Natural Beauty

by Meraki P. Lyhne

  “He thinks the world of you,” Alex said, not sure he’d meant to say that out loud.

  The King put his hand on Alex’s shoulder. “And I of him. I see his good taste hasn’t changed.” Nol-Elakdon stroked Alex’s cheek.

  “I don’t think it’s my looks he fell for.”

  “Oh?”

  What felt like a stupid grin spread on Alex’s face. “I can take everything he gives and leave him spent.”

  The King gaped, and the purple-eye laughed loudly. Then the laughter died.

  “By the gods, he looks serious,” the purple-eye said.

  “I heard a rumor about a bottom who could…” Nol tipped Alex’s head to see the tattoo. “The collar you asked the red-eye to get, is that the collar of Sire Seldon Echleo-Nil, now Lord Lokil-Nol?”

  Alex’s heart fluttered. “Yes, Nol.”

  “Oh, wow. The young King will be very happy to see you return.”

  “He will?” Alex had been pretty sure Daniel was jealous sometimes.

  “Of course he will.” The King put an arm around Alex and led him down the hall toward the few remaining Cubi. “He worries whenever he isn’t doing something actively for his people.”

  “So his coronation party is kinda ruined because of what happened today?”

  “No, he’s feasting so he’s lost in doses and hungry Cubi.”

  Alex imagined a dinner party times a thousand.

  The Cubi bowed as they closed in on them, and the King let go of Alex to talk to them. It seemed comforting to everyone to have him there.

  “Can someone tell me what happened?”

  “Yes, Nol,” a Dame said. “I work at the club. During the coronation, someone broke a window. We didn’t care because we were too busy looking at our new beautiful King.” The Dame looked proud of Daniel, and Alex figured he was yet to understand that pull toward a Royal. He’d only heard Kaydon try to explain it.

  “He is in a league of his own,” the King said, nodding.

  “Maybe the humans got angry at not getting a response from us.”

  “A Sire did respond,” a Lord said. “He looked out the window and told the humans to come back another time. That their trivial nonsense was of no interest that day.”

  “I’m guessing that added the gasoline, figuratively as well as literally.” Nol-Elakdon worried his lower lip.

  “Half an hour later, yes,” the Dame said. “I’d helped with boarding up the window they’d smashed. The next time the humans threw something through the windows, it was to set the fire.”

  “Kaydon was told to assist us in getting out the back,” Alex added. “Sire Jaydon was hurt in an explosion, so Kaydon ran back in to carry him out. He had a Lady with him, too, who was hurt. He then ran back inside.”

  “I was out front,” the Lord continued. “We were trying to control the situation without harming the humans. They’d stopped throwing the blazing bottles and just threw stones at us and called us names. Kaydon came through the broken window and told us he’d managed to get the sprinklers running again.”

  “They weren’t working?” the King asked.

  “They should have been,” the Lord said. “I don’t know why.”

  “Have that checked out,” the King said to the purple-eye who’d arrived with him. “If it was sabotaged, I want it in the report and on the Grand Council’s desk before the morning.”

  “Yes, My King.” The Lord made a note while the King asked the other Lord to continue.

  “The instigating human pointed at Kaydon and shouted something in the lines of making him sorry.”

  “He shouted, and I quote,” someone behind them said.

  They all turned and found a Lord with scolded red skin on his face, shoulder, and his black hair was almost gone. But that was it. Alex remembered how charred he’d looked.

  “I told you I’d make you sorry for throwing me out, perv,” the Lord finished.

  The King grabbed a chair and turned it, motioning for the Lord to take a seat.

  “Thank you, Nol.”

  “And what did my hotheaded Viking say to that?” The King looked like he had an idea, and it made him smile.

  “Again, I quote,” the Lord said, grinning. “Then get on with making serious of your threats, breeder, because the only thing I’m sorry about thus far is having to listen to your stupidity and empty boasting.”

  “That’s my hothead.”

  “He topped that of with a scornful laughter, some pointing, and derogatoriness I can’t repeat because I don’t know the language.”

  “Oh, I think I know. Kaydon’s tongue is good at getting him in trouble or making his enemies angry enough to actually rise to the occasion. He will not leave a challenge alone or at least exhausted of all possibilities.”

  “Win or learn,” Alex mumbled, remembering something Kaydon had groused after having battled a particularly uncooperative keg which turned out to be defective from the manufacturer. He’d been drenched in beer and froth, and Alex had helped him mop it all up. God, that beer had ended up smelling horrific.

  “Win or learn, yes. This isn’t the first time he’s ended up in a hospital for not backing down.”

  Alex once again wondered about the mentality of the culture Kaydon was from because the King looked proud of the outcome. Worried, sure, but proud that Kaydon had refused to back down.

  “How did he end up burned if the humans had stopped throwing Molotov cocktails?” Nol-Elakdon asked. “And was Kaydon still sporting his sword?”

  “No, it was sheathed,” the Lord said. “I could see the firetrucks and wanted to help, but a stone hit the side of my face. Kaydon advanced, bellowing for the humans to stop before anyone got hurt. The humans backed off, so he went to check on me. Lady Bigdin yelled for them to let go of the fire, the other Lord shouted for Kaydon to get inside.” The Lord pulled a face, then winced at the pain that apparently caused in the burned half of his face. “I saw it out the corner of my eye. A bottle of fire came at us, and Kaydon caught it, slowing its descent. His back was to them as he placed the bottle on the ground, and another bottle came at us. He grabbed Lady Bigdin’s arm and pulled her behind himself. The bottle shattered on the wall and the liquid hit them both as castoff from the wall.”

  Alex’s heart sped up at the tale, and his vivid imagination tried to keep up with putting images to it all.

  The Lord drew a deep sigh. “Lord Eidon came at them with his coat, but Kaydon left the Lady’s side, drew his sword, and roared as he ran to the humans and swung it. I saw the femur break. I swear, I heard it snap like a dried twig.

  “I ran to him with my coat to stop the fire on him. Another bottle came my way, broke on the lamp post and set me on fire.” The Lord shook his head as much as the burns would allow. He then looked at Alex. “Did the human survive?”

  “No one died.”

  “Good. Because I hit him to get to Kaydon.”

  The King smiled. “You ran to the red-eye to extinguish him?”

  “Yes, Nol.”

  “While on fire?”

  The Lord thought for a moment. “I don’t remember.” The Lord looked disturbed by that. “I actually don’t remember anything from when the burning liquid hit me in the face, and I lashed out at the human. I remember the firefighters arriving then.”

  Okay, so even Lords could go into shock.

  The King knelt in front of the Lord and took his hand. “In the upheaval this newborn Kingdom faces, you’ve shown yourself a brave and strong Incubus. Your King is preparing the hospital wing for you. All Royals and our Guard Lords and Ladies are standing by to provide you with doses and feeding so you may heal fast. I know the young King will be proud of you when he hears what you did. But I’m personally very thankful since the red-eyed cub is one dear to my old heart. Thank you.”

  “Nol.” The Lord tried for another painful smile and bowed his head what his burned neck allowed.

  A door opened, and Sire Jaydon called for Alex who, to the Sire’s apparent confu
sion, no longer sat on the chair he had since they arrived.

  “I’m here, Sire.”

  The King put an arm around Alex and stalked across the hall, almost carrying Alex with him. Jaydon bowed deeply.

  “Thank you, Sire. How is he? How is Kaydon?” Nol-Elakdon asked.

  “Conscious, in pain, and very hungry. The doctors have finished removing debris from the wounds. I’ve fed him my dose mixed with semen, but it’s not enough.”

  “I will provide now,” Nol-Elakdon said, moving to stand next to Kaydon. Alex followed, yet he stayed back to give the King room. “Kaydon Ofbradh?” The gentle and teasing tone made Alex smile.

  “My King,” Kaydon whispered. They continued in Danish, so Alex didn’t get much.

  Nol-Elakdon sat back and reached for Alex. “I have your lover with me, Kaydon.” The King moved away from the bed and gently guided Alex to stand by Kaydon. Alex’s throat closed up at the sight of gauze, and the big strong Incubus looked all wrong in a hospital bed.

  Alex took his hand and tried for a brave smile when Kaydon looked at him. “Gordon’s getting your things. We’re all going to Nol-Beaudon now.”

  “Are you okay?” Kaydon asked.

  “Yes. Please be okay, too.”

  “I’ll be up soon enough.”

  Alex grinned because Kaydon sounded so sure of himself even as his eyes drifted closed again. He was probably doped. Alex was sure he’d wanted to be completely lights out if he was the one lying on the bed. But he wasn’t. A big and brave Viking was.

  “I take it you aren’t hungry anymore, Sire?” Nol-Elakdon asked.

  “No, Nol, I’m uncomfortably full and very tired.” And the handsome Sire Jaydon did lack that spark, plus he was still dirty.

  “May I offer to please you, Nol?” Jeff asked.

  “Nol, this is my husband.” Jaydon looked proud as he took Jeff’s hand.

  “Thank you.” The King looked at Alex.

  “I don’t think I can. I mean, I can’t make pure energy.”

  The King cocked his head, puzzled, and Alex looked down.

  “Alex, it’s okay.” Jeff came around the bed to squeezed Alex’s shoulder. “Kaydon knows you’re here. Sit by him, that’s where you’re most useful now.”

  Alex smiled at his friend, gratefully.

  “Sire, will you find me an Incubus or Succubus somewhere who isn’t hungry but who will please me for Kaydon,” the King asked. Jaydon and Jeff looked a bit confused. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. Jeff, I do appreciate how readily you will please me sexually to help Kaydon, but the fact is Royalty can’t feed on humans.”

  Alex gaped. It all made sense then. Daniel’s jealousy wasn’t just jealousy, and what Alex had thought was animosity because of Seldon and his friendship was simply because of feeding patterns the then young Prince didn’t understand yet. Why else would he since he’d told Kaydon’s King that he missed Alex?

  “I didn’t know that, I’m sorry. I’ll find you a Cubus immediately,” Jeff said.

  “Oh, no, no, I actually want to try with you, husband of an Incubus.” Nol cupped Jeff’s face. “Did you ever wish you were a Changeling?”

  “Oh, yes.” Jeff looked wistful, and Alex wanted that peace, too.

  “How old are you, Jeff?” The King asked.

  “Forty-two.”

  “And what is your natural classification?”

  “I’m a pleaser.”

  “Pure pleaser,” Jaydon added, smiling.

  The King nodded. “Sire, I need you to find two Cubi in the visitor’s area to assist me.”

  “Yes, Nol.” Jay left the room.

  “Do we have a small vial or glass or something?” the King asked.

  “I’ll find one.” Alex went to rummage through the cupboards and drawers of the room, but the blue-eyed doctor found it first and handed it to Alex. In the meantime, the King and Jeff had found a spot against the windowsill, and Jeff sat on his knees with a careful smile on his face as he pulled Nol-Elakdon’s pants down.

  Alex went to sit by the bed and stroked Kaydon’s uninjured hand.

  Jeff looked like someone had given him a treat. It was almost inspiring watching the man suck a cock. Or worship it as it were. When he finally opened his mouth to suck it, he moaned.

  The King looked mildly surprised before he groaned long and loudly. “That’s a skilled mouth, oh my…wow.”

  A pained sound escaped Kaydon, and his body was taking over in an attempt to feed. He’d thrust his hips a bit, and it must have hurt his skin.

  “Feel free to fit your cock in his mouth,” Nol said to Alex, pointing to Kaydon.

  “What if it hurts him?” It had to since he had burns on his cheek.

  “Hunger hurts him more, trust me.”

  “Alex?” Kaydon whispered. Alex looked at him, and dark red eyes looked at him pleadingly. Okay. Alex was at least going to try, so he kicked his pants off and raised a leg onto the bed so that he could somewhat get his cock near Kaydon’s face. The blue-eyed doctor came over, smiling smugly as he took the remote to the bed and lowered it.

  Kaydon groaned and reached out his long tongue, and Alex closed his eyes and pictured them back at the club, drinking champagne. He’d just found the resolve to be with Kaydon as a lover. Oh, that tongue felt good. Focusing on that, ignoring the stench of bacon and hospital, Alex managed to placate the hunger yet he wouldn’t be feeding the big man anytime soon.

  Jaydon returned with a Succubus and an Incubus.

  “How long have you been married?” the King asked Jaydon, then shuddered and groaned. “By the gods, expert mouth.”

  Jeff answered by groaning and sucking harder.

  Jaydon chuckled. “Only a few months.”

  Elakdon motioned for one of the Cubi to join him at the windowsill, and a Succubus did.

  In the meantime, Alex somewhat managed to sail away in the feel of Kaydon’s tongue and mouth.

  “Very good,” someone whispered in his ear. Alex jumped and turned to find Elakdon shaking a vial with a sticky golden liquid. “Step back.” Kaydon grunted displeased, but Alex did as the King said. “I’ve got something good for you.” Nol-Elakdon closed his fist around Kaydon’s cock and tipped the vial into Kaydon’s mouth. Kaydon groaned and swallowed eagerly, even elongating his tongue to lap up the drops sticking to the inside of the vial.

  A small jerk and Kaydon orgasmed in Nol-Elakdon’s hand.

  “Wow.” Kaydon didn’t exactly look enthusiastic when he said it, but he looked spent. The King stepped back, smiling and licking the cum from his hand.

  “Nol-Elakdon, what was that?” Alex asked, packing away his own dick and getting into his pants.

  “That was my pleasure and my dose mixed. If done immediately and ingested orally, it won’t cause the euphoria in the same way. It will simply feed the Cubus a bit.”

  “A bit? Your doses are the strongest here, right?”

  “Yes. And I need to feed him every hour to keep up.”

  Alex sat again, stroking Kaydon’s good hand. Every hour? He guessed he underestimated just how close Kaydon and the King were.

  “And you?” the King asked. “Did you ever want to be an Incubus?”

  Alex swallowed with difficulty. He didn’t know. He’d thought about it. What if he’d become an Incubus who fed from being a receiver for male pleasure? He didn’t think he could enjoy that.

  “Were you really collared by Nol-Beaudon?”

  “Yes, why?”

  “Why did he?”

  “For Seldon’s sake. An Incubus was hurting me, and Seldon’s only way of securing me was to claim me at that point. Plus, Daniel knew I’d rather not feed anyone. Often, at least. That meant he had Seldon to himself, and Marcadon had a breeder who could keep up with his hip thrusts.”

  The King nodded, thinking. “Then why are you back?”

  Alex looked at the sweet big Incubus who’d helped him overcome some of the questions. “I want to serve Daniel again because he made me feel
valuable. But I also want to stay with Kaydon.”

  “You can do both now. Kaydon will need to stay close to the Royals for a very long time.”

  Alex looked at the King who stared at Kaydon with such affection. It wasn’t love—it couldn’t be. But the King certainly cared for Kaydon as much as Kaydon did the King. Alex felt hopeful.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Daniel sat at the middle of a table and looked down perpendicular tables so many he could barely count. He hadn’t tried to imagine the decoration or seating arrangements before entering the cave, but he hadn’t expected to be seated on a stage of sorts, and even on a platform compared to the others. Another aspect he hadn’t expected was that there were no chairs. Everybody sat on big pillows and throw pillows. The Cubi had to be the biggest buyers of pillows in the country. Scratch that, in the world. But it was comfortable.

  Like earlier, the Cubi were either naked or dressed in their finest. Daniel was naked. He’d been naked since Marcadon and Levidon had pulled him out of the pillows where he’d made Sire Todon double dose and quake in orgasm. They’d showered and followed the crowd to the cave.

  They’d eaten human food, and Daniel had just bid the Untouchable’s either goodnight or wished that they would enjoy the party continuing away from all the doses that would be going around as the older Cubi fed.

  The cave carried sound well, and Daniel heard singing and talking and several places down the sides of the rooms, music was being played. But the singing he heard from somewhere to the right was different.

  As he looked around, he saw a child round a corner of a table further down and sprint toward Daniel, then a woman. Halfway to Daniel’s table, he recognized the boy as Imdon and the woman as his mother, Dame Seldin. The cub stopped at Daniel’s table, grinning up at him.

  “I just wanted to say goodnight, My King, and thank you so much for the playground. It’s fantastic!”

  “Thank you, Imdon, for helping me.”

  Dame Seldin caught up with her son and lifted him into her arms. He laughed and kicked before grunting that he didn’t want to leave.

  “But you must, Imdon. Our second feeding can’t start until all unempowered have left.” Daniel reached across the table and tickled the boy’s stomach. The boy snickered.