Maybe having Jeffrey by his side would help him break the curse for good and allow him to become the kind of king the realm needed.
Chapter 26
"Do you think we can leave this place yet?" Jeffrey asked, still cradling Akoni in his arms. Focusing on the other man helped ignore the irrational part of his brain that wanted to remember the first time he'd been in a cave and the unpleasant events that had unfolded.
Akoni sat up and looked around. "Oh, Jeffrey, I didn't even think. You probably hate caves, I'm sorry."
"I wouldn't say I hate them. Let's say I prefer beaches." Jeffrey gave a wry smile.
Akoni stood and pulled Jeffrey to his feet with him. He closed his eyes for a moment, then headed farther into the cave, choosing a direction with apparent ease any time the path split.
The entire time, Akoni kept hold of Jeffrey's hand. It was a small thing, yet it helped Jeffrey ignore the tendrils of discomfort clawing at him, trying to drag him into the darker places of his mind. He wouldn't let his fear rule him.
A draught indicated they were nearing an opening. Both hastened their steps. A few more turns, and they left the cave behind, entering a large clearing, the temple roof visible above the treetops some distance away.
Jeffrey laughed in relief and danced around the clearing, soaking in the moonlight and fresh air.
When he stopped, he found Akoni leaning against a tree, watching with an amused smirk.
"Don't judge me."
Akoni shook his head. "I wouldn't. It's rare I've seen you laugh like that. Maybe I should drag you into caves more often just to see you happy when I lead you back outside."
Jeffrey's good mood evaporated, and he narrowed his eyes at Akoni. "That is not funny in the least. If you even try, we'll have some serious issues."
"Jeff, it was a joke."
"Not to me, it isn't."
"Handsome," Akoni said and went to Jeffrey, cupping his face. "I'm sorry. I meant no harm. Forgive me?" He kissed along Jeffrey's jaw.
"Guess you hit a nerve."
"What happened in the cave before I found you?"
"Nothing happened. Other than you disappearing for a while." Jeffrey shrugged. "Where'd you go?"
Akoni's forehead creased, and he rubbed at his temple with two fingers. "I'm not certain, but I think I went through a series of trials of our goddesses. I ended up using a lot of magic. Tiana taught me some, but not like this."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm looking forward to getting some sleep but I'm fine."
"You seem to have a very special kind of connection to the goddesses. What with her showing up at the ritual, again afterwards, and now their attention in these trials. It seems like an exceptionally rare thing."
Akoni nodded absently.
Jeffrey wrapped his arms around Akoni and kissed him hard.
It would take getting used to being noble again, being with Akoni, being his consort. They'd have their share of challenges. But the kindness he'd shown Jeffrey, the way he'd accepted him despite his flaws and baggage, even after all the times Jeffrey had tried to push him away, it meant more to Jeffrey than he'd ever be able to express. Maybe it meant a second chance. Whether he deserved it or not, maybe it wasn't for him to judge. Maybe Akoni had been right when he'd said they should make the most of whatever time they'd be given.
And here he was on sacred ground, and neither goddess had deemed it necessary to smite him. Maybe there was hope.
Silken softness trailed a line up Jeffrey's neck as Akoni's hold on him tightened. He closed his eyes and exhaled in pleasure. Akoni's tongue traced the shell of his ear, his breath caressing Jeffrey's skin.
"Such a naughty boy, teasing me like that out here."
"Hmm, you're the one who said there's no better way of honouring Gaia than having sex in her temple. If nature isn't her temple..."
Jeffrey smirked. Turning his head, he captured Akoni's lips with his own, letting his tongue explore. He trailed his hands under Akoni's shirt, finding smooth skin to caress. Akoni sank to the ground and let himself fall backwards, tugging Jeffrey on top of him.
"It's about time we got back to civilisation. You need another lesson in control."
"Yes, Master. There's much to learn here, though. We'll have to stay a while."
"Maybe I'll find a new way to teach you then." Jeffrey pulled away from Akoni enough to be able to remove his shirt. The cool night air hardened Akoni's nipples into two perfect peaks. Jeffrey bit one, revelling in Akoni's groan. He licked over it with the flat of his tongue then sucked it into his mouth.
Akoni's hands roamed over Jeffrey's torso, his arms, his hair, trying to find purchase. Jeffrey gathered them and pressed them to the ground above Akoni's head. Akoni whined in protest, but Jeffrey ignored it. Reaching down with his other hand, he opened Akoni's pants.
"When we get back to civilisation, I'm going to have to find some ribbons again. Or maybe I'll use leather next time." He stroked Akoni's length with a light and teasing touch. "Aside from tying your hands, I'm going to loop some around your balls. Not just the base, but all of them. There'll be no hint of skin not encased in leather. I'm going to tie them so tight it'll feel like they're going to fall off. Then I'll tie up your dick, too. Maybe I'll use coarse rope that'll scratch your sensitive skin."
Hips bucking, Akoni arched into the touch, his head thrown back, eyes closed, lips parted. He groaned and whimpered at Jeffrey's words.
"When you're all tied up and unable to move, I'm going to suck you." Jeffrey let go of Akoni's hands and moved farther down his body, dragging his trousers down, too. He kissed the tip of Akoni's erection and blew cold air against it; it twitched in response. He swallowed him far down his throat, holding Akoni's hips to stop him thrusting.
Deep, guttural moans streamed from Akoni's mouth.
Jeffrey hollowed his cheeks and sucked, sliding his tongue against the smooth silk. He held him there until the need to breathe became too much and he pulled away enough to suck in a few gulps of air before taking him in again. Watching Akoni's face, he worked him to the very edge. When Akoni's body tensed in anticipation of his orgasm, Jeffrey stopped, squeezing the base of his erection hard.
The keening wail that left Akoni's lips ran down Jeffrey's spine in a shiver of pleasure.
"And every time you think you're about to come, I'm going to stop."
"No!" Akoni cried. "Master..."
"I will make you beg and plead." Jeffrey yanked Akoni's pants off completely, then bundled them up and pushed them underneath Akoni's hips to raise them. He ran his tongue along Akoni's throbbing length, licking from base to tip. He drew back, drawing a groan. "The most beautiful sounds will leave your lips." He sucked on three of his fingers, his eyes locked on Akoni's, the sky-blue turned dark with desire. He wrapped his free hand around Akoni's erection again, moving up and down with slow strokes.
"Master, please..."
Jeffrey smiled down at his lover, circling Akoni's entrance with his well-coated fingers. "I'm going to tease you for hours. Sucking and stroking until you're delirious with pleasure." He sped up the movement of his hand again, twisting his wrist on every downward stroke, teasing the head with his thumb. Using his other hand, he massaged Akoni's balls. He continued until Akoni came to the edge again. Once more, he stopped at the last moment, leaving Akoni hanging, suspended in unfulfilled need.
"Please..." Akoni panted. "Master, I can't...please..."
"Over and over I will bring you to the edge until your voice fails you, until your body burns with need, until your mind knows nothing else but my hands on your body."
"It does...oh, blessed mother, it hurts, please, Master."
"I will own you, every part of you." Jeffrey pushed a single digit against Akoni's entrance.
"Yes!" Akoni raised his hips and bucked until Jeffrey's finger slipped inside him.
He groaned and stilled, adjusting to the intrusion. Soon, he moved again, begging for more with his body. Jeffrey gave him what he asked for
, easing a second finger in beside the first. He slid them in and out, scissoring them. Akoni continued to thrust, demanding more.
At the same time as he slipped a third finger into Akoni, Jeffrey swallowed Akoni's length again. A stream of incoherent words left Akoni's mouth as his body strained between the dual sensations. Matching the rhythm of his mouth and his fingers, Jeffrey brought Akoni close to the edge. Only to leave him hanging yet again.
"No, no, no..." Akoni cried, thrashing on the ground, his hands reaching for Jeffrey, who caught them easily and held them tight.
"My little princeling, you will come only when I'm ready to allow it," Jeffrey teased.
"Please, Jeffrey... I need you...please fuck me."
"Hmm, I do enjoy your begging. But the slip earns you punishment." He pushed Akoni's hands into the ground above their heads. "Do not move your arms or I will punish you for that, too, understand?"
"Yes, Master," Akoni panted.
Jeffrey trailed his hands down Akoni's arms and to his chest, laying his palms flat against his pecs. He slapped first one side of Akoni's chest, then the other, back and forth, the strikes ringing in the silence of the night. He stopped after only a few moments, Akoni's chest glowing a faint pink in the moonlight.
"What did I punish you for?"
"For not addressing you correctly, Master. I'm sorry."
"I know you are, my little princeling. It won't happen again, will it?"
"No, Master."
"Good, then we can get on to the fun bit now. I was telling you how mercilessly I will tease you. Until you forget your own name." Jeffrey stroked Akoni's chest, soothing the sting of his slaps. He stroked his thumbs over Akoni's nipples, rolling them in circles. Then he took hold of each nub between two fingers and pulled.
Akoni cried and writhed, but his arms remained above his head.
"When you're so far gone you can't even beg anymore, that's when I'll really start."
Jeffrey repositioned himself between Akoni's legs and opened his trousers, freeing his straining erection. Spitting on his hand, he slicked himself up as best he could and nudged the head against Akoni's entrance. "When you think you can't take anymore, I will fill you up." He pushed, breaching Akoni's ring of muscle and continued until he was fully seated inside him. Jeffrey groaned and closed his eyes, enjoying the tight heat surrounding him. "I will fuck you so hard you will feel me for days."
He withdrew his length, leaving only the head inside Akoni. Then he rammed back in, one hard stroke, and Akoni gasped. He repeated the movement, going in and out, hard and fast, gripping Akoni's hips.
"And you will take it, because you're mine."
"Yours, Master," Akoni whimpered, trying to move, yet unable to under Jeffrey's unrelenting hold.
Skin slapped against skin as Jeffrey continued to pound into Akoni's willing body. Groans and grunts filled the air. The smell of sex mixed with the earthy smells of nature. Akoni continued to hold his arms above his head, though his hands had formed to fists, the effort of keeping still probably straining him. Jeffrey moved one hand up from Akoni's waist to his chest, pinching his nipples.
Only when he felt his own orgasm close did Jeffrey relent and wrap a hand around Akoni's purpling erection, already leaking copiously. Stroking in time with his thrusts, it took mere moments for Akoni to finally find the release he craved. As Akoni's body squeezed Jeffrey, he, too, came, filling Akoni's insides. Spent, Jeffrey collapsed on top of Akoni, both breathing heavily.
"May I please move my arms, Master?" Akoni whispered between pants.
"You may."
"Thank you." Akoni groaned and dragged his arms down and around Jeffrey. "That was incredible."
"Next time will be better. I'll use proper restraints. And oil, so I can fuck you longer."
Akoni moaned.
Jeffrey shifted, easing his weight off Akoni but remained lying beside him, Akoni's hold on him never wavering. Their eyes locked when Akoni turned his head towards him. At the look in Akoni's eyes, Jeffrey wondered why he had ever tried to resist this. He pressed his lips against Akoni's. A gentle, reassuring joining.
"Go to sleep, my prince," Jeffrey whispered, trailing his fingers down the side of Akoni's face, paler than usual in the moon's glow.
***
Right after breakfast the next morning, Tiana whisked Akoni away for more training. They'd kissed briefly before Jeffrey found himself alone, wondering what to do in this strange place. His mother wasn't available yet, he'd been told. Whatever that meant. Was she still asleep? It was early. Was she taking care of some priestess' duty? Who knew. They weren't likely to tell him.
Before boredom set in, Jeffrey grabbed his sword and left the temple, heading into the surrounding forest. Not far, in case he was needed, he found a clearing of sorts that gave him enough space for some sparring practise. He unsheathed his sword and fell into stance. His muscles knew what to do without effort. Fluid steps, swinging the blade this way and that, practising moves he could perform in his sleep, or blind. After years of fighting, this was his natural state, in motion, with a sword in his hand.
It comforted him in a way little else did.
As he parried unseen blows, his thoughts drifted. Much had happened in recent months. Things were different. Jeffrey. Akoni. They had both changed and found a way towards each other despite the circumstances, or maybe because of them.
He wasn't sure he liked the new direction his life was taking, and yet, being with Akoni felt good in ways his life hadn't in too long. It was like being with Aidan, but not quite the same. Better? Maybe it was too early to say that; they still had their differences.
But the seeds were there at least. Time would tell what they might grow into.
"You fight differently now."
The voice startled Jeffrey out of his practise. He'd been so lost in thought he hadn't even heard her approach. On a log, at the edge of the clearing, sat Aedinia.
"Mother, how did you...?"
She gave him a mysterious smile. "I am a priestess of Gaia; this is her garden. If I want to be unnoticed, I will be."
He sheathed his sword as she rose and came closer. She touched his arms, brushing her fingers up until she was cupping his face.
"So different," she whispered.
He leaned in and hugged her. "I'm still your son. Always."
"Yes. Always. I have missed you so very much. It is good to hold you again, and I'm unlikely to tire of it. I hope you don't mind too much."
"How could I ever mind?" he whispered into her neck.
For long minutes they stood in each other's embrace. Memories flooded Jeffrey, too many to make sense, too long hidden to be entirely clear. Alone on the island, while Akoni had been with Tiana, they'd had time to talk. Years of history squeezed into a brief conversation. It would never be enough.
When they pulled apart, Aedinia tucked her arm into the crook of Jeffrey's elbow and led him deeper into the forest. "You still have questions."
Jeffrey laughed. "Don't I always?"
She grinned back at him. "It is good to see some things don't change."
"How come you're here at the temple? And really, you knew of Akoni's magic, the need for him to come here. Why did you never tell him? Or his father before? You've been at court with Father, surely you would have had opportunity. Do you know what his curse is? How to fix it?"
Aedinia held up a hand. "Those are a lot of questions. Let's take one at time, shall we?"
Jeffrey shrugged and gave her a nod.
"I shall start with my knowledge of the royal magic. We tried to tell them. Tiana's mother, Silea, tried to tell Luciano, as well as his father before that. I worked with her often. We sent many priestesses to them over the years. You've been at the palace. Did you notice there's no high priestess there?"
Jeffrey wrinkled his brow in thought. He'd been to the palace temple a handful of times but he'd rarely seen priestesses, never mind a high priestess.
"I'll take that as a no." She patted his arm
then, the corners of her lips curling. "There's still a high priestess at the city temple, and for all intents and purposes, she covers the palace, too. Though, it's more of a secret duty. The last time we had a priestess speak with the king in regards to the magic, she was banished from Corunia. We did not try again with Luciano. It had become apparent he was beyond all hope. Instead, we waited for Akoni to be old enough to understand. But it appeared Luciano had grown rather paranoid by then. No priestess could get close. For me to befriend him was too strange a thing, though, I always tried to offer kindness. He seemed to have little enough of it after his father became king. We hoped Gaius might befriend him--though a few years older, they would spend much time together in the future, once Akoni took the crown and Gaius your father's seat on the council. They did not get on well, though. I had some hope that you might fare better once we introduced you at court, but..."
"I left."
She nodded. "With good reason, as I well know. I regret what happened, more than I can express."
"It's all right, Mother. I never blamed you."
She patted his arm again, a wry smile on her lips. "Since your father's passing, I have not been at court. I always preferred temples. The solitude they offer. The kinship of other priestesses. One of them sent me a message that Akoni had started his ascension; his father had fallen ill. I came here to Pyros then, to speak with Tiana and decide our next steps. We did not know if a priestess would even be able to get to Akoni. Luciano certainly didn't let them into the palace other than for tending the temple. As a lady of the court, despite my absence, I might succeed where a priestess could not. I could ask for an audience with our new king."
Ties of Magic (Curse of the Crown Book 2) Page 26