The Claiming of a Virgin King

by April Andrews

  “But you’ll tell me?” she asked.

  “I tell you everything.” He paused. “I trust you implicitly.”

  She held up a hand, halting his next words. “You do not need to tell me, William,” she said. “Our trust goes both ways. I know you will do whatever is necessary for our people.”

  “Then you do not know me as well as you think,” William said. “Because I have not yet agreed to this.” He closed his eyes, Dragan’s words, the touch of his hand racing through his mind. “Dragan wants me.”

  “You?”

  William held her gaze, saying exactly what he meant without any words. Niahm let out a soft gasp the moment she realized.

  “Oh…oh…”

  “Exactly.”

  Silence held between them for a moment as Niahm worked through the implications of what William had told her. He waited, giving her time, because he needed her thoughts on this, her views. He trusted that she would tell it exactly how she saw it.

  Eventually she stood, crossed the space between them, reached out and took his hands, just like she had in his private chamber back in the castle when this had all started.

  “I’m not sure what to say.”

  “Tell me what you are thinking,” he said.

  “I’m not really sure.” She paused. “You haven’t agreed to this?”

  “No,” William said. “Not yet, but what choice do I have?”

  “There is always a choice,” she said.

  “No,” William replied. “Not in this. Dragan has asked for something and if I give it he will help me end this war with very little bloodshed. It is exactly what we hoped for when we came here. Exactly what we need. Think of it, Niahm. An end at last. Our world back to how it should be.”

  “It will never be back to how it was,” she said. “But if the war ends…” She squeezed his hands. “We can build a new world. A world that includes both our people and theirs. Something new, something different.”

  “Yes,” William agreed. “A new start. But to get it…”

  “You and Dragan must…” Niahm frowned. “How many times does he expect you to…”

  “We will sail for the capital before the new moon so I am assuming however many times that allows.”

  “Then this will not be a long term arrangement?”

  “No,” William said. “And so, how can I possibly refuse? I said from the beginning that I would do whatever it takes, and I meant it. How can I go back on that now simply because his request is a little…different?”

  “Different?” Niahm said with a shake of her head. “It’s crazy.” She paused. “Perhaps he will take someone in your place? I will volunteer if that is the case.”

  “You?”

  She gave a slight smile. “It would be no great hardship, William. Dragan is quite something and the stories of their prowess, not to mention their physical abilities… But then,” her smile slipped. “If he has asked for you he must be powerfully attracted to you. Likely no one else will do.”

  William pulled his hands free. The idea of Dragan feeling a strong attraction to him made him feel that same weird panic. He had no idea how to deal with it. “I do not need to hear this.”

  “You do if you’re thinking of agreeing,” she said.

  “If?” William frowned. “I’m not sure there is a choice.”

  “Let me ask you this,” Niahm said as she turned around and sat back on the edge of the bed. “Are you attracted to him?”

  “Niahm! What sort of question is that?” William demanded, his heart racing in a peculiar sort of way, his belly churning also. Only it was not like the churning of the last few months, this was different. Because fact of the matter was, William had asked himself that same question constantly over the past few hours and he wasn’t entirely sure that the answer was no. Like all the aliens Dragan was tall, solidly built and had that oddly appealing blue skin. Unlike many of them he did not have a beard, he was smoothly shaved, and his hair was kept short, cropped close to his head. He was a good-looking male. Certainly more so than many others that William knew and yet…

  “I don’t know how I feel,” William answered honestly. “Worried. Panicky. I can’t quite explain it.”

  “He is not the usual male. It makes sense that the feelings he inspires will not be usual either.”

  “Because he is an alien?”

  “Because he is a leader,” Niahm said. “Like you are, William.” She tilted her head, reminding William of the way Dragan tilted his when he was considering something. “I am not surprised he wants you. You are ridiculously good looking, William. Do you have any idea what many of the males and females in the capital would give to be invited to your bed?”

  “Niahm…”

  “It’s true,” she said. “You are lusted over constantly. And the fact that you bed none of them only increases your appeal.” She grinned. “Our sexy, handsome, aloof king. It is enough to fuel countless fantasies. Yes, it makes sense that Dragan would want to be the one to have you.”

  “You think it is a power thing?” William asked. “That he wishes to prove his dominance over me?”

  “A day ago I would have said so,” Niahm said. “But I have spoken with a number of our people over the past hours. He is not that sort of male. I think he simply desires you. William,” she added. “You are very desirable. And now that I am over the shock I do not think that it is a bad bargain.”

  “Really?” he asked.

  “Really,” she said. “After you Dragan is the most powerful person in this world. He is a fitting match for you.”

  “This will not be a match,” William said quickly.

  “For a short time it will be.”

  “A very short time,” he said. A pause and then, “No one else must know of this, Niahm. No one.”

  “You are afraid of what they will think?”

  “Yes. No.” He threw up his hands. “I don’t know what I’m afraid of.”

  “There is no shame in this bargain, William. You are saving the lives of thousands. Freeing those that are enslaved.”

  “I am not sure the court will see it that way.”

  “Fuck the court.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh at that because he’d said the same thing more than once. Would they, that group of men and women, all of them from his father’s reign, some prior even to that, understand this, condone it? William doubted it.

  You let the alien lord fuck you in return for his help?

  How could you, William.

  What will your people think? How will they respect you now?

  He could practically hear those words the moment they found out about his bargain. And his people? William did not know what they would think. Did it even matter though? Not if it saved them all? Was his pride, his self-image more important than that?

  No.

  That was the simple answer.

  Nothing was more important than stopping this war.

  “I do not know what I would do without you, Niahm,” he said slowly, his mind made up. “And now I have one more favor to ask for.”

  “Tell me.”

  “You will return to the capital and you will take Bertram and all the guards but two of them with you. Bertram will resist of course, but there is no help to be had for that.”

  She nodded slowly, knowing then exactly what he had decided. “You don’t want them here for this?”

  “Exactly. If possible I would like to keep this quiet. At least until the war is won. Two guards will be more than enough, though I honestly don’t think I even need them.”

  “And you will follow with Dragan?”

  “I will. Before the new moon.”

  “And leaving the court alone?” she asked. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  William shrugged. “What can they do at this point? They do not have the codes to switch off the energy barrier. They can’t surrender. And they can do nothing to fight. Things are as they are. Right now my presence in the capital changes not
hing.”

  “You are right,” Niahm said. “Nonetheless I will keep a close eye on them.”

  He smiled slightly. “Several of them would love your eye on them.”

  “But not you, William.”

  Her words startled him, and that was saying something considering the day he’d had. “I have never looked at you in that way, Niahm,” he said slowly.

  “Have you ever asked yourself why?”

  “We are friends—”

  “Yes,” she agreed. “But you have never looked at any of the willing females in court that way either.”

  “I am king.”

  “Your father did not think along those lines.”

  He snorted. “Father lived most of his reign during a time of peace.”

  “And at some point you will live your life that way too. What then, William?”

  “What then?” he asked. “I have no idea, Niahm. I’ll think about it when that time comes.”

  “I’m asking you these things for a reason,” Niahm said. “You might not realize it, William, but such strict self-control is not normal. And maybe there’s a reason for it? Maybe it is because no one, no female, has sparked your interest properly. Dragan might be the person, the right male, to do so. It might be that he is exactly what you need right now. You have been under so much stress for so long. A release is probably what you need.”

  “I can take care of that myself.”

  She sighed. “It is more enjoyable when someone does it for you.”

  William groaned. “Niahm, this is not something I am going to enjoy,” he said, but he was not entirely sure he sounded convincing.

  “But why go into it thinking like that?”

  “Because…” He threw up his hands. “Because!”

  “Because nothing, William,” she said. “You need to think about this and think about it properly. Fact of the matter is, sometimes the thing we least want is the thing that we most need, and I have a funny feeling that is something you are about to learn. Take the lesson, William,” she added. “Take it not as the king but as William the man, because in the end, it might be the most important one you are ever given.”

  Chapter Eight

  It was late the following evening when Dragan took a seat in his feasting hall. Most nights the hall was opened up to whoever wanted to stop by, and many did. Dragan couldn’t actually remember the last time he had sat and eaten with less than a dozen people and he enjoyed that aspect of his life. He was a sociable person and liked to spend time with his people. Tonight though, well, tonight was different because he was expecting the king, and it would be just the two of them.

  Dragan looked around the room, making sure all was how he wanted it. The fire, and they needed it to battle against the cold, was sparkling in the hearth, the couches either side of it were plumped with pillows and blankets, and the long table was already laid out for their meal. Dragan had asked that his few staff make themselves scarce for the night, and they had readily agreed. The events of the past two days had been enough for the whole town to want to take a few moments to breathe. The arrival of the king, the subsequent departure of his staff. All of Dragan’s people were wondering what was happening, and he hoped that after tonight he would be able to tell them.

  Dragan grinned at that thought, surprised actually by just how excited he was. He couldn’t wait to see the male he had been thinking about all night and all day. They’d seen each other very briefly first thing when the king had explained that his advisors and guards would be returning to the mainland. The king had not explained exactly why that was the case, just muttered something about them needing to get the capital ready for what was to come. They had been surrounded by people, and Dragan had not been able to ask if that meant the king was agreeing to his terms. He could have dismissed them all of course, but something told Dragan to wait, to take his time, not to push. He heeded that instinct.

  He wanted the king.

  Quite desperately.

  It didn’t really make any sense. Dragan had wanted males and females before. He’d even thought himself in love many years ago. But this desire he felt for the other man was almost overwhelming. It had been some time since he’d had to, but last night Dragan had taken his own cock in hand and pumped it until he came. All the while he’d imagined William’s lips around his cock head. William’s eager fingers running along his shaft…

  He was going to have him.

  Dragan was set on that.

  If the king refused him he was more than willing to chase. It had even occurred to him that once he had dealt with Maylor he would travel to the capital and demand an audience with him. Gratitude might just be enough…

  The door opened.

  The king entered.

  Dragan’s cock hardened.

  “William…”

  He was dressed in much the same clothes as he had been yesterday and this morning. Dragan had noted then that they were very plain, that he made no effort to dress particularly regally, wearing instead just a simple tunic and pants. Dragan liked that. It was very in keeping with the sort of man that he had taken William to be.

  He stood up and waved a hand to the seat next to him. “Thank you for coming.”

  “I could hardly turn down a dinner invitation from my host, could I?” William replied as he moved around the table and took the seat.

  Dragan smiled at that because it seemed the king was holding back, keeping himself aloof. Didn’t matter. If he was honest Dragan would have to say that aloofness was part of his attraction. Really, and now that he thought about it, Dragan was beginning to understood why he felt so deeply for the king so quickly. Apart from being stunningly attractive, he had all the qualities that naturally appealed to Dragan. He was hard working, loyal, and selfless. Add in skin that begged to be stroked and a body that was made for fucking and well, it did make sense.

  “Your people?” Dragan asked.

  “Are sailing back to the mainland,” William replied. “All but my personal guard.”

  “You know you do not need a guard, don’t you?” Dragan asked.

  William shifted slightly in his seat and caught Dragan’s gaze. Despite his plan to ease them in to this dinner gently, Dragan couldn’t help his sharp intake of breath. Looking into William’s eyes was like looking into something that was both intriguing and slightly frightening.

  Dragan liked that.

  He liked being challenged. Liked to have his feelings aroused.

  “I do know,” William said after a moment. “But it was hard enough to send Bertram off already. I suspect he would have chained himself to the docks had I not at least kept some of the guards.”

  “It is natural for them to worry for your safety,” Dragan said. “Especially after your experiences with Maylor.”

  “If you wanted me dead I would be,” William replied. “We both know that.”

  “You know exactly how I want you,” Dragan said slowly. “And it is far from dead.”

  The king tore his eyes away at those words and started to fiddle with his cutlery. Dragan grinned. He was rapidly getting used to flustering the king, and he liked the way it made him feel. Still, he didn’t want to fluster him too much. Dragan sensed tonight was going to be a delicate business, and considering he had every intention of having the king bent over the couch before they were through, he needed to go carefully.

  “Our food is ready,” he said after a moment. “We can serve ourselves.”

  “Island food?”

  Dragan nodded and removed the tops from the dishes. “A number are, some from the home world. Like the berries, we grow other things here. Help yourself.”

  William did so, filling his plate at the same time as Dragan. Once done Dragan poured them both a drink and then purposefully continued the conversation. As they ate they discussed what was grown where in the world, what was being traded and so on. That conversation naturally followed on to other topics. Nothing heavy, nothing political, just the general chit-chat of two
people sitting down to a meal. By the time they were finished Dragan noticed that the king had relaxed some. He was even smiling. Just as Dragan had wanted him to be.

  “That was delicious. Thank you.”

  “You must eat well daily,” Dragan observed. “No doubt you have a large staff to tend to your needs.”

  William shrugged. “My father did. The court always seemed to be around. Discussing and advising. I never liked it. I never seemed to have any time simply by myself. When I came into the throne I changed all that. It is mostly just me and Niahm now.”

  “Niahm?” Dragan asked. “The red-headed female.”

  “Yes.”

  “You sent her back to the mainland also?”

  “Yes. She will keep an eye on things for me until I return.”

  Had he been another sort of man Dragan would have not asked the next question, but it had been edging around his mind all day, bothering him almost, and so he couldn’t resist. “You have fucked her?”

  William’s start of surprise was a stark contrast to his smile of just moments ago. “Excuse me?”

  “I assumed when I saw her that she was your lover,” Dragan said. “She is, after all, very beautiful, and there is a natural closeness between you.”

  “She is my most trusted advisor,” William said.

  “She cannot be both?”

  William frowned and dropped his cutlery. His gaze was lowered again now and Dragan knew why. They’d reached that point…both knew it.

  “It isn’t like that between us.”

  “Who is it like that with, William?” Dragan asked softly.

  The king took a deep breath then, steeling himself, he spoke... “I guess it will be with you.”

  A blot of pure pleasure shot through Dragan at those words. He had suspected when William had sent his people back to the mainland. He had hoped when William accepted his invitation to dinner…but to have it confirmed…