An Unseelie Understanding

by Amy Sumida

  He unsheathed a sword and sliced a piece of potato into manageable chunks. After wiping his blade on my napkin, he sheathed it, picked up a potato chunk, and started to munch on it happily. Hugo wandered over to a butter dish and climbed onto the crystal lid. He thumped his heels on the lid as he ate and watched me.

  “I'm a little out of my depth here,” I admitted.

  “No shit,” he huffed. “I'll help you; I ain't got nuthin' better to do.”

  “Thanks?”

  “Do you always thank someone in the form of a question?” He teased me.

  “Only when I'm not sure if they deserve my thanks,” I shot back.

  “Oh ho!” He chortled. “We'll get along just fine. Now; your first lesson; do not let them see your fear. Fairies are like sharks; they can smell blood in the water. Bleed, and you become prey. Become prey, and you get eaten. You understand?”

  “Got it.”

  “Good.” He nodded. “Lesson number two; Know your role. You're a concubine now. I know that can be hard for humans to accept, but you seem to be adjusting to it faster than most. That's also good, because the ones who resist, don't last long.” He waved a hand toward the humans along the walls; being used randomly by the court. “Those are the lucky ones. The ones in the corridors or out in the courtyard—strung up for anyone to abuse—are on their way out. One more rebellion and they will be executed.”

  “There are humans in the courtyard?” My eyes went wide.

  “You don't want to see that,” Hugo warned me. “Just know that you have it the best out of all of them. Your new job is to make the King happy. Succeed at it, and you'll be happy too.”

  “It's not like I have a choice,” I grumbled.

  “You have plenty of choices,” he corrected me. “You could be bitchy, difficult, and unpleasant, or you could do as that idiot Finella suggested and suck His Majesty's cock like it's never been sucked before.”

  “Charming.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Hey, bitch; you'd best listen to me if you want to live through this,” Hugo snapped. “I can show you the courtyard if you don't believe me.”

  My eyes widened, and I nodded.

  “That's better,” he toned it down. “I really am trying to help you. This isn't your world, in case you haven't noticed. Your entire existence depends on King Drostan's favor. I suggest you keep within his good graces in any way that you can. I mean, don't go all pansy on him; show him a little backbone—he likes that. But don't be difficult either; you understand? Choose your battles—that's lesson number three; Know when to fight and when to fuck. If he wants you on your knees, and you don't want to do it; make a minor protest but give in, girl. You can make him feel your ire later, in more subtle ways. That's the trick of a courtesan.”

  “A courtesan,” I murmured. “Isn't that a whore?”

  “Girl, what the fuck do you think you are?”

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat as chills raced over my body. He was right; I had bartered myself for my sister's life. Drostan had never minced words; he said I'd be a sex slave and that made me a whore. It just hadn't sunk in yet.

  “Hey, now!” Hugo jumped off the butter dish and strode over to me. “Don't be a fucking pussy! I've been watching you, and I thought I saw something strong in you; that's why I came to your defense. So what if you're a whore? We're all whores, girl! Everyone fucks to get something; be it money, safety, love, or even just get off. It doesn't make you less of a woman or less important than any other person here. Except where King Drostan is concerned,” he amended. “Drostan is definitely more important than the rest of us. But still; you shouldn't feel ashamed to be his concubine. In fact; you should be proud. Look at those bitches!” He waved his hand around the hall at all of the venomous looks I was receiving. “They all wish they were you. Any of them would give up their status in this court just to be Drostan's plaything. But you; you're his concubine, and that holds more weight than you know. Our king chose you to be his sexual partner; only you. In our society, that's nearly unheard of.”

  “What?” I whispered. “But he made it seem like this happened all the time.”

  “Humans being taken to Tirne to be slaves; sure.” Hugo nodded. “Being taken to be a king's personal slave—his only slave—not so much.”

  “His only slave?”

  “You don't see any other girls sucking him off, do you?” Hugo huffed. “King Drostan used to have droves of concubines. Then a few months ago, he sent them all away. The whole damn court had been wondering why he did it when suddenly, he strides in with you. No explanation, no introduction; just you walking around by his side and eating from his hand. That's when we realized that he was clearing his stables to bring in a prize filly.”

  “But Drostan said that he wanted me because I wouldn't be able to refuse him,” I sputtered. “He made it seem like I would be...”

  “What?” Hugo lifted his little brows. “Like you would be a sex slave? You are, honey. But a king can make any woman of his court into his concubine. He didn't have to go to Earth to find a sex slave, and he sure as shit didn't need to choose you in particular. You're more special than you know.”

  “Well, fuck me,” I whispered.

  “Yeah; I think that was the point.”

  A commotion at the end of the hall kept me from responding. It was three women and one man. The women were leading the man into the room on a chain that was attached to a collar around his neck. He was naked, human, and glassy-eyed. He was also incredibly sexy; buff, blond, and oh so beautiful. The court cheered when they saw him, and the fairy women waved grandly to the crowd as they pulled him forward.

  “Oh, here we go,” Hugo huffed. “The fucking festivities are about to begin. Pay attention, Riley; this is what usually happens to humans in the Unseelie Court.”

  “Yeah; I've already seen the show,” I muttered.

  “You haven't seen this one,” Hugo said grimly.

  With Hugo's words, a shiver went down my spine, but I continued to watch avidly as the women led the man into the center of the room. They stopped right before the high table. I had the best view in the hall.

  The women started rubbing the man all over; stroking him into arousal. He moaned in delight and kissed the women when they offered him their lips. The court cheered them on, and soon the foursome was completely naked and writhing on the floor. One woman was spread over the man's face; grinding her pussy against his eager mouth. Another woman rode his cock, and the last one sucked his balls.

  I swallowed past a dryness in my throat.

  The woman riding the human man began to shift. Scales burst along her skin, claws extended from her fingers, and a tail sprouted from her back. The woman licking his balls moved away with a grin. It was to make room for the pointed tip of the snake-woman's tail, which angled down—between the man's legs—and slid into his ass. He cried out in ecstasy as the snake-woman fucked him in two ways at once.

  The fairies of the court were on their feet; clapping and calling out suggestions to the women. The snake-woman came with an undulating motion and a low scream. Shortly afterward, the woman riding the man's face moaned out her pleasure. As the face-rider climbed off, the last woman laid back and spread her legs. The man fell on her savagely; thrusting into her like he was possessed. The other two women closed in around the copulating couple and rubbed themselves against the man. Then they invited the members of the court to join them.

  A tall, thin, fairy man went forward; removing his hard member from his pants as he walked. One woman spread the human man's ass cheeks as the other rubbed her hand over her pussy and then over the fairy man's cock. Both women watched avidly as the fairy male slid his lubricated cock up the man's ass. The human man kept pumping into his partner as the fairy man took up a solid position; letting the human drive himself back on his cock every time he pulled out of the woman.

  As both men came, the snake-woman slunk forward and bit the human's neck. The fairy man pulled out and tucked himself into his
pants before he resumed his seat—beside a woman who kissed his cheek as if he'd done an amusing trick. But the human man began to scream as his skin blackened. The other women pulled away, but the snake-fairy latched on tighter and rubbed herself against the man as he cried. She shouted out in pleasure as the human finally went still.

  “Fuck you, Andra!” One of the other women growled. “You always kill them too soon! We weren't finished with him yet.”

  “Sorry,” the snake-woman said in a tone that belied her statement. “I can't control myself when I'm aroused; you know that.”

  “That's some stink snake shit!”

  The women argued their way out of the hall; scooping up their clothing angrily as they went. The human's corpse was left behind; but not alone. A pack of shaggy, black dogs—the size of Shetland ponies—came snarling around the tables and began to tear apart the body.

  I turned away with a shudder.

  “Don't look,” Drostan whispered as he pulled me to my feet. He angled me into the curve of his chest and held my head there. “I'm sorry; I didn't know what they were planning. Come with me, Aja; I'll take you back to the royal suites, and we can have dinner brought there.”

  All I could do was nod.

  “You're coddling her, King Drostan,” Conall said sternly.

  “She's mine to coddle, Sir Conall,” Drostan snapped before he led me away.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Are you feeling better?” Drostan asked me.

  We were seated at the small, circular dining table in his bedroom, finishing our dinner without entertainment.

  “Yes; thank you,” I murmured.

  “That doesn't happen often,” he said apologetically.

  “But it happens often enough?” I asked.

  “It's not uncommon.”

  “Wow,” I whispered.

  “I tried to tell you that you were being treated better than most humans here,” he reminded me.

  “I know.”

  “I need you to uphold your end of our agreement to the fullest, Riley,” he said sternly. “If my court ever sees you defying me, I'll have to punish you... publicly.”

  “Yes; we went over this,” I huffed.

  “We did?” He asked with a frown.

  “Like the first night I was here.” I rolled my eyes.

  “Right.” Drostan cleared his throat. “I'm merely reminding you because you've witnessed something unsettling.”

  “Unsettling?” I nearly screeched. “This is the second time I've seen a man murdered in your castle. First, you decapitate that Gancanagh, and then that snake-girl poisons that human.”

  “The naga,” he murmured.

  “What?”

  “She's a naga.” He waved it away. “Never mind. You're right; this has been a horrible ordeal for you when all I want is to make you feel comfortable here.”

  “Thank you for trying,” I whispered.

  “I will do better tomorrow,” he offered tenderly.

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  “Okay.” Drostan began to smile. “Is the food to your liking?”

  “It's very good,” I said. “And I did meet a little man at dinner while you were gone. He was nice; he defended me from a bunch of women.”

  “What little man?” Drostan scowled.

  “His name is Hugo,” I said. “He fell from the ceiling.”

  “The pixie.” Drostan chuckled. “Yes; he's a good sort of fairy. A little brash, but good enough; especially for this court.”

  “I thought so too.”

  “He defended you from women?” Drostan asked. “What were these women doing?”

  “They just came over to give me a hard time.” I shrugged. “It's fine. Hugo made them leave, and then he explained that they were only jealous.”

  “Did he?” Drostan smirked.

  “Yeah; evidently, you're a big deal around these parts,” I teased.

  “Some think so.” He looked me over. “Unfortunately for me, I don't believe that you are one of them.”

  “We'll see.” I shrugged. “Opinions can change quickly.”

  After seeing the human die before me, I knew that I had to listen to Hugo's advice. I needed Drostan to want me. In fact; I needed him to do more than want. I had a new mission; to make the Unseelie King fall in love with me. It was the only way to ensure my survival. Because as much as Drostan had vowed to me that he wanted me there, I wasn't an idiot. I knew that if he got tired of me, it would be far easier for him to throw me to his court than to take me back to Earth. Hadn't Hugo said that Drostan had cast droves of concubines aside just before he brought me there? That didn't bode well for my future.

  I smiled softly at Drostan, and he straightened in his seat. Slowly, I lifted my fork to my mouth and took a bite of food; then I licked my lips suggestively. Drostan swallowed visibly. I took a long drink of wine, patted my lips with my napkin, and then lounged back in my chair.

  “You said something about putting me in scandalous positions?”

  Drostan's blue eyes darkened to indigo, and his silvery skin flushed. He stood abruptly—knocking his chair to the floor—and strode over to me.

  “I would be most happy to oblige, my lady.” He held a hand out to me.

  I looked at that strong hand for a moment and then slipped my smaller one into it. Drostan pulled me to my feet with enough force to propel me against his chest. He closed his arms around me and lowered his lips to mine. I forced myself to go pliant in his embrace and return his kiss. But in a fraction of a second, my response turned genuine. I could fool my mind, but my body knew the truth; I wanted Drostan as much as he wanted me. It didn't matter that he had brought me to Tirne in the most despicable manner; desire can't be reasoned with.

  Drostan groaned at my fervor and pulled me even closer. Then his mouth was on my neck; his tongue branding me as he licked his way down to my cleavage. Drostan made a growling sound as he tore away my clothing. I shivered as the cool air hit my skin, and then his hot hands coasted over me; warming me and making me crave him even more. Drostan knelt before me and took the crest of my breast into his mouth. I clasped his head to me as my own fell backward in rapture. He was still clothed, while I was completely nude, and the press of his leather tunic against my flesh felt deliciously naughty.

  The Unseelie King made his way further down; licking a path over my belly before he settled between my legs. He hooked one of my thighs over his shoulder and set his mouth to my pussy. His hot, wet tongue rolled over me firmly and then slid inside me. I screamed and pulled him more tightly against me. As the orgasm rushed over me, I looked down. I had the Unseelie King on his knees; the exact opposite of what Hugo had warned me would happen. Perhaps I could do more than become the most amazing concubine Drostan had ever had. Perhaps I could make the Unseelie King my slave.

  I smiled at the thought and stroked my fingers through Drostan's thick, ebony hair.

  “My turn,” I purred as I knelt.

  We were on the same level then; kneeling on the carpet only a few feet from his bed. But I didn't want to bother moving us. Instead, I pushed Drostan onto his back and straddled him. Drostan's eyes went wide as I slid down his body; holding his gaze the entire time. I unbuckled his belt as I continued to hold his stare. Then his cock slipped free, and I lowered my mouth to it. Drostan cried out but kept his eyes open and locked on mine. I went down on him slowly; taking my time to lick and suck every sublime inch. I gave him a great show while I pleasured him, and the King came violently in my mouth before he had even removed his pants.

  I licked my lips as I sat up, and Drostan stared up at me in wonder.

  “Have I missed something?” He asked breathlessly. “Did a new Riley come to replace the old one?”

  “Maybe I've accepted that this is my life now,” I said casually. “And maybe that isn't such a bad thing.”

  I gave him a sexy smile as I stood, and Drostan stared up at my nude body hungrily. I rubbed my hands over my breasts and down my hips; dropping m
y gaze to his spent cock. It hardened under my perusal, and I smiled sultrily. After licking my lips, I turned and slowly sashayed to the bed. I leaned over the edge of the mattress—spreading my legs and lifting my ass—then looked back at him.

  “Don't keep me waiting, Your Majesty.”

  Drostan groaned and flung off his clothing on his way over to me.

  Chapter Fourteen

  I'm not sure what woke me. Probably the sound of footsteps, or maybe my brain had registered the breathing of another person in the room. Whatever it was, I blinked my eyes open and sleepily surveyed the darkness. There was a swath of moonlight coming in through the crack between the curtains, and it gave just enough light for me to see a shadow moving toward the bed. I frowned as I tried to process what was happening, and then I saw the glint of steel. The blade rose as the shadow crept forward, and I held my breath.

  The dark shape stopped beside Drostan, and I knew I had moments to react. I grabbed Drostan and rolled with him toward the other side of the bed. I kept rolling until we fell over the edge. Drostan came awake with a grunt. At first, he appeared angry, but then he saw the terror in my eyes. He pushed up and flung a hand out; illuminating the room with a blast of light. A cloaked person was in the process of fleeing, but he stopped and looked over his shoulder. His dark eyes widened on the swirling energy circling the ceiling just before it rocketed at him.

  The intruder fell backward; his knife rolling free of his grip. Drostan ran over to him and grabbed him by the tunic. He lifted the man and shook him.

  “Why?” Drostan growled in the fairy's face.

  The fairy's eyes remained wide with shock, and they were fixed on Drostan.

  “Who are you?” The man whispered just before he died.

  “Damn this fucked up court!” Drostan snarled as he shoved the man away.

  I noted the charred hole in the assassin's tunic, and the bleeding wound in the chest beneath. Whatever it was that Drostan had done, it had proven fatal. I kept staring at the fairy's face; his shocked face. Why had he asked who Drostan was? Did he creep into the wrong room? Was it all a case of mistaken identity? But how could that be? No one mistook the King of Unseelie for another man.