Claimed Beauty (The Cubi Book 2)

by Meraki P. Lyhne

  “Like…turn your head and cough kind of physical?”

  Caledon laughed. “In this case, yes. I want to see if your glands are growing in faster, too.”

  Daniel got up and went to stand in front of Caledon who unbuckled and unsnapped Daniel’s pants and pulled them down before fondling the cub’s jewels.

  “And there it is. This little bump that kind of feels like a third nut. Your gland is growing in nicely. Usually, this size is found on a red-eye going full red.” Caledon looked at Marcadon shortly before returning his gaze to Daniel. “Your eyes haven’t even begun to change, which means you will, soon. And you’ll be able to dose. This is why you need the strongest doses possible as often as possible.”

  “But, I’m not ready to be a king.” Daniel sounded exactly his age and exactly as the boy Seldon took in almost two weeks earlier—the one who had never had any responsibility, and now he got a whole monarchy. The conversation with his children hit Seldon. About the youth psychology article he had read that said Daniel struggled because he was missing something. His Cubi side suppressed by homophobic parents and a school system teaching abstinence. Could that be it? It would certainly explain why he’d blossomed the way he had—it was instinctual. But it wouldn’t explain why Seldon sometimes found Daniel in somewhat control during a dose. Could it be the royal side of him? What would he empower their race with?

  “You’re a Prince without an official crown until your eyes turn green,” Caledon said, ripping Seldon out of his thought. “Upon turning purple, you are crowned King.” Caledon cupped the boy’s face. “I need to feel the gland in your tongue, too, which is easiest to do with my own tongue. A kiss.”

  Daniel opened up to him and what looked like a passionate kiss commenced.

  Caledon pulled back from the exploring kiss and smiled. “It’s there, and a nice size.”

  “I felt your gland, too.” Daniel looked like he was munching on something, but he was probably just trying to detect his own gland. He pulled up his pants and returned to sit between Seldon and Rosadin.

  She seemed as shocked as Seldon. A look toward his boys, and they were floored.

  “Daniel, I would like to give you some advice,” Geodin said, sitting forward. “The way things are today is the result of my mother’s vision. She made the groundwork for how this monarchy functions today. The Cubi societies in the rest of the world have evolved, too. Some have let themselves be inspired by our way. While others have gone in a different direction, and one has remained the same. I’m not just saying this because I’m proud of what my mother managed to do here. But I’d advise you to work your way up like any normal Cubus so you will know the Kingdom you will one day rule, and, more importantly, you will understand every level and know every level. This way you will be able to rule fairly and with compassion, not distance and ignorance. This is why our social structures were changed into the pyramid it is today. Therefore, it would no longer be under the tyrannical rule my mother grew up under.”

  Daniel looked thoughtful and nodded. “Do I get…advisers and stuff?”

  “The meeting tomorrow is to fill you in. All of you.” Geodin looked at Seldon and his children, too. “For now, I think we will leave you to your thoughts, My Prince.” Grand Lady Geodin stood and turned to find her purse, apparently not seeing the gaping expression on Daniel’s face at the title. “Oh, by the way,” Geodin said and looked in her purse. “I have a present for you.”

  “For me?” Daniel glanced at Seldon.

  “I very rarely get to classify, and I know I’m not the first woman you’ve been with, but I’m allowed a bit of sentimentality when I get the honor of classifying the royal to rule the monarchy my mother helped establish for him.” Geodin smiled as she handed Daniel a small box. He opened it, staring at cufflinks with purple stones.

  “Jesus! Are those amethysts?” Seldon asked.

  “Yes. They were a gift to me many years ago by a lover. A claimed breeder. Upon his death, he gave them to me. I find a Prince worthy of such a gift.”

  “What’s an amethyst?” Daniel asked.

  “A purple quartz deemed as valuable as diamonds,” Seldon said, leaning closer.

  “From Ceylon,” Geodin informed.

  “The finest of its color,” Seldon added, gaping.

  “I…I can’t accept this,” Daniel said.

  “Please don’t ever lose that humility. But it is a gift worthy of a Prince. To be honest, I wouldn’t have given them to you had you not been.” She smiled and winked, and it apparently made some weird form of sense to Daniel, because he nodded and returned the smile, albeit a bit awkwardly.

  “Thank you, Grand Lady Geodin.” Daniel stood and closed the box, and Seldon hoped he’d get a chance to look at them again. “And thank you for everything.”

  Geodin hesitated a second but then hugged Daniel. He returned the embrace and followed her around the couch. Seldon and his children stood, too, and followed them to the hallway where they all said farewell to the Grand Lady.

  Caledon hugged Seldon. “Your boy,” he whispered, and Seldon felt another burst of pride spread in his chest. “I’ll see you all tomorrow around ten.” Caledon shook hands with Marcadon, Talidon, and Rosa before he hugged Daniel. “Don’t worry. Seldon and I will never leave you without help. Remember that.”

  “Thank you,” Daniel squeaked and tightened his grip around the Lord. When he finally let go, he replaced the void in his arms by grabbing Seldon’s arm.

  The two guests closed the front door behind them, leaving a strange silence behind. Seldon glanced at his kids who still looked too taken aback to say anything.

  “Don’t know about you guys, but I need another drink,” Seldon said and guided Daniel back to the couch.

  “Me, too.” Marcadon plopped down on the couch. Talidon poured them all more champagne and Seldon decided that the news definitely called for the two hundred dollar bottle of champagne. Talidon gave Daniel his glass first.

  “My Prince.”

  “Daniel, please!” Daniel said, looking up. “Please.”

  “Daniel,” Talidon said and smiled. He then served Seldon, Rosadin, and Marcadon before reclining with his own glass.

  “What does this mean?” Rosadin asked.

  “It means all eight Houses will party for a week, I imagine,” Seldon mused.

  “Why?” Daniel asked. “I’m…what will I have to do?”

  “We find out tomorrow.” Seldon still couldn’t get over the fact that his job as a caretaker for the boy would change to be the right hand of a monarch. And that he’d be dosed daily to rise faster.

  “Can’t believe I’m half Cubi,” Daniel said, staring straight ahead and not drinking his champagne.

  “Maybe we should move this to the bar,” Seldon said and got up. Rosadin shook Daniel who finally stood, and they brought the rest of the champagne. The glasses from Caledon and Seldon’s conversation earlier still stood on the table, but only until Daniel passed it as he picked them up and put them in the dishwasher. Seldon had finally taught the boy to keep house, and now the boy was a Prince.

  “What are we having?” Daniel asked, taking place behind the bar.

  “Something strong,” Seldon said and perched on a high stool. He just hoped a drink could help the boy not think so much because he’d just be a wreck from wondering about scenarios that might not be relevant after all without more information. He’d seen Daniel do that before and didn’t want him running himself scared again.

  Seldon had a lot more experience with not letting things get to him, but Daniel was different and didn’t handle too big of changes too fast with that clear of a head. That was Seldon’s experience so far, at least. Then again, the boy had surprised him on more than one occasion.

  For now, Seldon just wanted to kick back with all his kids and Daniel. He felt rich and happy and ignored all the worrisome thoughts getting in line, hoping the ease would rub off on Daniel.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Seldon did
n’t let Daniel drink more than two glasses of whiskey even though Daniel felt like he needed the entire bottle. With all the people around him, talking, laughing, joking, it was hard to focus on the bomb Caledon had dropped on him, and he had trouble processing it all. He didn’t know whether to feel most shocked about being told that his dad wasn’t his real dad or that he was now the Prince of the entire compound. The first took the prize, simply because it was something he could relate to. Being royalty was a distant second because all he knew of those was what he’d seen on TV, and they mostly just paraded around in fancy clothes and waved funny.

  Marcadon talked him into playing a game of pool which was nice. He was about as much a shark as Seldon was and Daniel fell behind a few shots in.

  “Well, at least you have time to practice before next time I’m gonna try and beat you at this game,” Marcadon said.

  “Oh, when’s that?” Daniel asked and tried to think the next few shots ahead.

  “Next time I come here. Not counting tomorrow morning.”

  “Thought you might stay the night,” Seldon said.

  “Need clothes.”

  “You’re my size, grab something from my closet.”

  “Oh shit!” Daniel exclaimed. “I don’t have any clean, nice clothes. This is my last set, and I spilled on it.”

  “You’re the Prince, you could stalk in there in briefs.”

  “No, he couldn’t,” Seldon corrected his oldest son. “If anything, he has to set the example that we must follow.”

  “Briefs, go for briefs. I’d come in briefs, too,” Marcadon said and pocketed his next to last striped ball. Daniel grinned, happy that joking was mixed with Seldon’s comment about Daniel having to be an example. He could barely live up to Seldon’s expectations, and he wondered how he’d ever manage to get ready to take on the responsibilities of running a monarchy. Or ruling or whatever it was called.

  “Your turn, little brother.”

  “Little brother,” Daniel said, smiling. “Better than Prince.”

  “Well, actually it’s more of a practical approach. You’re fucking beautiful, and I’m getting hungry. If I remind myself that you’re my brother, even though you smell delicious, maybe it would be easier to not advance on you. And end up as sore as my Dad. If you were off limits before, you certainly are now.”

  “For a while at least,” Seldon muttered.

  “Okay,” Daniel said and lined up a shot. He found that Marcadon’s admission bothered him, but he knew it was only because of Jonah and his lack of control that Marcadon’s red eyes bothered him.

  “Wonder if Caledon had already expected this result when he told you you’d get whipped if you followed your urges to hit on him,” Seldon said.

  “He might,” Marcadon said, shrugging. “When did he first give a hint that it was something bigger?”

  “The day after I finished the classification which was the day I got whipped. He looked so giddy when I told him that Daniel was verse.”

  “He said something when I went with him to his office,” Daniel said. “Well, actually it was more the way he said it and the way he looked at me when he said that Royals are born.”

  “But now I know why both Caledon and I keep losing doses to you. I’ve heard of a royal in Europe who could make that happen in their feeders almost by will. And your energy certainly is exquisite.” Seldon’s eyes darkened. “Can’t even imagine you at full strength.”

  “Wow,” Marcadon mumbled and lined up the shot for his last ball. He didn’t miss, so Daniel placed his cue in the rack, expecting Marcadon to pocket the black, too. He did. Game over. “Thanks for the game.” Marcadon held out his hand, and Daniel shook it. “When you’re older, and Dad lets you drink, we can have some fun with this. Play partners or poker pool.”

  “That might be a few years,” Daniel said and made his way behind the bar where Rosadin sat on the counter, smiling.

  “Better give him a cold beer for winning,” she whispered. Daniel found one and placed it on a coaster in front of Marcadon.

  “Thanks. So, Dad, what do you think Lord Caledon meant about you having to stop as head trainer?”

  Seldon pulled a face. “Dunno, but whatever the reason it’s in Daniel’s interest.”

  “Can’t wait to find out what his last name is gonna be,” Rosadin said.

  “My last name?”

  “Yeah, like mine is Echleo-Nil,” Seldon reminded him. “You’ll get your Cubi father’s surname in here. And Royals have a special first name, too.”

  “Like what?”

  “For starters, it’ll end in don like all Incubi. But it’ll have Nol in the beginning, meaning Sovereign.”

  “But…how does the whole King thing work? I mean…” Daniel didn’t want to think about it. Just the question pushed a feeling of inadequacy at him. His pulse rose, his cheeks warmed, and his mouth went as dry as Nevada.

  “As Grand Lady Geodin said, every Cubi monarchy in the world functions differently,” Seldon said. “So, in the end, I guess you form it.”

  Oh shit, that was a ton of responsibility Daniel didn’t think himself ready to handle. Two weeks ago, he’d have thought himself capable of running it right away but he had learned so much in a week. Just how much he could learn before becoming a green-eye calmed him a bit.

  Seldon got up and rounded the bar to pull him in for a hug. Daniel put his arms around him and remembered the sore back when Seldon tensed in his arms, so Daniel moved his hands to the only safe place—Seldon’s tight ass.

  “It’s all going to be alright, Daniel. You’ll be able to grow with the responsibility. You have time. And I’m going to be right here. So are Caledon, Marcadon, Rosadin, and Talidon. We’re your family now, and we take good care of each other.”

  Daniel’s heart swelled in his chest at the promise and softness in Seldon’s voice. Two weeks ago, he never thought he could not hate or fear Seldon. A few days ago, he wondered how he could be so sexually attracted to him, and now…now he just wanted to be held and kissed and loved. Which brought his attention to the hard-on that had pressed against him since Seldon pulled him close.

  Daniel pulled back enough to look up into Seldon’s green eyes. “You haven’t fed since morning.”

  “No, but I’ll manage if the Grand Lady worked you tired.” Seldon smiled and winked.

  “No, I’ll feed you no matter what, so you can heal.”

  “I’ll have to go home,” Talidon said and stood. Seldon turned his attention to his youngest son.

  “Me, too,” Rosadin said.

  “I can’t fit your clothes, Dad, they’d hang off my bones,” Talidon said, and he was more like Daniel’s size.

  “And I’d look ridiculous in them,” Rosadin pointed out.

  “Marcadon, would you go with Daniel to Provision tomorrow morning and pick him out a couple of outfits? I can’t go,” Seldon said.

  “You think I’m qualified to escort the Prince?” Marcadon asked, surprised.

  “No one knows he’s the prince yet, and I hope it stays that way for a long time,” Seldon said.

  “Yeah, but that makes it worse. No one knows to shut up.”

  “Marcadon, you’re a huge guy. I’m pretty sure you’ve earned some respect in the House of Caledon. And if you deck someone for getting too touchy, I’m sure Lord Caledon will just pat you on the back and not throw you in the stockade for participating in a public disturbance.”

  Marcadon thought for a beat. “There’s that. Okay, yeah, I’ll do it, but I have to get up early and feed then.”

  “I’ll help you find one. I got this level’s schedule for all breeders.”

  “Alex would be preferable.”

  Seldon smiled and looked at Daniel. “All yours.”

  Daniel smiled because he knew Seldon liked Alex. Right then Seldon looked almost happy about only having Daniel and the look in the big man’s eyes made his stomach flutter. Before thinking, Daniel stood on his toes and pressed his lips against Seldon’s. The big m
an moaned and pulled him closer, forcing his tongue in. Daniel opened up to the deep kiss and remembered not to run his hands up his back and instead tightened his grip on each ass cheek.

  “We should go. Looks like that feeding could take the rest of the evening,” Talidon said.

  “And we have to get up early,” Rosadin said. Daniel pulled back, wanting them out or in bed as quickly as possible so he and Seldon could go to bed.

  “Okay. Good night,” Seldon said, letting go of Daniel with one arm to hug and kiss Rosadin on the forehead. Rosadin snuggled into a hug between them, so Seldon and Daniel reluctantly let go of each other to hug her. Daniel was surprised to get a hug by the sons, too, but he liked it. He certainly preferred the loose and affectionate interaction to the oh shit, he’s our Prince kind of rigidness.

  Marcadon left, too, leaving Daniel and Seldon alone in the house at night for the first time since the whipping. And Daniel had every plan of taking full advantage of that even though Seldon’s back still caused for less acrobatic sex but they’d return to that, soon.

  They helped each other remove the glasses and bottles and wipe down the table in the den and the bar in the pool room. They then made their way to the bedroom. As they passed his room, Daniel reminded himself to put new linen on tomorrow. And their bed, too. Wow, a Prince doing housework. Was that normal? He didn’t care right then, he just wanted to take Seldon to bed and feed him.

  Seldon hugged Daniel from behind, kissing his neck where the shirt stopped. “You should go clean yourself out with that machine in the shower. And take a shower. You smell of female. Not that I don’t like that scent, but I’d prefer to smell you.”

  “Okay,” Daniel said and turned in his arms to give him a kiss. Backing away, Daniel reached to massage Seldon’s hard dick through the fabric, getting a growl and an eye-roll. Daniel bit his lower lip and sent Seldon his most convincing bedroom eyes, watching Seldon’s eyes darken to a pine needle green.

  “Oh, man, you look so fucking sexy when your eyes darken like that,” Daniel said and turned on his heels to get that shower over with. Once alone, he had trouble making his mind stop wandering as he went through the routine of removing his makeup and showering. Getting an enema was not yet routine enough to not demand some focus, but it still didn’t manage to push his thoughts about his dad completely from his thoughts.