Once Upon a Harem Boy

by Danielle Summers

  “Good. I’m glad,” said the prince, pulling Duga’s face to his. He kissed Duga, and Duga kept his lips cushy and responsive, just like he had been taught. He always let the prince’s tongue in and let it tickle the skin of his mouth.

  The Prince was still wearing the silky trousers and tailored shirt from this morning, and the fabric was delicate against Duga’s skin. The Prince grabbed Duga’s hand and led him toward the bed.

  “Undress me,” said the prince as he stood beside the giant sleeping area. The mattress was huge and covered with a nest of pillows and blankets.

  Duga started undoing the little white pearlescent buttons that ran down the prince’s silk shirt. He gently pulled it off, revealing a cotton undershirt. He untied the strings that held together the white cotton sheets of the undershirt. The Prince’s chest was smooth and firm. Duga wanted to touch him, but he knew he had to wait. He had to have patience. He looked into the prince’s eyes. He nodded, signaling Duga to continue. Yes, the prince could be touched.

  Duga went down on his knees, running his hands along the prince’s chest as he did so. The Prince’s skin was soft to the touch, like he had never worked hard, never had to struggle, never been hungry. This was the kind of man with whom Duga felt he belonged.

  The pants came off easily. Duga had learned techniques that made it seem like the pants just melted away. He folded them in the corner of the room and returned to the prince’s magnificent cock. It was only half-hard, but Duga already knew it would be even more beautiful once he had brought it to full firmness.

  The Prince tapped Duga’s head with one finger, the signal that he was to start sucking. Duga’s lips opened wide, and he took the prince’s cock into his mouth.

  The Prince even tasted a little different from every other man. He was a little sweeter. Yes, indeed, the royal family was special, and Duga was proud to bear their colors on his skin.

  Duga sucked. His took in the prince’s shaft as much as he could. He nuzzled his nose into the prince’s curly pubic hair. He pulled off the prince’s cock for just a moment and ran his tongue up and down the shaft. He took just the penis tip into his mouth using his tongue to toy with it while he lightly touched the prince’s balls with one of his hands. The Prince dug his hands into Duga’s blond hair and signaled for him to continue.

  “Oh yes,” yelled the prince. “You are as good as they say you are. Suck it. Take it all in.”

  Duga followed orders. His mouth descended once again and enveloped the prince’s cock. The Prince’s back started to arch. Duga could feel the prince’s legs start to shudder. He was about to come.

  And he did. Duga swallowed the royal seed like it was gold, like it would make him a full member of the royal family.

  The Prince sighed and patted Duga on the head, a signal for him to stand up.

  “That was good,” said the prince, looking into Duga’s eyes. “We won’t do lamasket today, but I want to take a good look at you.”

  Duga stood there as the prince looked into his eyes and examined his teeth. The Prince ran his hands through Duga’s hair. He ran his hands over Duga’s skin. The Prince paused at Duga’s chest and pinched his nipples. Duga didn’t dare make a sound.

  “Very good and very nice,” said the prince. “They really are training new harem boys quite well these days. Your chest is beautiful.”

  The Prince kept moving his hands down, patting Duga’s belly and fondling his half-hard cock.

  “Bend over,” said the prince.

  Duga did so, letting the prince get a good look at his asshole.

  “Ah yes, you did get krasked this morning,” said the Prince, spreading Duga’s ass-cheeks. “How could I forget such a wonderful show? The lamasket was beautiful. But I want you a little tighter. Definitely no lamasket tonight. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after. I don’t want you to have any lamasket with anyone else until I call you back here. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” said Duga. He spoke because he was asked a direct question. He knew better than to say anything at any other time.

  “And tonight, you will stay with me. I like you,” said the prince.

  Duga was thrilled. Not only had he made it past the harem tryouts and left the mudflats, he had passed harem training and had attracted the attentions of the prince. Duga knew that, although he was permanently marked as a harem boy, he could be sent away at any time. He wanted to stay in the harem as long as possible. Having the favors of a prince would lengthen his stay. Or at least, if he was sent away from the harem, he wouldn’t be without some other means to make his way into the world. The possibility of digging in the crystal mines with his father was further away than ever.

  The Prince fell into bed and motioned Duga to do the same. They were together under the same bedding. The Prince wrapped his arms around Duga and fell asleep. The Prince snored a little, and Duga soon followed into slumber. He slept better than he ever had in his entire life. He dreamt of gold-paved streets, palaces, princes and beautiful men, the world that was now his.

  A Brief Guide to the World of Oranto

  Glossary of Common Words

  Burninga: The Oranto equivalent of a goat. It can be milked, and its milk is an ingredient in natash.

  Cachu: Slang term for excrement.

  Davosira: This refers to both a desert succulent called davosira and the toxin derived from it. It is found primarily in the Marqash province of the Thasali stronghold and other arid regions on Oranto. No antidote to this lethal poison exists. Within seconds of ingestion, paralysis sets in. and death comes within an hour.

  Elodie: This refers to both a leafy tree that grows in abundance over most of Oranto and to the oil extracted from its narrow yellow leaves. The oil has many uses, but is primarily used as lubricant for sex.

  Fuffer mash: The recipe for this rather bland, though filling, dish is simple—water and gilla grain heated and then mashed into a pulp. It is an important part of the diets of Oranto’s poor.

  Gilla grain: Equivalent of rice or wheat.

  Gillotin: A large stork-like bird with very soft feathers.

  Ginamar: A denomination of currency in Resedna.

  Grubergreens: Greens more commonly eaten raw in salads, as cooking them renders them inedible.

  Imperial ginamar: A form of currency in Resedna. Rare and thus worth a lot, they are minted once every 10 years on order of the reigning monarch. They are meant to mark a significant event. The matriarch ordered a batch of imperial ginamars to be minted to celebrate her jubilee. They are embedded with high-quality crystals from the Resedna crystal mines.

  Jundii: The jundii are an exalted group within a royal household’s coterie, a sort of inner circle within an inner circle. They are a royal household’s most trusted advisers. Occasionally, they act as a star chamber for whatever royal household they serve.

  Jusubo flowers: Sweet smelling, small delicate flowers.

  Krask: A curse word similar to fuck.

  Lamasket: Formal term for anal sex.

  Lamplight: The term Resedna residents use to refer to dusk.

  Lottery: A chance to win a little bit of money. They payouts aren’t very good, but they’re more than what the poor of Resedna earn in months of hard work. It’s a good way for the royal family to control the peasants.

  Mrow: Long and flat worms.

  Natash: Fermented drink made and consumed primarily by lower echelons of society. The drink’s strength can be made quite strong or weak, depending on who is making it and for whom the drink is intended. Some connoisseurs prefer the unfiltered variety.

  Omple tree: Fortunately for Resedna, omple trees are abundant and hardy, growing nearly everywhere in the Thasali stronghold. A smaller, dwarf version of the tree manages to thrive in the arid Marqash region. The tree’s sap can be easily processed into sweet, thick syrup.

  Pagvee berries: Highly prized pagvee berries are found in the more mountainous regions of Oranto. Small, intensely sweet and ruby colored, they are harvested in early spring. Th
e Thasali capital city and region Resedna have hills but no mountains high enough for pagvee berries to take root and grow, so Resedna residents who can afford them pay dearly. The jewel-like berries are used to make Pagvee berry brandy.

  Rikilda: A long, slender, citrus fruit with a hard yellow rind.

  Sallabeast: This term refers to both the five-legged animal and the meat for which it is raised.

  Steenango: A fruit that grows in more temperate regions, like Pyriel. Its flesh is a bright orange-yellow with a texture reminiscent of melons found on Earth. Steenango pits are small, no bigger than an Earth cherry. The flesh is covered with thin yet tough green skin with a white pith between the flesh and skin.

  Talphoux: A tangy fruit that holds up well to heat so it is often baked and served with burninga cream.

  Thrashing: A unit of measurement, generally only used when measuring foodstuffs like grain. A full thrashing is equivalent to 10 pounds.

  Tralicot: A fish found in rivers and streams all over Resedna.

  Unbalanced Fluids: Considered the cause of all illness by rich and poor alike.

  Xoxobeasts: Like oxen. They pull carts.

  People of Oranto

  Thasali Household

  Duga Rigers: A former harem boy who grew up in Resedna’s mudflats precinct; Prince Baboye’s most trusted adviser/former consort.

  Lash: Royal tailor.

  The Matriarch: The head of the Thasali family, she succeeded to the throne upon her husband’s death.

  Prince Baboye: The Thasali crown prince.

  Prince Vidnar: Baboye’s youngest brother.

  Thasali Harem

  Agatan: Harem boy who mentors Duga when he first arrives in the harem. Tall, redhead, pale skin.

  Blanto: He’s in charge of the harem when Duga and Shebi arrive.

  Charis: Harem boy.

  Defri: Harem boy.

  Eshan: Harem boy who mentors Shebi.

  Eyakan: Harem boy; Prince Baboye’s current favorite.

  Gerion: Oraj’s chief assistant.

  Kuzabu: Games master, a small, muscular compact man with strong opinions.

  Leuna: Harem girl from the mudflats; chosen with Duga and Shebi.

  Mekko: Lecherous music master.

  Oraj: Harem master, very strict and by the book; former harem boy.

  Rilas: Houseman; sometime assistant to Master Oraj.

  Sisuma: Harem boy.

  Resedna City Inhabitants

  Apamar: Brothel boy.

  Jamas: Brothel boy.

  Shebi Goza: A brothel owner and Duga’s old friend from his harem days.

  Others

  Corceus Family: It once ruled nearly a third of the planet Oranto, but that was several generations ago. When the Corceus Family fell, it fell hard and far. Many royal families on Oranto owe their wealth to former Corceus property and other assets, which were divided among the royal families once the fall of the Corceus family was complete. The Corceus family started to fall apart at the height of its power because of overweening ambition, misrule, intrafamily battles, greed and a touch of madness.

  Tertiana Alsadafti: Duga’s ex-wife. She bore two children with Duga, raised them with him and when they were nearly adults, she went to live with an old lover who had also been in the Thasali girls harem. She and Duga and are still friends.

  Umji: A talented actor who often performs in the theater at Daphek.

  Zav: A traveling merchant who takes Charis with him for a while.

  Places on Oranto

  Arthon: A distant city from Resedna, it has been proudly independent since the fall of the Corceus family, when the Corceus palace was destroyed during a fierce battle. Its citizens refused to allow any royal family to move in and take the place of the Corceus family. Duga and his former wife Tertiana sent their children there to be educated.

  Daphek, City of Entertainments: A city featuring a pleasure center known as the Dome of Delights with an exotic marketplace, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

  Ithu: A northern city; a cold, dreary place.

  Jehenne Mountains: The highest elevation in the Thasali stronghold. Although other regions have higher mountains, the best water is found in the Jehenne Mountains. No one has been able to determine why, but the water in the springs here has a smooth, almost sweet taste. As with many of the finer things, Resedna’s poorer populations cannot afford Jehenne Mountain water.

  Marqash: One of the more far flung Thasali villages, it’s mostly desert. It is a neglected part of the Thasali stronghold. Marqashians resent the Thasali royals because of the neglect. This is Eyakan’s home village.

  Pyriel: A resort village with a large and famous market. Wealthier individuals from the Resedna region often retire there. Its climate is temperate.

  Resedna: Resedna has always been the Thasali royal city. This is unlike most other royal cities, which were originally held by the Corceus family and then taken over by other families when Corceus collapsed.

  Warren: The Thasali royal penitentiary. It’s almost always referred to with the definite article “the” before it. The inmates are kept in underground cells. While they’re serving their sentences, the inmates are allowed above ground once every ten days for an hour. The Warren’s cells are as dank and dreary as underground cells can be.

  * * *

  Thank you for reading Once Upon a Harem Boy. If you enjoyed it, I hope you will consider leaving a review with your favorite retailer. I also hope you enjoy the sample chapters that follow from the other volumes in the Tales of the Thasali Harem series.

  Other titles in the Tales of the Thasali Harem series:

  The Prince’s Assassin (Tales of the Thasali Harem #1) by Danielle Summers

  Rumors and whispers of plots in the shadows send royal agent Duga Rigers undercover into the matriarch's harem. Secrets stalk the silken halls threatening not only the royal harem but the Crown Prince's chosen lover. Will death find Duga Rigers and the other boys of the royal harem or will the royal agent unmask the assassin hiding in the silken shadows?

  If Rigers doesn’t succeed in his mission, he and a hundred other beautiful men may die. Crown Prince Baboye begs Rigers, his special advisor, to save Eyakan, a harem boy with eyes the color of smoke, that he wants to take on as his consort during the upcoming jubilee. But when Rigers learns that Eyakan is the potential assassin, he must figure out how to save the harem, Eyakan, Eyakan’s family and the crown prince while dealing with his own malaise and loneliness.

  Chapter One

  Duga Rigers closed his eyes as the young man called Apamar methodically massaged the nape of his neck and then across the tops of his shoulders. Having sex with the young man was certainly satisfying, but Duga thought he was even better at giving massages. His old friend, Shebi Goza, reclined on a settee nearby. Next to Shebi was another young man who was naked and beautiful with locks of blond hair curling around his ears. Duga couldn’t remember his name. Shebi stroked the young man’s thigh. Every so often, Shebi’s fingertips grazed the young man’s cock, which was only semi-hard. The air was thick with the scent and smoke of cedarwood incense. The incense was hard to find but smelled better than the jusubo flowers that had filled their youth. Shebi always seemed to be able to find the unfindable if Duga wanted it.

  “You know it could just be like any of the many other rumors that foment around and about the crown prince,” Shebi said. He took a swig of a thick yellow liquid from a jar and coughed.

  “It could be.” Duga sighed. Apamar’s hands were wonderful. They were strong, but he knew when to be gentle. “I can’t believe you still drink that concoction.”

  Shebi laughed. “Some would say, Duga, that you’ve strayed too far from the bosom of your home. This,” he said, holding up the jar, “this is home and health.” He took another swig, coughed and offered the jar to the young man next to him on the settee.

  The young man glanced at the jar before shaking his head.

  “You see, Shebi? Even he knows it’s cachu. Home wa
s only slightly better than a rat hole, and you know it. And I’d say that cachu isn’t aiding your health. How long have you had that cough?”

  Natash, the yellow liquid Shebi drank, had proudly been referred to as “home and health” in the Mudflats district in which the two men had been born. Duga could never stomach it, but sometimes it had been the only thing he had had to drink. Plus, in the Mudflats district, natash, a fermented liquid made from grain and mushrooms, was considered a cure-all. When he was a boy, Mudflats children who got sick were always given natash. It was used to stretch food supplies and was said to bring luck. Upon becoming an initiate in the Thasali household harem some twenty years ago, he vowed never to let another drop touch his lips. He hated the stuff. Shebi, who had also been a Thasali harem boy, had never left natash behind, favoring an unfiltered version he made himself. Unfiltered meant that small bits of unidentifiable grain bobbed around in the liquid. Shebi had always said that he liked his fermented drinks with “texture.”

  Shebi shrugged. “A week or so.”

  “Krask! At least put the cap back on,” Duga said. The sweet incense was having a hard time masking the sour natash odor.

  Shebi obligingly screwed the cap back onto the jar. “You can’t give credence to rumors. It could be nothing.”

  “Still, I’ll have to tell the crown prince and the matriarch. This is just what I don’t need. It’s jubilee week. If this particular rumor is true, it’ll be hell trying to ferret out the truth. Do you know how many people will be crawling around the Thasali royal compound this week, Shebi?”

  Shebi nodded. “A multitude, I imagine.”

  “Exactly. When the matriarch wants to throw herself a party, she spares no expense. You should see all the food that’s been ordered for the jubilee banquet alone!” Duga felt Apamar apply more pressure to his shoulders, as if to say, Calm down. Relax.

  “So, they’ll have to bring in more servers, more cooks…”