The Prince nodded and allowed Jeffrey to lead the way.
Jeffrey saw the recognition in the Prince’s eyes once they entered familiar hallways, he also saw the smile playing on the Prince’s lips. He stopped in front of a door, winked at the Prince, then entered.
Their footsteps were the faintest thump on marble floors, overshadowed by the sound of running water. They were alone.
“Nice surprise?” Jeffrey asked
“More than nice,” the Prince replied as he sat down his bundle on a marble bench. Turning back to the door, he locked it.
Jeffrey sat his own bundle down beside the bench and stood in indecision. He’d led them here but now he wasn’t so sure.
The Prince was less hesitant. He’d already taken off his shirt, slipped off his slippers and working on his trousers. Standing naked, he reached for the belt holding the dagger in place.
Jeffrey stepped up to him and helped him take it off. The smile he received was incentive enough. But he still stood watching as the Prince strode into the pool, submerged fully then stood, dripping with water. Pale skin, rippling muscles, chiselled perfection. Jeffrey groaned at his own idiocy.
They were here now, he would be dead soon enough anyway, what did he have to lose?
He stripped out of his clothes and joined the Prince.
He brought with him soap and a sponge in a floating tray. Standing behind Akoni, he lathered his back with the soap, then used the sponge to gently scrub him. Jeffrey started with Akoni’s shoulders, then further down to his lower back, along both arms, down to his hands, back to his shoulders to his neck. From there he started on Akoni’s chest, while still standing behind him. He placed a kiss on one pale shoulder, then another and another, marking a trail up Akoni’s neck.
Hands covered Jeffrey’s wrists, halting his movement. Akoni turned around. “Do I get a turn too?”
Jeffrey smiled and nodded, letting Akoni take the sponge off him. Returning the favour, Akoni used the soap and sponge to wash Jeffrey’s upper body in the same gentle and thorough way. After a while Jeffrey ran one hand up Akoni’s arm, over his shoulder, his neck, stopping to cup his face. With his thumb tracing over Akoni’s cheek, he waited for him to look up. When their eyes met, Jeffrey leaned in and pressed his lips against Akoni’s.
Akoni wrapped his arms around Jeffrey and pulled him closer. Where their last kiss had been gentle and slow, this time there was an urgency and need in their movements. Akoni dropped one hand into the water, lifting one of Jeffrey’s legs. It changed their position in a way that their groins met, causing both to moan in desire.
Jeffrey pulled away slightly. “I want you, badly.”
“I think it is clear we both want the same right now.”
“There’s a catch.” Akoni raised an eyebrow in question, a shadow entered his eyes. “All evening we’ve been equals and will be until you put your own clothes back on. We can only do this if you let me take the lead.”
“It’s that important to you?”
“It is.”
“Then I consent, I’m yours to command.”
“I don’t want to command you. No games tonight. Just us.”
“In that case, can we go back to kissing now?”
Jeffrey chuckled. “Last question, it’s not going to be your first time being bottom, right?”
“It’s rare but not that rare,” Akoni said before stepping closer to Jeffrey, hooking his arms around Jeffrey’s neck. He wrapped his legs around Jeffrey’s middle. Jeffrey swayed a moment until he found a new balance, his arms automatically wrapping around Akoni. “Better?”
Jeffrey rolled his eyes before leaning in to kiss Akoni again. With their lips still locked, Jeffrey slowly moved backwards towards a section of the pool designed for lying in the water. When his legs hit the side of the pool he turned around, and interrupting their kiss briefly, he sat Akoni down on the edge. Pushing him backwards, he climbed to straddle him. Slowly he let his hands run upwards over Akoni’s chest, feeling the muscles rippling underneath his fingers.
When he reached Akoni’s shoulders, he let his hands trail down his arms to link their fingers. Then he lifted them up over their heads, grateful that the pool was designed the way it was, the tiles beneath them sloping just enough to allow them to lie in the water with their head out of it. Hovering over Akoni he took his time to drink in the sight of him, pink lips parted in anticipation, chest rising with each breath, nipples hard in invitation. He could see Akoni craved his touch, wanting more, but Jeffrey wanted to take his time. He’d been resisting this for so long that now that they were here, he wanted to make it last forever.
He could not have walked away from the temptation lying beneath him. Yet, a part of him still expected this encounter to be their only one. He needed it to be on his own terms.
The water around them added an extra layer of sensations and each time either of them shifted, it would ripple around and between them. A teasing sensation, yet strong enough to make them both needier.
Shifting his hold, Jeffrey held Akoni pinned down with one hand, while letting his other hand trail down the inside of one pale arm. The sigh it drew from Akoni was delicious. Using only his fingertips, Jeffrey went exploring. Along a collarbone, dipping into the valley beside it before travelling further down. He found a breastbone and trailed its side, continuing further down. A bellybutton, a smattering of dark hair. He pulled and received a little hiss in response. Further down, but not so far, he veered to the right. A moan of frustration rent the air. Jeffrey chuckled and made his way up a little hill, a hipbone. He found a crevice and followed it. The inside of a thigh. He switched tactics, raking his nails across the inside of the opposite thigh. Hips bucked, and this moan was deep and guttural.
Jeffrey smiled and looked up. Akoni’s eyes were closed, his breathing faster now, his cheeks a little flushed. Jeffrey leaned down and blew on the hard flesh before him, his eyes on Akoni’s face. He wanted to learn his every response. A gasp, another slight buck. Jeffrey lapped the glistening tip and received a moan for it. Leaning back a little he trailed his index finger from base to tip.
“Jeffrey,” Akoni whispered, his voice husky.
Smirking, Jeffrey leaned in again and stuck his tongue into the leaking slit. A groan this time. He moved back and ran the palm of his hand up Akoni’s thigh, to his stomach where he stopped. Leaning down he caught a pink nipple between his teeth and bit. Another gasp. He lapped at the hardened nub, soothing away the pain. Moving his hand up, he caught the other nipple between two fingers, rolling it.
He moved back again to look at Akoni’s face. Blue eyes were open now, darker than before, more intense. Pleading.
Relenting, Jeffrey leaned down and pressed his lips against Akoni’s. One hand still held both of Akoni’s pinned. The other, he moved down and between them. They were both eager and ready, so Jeffrey lined up their erections and wrapped his hand around them. He started to move, slowly thrusting into his hand, the water rippling with every move.
Akoni moaned and shifted, trying to move his hands. Jeffrey held them in place, knowing well that if Akoni had wanted to, he could get free easily. But he stayed as he was, letting Jeffrey lead. Jeffrey got lost in the sensations he himself created. It was Akoni that pulled away from their kiss to breathe deeply. When their eyes locked he said, “I need more.”
With considerable effort, Jeffrey stopped moving and sat up. “More he says,” his voice had become deep with lust. “More like this?” He asked and wrapped one hand around Akoni’s erection, while letting Akoni’s hands go with the other and instead wrapping it around his balls. Stroking in a fast rhythm he played Akoni like an instrument, bringing him to the edge then stopping and squeezing his balls just enough. Only to start again.
All the while Akoni’s hands remained above his head, despite no longer being pinned down.
“Please, Jeff,” Akoni said after a time, his voice quiet but clear.
“Please what?”
Akoni groaned a
nd locked his eyes on Jeffrey’s. “Fuck me already.”
“As you wish,” Jeffrey said with a grin. He let go of Akoni and changed position, so he now sat between the Prince’s legs, lifting them over his shoulders. He quickly prepared Akoni before entering him. Both groaned at the sensations. For a moment he stayed still, allowing Akoni to adjust but also to savour the moment, to enjoy being engulfed so fully. Only slowly did he start to move, pulling out almost all the way before pushing back in again. Gradually, he sped up.
Akoni reached for Jeffrey’s hands and linked them with his, pulling. Jeffrey went willingly. Their lips pressed together again. Demanding tongues searching, fighting. It was messy and awkward, but it was also needed. When they pulled apart, Jeffrey let go of Akoni’s hand with his right one and instead wrapped it around Akoni’s erection, pumping in time with his thrusts.
Jeffrey had denied yet wanted this for so long that he could not have held out long. A few more thrusts and he came, as did Akoni, both voicing their pleasure without thought whether anyone could hear.
Jeffrey felt an uncommon tingling, unlike anything he’d ever known. Opening his eyes, he saw a faint blue shimmer, so brief he thought he imagined it. His eyes closed again, nothing else mattered. He grinned.
Spent but conscious of their position Jeffrey pulled out and lowered Akoni’s legs from his shoulders. He laid down, laying his head and hand on Akoni’s chest. Absently, his fingers started toying with the dark chest hairs. He could hear Akoni’s heart beating rapidly, only very gradually slowing down a little. For a long time, they both lay in silence, basking in the afterglow of their orgasms.
It was only when Jeffrey started feeling chilly from the air in the room that he moved. Propping himself up on an elbow he looked at Akoni who had his eyes closed. Leaning in he placed a quick kiss on his lips. When he pulled away again, Akoni was looking at him.
“Time to go I think,” Jeffrey said.
“Must we?”
“I’m getting cold.”
“There’s a lot of very fun ways I can warm you up,” Akoni said with a grin and a glint in his eyes.
“Tempting, but no,” Jeffrey said and after another quick kiss, he stood. He held a hand out to Akoni, who took it, allowing himself to be pulled to his feet.
The moment he was upright, Akoni wrapped his arms around Jeffrey and pulled him close for a long, languid kiss. When they pulled apart, Jeffrey gently but firmly untangled himself from Akoni’s arms and left the pool. There were always fresh towels lying ready and he took one to dry himself off with. He could feel Akoni’s eyes on him but neither of them spoke. Akoni too left the pool and dried himself off. He put on his normal trousers but then stopped and turned to Jeffrey, who was in the process of putting his armour back on. “What went wrong?” he asked.
Jeffrey didn’t look up but could feel Akoni’s eyes on him. “Nothing went wrong.”
“You’re pulling away from me again. After what we just did... Why?”
“I’m your guard. I’ll escort you back to your quarters, the night shift guard will be there already. You needn’t see me again after that. Your Highness.”
“Don’t you start that again. You said until I put on my clothes we were equals, well I’m not dressed. Tell me what in Tempesta’s name is going on.”
“You’ve had me, you can stop pretending now.”
“Had you? What... you think I only wanted to get you into bed? You actually think I would go to all the trouble, even the risk of going into the city in disguise just to fuck you once?” Jeffrey shrugged. “You’re too smart for that. You’re using that as cop out. What’s really going on?”
“Please, my Prince.”
“You’ve pulled away from me too many times now. I’m asking you, explain to me what is going on.”
“How can I explain two completely different worlds? You hated the clothes you wore tonight and the drink you had. I hate the charades of nobles, the posturing and politics hidden in every conversation. I hate the intrigues and the backstabbing. The falseness of your world, I cannot stand it. But you can’t enter my world, even if you didn’t hate it. How can we ever meet in the middle when there is no middle?”
“Why does anybody else matter? Tonight you wanted it to be just us and that’s what we were. We can do that again. Anytime we like.”
“So I’ll be your secret lover, stealing hidden moments when no one can see it. How long can we do that until it kills us? How long until we’re found out?”
“I feel like I’ve been pretty obvious with you and yet, no one even suspects anything. You’re my guard, we spend all day together anyway.”
“Do you really think as lovers I should still be your guard? You’re...” Jeffrey broke off, neither sure what he wanted to say nor wanting to say something he may regret.
“Jeffrey,” Akoni said gently, closing the distance between them and taking Jeffrey’s hands in his own. “I care too much about you to let you go. You should understand that by now. I will fight for you, no matter what it takes. Somehow, I will find a way to make this work. I promise.”
“Never promise something you may not be able to keep,” Jeffrey said quietly.
“I mean this,” Akoni said with determination.
“I don’t doubt that you do. But I doubt the world’s ability to adapt.”
“Then trust in me. The way I’ve trusted you tonight.”
“I wish that I could.”
“I won’t give up.”
Jeffrey nodded. “We should really go now.”
Akoni sighed heavily but nodded. “Thank you for tonight, Jeffrey. I had a wonderful time and I’d love it if we could do it again some time. For now, I bid you good night.” He lifted Jeffrey’s hands to his lips and kissed them. Letting go of Jeffrey he finished getting dressed.
The elation Jeffrey had felt only minutes earlier seemed to have evaporated, leaving in its wake a deep emptiness. When they walked back to the Prince’s quarters, there was no need to fake tiredness or frustration or anything else that could have explained a late night to the waiting guard. Without another word the Prince went into his room and closed the door, leaving Jeffrey standing outside, questioning himself.
Chapter 21
Jeffrey spent the night tossing and turning, finding it hard to fall asleep and when he did, waking up several times. He showed up late to his shift but was too tired to be worried about it. He couldn’t seem to stop thinking about what had happened the night before. It had been a much better evening than he had anticipated. Why did he have to end it the way he did? He hadn’t really wanted to say the things he had but there was truth to them regardless.
Watching the recruits, Jeffrey found that his mind was so far away and his body so tired he could hardly pay any attention. He was pulled out of his reverie by a voice calling his name, “Jeffrey, walk with me.” It was the marshal, Jeffrey went and followed.
“I hear you took a guard shift yesterday?”
“Yes, Sir. The Prince asked for me.”
“Interesting he didn’t tell me that. Do you know anything about an orphan boy from the city, sent to the palace to ask for me? Apparently sent by Manchu.”
Jeffrey swallowed hard. “No, sir.”
“No, of course not. Rather intriguing choice of name. Manchu, the Orphan Warrior of legend.” The marshal’s eyes were narrowed, watching Jeffrey closely. “Well, I have Ryan on armour cleaning duty for now. He’s much too skinny to start training. A few weeks of regular meals should sort him out. When he gains enough strength, he’ll start training with the other recruits. In a few months, I’ll have you looking after his training. Did you know he has two younger sisters to look after? Tragic story. It may well have saved his life and that of his sisters for him to get work at the palace.”
“Sir, did you say in a few months I’d be training him?” Jeffrey asked with a frown. “I was hoping to be reassigned before then.”
“As per our previous conversation, your reassignment will be decided by your
commanders. For the time being, you’re needed to train the recruits.”
“But, Sir,” Jeffrey said, his voice taking on a higher pitch. “I was hoping to be sent away from the palace. Anywhere! Maybe some place with rebel activity.”
“The decision is made. You have your orders, soldier.”
With those words, the marshal turned away from Jeffrey and left him standing on his own. Once more he was left questioning himself.
***
The door squeaked when it opened from the other side, making Jeffrey straighten up. The Prince paused in the doorway, staring at Jeffrey.
“Jeffrey… I’m surprised to see you on duty.”
“Your Highness,” Jeffrey replied without making eye contact. “We’ve not yet found you a permanent replacement. No one else was available since the Queen has left the palace and taken her full guard.”
“Hmm, no change of heart then.” Jeffrey remained silent. “Well come along,” the Prince said and waved a hand as he strolled away.
They walked along a number of hallways until they got to the palace temple. The one near the King’s own chambers, restricting access to only the royal family. Before the Goddess, all were created equal, so temples were open to all classes. But the royal quarters were in a part of the castle that was itself restricted and by having the temple within it, only the royal family could access it. While some of the Crownsguards and servants could technically access the temple, none dared to do so. There was another temple for their own use, and for use by any visiting nobles.
“I’d like to be undisturbed, regardless of how long I take.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll make sure of it.” Once the Prince had entered the temple, Jeffrey stood with his back to the door to block it.
A long time passed without anything happening. The silence broken at last by heavy armoured footsteps.
Even before he saw them, Jeffrey knew it was the King and his guards. He had a sinking feeling in his stomach. Taking a deep breath, he blew it out slowly, steeling himself.
Ties of Destiny (Curse of the Crown Book 1) Page 29