by Ariana May
Going with the change in subject, Jericho queried. “Are saying that more because Leo’s better looking or more because Faustus is an idiot?”
“Both,” Sebastian laughed out as Thekla stepped in to deliver dinner.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Emery,” Jericho called out from the doorway of the Harem dining room. “If you’re done eating can you come here?”
Emery rose from his seat at a table with Quentin, Kai, and Nico. Walking over out into the hallway with Jericho, Emery allowed himself to pulled in for a quick kiss. “Mmm....What can I do for you, Master?”
“I want you and Quentin to escort Sebastian back to the portal. Take a few minutes to catch up. Maybe see if he can get a message to your father. He’ll be back in a couple of days to collect Rhys for his new position, and I’m sure he wouldn’t mind bringing a return message.” Jericho smiled, ruefully. “I’m afraid that we’re going to have to postpone our playtime with Nico and Kai. After what happened today, I don’t think it would feel right.”
Emery nodded, understanding. “You know, I think Thom and Theo are going to need some comfort tonight. And, really, I’d...” he flushed slightly. “I’d really like to be held tonight. It shook me, too...” And it had. ‘I’ve seen and done so much. But that someone would do that to an innocent boy in his care.....It really is like I told Damien. Some men need to die.’
“And I need to hold you. We’ll have Thom and Theo snuggle in with us. I don’t want any of my boys sleeping alone tonight. I’m going to allow and encourage sleepovers for the next few days. I want you try and talk Quentin into bedding down with Nico and Kai. I don’t want him alone and he’ll be most comfortable with Kai. Besides after the way Kai helped out today, I think he could use the extra comfort.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” Emery agreed. “What about Rhys? It’ll be at least a day before he wakes up, but someone should keep an eye on him.”
“I’ve arranged for Miller and Thekla to bed down in Theo’s room with Rhys. It’s probably best that it be someone less involved, at least at first,” Jericho answered. “Now get going. I want to make it an early night with you back in my arms as soon as possible.”
***
After Emery and Quentin had shown Sebastian back to the portal, and Sebastian had taken a message to give to Emery’s father, Sebastian gave Emery a hug and a chaste kiss, then said goodbye to both boys.
The two members of the harem remounted their horses and turned back toward the palace. “So,” Emery said, once they were back at the palace and alone in the corridor outside the harem. “Master Jericho has decreed that none of us should sleep alone tonight, that today’s horrors are too much for us to handle by ourselves. I’m supposed to encourage you to crawl into bed with Nico and Kai. And I think you should...you were just as affected as I was. You need the comfort. Nothing more, they won’t touch you if you don’t want them to, but honestly, I know I’m looking forward to cuddling with Thom, Theo, and Master tonight.”
Quentin flushed crimson at Emery’s words. He found himself conflicted between simply wanting to agree to comfort and be comforted in Kai and Nico’s arms and wishing that he’d been asked to crawl in with Emery, to feel Emery’s strong arms around him. Shaking his head to clear away the confusing thoughts, Quentin murmured. “I can do that. Kai...Kai gives nice hugs. Nico too.”
Emery pulled the blushing boy into his arms for a gentle hug. “Thank you, Quentin. And remember, you can always have a hug. You just have to ask.”
***
Emery stepped into Jericho’s suite and found his Master sitting on the loveseat, waiting for him. “Seb is back in Titan, and Quentin will join Nico and Kai as soon as he takes a shower.” Emery informed Jericho.
“Good. I’ve got Franc and Thom relaxing in a bubble bath. I’d like to chat for a minute before we pull them out and rinse off with a quick shower.” Jericho patted his right knee, inviting Emery to sit.
Accepting Jericho’s gesture of invitation, Emery sat down in Jericho’s lap and allowed himself to be drawn into a tender kiss. The kissing continued, gentle, soft, and affectionate, for several moments. Eventually, Emery drew back and whispered, “I thought you wanted to chat?”
“Sorry, your lips are very distracting,” Jericho murmured before leaning in for a short, mostly chaste kiss. “I don’t know how to thank you for what you did today. I...I felt so helpless and you...you were amazing Emery. If you hadn’t been here, that boy...Gods...Thom’s friend would be...would be...”
Emery pressed his hands to Jericho’s cheeks, gently holding Jericho’s face. “Shhh...Jericho I just happened to know the right people with the right information. With the same knowledge, you would have done no less. And besides Rhys will be fine, yes because I helped, but also because you made Theo your boy and encouraged him to learn his craft. Without Theo, this story would have a very different ending. So please Master, don’t think you had no role in our success today.”
“Still, I was very impressed by the way you took charge, Emery. I’m so thankful you’re with us, with me,” Jericho said, hugging Emery tightly. Trying to lighten the mood, Jericho added, “I have to admit though, I was a bit jealous at you running to Sebastian like that.”
Emery swatted at Jericho’s chest in a gesture of mock outrage. “Jericho! There’s no reason to be jealous of Seb. He’s my friend, my best friend, but no more than that. You’re...You’re my lover, my love.”
“I know. And I talked to him tonight. The first time we’ve ever really talked. You were right, he’s not so bad once you get past the arrogant prick part. I’m not sure we’ll ever be the greatest of friends, but he cares for you...I care for you. So, we’ve found our common ground.” Jericho nuzzled Emery as he spoke. “Thank you for that as well. He’ll be a valuable ally when I’m King.”
“I’m glad I could help you get along,” Emery said. “My friend and my lover. You have more in common than you might think. You desire similar things for you people. You just have different, admittedly vastly different, ways of achieving your goals. You’ll make a good team as King and Lord. I’m certain of that.”
“So I’ve determined,” Jericho laughed. “At any rate, he wants you happy and I’m determined to make you happy, so we’ve an understanding.”
“You do make me happy, Jericho. So very happy.” Emery captured Jericho’s mouth once more, gently pressing his tongue along Jericho’s.
Emery drew back, murmuring. "Mmm. Jericho, I lo...” Emery was cut off by a masculine squeal and a sound of splashing from the bathroom. "I guess we should make sure those two don't drown," Emery said.
Jericho nodded and they made their way to the bathroom to pull Thom and Theo from the bath and their sleepy splash fight. They led the two sleepy, sudsy boys into the warm shower, rinsing them and each other off. Once cleaned and dried, all four boys fell into bed together, half spooning, half sprawling, in a line from Jericho to Emery to Thom to Theo. Safe and secure in their tangle of limbs, they soon drifted off to sleep.
***
The next day passed quickly and quietly. As Emery had predicted, Rhys’ former master had been dispatched by Magus Smoke. Thekla and Miller’s contacts in the maid staff reported that the man’s room had been destroyed and the walls stained with blood, though no body was found. Also as expected, the King quickly swept the whole thing under the rug, publicly pretending nothing was amiss, though privately he was, according to a note passed to Emery from Flora, furious at the guilty scribe, at Samantha, at Jericho, and generally at pretty much everyone.
At Jericho’s direction, the harem spent the day keeping a low profile inside the harem walls, practicing and studying their crafts, playing games, and taking turns helping Theo tend to Rhys. The injured boy woke around mid-day and was declared by Theo to be nearly fully healed, a testament to Magus Smoke’s power and skill. Though the boy’s spirits were clearly subdued, Emery found Rhys to be a nice friendly lad, if a bit chatty and excitable. Emery rather suspected that Sebastia
n would have his hands full with his newest scribe.
That night, Jericho again ordered sleepovers, though the sleeping groups did change. Theo and Thom bunked down in Theo’s room with Rhys, holding the boy between them in the hopes of warding off any bad dreams. Nico and Kai crawled into bed with Damien and Daven, leaving Quentin to either join Emery and Jericho or Alec, James, and Renton.
Seeing Quentin trying to slink off to his room as everyone was splitting up for bed, Emery snuck up behind him and wrapped his arms around the boy. “And where are you off to Quentin?”
Quentin stiffened at Emery’s touch. Then, taking a deep breath, he let himself relax and enjoy the hug. “Um...my room and my bed?” Quentin said sheepishly.
Emery have Quentin a quick squeeze and said, “Hmm...I must have misheard you, you couldn’t have said your own bed, not when Master Jericho said we should do sleepovers.” Emery grinned mischievously. "Now, what sort of underwear are you wearing?” When Quentin’s only response was blushing, Emery dipped his right hand downward and pressed a single finger to the waistband of Quentin’s pants and said “I can find out myself if you prefer.”
Quentin blushed even harder as Emery suggestion went straight to his cock and for a second his mind warred with his body over answering or letting Emery check. His mind won and he squeaked out, “Silk boxers.”
“Perfect,” Emery said, returning his hand to its original and less provocative place on Quentin’s chest. Feeling Quentin relax again, Emery continued. “Now, since we’re supposed to do sleepovers and I've gotten used to having someone on my other side when Master Jericho is holding me...care to be my cuddle buddy tonight? Just sleeping, nice and cuddly, I promise."
Since he wasn’t going to get away with hiding out in his own room, Quentin really only had one choice. He liked Alec, James, and Renton, but he had no doubt that they would be just a bit grabby; on the other hand, while Emery clearly was attracted to him, Quentin knew Emery would keep his word, once having given it, and keep things cuddly and non-sexual. And as hard as it was for him to accept, deep down, he wanted to be in Emery’s arms. Giving in just this once was okay; they were just seeking comfort after a near tragedy. “Okay, I guess I can do that.”
They walked to Jericho’s bedroom and stripped down to their boxers. They then settled into bed with Jericho, with Emery moving eagerly and Quentin sliding gingerly between the sheets. Jericho spooned in behind Emery and Emery pulled Quentin down into his arms, Quentin’s head on his chest. Quentin lay there stiffly, trying and failing not to get hard over being held by another boy. He felt Emery start gently rubbing his back in a soothing motion.
“Shh, Quentin, relax,” Emery whispered.
Quentin opened his eyes and tilted his head up to see Emery’s gentle smile and his Master’s head popping up over Emery’s shoulder. Jericho smiled at him and gave his arm a gentle pat. “Relax, Quentin, I’ve found Emery’s arms very nice for falling asleep in. I think you will too if you give him a chance.”
Accepting his Master’s directive, Quentin once again let himself relax into Emery’s embrace, allowing the gentle rubbing of Emery’s hand on his back to soothe him into sleep. His last thought before he slipped into dreams was, ‘Master was right.’
***
Though they allowed Quentin to make a quick escape to bathe alone, Emery and Jericho lingered over a cuddly shower and a long breakfast. They kept their discussion inconsequential, just basking in each other’s presence. When they were finally ready to part and begin their day, Jericho said, “Sebastian will be back today to collect Rhys. Franc says he’ll be ok to travel and given my father’s anger, it’s best that he be safely in Titan as soon as possible. Can you take care of escorting Lord Corrington again? See that he gets Franc’s instructions for his healers? And maybe give Rhys some idea of what to expect in Sebastian’s court?”
“Of course, I’ll make sure it all goes off without a hitch,” Emery promised.
“Good. Take Quentin with you again. Damien and I will keep my father distracted,” Jericho said, grimacing. “I’ll probably be busy with that all day.”
“Better you than me,” Emery said. “But perhaps I can arrange some rejuvenating company for you when you’re done,” Emery said, seduction in his voice and on his face.
“Just you, Emery. I just want you tonight,” Jericho said, embracing Emery and brushing a kiss to his lips. “Just you to join me for dinner at the 5th bell past the noon. I’ll come and collect you. Let Miller and Thekla know, okay?” At Emery’s nod, Jericho added, suddenly inspired. “And tell Daven to be, no make that Daven and Thom to be naked, blindfolded, and kneeling in Damien’s sitting room by that hour.”
“So, you want me to arrange for Damien to find two naked boys waiting for him, but you want to pick me up fully dressed?” Emery asked, giggling.
“I want to undress you myself, love. We’ll have a nice dinner with you as my dessert,” Jericho whispered, leaning in for another kiss.
***
After pulling himself away from Jericho, Emery spent much of the morning discussing the nature of Sebastian’s court with Rhys. Emery reaffirmed his opinion of the boy as friendly, chatty, and a little bit over-excitable. ‘Though,’ Emery mused. ‘If he’s this chipper when there’s trauma subduing his spirits, he’s going to drive Seb crazy. Good, Seb could use that sort of crazy.’
Emery’s musings were interrupted by Rhys asking, “What...What should I do to make Lord Corrington like me? Because, he’s helping me out big time, and I want him to be happy with me, and I want to be a good scribe for him, and I don’t want to make him mad, and I want...”
Emery laughed, “Calm down. Do good work, be very discreet, and be friendly, but respectful. Oh, and don’t take any of his crap.” Emery gave Rhys’ hands a friendly pat. “You’ll be fine. Seb takes care of his people. And you’re his now. Just do your job well. Oh and maybe expect a little friendly flirting, though I can assure you, he won't push it if it makes you uncomfortable.” Emery pulled the boy to his feet. "Come on, we’ll grab Quentin, Theo, and Thom and go out to the courtyard to meet him."
***
While they waited for Sebastian to arrive, Emery and Quentin stepped a little to the side to allow Thom and Rhys to say their goodbyes with some degree of privacy. When Sebastian arrived, Emery gestured to Quentin to hold back and stepped forward to greet the Lord of Corte.
Sebastian pulled Emery in for a quick relatively chaste kiss. "Hello Emery, a pleasure as always."
"Likewise, Seb," Emery responded. Under his breath, he added, "Do you have responses for me?"
Sebastian pulled out Emery’s little golden warbler and handed it to Emery. "Your father sends his regards and your stepmother has agreed to take on Rhys as a patient."
Accepting the little metal bird and stowing it away, Emery said, "Good, visits with a mind healer will do him good. I've got notes from Theo and Magus Smoke for her and for your healer." Emery passed the packet of paper over. "Now, how about I introduce you to your new scribe."
"Lead the way."
Emery guided Sebastian over to Rhys. Emery gestured at the young scribe and said, "Seb, may I introduce you to your new scribe, Rhys." Emery gestured to Sebastian. "And Rhys, this your new employer, Sebastian Corrington, Lord of Corte.
At Emery's introduction, a blushing Rhys bowed low, and shyly said, "It will be my honor to serve you, my Lord."
Sebastian was momentarily taken aback by the shy beauty bowing before him. When he was able to gather his wits, he decided that it was best to avoid the temptation before him and thus pressed a single finger to Rhys’ chin, guiding the boy back to a standing position. "I think, my alluring little scribe, that for the time being, it would be best if you stayed up here at eye level." Adding to his words, Sebastian gave the boy a sincere smile.
“Y...Yes, my lord,” Rhys stammered. Looking to Emery for reassurance, he received it when the other boy smiled and gave an encouraging nod.
'You'll be fine,' Emery mout
hed.
With introductory words exchanged and goodbyes said, Quentin and Emery escorted Sebastian and Rhys to the portal and the two young men traveled to Titan, Sebastian offering a steadying hand to Rhys as they passed through the portal.
CHAPTER FIVE
After delivering Rhys to Sebastian, Quentin busied himself chatting and playing cards with Nico and Kai in the harem common room, followed by dinner. After dinner, Quentin watched as Emery, who had abstained from eating, whispered in Daven and Thom’s ears and the two boys went off into Damien’s room. Soon after, Master Jericho stopped in to collect Emery for dinner and play, and Nico and Kai went off to play a bit in Kai’s room. As he often did, Kai had quietly offered to include Quentin and as with ninety percent of such offers, Quentin had declined. The two events, however, had pushed his mind in the one direction he had been trying to avoid. Emery and attraction and sex.
‘Sleeping in Emery’s arms last night felt good,’ Quentin thought. ‘As good as sleeping in Master’s arms. But Emery isn’t Master. It’s okay to serve Master, to serve my Prince. But Emery’s not Master. He’s just another guy. Not a girl, not Master, just another boy. A boy who makes me hard. I don’t understand, boys don’t make me hard. Girls do. Master does...The other boys don’t. Emery...does. He’s not supposed to make me hard, to feel so good, to make me want...’
Alone in the common room, Quentin began to pace, lost in his thoughts and unaware of his surroundings. I’m supposed to get married to a pretty girl. I like pretty girls. I’ve had sex with pretty girls and it was incredible. It was good with Master too, but that’s okay because he’s the prince and my family is proud that I serve the crown. But, Emery...he’s not a girl, not my prince. It felt good to be in his arms when we danced and he made me feel at ease until I remembered. And when he...when he...when he jerked me off, he told me to imagine someone else and I didn’t. It was so good, so good to be touched by him and it’s not supposed to be that way. But it is...What’s wrong with me? What’s...’