“As the arrangement between humans and Cubi has always been, we each have our court systems,” Geodin said, turning her attention back to the human. “In almost all cases, jurisdiction falls to that of the races the perpetrator belongs due to our unique physical needs, but in a few cases the perpetrator is handed over.”
“Yes.” Mr. Helmer pulled another file from his briefcase. He opened it, and Seldon glanced at the list. He’d seen it several times before—the last time was when Rosadin was chosen for a Mingler team. It was the list of laws and jurisdictions she had to abide by including contact numbers if she got in trouble with the human law.
Mr. Helmer skipped ahead to where the jurisdictions were passed over.
One outlined military personnel.
“Of course, I spoke to my superiors about this…”
The hesitation did not bode well.
“Colonel Bridge is a decorated officer of the United States Army and an honorable man—”
“I would very much like an explanation on how you define honorable if that word can even be used about a man who ignores direct orders and go against the very directives he’s put in place to carry out,” Geodin said, her eyes growing even brighter.
“Well, I only mean to point out that so far in the Colonel’s career, he has received many commendations.” Mr. Helmer smiled again, and Seldon was sure his own eyes were growing brighter as enough adrenaline made it into his system to no longer trust his hands to not shake from anger.
“And yet he ignored orders, breached our home, and gave the orders consequently resulting in the death of seventeen humans, more than one hundred and fifty Cubi, even children.”
“It is most regrettable, but at this time, the Advisory Council cannot agree to handing over the Colonel to stand a Cubi trial for treason.”
“And Lieutenant Winters?” Seldon asked.
Mr. Helmer looked at him, blinking. “I’m sorry?”
“Lieutenant Winters!” Seldon repeated and pulled the file, Geodin had handed Mr. Helmer earlier, closer to open on the next page where the transcripts implicating the Lieutenant as an accomplice were. He even pointed out the paragraphs for the Assistant Secretary.
“Oh, well…I will have to ask them.”
“This is a waste of our time!” Geodin said. “If you and your department have no intentions of honoring your responsibilities and agreements with us, then I suggest you don’t set up a meeting.”
“Well, surely, Ms., you can understand the delicacy of the situation.”
“Grand Lady, not Ms.”
“Let’s cut this short.” Elakdon threw his glasses on the table. “I am Nol-Elakdon, King of the North, and I am the sovereign ruler of this Kingdom. You will uphold your treaty with The Great House of Dahlidin. If you fail to comply and meet every demand as outlined in the treaty, then NATO sub-clause on Cubi Kingdoms and their fellow human government will be effective immediately. The breach of The Great House of Dahlidin is a human terrorist attack on their fellow Cubi Nation and thus an act of war that no human government under NATO can intervene in, but two Kingdoms may participate in.”
That certainly got Mr. Helmer’s attention, and he fidgeted while the guard behind him discretely unbuttoned his jacket, easing his access to his weapon, and Seldon felt his body tense, ready to spring into action.
“I will have to take that back to the Advisory Council.”
“Humans don’t take us seriously, do they?” Elakdon asked. “They send an Assistant Secretary to meet with the very head of the Cubi, and you even question why a Grand Lady chose someone with green eyes. You see us so seldom that you forget that you share land with us, we do not rent land. You deal with us so rarely that your kind has forgotten we are not just a weak race that you can push around as you see fit.”
“Well, we do have a far more formidable military,” Mr. Helmer said.
That comment caused Seldon’s stomach to drop. They’d never intended on upholding the treaty.
Geodin leaned closer, her eyes glowing brightly. “We have agreed not to gather weapons as an act of good faith, and because the military superiority is a phone call away.” She pointed to Elakdon. “Unless you intend on unleashing your formidable military on your general population, then you won’t get to the Cubi without plowing down your own population, too, and in far greater numbers.”
“Meet our demands now, or we will respond in kind,” Elakdon said. “With war.”
“I’ll have to make a phone call then.” Mr. Helmer shoved every file on the table haphazardly into his briefcase and stood.
“Not planning on returning to the table since you bring everything? Including our property?” Elakdon asked.
The security guard moved fast to get to Mr. Helmer, but Guard Lord Afdon stepped out of camouflage and grabbed his arm before the human could get the gun out. It discharged under his arm, and the security guard yelped before he screamed in pain. Afdon held the weapon by his side, and the security guard clutched at his arm. As far as Seldon could see, he hadn’t hit himself with the misfire, but Afdon had injured the human’s arm by grabbing it too hard.
Levidon grabbed Mr. Helmer’s briefcase and shoved him back down onto the chair.
Great Lady Laudin stepped out of camouflage behind Elakdon, pulled out her phone, and made a call.
In the meantime, Seldon strode toward the door, fearing the two security guards outside would come bursting in at the sound of the gun going off. He ripped the door open, ready to attack, but found six from Elakdon’s Royal Guard, each with an unconscious human at their feet.
“Floor secure, Grand Sire, stay with Nol until we collect you.”
“Yes, Guard Lord.” Seldon returned to hear the end of a conversation where Elakdon declared himself a King actively participating in the war defending The Great House of Dahlidin against the United States of America. Shit. There went the last hope of Daniel being able to ease into his responsibilities.
The King hadn’t said a word since they’d left the building. Seven humans accompanied them in several vehicles, all informed that they were taken as prisoners of war. Elakdon flicked a finger over his lips as he merely stared out the window in obvious deep thoughts.
Seldon spent his time looking through the humans’ phones—the ones they could get into, at least—and the content of Mr. Helmer’s briefcase.
“Steps of negotiation,” Lady Laudin said and placed papers on the table. Seldon waited for Geodin to take them, and she did, skimming them. She then passed them to Seldon.
They outlined what the humans had apparently expected to be a lengthy deal with the Cubi. A few of the points made Seldon pull out his tablet and look up a few things.
“This is their attempt to renegotiate the treaty, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” Geodin said quietly. She looked so like her uncle as they sat beside each other and stared out the same window. “They’ve tried to get us to the table for a while.”
“Are these the only points they’ve tried to change?”
“No. They want to reduce the number of humans we may collect, and they want insight into the physiology of Changelings so they can be registered in human databases. They keep saying it’s because they’ll then help us find our potential people.” Geodin almost spat the last words before shaking her head. “Colonel Bridge was one of the men suggesting it.”
“And your thoughts now?” Seldon asked, looking at the next point.
“I think they just wanted that database of our potential people so they could disappear and thus secure our reduced numbers. And if they’d been given insight into the protein markers and hormones, they’d probably be looking for Washed.”
Seldon had to agree, especially when he found a clause wanting the Cubi to agree to a halt in population growth, Changelings included, and reduce immigration rights of Cubi.
“What’s the plan now?” he finally asked.
Elakdon looked at him, then at Geodin. She drew a heavy sigh and turned to face Seldon while Elakdo
n turned his attention out the window again.
“We find a safe house, send the P.O.Ws with the Guard Lords, and hide Daniel. Ela already contacted the Homeland Security’s Cubi Relation’s department to let them know our reaction to them pissing on us, and the Secretary of Defense got a call, too.”
Seldon noticed the Grand Lady’s eyes glowing again, and he actually feared her a bit at that moment. In a good way. She’d always been a formidable woman, and as the daughter of the Great Lady Dahlidin, Geodin had more riding on the outcome than anyone in Daniel’s Kingdom. Considering how she’d taken to Daniel, she might as well be a mother protecting her cub, and in Seldon’s experience, the most dangerous place to stand was between a mother and her child if she feared harm would come to it. Yeah, men could be boastful and brawl and had a need to dominate, but a mother wouldn’t stop fighting until either she or the threat was dead.
“The Royal Guard will be notified, and they’ll make the contingency plans regarding the safety of our Nol-Beaudon,” Geodin said.
The Soccer Mom van turned off the road and up to a hotel.
“Is this a safe house?” Seldon asked.
“Yes, but not Cubi owned.”
Good, then they were off the radar.
It was a small hotel, no more than three stories high and twenty rooms max. It had a small restaurant at ground level and a bar. The thrill of the hunt bubbled in Seldon, but he had a King to keep up with—a King who right then looked like he’d been slapped. He hid in the background wearing glasses and a worn baseball cap. He slumped with his hands in his pockets, and Seldon wondered if it was to blend in, or if he felt what his body language conveyed.
Seldon stayed behind with him while Geodin went to the reception area. A beautiful woman joined them at the reception a moment later and led Geodin away. Hunger stirred on Seldon’s skin, and if he could feel the itch now, Elakdon had to be hungrier. Maybe that was why the King slumped so?
Geodin returned and waved them with her. “Your key.” She handed Seldon a keycard. “I’m in the next room. Lord Afdon, stay with Grand Sire Seldon.”
Afdon dipped his head. “Yes, Grand Lady.”
Geodin walked off, and Seldon unlocked the door. It held just a king-size bed, a small sitting arrangement, and a mini bar. Apparently, Geodin had arranged so that Elakdon could honor his promise to thoroughly Empower Seldon.
Afdon followed in, went to stand by the window, and faded from sight.
Elakdon headed straight for the sitting arrangement and plopped down on the couch. “I could really use a stiff drink. Does the bar have any?”
Seldon went to have a look while he shrugged out of his suit jacket. He found two small bottles of bourbon and brought them to the couch where he took a seat next to the King. He’d resumed staring out the window.
“What is it, Nol?” Seldon asked, afraid Elakdon had overlooked something in the planning of contingency plans, and that the King second guessed it all.
“I feel like I’ve let my young successor down since I couldn’t stop this. But that human was so arrogant!”
“I agree. I didn’t see any other outcome either by the way he carried on.”
“Especially when he began boasting about their military. That’s a flat-out threat or intimidation tactic.”
Seldon nodded in complete agreement with the King. “From what I read and talked about with Geodin on our way here, the humans have tried to diminish our sovereignty for a long time.”
Elakdon looked at Seldon. “I missed that part, I’m sorry. I’ll have Lady Laudin pull me up to speed. Either way, I brought more than warriors when I came here. I brought two thousand Cubi ranging from red-eyes to Sires to populate this Kingdom so the humans can just suck it.”
Seldon handed him one of the bourbons and got up to find the tablet and file. He handed them to Elakdon who put his unopened bottle on the table and looked through the file outlining the humans’ attempt to reduce Cubi population. Seldon waited. Ten minutes later, he still waited, staring out the window.
“I need to speak to the Grand Council of Nol-Beaudon as soon as possible. But before that, I need to feed.” Elakdon looked at Seldon. “I can’t think straight.”
Seldon got up, but Elakdon stopped him from moving away by taking his hand. The King looked apologetic. “I had hoped empowering you would be a fun experience for you. My worries may prevent that.”
“It’s okay, I get it. I feel the same.”
Elakdon huffed, and a ghost of a genuine smile passed his lips. “At least you’ll be dosed out of your mind.”
Seldon smiled, too. “There’s that.”
Elakdon got up and faced Seldon. “I find it important to bond with you and Caledon as you are also my close allies. You are both admired and hold great respect, I hear.”
“Thank you for your kind words. We’ll have time for fun, let’s focus on the necessary now.”
Elakdon smiled and patted Seldon’s shoulder. “You’d better call the young Prince and let him know the outcome.” Elakdon went to the bathroom, and Seldon pulled out his phone and dialed.
Caledon picked up after the second ring. “Hey, Cale, it’s me. We failed.”
“You never did beat around the bush and waste times with pleasantries.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I get it. Shit. What now?”
“Guard Lords will be informed by Geodin, but you have to prepare Daniel.”
“I will, take care.”
“You, too.” Seldon hung up and turned at the sound of the bathroom door.
Elakdon entered naked and headed for the bed. He flopped down and managed a hungry smile. “Bring the bourbon.”
Seldon grabbed the two small bottles and made for the bed. Elakdon took the bottles and waited for Seldon to finish undressing and getting on the bed before he handed one back. Seldon settled and unscrewed the cap. So did Elakdon before he held up his bottle.
“May this Kingdom rise like a phoenix.”
Seldon smiled, tapped his bottle against Elakdon’s, and drank it. Not his favorite drink. Elakdon chucked his empty bottle over his shoulder before he did the same with Seldon’s. He then moved in for a kiss.
“You better prep me first. If you like it rough, I want to be ready for you.”
“Let’s do that, then.” Seldon pushed the King onto his back and kissed his way down the athletic body. He then remembered the lube was in his jacket. “I’ll just get the lube.”
“No, no,” Elakdon said, grabbing Seldon’s biceps. “I prefer doses.”
“Do you now?”
Elakdon grinned, and Seldon was happy to see that the prospect of feeding with him could lighten the gloomy King’s mood.
“Tingles so deliciously.” Elakdon wrapped his long legs around Seldon and pulled him back down.
Grinning, Seldon continued south where he lavished every erogenous zone he could find with nips and licks.
“Oh, oh, tongue,” Elakdon gasped and pulled his legs further back as if to force Seldon’s mouth lower. Seldon complied and buried his face in the King’s ass. He took his time teasing Elakdon before he finally breached the muscle and released a dose.
A mix between a sigh and a groan escaped Elakdon who ran his fingers almost lovingly through Seldon’s hair. Whatever practical feeding Seldon had expected, what he got was definitely not that. Or maybe Royals and their need to be intimate with their subordinates simply meant that this was the low end of the scale?
If that was the case, Seldon could definitely enjoy the heck out of the King.
Seldon retracted his elongated tongue and pushed a finger in while he focused his mouth’s attention on Elakdon’s nuts. Another finger had Elakdon grounding his ass, whimpering for more. Seldon’s hunger rose to a full prickle as he introduced another finger.
“Oh, fuck, come on, give my ass another dose and fuck me!”
Seldon pulled out his fingers to push in a fourth finger.
Whatever the next sentence meant, Seldon ha
d no idea, but he got the feeling that Elakdon was cursing him in another language. He smiled against the ass he was preparing, withdrew a finger, and pushed his tongue in next to the three fingers still buried there.
Elakdon stopped cursing him and groaned loudly when Seldon released the next dose. “Feed me, come on. I’m so hungry, and I want to be fucked hard.”
That was music to Seldon’s ears, and he quickly climbed up to take position between the King’s legs and entered him.
“Oh, yes, that’s it.” Elakdon claimed Seldon’s mouth and the kiss demanded all of Seldon’s attention when the dose warmed the cavity of his mouth. He swallowed, and then the lust took over. He already had his cock buried in the heat of Elakdon’s ass, and his mind reduced to being able to focus on only one goal—fuck that ass!
“Let it rip, Sire, come on, let me feel a hard-fucker, I’m so in the mood to get fucked senseless.”
“Oh, you’re going to feel me tomorrow,” Seldon growled and set a pace of long and hard thrusts.
Elakdon clutched at Seldon’s shoulders, gasping every time Seldon bottomed out in him. “Yes, that’s what I want, that’s what I need!”
Oh, wow, Seldon sailed away on the pleasure waves and the strong dose, and Elakdon really hadn’t been kidding when he said he could follow a hard fucker. Seldon pulled loose from the King’s grip and sat back on his haunches, grabbed his ass, and pulled him into position to push back in.
“Oh, yes!” Elakdon fisted the covers and moaned loudly as Seldon grabbed his one thigh and hip a bit hard and set a brutal pace. “Gods, yes. Yes!” The rest continued in another language, but Seldon definitely got the gist of what Elakdon was screaming for.
Seldon was in feeding heaven, and his orgasm built steeply. “I’m gonna come soon,” he managed to grate out between thrusts.
“Yes!”
Well, that sounded promising. Seldon didn’t come first, though, Elakdon tipped over the edge, screaming, his arms flailing and his body quaking. Seldon roared as a powerful orgasm claimed him, and he finished in hard and sharp thrusts before he collapsed, shivering and sweaty and completely exhausted.
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