by Megan Derr
"Many thanks, to you and him," Ihsan said, stomach grumbling as the smell of food washed over him. He padded over to the table and sat down. When the servants had gone, he picked up one of the half-dozen carafes of wine that accompanied the meal. It was so dark a red it appeared black, pleasantly bitter in the first sip but finishing with a light sweetness. Dark Wishes it was called, and he had sorely missed it.
His hand trembled as everything abruptly struck him: he was finally home. His father had slapped him. His sister was dead. But he was home, when he had been so certain for so long that he would die any moment.
And he still might because if he could not persuade or force his father to step down then he fully intended to murder the bastard. Merciful Divine, let him kill no one but his father and himself with his endeavors. He'd already seen too many innocents die—had killed some of them himself, though he'd never meant to.
"Ihsan…" Sabah's gentle touch drew him from his thoughts, and he noticed the wine that his trembling had splashed all over his own hand and the table. He set the wine dish down. "Saa, Ihsan. All will be well." He tugged Ihsan in close so his head rested on Sabah's shoulder. "We are home—that is a victory to be celebrated. Tomorrow's battles can be worried about tomorrow. And we will do something to honor your sister."
"I can't think about her," Ihsan said, staring at the spilled wine. "He slapped me. I knew he would be angry, but I still…" He had still hoped. It was stupid, foolish, pointless hope that had driven him to prove himself. Clearly he still had lessons to learn.
It was growing up that had taught him it was his father who was the failure—and worse, dangerous.
"Tell me where he sleeps, and I can end the whole matter now," Kitt said, the light, easy tone of his voice at odds with his eyes, which were as hard as the jewels around his throat but possessed none of their shine. "That is one of the reasons you brought me here."
Ihsan shook his head. "I brought you here because I love you. Your unique skillset is useful, but you are meant only to be a source of knowledge. Even if I had brought you here to kill him, I think tonight would be rushing matters a touch."
"Bah. When the Great Dragon offers treasure, no one asks where he first obtained it." He started to say more, but the words turned into a soft, approving noise as Haluk came up behind him, wrapping arms around his waist and fastening lips to his throat right below where the new choker rested. "Speaking of treasure…"
"You are more beautiful than dusk and dawn and day, but I am still more interested in food," Ihsan drawled. "But do not let that stop you from entertaining me. As careless as your mouth has been tonight, it must need something to occupy it. And I could use the distraction."
Kitt drew breath to speak, but before he could form the words, Haluk pushed two fingers into his mouth, his other hand dropping to grope Kitt through his new clothes. Haluk had done well when he'd posed they mimic Demir's mode of dress. Modest and obscene all at once.
"Better," Ihsan murmured. He let Sabah clean his hand and pour more wine. "Thank you." Sabah did not reply, but Ihsan could feel his smile when he pressed a kiss to Ihsan's throat before withdrawing to fill two plates of food for them. Ihsan put his full attention back on Haluk and Kitt. "Fuck his mouth, Haluk."
Haluk shot him a grin over Kitt's shoulder, then withdrew his hands, turned Kitt around, and kissed him hard before pushing Kitt to his knees. "You heard our prince." Kitt's soft chuckles filled the room as he deftly loosened Haluk's skirt and pants to pull out his cock. Groaning as Kitt began to suck him, Haluk wavered on where to put his hands. "All that lovely hair and no way to grab it. Lord Demir is evil." He scowled when Kitt went still and pulled off his cock. "Get back to work."
"You think he bound my hair so you couldn't pull on it on purpose?" Kitt grinned. "I like the Harem Master more and more."
"You are supposed to be sucking, not talking," Haluk replied and pushed his cock back into Kitt's mouth.
Ihsan shook his head. "How in the world did he live this long?"
"Sucking cock," Sabah drawled, making Ihsan snort his wine. "Sorry." He poured more wine and lifted the dish to Ihsan's lips. Once Ihsan had taken a sip, he drank the remaining sip.
"Mmm, you do look lovely like this, Sabah," Ihsan said, lifting a hand to run his thumb over Sabah's full, wine-damp lips. Leaning in, he replaced thumb with mouth, lapping away the wine before kissing Sabah slow and deep, moaning softly in approval at the fingers that skated over his skin. He drew back, pressed their foreheads together, and shared a smile. "I love you."
"Not as much as I love you." Sabah kissed him again, then withdrew and began to eat.
Ihsan did the same, interspersing slow bites with sips of wine, eyes fastened on the lovely, lovely scene before him. Kitt was a creature of pleasure if ever one had been born. The first time they'd met he'd been bent over a table, grinning an evil little grin Ihsan would come to know well, while a guard fucked him like he would die if he didn't.
A guard who was happy to keep them supplied with information and extra food throughout their stay at that damned prison camp. A guard who had ultimately helped them escape, though he'd been less willing about that.
Kitt was infinitely more beautiful on his knees for Haluk, taking it easily as Haluk used his mouth, fucking into it with hard, deep strokes, fingers digging into the back of his head as he held it in place. Kitt's hands were wrapped around Haluk's thighs, clinging to the fabric still bunched around them.
Kitten, the prison guards had liked to call Kitt. Stupid. He was nothing at all like a kitten. More like a cat in heat, yowling and mewling until somebody fucked him to exhaustion.
Haluk held Kitt's head in both hands as he came with a stuttered cry.
"Sabah," Ihsan said quietly.
Rising smoothly to his feet, Sabah joined them, opening his clothes himself before taking hold of Kitt and pulling him in close, tilting his head and pushing his cock into Kitt's waiting mouth.
Tomorrow was going to be the start of a long nightmare, but there were still good reasons to be home. Ihsan drank more wine and finished off the last bites of food. Sabah looked up, stared at Ihsan as he shoved deep into Kitt's mouth one last time and came, looking away only at the very last moment.
"If there is a more beautiful sight than you three, I never want to know it."
Kitt's voice was slightly hoarse as he replied, "Add the Harem Master."
Ihsan groaned because that was a beautiful image, and he hated Kitt for putting it in his mind. "Stop talking before I gag you. Come and sit with me."
"Yes, my prince," Kitt said, and promptly sat on him, squirming evilly in Ihsan's lap, pushing at his hard cock. "Sitting really all you want to do?"
"No, but I expect we will be seeing Captain Fatih and Lord Cenk soon, and I do not want to still be fucking you when he arrives. Eat."
Captain Fatih arrived a couple of minutes later, wide-eyed and barely able to hold still as he knelt and bowed his head. He was as imposing a man as Ihsan recalled, slender, tall, the image of a court noble.
Ihsan rose and went to him. "Captain, I am sorry for all the worry and fear that we have caused you." He stopped a couple of paces away from Fatih. "Please know that Euren is well, has been well all these years, and will be here soon."
He stiffened with surprise when Fatih stepped forward and hugged him tightly. "I am glad you are both alive and well, Highness. It brings me much joy."
Ihsan swallowed. His own father had slapped him, and the man who had every reason to despise him was embracing him. "T-thank you, Captain. It is good to be home." He drew back, and Fatih stepped away, resumed his formal stance. Ihsan gestured for him to follow, and returned to the table, sitting between Sabah and Kitt. "Euren is some distance away, but she will be here as soon as possible. I know she is most anxious to finally see you again. I am deeply sorry that you and she have been parted these past five years. Even back then, I did not enjoy hurting you, Captain."
Fatih lifted his head, smiled faintly. "A good f
ather wants only to see his children happy, Highness. I admit I was not pleased with your choices, but they were your choices to make. Respect, Highness, most of us know it was for the best you left."
Because nobody, least of all the king, had been terribly amused Ihsan had chosen to marry the daughter of a lowly soldier instead of Asli or any of the other suitable noblewomen. Worse, they had married before they were of age. Threat of annulment had been one of the many reasons they had left five years ago. No matter what anyone said about them being too young, he loved his wife—and she would be a magnificent queen.
"Still, I will always be sorry our actions hurt you."
Fatih shook his head and slowly looked up. "Please do not, Highness. If you are both alive, well, and coming home, then the matter should be put to rest. I would say you've endured enough, and I am sorry for all you've lost."
"Thank you, Captain." Ihsan blinked rapidly, lowered his head until he could contain the overwhelming grief. He had not expected a happy homecoming, but he had expected to see his sister. His sweet, little sister who had cried and cried that he was leaving, but had not revealed his plans to their father. His sister who had given him and Euren wedding presents, been one of the few to wholeheartedly support them. "If you do not mind, Captain, I ask that you keep knowledge of her return to yourself. I prefer everyone be left wondering."
Fatih smiled. "As you wish, Highness. You are likely to be asked about it many times, however."
"No doubt. I've informed the harem master, Captain, but I want it known to you and your men as well so they may act should anyone defy me: my harem is not to be touched by any but me and the harem master. When my wife arrives the very same applies to her harem. None but her and Lord Demir. Those who violate my wishes are to be detained, and I will deal with them personally."
"Yes, Highness. I will go and see the order dispersed now. Thank you again for letting me know about Euren."
Ihsan nodded, then glanced at Sabah and gestured with his head. Sabah rose smoothly to his feet and escorted Fatih out.
Sabah had just resumed his seat, and they'd all settled in to eat, when another knock came at the door. Sabah's usual composure slipped a fraction, fear and hope slipping through the cracks. Ihsan covered his hand, squeezed gently, motioning with a nod of his head for Haluk to get the door.
Haluk did so, and greeted Lord Cenk with a deep bow and murmured greeting before leading him across the room. "Lord Cenk," Ihsan greeted, still holding Sabah's hand. "There is some concern about throttling."
Cenk let out a short, shaky bark of laughter. "I am sorely tempted, Highness, I will not lie. Sabah, I have been worried to death about you every day of my life for the past five years. Would it have killed you to find a way to send a letter home every once in a while?"
Sabah gave a trembly laugh of his own and stood, moving quickly around the table to embrace his father tightly. It was a few minutes before they parted, though Cenk did not entirely let go. "You idiot boy," he said gruffly. "You could have left me more than a note. Your mother was so distressed she went back to the estate, hauled the rest of your siblings with her, and I only see them when I am able to slip away. I've already sent a messenger to her. She is the reason you should fear for your throat." He squeezed Sabah's shoulders, looked him up and down. They were old and young versions of each other, beautiful, elegant, the very image of nobility. Sabah's bloodline had been around nearly as long as Ihsan's. "You look good, Sabah. I am sorry I did not get to see you grow up, but I'm happy you're home." He gave Sabah another tight hug, then stepped away completely, turned and knelt before Ihsan. "Thank you, Highness, for bringing my son home."
"I assure you it was more a case of these three bringing me home," Ihsan replied. "I am still the idiot prince who needs curbing. I owe your son my life."
"It is good to have you all home," Cenk replied, looking up briefly to glance at Kitt. "And new faces should be most welcome."
"Thank you, my lord. Please join me for breakfast, if you are inclined, so that you and Sabah might spend more time together."
Cenk nodded and rose. "Thank you, Highness. I will do that. Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Embracing Sabah one last time, Cenk bowed and departed.
"I'm glad not everyone's father is worthless," Ihsan said, a trace of wistfulness in his voice though he tried to contain it.
Sabah smiled at him. "It sounds like you've a good father-in-law, my prince. And His Majesty will not be around much longer to make you and everyone else miserable."
"Mm," Ihsan agreed, pushing away his food. "Speaking of removing kings, I think it is time for bed, so we are well-rested for the first of many battles."
"Oh, we're not sleeping yet," Kitt muttered.
Before Ihsan could reply his lap was occupied, a hungry mouth on his, tasting of honey and bitter wine. "Kitt—" He gave up when Kitt just kissed him harder. Turning away from the table, Ihsan pushed Kitt to the floor and kissed him until he whimpered. Drawing back, Ihsan quickly got rid of their clothes, then dragged Kitt to his knees and pulled them flush together, attacking those full, hungry lips again, this time not stopping when Kitt's whimpers filled the air.
He smiled against Kitt's mouth when the whimpers turned to moans and drew back to look at Sabah, pressed up against Kitt's side and mouthing lazily at his skin as his long, clever fingers prepared Kitt's hole. Ihsan dragged his tongue across Kitt's mouth, then swiped playfully at his cheek. "Troublemaker."
"I make it worth your while," Kitt replied, fingers skating along his skin, stuttering as he groaned. His head tipped back as he tried to ride Sabah's finger.
Ihsan helped himself to the stretch of bare skin above the gleaming necklace, dragging his teeth across it, then retracing his path with his tongue. He slid one hand down Kitt's lithe, tight body to wrap fingers around the hard, flushed, wet-tipped cock. "True. I do like troublemakers, especially when they are trembling and desperate."
Kitt let out a ragged huff of laughter. "How convenient for me."
Glancing at Sabah, who nodded and moved away after pressing a parting kiss to the soft skin below Kitt's ear, Ihsan pushed Kitt to the floor again. Spreading Kitt's legs wide, angling his hips up, Ihsan lined up his cock and slowly pushed in. Kitt moaned, pupils wide when he opened his eyes, sweat making his hair stick to his skin. He reached out and gripped Ihsan's shoulder, pulled him down. "More," he ordered and wrapped his legs around Ihsan's hips.
Normally Ihsan loved to make him suffer, loved to keep Kitt needy and desperate, listen to him mewl, whimper, beg. More than once they'd tied Kitt up, made certain he couldn't come, and fucked him in turns until they had nothing left. Only then would they let him come, and he came apart so beautifully that he spent the rest of the day sleeping.
Ihsan was too impatient at present, however, to do more than fuck him hard and fast, pounding him into the soft rug until Kitt screamed his name, clinging so hard his nails left indentations in Ihsan's skin. A few minutes later Ihsan followed him, burying his face in the hollow of Kitt's neck as he shuddered through his climax.
When he finally had the energy to pull away, he slumped against the table and yawned. "It is not my father who will kill me in the end, I think."
"As if we would ever kill you when making you suffer is so much more fun," Haluk replied and held out a hand.
Ihsan took it and let Haluk haul him to his feet. He slid one arm loosely around Haluk's waist, leaning up to kiss him lazily before letting Haluk drag him over to the enormous bed positioned against the back wall right in the center of the room. Layers of sheer drapes surrounded the bed, hanging from the ceiling a few paces out, hiding it from the rest of the room. The open archways on the far side of the room, leading into his private garden, would let in plenty of morning light. It had irritated Ihsan when he was younger, but he had since found there were worse ways to wake up than to sunshine in his face.
After the shrapnel that had nearly killed him, had forever ruined his face and much of
his body, he was grateful to wake up to anything at all.
He stretched out in the middle of the bed and did not bother to open his eyes as Sabah settled in next to him. Ihsan simply draped one arm over him and pushed a leg between Sabah's. Kitt settled down on Sabah's other side, and Haluk settled against Ihsan's back.
Safe, warm, and sated, he let sleep have him.
He stirred sometime later to the sound of someone moving quietly around the room. It took only a glance to confirm Kitt had woken up. "One of these days you will learn to sleep the whole night through." Kitt did not reply, but Ihsan did not need light to see his wry smile. "Let me walk with you."
"That's not safe."
"Leaving you to wander around alone is far more dangerous, mostly to the rest of the palace." Ihsan disentangled himself from Haluk and Sabah, pushed through the gauzy curtains and went to one of the chests pushed up against the wall. Lighting a candle, he quickly found clothes and closed the chest, setting the candle and clothes on top of it. He pulled on black pants that were loose at the thigh but snug everywhere else, soft slippers, and a black, well-fitted sleeveless shirt. He then pulled on the sleeves, which connected at the back and front with small, hidden catches. The ends covered his knuckles with a loop for his thumb. Finally he tied a large green sash around his waist, the tasseled ends falling to just above his knees. He slipped two small, poisoned daggers into the folds. His hair he pulled back into a knot at the back of his head, securing it with a long, sharp pin decorated with emeralds and pearls.
Kitt snickered softly, the sound echoing quietly through the room. "I've only ever set one palace into a state of panic. It's not my fault the wrong person found the body."
"You are a concubine now, not an assassin."
"A snake is a snake."
"Well, you're a pet snake, then, not a wild snake. Come on, my pretty little viper." They padded out of the room and into the hall, where Ihsan turned right and headed away from the private areas to the public portions of the palace. "Once we've had time to settle and the novelty of my being back has worn off, I will show you and the others the secret passages. They lead through the whole palace and offer two ways in and out."