by Jools Louise
Max giggled, snuggling into Ochre’s chest. Resting his head on the broad shoulder, he closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the warm water caressing his skin and the strong arms holding him close. He might be king, but right now he just wanted to enjoy his knaves as equals and lovers. He mentally shook himself. He kept thinking of them all as knaves. They were knaves no longer, since he had performed the ritual to knight each of them. He promised himself he would do better.
The heat and comfortable position had him sinking into slumber, the soothing beat of Ochre’s heartbeat lulling him to sleep.
Chapter Five:
The Council and their Prejudice
The knaves and Max finally got enough rest, cuddling together on the large bed in one of the rooms. Since there were several bedrooms, they supposed they were supposed to sleep separately, but since they were now bonded, none wanted to separate for too long, preferring to snuggle in a tangle of limbs and warm bodies.
Max usually ended up smack in the middle, protected on all sides and toasty warm. Dragons s put off quite a bit of heat, added to which they were all sexually amped whenever they were together. Oh, yeah, Max felt hot all over!
Max was woken in his favourite way. Sol’s warm lips covering his and kissing him to wakefulness. Max tended to stall before opening his eyes, since he loved the feel of those soft lips on his, the scorching heat of Sol’s tongue tangling with his. A hand brushed his cock and he moaned in lazy pleasure, grinding against it.
“Wakey wakey, Your Highness. Time for the council meeting.” Sol’s deep voice caressed Max’s eardrum, and he gave a growl of irritation at having to move. He’d much prefer to spend the rest of the day and night cuddling and canoodling with his sexy knaves.
“Your Majesty, shake that ass, we need to get moving!” A slap on his butt had Max’s eyes opening in a hurry. Judging by Jayde’s wide grin, he was the offender and Max growled before stalking on hands and knees toward the unrepentant green-haired culprit.
Chuckling Jayde leapt out of the way, laughing louder as Max leapt from the bed to chase him into the bathing room.
A few splashes, followed by a yelp and then silence. Sol raised a brow at the other knaves, moving to follow. He had no need. Dripping wet but still grinning, Jayde followed a smiling Max back into the bedroom.
“I shook my ass, and look what happened!” Max gestured to the much-larger male and everyone burst out laughing at his antics. “Who knew I had such powers in my butt!”
“It’s true,” Jayde smirked as they all looked at Max in query. “He managed to put the magick on me with his butt…must be something in the water! Just wait until he has gas…then we’re all in trouble!”
Roaring, the knaves laughed loud and hard as Max grinned smugly. “One has to be prepared to defend from the rear! Just remember that, gentlemen!” Which set all of them off laughing again.
They dressed, slamming each other with new ways to get Max to use his magick.
“Er, Your Highness?” A new voice sounded from the doorway and they all turned in surprise.
A tall female stood there. Her long hair was a tawny gold, falling in a thick swathe to her waist. Amber eyes peered out from an exotically beautiful face with an expression of confusion on it as she studied the laughing group of males.
“Yes, that would be me.” Max smiled at the female, noting the light covering of tawny fur coating her skin and the long thick tail curling out from her lower spine.
Max stepped forward, hand out to greet her. With a startled exclamation, she studied the hand as though it were filled with poisonous spines. Hesitantly, she reached out to grasp it, shaking like a leaf.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Is it not customary to greet one another in this manner?” Max asked, tilting his head to one side as he realised she showed real fear of him.
“No, Your Highness. Females are not considered worthy to greet royalty. We are merely servants and must obey our male counterparts.”
Max frowned. “Oh, well, where I come from females are considered equal. If this makes you uncomfortable, I apologise. We are guests here, so I do not want to cause offence.”
The female stared, bemused. She appeared to be unused to such consideration.
Her glance went to each of the large males surrounding Max, meeting their smiling glances with eyes wide and curious.
“Your Highness, you certainly have not caused offence. I should perhaps warn you, however, that our alpha Myre is awaiting your presence in the council chambers. We should hurry, since the full council will be in session today.” She gestured for the group to follow her.
“Of course…I’m sorry, what is your name?” Max asked graciously, and the female gave him a shocked look before a slight smile tilted the corner of her mouth.
“I am Muira, Your Highness. I am part of our alpha’s household.”
Max smiled at her, sensing her relief for some reason. Apparently, she had been expecting quite another reception from him and the dragon knaves. Fancy being considered inferior for being born female. Huh!
“Shall we go?” Max gestured, and they all trooped for the door. Jayde had taken the time during the greeting to get changed elsewhere, and met them by the balcony they had landed on earlier.
A shuttle hovered there, zipping them through the city until they reached a much larger, official-looking building which apparently housed the council chambers.
“This is our Parliament offices. It holds the council chambers and is where our government conducts its business. Laws are made and revised here. Any visitors must be seen by the council to determine their suitability,” Muira explained as they arrived.
“Suitability?” Sol asked, frowning slightly. He was getting a bad vibe about this place already. It was all well and good to determine someone’s intentions. Whether harm was intended should be a reason to meet with visitors, but determining “suitability” sounded a little like prejudice to him.
Muira looked at him, looking a little fearful again and Sol softened his expression. It wasn’t her fault, she was following orders.
“We have rules here. Certain clans govern all the others. Myre is the alpha, his clan leading over all. The ruling clans determine the suitability of others as to whether they stay in the city or live elsewhere.”
Sol shared a look with Max. A look which held a wealth of understanding.
“That sounds a little like what’s been happening on our world. There are families who govern the kingdom, but others are free to choose where they want to live. They are not bound by the whims of the ruling clan as to where they wish to live. People are free to travel and live on whichever planet they choose.” Max explained gently to Muira, who looked thoughtful.
“There is one rule which you might consider. I noticed that you shared a bed earlier.” Muira blushed furiously, ducking her head as she broached the subject.
Max tilted his head curiously, wondering why she would mention the fact. Then his eyes widened.
“Is there a problem with that?” Raven spoke gruffly, and Muira flinched.
She met Raven’s emerald gaze bravely, despite her fear.
“Some of our council do not believe in sexual relations between those of the same gender. They are very…traditional in their views. They believe that only male-female relationships are lawful. They may…frown on your actions should they become known.” She ducked her head again, tail twitching nervously.
There was utter silence for a moment as the group absorbed her words.
“We would not wish to cause offence, Muira. However, in my world there is no distinction when it comes to loving relationships. My mates and I love one another, and I carry their offspring inside me. If your council would cause harm to our unborn children, or my mates, then we would ask to leave immediately. Perhaps you would ask Myre to meet us here.” Max unwittingly invoked all his regal lineage in the statement. It was a royal command, not a request. “Myre brought us here, and I would have words with him. Immediately. We will wait here.
”
Muira stared at Max in horror as he walked toward a large bench, and sat down, looking out over the city.
“I should do as he says, my lady.” Shimmer spoke softly, eyes gentle. “He abhors deception. He feels that maybe your alpha has deceived him in some way.” Muira looked at the silver-haired knave, nodding once before darting off through a pair of massive doors which towered overhead.
Shortly they heard the approach of Myre, his footsteps unmistakable as he stalked out of the building and onto the balcony.
Raising a brow at Max and the knaves, his massive form rippled with muscle. In his humanoid guise, he was an imposing figure. Muira followed nervously behind, head bowed and the long hair covering her face.
“You wish to see me?” Myre asked mockingly.
Max gave him a look which had Myre frowning.
“I trusted that you meant us no harm. During our journey to your beautiful city, we discussed our intentions and our situation. You are aware of our circumstances and the destruction of my home. Yet you would bring us here knowing that I carry the future of my lineage in my belly. You would have us judged and studied as though we were some new kind of entertainment. You have mocked, ridiculed, and bullied us. I should like to know who we are to meet today.” Max still sat on the bench, the knaves standing just behind in silent support.
Myre studied them all, blue eyes intent.
“Muira…” he began, his tone fierce.
“Muira is not at fault here! She merely warned us of what our reception might be at the hands of your council. You knew that we are a bonded unit! You knew that I am pregnant. You also knew that the rules of your world frown on such things. When were you planning on telling me? Am I to be laughed at for your entertainment? I think not!”
Max stood swiftly, turning to face the much larger shifter.
“I don’t know what you think you will accomplish by lying, but do not for one moment place blame on anyone else. This is your doing, Myre. You brought us here. Not Muira. What kind of a place is this that determines the “suitability” of its people? My family fought for centuries to eradicate such snobbery. I may be of royal blood. That I cannot change. But I have never judged anyone on who they love nor their lineage.”
Max was absolutely furious.
“You wish for us to be allies? You should be so lucky. We will return to our ship and find a more salubrious environment where we can settle.”
Max turned toward the shuttle, which still hovered patiently.
Striding toward it, he gestured for the knaves to enter before him.
Just before he boarded, he gave a last fuming glare to Myre, who had stood in silence through Max’s outburst.
“I would hope that you are intelligent enough that you will not punish Muira for your own actions, Myre. She was merely offering to help us. I cannot imagine what your intentions are.”
“Wait!” Myre burst out, his voice practically a roar as Max stepped aboard the shuttle.
Max waited, chin tilted haughtily, arms crossed over his chest.
Myre looked at the smaller man, suppressing a smile at the man’s body language which screamed exactly how outraged he was.
“Please return to your accommodations. I will join you shortly. Muira may accompany you so that you will know she has not come to harm.” A sharp gesture had Muira scurrying over to the shuttle.
Max smiled at her, nodding as she boarded.
“See that you don’t keep us waiting too long, alpha. We will be readying ourselves to leave should we feel you are neglecting us.” With that retort, Max stepped back, turning his back as the doors shut and the vessel zipped off.
Myre stood, eyes sparkling, not with anger at Max’s temerity but with amused respect that the little man had once again acted like he was the leader here.
Myre was of the same mind as his angry guest. The laws of this world were archaic and needed changing. Myre was mated to a female who reminded him every day that he was certainly not her superior. Sometimes those reminders were quite painful. Neea’s sharp claws stung his ass on more than one occasion. Far from thinking women were chattels and brainless morons, he actively encouraged their education.
Being alpha was not without its problems. He had to contend with the other clans, each having their lead males. Most felt as he did, but some certainly clung to the old ways. Convincing some of the elders to change thousands of years of laws which had benefitted their pockets was not an easy task.
He needed allies here. He had not been joking when he told Max that evil stirred beyond the Tapestry. Should that evil break through, they were unprepared to fight, despite their technology. The clans bickered and blustered among themselves. When push came to shove, Myre was not certain they would all rally together as a common power to fight the new enemy. He had a suspicion that at least three of the families would side with a stronger force, if only because they were only interested in lining their pockets with greater wealth.
Myre sighed, shrugging his powerful shoulders as he headed back in to the chambers.
He would tell the council that their visitor was still recovering from the journey here. A good night’s sleep and a consultation with his beloved Neea may provide some answers. He needed to explain to Max how things were. He was guilty of thinking of the knaves as someone he could use for his own ends. He was not used to explaining himself…yeah, like hell! Neea would box his ears and bite his ass if she found out he’d treated their visitors so shoddily.
He sighed again, bracing himself for an angry mob of councillors.
Oh, well. They’d get over it. There was a bigger picture here, and a few disgruntled feelings were not his concern.
He re-entered the council chambers and set to work.
Chapter Six:
Neea’s Law
The Hyrruld contingent had a very interesting discussion with Myre later that day. Myre, while still channelling his alpha more often than not, did impart a lot of information. He explained the different clans, the government, the laws and his reasons for bringing Max to his city.
The city was called Cu-lea, one of eight large settlements on Agion. The others were smaller towns and villages separated by the vast forest and two inland seas. On this side of Agion, towns were situated underground with subterranean tunnels linking each one. Despite the large size of the shifters, most creatures on the surface were much larger, and those brave enough to dwell on the surface did so at their own peril.
Hunting parties were sent out to gather supplies and food. On the far side of the forest, life was slightly less traumatic and the towns and cities were built above ground.
Agion was a curious mix of the primitive and modern. Technology provided light, heat and many conveniences. Max knew this species were highly intelligent, having met Myre and Muira. But he was under no illusion how vicious they could be. His first meeting with Myre had been with Myre in shifted form, and Max still shuddered thinking about those sharp fangs and the sheer immense size of those jaws.
As they sat around talking about Agion and its neighbouring planets, another visitor descended…along with her many offspring.
Myre looked startled then resigned as his mate entered the dwelling, followed by three other females, rolling his eyes when he met her scolding look. Apparently he was in trouble with his beloved—again!
“My love. I understand we have visitors from beyond our borders. You didn’t think I may be interested?” Her eyes glinted with a warning, their deep brown depths pinning her mate with a hard stare which had him huffing and shuffling his feet like an errant pup.
“Myre, is this your mate, Neea?” Max spoke, his tone full of joy at meeting the female. “And are all these your children?” About eight smaller felines bounced around, varying in size and all in four-legged form.
One of the children tumbled into Max’s legs and he laughed, delighted. He loved the little ones, as they had no airs or agendas.
Crouching down, he scratched the child between its fluff
y ears. Immediately, it let out a playful growl, nipping his fingers before bounding off to jump on one of his siblings.
“We have been blessed with three litters, Your Highness.” Neea’s tone warmed considerably as she watched Max greet her youngest child. “I hear you are with child yourself?” She nodded at her mate, who must have told her the details earlier.
“Yes, ma’am. In the Hyrruld galaxy, males and females may carry their offspring. I understand it is the females who are gifted with the task on Agion?”
Neea smiled, transforming her from attractive to stunningly beautiful.
“My mate here believes that carrying his own children would be a curse, and would be aghast at having to perform such a task. You are right, though, it is a gift. Your world must be progressive indeed. I’ve been telling Myre for decades that women need to be recognised as equals. He tries.” She sighed as though dealing with her dunderheaded mate was a cross she had to bear, and did so with grace and fortitude.
Max laughed, seeing Myre’s resigned expression and the roll of his eyes.
“Neea, I’m sure Myre loves you dearly. He must have a great deal of responsibility. I am proud to be carrying my heirs. He must be proud of you also, since your children are all beautiful and strong.”
Neea nodded, wrapping an arm around Max’s shoulders. She stood about two feet taller than Max, towering over his smaller frame. Fairly slender, she was still built like a warrior and no one in the room believed she was a delicate flower. The sharp teeth and claws she displayed were a reminder of her other form.
“May I introduce you to my sisters, Your Highness?” Neea gestured for her companions to move closer. Max smiled at each in turn.
“This is my eldest sister, Cheea. My second sister, Hisshia, and my youngest sister Frizta.” Each of the siblings greeted Max, smiling back at him, their appearance similar to Neea’s, except for Frizta, whose colouring was a lot different. Her demeanour was a little more cool than her sister’s. Despite the smile on her lips and the outwardly friendly greeting, Max had a sense about her. Perhaps she was merely reserved around strangers. Shrugging off the thought, Max smiled more widely at her, trying to put her at ease.