by Jude Marquez
Evander’s head dropped back and his chest heaved. “The things that come out of your mouth," he muttered. He groaned when Alyx’s hands found their way into his small clothes and stroked the hard flesh with both hands. Evander groaned again, low and guttural, and Alyx was flipped over onto his back and Evander loomed over him. “You have broken me for anyone else," Evander swore and tore off their remaining clothing.
There was nothing stopping Evander after that. He reached for the basket that was beside the furs and Alyx glimpsed a small pouch inside. Evander dipped his fingers into it and Alyx remembered the whispers of what he had heard at the tavern, of how two men accomplished such a task. He felt as though he should be scared, but Evander’s steadiness gave him nothing but reassurance.
Evander leaned up and kissed him. “If there is something you do not particularly enjoy, tell me," he whispered.
“I trust you," Alyx said as Evander fit himself between Alyx’s legs. Evander looked up at him and Alyx swore he would remember the sight of Evander between his legs, bathed in golden light, looking like a blessing on two legs.
Alyx expected the fingers that probed around the cleft of his ass, another rumor he had heard and imagined, but not Evander’s warm mouth on his cock. He let out a strangled noise.
Evander pulled his mouth off, “Good?” He asked.
“Yes," Alyx whispered.
Evander returned his mouth and Alyx saw stars above his head.
Evander’s mouth and tongue were a wicked sin and Alyx spread his legs like the whore that Elewisa accused him of being, but here, he knew that she had no power over him. That he could present himself for Evander anyway he chose and Evander would still think him good and beautiful.
Evander’s methods were unpredictable. Slow, fast, a gentle lick, or a hard suck. It all kept Alyx on a cliff inside of himself that he wasn’t aware existed until now. He lost count of the number of fingers Evander had inside of him but groaned when Evander pulled away.
Evander soothed him, kissed his collarbone, his mouth, his eyes. Alyx reached blindly for him and Evander leaned into his touch. He skimmed a hand down Alyx’s thigh and pulled it up around his hip. With his other hand, he swept his palm along Alyx’s forehead and cupped his cheek. Alyx stared up at him and kept his eyes on Evander as Evander pushed forward, the thick length of him sliding into Alyx. It took a few moments until Evander was finally, fully inside of him but they never looked away.
“Alyx-” Evander whispered.
“Yes," he said, his hands on Evander’s shoulders, his mouth, his cheeks. Evander seemed on the verge of losing control; he clenched his jaw and Alyx knew that his thighs would bear the bruises of his hand the following day. He looked forward to it.
“You are-” Evander groaned and his head fell forward. “You are," Evander pulled a little ways out and Alyx felt the entire length of him and it was heaven. Evander pushed in again and then sat up. He looked down where they were joined together, pulled out, pushed in, and gasped. Alyx felt claimed, as though Evander had put a brand on him and Alyx moaned underneath the pain and pleasure of it.
Evander sat back on his heels and slipped his arms underneath Alyx’s thighs, pulled him into his lap, so that his shoulders and head were lower than his hips. Evander controlled their pace this way and Alyx had no leverage to push back or pull away. Evander tightened his hold and as he pushed in, he pulled Alyx into him and his cock hit something inside Alyx and he felt his blood turn to molten velvet in his veins. His back arched and he groaned.
“Ah," Evander whispered, feeling victorious. When Alyx opened his eyes, Evander looked the part as well; sweaty, grinning, delighted. He wasn’t even aware of closing his eyes in the first place.
“More. Again," Alyx begged.
“As you please," Evander agreed. He did it again and Alyx let out a moan, low and begging. Evander picked up the pace and he was hitting that spot inside Alyx over and over and Alyx clutched at the furs around them. His orgasm built and built and he thought he would die from it before he would be able to finish and then he did and it was like dying. When he became aware of his surroundings once more, Evander was leaning over him, whispering his name, tracing his lips with a finger.
“Did you faint?” Evander asked.
“Did I?” Alyx asked, feeling stupid and clumsy. He felt Evander inside him still, hard and thick. “Evander, you are still-”
“I wasn’t going to finish without an active audience," Evander teased.
“Please, finish," Alyx asked. His eyes were wide. “I want to feel you.”
Evander dropped his head to Alyx’s chest and took a deep breath. “The things you say, Alyx.”
“Please," Alyx begged.
Evander nodded and he began once more, finding a rhythm that pleased him and Alyx traced his face, his arms, the scars on his torso.
“Alyx, Alyx, Alyx," He whispered. It felt like listening to a benediction. Evander pushed into him, made Alyx wrap his thighs around Evander’s waist, and put his arms around Alyx, cradling him in the most intimate way possible. Alyx held as tightly to Evander as Evander did to him.
“What are you doing to me?” Evander asked, sounding as though he were broken wide open for all the world to see.
Before Alyx could figure a reply, Evander pushed them both up with one arm, the muscles in his arm and back flexing, until Evander was on his knees and Alyx was held up by his legs around Evander’s waist. Evander put both his hands under Alyx’s ass and lifted him, and let him slide back down his cock.
It was Evander’s turn to moan.
Alyx pulled himself up and let gravity pull him back down until Evander’s cock was sheathed inside him. Evander’s arms trembled but Alyx did not slow, fucking himself down on Evander’s cock, raining kisses on his face.
“Let go, let go,” Alyx whispered between kisses. “Give it to me," he demanded. “I want it," he said against Evander’s lips. “Give me what is mine," Alyx whispered and fucked down harder on Evander’s cock. Evander let them drop back down on the furs and the tent was filled with the obscene sounds of skin slapping against skin and Alyx felt his own cock begin to fill again at Evander’s movements.
“Yours?” Evander whispered and his mouth was getting the better of him. “As though my cock belongs in you-”
“It does-” Alyx groaned and his hand drifted down to his own groin and began stroking.
“As though my mouth were only yours to kiss-”
“Mine-” Alyx demanded.
“As though my hands were made for you-”
“Give me what is mine, Evander-” Alyx groaned and Evander buried himself in Alyx once more and was still and quiet. Alyx could feel the warmth of Evander filling him and closed his eyes to it.
If this was a dream, at least he had this.
Evander pulled out and away, collapsed on the furs next to Alyx.
Alyx continued stroking himself lazily, his eyes on Evander.
Evander finally opened his eyes and his eyes fell on Alyx’s hand between his legs. Evander spread his own legs and pulled Alyx so that he was between them.
“I haven’t experience," Alyx muttered.
“Nor I the ability to teach now. Just-” Evander gestured, “Continue.”
With Evander spread below him like a feast before a starving man, Alyx continued stroking his cock and then leaned over Evander who reached up for a kiss. As Alyx’ second orgasm began to crest, he moved to pull away, but Evander stilled him. “No," He whispered. “Just as mine is yours, yours is mine. I want it.”
It took no more than that for Alyx to come for a second time that night.
On their backs, they stared up at the tent ceiling.
“Next time, I want to be able to see the stars," Evander whispered.
“Next time?” Alyx said, daring not to hope.
“And the time after that, I want to lick honey from your cock," Evander said. “And the time after that, I want to be in front of a fire. And the time after that, I want to be safe in our bed.�
�
Alyx turned to look at Evander.
Evander stared up at the tent. “If you’ll have me, Alyx, I have no intention of letting you from my side. Not now. Not ever."
“I have no intention of leaving," Alyx replied. “Not now. Not ever," He paused. They were words of an old vow, of fidelity to a single person, not a crown. “Not to mention that I think my ass is too sore for a saddle so there is no hope of me stealing away in the middle of the night.”
Evander turned to him, his mouth open. Then he laughed. He laughed long and hard and when he got a semblance of control, he kissed Alyx. He kissed him and kissed him and Alyx decided that feeling Evander’s smile pressed into him was the best feeling of all.
They fell into an exhausted sleep that was well deserved.
Chapter Ten
When Alyx woke, he was alone. He tried to push away the feeling of betrayal at being left after such a night. Instead, he stood and pulled on his pants. His fingers found bruises left by Evander’s grip and his muscles ached in a delightful way. It took him a moment to realize that there were voices outside the tent and Alyx looked to the door.
Evander stood there, bare chested, his back to Alyx. Gael was next to him, also with his back to Alyx. In the distance, it looked as though Elyes and Aldous were watering the horses. They spoke in low tones and Alyx felt ill at ease spying on the two princes. He cleared his throat and both turned to him.
Gael waved and Evander’s face lit up with a grin.
All the feelings of betrayal fell away at the look on Evander’s face. He strode over to Alyx eagerly and kissed him.
“Mm- I haven’t washed my mouth," Alyx said but did not pull away from the kiss either.
“I don’t care," Evander declared.
“Evander’s gross like that," Gael said.
“Is everything okay?” Alyx asked when Evander ducked into the tent.
“Border skirmishes that required Evander’s attention. Nothing to be concerned over,” Gael said.
It was a lie, but one Alyx did not point out. It would have to be something of significance to bring Gael out this way and to interrupt his brother’s plans of romance. Evander came out of the tent once again, Alyx’s shirt in hand. He laid a kiss to Alyx’s bare shoulder before letting him have his shirt back.
“Are you ready to return?” Evander asked, cupping Alyx’s ass in his hand.
“As it pleases you," Alyx replied. He saw Gael watching them, surprise written all over his face. Perhaps Alyx wasn't the only one who expected Evander to have only a passing interest.
“It would please me to stay in this tent for the next week,” Evander said and kissed Alyx’s jaw, “But a prince’s life is not his own.”
“A king’s even less," Alyx pointed out and pulled his shirt on.
Evander laced up the front and kissed Alyx again. “Does that bother you?”
“As long as the king’s affections remain mine,” Alyx said and brushed his nose against Evander’s, “I can bear anything.”
“You shall have to bear nothing, not as long as you are there for me to return to," Evander murmured against Alyx’s lips. Alyx reveled in every single sweet touch.
“It’s as disgusting as newlyweds," Aldous declared.
“Was there a priest out here last night? Should we be changing Alyx’s last name as it is written?” Elyes asked.
“Would you like their heads as a wedding gift, Alyx?” Evander asked sweetly and raised his hand to Alyx's face.
“If it’s not too much trouble.”
“I will have the executioner sharpen his blade.”
“Of course you would find someone with your sense of humor," Gael muttered. “Of course.”
The ride back wasn’t precisely comfortable but thankfully short. In the stables, he was greeted with Nicholas who was there to put Knight at his feet. Nicholas reported that the dog was excellent in all ways; manner and health most important. He also reported that Annabelle was especially given to spoiling the dog. He showed Evander everyone’s school work and as Evander promised, they were all rewarded with a coin, to be distributed by Nicholas.
The boy took his duty seriously, waved goodbye to Alyx and Evander, and scampered off to the others. The stable boy took Eros’s reins and Alyx and Evander stepped out of the stables.
“I have matters I must see to," Evander said, squinting in the light of the sun.
“I have children to teach," Alyx said.
“So you do," Evander said and cupped Alyx’s face and kissed him thoroughly, until they were both breathless from it, out there in the open, for all to see. “You will have new garments in our room. See to it that you wear them.”
“Yes, My Lord," Alyx murmured, drunk from tasting Evander on his lips.
Evander paused. “What did you say?”
“Yes, My Lord," Alyx repeated, unsure if it was the wrong title but then he saw a spark of fiery desire in Evander's eyes.
“Say it again," Evander said softly.
“My Lord," Alyx said, searching Evander’s face.
“Once more."
“My Lord," Alyx said.
Evander kissed him again. “Yours.”
When they turned, they were greeted with a dizzying array of colorful skirts and more than a few knights.
“Aldous wasn’t lying," Ricardus said.
“Should I be planning a wedding?” Gia asked.
“Just what I wanted, a brother," Auelina said, a teasing lilt to her voice.
“Knights, with me," Evander said and turned to Alyx. “I can do nothing about my mother or my sister or their ladies. I apologize," He kissed Alyx’s neck and snapped his fingers. “Knights!” He said. He marched off and the men followed him.
Along with Alyx’s dog.
“No, Knight!” Alyx called. The men halted and Evander looked back as well. He looked from the dog at his feet to Alyx and smirked.
“No, not you," Alyx said and moved forward, although stiffly. He picked up the dog and showed it to the men gathered round, “This is Knight.”
Confusion cleared, the men left.
Alyx turned to the women and their stares.
“You’re walking a little differently, Alyx," Cordelia said, raising an eyebrow.
“As though you’ve stretched muscles you’ve never used," Verna added and the ladies around them giggled.
“While I would love to give you ladies an exact description of the Prince’s bed manners, I believe it would be disrespectful of the Princess and Her Majesty," Alyx said, joining in their teasing.
“Damn," Bianca muttered.
Alyx left their group and went upstairs for a bath and to change clothing.
The tunic he wore had the De Loughrey emblem sewn over the heart, with silver embroidery. He had seen the royal family with the same emblem, but with gold thread instead of silver. All the knights wore the emblem with black thread.
“What is the meaning of the silver thread?” Alyx asked Ely when he saw him in the hall.
Ely’s eyes drifted to the lion on Alyx’s chest. “Elevated above knights but not quite royal family. When you get married, I assume that you will have gold and the silver will go to Lady Cordelia.”
The jokes of marriage were not merely jokes, as Alyx had assumed. He waited for the dizzying panic to fall over him but instead he felt nothing but peace.
His heart felt lighter when he stood up in front of his students.
∞∞∞
The day flew by and dinner was attended by everyone. It seemed louder for some reason, more joyous. Alyx wondered but did not ask, merely enjoyed the feeling. Gia asked after the students and Alyx remarked on all their strengths. She wondered out loud of sending them off to school, once they had learned all the could from Alyx. Alyx encouraged her line of thought, knew that all the children would do well under more extensive tutors.
This night, Evander sat next to Alyx, his arm thrown over the back of Alyx's chair. Gia watched the easy affection her oldest had for Alyx with n
othing less than clear joy. She sometimes wondered if it would have been in Evander's nature to find someone.
Clearly it was.
Alyx spoke to all the De Loughreys in turn about different things but never once leaned away from Evander. In fact, he seemed to find himself more and more at ease the closer he was to Evander.
When the dishes were swept away, Evander didn't even bother making excuses. He only leaned over and whispered into Alyx's ear, “Let's go to our room.”
Alyx nodded.
They stood and the rest of the men in the hall did the same, even as the whistles and the catcalls echoed through the room. Steps from the hall, Evander spun and mockingly glared at everyone who tried to stifle their laughter. He pressed in close to Alyx, wrapped an arm around his waist and spun again, carrying Alyx off with him, to the roar of laughter.
There was a fire banked in their room and Evander laid Alyx on the bed. Alyx sat up and worked at the complicated lacings of Evander's shirt. This one was more difficult than the others; there were lacings at the front and back of his shirt, his wrists, and near his hips. It was made for war with a thicker material to keep the wearer warm in cool months. Evander wore it on the days that required him to spar with his men. Alyx eventually got it off and Evander pulled his shirt over his head and went for Alyx's trousers. Alyx did the same and they fumbled with their pants and boots.
“For our honeymoon-” Evander started, jerking his boots off and throwing them over his shoulder, “I am going to take you away to an island where I can spend hours alone with you without the threat of someone demanding my attention-”
“An island?” Alyx asked, and pulled his tunic off. With the cold months settling on the lands, he could only dream of a warm sun beating down on his shoulders.
“Yes. An island. I want to spend hours memorizing your body under my hands-” Evander licked a strip along Alyx's neck. “Because the wedding is going to be hell. If those women get their way, it will be ornate, loud, and long. You and I will look ridiculous. My mother already wants to measure you for a crown-”
“Evander," Alyx said and put a hand to his chest and pushed him back. Evander's words made sense, but there was no context to them. It felt like Alyx had skipped an important chapter in a book and was only now catching up.