A King's Ransom

by Lia Black

  It only became worse when Veyl began to sample the selections of items that Kaidos had brought up for eating. The cheese wasn't a problem. Veyl nibbled it with small bites, his eyes roaming over the other food on the tray as he washed it down with some wine. It was when he lingered on the smallest pieces of fruit that Kaidos sensed a change. Tiny bites of a cherry, eyes on Kaidos as he rubbed the fruit across his lower lip, coating it with a dark shimmer of juice.

  "What are you doing?" Kaidos noticed the huskiness in his own voice.

  "Eating," Veyl answered, but the fruit had not disappeared into his mouth yet. Instead, he raised the cherry to Kaidos' lips, and like a dumb animal, Kaidos took the bait.

  He could see the dim glow of satisfaction as Veyl made certain Kaidos licked his fingers clean, then tipped his chin up ever so slightly, challenging a kiss.

  Kaidos complied without hesitation, leaning down to give Veyl a brief, but tender kiss.

  How Veyl could turn everything into something alluring and carnal was truly a talent, and Kaidos followed where he led him; feeding Veyl in the same manner, kissing in-between bites. When they had finally emptied the tray, Kaidos was almost disappointed, until Veyl coaxed him into a deeper kiss and pulled him down across the bed.

  "Just this," Kaidos said, as he broke off slowly from Veyl's lips. He moved them so they were lying side-by side on the mattress, one hand resting on Veyl's waist.

  "This?"

  "No sex."

  Kaidos sucked in a sharp breath when Veyl pushed Kaidos' hand lower until it touched the hot, rigid flesh between his legs. "No?"

  As if by its own accord, Kaidos hand began to stroke him. "No. Too strenuous. You need rest."

  "Then why are you touching me?" Veyl's voice was breathy, and Kaidos heard an actual note of confusion.

  "I know you can't rest with this," He chuckled, giving him a light squeeze.

  Another little gasp, and Veyl pressed forward into his hand. He began to try and unfasten Kaidos' breeches but Kaidos brushed his hand away.

  "No, not me. Just let me make you feel good."

  "What? I—" Veyl's breath shuddered and his hand clutched Kaido's sleeve. He was trembling.

  Kaidos paused, but didn't release him. "What's the matter?"

  "I…I don't understand what you want me to do."

  "I want you to come," Kaidos laughed softly and leaned forward to breathe in the scent of Veyl's clean hair.

  "But what do you want in return?"

  "Huh?" Kaidos paused his ministrations for a moment and considered the substance of Veyl's words. "Hasn't anyone ever just touched you to make you feel good?"

  "Not without expecting it in kind," Veyl answered and groaned softly as Kaidos began stroking him again.

  "Then I'll be your first." Kaidos couldn't help but feel a little thrill at the concept of being Veyl's first in anything related to sex. Admittedly, it aroused him quite a bit to be touching Veyl like this, but he hadn't planned on sex twice in the same day—especially with Veyl still recovering from his fever.

  "But—" Veyl tried to protest, but Kaidos kissed him, continuing to fondle his length until Veyl finally relaxed and gave in to the pampering.

  Kaidos kissed Veyl's neck, then nibbled at his ear, his hand moving with long, even strokes. When Veyl began to tense, Kaidos moved his hand lower, cupping his balls to give some attention the the less sensitive regions to prolong Veyl's enjoyment. But he couldn't let it ride out indefinitely.

  "Please…" Veyl whispered, his voice strained with his need to release.

  He fisted Veyl's cock again and Veyl thrust into his hand, his body tensing and shuddering. After a few more strokes, he climaxed.

  Kaidos caught most of it in his hand, watching the shadows play across Veyl's face with the tension and pleasure of his orgasm. It was amazing how sensual Veyl was. Most of his facial expressions were cultivated and controlled, but to see him in a way that was so natural and irrepressible was beautiful and incredibly erotic.

  Kaidos' own cock became painfully stiff, and he rolled onto his back, his one hand still filled with the heat of Veyl's spend, and he quickly unfastened his breeches, freeing himself.

  "Kiss me," Kaidos said breathlessly. "Please."

  Veyl splayed one hand across Kaidos' chest, rubbing him through his shirt. He leaned over and began feasting on Kaidos' lips.

  Kaidos had never masturbated before in front of anyone. That was a solitary activity reserved for those times when the act of orgasm meant less about sex and more about relieving a necessary bodily function. But somehow, with Veyl, it felt comfortable and like an extension of, rather than a replacement for sex. He used the slick heat of Veyl's come as lubricant and stroked himself to a satisfying completion as Veyl kissed him and caressed his body above the waist.

  "Thank you," Kaidos said after he'd released and his body began to feel leaden.

  "Thank you, too," Veyl whispered against his lips and curled into his side, snuggling warm against him.

  Kaidos closed his eyes and let Veyl's deep, steady breathing lull him to sleep.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The Emperor's New Clothes

  Veyl had enjoyed Kaidos' body. Really enjoyed it. Kaidos was one of the most physically beautiful men he had ever seen, and he loved the colors of their skin together: Kaidos' warm caramel against his own pale honey tones.

  However, while having use of Kaidos' body might make it easier to manipulate his mind, it came with the risk of Veyl beginning to like him, and that was something that really should not be.

  Liking him meant trust, and Veyl would not give any man more than was his due. He'd learned over the years that men lied a lot more easily when the consequence of truth was a cessation of physical pleasure. Veyl had never once been reminded that he was only a warm and often taboo place for someone to stick a cock while a man was buried balls-deep inside his ass. The words that spewed forth with men's seed were promises and declarations never spoken of outside of the bedroom.

  Nothing else had changed between him and Kaidos—Veyl was still a prisoner being transported to some mystery location. Kaidos would forget about him long before all of the gold he received for delivering Veyl had been spent. Giving into carnal urges would make this trip a bit more tolerable, and keep Kaidos affable, but it wouldn't make Veyl a free man.

  And yet, Veyl had been tempted to take Kaidos' hand once they exited the brothel mid-morning of the next day. They were planning on leaving tomorrow, but Kaidos wanted to get a few things for the road, and be certain that Veyl's strength was back enough to manage more nights spent sleeping outside.

  They headed into the makeshift little town of Thieves Den where carts filled with stolen goods sat side-by-side with more reputable items such as fresh bread and vegetables. Behind these troves of varied treasures were the run-down veneers of buildings, housing a tavern, a gambling hall, a blacksmith's, and a clothier—just to name a few.

  Veyl followed Kaidos into the last one, watching how aware Kaidos was of other people as they made no attempt to hide the curious and lusty gazes directed Veyl's way. He smiled as Kaidos took his hand in his own. It was an unexpected and thrilling show of possession, and even if Veyl was only his in the context of a prisoner, he could appreciate the feeling. Even Ahrn never held Veyl's hand in public, and while that was likely to be expected—considering his position among Aaullsworthe's town guard—it was still the kind of acknowledgment Veyl had longed to receive.

  The inside of the clothier's shop was a hodge-podge of colored fabrics and simple wooden forms displaying an array of finished and in-progress clothing. Veyl got the feeling that the owner was a frustrated artist, having more fashionable ideas than this small town really needed. There was a red satin gown done up with creamy lace and rosettes, which would have been lovely on a noblewoman, but here it was just gathering dust.

  A man with a narrow face, and hair longer on the sides than it was wide across his balding pate, came through a faded curtain behind the cou
nter. The man peered over his half-moon spectacles as they entered his shop.

  "What can I do for you er..." his washed-out blue eyes fell upon their clasped hands, following Veyl's arm up until they rested on his face.

  Veyl smiled to see his apprehension in calling out a gender designation.

  Kaidos cleared his throat, capturing back the shopkeepers wandering attention. "My companion needs some new clothing. Leather if you've got it."

  "Red." Veyl specified, raising slightly on the balls of his feet. He couldn't contain his grin, both for the man's discomfort and Kaidos' warm fingers linked firmly with his own.

  "Red." The shopkeeper echoed, as if the word was foreign to him. He kept glancing towards Veyl as he began moving about the shop, his hands resting on drawers without opening them, or hovering over bolts of fabric.

  "Oxblood?" The thin man seemed to have had an epiphany and he turned his face to look at Kaidos.

  "That would be fine." Veyl answered. At times like these, his androgyny could be troublesome and he was tempted to raise up his tunic and lower his pants so that the shopkeeper could see he was a man.

  "I have a...a lady's vest..."

  Kaidos grunted, "He's not--"

  "Let me see it," Veyl interrupted, squeezing Kaidos' hand affectionately. Gods, how seemingly mundane the task of purchasing a new outfit had seemed, but standing here--with Kaidos--he felt as if he were picking out his wedding gown. Veyl snickered from the image, turning his head and closing his eyes to try and lessen the effect.

  "What's so funny?" Kaidos asked him, his eyes darting between Veyl and the curtain the shopkeeper had vanished behind.

  Veyl shook his head with a grin, waving Kaidos' question away with his free hand.

  The shopkeeper stuck his balding head through the curtain, his cheeks blushing pink as he posed a question to Veyl, "I wonder if…I wonder if you'll allow me to show you something…"

  The grip on Veyl's hand tightened and Kaidos took one step forward, glaring at the smaller man, "You'd better not be thinking what I think you are." His voice was a low growl.

  A thrill tickled up Veyl's spine. Although he knew the older man was not making any sexual advances towards him, Kaidos believed that he was, and responded as if he were a wolf defending his territory.

  "It's fine…lover," Veyl reassured Kaidos and moved towards the curtained doorway, noting how reluctant Kaidos seemed to want to release his hand.

  "I'm coming with you." Kaidos voice was firm, making it clear it was not a request, and he followed Veyl through the curtain into the back room, still holding his hand. He didn't let go until they had passed through.

  The back of the shop had a staircase to one side, likely leading up to the shopkeeper's personal quarters, and there was a partially dressed mannequin wearing a billowing white shirt and oxblood red leather breeches. There was a narrow threaded awl, lying on a low stool, and it appeared that the clothing was still in the process of being made.

  "I-I was wondering…please forgive me, but you are," the older man cleared his throat, "you have the most beautiful face and form…perfect for a design that I have had in mind for some time. No one in this town…appreciates the more subtle details of this style of clothing. I was hoping that you might honor me by wearing it?"

  "I—" Veyl began, but suddenly realized it wasn't really his choice. He certainly wanted to say yes, but having Kaidos overrule him would darken his mood. Considerably. Kaidos had already given in to sex and Veyl wasn't ready to lose that again if he could help it.

  "Is this the clothing?" Kaidos stepped forward, examining the form that held the nearly finished outfit.

  "Y-yes," the older man stammered.

  Kaidos walked around the clothing, assessing it like he might a horse. He gave a few tugs to the finished seams and fingered the leather. Finally, he glanced back over at Veyl.

  Veyl hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until Kaidos looked his way. He felt a blush hit his cheeks when he imagined how he must look—decked out in drab, over-sized men's clothing, his eyes wide and wanting like a pauper girl dreaming of a princess' gown. Veyl chewed the inside of his cheek, feeling a little foolish of his desire for creature comforts. They were going to be back out on the road, sleeping on the ground, and he was still just a prisoner. That aspect of their relationship still hadn't changed, despite Veyl wanting to pretend that it might.

  Kaidos finally returned his attention to the shopkeeper.

  "It's not going to cost a lot of coin, is it? We're only passing through."

  "Oh no…I would offer it as a gift—"

  Kaidos shook his head, "No gift. I'll pay fair for it. How soon can you have it finished?"

  The man brightened and Veyl felt…pleased…for the first time in a great many months. It wasn't anywhere near happiness, but that was something he hadn't known since before Ahrn had smashed his heart to bits.

  The thought of Ahrn once more sent a pang of discomfort through Veyl's chest, and he frowned.

  What is Ahrn doing? Why isn't he here? Is he worried, or has he already replaced me with some soft-skinned recruit? The thoughts began to spiral in Veyl's brain; all of the kind words and precious gifts now seemed like nothing but lie after lie in the face of Ahrn's absence.

  Veyl moved against Kaidos, awkwardly leaning his head against his shoulder. He wanted to kiss him and touch him—anything to dislodge the raw irritation left behind by the memories that seemed would never cease hurting.

  Kaidos turned and put an arm across Veyl's shoulders, making ready to lead him out.

  "We'll be back in three hours," he said, and he escorted Veyl from the building.

  Once outside, Veyl urged him into an alley where he leaned against a rough wall and pulled Kaidos into a kiss.

  It took Kaidos initially by surprise and he braced one arm against the wall near Veyl's head, ready to push away. But Veyl felt Kaidos relax, and he began to return the kiss, leaning into Veyl and curling one hand around the back of his neck.

  "I want you to fuck me now," Veyl murmured against Kaidos' moist lips. His heart was rushing heated blood though his body, making his pulse throb along his neck and fill his cock. Veyl needed to erase the memories of Ahrn's deceitful touch, and the best way he knew how was to substitute it for another. "I want you to leave your mark."

  Veyl raised one leg, hooking it around Kaidos' upper thigh as he pushed his hips forward and ground against him, letting Kaidos feel just how badly he wanted him. He could feel that Kaidos was hard as well, and the heat rising from his loins told Veyl that Kaidos wanted him back.

  Kaidos growled softly against Veyl's neck as he pressed him harder against the wall. He glanced out towards the street.

  The sun was at a point in the sky where shadows cast between buildings were especially dark. Anyone walking by outside would be blind to the goings-on in these spaces, unless they stepped in far enough inside to let their eyes adjust. These sorts of things Veyl knew by nature. Having to steal time with Ahrn had taught him such knowledge.

  Again, thoughts of his former lover dripped poison into his blood and Veyl wrapped one arm over Kaidos' shoulder and moved the other down to unlace Kaidos' breeches and free his burning length.

  Kaidos brought his gaze back to Veyl.

  "What are—"

  "Hush," Veyl caught the curve of Kaidos' ear between his teeth, giving him a small bite before licking and nibbling it gently. Kaidos groaned and thrust into Veyl's hand as he worked him out of the confines of his leathers.

  "Just hold on a bit," Veyl panted and moved his hand down to unfasten his own breeches. When he had them loose, he lifted his other leg from the ground, supported between the wall and Kaidos' strong body. He tilted his hips forward, letting his breeches move down his thighs and expose his bare ass. Bringing his hand back up, he used a little spit mixed with Kaidos' precome to lubricate his opening, then he grasped the shaft of Kaidos' cock and pressed it against his hole.

  "Wait—ungh!" Kaidos grunted as Vey
l used his legs to pull Kaidos forward, forcing him inside with a minimum of preparation.

  Veyl squeezed his eyes shut. He held his breath, biting his lip to keep from crying out. Wet heat rushed in around Kaidos' invasion, and Veyl's eyes watered as he held back the sounds of his physical pain.

  "Now," he rasped, "fuck me." Veyl allowed no protest by kissing Kaidos hard and pushing his tongue into his mouth.

  Kaidos began to move inside of him. With each thrust, Veyl forced the entry to be hard and fast by pushing his body out from the wall as he used his legs to pull Kaidos towards him, and soon Kaidos was too caught up in sensation to remain tentative. With Veyl's urging, Kaidos' animal side seemed to take over and soon he was slamming into him; Veyl's back rubbed against the uneven stone wall, grinding bruises into his skin.

  Veyl needed this. He needed this pain to shred the layers of memory, and fill up the emptiness left behind. It hurt, it hurt a lot—a burning, sharp and stinging sensation as Kaidos fucked his insides raw, his cock too large to be used without adequate lubrication, and it was just what Veyl hoped for. This punishing invasion would force Veyl's body to memorize Kaidos' shape and the sensation of his cock stretching his muscles and bruising; tearing his flesh to accommodate his size.

  Veyl dug his fingers into the hard muscle of Kaidos' shoulders as he buried his face against his chest, biting his lip until blood flowed. His face contorted with pain as his own cock jerked with the pleasure, each time Kaidos hit that tight bundle of nerves deep inside.

  "Yes, yes, yes, more…" Veyl chanted, his voice a strained whisper. He reached between them to squeeze at his own length, his orgasm clawing its way closer through the mix of pleasure and pain.

  He came first and squeezed Kaidos from the inside, the pain making Veyl shudder. Kaidos stifled a cry against Veyl's arched neck as he spent; his come filling Veyl's insides with broken glass. Veyl sucked in a noisy breath as the stinging turned to a dull, bruising throb.