“Does he seem different to you?” Kieron asked. They stood on the far end of the veranda, separate from the others yet able to observe.
“The Prince? He’s naked, does that count as different?”
Kieron chuckled. “Fair point. But I don’t mean that. He’s calmer... nicer somehow.”
“He is that,” Jeffrey agreed.
With Jeffrey’s gaze on him, the Prince picked up his wine carafe again and, after a few words to the people around him, went to join Jeffrey and Kieron. “Would you like a refill, sirs?”
“Most definitely,” Jeffrey replied and held out his glass.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?” The Prince asked as he wrapped his hand around Jeffrey’s, to hold it steady as he filled the glass.
“Surprisingly, yes,” Jeffrey replied, his hand tingled where the Prince touched it. The sensations sparking in him in the Prince’s presence were starting to get irritating.
“Why is that surprising?” The Prince proceeded to refill Kieron’s glass too, without touching his hand, Jeffrey noted.
“I wasn’t expecting such good conversations from people I’d never met,” Jeffrey answered diplomatically.
“Even strangers can become friends given a chance.”
“Clearly they can become much more than friends too,” Kieron snickered. All three men laughed when the sounds coming up from the beach became louder as if to underline his words.
“And why not. We all have needs and desires. For some of us, it’s harder to fulfil them than for others.”
“I can’t see you struggling in that department,” Jeffrey said without thinking. Seeing the look on the Prince’s face he wanted to kick himself. “I didn’t...”
“You’re okay. I have a reputation for a reason. Though you shouldn’t always believe the things you hear too easily.”
“No offence meant, but during a night only a few short weeks ago after a royal dinner, you made a very clear point.”
“That was inappropriate. I apologise for my behaviour that night. I’m not sure what I was thinking, possibly nothing. In fact, I’d like to blame it on the wine but that would be unworthy. So, let me just say that I am sorry.”
Jeffrey was too surprised to respond.
“Akoni, we’re in need of more wine,” Xandra called from across the porch, waving an empty wine glass.
“Duty calls, it would appear.” The Prince winked and bowed the way the servants would, before disappearing to see to his other guests.
“Definitely different,” Kieron surmised when the Prince was out of earshot. “Don’t think I’ve ever heard him apologise, or even that he does it at all.”
***
“There’s no one left, surely we can leave too now?” Kieron’s question was underlined by blue eyes fixed on Jeffrey, wide and innocent, and a smile that could melt butter. “All this moaning and groaning from everyone else...”
“Seems a good time to practise some self-control,” Jeffrey said, his gaze fixed on the ocean, a dark moving mass, barely discernible in the starlight, his lips curling at the corners.
“Tiras,” Kieron whimpered. He wrapped his arms around Jeffrey and leaned against his shoulder. They stayed quiet for a time. “I know things will change tomorrow, let me have one more night. Please?”
Jeffrey turned his head, green eyes finding pleading blue ones. Always those blue eyes. He nodded and linked one of his hands with Kieron’s. The smile Kieron flashed him was worth anything.
Kieron led them towards his own bedroom, bare except for his armour parts neatly stacked against one wall.
Afterwards, they lay in each other’s arms, simply enjoying the closeness.
“You know, we should probably mingle more tomorrow. Get to know some of these nobles. I spoke to the servants after I arrived. They all seemed sound. If there’s danger, it’s either an intruder or one of the guests. If we talk to them, maybe we can find out something.”
“You think there’s someone here that means to do harm?” Jeffrey’s hand trailed through fiery red hair, moving lower.
“Don’t know, but the Prince never took any guards on these trips before. Things have been tense recently, more messengers than ever, especially late-night ones. Something is going on.”
“You know him better than I do,” Jeffrey said.
“Do I? I’m not sure. He likes you.”
“What?” Jeffrey said and laughed.
“I know you know. I think you like him too but you’re not... acting on it.” Kieron shrugged, an awkward move with his head on Jeffrey’s chest. “I think tonight should be our last night together.”
Jeffrey paused, the hand that had been trailing over Kieron’s pale skin frozen in place. “Why do you say that?”
“I’ve been very demanding, I’m sorry. I know we’re not married. I... You’re Tiras, you should seek your pleasure where you want, not limit yourself to a Trian. Not for any reason, least of all because I’m needy.”
“Kieron, you’re not needy. I’ve enjoyed our time together a great deal.”
“We have no future, I know that. No one leaves the Prince’s service without his requesting it. And him requesting it means you’re leaving the palace for one reason or another. As long as we’re both his guards we won’t be able to spend any time together. And if one of us stops being his guard, they will be sent away. It’s impossible. So, we should stop now. Then you’ll be free to be with the Prince.”
“I’m not interested in the Prince, Kieron,” Jeffrey said with determination. The idea was outlandish. There were so many reasons why it couldn’t happen. The Prince might have become nicer, but he was still cruel to the servants, still obnoxious on so many levels. Never mind all the reasons from Jeffrey’s own past that made it entirely impossible. It was wholly out of the question.
“I think you are.”
“He’s a Prince, I’m only a soldier. It’s more impossible than the two of us continuing.”
“He’s bedded his guards before. I’m sure you know that.”
“I’m not a notch on a bedpost.”
“No, you really aren’t,” Kieron lifted his head enough to grin at Jeffrey. Then he pressed a kiss to his chest. “I don’t think you would be to him either.”
“Kieron, it’s impossible. Don’t waste your energy thinking about it.”
Still propped up to look at Jeffrey, Kieron cocked his head to the side. “What makes it impossible?”
Jeffrey slapped a hand over his face and groaned.
“Whatever it is, you know you can tell me, right? I would never judge or laugh or anything like that.”
“I know,” Jeffrey said and sighed, knowing that if there was a person alive he could trust, it was Kieron. It had been so long since he’d been able to trust someone, to be himself.
But he couldn't tell Kieron that every day Jeffrey spent in the Prince’s company meant a risk of exposure. A single person to recognise him would change everything. He would not be able to escape punishment this time. Being more than the Prince’s guard would only increase the risk multiple times and make everything worse.
And he could not risk the Prince’s life, no matter their feelings. He remembered the anguish of losing Aidan and knew he never wanted to go through that again. “It won’t make sense to you but the men I love…” he bit his lip, swallowing hard. “They die.”
Kieron’s forehead wrinkled in thought but he neither laughed nor dismissed Jeffrey’s words. He pressed a line of gentle kisses along Jeffrey’s collarbone, giving them both time. “You believe it’s your fault they die?”
“I know it is.” Jeffrey stared at the ceiling blinking hard. Visions of his brother’s broken and bloodied body entered his mind, mingling with those of him cradling Aidan’s lifeless form.
“I’m sorry, Tiras. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“It’s alright.” He pressed two fingers against his eyes and took a deep breath, calming down his racing mind and heart. Every day of his life served as a form o
f punishment for what he had done, losing Aidan had been hardest but he’d deserved it for what had happened with his brother. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. His feelings for the Prince were irrelevant, they could never be together.
Kieron nuzzled Jeffrey’s neck, placing feather light kisses on the most sensitive spots.
Jeffrey sighed and relaxed into the touch, allowing Kieron to distract him from the pain he carried. He turned his head, capturing Kieron’s lips in a searing kiss. It wasn’t sexual so much as emotional, a distraction, a way to heal, at least on the surface.
When they pulled away, Jeffrey could read the questions in Kieron’s eyes. But the redhead didn’t voice them and Jeffrey was glad for it. They’d done enough talking and Kieron seemed to understand it instinctively.
With a glint in his eyes, Kieron said, “Maybe you should chat to Felix tomorrow. He’s cute. And your kiss was hot!”
Jeffrey laughed, more of his worries dropping away, at least for a time.
“The kiss was good, right?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve kissed a nobleman,” Kieron chuckled. “Next, you’ll be shagging one.”
Jeffrey swatted him over the head for that, chuckling a little.
***
During the night, Kieron disappeared, probably to patrol the grounds. Jeffrey had noticed him leave but not bothered to move. Whether he was in his own bed or Kieron’s made little difference. The sun streaming in through the open window woke Jeffrey the next morning. Kieron’s smell lingered in the bed and made Jeffrey eager for the little redhead.
He left his armour in his own room, dressed in only his tunic he headed for the beach, expecting to find Kieron. He was right, Kieron was doing his training routine again and Jeffrey went to join him. They spent some time practising together but soon Kieron left, giving Jeffrey only the briefest kiss in parting. It appeared he would hold true to what he had said the night before. That thought made Jeffrey think of the Prince, unwelcome as the thought was. He decided to go for a swim to distract himself. The more regular exercise was good for him, easing the tension that had been building up over recent weeks.
He swam far out again but as he turned around he saw another figure swimming some distance away. It was too far to make the person out until they were close. It was the Prince.
When the two met, they nodded at each other. The Prince turned around as well and together they swam back towards the shore. Walking out of the water, both were breathing heavily. While they hadn’t exactly made it a competition, each had given their best to keep up and at least slightly outperform the other.
“You’re a very good swimmer,” the Prince said as they waded out of the water.
“So are you,” Jeffrey replied and looked sideways at the Prince, whose gaze was caught on Jeffrey’s groin, seemingly having noticed that Jeffrey was not wearing anything. When their eyes locked, Jeffrey winked at him. The sight of the Prince in nothing but swimwear was neither new nor unusual. Jeffrey could still admire his body but was no longer as fazed as he had been that first day. He’d become a lot more used to ignoring the desire it sparked.
The Prince looked away, clearing his throat he said, “Are you going to go for a swim every day while we’re here?”
“Probably, given half a chance. You’re welcome to join me. I promise I’ll wear swimming trunks next time.” The Prince seemed to blush, and Jeffrey had to bite his lip not to respond. Attempting to get them back on more neutral ground, Jeffrey walked to where he’d left his tunic and pulled it on over his head and changed the topic. “I have to say, I didn’t think anyone else would be awake already.”
“It was a pretty good night, it would appear. It will likely take some time for the others to rise,” the Prince said and sat down in the sand. “I noticed Sofia was quite smitten with you, yet utterly disappointed.”
“Can’t help that,” Jeffrey said, sitting next to the Prince.
“No, indeed.”
“I noticed more than one person being quite smitten with you, yet they also seemed to be left utterly disappointed.”
“Xandra being first in the throng, right? I enjoy her company greatly. She’s not who I am interested in however.”
“No? May I ask who has caught your attention then?”
“That you need to ask, means I’ve been doing something wrong. I thought I was being rather obvious.” They were silent for a time, the Prince occasionally turning to look at Jeffrey, as though he was about to say something but then turning away again. “I was looking for you last night,” he said at length.
“You were? I thought I saw you headed for bed, I’m sorry I didn’t realise. You’ve found me now though.”
The Prince nodded but remained silent.
“This is an amazing place,” Jeffrey said before the silence could get uncomfortable. “The quietness, the beauty, I think if I owned a place like this I would never want to leave it.”
“You’ve no idea how much I agree with that. My happiest memories are all from here.”
“Why don’t you stay? If not all the time, more often at least.”
“The Empire does not run itself. Someone must work to keep it together.”
“Can you truly fix another’s mistakes on your own though?”
“Sadly, no. Hence, my working with so many other nobles. Much as I said that there’s no politics here, the invitation itself is political.”
“Only those you trust get invited. Their trust is ensured after attending. Therefore, their cooperation.”
“Most of my guests have no real influence now. But they are all heirs to a region.”
“I understand.”
There was silence for a time, broken by the Prince’s question, “You and Kieron, you’re close?”
“We are in a way,” Jeffrey said, a slight crease wrinkling his brow. “Do you know the culture of the northern Clans?”
“Some of it. They’ve strict hierarchies, largely based on fighting skills and dominance. They don’t fight among each other now but there’s not a lot of cooperation between Clans. They train their children to fight, both boys and girls.”
“I am Kieron’s Tiras.”
“Tiras...” the Prince said, frowning. “I recall hearing that term before but can’t seem to place it.”
“Based on their hierarchies, I’m his superior, his commander, his mentor...”
The Prince’s frown deepened, his eyes narrowing. “I’m... how...?”
Jeffrey chuckled. “Kieron issued a challenge when he first met me. My not being a Clansman he didn’t expect the challenge to be accepted and returned. But I’ve fought beside many of his kind and have learned much of their culture. I became his Tiras.”
“Does it change much?”
“It is really only a technicality in the palace. He has more experience as your guard and has helped me much. I... I think I’m... something like family maybe. It’s hard to explain.” Jeffrey ran a hand through his hair, unsure himself what they were exactly.
“You’re... lovers.”
Jeffrey met the Prince’s gaze, his head cocked to the side. It was a long time before he nodded. The Prince’s eyes were clouded, giving away nothing and he didn’t react in any visible way.
“I’m glad you’re getting to enjoy yourself,” the Prince said at length, a sudden edge to his voice. “I should probably leave you to get back to him.”
Jeffrey tried to say something but found no words would come. Instead, he watched the Prince walk away and felt an uncomfortable feeling rising that he had not felt for a very long time.
Frustrated for no clear reason, he got up and went to the place where he’d left the staves previously. Picking up one of them, he started his normal practise routine. While he hadn’t planned to show his fighting skills with nobles around, he found he needed it and didn’t care whether anyone saw.
***
Jeffrey had been on a sort of patrol when he heard odd sounds that made him pause to investigate. He s
topped outside the dining room. It had as yet been unused, the nobles preferring to eat outside in the sunshine.
At this time, two men occupied it, both visible by the slit in the open door. One was Silvestro, lying bent over the table, both wrists and ankles tied to the table legs. The other was Tacitus, standing between Silvestro’s spread legs. Tacitus bent over Silvestro, one hand hidden between them, the other caressing Silvestro’s side, his tongue trailing down Silvestro’s spine.
“I think you’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?”
Silvestro only groaned in response.
“You’re so greedy, half my hand is vanishing inside you. Little slut.”
Silvestro jerked in his bonds, hissing and groaning.
“Do you want more? You’re going to have to beg for it.”
Jeffrey licked his lips. Silvestro’s hands were clutching the table, his knuckles turning white. His wrists were tightly bound, each wrapped with several layers of coarse rope that continued around the table leg. It was crude but effective. Silvestro’s wrists would be showing marks for days to come, Jeffrey felt certain it was Tacitus’s intention, a clear message to all that saw.
Silvestro’s legs were tied in much the same way, his ankles covered in several layers of rope that would also leave marks. But there was a length of rope that went from each ankle to Silvestro’s groin. Tacitus’s form blocked Jeffrey’s view, but he could imagine where the rope led. Jeffrey grinned at the ingenuity of it.
There could be only one outcome for the scene before him. Silvestro would beg and plead, saying and doing anything Tacitus wanted him to. A shiver of pleasure ran down Jeffrey’s back so strong he almost gasped. He swallowed hard. Despite last night’s extensive exertions with Kieron, his body reacted. The more he’d played with Kieron, the more he seemed to want to do so. Pliant and eager Kieron, his body responsive to every touch, especially when tied up, reacting with groans and gasps that delighted Jeffrey. Eliciting the little sounds from the redhead, Jeffrey found, was like playing an instrument. And he delighted in every single note. But Kieron was asleep, and it would not be fair to wake him so early.
Ties of Destiny (Curse of the Crown Book 1) Page 15