by Jackie Nacht
When Puck put it that way, Torque knew he was right. His life hadn’t been going so great…like, ever. Maybe he did need a major change and this was his once in a lifetime opportunity. Maybe instead of being pissed, he could look at this as an opportunity to have a better life. He did have some questions, though.
“I have free will here? No one will hurt me?” God, his voice… He even sounded weak to him.
“Yes, you have free will here. And I will personally make sure no one will ever hurt you again.” Puck came a little bit closer and put two fingers on his chest above his heart. “I vow it.” The wind seemed to pick up a little bit as Puck’s words were spoken. It seemed the wind itself picked up the words and carried them to everyone in Faery to know of Puck’s promise to him.
Puck seemed to notice the wind too, and gave a small smile before holding out his hand. “Come on, I have an entire court to introduce you to.”
Since Torque had read quite a bit of Shakespeare in his day, he knew what Puck was talking about. However, he wasn’t sure if all the stories were true. Hell, a lot of countries talked about the Faefolk, with numerous versions of what they were. So while he might think he knew about the Fae, he might know absolutely nothing. Man, his head hurt.
“You sure don’t sound like Shakespeare, and you speak slang,” Torque mused.
“Of course I speak slang. When we aren’t having our Gathering, we spend quite a bit of time over in the Earth realm. However, time is different there. An hour has gone by here, but a day or two has passed on Earth. We don’t stay more than a month, but when we come back, it’s only been a couple days. So, we pick up your slang when we go over there. UnSeelie tend to speak more slang than Seelie, though,” Puck finished.
“Which court are you?” By looking at the castle, it couldn’t be the nice one.
“UnSeelie, but we’re not all bad. Some of us are really nice, actually. We may pull a lot of pranks on each other but we never go too far with them. Now, if you were on the other side, all bets are off. Some of the stories…” Puck began to chuckle.
“Are you at war? Do you kill each other?” Torque did not want to be thrust into the middle of a fairy war.
“Not really war and, no, we don’t kill each other. We simply live to piss them off. We tend to go a little extreme making their life a living hell is all. Trust me—they would be bored to tears if we didn’t liven up their lives.”
Puck pointed his finger to the other beach. “Did you see that over there?”
Torque actually thought it looked like they were having plenty of fun, but who was he to say anything?
They walked up a pathway that was flanked with leafless thorny bushes. Since Torque was only wearing his black boxer briefs, he had to tread carefully not to step on the thorns that had overgrown onto the path. The closer they came to the castle, the colder it became. Goosebumps covered his chest and arms. By the time they made it to the entryway, Torque’s teeth were chattering. Puck seemed completely unfazed.
Puck turned and looked at him. “Shit, hold on. I’ll be right back.”
He opened the door, leaving Torque on the steps to freeze his ass off. He’d just started his way back down the path when a fairy with white hair approached with a ton of shopping bags.
The guy looked straight at Torque and began laughing his ass off. “Boy, Puck is one mean son of a bitch if he’s leaving you out here in nothing but your frozen drawers.”
He would have come up with a snappy comeback if Puck hadn’t come back out, looking extremely relieved to see the comedian.
“Khellan, I’ve been looking all over for you. Why’d it take you so long?” Puck began to rummage through one of the bags, pulling out wool socks and tossing them his way. Briefs, pants, sweater and a down jacket soon followed. Torque quickly chucked his stiff briefs to put on his new warm clothes.
Puck walked over to him holding a pair of UGG Boots in one hand and a hat and gloves in the other. By the time Torque had it all on, he felt toasty warm. Only when his brain was able to thaw a bit was he able to pick up on the conversation.
“You actually think Titania won’t throw a fit when she gets a hold of that guy? He should be staying here, hanging with the Bogles. I think I’m going to grab a few of the others and set up chairs with some beer and popcorn. This is a blowup I don’t want to miss.” Khellan laughed.
“What guy is he talking about, Puck? You took someone else?” Torque hadn’t remembered Puck mentioning another guy coming over the veil with them.
Khellan interrupted before Puck could answer. “You see, the way it goes in the valley is, if the UnSeelie go over to Earth and pick up a changeling, we have to pick them one up to and vice versa. Oberon and Titania made a pact in the beginning to make sure the courts always stayed in balance.”
“What’s a changeling?” Torque wanted to know.
“That’s you and the guy who is tied to the damn tree out there. He tried to convince me to let him free, and when I didn’t, began calling me every horrible name that I’ve already been called many times over.” Khellan winked at him.
“Who is it, Puck?” he demanded.
“Your brother.” Puck smacked Khellan on the back of the head…like it was his fault for his brother being brought here.
“You brought Axle here, to go over there?” He pointed towards the fairies having a beach party. All that was missing was Moon Doggy and Gidget and the scene would be complete. His brother was going to whoop every single one of their bikini clad asses.
Puck huffed out, “He’ll get used to it.”
Torque snorted none too gently. “No, he won’t.”
“Then consider it’s his punishment for doing such a bang up job on being a good brother. Please just let it go. My brother will get him soon. He always goes hunting by dusk and the sun will be down in a couple of hours, so he’ll be loose in no time. Once you get settled in, I’ll make sure you two can meet in the in-between and hang out.”
That sounded fine by Torque. He was still a little pissed at Axle for bringing his lousy friends over, especially Donavon. If Puck hadn’t come in when he did, he wasn’t sure he would have survived the assault Donavon was laying on him. He was still amazed that his bruises had completely healed in the water.
Khellan ran by them and opened the black doors, extending one hand for both of them to enter. Every wall in the castle was onyx with icicles hanging from the ceiling. It was hauntingly beautiful. The walls were covered in a thin layer of ice and the floors looked like a shiny black ice rink. What he would give to have a pair of hockey skates right now. Puck reached over and grabbed his glove-covered hand, giving him a reassuring smile. Surprisingly, with Puck next to him, he felt right at home in this strange new world.
They journeyed down several hallways until they reached the throne room. Every single person turned to focus all their attention on them. He felt like a bug under a microscope. Strange, but everyone had white hair and blue eyes. They were all different shapes and sizes, but those two features were the same on everyone looking their way.
“When UnSeelie come to court, their features absorb the elements of winter. For example, over there are the banshees.” Puck pointed to three beautiful longhaired woman standing side by side.
“They look like this here, but when someone is about to die they take on the elements of the death they scream for. That is what mortals have seen. The more gruesome the death, the more terrifying a banshee looks. The entire UnSeelie court is like that. Some stay here to keep from shifting form, while others embrace it. The Bogles by the throne go over the veil all time in their horrifying forms brought on by murder and death. Humans think they are evil because of their appearance, but in fact they disposed of the murderers and liars that brought on their form. They protect humans and are considered evil for doing it.” Puck looked down at him closely.
“How come you look different?” Torque inquired.
“It’s because I’m half Seelie and half UnSeelie. I’m summer and winte
r, life and death. Throughout history many have seen me in many forms, but this is my true form and one I can keep, if I so choose. The others don’t have that luxury,” Puck said, guiding him through the crowd.
Puck led Torque up to a throne where a very good-looking man sat. He was huge. His thick muscles were covered in a black shirt and pants that actually looked like they were moving all over his legs. Creepy. There was a feeling of power that just rolled off the fairy and extended to everyone in the place. Oberon was indeed a powerful King, and no one even had to question it—you could feel it in every fiber of your being.
“Welcome, young one. It seems you had quite the journey. I’m glad Puck was able to assist you in your injuries.” Oberon’s voice was deep and raspy, causing chills to run down Torque’s spine.
Torque wasn’t sure if he needed to bow or maybe get down on his hands and knees before the King, so instead he stood there awkwardly while mumbling, “Thank you.”
Oberon turned towards Puck. “I think he’s had enough excitement for the day. Why don’t you take him to your quarters to get some rest?”
Without thinking, Torque blurted, “His quarters?”
Oberon looked him straight in the eye. His fathomless eyes spoke of thousand years of knowledge but a touch of sadness, too. “What? You don’t want to stay with Puck?”
Of course he wanted to stay with Puck, but he wasn’t sure if Puck wanted him to intrude. “Is that okay with you?” Puck smirked at him. “Of course it’s okay with me. I wouldn’t want you to be anywhere else. Excuse us, my King.”
Chapter 7
Puck led them out of the throne room and down another black corridor. If Torque planned on staying here, he was going to have to use the hospital methods and make colored paint lines to certain locations. The thought of him walking around with a paint wheel brought up a bubble of laughter.
Looking down, Puck asked, “What’s so funny?”
“I’m just trying to figure out how to get from place to place without getting totally lost. Everything looks the same.”
“You’ll be with me most of the time, and you’ll figure it out eventually,” Puck said, opening the last door.
Torque was about to tell him the only way he was going to figure his way around was with a handheld GPS, but stopped short at the view of the room. This room was nothing like the rest of the castle. Sure, the walls were still black, but that was where it ended. There was no ice to speak of and there was a massive fireplace with the most delicious smelling fire. It had to be the type of logs that were being burned. The bed was big enough to fit ten people. It was made up of dark greens and the frame was a rustic looking wood that somehow seemed like it was meticulously crafted that way. The floor was actually carpeted as opposed to the ice rink that lay beyond the doors.
Taking off his hat and gloves he looked over at Puck, who was watching him intently. “How is it this room is so different than the rest?”
Puck shrugged. “I told you, I’m a Halfling. When I chose to come here, Oberon made accommodations for me to be able to live here comfortably. The cold doesn’t bother me as much as it would you, me being immortal and all, but my other half needs to feel the warmth at times, too. My bedroom was the perfect solution. I know a lot of people on Earth think of Oberon as evil but he really isn’t. He’s truly the one that keeps all the monsters on a leash. Be prepared, though—his wrath is great against wrong-doers, but we have nothing to ever fear from him.”
“That’s good to know. He looks like he could squash me like a bug.” Torque began walking around, touching things very lightly with the tips of his fingers.
It was strange how in such an odd place—and one he’d had little choice in coming to—he felt so comfortable. Maybe it was because he’d left nothing behind. He had no friends to speak of. He could have continued to go to school but he knew he’d got below a B-minus in his calculus class so he was going to lose his scholarship…and without his scholarship, he couldn’t afford to go anymore. Torque decided to give this world a try, and he wanted to start by getting to know Puck better.
He had absolutely no experience with other men other than outside of a few kisses here and there—that was why it was so surprising that he’d gone all public with Puck earlier. He began to blush in embarrassment. Jeez, he’d acted like a total slut. He barely knew the guy.
“What are you thinking? You’re blushing.” Puck began to circle him.
“Nothing,” Torque lied.
“Liar, I can smell the pheromones coming off of you.” Puck gave an evil grin while stalking around a dark green sofa that faced the fireplace.
“Wait…I smell? How embarrassing.” Torque felt the need to take a quick subtle sniff.
“Trust me, it’s a really good smell. Now admit it, you were thinking of earlier.” Puck was getting a lot closer to him and he wasn’t even trying to get away from him anymore.
“Yeah, I was thinking of earlier,” Torque breathed out.
Puck finally reached him and caressed his cheek with his thumb. “Before we go anywhere I think there are some things you should know about me. Fairies’ pheromones have a way of affecting humans that create the same symptoms of almost being drunk. It’s a huge aphrodisiac to humans. If you hadn’t been hurt earlier, I think you would still be affected by our earlier encounter. I’ll try to control myself better and before it gets to be too much for you.”
Torque closed the distance completely and put his arms around Puck’s neck. “I’m willing to take the risk.”
Torque started to kiss Puck softly, making sure he covered every little spot on his full lips. Moaning, Puck took over the kiss and thrust his tongue into his mouth. Puck’s very own flavor burst into his mouth, making him shudder. He could feel both their cocks began to grow and started to softly rub them together. Eventually, Puck must have had enough because he kept on kissing him, walking him towards the bed. Torque felt the bed at his knees and fell back, with Puck following him down.
Puck impatiently began removing Torque’s clothes and then started ripping at his own, which were still damp from their earlier swim. As soon as his shirt was off, Puck began sucking on his neck. There was definitely going to be a mark there later. Torque liked that he would wear a mark from Puck that everyone could see.
Puck began trailing kisses down his body until he got to one of his nipples.
“Oh,” Torque whimpered.
“You like that?” Puck began sucking and licking on the other nipple.
“Ugh… yeah. Shit, that feels really good,” Torque gasped as Puck bit down gently and then laved it with his tongue.
Sensation began to overload him. Puck began licking further down his body. As he slid down, he could feel Puck’s skin softly brushing over his own. His cock was so sensitive he could feel even the smallest contact against it—first Puck’s stomach, then his chest, his chin…
And then he felt the wet warmth of his mouth.
“Fuck,” Torque hoarsely cried. He was ready to blow and Puck had just begun.
Torque could feel tongue circling around his cock and the suction was fantastic.
“Puck, I’m gonna…you need to stop…please. I’m about to come.” Torque didn’t know how much more he could take.
Puck popped off his cock and looked at him with those swirly green eyes. “It’s okay—I want you, too.” Then he leaned back down and began licking around the head.
Flames began to lick up his spine. He knew he started to babble incoherently but he was so close. When Puck reach down and began to gently massage his balls in time to licking the vein, there was no more holding back. He screamed out Puck’s name as he shot down his throat. Puck greedily drank up every drop, leaving Torque sensitive and panting.
* * * *
Puck was hanging onto his control by a thread. He wasn’t sure if he should continue or run like hell out of his room. He didn’t want to hurt Torque and he was barely keeping his hormones in check. Looking back down at Torque’s lazy smile, he kne
w he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
“I’ll be right back. I need to get some oil to get you ready.” Puck jumped off the bed and went into the bathroom to search for everything he would need.
Walking back into the room, he couldn’t believe the vision on his bed. Torque had his arm stretched above his head with his eyes closed. His blond hair was mussed and his sleek muscles had a light sheen of sweat. Puck wanted to keep him there forever.
Climbing back on the bed, Puck opened up the bottle. “Torque, do you want me to stop? Now is the time to let me know, before we go too far.”
“I’m ready for this, Puck. I want to be with you—just go slow, please.” Torque bit his lip, looking a tiny bit nervous.
“I promise I’ll take very good care of you.” Puck leaned over and gave Torque a soft kiss on the lips.
He unstopped the bottle, pouring a generous amount of oil onto his fingers. Torque slowly pulled his legs apart, gazing up at him with his cerulean eyes. Puck took one finger and began slowly circling his opening, massaging it.
“Mmm…” Torque began to close his eyes.
“Keep your eyes open for me, Tor.” Puck gently inserted one finger. He waited until he felt the muscles relax before he added another finger.
“Please, Puck…I’m ready,” Torque cried out.
“Patience, Tor.” Puck liked shortening Torque’s name. He finally inserted a third finger and began to scissor them. Torque’s long cock was already hard and leaking.
“Puck, gonna…”
“Not until I’m inside you.” Puck pulled out his fingers.
He greased his cock with the oil and lined it up to Tor’s opening. He began to slowly slide into the tight entrance. He looked down to see Tor hands on his hips, trying to slide him in faster. He knew if he did, he could hurt him, so he used all his strength to take it slow. At the sight of his cock sliding in Tor’s ass, his pheromones began to start leaking out of him. He closed his eyes and tilted his head back, trying to get them under control.