Strictly Incubusiness

by Vanessa Mulberry

  Then he was out the door and running, feet thundering on the cobbles as he dashed through the streets. It was late afternoon now, and the streets were busy as the city was finishing work for the day. He fought his way through crowds, who just wanted to get home to their loved ones, and he hoped he would make it to his in time.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Kai dozed on the bed, vague dreams of the future in his head. Tynan was there, big strong Tynan fighting off the guard and then they were running together. And tripping. And Timothy was there.

  He awoke with a start to find Tynan rummaging through his bag, a colorful stream of swear words emanating from his lips.

  “What is it?” Kai asked, off the bed in an instant to join him.

  “Bradrick planted poison on you,” he whispered.

  “Bastard.” Kai set about searching himself, patting down his shirt and trousers. “They told me that’s what killed Timothy. I thought it would be proof I was innocent.” He found nothing on his body; then he remembered his fur coat. A tiny packet made of rice paper had been hidden in his pocket.

  “Give it here,” Tynan said, snatching it out of Kai’s hand before he could pass it over. He held it to his lips and asked, “Have you got any water?”

  “Stop it,” Kai said, trying to snatch it from Tynan, who stuffed it into his mouth with one hand even as he fought Kai off with the other. He choked it down and pushed Kai away.

  “It won’t kill me, and it will guarantee they find nothing,” Tynan said, clutching his stomach as the packet hit. He dropped to his knees but managed to crawl to the bed and climb on it before he passed out.

  “Again?” Kai said, climbing onto the bed with Tynan and this time cuddling him tightly. “Gorgeous, selfless bastard,” he muttered as he settled down to wait him out.

  Later that night, the guards brought food for Kai and seeing Tynan “sleeping” fetched a portion for him too.

  It was more like being in a hotel than a prison. Kai had been in prison enough times to know that the wealthy could enjoy a fairly comfortable life in there, but it didn’t stop them going to the gallows when the time came.

  And his time was coming fast.

  Night had fallen when Tynan finally woke up. “Guts hurt,” he muttered, sitting up.

  Kai passed him a cup of water and a platter of cold meats and buttered bread. “Put something in it and stop grumbling.”

  Tynan perked up as he ate and when the platter was put aside, he gestured for Kai to come closer and snuggle.

  “I guess I’m staying the night,” he said as he wrapped his arms around Kai.

  Kai sighed and burrowed beneath his shoulder. God, he felt safe there, even in prison, on the eve of a trial for murder. “Thank you for coming back,” he said.

  Tynan shrugged, his large shoulder rippling under Kai’s head. “I figure you saved me enough times.”

  “It means a lot.”

  “Good.” He sounded pleased.

  “So, earlier on you said something about how I’ve got you now…”

  “I’ll step in when you need feeding. Save you preying on the innocent.”

  Kai rolled his eyes. “Generous of you.”

  “I try.”

  They lapsed into silence. It seemed a very natural state for Tynan, but it wasn’t a state that Kai had ever been comfortable in. He had a lot to say about most things, and today he had a lot to say about the relationship that was developing between them both.

  But he wasn’t sure how to convey it. He didn’t do relationships. Not ever. His whole life had been built around one-time things, followed by keeping the humans at bay, for both their sakes. Now he had a man he liked, who seemed to like him. Maybe they should talk about that.

  “Do you remember that night at the lodge?” he asked.

  Tynan snorted. “It was only two days ago.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s just that it was before.”

  “Before what?”

  What indeed? “I used to do nights like that a lot,” Kai said, “Some people wanted me to act like we were a couple. They liked me to pretend to be interested in them.”

  He felt Tynan stiffen up beside him, heard the sharp intake of breath through his nostrils. “That’s pathetic,” he said.

  “No, it isn’t. Not everyone wants that sort of commitment, but they like to enjoy the benefits every now and again.”

  “And some are pathetic lonely bastards.”

  “And their money and life force is as good as the rest. They deserve to have a bit of fun too.”

  Tynan shrugged Kai off his arm and shifted away. “What’s the point of all this?”

  Kai ignored the urge to cuddle up to him again and let him be. “I’ve been through the motions of those nights a thousand times. And I thought it might be a nice little thank you to you for letting me go.”

  “So?” Tynan grunted. “I never asked you to.”

  “So, I wish I hadn’t done that now.”

  Tynan rolled over. “Very good,” he said, his back to Kai’s face. “Can we sleep now?”

  “I wish I’d realized then that I didn’t have to. You’re not that bad a guy.”

  “You are shit at compliments.”

  “I wish it had meant something, that’s all I’m trying to say.”

  Tynan sighed. “Please, just shut up. You are not making this any better.”

  “I’m being honest with you. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s the thing I think you like about me.”

  “I’m beginning to change my mind.”

  “Then let me finish. If I’d known then what I know now—that you give enough of a shit about me to come here and put yourself on the line and speak up for me—then maybe I wouldn’t be here now. Maybe we’d be on the way to the Isles together.”

  Tynan sighed heavily. “It’s a bit late for that isn’t it?”

  “Is it? You came here to save me, and I expect you to do it. I want to try and have a life with you after this.”

  Tynan rolled back over and pulled Kai across the bed. “Let’s see if I can put up with you first.”

  He was tugging at the laces on Kai’s trousers, loosening the bow and then the crossed strings. He pushed the leather over Kai’s hips and down around his thighs.

  This wasn’t going to be like the lodge. This was going to be quick and dirty, laid on their sides on the bed, half dressed and all rough. Kai had been on the receiving end of enough jail cell fucks that this was one of his preferred methods, and he took hold of his cock and gave it a quick stroke while Tynan got his own trousers down.

  Tynan did reach for oil, which was a rarity in these situations but Kai liked it. It was thoughtful, even if he could do without. He lay on his side, waited for the greasy finger, but found himself breached by Tynan’s oiled up cock instead. That really was perfect.

  “You’re not tight,” Tynan said as he pushed inside.

  Kai tensed himself up slightly. “How about now?”

  Tynan withdrew, then thrust back inside. “Perfect.”

  Kai was going to feed on Tynan. That would be a given at most of their encounters now, he was sure of it. He tugged his cock as Tynan rammed in and out of his body, loving the smash against his insides and the rough burn of his ring.

  Tynan grabbed his hips, holding on tight. He shifted forward, putting some of his not inconsiderable weight on Kai now. Not enough to crush him, it was just enough to remind Kai he was being dominated by the son of a god.

  Twisting slightly, Kai pushed his ass back and up. He brought one leg up, spreading his ass cheeks wider even as he maintained the tense on his hole.

  “Can you see it better now?” he gasped.

  “See what?” Tynan grunted. “Your tail? It’s rubbing against my ass right now.”

  “How good your cock looks going inside me.”

  There was a pause during which Tynan must have looked down. Then he muttered, “It looks fucking beautiful.”

  Kai stopped tugging himself off and used the freed
hand to peel Tynan’s fingers off his hips and moved them to his cock instead. He brought Tynan’s fingertips to the head and murmured, “Wet for you,” as Tynan’s rough skin brushed against his leaking slit.

  That was it, he’d taken Tynan to the limit. Tynan pumped him hard and fast for as long as either could manage, and then they were both coming. Kai was almost too delirious to feed, but he got what he could.

  Tynan pulled out, and Kai rolled back on the bed to catch his breath. He was stronger again, but he still felt the exertion of sex. “Imagine how hard it will be to suffer that every night,” he said with a chuckle.

  “It will be a struggle,” Tynan agreed, lying down next to him.

  Kai wriggled up against him and rubbed his still hard, dripping cock against Tynan’s hip. “I’ve got more for you to put up with.”

  Tynan took hold of it and gave Kai a few leisurely strokes. “I think we’re going to have to work up to this. That’s a lot of stretching for me.”

  He let go of Kai and closed his eyes as if he was about to sleep.

  “Hey!” Kai pinched Tynan’s side. “Don’t stop now. I was enjoying that.”

  “Are you ready to go again?”

  “I told you before, I can go whenever I want.”

  Tynan grinned at him. “That’s interesting. Because I inherited the recovery period of a god.”

  “Round two then?”

  “Mmm. Let’s see how many loads it will take to fill you up.”

  “Eight,” Kai said. And for the first time in his life, he felt embarrassed he knew that about himself. But it had been a lot of fun discovering it.

  Tynan smiled. “Eight? This evening? I think I can manage that.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Tynan found out two things. One, he could come eight times in one night. And two, that sort of sexual athletics chafed a bit towards the end.

  But Kai was glowing by the time they were done. His eyes were literally glowing, and his cheeks were flushed, probably from the pounding Tynan had given them.

  Debauched perfection—that was how he would have described Kai if someone had asked how he looked. He had been thoroughly ravished, and Tynan looked at his work and thought it was a job well done.

  When morning came, he’d had a few hours sleep but didn’t feel too bad on it. Kai was tucked up under his arm, and he felt good. Shit was going to get done today, and then he was going to take Kai away somewhere they’d both be safe for a few decades until all this was forgotten about and they could move freely again.

  The trial began at ten, and it was six now. He ought to get ready. He shifted Kai and got out the bed to dress, smiling when he saw Kai, half awake, groping about the bed with one arm looking for him.

  “Hey,” Kai said when he opened his eyes and smiled up at him, pushing his hair away from his face.

  “Good morning.”

  “Will you come back to bed for five minutes?”

  There was no way Tynan would limit himself to five minutes. “My landlady needs notice, and I’ve a cart to pack. You can have five minutes tonight.”

  Kai sat up and yawned, stretching his arms out like an invitation. “Just a kiss then?” he asked, giving him a big, glowing-eyed hell-hound puppy face.

  “Later,” Tynan said. “You’ll moan if I don’t have the cart stocked with provisions and a two-man tent.”

  “A tent! You are whisking me away to a life of luxury this time.”

  Tynan ignored the teasing and found his bag. He had too much to do to get into flirting with Kai now. Their future would depend on what happened today. “Later,” he said again, softly this time. “I promise.”

  Kai got out the bed and wrapped his arms around Tynan’s back, leaning his cheek on Tynan’s shoulder.

  “So what’s going to happen? When I’m found guilty will you escort me out with Bradrick?”

  “No. I’m not on his team.”

  Kai’s arms withdrew. “What?”

  “But I’ll be following. There’s no change to the plan. Bradrick and the guard will take you to the Reclusive Prince’s Palace for execution. I’ll stop them on the way and fight him and the guards. I’ll kill them if I have to.”

  Kai slipped around in front of Tynan. He looked serious, which wasn’t an expression Tynan had seen on Kai’s face before. “I told you, we don’t kill people,” Kai said. “Let’s not start now.”

  “There’s a difference between premeditated murder and self-defense.”

  “This seems pretty premeditated to me.”

  It wasn’t the time for moralizing. Tynan wasn’t about to let Kai die for a crime he hadn’t committed, and spare men who led others to their death without a thought. They entered a profession they knew could kill them. This might be the day it did.

  “It’s you or them,” he said.

  “There’s always another way.”

  Tynan supposed Kai would know. He was a rare thing—a demon who took the other path. But when it came down to it, self-preservation was a powerful thing for mortals. Four hundred years of not worrying about his own life had taught Tynan a lot about those that did.

  “I’ve got to go,” he said, “but I’ll be at the court and I will speak up for you. We might as well try and win the trial.” He kissed Kai goodbye and then banged on the cell door.

  “Blankets,” Kai said, “And furs to pile up for a bed. And tea. And a bag of sugar. And some cured sausage.”

  “Anything else on this shopping list?”

  “Silky underwear.” Kai winked at him, and the door swung open. As he walked away, he heard Kai shout, “Assuming they cut it in your size!”

  ***

  The first thing to do was load the cart, which was a fairly quick job, but he had to dig up his money first. Twenty minutes labor got the small chest out of the earth and into the house, and another thirty got his few possessions packed up and the loaded onto the cart. He cast protective wards on all his belongings, though he planned to pay the guards to look after it for him when he left it to go to the court.

  He locked up his home for the last time and then rode through the streets, stopping at the market on the way to Abigail’s home. He filled all Kai’s serious requests and bought him a few extra treats that he hadn’t asked for. He paused over a bolt of black satin, but found he left with ten yards of it and a spool of thread. The silky underwear might have been a joke, but his dick lived in hope.

  Abigail was outside again when he arrived at her house, this time sat in the morning sunshine dealing with her correspondence. Lillia was planting flowers, and she waved to him. He was pleased to see she didn’t have a scratch on her.

  “Thought I might see you this morning,” Abigail called over to him as he pulled the cart to stop.

  Tynan climbed down and wandered over to her, feeling a little guilty for giving her such short notice.

  “I’ve not got long to talk. I’m here to give my notice,” he said.

  She shook her head at him. “You can’t leave now. It’s the trial today. Aren’t you curious about what will happen to your incubus?”

  “I’ll be there at the trial. But I won’t be coming back afterward.”

  Abigail looked pointedly at the cart and back at him. “Bradrick is telling all and sundry that you let the incubus go. The way he tells it, the creature left you cunt-drunk. He says you demanded money from him, then ran off to dispose of evidence.”

  “Would I be here if I’d done that?”

  “Yes, I think you probably would,” she said proudly. “Look, you have been a good tenant. You paid on time to my grandmother, then my father, and now you pay on time to me. I didn’t think you’d ever go.”

  “This round of retirement has been a long time coming. I’m ready for it.”

  “You will not be ready for anything on that cart. You won’t get through the streets at speed. Take one—no two—of my horses. It would break one’s back to get you and an incubus on it. I will take the cart to Four Ways and you can meet me there.”
/>   It made sense, and Tynan trusted her. She was probably the only person he did trust in the city. But it was a big offer. “That’s a dangerous risk if I am a criminal,” he said.

  “Hardly,” she replied and laughed. “Your word’s been good for the best part of a century. I believe you now. Let me take the cart. You get away, I’ve done you a favor for which you will no doubt reward me handsomely. You get caught, and I’ve got the thousand pounds you dug up from the garden this morning. You haven’t left without it, have you?”

  Tynan huffed but relented. “Thank you,” he said. It would be easier with horses rather than a cart. They could get away at speed if they had to, and it meant there was less need to incapacitate the guard.

  She smiled at him, and Tynan knew she was sincere. “Quite alright my friend,” she said. “Quite alright.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Kai was bound before he was led into the court. They only used rope, but that would have been enough to subdue him when he was at his weakest.

  However, he was strong now, immensely so. If he concentrated, he was aware of being tensed like a spring, ready to unleash at any moment. But he had no reason to fight yet. He might as well try to get through the trial, and it would be much easier to escape on the road than from here, in the middle of a city swarming with guards. Only a desperate idiot would attempt something like that.

  The courtroom was packed. Kai had never been to the high court before, and he was impressed by the turnout and the look of the place. It managed to be soberly decorated and elaborate all at once, with tasteful embellishments carved into the dark wooden panels. Someone at the court had a flair for interior decoration.

  The crowd was less classy. Many were drinking and had come for the drama and to bet on the outcome.

  The judge arrived last, announced as Justice Wisemark. She was an attractive older woman, and Kai made sure to give her his best smile. He wasn’t going to try and appear innocent. Who would believe that? Much better to show them the sort of man he really was. He’d always been shameless, but he wasn’t a killer.