Probably not,” the lad said, pulling a rueful face.
“Well at least it’s not personal.”
The lad changed the subject to something more general. “She’s a fine animal.
Not flashy like with some nobles, but you can see her breeding in her bone
structure and her character is beautiful, she is steady and loyal. She’s a rich
man’s horse.” He was digging for gossip. There’s nothing better than tales of
finery and horses to while away hours in the stables.
“She belongs to Prince Jensen,” Jared spoke vaguely.
“Nah,” Said the lad, “She thinks she belongs to you and that’s what matters.”
She nosed at oats that Jared was offering from his hand and let her neck rest
warm against him. 
“Are you allowed anything of your own?” the lad asked, eyeing the shine of his
collar and tag. It wasn’t a malicious or leading question, Jared could see the
burn of innocent curiosity in his eyes. 
He opened his mouth to say no but stopped himself. Jensen had given him Hope
and a present just that morning and besides he had Jensen. “Yes,” he replied
after a beat, “I am. I’m just lucky enough to travel light. Prince Jensen
provides what I need.” 
“They say you eat at the same table, with the same meal.” 
“I do. I don’t want for anything.”
“Does he let you wander about like this, talk to the likes of me?” 
“Well, yes, here I am, aren’t I. We have to trust each other,” Jared became
pensive, “We’re a team.” he added.
The lad’s eyes were as wide as saucers, “Sweet deal,” he said.
Jared thought about the alternatives and it really was. We’re a team he
thought, Jensen needs me to pull it together and running away never solves
anything. He wiped the combs on a clean rag and lobbed them in the bucket. “You
know, I should get back. Can you finish here?”
“Sure thing. Do you want me to send word when advance notice of Prince Jensen’s
return is given. The couriers will always notify the stables first.”
“You can do that?”
“I can get word to you.”
Jared took the lad's hand between his own and squeezed it. “That would be
wonderful, I‘ll take you up on it. Thanks.”
He returned to the main house with a new determination. He left a message with
Steve’s footman, begging time alone with the Lord and gritted his teeth to
return to his mother’s sick room. He pushed forcefully past Jake to draw a
chair up beside the Queen. Jake appeared to have an argument on the tip of his
tongue but with one glare from the young brunette he dipped his head, shut his
mouth and returned to the corner of the room.
“I’m her SON.” Jared said, firm and even, “What claim do you have?”
There was no reply from the soldier.
Steve made time for Jared after the evening meal. One of his ever-present
sentries lurked at the door and Jared turned to dismiss him. “I asked for
privacy.” 
Steve gaped at the presumption but when the man checked with the Lord he waved
him away with a huff.
“You’re quite some slave aren’t you?” Steve asked with edge.
“I’m not going to harm you and I don’t want to argue with you Steve. You’re a
friend of Jensen’s and I respect and trust his judgement. I thought we should
clear the air before he returns because his mission is difficult enough without
the complication of friction between us.” 
Steve’s brow raised and he swirled his drink its bowl-like glass and raised it
to him. “Fair enough. Shoot.”
“When you look at me do you see Prince Jared or do you see Prince Jensen’s
slave?”
Steve’s brow knitted further. He took a sip of the pungent amber liquid and
warmed his hands by the fire, “I, er. I’m not sure.”
Jared moved closer to him, joined him in warming by the fire. “If you see
Prince Jared then I would expect a little respect, as the son of your Monarch.
As Jensen’s slave I would expect you to trust his faith in me or to voice your
concerns about me to Jensen himself.” 
“Maybe I don’t see either of those, Jared. Perhaps I see Jensen’s lover and in
that there is an inherent danger of Jensen being too close to see harm.”
The answer broad-sided him, “Lover?” he repeated lamely.
“He is smitten with you, that is plain. I have yet to decide your intentions
but this conversation is quite the eye-opener. You’re not what I was
expecting.”
“What were you expecting?”
“Honestly? I was expecting a limp, selfish child who would hide from
confrontation, or an arrogant self-centered man who would not listen to
reason.”
“Ouch. Is that how this entire nation sees me?”
“Don’t take offense, you’re actually a refreshing surprise.” 
Jared dipped his head and blushed at the compliment. “Thanks.”
“Don’t think I’m going to stop watching you. It is my intention to live a long
life and I find a healthy dose of mistrust aids that ambition when you have my
political views.”
“Steve, I love my mother, I would give anything to protect her but I was not in
a position to see the harm. My brother and I were children and Morgan doted on
us, he cared for my mother, organized our education and played with us. We
weren’t blessed with your distrust. I wonder if Jeff did see it and it resulted
in his end but Morgan was always a step ahead.” 
“I’m sorry Jared.” Steve's apology sounded genuine. 
“I’ll get over it. There’s more to concern ourselves with. I am a part of
Jensen’s team, which makes me a part of yours. Will we find a way to work
together?” 
“I’m warming to you but Jensen himself concerns me. There is more going on than
he is telling me.” Steve raised a hand to quiet Jared “I don’t expect either of
you to tell me but you have to understand that Jensen once swore to me that he
would never take a slave and yet here you are and the collar is self
explanatory. We will not change the Realm to give the Kingdom free access and
he will be answerable to me if he tries.” 
“I promise it is not our intention. Anything else that is occurring will not
damage the Realm, you have my word on that, but I will continue to protect my
sister and her interests in all this.”
“Even if she stands with Morgan?” 
“She won’t, not if I can get to her first.”
“If you don’t? If she does?”
“I won’t entertain the possibility.”
Steve shook his head and the firelight threw shadows on his tightly drawn
features. His hand was gripping his glass tightly, knuckles whitened with
strain.
“Difficult day?” Jared’s voice softened as he commented, “We’re going to get
through this Steve, we don’t get a choice, but for what it’s worth the Prince
in me doesn’t view any of what you are doing as a betrayal. It’s quite the
opposite.”
“I don’t need your validation.” The retort was brusque but Steve’s hand moved
to Jared’s shoulder and lingered, steady and firm. “Jensen is like a brother to
me and you are going to get him killed. Jensen has asked to assist my advance
team tomorrow. Do me a favor Jared, don’t ask him questions about it and don’t
beg him to take you along, I won’t allow it. Make sure to love him tonight and
send him on with your warmth.” Steve patted his shoulder. “Now, I have things
to attend to. You should know that a stable boy has been lurking in an attempt
to let you know Jensen is on his way. I have organized Supper for him in your
room and ensured that you won’t be disturbed. You should make haste.”
 An icy shudder worked through him with Steve’s words you are going to get him
killed. His finger played against one of his cuffs, the smooth touch of leather
and cold solidity of metal checked him. The dismissal was undeniable and it
wasn’t his place to question Steve, Jared turned on his heel to exit with a
mumbled thanks. 
***** Chapter 28 *****
Jensen's clothes were filthy and blood stained and a bandage covered an oozing
crimson slash on his shoulder. He was wet through and travel weary but his eyes
retained a spark of nefarious excitement from whatever battles he had seen that
day. He fell into Jared’s care with silent appreciation. The fire was stoked,
fresh clothes warmed and a table set for Supper. Mead glistened amber in his
glass and plate of rich pie and vegetables was kept hot on the hearthstone. A
single chair was pulled back, awaiting his presence and a cushion rested at its
foot. 
He let Jared wash and dress him, towel his hair and invite him to his Supper
but he remained tightly coiled, wound up with unnamed influence. When finally
he broke his quiet concentration, he took his slave close, cradled his face in
his hands and rubbed at Jared's freshly-shaved chin with a thumb, “Child.” he
said simply and full of concern. 
“Sshh. I wanted to. I already ate with Steve.”
“You’re incredible, Child. Did I tell you that?”
“You may have mentioned it.” Jared gripped his hips and pulled him close for a
short eager kiss.
“How do you want me? and you’re not allowed to say 'now' because you have to
eat to maintain your strength, and we have to talk to maintain our agreement.” 
Jensen groaned, “You’re such a demanding slave.” His hands tugged at the bottom
of Jared’s shirt and caressed the firm, smooth flesh underneath. His hand
wandered over the outline of his slave's ribs and reached to grasp and twist
forcefully on a nipple. Jared arched away with a hiss and he withdrew the
probing digits.  “Mmm.” Jensen added in absent pleasure.
“You should sit.”  Jared backed him in to the chair and slid it into place.
Jensen tutted, “Naked and at my feet. That’s how you should be,” he said, “but
you already knew that.”
Jared dropped his eyes in reverence and undressed slowly, revealing gleaming
flesh, inch by slow inch and Jensen watched him with greedy gaze and  dark
hunger. His Master had him stand naked and motionless while he trailed a finger
over the needy erection that had formed. "So wanting. Too eager, Child. You
should learn to control that." His voice was gravel and broken glass with barbs
that pierced Jared's calm with a shudder of his spine. "Now," Hot breath huffed
over ther slave's navel and the sensitive head of his cock, "I want to see how
you submit for me, my slave."
He kneeled with grace onto the cushion by his Master's side, lowered his head
in full respect and waited for Jensen's sign that he could serve. Jensen had
him maintain the position for long moments of silent contemplation and then let
him serve, tucked into the meal with enthusiasm and spoke between bites.
I spent the day gathering information.” he started. Jared let him continue
without interruption. “The armies met at Taran Caer. There have been heavy
casualties but neither is yet victorious. No word is given of Morgan and rumor
is that he is not there.” Jensen smoothed a hand over his slave’s face and onto
his collar. “There are reports that forward troops have reached our home.
Joshua is battened-in and under siege but the States’ troops have greater
number and rally near.”
“Does Morgan command the siege?”
“No.”
“So he has forward warning, he has gone to ground.”
“It will not last. The sparks of this revolution have already scattered and set
aflame.  It is moving faster than any of us anticipated. There are already
uprisings and crowds of protest that grow in Venne and Ty’ bont.”
“Venne,” Jared repeated with an outward rush of air. He felt giddy and the air
seemed thin. Jensen steadied him with a soothing rub and a reminder to breathe.
“The Summer Palace.” Jared choked in panic. 
“The prison,” articulated Jensen in calm, matter of fact tone. “It is where
Morgan takes his most vocal political opponents. “Steve’s troops move at dawn
to contain the risk of careless losses and garner evidence.” 
Jared wound his fingers together and looked to the floor.
“You’re doing it again, Child.” The voice was stern, long fingers tipped his
chin to have him look into Jensen’s face. 
Jared couldn’t find the right words. “What? Master.”
“Speaking with silence. Talk to me.Tell me.”
“It’s not my place.” Jared spoke low.
“I decide that, Jared. So speak.”
Jared didn’t know where to begin. He spoke with a careful attention to his
tone, no whining or aggression, he thought.
“You said that you would not interfere, that it wasn’t your place to be a part
of this rebellion. I don’t understand how your mission to Venne can be neutral.
It is certainly dangerous.” Jared worked to contain his anxiety but his Adam’s
apple bobbed and his eyes were wide under thick lashes.“You should be here with
me. I don’t want to lose you, not like that, not in a fight that isn’t your
own. The troops that guard Venne are the best, the very pinnacle of the Realm's
forces.” 
The surprise was evident in Jensen’s reply, "How did you know? Wait. Steve, it
was Steve wasn’t it?”
“He said he would not allow me with you.”
“He won’t, nor shall I. End of discussion. Plate. ” Jensen was abrupt, he
pointed to his empty plate, and even though he was confused and disappointed
Jared was prompt in its removal and the provision of a cheese course. Jensen
took an about-turn in conversation, with questions about Jared’s day and the
Queen’s health. He slipped a grape under the table to place it on Jared’s lips
and had him suck it in and lick at his fingers. He let out a soft sigh and
palmed the growing tent in his britches as the action was repeated with a
square of rich cheese. What was said next was lust-filled and gravelly, spoken
with command and not request. “I shall enjoy you tonight, Child.”
The desire and authority of it crept under Jared's skin and tingled at every
nerve and each pore of his being. He wanted for this, waited for it all day and
the agitation at being excluded from Jensen’s battle plans melted with the heat
of his passion. The chair scraped back from the table with a push of muscular
thighs and Jensen’s legs spread wide to welcome him as he obeyed silent signal
to kneel there. Two hands tangled in his hair and pushed his head downward to
nuzzle his mouth against the rigid outline of his Master’s erection. His own
cock twitched and took interest but Jensen disentangled the soft locks from his
fingers and snatched at the cuffs on his wrists to place Jared’s hands over his
quivering inner thighs. “Mine!” Jensen reminded, and Jared moaned at the rush
of blood pumping to his erection. “Show me, what it is you do for me, let me
use you, have you lick me, suck me, please me and then swallow every drop that
you wring from me.” The words were wonderfully wrong, dripping with the
obscenity of salacious sin and Jared licked his lips with the gathering saliva
that drooled there.
No more time on thinking, his hands and mouth wilfully colluded to forget
everything but the want, want, want that thrummed through him. He pawed at the
stubborn britches and Jensen steadied and aided him until his mouth slid, hot
and wet down the swollen, solid pole, then paused to lick at the tip and suck
the pre-come from the spongy head. 
“Such hot property, such a pretty, filthy mouth. My good boy. All mine. Just
mine.” 
Perfect words,  it felt so right, tasted and smelled so good, so many wrongs
slid away with every slip of his tongue up and down, over and around the
pulsing vein of his Master, his Prince, his lover. Each pulse was a beat of the
heart that belonged to Jared, his.
The pressure increased on his head, hair was painfully tugged as he sucked
Jensen in and opened his throat to him. “Want to see your face, your perfect
face as I fuck into it. Open your eyes for me Child.”  Jensen gave in to sheer
animal rhythm, and Jared tried to keep pace as the thrusting length pushed
harshly against the soft tissue of his throat, had him full, scraped sore and
breathless. Still he had his fingers exploring, gentle pressure on Jensen's
balls and smooth touch of his fingers between muscular globes to circle the rim
of his Master's tight pucker.
All the time he kneeled, submissive, staring up with bright hazel eyes through
thick, dark lashes and soft mussed hair, while his lips closed wide, red and
velvet around the thick, sensitive cock.  Jensen came with a guttural wrenched
cry and Jared swallowed, licking each last drop from the slit of the softening
dick and from his own lips. He relished the sensation, the taste and the act,
without consideration to his own straining erection. 
“Fuck, Jared! Gods! You don't know what it is you do."  Jensen was panting,
sweat running from his brow but he stood and tugged Jared by the ring of his
collar.  He pulled him up with a surprising force and Jared let himself be
dragged along and flung across the bed and the sensation of it, the force of
being needed this way thrilled through him, had him trembling with
anticipation. Jensen landed over him, knees astride of him, strong hands
holding him down against the mattress, his eyes heavy with desire and maybe
something else, darker and indistinct. Jared moved, an attempt to swing his
hips upwards, to grind against the firm flesh of his Master but Jensen’s knee
blocked and pinned him with a sharp pain and he moaned in desperation. 
“No!  You don’t get to be in charge.” How could Jensen be so deliciously cruel?
“Please, Jen, please,” he begged, but the older man wasn't paying attention to
his pleas, he was stiff in his actions, shutting down from his slave.
“No! There’s something I need to do, to say.” There was nothing sensual in the
statement.
Jared felt the strain on his arms as his cuffs were secured with a short chain,
to the bedstead above him and his hips snapped up again, drawn to Jensen,
searching for some relief but Jensen was backing away, and Jared heard the
metallic clink of more chain just before he felt the cold metal around his
ankles the snick of locks as he was immobilised.
Jensen hovered over him. The sweat glistened on his skin, his lips pursed in a
kiss swollen heart, his pupils blackened and complemented the gold-green of his
usual gaze but the expression was lit with adrenalin and fear. Worry lined
Jensen's mouth and had him biting his lip. He sat back on Jared's thighs and
the weight was heavy but not comforting to Jared. Jensen seemed to be searching
for words, unable to stutter them out and the younger man felt cold panic
gather in the green eyed man and slither to squeeze at his own heart. “Jensen?
What is it? Jen?” 
His Master averted his gaze as he spoke,“I lied Jared. It was always a lie.” 
The cold squeeze on Jared's heart turned to ice, started to crack into shards
and began to shatter. “Jen?”
***** Chapter 29 *****
Jensen sat back, wiped his forearm over his face and pushed his hair back. He
repeated the gesture with Jared as he smoothed stray strands onto the pillow.
Jared was frantic with concern but he waited, he could see an explanation
formed, then pushed back and then different words summoned and rejected. Worry
chased away the need for Jared’s own sexual fulfilment, it left him limp, with
a cold sweat and uncomfortably tied limbs. 
Jared bit back his fear, “You said you would talk to me Jen. So talk, about
this lie, about your father, your brother, anything, just talk to me.” 
“How can you do that Jared? I screw you up, mess you around, tie you up and
leave you hanging and STILL you ask me what is wrong? Fuck! Just fuck!” Jensen
formed a fist, raised it high and brought it slamming down toward Jared’s face
with uncompromising speed. Breath caught in the slave’s throat and his eyes
widened in terror as he pulled against his ties to escape the impending blow.
Air whistled past his ear as solid knuckles landed a hairsbreadth from his chin
and buried themselves in soft pillow. Jared took a moment to compose himself
before glancing up at Jensen, who was flushed pink, with an indefinable glint
of something else, a spark of excitement or danger. Jensen saw Jared’s stare,
blinked and turned his back on him. 
Jared recalled all the other times when Jensen had turned his back, walked away
from him, left him chained, alone and anxious. Anxiety turned to anger and he
strained at his ties. “No! Fuck you Jensen! You don’t get to do this again. You
don’t get to pretend that you can cope with it alone. I won’t be left here, I
won’t let you walk away and leave me again. I will shout and scream and fuss
and then I will show Steve your scars, tell him how screwed in the head you
really are.” 
Jensen didn’t answer, he pulled the belt from his pants and rounded on him
again. Jared flinched as the leather squeaked its release and Jensen folded it
in his hand.He was sure he had pushed too far and Jensen was going to break.
Jared fought to find a calm place in his head, somewhere which would shelter
him from the impending pain. 
“You won’t,” Jensen spoke, as he jammed the belt between his slave's teeth and
looped it until it was secure. 
A tear gathered at the edge of the Jared's eye and Jensen gathered it on the
pad of his finger, burst it between thumb and finger and rubbed the wetness
away. “I have to think.” Jensen said, as he adjusted his pants, tucked in his
shirt and left the room with the heavy slam of solid wood. 
Jared wasn’t sure when the nervous trembling and raised goose-bumps lessened to
give way to cold despair and confusion. His limbs were pulled taut and they
ached. He didn’t understand what he had done wrong. Everything had seemed
perfect until the moment it all changed. He closed his eyes and let himself
drift to warm days and childhood but there was no longer any safety there, he
saw the memories differently, tinged them with blood, portents and bad omens. 
He didn’t open his eyes when the door squeaked and scuffed shut. His eyelids
acted as shutters as footfall approached and a chair scraped over the floor
beside the bed. A warm hand wiggled its way beneath Jared's head, lifted it
gently and encouraged his mouth to meet a cup of mulled spice wine. “C’mon. I
know you’re awake Child.” Jared took a sip but his eyelashes continued to rest
on his cheeks in an act of defiance to his Master. 
There was a faint swish as satin-soft fabric fell over his face and tickled at
his cheek. Jared could smell Jensen as he leaned over him, it was a sweet spicy
musk, with fur and leather and it stirred everything that wanted within him,
and how crazy and wrong was that in the circumstances? “Ssh, Child.” A cool
silk scarf wound around his head and over his eyes. The soft pads of Jensen’s
fingers adjusted the width and Jared sought out the touch and revelled in it.
When the fingers drew back, their task over, the quietest whine escaped his
throat. 
The chair creaked as Jensen settled in it. His Master blew out a breath before
telling his story. 
“As a child I didn’t think it was wrong to keep slaves. I didn’t think about
it. I loved the attention they lavished on me. I liked the way they looked and
to touch them. Ethan was sometimes uncomfortable in the beginning, but he grew
out of it. Slaves deserved to be slaves because we were better than them. They
weren’t real people, I was sure of that, why else would they allow themselves
to be used in the way that they were? They were a symbol of the Kingdom’s
wealth and power. The Court slaves denoted virulence and dominance and I didn’t
understand the sexual allure of that until puberty.” 
Jared felt a delicate touch of fingers tracing about his nipples and he
suppressed a shiver. 
“Of course Joshua was older and reached maturity first. Papa’s behavior changed
with the note of Josh’s voice. The things that had been private with Papa’s
slave became overt and deliberately exhibitionist. He worried at Josh to touch
and join in. His girl at the time was small and timid, Papa liked them that
way. He would smile at me as he squeezed her nipples hard enough to make her
gasp, or terrorize her as she served. She was always correct but Papa would
find fault because it pleased him to see her fear and he enjoyed the sounds of
her pleading and crying when he disciplined her.”
The long fingers stopped their pattern on his chest and reached to pat at the
blindfold. “You wonder why I did this,” Jensen whispered to his slave, “You’ll
understand.” 
Jared didn’t move, he didn’t want to break the moment, and besides, what could
he do in his current predicament?” 
“Josh was appalled at Papa’s behavior. He railed against it and rebelled. He
refused to take a slave of his own and was noisy in his abhorrence of our
father’s treatment of his girl. All teenagers rebel right?” There was a soft
snort but Jared didn’t smile around the belt gag.
“You expect me to tell you how I supported my brother, how repulsive I found
the King’s actions, but it wasn’t how it was. You see it fascinated me, what my
father did to that girl. The noises she made, the way her muscles strained
against her restraints, the sheen of perspiration that covered her as she
fought and mewled, even the red stripes the belt left on her, but especially,
most especially, the moment between the calm façade that she was trained to
project and her breakdown into pleas and desperation. You have no idea how
potent and raw that single moment is, how alive and honest and vital a person
is in that fleeting instant. You can’t comprehend the intense power and passion
it aroused in me. Papa always rode her hard after discipline, he didn’t bother
to hide it and I watched him fuck her with such dominance and lust. I looked on
as he shared her for her sins and she cried as men plowed all of her holes
together. It was the most incredible sight and it was captivating. There was so
much expression and truth in it. When I grew up and reached the Hell of my own
puberty, Gods help me,  I  yearned to have the same . By the time I was
fourteen Papa trusted me with my own Command and I tried to find the perfect
slave. I looked, I met with every trader, searched each market, I won’t pretend
that I did not and Joshua was furious with me. None was ever quite right. I
never saw what I needed in their eyes. ”
Jensen tugged at Jared’s collar. “You understand now that I do not want to see
how you look at me. I don’t need to see the revulsion at my true nature. I
never want to see that.” He smoothed at the silk blindfold. 
Jared wasn’t sure how he felt about the revelation. There was disgust at
Jensen’s father but little surprise. He wondered how he would have viewed such
a public spectacle but he couldn’t imagine it. It occurred to him how he had
felt just days before, with the tear of flesh and snap of bones in his hands.
He had enjoyed it. He had been zinging with sensation, overwhelmingly alive,
and he knew he would not hesitate to repeat it. Jensen had been there, he had
watched Jared. How much had he seen? Had his slave’s verve been obvious?  
He stayed silent and listened as Jensen continued, “Josh and I are normal
brothers. Both of us wanted our father’s attention and neither of us got it.
Our rivalry became the stuff of legends and Papa despaired with each of us.
With every slave that Joshua and I passed over, our father became more
frustrated with us. I’m not sure when it occurred to Joshua that taking a slave
before me would win him favor, but when he took Genevieve he took Papa’s favor
and Supreme Command of our armies, and I took to a bitch fit. It didn’t matter
to me that I was altogether too young and too headstrong for the command, just
that my brother was given it and that he did so with an underhand and two-faced
manoeuvre.”  
Jensen gave a wry chuckle. “It’s a fact that youth will adopt a cause to
protest, for all the wrong reasons. In public I flamed his choice to take a
slave and vowed I never would. In turn he teased me with stories of his
dominance, described the power and sexual prowess in every, minute,
excruciating, detail. I was devastated and jealous when Ethan saw the benefit
of pleasing the King by buying Alona, and slowly I managed to convince myself
that I meant the condemnation I spoke to them.”
Fingers resumed toying with the hard nub of his nipples, pulling, rubbing and
squeezing at them. 
“Time passed and I was given tasks that took me into the Realm. I saw life and
I grew up. I found out that I had no interest in female slaves because women in
general do not sexually attract me. Men on the other hand, mmm, I love their
rough edges and hard lines, I get hot and hard with the promise of rough sex
and harsh kisses. I prize stubble burn in all the wrong places. Men turn me on
in a way that a perfect curved women can never hope to.”
Jared hissed in surprise as a nipple was sucked hard into a warm insistent
mouth and a tongue worried at it. He squirmed and tried to pull back as Jensen
bit a painful round about it, before moving away to speak again. “I discovered
that all people are equal but some are unfairly judged or poorly treated. I
still took slaves for the Kingdom but it became harder with every occasion and
Captain Beaver and I developed rules for the capture and treatment of slaves
and a network of slavers who we trusted to sell to fair owners. I felt so
justified and even moral.”  
A large, warm, hand moved to cup Jared’s exposed balls and he jumped as frayed
nerves created a flutter in his stomach and the chains that held him clinked
his surprise. The hand closed around his most sensitive flesh and squeezed,
just to one side of painful, but Jared couldn’t ascertain which side. His
breath hitched and his body reacted with eager enthusiasm. 
Jensen groaned with lusty growl and faster breath, before he started talking
once more, “Then, there you were, all hard muscle and handsome face, sword in
hand, full of courage, defiance and the surety of youth, until the very moment
you accepted your defeat under my weight and my dominance. I knew you, knew the
prize that you represented and I understood your worth, but you showed me
something else that I had hidden for so long.”
There was a harsh tug on the length of Jared's cock and it was filling once
more, hardening under rough pressure. 
“I tell everyone that I let you take the choice to maintain my reputation and
that I took you as my own to keep you safe but it isn’t true. All of it is a
lie. I let you choose because I enjoyed seeing you squirm, it felt good to
watch your growing despair and while my sensible ego admired your care and
courage there was so much more to it. The moment you knew you’d lost it all,
the light in your eyes dimmed and you had been my enemy for so long, it turned
me on.” 
Jared was starting to feel nauseous but his body refused the memo. He felt the
bed dip and hot breath ghosted across his face. He sensed Jensen kneeling
between his splayed legs just before he felt the heat of them and the pressure
to push his thighs impossibly wider.
 ”Even then, I didn’t truly understand my own lie until you were branded. You
were breathtaking on your knees before me, determined and brave, until the
first devastating agony of scorched flesh and there it was, the raw and
uncontained moment when you broke, and I saw the very core of you, truly alive,
unprotected, open and helpless.”  Jensen’s voice cracked, heavy with lust, “I
almost came in my pants and I knew I had to have you. I wanted to enjoy your
despair. I never wanted you broken but I needed another chance to see you
break. Does that even make sense? It is a narcotic, an addiction to me and I
crave it so much I instigate it. The moment, earlier, when you thought I would
punch you; Oh Child! That moment was raw and undisguised and your fright was
pure pornography to me. Why do you think I am reluctant to discipline you? The
truth is not that I don’t want to strike you, I ache  to see those stripes, to
hear your cries and make you beg, but I do not know if I can maintain control.
I cannot be sure I will stop.” 
Oiled fingers circled the rim of his puckered hole and two broke in with eager
haste and a pained squeal from Jared. Jensen slowed for a moment but continued
the steady jacking of his slave’s cock. Jared’s body reacted with perplexing
enthusiasm, snapped up into the grasp and joined the rhythm.
“Mine!” his Master reminded him, “You don’t get an orgasm until I say you
can.” 
The thrum of his desire almost deafened Jared to Jensen’s words, his whole body
drummed to the beat of want, want, want. His mind listened to the harsh,
stinging words but his body heard desire and touch. His heart still beat out a
steady L-O-V-E, none of it made sense and little of it mattered in the heat of
the moment. 
“I treated you badly and I didn’t enjoy it entirely the way I anticipated, but
the power is intoxicating. Seeing you in chains, that first night,” Jared felt
the shudder that wracked Jensen’s body at the mere memory, “I would have
ravaged you then if I thought my men would forgive me, but I knew they would
not so I made you submit on a leash and put you in crippling chains and enjoyed
the show from a distance.”
A third finger probed and scissored as nails dug painfully into the base of his
swollen member and Jared drew a shocked breath.
“What a show! Everything you did, every move that you made was perfect to me.
Oh! The way you wore your status and your collar, so gracious and unbowed. I
never imagined there could be courage in submission, that the soul can be left
unchained, but it is so with you. I’m not even sure of the true source of my
anger when I returned to find you Presented. I tell myself it is because I love
you but I wonder if I am only jealous that others got to see your true nature
and deepest pain. I no longer trust my own reactions, Child.” 
The truth was more cruel than the chains, and Jared hated the way his hips
rolled up to meet Jensen’s fourth finger. His greedy hole sucked it in and
tightened around it demanding its attention and thrust.  
“You say I’m screwed in the head and you have no idea how right you are and how
wrong I am. I can’t resolve the way that I love you with the way that I want to
love you, and I do love you, so very, very, much, Jared.” 
Bright bursts of sensation lit his body and flung it up for more, chasing
fingers that Jensen removed in haste and pressed roughly over the tied belt and
onto Jared’s tongue with earthy, gagging taste. “Want to hear you cry and beg
and plead for it, Child.” Nimble fingers unbuckled the belt and eased it from
his mouth. As the leather hit the floor Jensen’s mouth descended on the parted
lips. Teeth knocked as he pressed a hard, possessive kiss on his mouth and
Jared whined and responded, pressing his own mouth into it with bruising
pressure. He hated Jensen, hated him for his dominance, hated him for enjoying
his pain, hated the early neglect of his chains and lonely existence. He hated
the lies and deceit. His tongue twisted and fucked brutally into Jensen’s
mouth, he loved him with an inexplicable chemical attraction, he loved him for
his dominance, he loved him for his soft touches and firm instruction, he loved
his stupid flaws and he loved him for the way his pain took everything away but
Jared's raw, needy humanity, to let him live  in the moment for a fleeting,
glorious time."
“Please,” Jared moaned. 
Sharp teeth bit into the soft fold of his neck and sucked a stinging purple
bruise. “Not going to stop. Going to take you and fuck you hard, need to see
you squirm, hear you cry. I need you Jared but if I don’t come back you’ll know
its better for you. You can be free to find a gentle love without pain or
submission. I lied when I said I’d let you go. As long as I’m alive I won’t let
you leave me. I’ll track you down, drag you back and chain you to the floor.
I’ll brick the windows and seal the door. I’ll secure your leash to a cuff on
my wrist and drag you wherever I go. I will have you kneel at my feet and
spread for my pleasure. I can’t be without you and I can’t pretend to be
something else any more.” 
Something cold and blunt and pressed into him, spread him wide and caught
against his rim as it fucked huge and hard into his ass. Dildo thought Jared
and pushed down onto it, chasing his sweet spot. He sensed Jensen’s stare as
the substantial toy stretched and skewered him. He knew Jensen was watching his
ass take it deep and open up again as he pulled it out with rough abandon.
Jared gibbered and begged, but the toy was plunged forcefully back with careful
avoidance of his prostate. His chains scraped and cut his flesh as he fought
for completion.
“Not good enough, Child!” growled Jensen.
A fierce bite to his hip had Jared throwing his head back and keening. A tear
rolled from under his blindfold. “Please, Jen, Jensen please, Oh Gods, Jensen,
Jen, Jen, Jen. Need. Need it. Need you Jensen, Jen.” Jared was bucking upward
and chasing air with his mouth looking for full lips to kiss but all he found
was the top of his Master’s head. His teeth clashed with its crown and Jensen
cursed and slapped the inside of Jared’s thigh with a sharp, erotic sting. The
heat of it coursed through him and as the blow was repeated on the opposite leg
and suddenly he felt pre-come drip from his over-sensitive, swollen cock.
Jensen's fingers squeezed his shaft painfully, and dipped in to gather the
bitter, clear fluid, collect it and press into his mouth with silent demand. He
sucked on them, licked every drop and swallowed. He gasped in a shuddering
breath as the dildo rammed against his prostate with purpose and his whole body
arched against the restraints that held him. Then it was withdrawn, his hole
empty and fluttering for something to fill it. He moaned then screamed Jensen’s
name and the reply was rasped and barely controlled, “Can’t stop this, Child.”
“Want it. Need you to use me, hurt me, show me I’m yours Jen. Please.” 
The reply was in hurried, frantic action. The locks on his ankles were released
and hands pawed and pushed at him until he was kneeling with his cuffed hands
chained in front of him, his ass in the air and his face pushed into the
mattress. A strong grip parted his smooth, muscular globes and Jared felt the
blunt head of Jensen’s pulsing cock as it breeched and penetrated him. Jensen’s
arms gripped him tight about his chest, held on with pincer grip, fingers
gripping sensitive nipples and pulling him back onto Jensen's pistoning
erection, to fuck him with careless, bruising thrusts. Jared met each plunge,
pushing down and chasing the sensation. His face ran wet under the silk and
Jensen muffled his screams with a shove of the dildo between his lips. 
Jensen’s breath came in short bursts and Jared felt the tension as Jensen’s
balls pulled up against his ass-cheeks. “Come for me,” his Master snarled as
his own ejaculation sprayed hot and wet, into Jared’s tight passage, marking
him as Jensen’s, owning him. Jared had never been so strung out and alive as in
this moment, never before felt so much.  His orgasm rolled over him with
blinding intensity and he came with unprecedented force, untouched, over the
sweat soaked sheets, with his hands still chained and his eyes still blind. He
collapsed into unconsciousness with exhausted tears, and nothing more to give.
 
Jared panicked, couched in all-encompassing darkness when he woke, but he felt
Jensen’s steady hand on his chest. He had been moved, the bedding was dry under
him and an eiderdown lay soft atop him. He raised his arm and it was free to
pull at the silk blindfold that still blocked his sight but he winced with the
pain of movement. Jensen’s hand knocked his hand away, “Leave it on.” he
ordered. 
Jared was weary, every muscle ached, he was battered and sore and he didn’t
think he would walk properly for days, but there was a buzz of pure pleasant
satisfaction and the familiar instinct to obey. “How do you want me, Master?” 
“I want you to rest beside me Jared. I want you to let me hold you and allow me
to pretend for this night.” 
“Pretend what?” 
“Pretend that you love me. I won’t look, I cannot bear to see the hate in your
eyes.”  Gentle kisses rained on Jared's face, over his nose and across his
cheek while fingers carded through his hair. “I’m sorry Jared. I’m so very
sorry for everything that I am, I’m sorry for the things that I’ve done and the
things I still want to do.” Jensen repeated “I’m sorry.” Over and over until
Jared lifted his fingers and placed them on his lips. 
“I know you are.” 
Jensen sighed and rested his head on Jared’s chest, over his steady beating
heart and atop of his brand, His hands tangled with the tag on his collar. He
startled as Jared bent to kiss him gently on the top of his head. 
“Sorry I bumped your head Jen.” 
There was a hitched laugh and salt-wet drops slid over Jared’s breast. “You’re
saying sorry for accidentally bumping my head. You are priceless, Child.” 
“Jen.”
“Yeah.” 
“Some of those things that you want to do to me. I think I encourage them, I
want you to do them.” Jared licked his lips and gave a nervous laugh before
continuing, “I like when you hurt me that way. I like when you peel away the
layers to find me raw and I really love it when you put me back together
afterwards. What don’t you get about the phrase, I trust you?  I keep telling
you and you don’t seem to comprehend it.”  He patted his hands carefully until
he found Jensen’s face and he cradled it carefully then wriggled from under his
Master and searched out his lips. He pressed a finger softly to them, parting
them for his mouth to latch on and kissed Jensen warm and sensuously. Jensen
stilled with surprise and then responded with slick, gentle movements and a
hint of tongue.
Jared spoke again when they stopped for air, “Take the blindfold off Jen. I
don’t hate you, I don’t think I ever could. I love you the way you are and I’ll
take you that way. I’ll lock you in a room, brick over the window and chain you
to the floor if that’s what it takes to keep you.”  He ran a hand over his
Master’s shoulder, smoothing it and reassuring him. 
When the silk was removed Jared wasn’t sure if it was the lamplight or Jensen’s
bright smile that dazzled him more.
Unchained, Jared propped himself on one elbow, he let his hand smooth lightly
over the pale, dappled flesh. “If that is talking then I’ve suddenly become a
big advocate of it.”
Jensen let out a disjointed and relieved laugh. “Yeah. I’m useless, I bust my
own rules on the first day.”
“Oh I don’t know. It’s a fairly big discussion to me Jen. It pretty much checks
off family issues, kinks and relationship boundaries in one clean sweep. Why
did you? Today, I mean, why now?”
Jensen lifted an arm over his eyes and Jared nudged it away “Don’t hide!”
“I couldn’t fight it. You were laid out for me, willing and vulnerable and all
I could think about was how you would look, the face you would make with the
shock of pain. I wanted it so bad and you trusted me. You let me manipulate and
dominate you, you welcome it! You are so beautiful and I want to make you
submit and hurt.This thing I feel, that I crave, is wrong and I don’t know
where it comes from or how to make it go away. I am scared of how far I might
take it. I know what I am capable of, I raped you once, I almost killed you.”
For the first time in the discussion Jared looked worried, he picked at a nail
and his brows dipped and met. ”You said you didn’t enjoy it. Was that a lie
too?” 
“I don’t know. I was furious and hurt and I wanted revenge. There was no lust
and yet I got hard. The only passion I had was anger and yet I came. I wasn’t
thinking about about how you would be. I barely saw you. It went too far and
there was no spark left in you. All I saw when you looked at me was pity and
despair. It was soul numbing and shameful. I knew there was evil in me then and
I tried to release it. I opened myself up to bleed it out, I needed to feel it
run from my veins, but I don't think it did. It curls in a dark corner of me
and waits."
Jared took Jensen's hand in his own and kissed at each of the slashed scars,
then took the other and repeated the action.
Jensen shook his head in wonder. "I have never understood why you would forgive
me for such a thing.”
“So there was regret and self-knowledge. That’s a good thing isn’t it? That is
normal. I’m a little puzzled at what it is you’ve done since that which should
have me scurrying for safety because I have never felt threatened.
Uncomfortable, nervous and turned on but never unreasonably afraid. You used
the tawse precisely as you described and you stopped. We mended. We’re good
together aren’t we?” 
“I almost broke your jaw tonight, Jared. How is that a good thing? I keep
telling you to be honest with me. It was time for me to be honest with you.” 
“You didn’t try to connect that punch, it was deliberately way-off. You got the
result you needed without the hit. You have more control than you credit
yourself with. I’m glad you told me,  I’m not a china doll, I’m a big boy and
there are things I like, rough things. We can work it out safely, can’t we?”
He tipped Jensen’s face so he was looking directly at him. “I do want to
include it when we’re intimate, Jen. When you go all caveman on me it makes me
hot as hell and twice as horny.” 
Jensen gave an exaggerated shudder “That is not an expression which should ever
pass your lips Child. Who on this fine earth taught you it? Wait. I can
guess…” 
“Chad,” giggled Jared. 
“Chad,” finished Jensen.
“Did you..” 
“It’s not all about ..” they spoke simultaneously and Jared indicated that
Jensen should finish. 
“Most of the time it’s not about making you raw, it can be when you laugh so
freely or the way that you care for others. It can be your teases or the
fierceness that you lose yourself in when you fight. All of it turns me on.
It’s about having all of you.” 
Jared reassured him “You do have all of me Jen. Always.” He flattened his palm
over Jensen’s heart. “Did you tell me now, because of Venne? Did you hope to
push me away?” 
His hand rose and fell with the sigh from Jensen’s chest. “No. I didn’t hope
for this to finish us, even if I thought it would. I suppose I had to know
whether tomorrow could realistically be the first day of the rest of our life
together, or if I should cut my losses and accept all this for an anomaly of
war, one of those short, crazy romances born from strange circumstances. The
chances are that I will have to explain our relationship to Meghan and that
would be hard even if I understood it myself.” 
“Woah, hang on! My baby sister doesn’t get details of our sex life. Not ever.” 
“Moons, no! Never! But she will want to understand what defines us. She is your
blood and she is going to want to know why you refuse your place in the
Monarchy and how you accept this collar.” 
“Right. Of course.” Jared chewed on his lip. “So, Meghan is at Venne and you
intend to be the dashing hero?” 
“Something like that, but I am the distraction. There will be three events in
addition to the public unrest. There is to be a strike on the prison,
infiltration of the Palace and an attack on the base to the North of Venne. We
hope it will tax the defences to break. The information is good but the City is
in chaos, with riots and flame. Technically, this is precisely my job, a deep
covert operation against a key enemy target. Josh has too much on his plate to
worry about refusing it. He would do anything right now. You know I will still
refuse your company. Venne is one of the few cities you would be recognized and
we cannot risk the jeopardy it would place everyone in, especially Meghan.” 
Jared didn’t have to like it but he was a strategist and he reluctantly agreed
with the logic. “If you tell me not to follow you I won’t, Jensen.” 
Jensen reached up and ruffled his hair. “Good boy.” 
“Steve’s gonna be pissed that you told me your plans. Why have you?”
“You told Steve something today, Jared. You said we were a team. You have
trusted me far more than I deserve. It's time I woke up and did the same for
you, because you are right, we jumped in this together and we’re the only ones
that see the vision as we do. All we have is each other and we make an awesome
team.” 
“So, I get to accompany you?”
“Nope. Absolutely not! I will need a team mate to rescue me if it all goes to
Hell.”
Jared huffed and settled back into the soft bedding with his hands under his
head. 
***** Chapter 30 *****
"Do I get to hear the story of how you met Steve?”
Jensen snickered and choked back a bigger laugh. “It’s not so exciting. It
isn’t exactly the big secret he made it out to be. He doesn't want safe houses
compromised but he must know I wouldn't give those to anybody. Ever since we
arrived he's been like an over-protective parent who isn't sure about my new
boyfriend. Mostly I think he was trying to save me from embarrassing myself in
front of you.” He pointed at Jared. 

Jared sat back up with avid interest and an evil grin. “Boyfriend, huh? Well
the boyfriend is not going to shut up till you tell him.” 

“Alright, alright!” Jensen put his hands up in defeat. “But if you mock me it
will incur an awful punishment.” He wriggled his fingers toward Jared’s
ticklish feet.
 
“I might enjoy it,” purred the slave. 

“Oh sweetie, I’ve already seen you scream like a little girl when your toes are
involved.”
 
“Quit avoiding the subject, Jen.”
 
“Alright, alright. I got caught with my pants down and Steve rescued me.”
Jensen spoke the sentence, in double time and gave his best innocent grin.
“There, story told.” 

“Oh, no, no, no, Jen. Definitely not good enough. Morbid details please. There
is plenty I can blackmail you with!” 

Jensen stuck his tongue out at the younger man. 

“Mmm. Sexy,” teased Jared. 

“Do you ever stop?” 

“Nope, not until you tell me.” 

"And  I'm  supposed to be the cruel one. " Jensen scrunched his face up to
glare at him. “Alright!”  He settled with his head in the crook of Jared’s arm.
“Command of covert operations is supposed to be sexy, right? Full of intrigue
and interesting situations? That’s what I thought when Josh decided to appease
me after his meteoric promotion. Well, it isn’t. It’s dull and it sucks,
especially when you’re not actually allowed to  do anything  covert. The only
thing Papa and Josh were interested in was a little spying to discover the
probable location of the next battle, the numbers each army consisted of and
the array of weapons they might use. There was hardly ever good reason for a
murder or a torture session. The good stuff like kidnapping you or
assassinating a few Lords was strictly off limits and if Pa had his way I would
have been commanding from afar, and that’s even less fun.” Jensen thought a
little. "It may actually turn out to be a good thing I didn't assassinate Earl
Ford."

Jared concentrated on straightening the arc of his lips. 

“Do not smile! You know what I did? I cobbled.” 

“You cobbled?” Jared wondered what he was missing in the conversation. 

“Uh-huh, I am a Master Craftsman, a travelling cobbler. I can resole your boot
faster than your average shoemaker. You know what every soldier, cavalryman and
Officer does before he goes into battle? He makes sure his boots are in perfect
condition. They are the most important piece of equipment.” 

“You do have a point.” 

“Damn straight I do! Others in my command traveled as tailors with uniform
cloth and buttons or horse traders with fine steady steeds but I got to mend
shoes. Once those boots are ready to go, the next stop is generally the Inn and
where do you think said cobbler will be staying the night? Liquor, my Child, is
the best tongue loosener. If said target is a complete bastard, then it is also
useful to drop the defenses of an arrogant man so that there is opportunity to
play.”

"Play?"

"For instance, it is difficult for a sober man to go into battle missing
several fingers but easy to have a drunk man bet on his skill with a knife.
Drunk men are also apt to drown in fast flowing rivers, that sort of thing."

Jared didn't think he liked the glint in Jensen's eye that suggested fond
memory, he moved the subject on. “This doesn’t explain Steve.” 

“No, I’m getting there.” Jensen licked playfully at Jared’s chest. “Steve was a
weird one. I couldn’t figure him out. On the one hand he is in all the right
social circles, on the other he never seemed to affiliate himself too closely
with any of them and his household never gave a single detail of his itinerary
away. He was a mystery but we had others so I continued calling to make myself
familiar.” 

“How familiar?” Jared’s voice was teasing but he couldn’t hide a possessive
edge. 

“No! Not that sort of familiar! Do you think Sophia would leave me alive if I
was that sort of familiar? Mind, in the end it was that sort of thing that led
me into trouble. See, the other thing about spying on the Realm, that sucked
for me, is the singular lack of opportunities to get any sort of sexual
satisfaction that doesn’t involve my hand. However drunk a guy is in the Realm,
they’re not going to hook up with another man in a bar and brothels are
severely regulated. Hell! on any given night, at least a third of the clientele
will be Elders. I was seventeen, I was permanently horny. You know how it is
because you’re there right now.” Jensen palmed at Jared’s half hard cock to
make his point and his slave chuckled and knocked his hand away. His Master
returned one hand and tugged painfully on his collar with the other. “My
property! I can handle it when I like,” he reprimanded with serious growl. 

Jared’s cock went from half mast to full in moments and he cursed as Jensen
smirked. 

“Where was I? Oh, yes, inns.  Three weeks into a serious stint within the Realm
and I was climbing the walls with lust, I was also busy plying a particularly
nauseating man with ale which was served by fittest barman I’d ever met, who
had a  very bright  smile for me. Matthew caught on to my game quickly. He
egged me on, and, as I soon found out, spiked the man’s drinks. He’s a strong
lad with jet black hair and beautiful blue eyes. I seem to have a thing about
eyes.” He stroked Jared’s cheek. “Yours are the prettiest of all, he doesn’t
compare to you.” 

Jared pulled his arm in around Jensen, to cuddle closer. 

“When our target was finally unconscious Matthew helped me to drag him into the
alley where we left him at the door of the local brothel, with a newly
circumcised dick and a note asking for the cheapest ride. Cruel but fun! Course
a brothel can remind a man of what he can’t have and it got a little heated
there in the dark, before we both got a grip and stopped. We made a date
instead, a rendezvous by a remote lake in a remote field in a ridiculously
outlying area of the village and he followed me out as soon as the bar
closed.” 

“So how did you get caught? I’m assuming this was the pants down  incident.” 

“Your stupid Gods and Stars got me caught. We found our way to a warmed rock on
a ledge and made out under twin rising moons and a bright star-lit sky and
Matthew, he wasn’t inexperienced, not at all. What he could do with his mouth
should be a part of our school syllabus, because wow, this thing he does...” 

Jared cut him off, “Jen ...” 

“Yeah.”
 
“Too much information.”

"Oh. You're better. You really mean it when you're on your knees."  Jensen
kissed lightly at his slave's skin and continued, “Right ,well, anyway, as I
said, twin freakin’ rising moons  and apparently  a super special  outdoor
prayer circle for godsdamn Elders from about all the local villages. The
bastards were on the hill above us and waited especially to make sure we were
at the  very pinnacle  of our activities before jumping us. Biggest cock-
block ever .” 

Jared was tempted to laugh but he also understood the seriousness of the crime
they had been caught in and the associated tortures. “Gods Jen,” he breathed
and caressed the older man’s arm, “What happened to you and to Matthew?” 

“Well, obviously my weapons were out of reach, except the one, y'know,"

"Mmm, I know it,  a very mighty weapon," Jared mocked, and stroked Jensen's
cock reverently. Jensen didn't reprimand him, he wriggled a little to give
Jared a better angle

"... and  my men were nowhere to be found. I'd sent them on to our next
location when I thought I was going to get lucky and there was no way  I was
taking James out to that lake with me. Matthew and I got lucky, the jail they
had us thrown into was temporary, little more than a drunk tank for local
trouble makers. I had a pair of my own trusty boots on and being a master
craftsman  the heel was hollowed to contain lock picks and a small knife.
Getting out was the easy part. Finding somewhere to go was the problem and as
selfish as I can be, I didn’t want Matthew to suffer. Turned out Matthew knew
somebody, who knew somebody and we passed through three households in the one
night until a final stop for which we were blindfolded in case we were
infiltrators." 

"Kinky."

"No, it was scary! I remember hearing the voice when Steve identified me, well
he recognized my alter-ego and his cobbler. Steve had been rescuing deviants
for a fair while. We stayed a few days and I didn’t dare risk contacting my
men. Matthew’s friends had been careful so we weren’t traced. After four days
Steve explained that there was a problem. They had to get us out of the Realm
into the Kingdom but his usual routes were being blocked by Misan troops and we
couldn’t get the appropriate papers to make us safe. I guess that’s where it
all started. I explained that I could get anyone into the Kingdom, if he could
get us over the border. I didn’t explain how and he made me cross several times
over several days before accepting my word. Matthew got out and I saw an
opportunity and offered regular assistance. It was an exciting sideline that
Josh didn’t need to know about. Oftentimes there were chases and sometimes we
got to secure revenge. It was six months before I trusted Steve enough to give
him my real identity and he was so angry with me he punched me to the floor.
We’ve been good friends ever since.” 

Jared did laugh at that. “Perhaps I should have punched you when we first
met.” 

“I’m sure you would have done if you hadn’t been too busy being heroic.” 

“No, I would have killed you. I’m glad I didn’t.” 

“I’m glad too.” His Master took his property firmly in his hand and slid his
torso, with hot friction, down Jared’s aching body until his mouth slid wet,
warm and velvet, around his slave’s eager erection. “Enough talking,” Jensen
said, as the younger man moaned his approval.

There was little sleep for the Master and his slave, before the sun rose.

***
 
 
He watched as far as the eye could see. The small band of soldiers and allies
rode out in warm cloaks and full weaponry. Weak sunlight reflected from bare
branches and frost-glazed grass, making him squint to maintain the contact.
Winter was on its way and he wondered if anything would prevent the misery of
another harsh war-poor season. 
Misha, Victoria and Chad accompanied Jensen’s small force. Jared had recognized
many of the faces from his first days as Jensen’s captive. Captain Beaver
greeted him with a hearty hug and warm hello. Others gave curious glances and
outright stares but everyone eventually returned to their preparations without
a word to the slave by Jensen’s side. Their numbers were diminished, Jared had
noted that, and conversations sometimes stopped in a silent space where a now-
absent comrade would have jumped in with a joke or comment.
Steve’s fighters saddled and armored themselves in tandem with Jensen’s men but
there was little interaction and the atmosphere was tense and uneasy. The
remains of the Queen’s Guard, with Captain Kane at the fore, was to meet them
at a later rendezvous. Jared wondered how much more tension that would add to
the unlikely allies.
Jared touched a finger to his lip where Jensen had kissed him deep and brutal,
in the stall of the stables, and asked him to wait for him, had kissed him
again sweet and tender and told him not to give up, whatever transpired. He
moved the pad of his finger to a purple bruise by his collar and pressed the
flesh, he felt the sharp ache and the promise of it. “Mine,” Jensen had told
him before he departed.
As the final dot disappeared on the horizon Sophia reached a hand and took his
arm. “C’mon, it’s cold out. There’s nothing to do but keep faith.” Jared sighed
and let her guide him back to the Manor.
 **
Green wood popped and crackled in the heat of orange flame. He stared into the
hearth, watching the flickering fire. Low afternoon sun filtered through the
thick glazed window but a tall, sturdy candle burned on the mantelpiece. Cream
wax melted and dripped, gathered, then reset on its curved edge. The flame
burned for Jensen and Jared would not extinguish it. It would flare until his
Master returned or the wax dwindled and burned down. He refused to consider the
latter. 
He blanked out the incessant drone of his mother’s pleas for drugs she didn’t
need but couldn’t let go. How long had this been her narrative?  Maybe hours
but it didn’t matter, this dependency wasn’t her. He could ignore it, he had to
ignore it. This was normal, the doc had told him so and books from the library
confirmed it.  His mind and heart were in Venne and even his mother’s anger and
tears couldn’t pull him back. He patted her hand, set out Mahjong tiles for her
and fetched her water. 
At some point the begging ceased and The Queen slept quietly. The slow click
and roll of a ball-bearing clock was rhythmic hypnotism in the thick silence of
the house. Jared watched the drip of wax and pulled an image of Jensen into his
mind. He tried to remember all of his freckles, counted them until he lost his
mark, then started again. When that became frustrating he catalogued every
bruise and ache in his body with a sense of pride and contentment.
 Soft footsteps broke him from his reverie. Sophia handed him a mug of warm
coffee, drew up a chair and sat next to him. “I can’t settle,” she said. “It’s
the not-knowing.” 
Jared took the mug and blew across the top, steam curled and dissipated. He
nodded and took a sip. He could think of nothing he could say to comfort her.
They sat in companionable silence and the fire crackled, the clock clacked and
clicked and the wax of the candle dripped and gathered. 
He returned to his room when all others retired but he didn’t climb into the
big, cold, and empty bed. He pushed a squashy, soft couch to the nook by the
window and draped a soft woollen throw about his shoulders. He sat with his
feet tucked up on the cushion and stared up at silver clouds that scudded
across  jewelled, ebony sky, trailing over bright slivers of the moons. An owl
swooped in stark silhouette, hunting for the last easy-pickings before the
freeze. He studied it, this predator with, smooth grace and natural
violence. Predator, that is how Jensen described him and he couldn’t dismiss
the notion. He knew he was a good swordsman, he had defeated too many to lie to
himself or call it prideful. He had excelled in close wrestling, archery and
every combative skill. Morgan had ensured the best trainers and fullest
schedule but he had always possessed instinct.
What Jared hadn’t been able to predict from his closeted tournaments is the
anger that simmered within him, how he enjoyed the reality of the fight and the
sharp thrill of the kill.  Uncomfortable memories scratched and worried at
him. “Morgan’s puppet prince.” was how Jensen had once described him. How had
his Uncle intended to pull the strings? How much of him remained Jeffrey
Morgan’s design? 
He couldn’t sit, couldn’t wait, the only people that mattered to him were
embroiled in their own battles. He sat helpless, watching the slow progression
of the night. He wasn't aware when he moved from his seat and he didn’t see the
sentry that stalked him, monitoring his progress from a distance. Sophia’s soft
touch and tired voice found him barefoot, blank-eyed and shivering on the
frigid, white-iced lawn.
 “C’mon in Sweetie, I’ve some cocoa on the hearth.”
He let her lead him indoors by the hand, took the drink that was proffered and
allowed her compassionate charm to chip at his carefully constructed armor. 
“I can’t hate him. I don’t know what I feel any more.” It tumbled, unasked,
from his lips. 
“Jensen?” 
“Morgan,” he spoke into his mug.
“He’s your kin.”
“I love him. He’s like a father to me. He was the one who was always there for
me. He had my first sword forged, he took me riding, showed me the
constellations. He comforted me when I was lonely and gave me Harley and
Sadie.” Jared's voice broke and hitched as he pictured his hounds, alone in the
chaos of a Palace under attack. He didn’t even know if they still lived, or if
they were ended with mercy after his funeral.
 
“I can’t think of him as a monster. How can I even be sure that it was his will
to have me dead?” 
“You’re an intelligent lad, Jared.” She left it at that.
 
He buried his head in his hands. “What if I am shaped the same? I think I have
good intentions but sometimes I burn with fury and righteousness. He was my
hero, my standard and if that was my mold and it is wrong, what does it make
me?” He didn’t give her time to answer. “It makes me wrong.”
 Her questions were gently probing. “What do you think about Jensen? He
idolized his father. All he ever wanted was the King’s love and approval. Is he
the same as his father?” 
Jared pulled his hand through his hair “I can’t know that, I never met the King
in his last years. Jensen is…” he faltered and lowered his eyes. “He’s not
wrong but, the things that he does, he’s not all right either.” 
There was a sharp intake of breath and Sophia leaned in to catch his eye.
“Jared, sometimes Jensen scares us all, but he has never done anything to make
me think he would harm us. You must tell me if Jensen is keeping you against
your will. We see your collar and make that assumption and then we see your
actions and they contradict.  Offering yourself in your honor is not the same
as consent and keeping you by fear of the alternative, is not care. Does he
hurt you? Does he scare you, Child? We would defend you if you needed that.”
He was quick to reply but it was difficult to find the correct words for
emotions he had never named, “No, Sophia! Don’t think that. Sometimes, there is
a glimmer of something, he has a darkness which haunts him but there was
opportunity to have my freedom and I didn’t take it. I chose this, I chose him.
It is hard to describe what he is to me, I can’t pretend it is right, only that
I crave the darkness every bit as much as I need what is right with him.” 
“Being deviant isn’t wrong Jared, love isn’t wrong.”
 “I know. I am coming to terms with that. This thing, that is between us, gives
us respite from all other wrongs, it is alive and vital and perfect. What he
needs to take, I need to give.”  He rubbed at his face. |He was sure he sounded
insane.
“Isn’t that the definition of true love, Jared? Two halves of a soul which fit
together, without rules or reason?” 
“I can’t lose him now.” Jared choked back a sob, “How do you stay so calm with
Steve gone?”
“I’m a mess, Sweetie but he will come home to me. I have to believe in that.
Jensen will come home to you. Your love is the magnet.”
“I’m not even sure where home is, Sophia. It is no longer in the Realm and
Jensen demonstrates no ties to the places of his childhood.” 
“Oh but isn’t it obvious Jared? It doesn’t matter where you are. You are his
home and he is yours.”
 
“What about my mother? What about Meghan? Where is their home now? You cannot
pretend a revolution can play out and all will stay the same.” 
“Of course not! They will find a home wherever love is. Earl Ford has chosen to
rebel but he remains a Royalist and his sway will be great in any new order.
There are few who would see your family destitute and many who will want their
influence. A balance shall be struck.” 
Jared couldn’t help the slightest smile as he studied her. “Are you so good
with every refugee who passes through?” 
“There are a lot who have been broken. At first I tried to fix them but it
doesn’t work. I learned from my mistakes that people are resilient and they
must be allowed to find their own faith and strength. Not everyone we helped
has been a success but I hear from enough to know that there is hope.” 
“You don’t even support a Monarchy do you?” Jared was sure he hadn’t misread
her comments and body language during his stay. 
She gave a wry smile. “My political leaning is for a government of the people,
but I don’t forget that everyone is an individual with their own problems. We
all feel pain. I may hate the system but I don’t hate you or your mother. I
dislike the Kingdom’s hierarchy and abhor slavery but I could never hate
Jensen.” 
“You’re a fine Lady. Steve is fortunate, the Realm is fortunate.”
 
“Nobody is perfect. I’m told that I’m an evil bitch if dinner is served cold, I
am quick to temper if a maid should mix rose and iris in an urn and I will kill
anybody who threatens my husband's safety.”
Jared reminded himself that even Jensen didn't doubt Sophia's protective nature
when it was applied to Steve. He returned a smile at her and tapped at his mug
to break the renewed silence.
***** Chapter 31 *****
Jared stared at the landscape beyond the window. He saw the brief flurry of
activity as a courier rode in at full gallop. He breathed deep to calm his
nerves and his fingers lifted unknowingly, to worry at his collar. Whatever the
news that was borne, Jared had no right to its knowledge and it angered and
feared him all at once. He paced the room, every nerve within him trembled and
tingled.

He was still pacing when Sophia found him. She was pale and her eyes were
tearful. She leaned a hand on the polished surface of a table as she conveyed
the news that had been brought. “The siege of Adomisa is over. The Realm’s
forces were cut down from the rear, by troops of the Federated States. The
States has declared war on the Realm.” 

Jared’s first reaction was relief and he breathed deep, smiled and held her
hand before becoming fully aware of her panic. She looked fit to faint and
Jared guided her to a seat. 

“Why would they do that now? We cannot fight a war on three fronts, what will
we do?” She cried. He was still thinking on the answer when Sophia roused
herself enough to sit upright and study Jared. “Oh stars! You are not even
surprised.”

He frowned. He hated to see this gentle woman in unnecessary distress. 

“You knew! Steve warned me from the first moment you arrived, that Jensen was
hiding secrets. He is supposed to be a friend. You knew what the Kingdom
plotted and you did not give as much as a whisper! We should have known better,
but you, your birthright is to protect the people of the Realm. You are
everything that was told.”

 “Sophia, Jensen is your friend. This involvement isn’t relevant to the cause
you fight. The information is 'need to know' and you didn’t need to know. Steve
used that card with me, so you understand the concept. Surely you cannot
pretend you have told Jensen every aspect of your own campaign.”

 She wasn’t hearing reason. “You are your Uncle’s child and you are worse
because you use it to betray your own nation.” 

The insult stung but Jared didn’t pull back, he reached to rub reassurance on
Sophia's shoulder. She startled back from him with a fearful scream for a
sentry. 

“No, Sophia!” He was rushing to explain himself, to explain his Master, before
the onslaught of armed men came to rescue her from the traitorous Prince. “The
States’ alliance is defensive. It stops with the Realm’s retreat.” 

Three fully armed men approached. Jared smoothed at his empty belt. He had been
disarmed from the moment he entered this household. He felt utterly exposed and
there was no escape. He continued talking, “The States merely want Morgan
removed from their doorstep. The Kingdom will come to the table for a stalemate
that ends as it all started. You see danger from the wrong quarter, my Lady.”
Jared raised his hands in surrender.

“Do you have guarantee of that? Do you have King Joshua’s ear? You are their
toy. How can you even know such details?” Sophia was angry. 

“I have the States’ ear and unique insight into the Misan Court. The Federated
States can make the difference, force negotiations that have been shelved too
long. Joshua is not his father. This war wearies him and he will concede, but
he will not accept defeat.” 

Sophia indicated for her sentries to wait. “You are delusional. You don’t even
know who you are any more. The Kingdom has you twisted to its will. The States
has done this without the courtesy of a warning. It is not a defensive move.” 

“They gave warning. They held talks with a key representative of the Realm.
There is agreement to push Morgan back. What the Realm does with him is its own
business, and fresh governance can decide its terms. It stops at the border.”

“You expect me to believe that Kane sanctioned it?” She sneered at him. 

“No, Sophia, it wasn’t Kane, and Prince Jensen played no part in it. I was in
the best position to see all angles and opinions, Ihad opportunity and I did
it. I sanctioned it. It was my decision.” 

She opened and closed her mouth, then asked, “How does a dead man sanction
anything? Did Jensen know of it when he entered this household?” 

“He knows that the State’s offered Joshua their assistance to reduce the
carnage, and protect their own interests. He doesn’t know that I sanctioned
it.” 

“So you keep secrets from him? I didn’t think a slave was permitted that.” 

Jared shook his head and rolled his eyes. He knew it was true, but it hadn’t
felt important or wrong. He was sure Jensen guessed and had left him this
single, last act of diplomacy for his Realm. Jensen never wanted to speak for
the Realm, it wasn’t who he was.

Sophia’s voice dropped a little and became sympathetic. “I think you need to
decide what you are and where your loyalties stand Prince Jared. I hope you are
correct and do not trust too easily. I have heard that is a failing of yours.” 

“The States are known to be fair in their dealings. You have too much other bad
business to fret without cause.” 

She regained some of her poise and nodded curtly to him, “Do you understand the
terms of a house-arrest Jared?” 

“Yes ma’am.” 

“Consider yourself under house arrest. You will not leave this room. If you
try, my men have permission to restrain you by any means.” 

Two men took position in imposing stance by the door. The third crowded him
with greater height and bulk. He moved away from him under wary eyes. “My
mother?” 

“You are forbidden to go near her.”

“You hold no authority to do any of this, Lady Sophia.” He couldn’t help the
petty jibe.

“I am Lady of this household and you, you are nobody. Don’t forget that Prince
Jared is dead, Child.” 

“I am somebody to Jensen.” 

“Prince Jensen is easily lost if you have lied to us.”

The sentries blocked his path as she took her leave. He originally thought the
wait for the allies’ return was going to seem long. The men who guarded him
were tight lipped, silent and solid. He shifted his estimate to 'endless'.

***
Out of the frying pan into the fire. Jared hated the expression but it seemed
so very apt. 

It should have been a joyful moment. Instead it was an unmitigated disaster; a
monument to the human condition and its survival instinct, the one that demands
that trust be strictly rationed. 

Jared couldn’t describe what he felt when Christian walked through the door. He
had grieved for him, missed him like his own family. Moons! Chris was his
family. The moment that he had walked into the room, alive and larger than
life, had been painful and hopeful all at once. This time Jared got to see, to
touch and to inhale him in a tight, warm, bear hug, with safe  arms wrapped
around him.
 
“I missed you, you stupid big puppy, I was always coming to get you, you know
that, right?” Chris’ voice was rough and emotional but Jared knew he wouldn’t
cry. His own eyes may have been a little damp but that was just the tightness
of the squeeze. 

It was when he unburied his head from the broad reassuring shoulder that Jared
noticed what was out-of-place and altogether wrong.  

“We have to get you out fast. We’ve found the Queen, we have a carriage for her
and your horse is being saddled. We’ll remove that abomination from your neck
and get clear. Do you have anything you need to take?” Christian’s voice
crackled in the static of his confusion. His men were armed and the sentries
that had guarded him in neutral silence were being herded away from the room.
At first Jared wondered what Christian had said to reassure Sophia of Jared’s
cooperation and then he had seen Sophia, held by Chris’ men, knife to her
throat and a defiant glower on her elegant features. Her lips formed words.
“Please, Jared.” 

“Chris?” Jared flexed his arms and pushed the Captain back from his space.
“What’s going on? Where’s Steve? Where’s Jensen?” 

“Sire, we need to move now. I can explain as we ride.” Captain Kane was all
business, his hand found Jared’s collar and felt for a clasp. 

Jared reached up protectively and swatted the searching fingers away. He knew
the lock was fitted flush, the only access, his Master’s key, but the touch
felt like trespass. “Don’t” he said irritably. 

“Sire! Do you need anything?” Chris repeated. 

“No. Yes. I need you to explain what’s going on.” 

“We’re getting you out of here. Somewhere they’ll not find you. Now, please
move Jared. I am not sure if they have reinforcements.” 

Years of partnership had him moving in tandem with his friend, letting himself
be swept along in the older man’s care, as if no time had passed without him.
He came to his senses in the spacious entrance hall when the stable lad was
dragged roughly into their presence and ordered to prepare his horse and turn
the rest loose. 

“Chris. Stop it! Just stop!” Jared held out his hand to the lad and shoved the
boy’s captor away. “Leave the boy alone and leave the horses alone,” Jared
growled, to everyone’s stunned surprise. 

“Prince Jared, come on! Now is not the time to argue over details.” 

“Is Morgan on his way? Are we found out? If so, we should be getting these
people to safety, not abusing them.” 

“Morgan is being kept busy with your favorite Prince and his friends. They
deserve each other.” The words were spat with heavy sarcasm and hatred.

Christian moved to hook the stable-boy’s arm.The lad looked up at Captain Kane
and gulped. Jared ground to a halt and protectively shoved the lad behind him.
“No!” he said. “I think now is a great time to hear the whole plan, preferably
in private, Soldier.” He spoke with an authority he had never before used with
Chris. 

His Captain span on his heel to stare at his Prince with a wide-eyed look of
disbelief.

“Sire. Your sister awaits and you would not want harm to befall her.” 

Jared thought he would not find his breath. “You have Meghan safe? Oh, Stars!
Christian, why didn’t you say?” Jared moved to hug the broad man again. “So,
you must bring her into the protection of the house. We are better to stand
together.” 

Captain Kane drew back. He studied his former charge with an expression that
suggested Jared had lost his sanity. “This household stands with the Kingdom
and with the man that took everything of you. They made you a slave, you are a
prisoner here. I have made it safe for you to leave and they will not pursue
you. Prince Jensen is dealt with, we will regroup after Morgan is quashed and
rise again to quell this madness.”

Jared couldn't ask his Captain what he meant when he said that Jensen had
been dealt with. He didn't want to hear the worst, wouldn't accept it anyway.
He filed it in a dim part of his mind and pretended it wasn't said.

“No! No, Chris, we won’t! We will squash Morgan and you will assist the people
of this Nation to regain peace and dignity. The Kingdom will draw back their
hatred and regain their own peace. That  was the plan.”

Activity had ceased and an unnatural stillness surrounded the Prince and his
Captain. Into it Jake carried the Queen with the ease of one carrying a small
child. She was wrapped in quilt with her face chalk-pale but her bright hazel
eyes shone clear. “Captain Kane, Private Abel, Jared, We will take counsel now.
Jake, be a good boy and find a chair for me while you fetch the Lady of the
House. My dear Sophia will find us a safe space.” 

Captain Kane took to his knee in a deep bow. 

“Quit grovelling and start listening Captain Kane, I tire so easily of all
this.”

 *** 

It felt unreal, years lost to wracked pain, vague uncertainty and breathless,
weak whispers dropped away with strong spoken words and determination. His
mother arrived as though she were never gone, with a gentle chastisement
directed at Kane and a friendly warning to Sophia. Sparks of hate flashed
between the Lady of the House and the Captain of the Queen's Guard but they
conceded to their Queen with an awkward ceasefire. There was acknowledgement
that none of the parties had entered this tryst in total honesty. There were
promises of change and negotiation, a need to be done with this war and
memories of long lost friendships.

On the sidelines, in no defined camp, was her son, the one she had given it all
to and taken everything from. He was wrecked by Kane’s deed and his mother’s
calm. They could fix this, reboot the rebellion from different direction, mend
their alliances and end a war. The trust would have to be rebuilt but without
Jensen, whatever the result, Jared knew he would be empty and homeless.
The fog of his mind was thick, it swirled and grasped at him as he fought an
urge to scream and shout, yell his grief and disapproval. Words ended in
question and attention focused on the him but he hadn’t heard the questions
over the noise of his loss.  

When he finally heard their voices, the Queen was speaking sadly, “I already
know his decision. My son is dead. Have the boy saddle a horse for Prince
Jensen’s slave and have the armory return his weapons to him.”  

Angry heat burned at the edges of the mist and clarity returned. “Mam,” Jared's
voice caught and hitched, “It doesn’t have to be like this.” 

“You think I cannot see how you are Jared? You are no longer my lost boy.
Somewhere since De’ith you grew up. You cannot denounce him to be here and I
fully understand what sacrifice the Federated States has asked of you, I have
seen it in your words and your actions. I loved Jensen's father once and I
should not have let him slip from me. Don’t lose faith, fight for your love and
take him home.”

Surely it was hopeless. Kane had brought his campaign forward and exposed
Steve’s revolutionaries and Jensen’s troops to the full wrath of Morgan’s men.
The time of the mission was long past, the rendezvous not kept. 

“Mam.” He pleaded. 

“No!” It was Christian’s objection, “You would disown your only son? You would
let him be resigned to deviancy and servitude, committed to a life of
degradation and an afterlife in Hell? You aren’t thinking straight.” He made
toward the Queen and Jake lunged to restrain him. 

“You see only the collar Sir, you haven’t seen them. You didn’t see them
together, Sir.” Jake did not stand down from his Captain.

Jared turned a shocked face on Jake who returned a clear blue gaze with a small
shrug, “I see what is there and I was jealous but I will not deny it, there is
a time for truths and it is now. You love Prince Jensen and he would gather the
moons for you.  He needs you, now more than ever.”

The Queen was breathing shallow, her pallor grey with exhaustion, “Jare,” she
gestured for his hand and he wrapped his arms around her. “My son is gone but I
am very fond of Prince Jensen’s lover. I think when we have mended me and fixed
this ridiculous squabble, we may see each other again.” 

“How do I even know he is alive?”  His finger drifted to the sore purple bloom
on his neck,  “Don’t give up on me, Child. Whatever transpires, don’t give up.”
 

“I am certain, it was foretold.” 

He kissed her and held her close, breathed in the scent of lavender water and
rose. He squeezed his eyes tight to prevent the flood before bowing to take his
leave, the last time as her son and the final moment as Prince of the Realm.
There would be no reunion with Meghan, for she had no brother.

Jared gathered his courage and walked away.
***** Chapter 32 *****
The stables were quiet aside from the occasional, soft thud of hooves and
puffed breath that hung in the air as cloud. Jared adjusted the girth and
checked his pack a last time, then breathed earthy-sweet air deep into his
lungs and led his girl out of the stalls by rein. The late afternoon sun hung
low in the sky with a glare in his sight line. He heard the steady clop of
another horse on the cobbles and a relieved smile pulled at his lips as he
turned to greet the other. Chris had chased him from their conference, raging
at his choices and his deviancy, asking him to change his mind, change his
wrong but he was sure it was the shock, a knee jerk reaction to something
utterly unexpected. Jared had hoped he would calm and follow him. He didn’t
want to be alone. He didn’t know how to be alone.
The person waiting in the yard wasn’t Christian. The stable lad threw his pack
over his shoulder and grinned at Jared with hopeful enthusiasm.
“No! Oh no!”
“I have fifteen Summers and I can ride real good.”
“You are too young. I won’t be responsible for getting you killed.”
“Prince Jensen had a command at fourteen and you are not yet seventeen. I can
fight and I can run messages. I can tend your horse and tell you jokes.” The
boy wheedled and batted his eyelashes, flexed his muscles in a show of strength
and bounced on his heels.”
“No. You stay safe, here.”
The lad pouted. “Who is to say it is safe here? There will be uprising
everywhere and I will fight for our cause wherever I am.”
Jared pointed to the house.
“I’ll follow you anyway and I’ll whistle. Mama tells me my whistling is ever so
annoying.”
Jared continued to point to the mansion and shook his head.
The boy snagged his foot into a stirrup and swung himself onto his horse. “Hey,
if we succeed, this is the last great adventure of the war and I am not going
to miss it. It may be my only opportunity for a war-story to tell to my
grandchildren and I get the scoop of what really happened to Prince Jared. Now,
I can tell it to my disbelieving grandchildren or I can tell it now.” The lad
gave the cockiest of grins and waggled his eyebrows.
“You little shit! Give me a reason not to knock you off that horse.”
“Nobody should travel alone,” he pulled the reins and dug his heels in, “and
you’ll have to catch me first." The lad turned to the moor and took off at a
canter.
Jared looked to the empty landscape, shuddered at the vastness of it and
followed him. He was done arguing.
***
It happened that Ben was a good rider and cheery company. The lad was
inexperienced and eager but good-hearted and quick to follow instruction. It
was nothing like having Chris or Jensen’s solid and reassuring presence. This
time Jared was required to lead with confidence and give the boy firm command.
It steadied Jared in a new way. Ben was reliant on him for his survival and
Jensen was in trouble, he needed Jared, of that he was sure. He felt it in the
fluttering of his gut and the squeeze of his heart. Jared wasn’t going to show
weakness or let Jensen down. If this was all Jared had, his only team, he would
make it work because he could not consider a future without his Master, his
Jensen by his side.
The Moons favored their journey. Nyxos was at full round in bright cheer, and
Hypnos waxed yellow at half. The stars burned through the clouds and the
constellations guided them on to Venne. There was irony in that, Morgan had
taught him well.
They stopped to take stock, five miles from the City. Inn lights burned a
welcome for breakfasting travelers and Jared adjusted his scarf, had Ben check
that his collar and cuffs were not exposed, then led the way to charm the
serving girls into conversation and hot meals. He spent enough of the money he
had appropriated from Jensen’s stash to loosen tongues without rousing
suspicion. He was sure Jensen would forgive his light fingers and, if he
didn’t, then Jared would take whatever discipline it invoked. Jared was single-
minded in his goal.
Ben’s chirpy nature made him friends in quick time and his ready helpfulness
saw him offering to help in the stable. Jared watched him with increasing
respect. The lad initiated conversation that had travelers pouring their tales
to him without asking for Ben’s own story.
They stopped at the Inn for most of the morning, taking warmth and soft drinks
and swapping frequent company. By noon Jared was confident that they had a good
general knowledge of the unrest that surrounded Venne. The news was disturbing,
fear and hopelessness clutched at him but he forced himself to gather his
comrade and ride forward. He took point with dignity, projected courage but all
the time his mind was a swirl. He had no plan, and few hours to formulate one.
It seemed that checkpoints were becoming more frequent and the suspicion of the
soldiers increased at each stage. Civilians were fleeing Venne with meager
belongings, in sooty, ragged clothing, while Jared and Ben headed inward to the
chaos.
The landscape was familiar, housing and settlements, offices and barracks were
like old friends to him. He forced himself to breathe slow and relax his grip
on his reins. He smiled at passers-by and greeted groups of weary but focused
warriors who moved with purpose about the area. Ben rode so close their horses
almost clashed and Jared found a smile to paste on his lips. This was it, they
were it and there could be no falling apart now.
They were almost at the city gates when a soldier pulled them up with one hand
settled on his weapon. “Why do I know your features, traveler?”
Jared pretended to take a long stare at his face before he answered, “I have
had occasion to deal with both barracks and Palace in my time. It is likely we
have met and perhaps shared drinks.”
It wasn’t the right answer, Jared could sense it from the increased tension in
the man’s shoulders and the flex of his hand about his hilt. Jared kept his
tone pleasant. “Perhaps I resemble somebody that you have met.”
“What is your purpose here?”
“I am sent with this lad to retrieve belongings that My Lord wishes to keep
safe. He keeps premises with fine armor and steel which he must distribute in
haste to Lord Morgan. It is my honor to complete this task.” Jared cited an
address which he hoped still dealt with such items.
“Then you must have papers.”
Their confrontation was drawing stares, Jared gave a false smile and nod, “Of
course, but I am not sure that all who watch us are sympathetic to Lord
Morgan’s cause, we should pull out of the crowd. It is all quite unsettling.
Maybe you can find a way to assist us in our mission.”

His reins were taken in hand by the stranger and he let himself be led to a
quiet spot between abandoned trading stands. He flicked his hand for Ben to
follow and hoped the lad had some common sense.
The parchment he presented was blank. He watched for the warrior’s reaction and
drew faster. Ben shifted and jumped from his horse, blocking the view to
passers-by. Jared was shaking but he took the opportunity. He pressed a sharp
edge to the angry soldier’s throat and leaned in close to speak. He didn’t
recognize the cold hostility in his own voice, “Where are the prisoners being
kept?”
A glob of vile spit struck his face and slid a revolting trail. Jared
retaliated with a forceful slap that reddened the skin and jolted the man’s
head into the stone wall. He heard Ben suck in air.
“I can leave you alive enough to crawl back to your family or I can make sure
you beg for them as you die.” Jared stuffed a rag into the mouth that opened in
rage and let his knife draw a fine nick that trailed blood down the soldier’s
neck. There was no time to think, the man struggled and pushed with unexpected
might and loud crack at his elbow. Jared’s response was immediate and
instinctive, his captive contorted his face in agony as he sank toward the
ground. It took a hefty tug at Jared’s ruby handled blade to pull it out of the
foot it had pinned into the soil. “I can repeat it with the other foot,” he
snarled. If this was war, if this was inflicting hurt, he had no regret, it was
all too easy.
Ben coughed loudly. Incoming.
Tears slid down the defiant face, Jared removed the rag to allow the soldier's
bitter speech, “You can’t help them. All you will see is vermin meeting their
end.”
Jared tensed, he estimated no more than three unarmed citizens were watching
with interest. Ben stepped back to maintain distance from them and Jared
adjusted his stance and dealt a heavy punch to his captive’s gut. He had to
finish this quickly. “Where?” he repeated as he let his blade catch the light.”
“You’re going to kill me.”
“Not if you tell me. I keep my word.”
Blood pooled and gathered on the street and snot ran from the man’s nose.
“There is a holding place for the condemned, on the North side of the Square.”
Jared withdrew the knife from his throat and took him by the shoulders. With a
hefty shove the soldier was in the arms of a smirking citizen. “I said I
wouldn’t kill you,” he called as they made haste to leave the scene. Within
moments, a crowd of riot and noise was left behind them and the distraction had
them slipping through the gates without challenge.
***
Freezing sleet drizzled from looming grey clouds and the cobbles beneath their
feet became slippery with the miserable slush.
The Summer Palace stood, an untouched relic, at the far reach of Venne,
impenetrable and securely closed for siege. It was a forbidding testament to
Morgan’s presence for there was no longer any other to take its protection.
The main prison stood empty, a shell of its former self, doors were battered
and hanging, the bars torn from the windows. The Royal insignia had been ripped
from its pole and fluttered, tattered and defaced, on a low wall. The acrid
stink of smoke pervaded the senses, barely covering the putrid-sweet stink of
cloying blood that ran through the gutters.
Buildings smoldered, shops were overturned and streets were empty. Scared
citizens scurried by the shelter of crumbling walls and abandoned carts.
Soldiers patrolled with dark threat and drawn swords. Jared pulled up the hood
of his cape and walked his mare with an overt show of belonging. The fear had
left Jared, his eyes shone bright and his body pulled taut. There was a thrum
of excitement and purpose through every fiber of him.
In the Square, joiners worked reluctantly at a stage, completing trapdoors in
the base and a high bar overhead. Rope was looped and knotted. Troops circled
the endeavor with sharp instruction and body blows of encouragement. Jared was
careful to take time in his approach, to let it be casual and curious, but his
attention was drawn to the makeshift barricade at the North of the Square where
a solid troop of Morgan’s elite gathered with heavy presence.
Ben and Jared played their parts of out-of towners with aplomb, asked after the
events of the week and the purpose of proceedings. Ben chatted excitedly about
his intention to join Morgan’s armies and Jared spoke sympathetically of the
soldiers who had died. He expressed anger with a red flush to his cheeks and
wondered what traitors and Kingdom-vermin looked like as subdued cowards. They
inched steadily closer to the barred area as they inquired about the time that
the fun of the executions would start and where the best viewing was to be
found. One man returned a sideways glance and mentioned in passing that Jared
resembled their deceased Prince and Jared laughed it off with a comment that it
used to be a hilarious coincidence but was now a particular disadvantage.
Others chuckled with him. Because nobody returns from the dead, especially not
those who fell at De’ith, Jared thought, as he kept his lips in an arc. Inside
him a murderous poison and explosive fury roiled and flared.
Finally, finally there was the clear view he had been ingratiating himself for.
Brave men, comrades and unexpected allies, were chained and caged together. All
that remained of Steve’s revolutionaries and Jensen’s covert troop crouched,
broken, bloody and beaten, betrayed by the human condition of mistrust.
Defeated but not bowed, bright eyes raged defiant in the closed cage and he
flicked his own gaze over them, looking at them, searching for the one with the
dazzling green stare. If any recognized his cloaked form, none demonstrated it.
Jared's trembling knees and sick stomach were grateful for that consideration.
Jared offered a silent prayer to the absent sun, a plea for them all, but his
mind pictured just the one who held the key to his collar, the one who owned
his soul. He wouldn’t remember the platitudes he spoke as he stalked the
exterior of the barricade, just the moment when he saw the broken body that
Steve clasped upon his knees, the brief flutter of thick eyelashes in an
obscenely swollen and battered face and a flicker of emerald-gold awareness
that found and held his own, hazel gaze for the briefest moment.
He wanted to scream, cry out and rage. The need to act, to draw his weapons and
batter the cage was all encompassing and visceral but the stakes were high, the
odds higher and he had no plan and no army. He felt Ben’s hand, warm on his
shoulder, heard the concern in his voice as the lad lied for the sake of
appearance, “Our Lord will be waiting on us, Sir.”
Jared returned a reply in character and prayed that Jensen would not believe
it, “You’re right, Lad. We have wasted enough on these traitors.” He struggled
just to keep his eyes on the route of his departure and to prevent his feet
from sliding on the frozen surface.
They reached the opposite edge of the Square before Jared allowed himself a
glance behind. In the dark skies overhead, a ribbon of sunshine slashed through
the swell of grey, and a rainbow shone, vivid and iridescent against the gloom.
***** Chapter 33 *****
If there was one City that Jared knew, it was Venne and something he knew
better than Venne was the Summer Palace, with all its tradition and
peculiarities. He was beginning to think that he pretty much knew Jensen too.
So, there were two of them and hundreds of Morgan’s men but he still had the
element of surprise. He watched Ben disappear through the ancient and tiny, ivy
covered, gardeners’ gate. That discovery had been a secret of his and Meghan’s
years before, when their childhood was carefree and unfettered by war.
Apparently it was still their secret.
The next stop was the armory store which Jared had used in his previous lies.
It stood vandalised and looted but he knew where the main safe was hidden and
how to use the treasure within. Who would have thought to hide their secrets
and their security from the Crown Prince? One patrol heard the thump and scrape
of his endeavors and came to investigate. No soldier left the building. Jared
was fairly sure the vault couldn’t be opened from within.
The crowd in the Square was surprisingly large for a devastated City. There was
nothing like a public execution to bring out a mass, Jared thought wryly. He
set up a brazier, lit a flame and spread chestnuts on the grill. Within
moments, a busybody of a City Elder bore down on him and he was only satisfied
when Jared offered him the stall, with all of it’s profits, in return for
permission for Jared to set up another on the South of the Square.
The crowd was getting restive and a warm bulk bumped into Jared. The chestnuts
in his hand rolled over the floor and he bent to retrieve them. “You bloody
fool.” A familiar, deep voice growled at him and a hand reached out to gather
the fruit for him, the cloak was pulled just enough for Jared to recognize the
branded wrist.
Jared tossed the chestnuts over the grid and pulled at the man, “We should let
someone else tend to those,” he said working through the crowd, with the
Captain close behind.
“Tell me you didn’t come alone.”
“I didn’t come alone James.”
“Try to sound like you mean it.”
“One rookie,” Jared sighed. “How about you? How many?”
“Chad plus two. You got a plan, Child? ‘Cos I gotta say we’re strugglin’ here.”
Jared continued his relentless squeeze, through the expectant crowd, toward the
North corner. “Tell me Jensen’s got the right footwear, James.”
The old warrior chuckled, “They all do, but it ain’t gonna unlock the cage and
I ain’t gonna get close.”
“No mind. Jensen owes me a foot-rub. These boots are a damn squeeze on my toes.
Keep away from the braziers, grab as many horses as you can and, see the
covered street drain by the old brothel? The men should arm themselves with
what is under. Apart from that, pray to the stars and moons and run like the
wind.”
Several of the soldiers recognized Jared from his earlier chat.They relaxed
when he approached and welcomed him back. He dug into his pockets and offered
warm chestnuts. He told a bawdy joke and they laughed with him, their mouths
spilling fragments of sweet goodness. He found some more of the treat and
others gathered to take advantage of his generosity. He told another joke about
condemned men and rope, one he had heard in the company of Morgan which made
his toes curl and stomach twist. There was a burst of hilarity. Sick fucks.
He hardly dared to look to the barred area. He thought he could detect subtle
hand movement, prisoners who picked at their boots or fiddled with their chains
but it was probably because he knew what was there. Jared tried to locate
Jensen but he was gone from Steve’s care. He didn't have time to think on it.
The lowering of the drawbridge over the moat that surrounded the inner fort of
the Palace took everybody by surprise. Drum beats and bugle calls accompanied
the clatter of hooves over cobbles, and riders in finery trailed the silk
regalia of the House of Morgan. Jared had mixed feelings about that, on the one
hand it was an arrogant announcement that Morgan had snatched leadership of the
Realm, yet it also served the purpose of underlining that the true Monarchy,
his family, was not complicit in the atrocities of this twisted show.
Jared wanted to withdraw his gaze from the pompous procession but something
sought his attention and made him gasp. Morgan rode tall, protected on all
sides by his guard and accompanied by his most trusted General, Samuel
Campbell. Behind their horses he could make out prisoners. Misha, Victoria and
Jensen were being dragged behind, on short chain. For a moment he couldn’t move
nor even draw breath. Jensen was barely conscious, struggling to keep up, and
when he dropped to his knees Morgan had his steed continue. He looked behind
and continued dragging the Prince across sleet-cold stone. Jared could only
imagine the horrific scour and scrape his Master would endure, and in that
moment, the fond memories of his childhood father-figure were forever scrubbed
from his mind. He saw his Uncle for the monster he was and there was no grey,
just black and white and Jared wasn't his Uncle's creation,he refused to be
that. There were pieces of him that would always be there but he would not
allow it. He was Jensen's property and that made him safe. Jensen would not
allow him to become that.
Jared’s fury was red-hot and vengeful. He would release these freedom-fighters
but for him there would be no running. He was here to take Jensen back, but
more than that, Morgan was going to meet his end and his end would be
miserable, at the tip of Jared’s sword. There was no more time to consider it.
Jared sidestepped two of the previously smiling soldiers as their eyes bulged
and watered and they clutched at their throats. They found their swords and
flailed at Jared but it was already too late for them, Jensen's obsession with
plants and the notes he had meticulously kept had paid off. Apparently a little
extract and a sharp needle went a long way. He wished that Jensen was with him
to appreciate it, but his Master was almost at the stage, the procession had
stopped and Jensen had managed to stand once more, but he was bent over, his
arm clutched around his stomach and even from this distance Jared could discern
the deep lines of pain on his face.
On the opposite side of the square his own childhood obsession with science was
just about to pay dividend. A loud pop and an even louder BOOM preceded bright
flashes of light, an explosion rent the air and the crowd screeched and
screamed, fell and crushed. Liquid contained inside metal, heated and boiled in
secret until the South brazier joined the show with a colorful, fountainous,
eruption. White hot chunks of metal and liquid nut sprayed into the air and
fell to scorch and scald the unsuspecting. With fear of more fire and black
magic, the crowd dissolved into an undignified, panicking mass.
Jared had no time for sympathy or guilt, The crowd had all gathered to watch a
sick entertainment and he had work to do. Within the cage, chains were being
dropped and released. Steve stood and organized all the men and the pitiful few
that remained of Jensen’s troop followed without question. The picks slid easy
from the heel of Jared's borrowed boot and slipped into the lock without
resistance but he could not move the catch. He swore and struggled with it,
tried not to be distracted by the thundering sound of stampeding horses that
emanated from the nearest barracks at the Palace gates. Lack of mounts would
slow Morgan's call to defense and he allowed himself a smile, Ben had succeeded
in his mission.
In the overwhelming noise and chaos that followed, Jared didn’t hear the
warnings that the caged men shouted or notice the approach of three of Morgan’s
men who surrounded him and drew steel. His own sword was smacked to the ground
with sickening clang and another blade found his back and prodded. He drew
breath, closed his eyes and waited for the searing slice into his heart, game-
over. He opened one eye when the cut of the blade desisted and bodies fell to
his side in synchronicity, with a thump and a squelch. Captain Beaver stamped
his foot on a corpse to retrieve his blade. “Gimme those picks you idjit and
get the other idjit out of here. Go get your boy.”
He grabbed at his ruby hilt in time to note the sword that was being withdrawn
from the second body. Delicate hands protruded from a heavy cape to heave a
similarly jeweled sword from the man’s torso. He swung around to look at the
face under the dark hood, surely it was impossible, it couldn’t be.
Blood dripped from the twin of his ruby hilt blade. It was held in double
handed grip and its owner panted as she gave a short laugh. “Don’t you ever
again run off without saying goodbye or even hello, Jare, and don’t you ever
die on us again, ever. I mean it. I will personally kill you for that.”

The lock of the cage snapped open behind them and Meghan grabbed Jared’s arm.
“C’mon. Kane will have gone after Campbell and Morgan.”
***
The crowd was like quicksand. For every step forward they were jostled a little
further back or to the side. It was a frantic squash that reeked the stench of
sweat, fear and rage.
“What the Stars is Kane doing bringing you here?”
“Honestly Jare. Of course he didn’t. I didn’t tell him I was coming and didn’t
let him catch up with me until we were within these walls. All this was for
you, idiot! Mam should have smacked some sense into you when we were young.”
Horses whinnied, ran free, bucked and reared, creating waves of hectic
movement. Jared had an ideal distraction but in doing so had possibly denied
himself access to rescue the one that mattered most to him. As he struggled to
make progress his stare barely left the wooden stage.
Morgan reached the dais. He watched the hubbub unfold around him and cut short
his plans for an impressive demonstration of his authority. He had his
prisoners hurried to the stage, and, when an executioner could not be found he
chose a member of his entourage at random. Misha and Victoria huddled around
Jensen, holding him up as he swayed on his feet and there was a tussle as the
nominated soldier grasped Jensen and pulled him away from his friends toward a
noose. Jared pushed harder with rising alarm. He heard an indistinct whoosh,and
the next time he looked to the stage Jensen lay, in a heap on the wooden floor,
under his executioner. Feather flights fluttered from the arrow in the
soldier’s back and Jared caught his breath with relief. Another rush of
displaced air had Campbell and Morgan ducking to one side and Morgan’s men
rushing to evacuate him while others searched the battlements for the sly
archer. Jared hoped that Chad had a solid escape plan.
Another noise could be heard, faint against the tumult and Jared stilled and
cocked his head for the direction from which it came. It was an even beat, an
organized roar and he knew what it meant. Meghan noticed it too and they looked
at each other, two sets of bright, determined hazel eyes met and they nodded
silent understanding. Reinforcements were rolling in for Morgan’s safety and
neither were prepared to let him escape.
“I shouldn’t let you stay Meggie.” She was his baby sister, and it was his job
to care for her.
“It’s not your choice, Jare. I’ve always decided for myself.”
“You’re too young and you’re all that’s left.”
“So, what Mama told me is true. You would rather throw your lot in with the
Kingdom.”
“I’d rather do what is needed for the Realm, especially when it includes what I
need. Who I need.”
“Are you saying you need Prince Jensen?”
“Get out of here, Meggie!”
“I’m not letting Morgan sneak away with Mam’s crown, I won’t have our people
downtrodden and sold-out. Suck it up because I am still the Princess here and
this isn’t about you or me, its about our citizens,” Meghan grinned and
redoubled her efforts.
Jared grinned back. His sister was dishevelled and flushed with excitement. She
was as she had always been, a miniature tornado, throwing herself at life and
relishing danger. Until he met Jensen he used to think she was the only one
like that. "Do you think we could try talking to the army, to the crowd? You
are the Princess," Jared asked.
They continued to push and jolt through the sea of people, Meghan rolled her
eyes at him and glanced about. "No, I think that is a really stupid idea. Uncle
Jeffrey and I didn't part on the best of terms and I am certain that his men
are not sympathetic to me. This lot," she indicated all around them, "don't
seem the most sympathetic crowd either."
“Hey. Don’t get yourself killed because I’m not going to bandage you up this
time, Sis.”
“He took Mam from us, our entire childhood, and then he took Jeff from me and
now you. I owe him and it's not me who’s the wuss, Jare.”
“Suck it!”
Then they were there, climbing the wooden frame. Jared's eyes searched the
stage, landed on Jensen, who was pinned to the floor, pushing a dead man from
his legs while Misha and Victoria struggled to unlock their chains. Jensen
caught Jared’s eye, his bloodied face split into a wide grin and his swollen
eyes managed an approximation of a wink.
Jared heard Morgan’s voice among other shouts and warnings but he didn’t count
the number that descended upon them. Kane burst onto the scene with a yell and
a sharp rebuke for Meghan and her impetuousness. They circled back to back to
protect the prisoners, and all the while they focused on Morgan. They saw the
greed in his eyes when he recognized the faces and calculated the prize in
front of him. There was arrogance in Morgan's decision to remain in the Square,
hate in his announcement that he would watch them all die. General Campbell
tugged a warning at his Commander but he wouldn’t be moved. The roar of
panicked crowd and the orderly march of reinforcements faded to a buzz in
Jared’s ears. His heart pumped hot lava through his veins, fueled by an
uncontained fury, a lust for revenge and a burning love. He fought with the
edge of the righteous and an instinct unmatched by any other. He didn’t count
the fatal blows he dealt and he didn’t notice the flesh wounds he received. He
was vital with grace and energy.
The slice of his cuts sprayed a fountain of blood from the soldier at his feet
and he panted with exertion. Jared saw two men close-in on Meghan and gave a
heads-up, but she was failing. She span and flipped, a last ditch manoevre that
saw one of her adversaries impaled. In a moment Kane had cut-down the other.
Jared came back to himself long enough to reassess the overall situation. Chad
had arrived and stood in defense of Misha and Victoria who had worked
themselves free and acquired weapons. They unlocked Jensen but all three were
barely upright. None would survive a fight. He managed to catch Chad’s
attention for a brief moment, “Chad, get them out, take Meghan and go. Now.
Chad!”
Jensen shot him a dark glower as he clutched at his ribs and scraped out a
refusal in his honey deep growl. “No! You send me away now and I swear I will
take it out on your ass.” The relief at hearing him speak was palpable,
whatever the injuries, Jensen, his Jensen, was still with him and still
battling.
“Well you better get moving so you can keep that promise, Jen.” The tone was
firm but he raised his eyebrows and smirked, all the while continuing with a
deep cut to fell another assailant. Misha grabbed at Jensen’s arm and Jared was
horrified to see that Jensen was unbalanced by such a simple touch, but he
couldn’t afford to dwell on it.
“No.” Meghan was adamant.
“They did this to get you out, Meghan. Chris and Steve and Jensen, all of them,
rebels and troops of both nations Don't let it be for nothing. Go!”
Christian didn’t let her argue, he manhandled her into their care and tasked
Chad to keep her safe, whatever the means.
Jared turned his attention back to Morgan, he didn’t see Jensen stumble or hear
the older man’s command for Chad to leave him behind, to ensure Meghan’s
retreat, or witness his Master's insistence that if Chad did not leave he would
turn his sword on himself so that there was no choice.
Somehow things slowed. The crowd needed to be quelled. There were reports
filtering through the ranks that Morgan had broken into a power-hungry craze
and threatened the Princess Meghan, herself. There was confirmation that one of
the soldiers fighting valiantly at the centre of the melee was a Captain of the
Queen’s own Guard, and a wild rumor spread that the Gods had sent Prince
Jared’s ghost to avenge their Princess. A proportion of the army dropped
swords, stood down and refused orders. There were murmurs and threats of mutiny
and Officers made it a priority to lock the City down until they could reassess
the situation. Jared wasn’t sure when the tide turned, but all at once they
were not alone in fighting Morgan’s elite guard, ordinary soldiers stood at
their shoulders with support and hastily shouted names and ranks.
Even fools have the instinct to save themselves and Morgan saw a chance of his
defeat, a possibility that a weapon could reach to injure him. He took
protection of three, then swung his horse and made to leave the rest of his men
to fight for him. Jared didn’t miss the move, he reacted quickly to snatch at
one of the horses that stood by the bloody remains of its rider. Christian
moved with him and they were side by side, riding, like they had never been
apart, cutting a swathe through the rioting and out the other side.
Jared spat blood from his mouth and crimson drenched his ripped shirt. His
collar shone clear about his neck and he hadn’t a care to cover it. Adrenalin
coursed through him and he was close, so close. He saw the froth on Morgan’s
horse, felt the steam rise from its flanks, heard its snort, smelt leather,
sweat and fear. He sensed the loss of Kane when the thunder of the horses faded
to two beats and then, there they were, just Lord Morgan and Prince Jared,
traitor and betrayed racing toward a deadly finish.
The drawbridge to the Castle stretched between Morgan and the safety of the
main fort and his General made ready to raise the defense. They were halfway
across when Jared acted. The bridge swayed, timber juddered and echoed beneath
their mounts and soldiers rallied at the portcullis. Jared launched himself at
the despicable man, nothing left to lose, propelled himself with all his might
and Morgan was not expecting it.
It was an anti-climax. The ease with which Jared had the older, heavier man
dismounted and on the boards, under his boots, was laughable. He was breathing
heavily, unsure of the truth, but Morgan grounded him in the moment with a
struggle and a litany of filthy curses. Apparently Lord Morgan’s nephew was a
deviant, a whore, a slut, a faggot, and a cock sucking mother-fucker but yeah,
he was also the one who stood.
Jared's hand trembled on his hilt and he cocked his head to look, really look,
at the terrified, ordinary, pathetic man who shook at the pressure of his blade
and pissed his pants at his imminent death.
The drawbridge shook with steady rhythm as somebody approached from the fort.
Jared didn’t deign to look up.
“Can’t do it, can you, you low piece of deviant property? So useless, so weak
you’re not even a person. Branded and used for your hole, Jared. It's all you
were ever worth.” Morgan ground his words and spat them.
“But he’ll be the one to end you. How much less does that make you?” 
Jared flicked his head up in shock, the voice was ragged and weak, but there
was no mistaking it’s source. Jensen’s retort ended in a cry of pain and a
grunted effort to escape General Campbell’s clutches, but Jensen was being
dragged and his legs would not sustain him.
Jared tensed his arm to slam the blade downward, to tear through flesh, muscle
and sinew but the harsh, even voice of General Campbell checked him. “You’re a
sensible lad Jared. Is that really you? Don’t feel the need to reply, peculiar,
and all that, but time is short. I’m more interested in your priorities. See,
whether you murder your Uncle or not, you’re not getting out of here alive
unless I let you.”
“Do ungfff.” Campbell stuffed his fist in Jensen’s mouth too far for a bite to
be effective, though it didn't stop the Prince from trying.
There was more bounce on the bridge as somebody caught up with Jared, to stand
at his shoulder. “Do you think he cares about that?” Kane had left his enemies
defeated, behind him. He stood ready behind Jared, answered for him.
“I asked Jared, not his valet.”
Kane made to launch himself at the General but Campbell held Jensen in front of
him. Jared stopped his friend, while stamping hard on Morgan’s leg to secure
him.
The General spoke slyly and full of disdain, “This piece of crap slave may not
care about his own death but I don’t think it wants its precious spoilt-brat
owner to be hurt. I think it is too warped to survive on its own.”
Jared pulled his gaze up to the masked sneer of Morgan’s right hand man. His
heart crashed and sickness rose, he was caught in horrible understanding.
Jensen shook his head, eyes as wide as the swell of his cheeks allowed, every
twitch and movement willing Jared to drive the steel the few inches it would
take.
Jared looked between them and Captain Kane added his opinion, “Kill him and be
done, we take our chances and we are rid of two bastards.”
Morgan screamed and begged as Jared pushed deeper to make a sharp hole in flesh
which bled a crimson trail. Jared stopped before tip touched muscle and looked
to Samuel Campbell. “What is your proposal, General?”
Christian butted in, “You can’t be listening to this Jare, please. Jensen would
own you, he is not worthy of you, he is wrong, a bugger and deviant and he
makes you the same. He sends you to Hell. Kill them both and redeem yourself.”
Jared’s mouth became dry, his eyes swam with tears.
Campbell narrowed his eyes and thinned his lips, “I only ask the slave,” he
spoke dismissively to Kane.
Jensen was studying Jared, as if he wanted to catalog every detail of him,
devour it, commit it to memory and keep it forever. Jared knew the look because
it was the one he thought he must be wearing at that moment. He licked his lips
and found his voice, “I asked for your proposal, General Campbell.”
“I step back, we make an exchange. You walk away and nobody follows from this
fort. I make no guarantees for your escape from this City. That lies with you.
You found a way in.” The man shrugged.
“How do I trust a traitor?”
“I have honor.”
“The honor of thieves,” Jared mocked.
“Appropriate enough for a promise to a slave, and you have no alternative but
to take it.”
“We’ll take our chances,” sneered Kane.
Campbell drew his arm back for the kill and Jensen locked his puffed eyes on
Jared with calm acquiescence.
Jared wasted no time, “No! Wait! I accept your proposal. I’ve seen what my
Uncle is. I’ve seen him cry and smelled him wet with fright. He’s nothing
special, the very lowest. He betrayed his own brother’s children, his kin. He’s
not worth any single life being lost, whatever their status or crime. I take
Jensen because his worth is immeasurably more significant. The Kingdom will
deal for him.The Queen will negotiate with him. The States will listen to him.”
Jared's voice cracked and he smiled at his Master, “I love him.” He kicked into
his Uncle’s belly. “For this traitor, for him there is no love, no respect, no
use, nothing. He taught me about worth and now I use his definitions.” The
scathing hate rolled off Jared and he dragged Morgan to his feet with vicious
grasp.
“Good choice.” General Campbell straightened and relaxed his blade, “On the
count of five then?
Jared nodded.
“One,” the General counted.
“Two.”
“Also,” Jared spoke directly into his Uncle’s ear. “I will not stop until I
have hunted you down. You created me, this fighter, and I will take you apart,
day by miserable day, piece by painful piece, with just enough left to give you
back to our people. Then they will shred you until there is nothing left but
blood and gore. That is my promise and my honor, Sir.”
“Four.”
“Jared, please don’t…”
“Sshh, Chris.”
“Five.”
The prisoners were released with forceful shoves and Morgan sped, sniveling and
wretched over the boards toward his safety. Jensen stumbled slowly forwards
and, as Morgan reached Campbell's side the General gave a dark scornful laugh
and applied a second, heavy shunt to the Prince. Jared wasn’t fast enough to
catch him, Jensen span to the side and lost his balance, momentum kept him
airborne and he fell from the drawbridge. Jared thought he screamed, he may
have done but he wasn’t sure. Nothing seemed real. The sickening sight of the
slack body somersaulting into empty space had him frozen, terrified and lost.
A laugh traveled on the sleet-wet wind, “If you want what’s left of Prince
Jensen you better hurry up and get wet.”
Jared wanted to chase after them, grind them into a million, tormented, pus-
oozed pieces, but sense constrained him. He heard a deep splash below and the
slap of fetid water against the bank. He pulled and tore at his clothes until
he was stripped to his pants.
“Jared, you can’t go after him. He is dead already, make this choice. Come back
with me. I can’t help you with him. I love you like my own but it is wrong. If
you choose him, I won’t kill you, I won’t even turn you in but I cannot help
you. It’s the law and the Scripture, Jared. Please.”
Jared closed his eyes and breathed in. “Get off the bridge before it closes
Chris, get off and keep running. If you feel able, leave my clothes and weapons
under the drain by the old brothel.”
He flexed his knees and raised his arms and then Jared was falling, hurtling
into a void. There was the rush of iced air on his skin, the flow and tangle of
his hair, the dank smell of rot and then the shocking punch of breaking water.
He sank deep into the bitterly chilled moat and his lungs emptied and burned as
he struck out for the surface. He felt all around for any sign that Jensen
lived His hands cut through murky, thick water and he forced his eyes open to
search for a shadow or shape.
Jared emerged at the surface, gasping for air before taking a deep breath and
diving under once more. They were a team and he had made a promise that he
would not give up on Jensen. He would find him or die trying.
***** Chapter 34 *****
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence.
Cold beneath him. Cold air, no, yes, cold air with pockets of warm, damp air.
Steam?
A strong reek of horses on him, and, all around him, damp, with hint of rotten
eggs.Sulphur?
Hard floor under thin fabric beneath him. Jared stretched a hand and his
fingers trailed over rough, damp stone, no they were smooth stones, a mosaic of
small smooth stones.
Pain, bright gashes of pain everywhere, some skin deep, others that burned into
muscle and tissue. A throbbing circle of pain that threatened to engulf his
entire head and sodden unresponsive airways that rasped dank air.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Snuffle.
Rough fabric covering his naked body. He felt for the reassurance of his cuffs
and his breath hitched in panic-- gone, hand to his neck, searching for his
collar--gone. Stiff, crusted fabric pulled tightly on his shoulder, across his
back and around his legs.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Labored breath.
“Jen!”
“Jen, Jen, Je” returned an echo.
Jared choked, he coughed green chunks of mucus and muddied spots, and the noise
bounced in repetition. His ribs were too tight, too fragile, the agony consumed
him and he forced a compromise of harsh croaked breath.
He unglued his eyelids to a twilight world, or was it his sight that was
compromised? Glints of bright reflection and a dim disc of light overhead.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Labored breath.
Fragments of memory returned. Jensen somersaulting through the air, Campbell’s
cruel laughter, icy black depths, the grasp for a still body, dead weight
dragging him back into the water and a struggle to the steep, muddied bank.
Sliding, grabbing, but finding no purchase, slipping under the water, sinking
under the surface. Bursting lungs filled with water as he fought to keep Jensen
at the surface. Then, acceptance, fading into a black, hazy calm.
Is this Hell? His mind asked his neck to tilt, and his body still worked. His
eyes adjusted to the gloom. A myriad bright colours, bejewelled mosaic tiles
and pretty shells covered the walls, and jewels twinkled like stars in the
faint light of the grubby skylight. Twin artists' moons shone in bright-painted
sapphire-tile sky. He ignored the throb and lifted his head to look to the
inner cavern, because he was sure it was there. He knew it would be.
It was safe, familiar, or Heaven, and sure enough it was there, the step
downward to the clear green pool, with clouds of fluffed, yellow-tinted steam
that drifted low over its surface. There was a slow burning lamp lit in the
alcove by the steps, which surely shouldn’t be possible.
“Daddy?” Daddy, daddy, dad
No strong arms moved to gather and comfort Jared.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Cough, cough.
He turned in the direction of the sudden noise. Blanket covered form, angular
pale face, high cheekbones, proud chin with a growth of ginger-blonde scruff.
Thick, long eyelashes that curled from closed eyelids and rested on the
freckled cheeks, freckles, so many of them and tangled, mussed, gold-brown hair
that he itched to run his hands through.
“Jen! Moons, Jen?”
Somehow the Gods had blessed him with a Heaven he didn’t deserve. He tested his
stiff, aching body and managed to scoot the few inches that separated him from
Jensen. A fit of coughing wracked through him and he trembled uncontrollably.
He reached his hand into the soft warm hair, dropped his arm onto the smooth
warm skin of his waist, trailed his palm to Jensen’s stomach and flinched
backwards as his fingers touched ragged skin and rough sewn stitches. There was
a gasp and then quickened breath and his Master wriggled back so that their
bodies spooned flush together. Jensen’s breathing steadied and he showed no
signs of waking. Jared’s head whirled with dizziness and he felt himself
slipping back under. He gave in to the dark.
***
Jared kept his eyes closed and continued spinning until he was dizzy. When he
finally lurched and fell to the soft grass, he laughed. “Coming! Ready or not.”
The orchard was dense with straight rows of heavy hung trees. He could hear
Prince Jensen giggle. It was wild and free and contagious. He peeped around
wide trunks and explored between shrubs. Ethan whistled and mocked from
somewhere up high and Jared double backed and peered upwards, pointing in
excitement at the pale leg that poked from the greenery of an apple tree.
“Found you!”
Ethan was pink with excitement “I can show you his secret fort but he won’t let
you in, he will battle you for it and he is better.”
The folly was solid and stone and Jensen defended his castle with vigor until
the seven year old Jared sank to the lawn, close to tears and pouting. “You’re
never gonna let me in.” Jeff sometimes bullied him like this, older boys were
mean, thought Jared.
Suddenly Jensen was next to him, strong arms flung around him, his fur
waistcoat tickling at his nose and an unexpected soft kiss to the top of his
head. “You need to know the password, Silly,” the ten year old whispered in his
ear and then added. “Yours.The password is 'yours'.”
“Yours,” repeated a confused Prince Jared at the half-size door.
“And then I say mine and you can come in, because I can share this with you, if
you’re mine.”
“Oh, alright.” Jared didn’t understand but he wanted to see Jensen’s fort more
than he’d ever wanted anything, aside from wanting his daddy back.
“Mine!” announced Jensen with pride, and pulled the younger Prince into his
hide-out.
Ethan picked at daisies on the ground by the folly. The two young Princes lay
side by side on the battlements, not a space between their sun drenched bodies.
“I have a special place,” boasted Jared, “It’s prettier and more secret than
this.”
“There’s nothing more secret than this,” argued the green-eyed Prince.
“My place is. Nobody but my daddy and I know it is there.” Prince Jared
furrowed his brow and remembered that big boys don’t cry. “My daddy is in
heaven, so it really is a secret.”
“Is it bigger than this?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Please,” The freckled boy pleaded, “I never tell a secret.”
Jared chewed at a nail, he really, really liked Jensen, and Jensen had let him
into his fort. “I don’t know. Long ago, all the Kings and Queens went there to
bathe and it would make their sicknesses better but nobody goes there now.
Daddy said the Elders declared it friv, frivul,” he couldn’t remember the word,
“Anyway, we’re not supposed to know about it and it would be real bad if it was
found out, but daddy said he fell through the bushes into it, one day, when one
of his hounds was lost. We went there sometimes and got it all cleaned up and
pretty. It was our special secret.”
The emerald eyes glowed with curiosity. “I promise. I promise on everything I
have. I promise on Ethan, I won’t tell. Papa says the Elders are mean and
miserable men and I won’t let them be mean to you. When you’re here with me,
you’re mine. You said so. That means you have to tell me everything.”
Jared sighed, after all, it was a BIG secret to keep to himself forever. “Daddy
called it a grotto. It’s a cave in the ground. It is lined with sparkling
jeweled tiles, it has its own sky and pools of hot bubbled water and a spring
that you can drink from. Sometimes I bathe in the pool that has green water
that is the shade of your eyes.”
“Neat.”
Jared rolled to his side to look into the green eyes. I would let you in.
You’re the only person I would let in and we already have passwords.
“Mine,” breathed Jensen
“Yours,” grinned Jared, without understanding.
Prince Jensen propped himself up on one elbow and rested his head in his hand
to look down at Prince Jared. His fingers trailed softly over Jared’s face and
Jared was suddenly embarrassed about mentioning Jensen’s eyes. The touch wasn’t
unpleasant but it was unfamiliar and felt odd, nobody ever touched him any
more. He laughed and stood, “Catch me if you can,” he teased. He was already
running.
***
He jolted into wakefulness as a hand pulled back from his face. “Prince Jared.
C’mon, you have to wake up, you need to eat.”
Jared blinked and grabbed at the blanket that covered him. “M’wake,” he mumbled
hoarsely and broke into a cough.
“Here.” Ben crouched beside him and pressed a cup of cool water to his lips.
“You were dreaming, Sire. Was it nightmares?”
“Huh,” Jared sat up gingerly and glanced around at the grotto, “Dreaming,” he
muttered and added, “Memories.” He frowned in confusion. “What am I doing here?
What are you doing here?” Jared kept his voice quiet, he restrained it to
prevent the cough that lurked in his throat.
“What do you remember, Sire?”
“I remember the moat, finding Jensen, I couldn’t get out, couldn’t find
purchase to get Jensen out.” Jared was frantic and close to tears with the
memory.
“Sshh. So you don’t remember bringing us here, or the pain when I stitched your
wounds?”
Jared dropped back to the hard floor. “No,” he groaned and then asked in panic,
“Jensen? Is he?”
Ben gave a smile, “Turn around, he’s right there next to you.”
“Oh Gods, he is so pale and damaged.” Jared reached to caress his Master’s
face.
“His fever has broken but he will not wake. I think he needs time to heal.”
“I need to..” Jared shuffled closer to Jensen.
“I know. I keep separating you so I can bathe your wounds and every time I
return you have found a way together, pressed to each other like magnets.”
“How are we here? What has happened?”
“If I tell you, will you eat? I haven’t much but I can steal scraps and there
is still some fruit and berries frozen to the trees. They thaw well enough.”
Ben handed him a thin slice of bread and slices of brown-edged apple. Jared
turned his nose slightly but he was hungry, his stomach growled and he nibbled
at the food. It wasn’t so bad, he ate with some gusto even if there was an
overwhelming smell of horse coming from his immediate vicinity.
Ben ran his hand through his hair, he looked scared. “I, er, I got in to the
gardens, and into the stables and let the horses out, like you said. I did come
back to the Square, but the battle was fierce and I could not tell friend or
foe and everyone was bigger and more skilled than I. I’m a coward and I ran
away in the only direction I could find space, until I was at the moat and
could go no further. I hid,” Ben said miserably. “I’m sorry.”
Jensen shifted and murmured in his coma. Jared laid a hand over his chest and
held it firm. He could feel the fast, irregular beat of his heart. Jensen
calmed and his heart slowed and steadied, he gave a faint whine and slept on.
Jared returned his attention to his young companion. “You have courage, but you
have sense also. There was no gain for you in that fight Ben. Don’t feel bad.
What happened then?”
“I saw Jensen fall, I saw you follow and I ran to be beside you when you
surfaced, but you were weakening, the bank was too slippery and I could not
reach you. I broke a branch from a tree and I thought you were gone under for
the last time but you rallied and took it. Between us we pulled you both out
and I could not believe you still stood. The City was returning to normal
around us and we guessed it was locked down. You said you knew somewhere safe,
somewhere hidden within the protection of the outer walls of the Palace. Who
would look to find you within the Palace grounds? Somehow we made it here,
carrying Prince Jensen between us.”
Jared finished his meal. He carded a hand through his Master’s hair. “He looks
so ill.”
“The water was fetid and foul and you both carried deep wounds. I took
everything from you and chanced the spa pool to bathe you entirely. I think it
was useful but your wounds could not help some infection. I’m sorry, I had to
break your collar and cut your cuffs because I could not leave the filth that
was beneath them.”
Jared nodded his understanding, “S’Alright.”
“Jensen’s gut wound was particularly gruesome, he had lost much blood and I
stitched it, innards and out, best I could but it has been problematic.”
“You stitched it?” Jared spoke in awe.
“There are many times a horse may catch a wound or abscess and I have to treat
it. This was my first time to work on people and it is not neat, but the silk
has held.” Ben looked proud of himself and it was deserved.
“Ben, how long have we been here? How are you able to find this food?”
“It has been three days and the City remains locked and in turmoil. My sources
suggest that Earl Ford has taken victory in many cities, most notably Ty’bont.
The Realm’s troops withdraw from the Kingdom and there has been no chase.” Ben
looked around the multi-colored cave and gestured to the scree-deep and bramble
covered entrance, “I am careful not to be followed to this place, I think we
should wait and build your strength. I am certain that the City will be
liberated soon, then we can leave without threat.”
Jared was gaping, Ben seemed to have no concept of how incredible his
achievements were.
“I’m sorry Sire, that was forward of me. Of course, it is not my decision.”
“Ben, if what you are telling me is correct, then I fully concur with you. I
still don’t understand how you have achieved all this.”
Ben gave a bright smile. “Oh, it was easy. The barracks lost a stable lad in
the fighting so I contrived to return some of their lost mounts, and, when they
needed assistance I provided it. Of course they couldn’t refuse a displaced
horseman a temporary position in the stables. I can steal some small items,
such as needle and thread and clean rag, and I am given food with my board.”
The slave looked carefully at the blankets on which they lay and the other
which covered him. He wrinkled his nose. “Ben, are these horse blankets?”
The stable boy giggled. “Yes, Sire, which reminds me, I have a mare in foal. I
must check on her before feeding time. I should go before suspicion is aroused.
You can care for Prince Jensen and sleep a little more.” Ben balled himself
small to crawl into the overgrown gardens.
“Ben!” Jared called after him, “Thanks. Take care.”
Brambles looped back and were stacked over the entrance.
***
However beautiful the space happened to be, the confinement, the pale stillness
of his lover and the waiting could all drive a man insane.
Ben brought clothes for them but Jensen’s wounds were too extensive for them to
be practical. Jared put his own garments to one side without wear. He kept busy
in any way he could. He bathed Jensen’s wounds and bound them, thanking the
Gods for the healing salts that bubbled from the core of the ground. He drew
water from the fresh spring to drip into his Master's mouth and he dried their
blankets in rotation. He kneeled beside Jensen to talk to his unconscious form
and massaged his undamaged muscles. Jared knew of warriors that took a blow to
the head and never awoke, but he could not dwell on that, he traced the scar of
his brands and kissed the brow of his Master. He was Jensen’s slave and he
would live in the moment, to serve him. There could be no tears.
At dawn and dusk he let Ben take over the watch. He placed his blanket at the
entrance and prayed, naked and on his knees, to the Gods that rode the Stars
and tethered the Moons. He watched the low sun rise over the frigid earth and
begged for its light. He hardly noticed the drastic change of season or the
blue tinge of cold on his fingers though they warmed by the hot pool in the
darkness of night. They lived in their own small world and he didn’t ask for
news of politics or battles. There was just this, Jared waiting for Jensen to
wake.
Three days after Ben woke Jared, Jensen opened his eyes and allowed his slave
to spoon him thin oatmeal. Jared wanted to sob and scream at his Master's lack
of focus and recognition, but he needed to be strong. After four days, the
emerald gaze found Jared’s face, and fingers sought Jared’s hand.
On the seventh day Jensen licked his lips and blew a breath. With a shaky smirk
and in a grating, uneven, voice he informed Jared that he still owed his slave
a smacked ass, and Jared wanted to cling to him and cry but he couldn’t, Jensen
needed his fortitude.
“You told me about this when we were children, this is our grotto,” Jensen
announced on the tenth day, as they paddled their legs in the hot, green pool.
“Nu-uh,” replied Jared, and dropped his leg hard enough to splash warm droplets
over the top of the soft gold-brown hair. “You didn’t give the password.”
Jensen grabbed hard at Jared’s bearded chin and held it tight as his lips
descended on Jared’s mouth in a hot, harsh, kiss. Teeth knocked together and
tongues twisted. Jensen gave a high whine and Jared could feel the burn of
their unshaven scruff and the delicious bruise of Jensen’s fingertips.
“Mine.” growled Jensen, as he paused between kisses.
“Yours,” confirmed Jared. “Our grotto,” he added.
“I want to do things to you, in our grotto.”
“You don’t have to ask Master. Never have to ask.” Jared slipped into the
shallow water, he pressed Jensen’s legs apart and kneeled between them, hazel
gaze held correct and low and a familiar thrill coursing through his veins. He
had longed for the closeness, the possession and the sex, but his Master was
sick and he would not push for it.
Jensen’s hand tangled through his slave's hair and rubbed the skin of his neck.
“I wasn’t sure,” he rasped, “You took your collar off. I was captured and weak,
an unworthy Master.”
Jared couldn’t help the sharp look up into Jensen’s face. “Never! Never that. I
didn’t remove it, it wasn’t a choice.”
“You had it when you took Morgan down, I remember that. I remember thinking it
made you the most honest and brave person I ever met. Then I realized you left
your safe walls, you came all this way in the wide open for me, and I was
honored and undeserving to be your Master.”
Jared kissed a path up the inside of Jensen’s thighs and stopped with his head
buried in the coarse hair and rich smell of his Master’s cock and balls. The
flesh filled out and hardened with the touch of his face. “Didn’t come all this
way to lose you, Jen.”
Strong fingers grabbed tightly at his hair and tugged his head painfully, to
look back at his Master. “Didn’t say you could do that, you impertinent pup,”
Jensen snarled.
Jared fought to hide his delight but his cock swelled and hardened.
“Who is in charge here, Child?”
“You are, Master.”
“Stand.”
Jared stood, towering above Jensen as he sat on the edge of the pool. His eager
cock was erect by Jensen’s face and the older man stared at it without a touch
for what seemed like an age, then, lightly, almost tentatively he stuck his
tongue out and licked into the hole at the top, dipping into the slit and
sucking just a fraction. He withdrew his tongue and Jared shivered with want.
Jensen ran a single finger up its length. “Have you touched yourself? Did you
come without me?” he asked with a sinful honey-drawl.
“No, Master.”
Jensen groaned, a little needy sound. “Gods, Jared! You’re so wrong you’re
right. What you do to me.” He let his hands roam all over his slave’s ass, he
squeezed his firm globes and sucked hard on his balls. Jared threw his head
back and moaned with the effort of restraint. “Bet you want to come soon, don’t
you?”
Jared bit on his cheek and nodded, “Yes, Jensen.”
“Knees!”
The slave took a moment to register the command and then dropped with grace and
the faintest splash. Hot water swirled and slapped against his throbbing dick
and it wasn’t enough.
“Not fast enough, Child. You’re slacking.”
“I beg your forgiveness, Master.” He remembered his training, kept his position
with lowered eyes.
“You ordered my departure, you have damaged my property, you do not bear my
collar and you forget your manners. So many mistakes, my Child.” Jensen petted
his head. “I think you want to be better than this. Do you want to be better
than this?”
“Yes Master”
“Do you need my discipline?”
Jared’s body thrummed with tension. His voice was thick with desire “Yes, I do.
I need your discipline.”
“I am injured, so you must make this easy for me.” He signaled for Jared to
bend over the rocks at the edge of the pool. “Show,” he demanded, and pushed
Jared’s head sideways to the tiled floor with his face so close Jared could
feel the brush of hair on his jaw. Jensen’s eyes were glazed and hooded and his
breath sped up and deepened with the pink flush of his cheeks.
So damned pretty, mused the slave.
Jared reached his hands behind and pulled his ass cheeks apart to expose his
tight pink hole. He felt pressure at the rim and the slow push and exploration
of a finger. It was dry and the intrusion scraped and hurt. He wriggled and
hissed but his erection didn’t fade, pre-come beaded from his slit in
anticipation.
I am going to spank your ass till you come, Jared, and when it is cherry red
and hot you will sit on my cock and pleasure me. Your come will be the only oil
you will get, so you better prepare to catch every single drop.” Jensen’s beard
dragged up Jared's spine with a trail of sparking nerves. “I can see how much
you want it.” Teeth latched on the nape of his neck and bit down with sharp
erotic pain, blood was sucked to the surface and Jared knew he was being marked
with intent.
Jensen offered his hand and Jared kissed it. “Yes, Master.”
There was no leniency in the hand. It was as strong as Jared remembered and it
fell with punishing sting and fast punishment. Fingerprint painted over
fingerprint in forceful slaps, until his ass was a fiery patchwork of pain. The
carefully constructed dam of his emotions collapsed and tears flowed. His body
accepted his survival, he was alive and feeling it with every nerve end and
every fiber. His arousal was overwhelming and he snapped his hips forward
searching for relief. He cried for the sharp pain, he screamed into a hastily
balled rag, for the wrong of his throbbing dick, he sobbed for the time when he
thought Jensen would not recover and wept for loss of battle. Jensen’s hand
took his and held it around his needy member, squeezed and stroked at it, and,
as the final smack reverberated through the echoing caverns and deep into his
soul, Jensen spoke the command “Come, for me.”
Thick ribbons of fluid coated their fingers as Jared shuddered through his
release with bright relief and satisfied sensation.
“Let me look after you, I got you. Let it go, Child.” His Master reassured in
soft voice and pulled him up with tender hug. The tears still flowed through
his lashes and dropped over too-pale skin. Soft pads of Jensen’s fingers wiped
drops from his eyes and the plump lips kissed at his face. “So beautiful, so
good for me, Child.”
Jared adjusted his position to silent command. He allowed himself to sit in
Jensen’s lap, felt the line of hot thick cock that pressed against him and
enjoyed the stinging ache of punished flesh as it pressed against Jensen's hot
skin. He accepted the press of slick, come covered fingers that scissored him
open with impatience and allowed the press of the thick cock-head that nudged
inside as he lowered himself onto it. He pushed down with Jensen’s
encouragement until it spread the flower of his hole and stuttered inside with
the lubrication of his own ejaculation. He slid down until he was full, filled
with the hot evidence of Jensen’s survival and it felt so good, so right, so
alive. Jensen clenched his teeth and whimpered and Jared stalled, “Is it
hurting?” he asked.
“Stars! No. Move. Just move, Jared. Been so long, can’t hold out.”
His neck stretched with his head resting on Jensen’s shoulder and he arched as
he slid up the length and bounced down with a slap of Jensen’s balls against
his hole. Teeth nipped and marked him, sucked at his earlobes with the repeated
simple statement, “Mine,” and the word travelled in a predictable thrill, right
to his groin.
He fucked down against the older man with firm rhythm that he let increase into
a crescendo of ragged thrusts and heavy breath until Jensen was pumping hot and
wet into his hole. His own orgasm crept up on him and surprised him with a
whispered prompt and blinding white explosion of fuck, gods, damn, so fucking
good.
They slipped into the soothing depths of the hot pool in each others arms to
let the healing salts clean the traces of semen and of blood that had seeped
from their wounds during their passion.
“What did you learn?” asked Jensen.
“I learned that you are here, you are alive and you must never leave me again,
Master.”
Jensen nuzzled his slave. “I learned that I am not complete without you. I
learned never to underestimate you. You are my hero and I am blessed with you.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” Jared chuckled, but it faded into a yawn.
When Ben returned with their Supper Jared was clutched tightly into Jensen’s
embrace and they slept deep and free from signs of pain. Ben tucked their
blankets in and left them to their dreams.
***
On the eleventh day Jensen spoke about the events that led to his capture. He
described the rendezvous that hadn't been met by Christian. They had known
then, that Captain Kane's troops would not participate, had hoped that Meghan
was already safe with Captain Kane or sheltered within the walls of the Summer
Palace.
"I took the decision." Jensen's voice was emotionless but his eyes were moist.
"The numbers were greater than our sources suggested."
Jared guessed that those sources included Christian.
"We would have done it regardless. Steve's men needed the head-start and it has
been a pivotal base for Morgan." Jensen leaned in to Jared and Jared rubbed
gentle circles into his back as he took a moment. "Steve got what he needed,
the documents went back with three different couriers in three different
directions. We have to hope that at least some made it through. It was the
right decision." Jensen pulled his knees tight to his chest and his head dipped
to meet his knees. "Doesn't make it any easier," he added quietly. "I lost good
men, good friends, good husbands and fathers. Once we had given Steve the time
for his mission, I gave the order to pull out, but we were surrounded. It was
brutal. The kills were not clean, they played with us and I wasn't the only one
who could have been killed outright, but it didn't suit them. The cuts were
designed to maim with maximum pain and steady blood-loss. It wasn't a fun
game." He indicated his shredded stomach. "I thought, if we surrendered, there
was a chance for a later escape. James had fallen back with the archers. I had
to hope that he would come for us." He found Jared's hand and squeezed it. "I
knew you would come. I trusted in that."
Jared lifted the pale hand to his lips and kissed it. "Always. As soon as I
heard."
"Didn't think we'd make it. Campbell recognized Lord and Lady Collins straight
away, separated them out. It made it easy for him to call the rebellion a
scheme engineered by the Kingdom, a public exoneration of his deeds. I almost
skated by, but no-one ever really does that. Morgan took a long, hard look at
each of us. It wasn't like I could fight him, but the worm still took a few
swings." Jensen managed a grin. "Have to say, Child, I'm not too impressed by
certain members of your family. I won't be making polite visits any time soon."
The humor didn't extend to his eyes. Jensen stared into mid-distance, his
expression was grey and lined, haunted by recent ghosts. Jared held him in his
arms and they didn't speak for the rest of the day.
On the fifteenth day Venne was liberated by Earl Ford’s armies.
On the seventeenth day Jared and Jensen returned to Steve’s Manor and heard a
graphic account of the punch with which Sophia laid Christian Kane to the
floor. Jared blew out the flame that Sophia had kept alight for them.
On the eighteenth day, there was confirmation that Campbell had been captured
near Venne, but Lord Morgan had fled the Realm for the protection of the
Northern Lands. That same day Ben’s courage was formally acknowledged by the
Queen and he was asked to consider employment as foreman of her own stables. He
didn’t have to think for long before accepting the position.
Day twenty saw Jared hug his mother and sister tight and bid them farewell,
with promises that he would write to them.
On the twenty-fifth day they returned to the Kingdom and to Jensen’s chambers
within the tattered fortress. Hope clung to Jared’s ankles with a full throated
purr and the deep press of fully developed claws. Joshua didn’t ask for details
of their absence and Jensen didn’t elaborate. Jensen had attacked a target at
Venne, there had been riots and they had been trapped. It was all the King
needed to know. The rest; the ghost of a Prince, the glimpse of a Princess, and
the strange collaboration of enemies was just rumor and fairy tale.
Misha and Victoria welcomed them home with fond embrace but soon returned to
rebuild their devastated home, and Chad traveled to Venne to stay with the girl
he fell in love (or perhaps lust) with during the heat of battle. Cookie
prepared a magnificent feast, Jared seated his Master and kneeled to serve by
his side, eating food delicately, direct from Jensen's fingers and licking them
clean with care.
On the thirtieth day Jensen and Jared rode out to meet a man and take him to a
nearby smallholding. Colin Ford saw their approach, ran to the gate and
squinted at them until he could be sure, and then he was running at full tilt,
into the strong, safe arms of his father. Earl Ford surprised Jared with a
tight hug and a promise that they were always welcome at his home.
Injuries healed, good food and peace filled them out and gave them color. Their
life settled into some sort of routine. Jared dressed in the fine clothes of a
warrior noble which contrasted with his near-perfect submission as Jensen’s
slave. Days came when Jensen sparked with dark, possessive energy and then
Jared would savor his Master’s ownership, give in to the screaming, sweet,
agony that proved life and challenged his control. In those times Jensen never
overstepped Jared’s thresholds and never lost his own control. Afterwards, they
would lie together, sated and peaceful. They would explore the map of Jared's
bruises, bites and welts, Jensen would kiss each one with tender love and Jared
would take calm from the sharp ache of discipline and restraint.
A short, cold, Winter gave way to Spring and Jared noticed Jensen’s ennui.
Jensen spent hours pacing or looking into the far distance. His attention was
short, his conversation shorter and Jared could not shake him from it.
Jared woke, naked, in the soft comfort of their bed one morning, to Jensen’s
anxious call. He remembered the day and understood his impatience. Today, the
Realm, the States and the Kingdom came to the table to ratify the Treaty of
Venne. In this fortress, on this day, King Joshua, Queen Sherri and President
Speight came together under the watchful eye of Envoy Woolvett, to make history
and put their signatures to lasting peace.
Jensen tugged Jared toward the study window. “Come here,” he said. He hugged
his slave into his chest and slid his arms to rest about his waist, so they
both looked out of the thick glass. Dawn splashed brilliant color across
sapphire sky and a bright orange ball of light peeked over the distant hills.
Jensen kissed his neck. “Remember them?” he asked.
Jared gazed to the vast sky and the far-off peaks and recalled a day when they
had done this, long before the events of Venne. “I remember,” he said. He
didn’t need any other words from his Master. “Is it time?”
“Will you come with me?”
“I am yours, I belong at your side.”
“Kneel.” It was said with reverence and the power of unspoken love.
Jared slipped into position, immediate, lithe and graceful. He felt the tangle
of a hand through his soft hair and fingers that trailed to lift his jaw, to
look up at Jensen. The other hand was reaching to the window seat, to clutch at
a velvet box. Jensen breathed deep and retrieved his hand from Jared’s head. He
opened the box and tipped it to show his slave the contents.
Red silk lined the box and contrasted with the shine of the heavy, silver band,
softly lined with deep green velvet. A simple inscription was finely engraved
on one side, 'Mine'.  A smooth tag hung from a ring at the center. He didn’t
need to see it to know that it bore Jensen’s name.
Jensen kneeled in front of his slave, a mirror of Jared's submission. “I know
that your life cannot be everything you thought it would be, a year ago. I know
everything that you give up today, what it was supposed to be and what it is
not. I cannot pretend I comprehend the scale of your sacrifice. On this day,
the day you come of age, let me offer you a new future. Will you come with me
in a new adventure? Will you be mine, and let me keep you safe and close in new
places? Because, Jared Tristan Padalecki, Prince of the Realm, Hero of the
Kingdom and Honorable Slave, I cannot think of a life more wonderful than one
spent with you, under the vast skies of your Stars, your Moons and your blessed
Sun.”
Jared hesitated and blinked, come of age. He calculated the day and understood
Jensen’s meaning. Today he turned seventeen. A year ago he looked forward to
this day, the day his mother would relinquish her crown to him. It was to have
been filled with pomp, circumstance, responsibility and war. Time had altered
his world, tilted it on it’s axis until it was unrecognizable, and he hadn’t
even remembered this day, his birthday.
Jensen was swallowing, his hands trembled, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
Fuck it. Jared reached to Jensen, took his face in his hands and slid his lips
over the shocked, slightly open, full mouth of his Master. He kissed him deep,
slicked his tongue over the hot cavern of his mouth. He kept his eyes open and
looked into the loving and most passionate green eyes that ever were. His
tongue twisted and licked teeth, entwined with Jensen’s tongue. He counted the
freckles on his nose, and watched the flutter of long lashes against the proud
face. He felt the rasp of morning stubble as they continued, breathless. He
nipped at Jensen’s lip and listened to him whimper.
When they finally parted, with a lick of their spit slick lips, he answered,
“Yes. Of course I will. Of course I am yours. I am always by your side.” Jared
touched a finger to the silver collar. It was the most beautifully crafted
piece he had ever laid eyes on. “Thank you Jensen. It is wonderful, it is
just..” he didn't have words for the pride he felt.
“I wasn’t sure. You haven’t worn my collar since Venne and I didn’t know if…”
“I do want it. I didn’t know how to ask. I didn’t want you to think I would
only be yours with a physical reminder. I didn’t know if it would offend you.”
“I am flattered that you will wear it.” Jensen lifted a second box. “I thought
maybe, if you liked the collar, then you could want these too.” He lifted the
lid to reveal a gorgeously crafted pair of cuffs lined with the softest, green,
kid leather and embellished with silver. “Will you let me fit them for you?”
Jared gave no verbal answer. He smiled and nodded, then dipped in formal
submission. Jensen fitted the collar with gentle hands and the greatest care,
and then did the same with the cuffs. “My good boy,” he said, with meaning, and
that didn't fail to thrill his slave.
***
The request to attend the signing of the Treaty was unexpected. Woolvett asked
Jared to take an equal place at the table and later, Jensen said he thought
that Joshua’s jaw would never return from the floor, to which it had dropped
when the Envoy asked for Prince Jared’s formal confirmation that he would not,
ever, seek to become King. Jared signed his name for the first and last time,
as the legitimate heir to the throne of the Realm. While the revelation of his
identity stunned Joshua into temporary, fish-faced, silence, it was a testament
to Jared’s strength and honesty that there was not a single raised eyebrow that
this responsibility was undertaken wearing the collar and cuffs which
identified his status as Jensen’s slave.
Jensen didn’t wait to explain himself to Joshua and Mackenzie, he didn’t feel
like having that conversation and there was little he hadn’t already organized.
Ten days after Jared’s seventeenth birthday the Master and his slave warmed by
a camp fire near the peak of the highest hill in the range. From here, the
entire Kingdom spread before them. On the other side of the peak, other lands
and cultures stretched into the distance, but that was for future days. Jared
sat between Jensen’s outstretched legs and leaned into the safety of his fur
and leather clad chest. Jensen placed the gentlest of kisses on the back of his
neck and Jared leaned into the touch.Their horses huffed softly beside them and
Hope woke on the blanket of the bay mare’s broad back. The grey cat stretched,
jumped down from the day’s perch and stalked to sit with Jared. Jensen carded
his fingers through Jared’s hair, traced the metal edge of his collar and gave
a contented sigh. They drank coffee from battered mugs and watched the sun set
over their past. Two full moons rose and the stars cast points of care over the
Master and his slave.
***** Epilogue *****
Chapter Summary
     Four Summers Later.
He arrived at the inn without a slave, strange enough for a man with a fine
horse, when such property was cheap and easily acquired in these Northern
Lands. Odd again, that he fumbled awkwardly in his pockets to withdraw a wad of
cash, which he stared at bug-eyed, as if it were the strangest item he’d ever
come across. Bandages wound around both of his hands, out of which poked just
three fingers on his right hand and a thumb and a forefinger on the left. The
innkeeper could see the problem and moved to assist him. He took the ragged
man’s paltry belongings and had an ostler hold his horse. “Sixty for a room and
twenty more for the stabling. Slaves can be chained in your room or left in the
pen.” He indicated a cage by the stable, he thought it best to be clear about
these things, in case the man's property followed behind.
The man muttered under his breath, peeled the notes from his wad and added
another. A nervous tic twitched and shook on his lip. He gave his host a wild-
eyed look as he handed the money over and one eye roamed, sightlessly. “Took my
slave! Gotta keep the ghosts away. No ghosts!” He yelled.
The innkeeper was used to the strangers that passed through his small outpost.
He had seen the broken ones before. They drifted through with the language of
the Kingdom or of the Realm, sensibilities long diminished by a savage war.
Some fled from phantoms which ran from the battle fields with them, others
survived to see the end of the war, only to find that they could not adjust to
peace. He took their money and kept his mouth closed but he was beginning to
think that this one was stranger than most. He wished he hadn’t taken his money
because the more he saw of him, the more crazies the dishevelled man at his
door seemed to have.
“People respected me. They feared me,” the man blurted out without preamble,
and then dissolved into unintelligible mumbling and gibberish.
The innkeeper held his tongue and led him through to the smallest and least
attractive room he had, he wasn’t about to waste the good space on the crazy.
The man shuffled after him, he was crying with the pain of walking.
He would have been imposing once, he supposed. He was tall, over six foot and
his once fine clothes hung from a large frame which would have been solid, if
full. His brunette hair was greying and cut unevenly. His face was half shaved,
just half a beard, which complemented his half ear on the other side. Marks
covered his face, healed silver threads, red scabbing slashes and a fresh, raw,
red gash. Similar, knife-edge scars shone visible, on flesh of his arm.
“Hey, Buddy, you’re bleeding. Do you need something for the wounds?”
“Ghosts,” spat the man. His one, steady, hazel eye locked on him. 
“Er, right, I’ll just leave you to it then.” The innkeeper backed out of the
door.
A shout followed him through the door, “Drink!”
He sighed, some days the hospitality trade just wasn’t worth the effort. Still,
he had seen the money and with creative pricing at the bar, he should make a
tidy profit from the crazy this evening.
The crazy coddled a glass in a corner of the bar and drank steadily. Every now
and again he would pull at the innkeeper and speak an assortment of insane
statements at him. If the man could be believed, ghosts assaulted him in the
dark of night or in the silent, lone places of the day. He ran, he never
stopped running but it became harder, he had so few toes left. Wherever he ran,
they followed, and they took him apart, day by day and piece by piece. A
finger, a toe, an ear, or another gash to bleed. He claimed it never stopped.
Soon they would come to take him entirely and then others would rip him to bone
and blood and it would all be over except the hell-fires of eternity.
When the sorry traveler fisted his few fingers into his shirt and begged him to
keep the ghosts away the innkeeper asked why the man thought the spirits did
this to him.
“I coveted beauty that was not mine, I let it destroy." He paused and stared
blankly. The innkeeper made to move away but the man snaked his few fingers to
his wrist and curled them in a hook about it. "He will take me apart, day by
miserable day, piece by painful piece, with just enough left to give back to my
people. Then they will shred me, until all that is left is blood and gore. It
was his promise and his honor and I gave him that, do you understand?" He was
ranting and shaking at his arm. "It was my teaching, my legacy, and he will not
rest in the wet murk, he will not lie in peace. "
The innkeeper recognized the mental decay of buried guilt and wondered how bad
his crimes could be, to take him this far down. He resolved to account for all
his knives and lock them away before he retired to his bed this night. He
unhanded himself and pretended to make busy behind the counter. Some crazies
weren’t worth the profit.
***
Jensen nipped at Jared’s chin and hmmed with satisfaction. Jared couldn’t look
away. His Master was beautiful with sex blown eyes and the slick shine of
perspiration that dripped down his chest and over the firm, muscular, freckled
flesh. Jensen dragged a finger over Jared’s stomach, through the thick fluid of
their ejaculations and pressed it between the wide, kiss-swollen lips of his
lover. Jared arched his back, the rope above him squeaked and his shoulders
pulled as he stretched the ties that held his arms to the branch above his
head. He groaned, in a combination of pain, pleasure and content.
"So good for me today, Child. Everyone saw you, every Master and Mistress in
the market looked at you and saw that you are perfect on my leash. They all
wanted you, but you are mine, never property, or asset, or for sale, just mine
and they can never have that or understand it. They can't know how I love you."
Jensen shifted, heavy on Jared’s tired thighs and moved back to dip his sinful
tongue into his navel and then lap and slurp at every drop of come on his
belly. His slave’s head dropped back exposing the expanse of sweat shiny flesh
over a collared and bite-marked, neck. “Mmm,” Jared whined, because it felt
incredible and his body thrummed in latent delight, but he was fucked-out, with
nothing left to give. More than that, a cold wind chilled his damp skin and
there was a faint odor, over the clean wood-smoke, of something scorching.
“Mm. Jen.”
Jensen covered his slave's mouth with his own and kissed deep and tender,
pushing the intimate fluids onto his tongue and coating his teeth.”
“mmnng.”
Fingers tapped playfully at his nose. “You know better than to speak without
permission.”
“But,”
“Ten lashes,” said Jensen before lifting himself from Jared’s legs and
collapsing in a splayed star on the grass. “Tomorrow.” he added.
“Alright, but Jen, permission to speak!”
Jensen rolled onto his stomach to rest his chin on his hand and stare at his
lover. “Granted.”
Jared pulled at his ties. “Dinner is burning,” he said, nodding to the fire.
Jensen twisted himself around and sprang into action to stir at the stew.
“Nooo! You know I hate burned stew, why didn’t you say something earlier?”
Jared tried to shrug but it didn’t work out well, in his position. He blew a
sarcastic kiss instead. “I seem to remember being under orders not to speak.”
“Fuck!” Jensen brushed the grit and grass off his skin and bent to release
Jared’s cuffs from the knotted rope. He manoeuvred the arms down gently and
kissed at them before giving a massage to Jared’s stiff shoulders. “Y’alright,
baby?”
“Better than.” Jared grabbed Jensen to kiss him briefly. “Does this mean you
want me to play wifey?”
“Mmhmm, ‘cos you are totally the girl in this relationship,” teased Jensen.
“Admit it, my food tastes better!”
“Your cooking tastes better, wifey,” admitted Jensen, “and meantime, I can find
something to cover the taste of burnt yam.”
“It’s still your turn to fetch water and rinse dishes, Jen.” Jared dipped the
spoon in and stirred around to remove the lumps that stuck to the base of the
crock. He eased them out and flicked them through the air, into the thicket
beyond. He heard a loud yowl and Hope skittered from the bushes, chasing an
exhausted and tortured rodent.
Jensen was picking through a roll of herbs and Jared was relieved to see that
it was the green pack, because Gods knew what damage could be wrought with the
various plants in the blue pack. He had asked for descriptions in the beginning
but they’d given him nightmares. Jensen still collected them from the wild, he
carefully processed them, labeled and packaged them but Jared had stopped
asking, long before.
“Thyme and rosemary should do it,” announced Jensen, just as a desperate rodent
climbed his bare foot and Hope came crashing down after it with outstretched
claws. He gritted his teeth and glowered. “Jared, it is time that your damned
familiar stopped toying with its prey, I mean how long has she been at it?”
Jared smoothed twigs and dirt from his body and started to dress. “Jen, I am
not some sort of wizard. Also, I have no idea how long, and, in the very
passionate, circumstances I am offended that you even noticed.”
Jensen gave an exaggerated scowl and pointed at Jared. “Well, the attachment
that creature has to you, is not normal.”
“Aw. You’re jealous.”
“Damn right! She gets a snuggle everywhere we go.”
Jared cuddled up behind Jensen and looped his arms around him, to pull the
naked body close. He stood a head taller than Jensen, had outgrown him by
inches over the last years of his youth. He had broadened and their lifestyle
had cultivated lean muscle. For all of his six foot height, Jensen now appeared
small in his arms. Jared kissed at his neck and blew in his ear. " You know I
love you the best. You get snuggled too.”
Jensen hmmed his appreciation. Hope dashed by their legs and Jared swung his
sword from its sheath, noiseless, smooth and fast, to casually slice the
rodent’s head off. “There,” he said.
Hope sat on her haunches and poked at the creature with an inquiring paw and
Jensen laughed, a full body laugh, with his head flung back.
“Dinner time,” declared Jensen when he had calmed and clothed himself.
They sat flush to each other’s sides, they chewed their food and contemplated
the starry vista of the sky.
Hope sat beside Jared and there was the noisy, wet crunch and tear of skin,
bones and flesh.
“Oh. Ew, Jared. Do something!” Jensen screwed his nose up in disgust.
“You wanted it dead.”
“Yes, but..”
Jared looked, soft and gooey eyed, at the fluffy grey feline, or as Jensen
liked to describe her, his little Hellspawn. “It’s nice! She brought something
back to share with us. It’s a mother-instinct. She’s teaching us to hunt.”
Jensen growled in a way that suggested he may explode and Jared took the hint,
he picked up the remains by the tail and flung it into the thicket, Hope chased
after it, to finish her meal elsewhere.
They continued eating, washed it down with hot coffee and Jared stared
thoughtfully into the flames. “You know, you have a point. It is time to stop
toying with the prey, our prey. The road splits from this village, we can
double back and get further from the Realm or we head directly in. Morgan has
run this far with us pushing. It took us the best part of four Summers to find
him, we shouldn't risk losing him now. It’s near enough.”
The older man nodded and swallowed his food. “I was almost out of Blue Narline,
to dope him with, anyway. Do you want me to replace it with Dragonweed and
Witches Wyrt tonight?”
“No.” Jared looked to Jensen with serious expression. “We take him back. We let
the people have their justice.”
“But that means visiting.” There was definitely a childish whine from Jensen.
Jared could see his reluctance and pressed on. “I picked up our mail today. It
has been several seasons, Jen. There was a lot.”
His Master rolled his eyes. They’d played this game before and Jared always
won. “So, go on, hit me with it,” he said.
Jared produced a stack of papers and shuffled it in his hands. He started
carefully, ease Jensen into it, “Chad has another nipper on the way and mini-
Misha will be two in the next moon cycle.”
“Yes,” they said in unison, and placed the note on the ground.
“Parliament opens in Ty’Bont in two moons.”
“Bugles and dignitaries?” inquired Jensen.
“Definitely,” replied Jared.
“NO!” they both shouted and Jared dropped the paper to the ground to make a
different pile.
“Gordon Woolvett’s grand 40th birthday bash.” Jared squinted at the card “He’s
pencilled in, NO bugles or pomp, on our invite.”
“Maybe, if it fits into our trip,” conceded Jensen, and another pile was born.
The piles grew and Jared paused before the next one. He knew it was transparent
of him but he couldn’t help himself. Jensen grew agitated. “Whatever it is.
NO!”
“Jen, I think we should.”
“Should what?”
“Ethan is getting married.”
“Awkward!” snapped Jensen.
“It will be quiet. Gordon, Josh and Mac will all be there and so will Meggie.”
“Excuse me? How does Meghan know Ethan?”
“Apparently, she is accompanying Josh.”
Cogs turned in Jensen’s head and thick lashes parted wide around emerald eyes.
“Oh! Wow! Well! Really?”
“It appears that the Padaleckis have a kink for the Ackles family or the other
way around, or something.” Jared trailed off helplessly and then went for the
kill. “Cookie will be catering it.” He pulled puppy eyes from his armory.
Jensen snatched the paper from him and placed it on the MAYBE pile, with a
glare.
The slave held two more pieces of paper. “So. There were two requests that we
might get close enough to fulfil if we head East after the wedding.
Jensen crossed his arms, “Hey, I never agreed to go,” he grumbled.
“Anyway, moving on.” Jared was real smooth. “The Laird of Bel’ten is convinced
he has a werewolf issue.”
“Are they even real? Gosh I hope so,” commented Jensen. “Knowing how he treats
his slaves, I sincerely wish that the werewolf enjoys chewing on his bones.”
“I’m with you there,” concurred Jared, flinging the letter on the NO pile.
“Lastly, there has been a spate of robberies and kidnappings at the Tynbach
Pass but nobody has got close to catching the gang involved.” He waved the
paper in the air. “Yes? No?”
“Yeah. Definite yes. It’s our sort of case. We should send mail to James Beaver
and see if he can assist.”
“Done,” said Jared with a smile.
***
It was getting late and the innkeeper cleaned the bar and wiped glasses. His
regulars had slunk home to their families and only one customer remained. Crazy
huddled in the corner mumbling and clutching his ale.
The door flung open, letting in a fresh breeze, Crazy screeched like a banshee
and drew a dagger while trying to jam the whole of his body under a small
table. “They come to get me.They always get me. Ghosts! Keep them out!” Crazy
was flailing and gibbering.
The innkeeper dropped the glass he was holding and it shattered, scattering
sharp debris across the floor. “Gods!” he swore.
Two men strode into the bar with purpose. “I apologize, we didn’t mean to
startle you. We were looking for our Uncle.” The voice was gravel deep and
polite. They moved together, as one, their pace fluid but their bulk impressive
enough to block lamplight, giving them the impression of a halo. A glint caught
on metal around one of their necks and the innkeeper reached automatically to
the sign that read, “No slaves permitted in the bar.”
The gravel voice reduced to a threatening snarl. “There is nowhere that I go
that my slave cannot accompany me.” The shorter one, a green eyed warrior,
spoke even as he honed in on Crazy.
People were the innkeeper’s business and he was good at assessing them. Add to
that, he recognized a mistake when he made one. Even if they weren’t the
largest freakin’ bulk of muscle and power he had ever seen, even if they
weren’t armed with weaponry fit for Royalty, and yes, they were all that. Even
if they weren’t, any man who can keep a slave who stands head and shoulders
above everyone else, with muscles of Atlas, and a familiar, perched, calm as a
cat, on his shoulder, has to be respected. Respected, as in, get out of the way
and make no waves. At all.
They moved together in strange synchronicity, taking no personal space, and the
air about them may as well have crackled and popped with the dark energy and
tension they exuded. One word described them. Dangerous.
The innkeeper cleared his throat and spoke meekly, “O, o, of course. You say
you’re looking for your Uncle.”
“Uh-huh.” Spoke the giant-warrior-wizard-slave, who was pushing his floppy
brunette hair from his face to look at the innkeeper. “Six-feet-plus-change, of
pure crazy. Has us running all over the lands to keep him safe. That would be
him under the table. Pathetic, isn’t it?” The slave moved with incredible grace
for such a large frame, he had deep dimples in a smiling face with color-
flecked, hazel eyes and long lashes, but the voice was honeyed-steel and the
soft eyes flashed with hints of menace.
The warrior-Master with the pretty face and calculating, green eyes slapped an
excess of money on the bar to cover drinks, tips and inconvenience and smirked
his thanks for taking care of their Uncle. Then, they were dragging a
hysterical Crazy from the inn with ease, all the while reassuring him that he
was missed at home, how his sister and niece waited for him and how old
acquaintances would love to chat with him about the war.
The innkeeper watched them leave and bolted the door behind them. He swept the
glass from the floor and tried not to think about the events of the evening.
His heart should be warmed by the nephews’ care of their Uncle but instead he
saw something feral in them. He was reminded of wolves closing in on their
prey, nipping at it's heels before taking it down for the final kill. He
wondered about the substance and form that ghosts might take.
He shook the thoughts from his mind, counted his unexpectedly elevated
earnings, and downed a tankard of ale before bed.
***
“Do you trust him not to run?” asked Jensen, as they trussed and gagged Morgan
ready to sling him onto the mule.
“It’s a long way,” said Jared, thoughtfully.
“Precaution?” asked Jensen, with a dark glint in his eye.
“Yeah,” replied Jared.
Jensen sliced Morgan’s foot off at the ankle and cauterized it over an open
fire before binding it with poultice. He wasn’t gentle. Any infection wouldn’t
be fully developed by the time they reached the Realm. They could always
amputate his leg later. They washed the blood off their hands in a cool brook,
splashed at each other and laughed together, like children on a Summer's day.
***
The next day they rode in comfortable silence until Jensen spoke up, with a
hint of excitement.
“Jared,” he said.
“Yeah.”
“That thing, at Tynbach. Do you remember the Principality just to the North of
that?”
“Yeah. That was a great place. I liked that place.”
“Anyone was allowed to marry there. You could marry a donkey if that was your
kink, or a donkey could marry a donkey,” Jensen spoke fondly. “When we’ve
finished with the case we could go back, y’know. I mean we could go back there,
with the marrying thing n’all.”
Jared was quiet for a few moments. His brow furrowed. He was trying to process
Jensen’s sudden interest in donkeys. Jensen was biting his lip, he looked
vulnerable and terrified, “If you don’t want to…”
Realization dawned. Jared pulled up his horse with a sudden jolt to the reins
and dismounted, “Jensen Ross Ackles, did you just propose to me?”
Jensen halted his own stallion. He coyly batted long, thick eyelashes at Jared.
“We should get married. If y’know, if you want to, with me,” he muttered,
wringing his hands and chewing on his lip.
The slave tugged his Master from his horse in a terrible breech of conduct and,
with a horrible lack of submission, dived headlong upon him for a kiss. “Yes,”
Jared whispered into Jensen's ear and then growled as he bit a dark purple
claim into his Master's neck. "Yes. I do."
They didn’t travel far that day.
~The End~
End Notes
     originally posted as a wip August 2011 at my LJ. Completed story
     here:- http://anniespinkhouse.livejournal.com/14923.html.
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