Castling

Castling By Sean Michael

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher.

Castling SCREWDRIVER An imprint of Torquere Press Publishers PO Box 2545 Round Rock, TX 78680 Copyright2008 by Sean Michael Cover illustration by SA Clements Published with permission ISBN: 978-1-60370-450-2, 1-60370-450-7 www.torquerepress.com All rights reserved, which includes the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever except as provided by the U.S. Copyright Law. For information address Torquere Press. Inc., PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. First Torquere Press Printing: August 2008 Printed in the USA

Chapter One Ericio the Young, fourth ruler of the Kingdom of Veltia, worked hard not to roll his eyes, nor to slump in his throne or fidget. It wasn?t easy, as the throne was made of wood. Oh, it was beautiful; carved from a huge, ancient tree that had been felled to build the castle, it had been worked upon by the kingdoms best artisans. But beautiful as it was, it had not been constructed for comfort. There wasn?t even a single cushion upon it to soften the seat for his ass. Once a month, he would listen to petitions. Once a month, he'd endure hour after hour of begging and whining and pleas. Not that he enjoyed the days where he met with the lords and generals and leaders of the clans either, but this was where he was stuck today. It was nearly done, though, the last peasant of the day begging for lenience, for mercy. As soon as he granted it, he could retire. With his bodyguard. He could feel Kane behind his throne, a silent, ever-present and deadly shadow. The rag-tag peasant before him was clothed in voluminous rags, eyes flashing, groveling and bowing, kowtowing and asking for favor. Ericio raised a hand at last, convinced the man would go on and on until he expired, unless stopped. "Enough." He wasn?t a selfish man, had no desire to see people suffer. He nodded toward the scribe and treasurer who sat at a table; the man?s chair was small, but he couldn?t help but notice the dark velvet cushion beneath Geof?s ass. "Give him what he needs, and have him send his daughter to the kitchens to work off the debt." "Aye, Sire. As you wish." Geof nodded, forelock bobbing, eyes kept carefully lowered. He didn?t bother to answer, just stood and stretched, turning to leave. A scuffle sounded from behind a tapestry, something larger than a mouse, and one of the ladies in waiting screamed. Kane moved like a ghost, a long, thin blade flying across the air to pierce something behind the tapestry. Ericio gasped, vibrating in place. Someone had tried to kill him. That knowledge surged through him like lightning from the sky. They trained for this; he knew what to do and was ready to leap away or to fight, waiting only for Kane's signal. Kane whistled once, low and sharp, and one of the guards appeared at Kane's elbow. "If it lives, I'll interrogate it shortly." Ericio practically purred; Kane's competence, nay the man's sheer power and ability aroused him like very little else did. The danger hadn?t hurt his libido any either.

"Yes, sir. I'll have it waiting for you, sir." The guard saluted, and Ericio found himself muscled down a hallway and then into a secret corridor. It made him harder, the way Kane pushed him down the dark, hidden hall, one hand firm around his arm. They were safe now, and even if they were not, Kane had his back. "I owe you my life. Again." "Is it my duty, Sire." In this, Kane was immobile. Duty above all, in all things. "So strong." He stopped them, hands sliding up Kane's arms in the darkness, moving to trace the sharp features he knew as well as his own, perhaps even better. "So loyal. You will have your reward now, Kane." "I must see to your safety, the attacker, Sire." "Your guards have the attacker, Kane. And seeing to my needs is seeing to my safety." He rubbed himself against Kane, his prick so hard, his need for this man a constant that danger only increased, made more urgent. "Sire." He could imsginr the lecture that Kane would give the guard, punctuated by lashes. "The king is to be protected at all times." "Are you not here to protect me?" he asked. No one could touch him while Kane was with him, he had no doubts -- the man would not allow it. "With my very life." The words were a vow, deep, serious. He pressed their lips together, the words spurring his need. He knew that the only thing that would assuage the ache deep inside him was to lay Kane out and whip the man, but Ericio also knew his bodyguard would not allow himself to be distracted that far with the assassin still to be dealt with. It would have to wait. Ericio would take what he could get to tide him over. He found Kane's hand in the darkness and brought it to his prick. "I have need, Kane." He could remember the look on Kane's face, in the beginning. The struggle between need and duty and pride. The memory excited him, even now, even as Kane's hand released his prick and began to stroke him, to bring him pleasure. That hand knew him so well, and he knew it, the calluses from hours of working with sword and knife rubbing the sensitive skin of his prick. Moaning, he moved into the touches, rubbed himself against the long, lean length of Kane's body. The man's hair, as white as his was black, was in that damned tail, neat and tucked away beneath Kane?s collar, and Ericio contented himself with tugging the braid out and holding onto it.

"Your mouth, Kane. I would have your mouth." "You tempt fate, Sire. I cannot watch for danger thus employed." Impudent man. Always pushing. He loved it. "I believe you can," he insisted, hand tugging on Kane's braid, wordlessly telling Kane what he wanted, what he needed here in this dark, quiet place. He was strung tight as a bow; he needed Kane's mouth to relieve him, though the hand that worked him was very, very clever. And it would drive him over the edge before he felt those lips around him, were he not very diligent. It was quiet in their hidden passage, only the sound of their breathing filling the air. He tugged again on Kane's braid. "I want your mouth, Kane. I will have it." "Will you?" Kane followed the tugging, lips parting on the softest gasp. "I will. On your knees, Kane. We cannot be discovered here." It was a shame really, that he would not be able to see Kane kneeling, see those lips stretched around his cock. Kane went carefully, so reluctant to muss the uniform, to be anything less than perfect for him, mouth dropping down upon his need like a heated fist. He cried out, hips snapping, pushing his prick deep into Kane's mouth. His hands curled around Kane's shoulders, holding on tightly. As in all things, Kane accepted him, took him, throat closing around the head of his flesh. His prick throbbed, his orgasm close. It was always like this after an attempt on his life, the need hard and pressing, Kane opening, whether hand or mouth or ass, and taking him in. Ericio's pushed in and out of Kane's mouth, moaning and gasping, the sounds loud in their quiet, dark corridor. Kane's fingers wrapped around his balls, rolling them, demanding he come soon, now. Risking punishment for his safety, his pleasure. Ericio slid his hands around Kane's head and began to fuck Kane's mouth, prick sinking in, his pleasure coming hard and quick. A shout and he spent, his seed pouring down Kane's throat. Not a drop was lost, not a bit spilled, Kane drinking him down. He moaned softly, knees suddenly weak, the climax having spent all the adrenaline that had coursed through him only moments before. "Kane..." "Yes, Sire." Kane stood, lifted him up and carried him through the corridors, footsteps speeding him toward his bed. He purred, hands sliding around Kane's neck, trusting in the strength of his bodyguard.

He was not a small man; indeed, he and Kane were of a height, but there was nothing Kane would not do for him. He only wished he could convince the man to let the assassin wait until morning. He'd spent the entire day bored and waiting to be alone with his bodyguard, and now Kane would be off as soon as he was safely ensconced in his bedchamber. Kane deposited him upon his bed, rang for food and drink and a tub of water to be delivered, each motion spare and without waste. He stretched out, admiring the long lines of his bodyguard, the efficiency with which the man moved. Kane was dressed all in black, the tight fitting hose allowing for ease of movement, the short jacket hiding all manner of weaponry. Kane's white hair was coming out of his braid where Ericio had tugged at it. Ericio slid a hand along his own body, his prick trying to come back to attention. "Stay, Kane." "Sire? The prisoner awaits." Ericio sighed. " I await. Is the prisoner so much more interesting than I?" He knew it wasn't fair, knew Kane only looked out for his safety, but he hated every moment that took Kane away from him. Those eyes flashed over and he saw the boyhood friend of a prince, the arms master turned captain of the guard. "You're whining again, Eric." And now he was pouting. He reached out a hand. "Then give me a kiss at least before you leave me, K." "Always." He received a smile, icy blue eyes oddly warm, the love obvious, offered to him freely. Kane's hand slipped into his, warm and smooth, caressing his palm. Kane allowed himself to be pulled onto the bed, their bodies pressing together as their lips met. Hot and sweet, that love was here, as well, and Ericio didn't push it, didn't try to keep Kane here. As their lips parted, he reached up to smooth Kane's hair back into place. "Come back to me as soon as you can." "My place is at your back, Sire. In all ways." He hummed and smiled, smoothing a hand along his body, preening and posing for Kane, forgetting again that this man had always known him, knew all his tricks and gave in to him anyway. "Yes. And I know that after your encounter with the assassin you will have needs."

"And you know you are the only one who might fill them, the only one I would allow to fill them." "I know, K." A knock sounded at the door and he lay back with a sigh. That would be his food and drink, his bath, endless servants there to cater to his every need, when the only one that counted would be left wanting until Kane returned. "Rest well, Sire. I shall return." The door opened, Kane snapping viciously, the guards saluting, the fear and respect for their captain evident. That strength made him hard again and he watched until Kane's backside disappeared. He nibbled at the food brought in for him, deciding what he would do to Kane tonight, what he needed to ready as his bath was filled with steaming water by servants coming and going quietly. Kane would be high-strung and keyed up, would need a strong and steady hand, a hard, solid prick. He could hardly bear the wait. *** The assassin lost the ability to scream hours before the punishment ceased. Kane washed his hands in the basin, handed a list to the guards. "Get this to the vizier. Find the Cult of Firan and bring them to me." The guard paled as he named the Cult, but snapped a salute at him immediately and hurried to fill his orders. Foolhardy monsters hiding behind their demon god. Kane stormed back to his quarters, next to the King's, the guards standing watch, his two best men standing tall and strong. They wore the deep blue of their rank, the long swords at their side less ceremonial than functional. The door to the King's rooms opened as he passed, Ericio standing there, dark eyes watching him, calling to him. "Sire. The threat has been addressed and the actions punished." "Excellent." Eric stood back, holding the door open. "Then I may have a moment of your time." "I am at your will, Sire." Honestly, he smelled, he wished to bathe, to wash his hair, to

get the scent of death from his skin. "We are not to be disturbed," Eric told the guards before closing the door. "Strip, Kane." Oh, someone had moved beyond pouting into growling. "I have blood on my skin, Sire." "And if you'd just do as you were told for a change, you could wash it off in the tub that was prepared for you hours ago. That has been waiting for you for hours." "Yes, Sire." He met those lovely eyes, shook his head as he began to remove his jacket, his blouse. "The fire god's followers are screaming for you again." "You'll keep them from having me," Eric told him, robe slipping away. Eric's eyes slid over him, heated. "I will. No one will harm you." He would destroy the world first. "I know." The faith in those words, in Eric's eyes was total. "Now get in the tub, Kane, and let me wash you." "You are the king." He was not sure if he protested or agreed. Eric laughed. "I am. So do what I tell you and get in the thrice-damned tub. Do not make me ask again, Kane. Do not." The temptation to push was strong, but the need to be clean was stronger, and he stepped into the water with no more argument. Eric stalked to the tub, each step graceful, the long, naked body enticing. "You're quite beautiful, you realize that." "I do." Eric smiled and knelt beside the tub. "But I like to hear you say it." The king picked up a cloth and dipped it into the water before sliding it over Kane?s shoulders. Kane moaned softly, head dipping down so that his braid plunked into the water. "Undo the braid, K. I'll do your hair as well." The cloth slid over his face, Eric's fingers following. Eric leaned forward and whispered. "Pampering first." "You spoil me, Eric." He moaned, lips parting on the sound as he worked his braid apart. "I thought I was the spoiled one?" Eric traced Kane?s lips, fingers dipping in before disappearing. "You are. Rotten. It's little wonder I adore you."

Eric laughed, lips pressing against his own as the cloth slid down along his back. "Oh..." He opened, the taste of his liege a particular addiction. Eric's tongue slid into his mouth, the kiss long and slow, one turning into another into another as Eric washed him, cleaned the blood from his body. He floated, tension easing from him and another sensation replacing it. The cloth disappeared, replaced by Eric's fingers. The touches were slow, soft, but he knew they wouldn't stay that way. Still, even though he knew this, the touches eased him, relaxed him deep down. Eric's hand slid along his chest, teased over his belly and on down to wrap around his prick. "Mine," Eric whispered, nibbling at his lips, eyes looking into his own. "Everything I am." There was no denying that. "I have the bed ready for you," Eric told him, hand still sliding on his cock, moving slowly up and down, barely touching, barely holding him; it was maddening. "I should not have spent so long in the dungeons. You had time to plan." His thighs went tight and hard, hips wanting to move, to push into that touch. Eric laughed and nodded. "Indeed. You see what happens when you abandon me for hours at a stretch? Not only did I have time to plan, but I've slept as well, and I have eaten. I am ready to outlast you." That hand stayed around his prick, refusing to tighten or to let go. "I know what you want. But I also know what you need." He refused to move, to beg. If Eric wanted, then his beloved would need to be strong enough to take it. His liege climbed suddenly into the tub. "I have decided to let you come once before I bind you." Eric's knees straddled his thighs; his prick was guided to Eric's hole, the tip sliding back and forth across the hot skin. Kane arched up, attempting to bury himself deep within, take what he so wanted. Eric had anticipated him though and rose with him, denying him that hot, tight pleasure. "I say when." Then, as those eyes held his, Eric slowly sank down onto his prick. He felt the muscles give way, felt the head of his cock pushing inside, surrounded on all sides by Eric's body. Slowly, so slowly, Eric took him in until their bodies were pressed tight together. "Eric..." He reached out, stroked the full, open lips. A soft moan filled the air, Eric's

tongue chasing his fingers. The firelight danced over Eric's face and shoulders, clothing him in shadows and light. "Beautiful Sire." Blessed by the gods. Eric purred and looked pleased. "I don't have your icy beauty, but I believe I match you well." Fingers wrapping around Kane?s shoulders, Eric began to move, rising and falling on his prick. His own hands settled on Eric's hips, adding his strength, his will to the thrusts. Eric arched, the water around them beginning to roll, to slide back and forth with their movements, splashing against the sides of the tub and spilling over them onto the floor. Sweet cries and lovely gasps filled the air, coupled with grunts and needy groans. He threw himself into the lovemaking, eager to make his liege climax, to melt his dearest one to the bone. The cries got louder, Eric meeting every one of his thrusts, their passion climbing higher and higher. It was a singular addiction, the slap and rock of their bodies, their need. Eric's hand found his and pulled it around to the hard cock that slid along his belly. "Touch me." "Demanding." He smiled, daring the tease, knowing his hand made Eric need, made the king distracted. Moaning, Eric brought their mouths together. "Yes. I demand that you... oh yes, that. That!" Eric's body moved faster, riding him eagerly. "Yes. Yes, Eric. Show me." Eric laughed, the sound husky and wanton, his body tightening around Kane's cock. "Come with me, K." He jerked, eyes flying open in his surprise. It never ceased to amaze him, the way his Eric had become king. "Now, Kane. Oh." Eric arched, body rippling, eyes rolling. "Yes." His own orgasm was secondary to Eric's, to the constant watching and worrying about his king's safety. Eric sank against him, panting. "Oh, that was nice, Kane. Always so good..." "Mmm." He nodded, fingers sliding up and down Eric's spine, encouraging the man to relax.

"Oh, you tempt me to lie against you and go to sleep, Kane. To let you care for me." "Mmmhmm." He nodded and stood, lifting his king from the tub with only the slightest effort. "There are towels by the bed, Kane. You may dry me and yourself and then you will lie on the bed, face down, hands above your head." His Eric's voice moved from that of the lazy hedonist to the strong, kingly voice that brooked no arguments. It could be quite unnerving, and the command buzzed through him like the heat of good wine. Eric's soft hum told Kane his king knew the effect it had on him. "I'm going to make you forget all about assassinations and clans. I'm going to make you forget about everything." "You'll try." The words were almost silent. Almost. "Oh, I'll do more than try." Eric handed him the towel, waited imperiously to be dried, the long, black hair wet and flat against the pale skin. He took his time, adoring the long body, checking for any changes, any bruises. "Such care," murmured Eric, body responding to the careful touches, moving sensuously. "You now, Kane. Before you catch a chill." "I will be well, Sire." He dried himself quickly, easily. "I know. I count on it." Eric watched every movement he made, eyes hot. "Now, on the bed. Hands crossed above your head. I won't ask again." He refrained, barely, from pointing out that Eric hadn't asked the first time, and settled upon the bed, arms above him. "You will not spend unless I say you may." Eric straddled his ass, fingers sliding from his wrists down along his arms to his shoulders and then over his back. "And leave your hands were they are." "Yes, Sire." He was grateful for the orgasm he'd received, although Eric's interest might be even harsher for it. Eric slid down further, hands touching him all over, sensitizing his skin. Then his liege's warmth was gone, Eric moving to stoke the fire. He didn't have to wait long, though, before Eric returned to the bed, bending to whisper in his ear. "I do this for you." He turned his face, looking for his king's, his lover's kiss. It was given to him, the thin,

cold leather of a riding crop sliding along his back as Eric's tongue pushed into his mouth and then slid away again. His lips parted, body chasing Eric instinctively. "No moving," Eric admonished. Then his king stepped back and brought the riding crop down over Kane?s ass. The sting wasn't too strong, just a breath, a promise, really. Eric hit him several more times, almost lazily, testing the royal arm. Only then did the true hits begin, Eric using the crop to warm Kane?s skin from the top of his shoulders and down along his back, ass and legs to the tops of his knees. The only sounds in the room were the singing of the crop in the air, the smack of it against his skin, the fire crackling and his and Eric's breaths. Without even trying, his breathing matched his king's, the two of them finding a rhythm together. Suddenly, Eric climbed onto the bed, spreading his legs, the crop pushing at him. "I will fill you before we go on." "Fill me..." His body tightened without thought, heartbeat speeding. "Yes. Yes, Sire." The tip of the crop slid up his body, over his skin, and pressed at his lips. "Open and wet it, K." His hands tightened, the urge to push the crop away like an itch under his skin. "Kane." Oh, Eric could snap his name out like no one else. He opened, but he could not recall his growl, his moan, the mixture of reluctance and arousal familiar as breathing. Eric purred as Kane obeyed, hand sliding along his back, making his skin sing. "Good," murmured Eric, pulling the wet crop from Kane?s mouth and settling again between his legs, working the tip of the crop into his body. So hard. Always so hard to accept, to allow himself to be breached. The crop was thin, but unyielding, Eric pushing it in several inches. It stayed there as Eric's fingers scraped over his skin, fingernails dragging over his ass and thighs. His body fought, trying to push the intruder out while his mind struggled to obey. "Do you remember the gypsy who came to see me the other day, Kane? The one you didn't want to let near me? Did you see what he brought me?" Eric leaned over him, murmuring against the skin of his neck. "It's for you." "What he brought you?" He lifted his head, eyebrows lowering. "He should never have come that close to you."

Eric chuckled and pulled something from beneath the pillows. It was black stone, smooth and shining, shaped at the top like a prick, with a flared base. Kane?s eyes were huge in his head, burning as he stared. "It isn't too large, but you won't be able to ignore it." The stone was dragged along his heated skin, cold at first, but warming as it moved along his spine to his ass. It ran back up again and suddenly was pressed against his lips. "Wet it, Kane." He pulled away, head shaking, chin lifting in denial. He would, there was little doubt of that, but he could not without a struggle. Eric tsked and held Kane?s eyes. It was quiet and still for a long moment, and then Eric's tongue slid from the base of the phallus on up to the tip, where it played for a moment. His attention was caught, trapped by that moving tongue. Eric pressed the tip of the stone against his mouth, tongue sliding now on the stone, now on his lips before it slid down along the length of the phallus to the base. "Suck it." Kane opened, telling himself the only reason was to share Eric's taste, Eric's flavor. It was smaller than Eric's cock, but harder, ungiving, not as warm. And Eric pushed it deeper, fucking his mouth with it. It stretched the corners of his lips, thigh muscles going hard and tight as he fought not to pull away. Eric's tongue returned to his lips, tracing them where they were stretched around the stone. He whimpered, eyes meeting Eric's, seeing himself in the dark, hungry eyes. Wanton. He looked wanton. Eric moved the stone faster, in and out of Kane?s mouth until suddenly it popped right out and Eric's mouth slammed against his, tongue hot and pliable, so different from the stone as it invaded his mouth. Kane grunted, hands sliding to stroke Eric's face, the kiss overwhelming him in a rush. The kiss ended immediately, Eric's hands grabbing his and pushing them back up over his head. "I didn't say you could move." The words were sharp, stern. "I. Forgive me." He hadn't thought, had only needed. "Always." Eric kissed him again. "Always, my Kane." The stone prick was dipped in oil, the riding crop pulled from his ass. "I do this for you, K. It's what you need." He groaned, hands curling into fists. "I. Thank you, Sire." "You're welcome." A soft kiss landed in the small of his back, and Eric pushed his legs, helping him get his knees under himself. It left him spread, vulnerable to the invasion that was coming. The stone pressed against him, but didn't breach him. "Take it in."

"Eric..." He wouldn't plead. Ever. But the vulnerability shook him to the core. "I know you heard me, Kane." There was a core of strength in his king. One that often caught others by surprise. Not him, though. Never him. Never. He pushed back, toes curling as his body accepted what his mind denied. The phallus slowly stretched him, filled him, Eric's free hand sliding over his ass and rubbing the abraded flesh, making it burn slightly. He groaned, toes curling, muscles going tight as he stretched, spread. "Just relax and let it in, Kane. Let it happen." The widest part of the stone stretched him and then suddenly it was in, his body closing around the base, Eric's hands disappearing. "Stunning." Eric walked around the bed, eyes hot on him. "Just stunning." His cheeks heated, skin flushing deep rose as Eric watched him. Eric purred, fingers sliding through Kane?s hair and then along his back, making the whipped skin sing. "The flogger now, Kane. You are still not allowed to come." He groaned, head dropping down, fists gripping the sheets. "Feel my will, Kane. Feel me. I'm under your skin." The flogger came down in the small of his back, the three tongues of leather slapping hard against his skin. Kane nodded. Under his skin. Within him. Throughout him. Everywhere. The flogger moved up his back, worked over his shoulders and landed hard on his ass, then again and again. Each slap built upon the last, the pain gathering in the small of his back where the hitting had begun and spreading outward. "I will hear you." He shook his head, breathing, focusing.

"Stubborn," muttered Eric, another hit landing on his skin. A soft moan escaped him, almost a sigh. The pain was not so great as the heat. Eric jostled the stone inside him, twisting it as another hit landed on his shoulders. "Mine." He shifted, hips rocking in an obscene dance, his hair tangled and damp around his face. "Yes," murmured Eric. "You feel it now. You feel me now." There was triumph in Eric's voice, but something else as well: love and need. "Yes." He whispered the words, the truth. He felt it. Every bit. Eric hit him several more times with the flogger and then it was flung across the room. Eric pressed down against him, making the welts burn. He pushed up, the heat enough to make him whimper, groan. Eric's fingers slid over his skin, moving down toward his ass. "I'm going to take you," Eric murmured, shaft hot and wet tipped, leaving a trail as it slid along his lower back. "Yes." He would give himself. Unquestioningly. Completely. A kiss landed on his neck, Eric's tongue moving over a welt, following it. The licking made it sting, the pain settling as need in Kane?s balls. The stone phallus slid partway out of his body, and then pushed back in again, Eric twisting it, moving it in and out. "I'm bigger," Eric reminded him. "And hotter. Better." The last word was little more than a growl, the stone yanked out of him. Kane groaned, spine arching at the sudden emptiness, the devastating need to be filled. Eric's prick slid along his crack, rubbed against his hole and bumped against his balls. It came back to his hole, sliding wetly, hot and hard. "Do you want me?" Eric asked. "Do you want me?" "Yes." He bit the word out, the truth of it sharp and raw. With everything he was. "Yes," murmured Eric. "And I want you." The thick heat pushed slowly into him, spreading him wider than the stone had, but this invasion was welcome, was... necessary. Kane moaned, body rippling as he spread, took Eric in with a happy cry. Eric groaned and pushed in and in, not stopping until sharp hips were pressed up against his abused ass. "K... my own."

"Yes. Yours. Only yours." Here he could admit that. "Yes." Eric began to thrust, pushing into Kane over and over. Heat and burn soon became heated pleasure, sending him higher and higher. His fingers tightened around the sheets, tearing them, his shaft hard and leaking. Eric's fingers slid up along his back, over his shoulders and up his arms, until Eric's fingers had twined with his, entire body covering his as the thrusts continued. "Come when you need to," Eric whispered into his ear. "But hold on as long as you can, K. I don't want this to end." "Yes, my lord." My love. "Eric. Yes, Eric. Say my name." The words were punctuated by thrusts, Eric finding his gland and pushing against it every time the hard prick slid in. "Eric. My Eric..." He jerked, toes curling, lightning filling him. "Yes!" Eric pushed harder, the thrusts quickening as his liege's moans filled the air. "Yes. Yes, Eric. Lord. Love." He nodded, sweat dripping from him to land upon the sheets. Eric's body moved over his, on his, in his, the heat incredible. Their fingers held tightly to each other, in this moment, in this place they were only lovers, only needed each other. "Soon. Soon, love." This could not last, could never last. Eric whimpered, but Kane could feel the cock piercing him grow harder, and Eric's thrusts started to lose their rhythm as he tried to hold on even while he flew over the edge. Nothing matched the pleasure his lord found within him. Nothing. They flew together and Eric collapsed down onto him, breathless and panting, moaning softly. "My Kane." The words were spoken softly against his skin, so quietly he might have imagined them. "Your own." He sighed, spent a quiet moment wrapped in Eric's arms. It was still and pure, the world kept at bay for just a moment longer. And then it was over, Eric's prick slipping from him, the burning ache of his back and ass intensifying as Eric moved against him, slipped down onto the bed next to him.

Kane stood, sliding from the bed and going to fetch cloths to clean his king, himself, before he dressed and took his post at the door. He cared for his king, silent and sure, then stoked the fire and closed the shutters. Eric was half asleep, boneless and sexy on the bed. "Sleep with me, Kane." "Sleep, my lord." He stroked along Eric's spine, petting, soothing. Eric moved like a cat under his touch, the dark eyes blinking open for a moment, looking up at him. Then his liege's eyes closed, body relaxing further into the bed. It took little time before Eric sighed, sank into a deep, peaceful sleep. Kane covered his king gently, took his post and watched, body aching as the night passed.

Chapter Two The woods were thick and dark, the leaves rustling in the wind, their whispers heavy. The shadows danced and chased each other, the ground absorbing the sounds of footsteps. Eric was nearly out of breath and trying hard not to pant. He needed to hide, needed to find someplace safe. He needed Kane. He could hear them coming; he wasn't sure how many of them there were, but more than he could fend off himself. His heart trip-hammered as their voices came closer, shouting, threatening. He took off toward the river, running now, not caring if his feet made noise, tripping over roots and downed branches. By the time he made it to the river, his face and hands were scratched, his clothing torn, and they were closer. He could see them through the trees, coming for him. He had nowhere to go but the river and he plunged into it, the shock of cold hitting him hard. He lost his footing, hands wind-milling as he tried not to go down. The current in the middle was strong, threatening to carry him away, but he fought it, pushed on. The water stopped them, and they stood on shore, shouting and waving their arms at him. Someone launched a rock and it hit him in the head, sending him down under the water. He struggled back up, arms working against the water, coughing as it filled his mouth. "Kane! Kane!"

"Sire! Sire!" Warm hands slid over his skin -- his dry skin -- warming him, waking him. "A dream. Only a dream." Oh, there was his Kane, the icy eyes there, watching him. He gasped, drawing air into his lungs. He was in his bedroom. Safe. He shivered, the only warmth in him where Kane's hand touched him. "Only. You wouldn't say that if you'd been there." "I will allow nothing to harm you, real or dreams." "You weren't there," he murmured, shivering at the memory of it. That had scared him the most, Kane not being there. "Then you should know it was a dream. I see you always." He nodded, wanting to reach for Kane's hand and hold on tight like they had when they were scared as boys. Eric shivered, wrapping his arms around his legs. The nightmares always came after trouble, but they'd been coming more often recently, and always the same. It felt... more real than just a dream. "Be at peace, my lord." Kane draped a robe around him, hiding the slow stroke along his back in the action. He nodded, that touch soothing him like nothing else could. Kane would never let anything happen to him. "Is it morning yet?" he asked, knowing he wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. "Nearly, yes. Will you ride today, Sire?" The touches continued. He chuckled, distracted from his dreams and worries by the touches, by Kane. He met those beautiful, icy eyes, purred softly. "Riding sounds like just the thing." He let his eyes slide from Kane's eyes, down and then back up again. Kane purposefully misunderstood him, eyes dancing. "Shall I get your saddle ready?" He laughed, and oh, that felt good, to laugh, to see the teasing in those cold eyes, the warmth. "You may get me ready." "Your riding boots, Sire?" He knelt up on the bed, sliding his hands over Kane's shoulders. "Would you like that?

Would you like me to wear them while riding your prick?" Kane's eyes rolled, the pale, pale skin going rose. "You wish to ride me, my lord?" "Yes." He slid the robe from his shoulders, letting Kane see him, see the way his nipples had hardened, eager for the strong fingers, the way his prick curled toward his belly, just as eager. "Such a fine man, Sire." The words were never sycophantic, always true. "Thank you." He slid his hands down over Kane's chest to the narrow hips, stroking the awakening prick. Kane hummed, lips parting as the long body rippled, hips sliding and rocking, cock heated and hard against his palm. He rolled it between his hands, felt the weight of it, the magnificent heat. He loved the way the skin was like hot silk, unbelievably soft covering a core of steel. All of Kane was like that: soft, warm skin over hard muscles. It made him need, made him want. Moaning, he pressed his fingertip into the slit at the tip, watching for Kane's reaction. He didn't get a sound, but those strong muscles clenched, went tight. Still holding Kane's eyes, he put his mouth around one of the little pink nipples that stood out from the pale skin and gripped it with his teeth, biting slowly, but surely. Kane's breath slowed, eyes burning into his own. He could smell the need, the raw pleasure soaring through his Kane. He slowly pulled the nipple between his teeth away from Kane's body, stretching the skin around it. His fingers found Kane's other nipple, tugging on it, that touch light, almost sweet compared to the biting and stretching. Kane arched, the motion slow, so careful and smooth, entire body his to pleasure, to hurt. He ran his hands down along Kane's sides, fingers wrapping around Kane's hips as they landed there. He finally let the abused nipple go, licking at it with his tongue before sliding his lips down to play over the beautiful muscles of Kane's belly. That nipple would ache and throb, burn for him all day and he knew it, counted on it. He wrapped his lips around the skin next to Kane's belly and slowly pulled up a mark, letting the suction of his mouth bring the blood up close to the surface. His fingernails scraped as they slid around to grab Kane's ass. "My king..." Kane's fingers brushed his skin, the touches barely there, feather-light and teasing him terribly. "Yes, Kane, yours." He glanced up, body moving, trying to push into the touches. Finally, he turned his head and grabbed one of Kane's fingers between his lips, biting at

the tip. His own touch was much firmer, fingers pressing into Kane's ass, against Kane?s hips and thighs. He ignored the obvious erection; it would get plenty of attention from him momentarily. Kane moaned, leaned close to nuzzle at Eric?s temple, at his jaw. "My lord." He loved the way only he could melt the ice inside Kane. Wrapping his hands around Kane's shoulders, he fell back onto the bed. Kane followed easily, long braid thumping on the bed beside him. He loved the feeling of that long body over his own, loved Kane's weight on him. "I want to feel you inside me." "I would give you anything, Eric." Those eyes, they laughed at him. "But you wished to ride me." Oh, Kane did love to tease him, would talk back to him and show him up. No one else would. Of course, Kane might kill anyone who tried. Or at least beat them soundly. The thought made Eric laugh and he rolled them, put Kane down below him. "And so I shall." His shadow, his lover, his oldest friend just looked up at him, arms moving immediately to support him, balance him. Purring, he reached for the vial of oil. He took one of Kane's hands and poured some of the oil onto it, spreading the thick, slick liquid over Kane's fingers. "Prepare me for my ride, K." "Yes, lord." That touch was knowledgeable. Sure. Strong. Loving. There was nothing like the feeling of Kane's fingers inside him, stretching him, preparing him. They were long, reaching deep inside him, making him shudder as they brushed over his gland again and again. He pushed back, riding Kane's fingers. It was almost good enough to let himself go, to finish like this. Almost. "Stop." "Are you sure?" Those fingers pushed again, again. Moaning, he shook his head. He wasn't. Then he nodded. Yes. Yes, he wanted Kane's cock. They would both come.

"Your cock, K." "Yes, Sire. My cock." Kane's hands slipped away, moved him over that hard, long column of flesh. He wriggled until he could feel the head of Kane's prick pressed against him and then he waited there, poised. "Do you want it?" he asked, meeting the icy gaze. "Do you want me?" "Has there ever been a moment I did not want you?" He tilted his head, rubbed against the heat of Kane's prick. Then he laughed softly, started to sink down onto Kane's long, hard prick. His breath caught in his throat, turned his laughter into a drawn-out moan. "No?" he suggested. From the moment he'd known how to want K, he had and he'd never once stopped wanting. "No." Kane drew him down, the kiss at once deep and slow, soft and stealing his breath. He could feel Kane beneath him, around him, in him. It was glorious. The kiss deepened, his body moving on Kane's cock, riding slow and easy. Kane moaned, arched beneath him so easily, giving him the friction, the heat that he needed. He slid and shifted, and then shouted, their kiss breaking as Kane's prick pushed past his gland. He sat up then, hands on Kane's chest as he rode Kane's hard prick, his body undulating. "Beauty." Kane watched him, eyes wide, seeming to burn. It made him moan, the word, that look. He moved faster, thigh muscles beginning to burn as he rose up and down. Reaching, half-crazy with pleasure, he tweaked the reddened nipple he'd bitten earlier. "Eric!" Kane rocked underneath him, the barest crack showing in that perfect armor. That sound was an addiction and he pinched the nipple again, wanting another cry. Faster and harder, he rode, galloping now toward completion. His cock slapped against Kane's belly with his movements, the tip wet, soaked with his need. Kane's hand wrapped around him, pumping, stroking, giving him everything. "Yes! Yes, Kane!" He just bounced, coming down hard on his gland. Sparks danced in front of him and then everything went bright for a moment, his voice carrying to the ceiling as he spent, seed spilling over Kane's hand, onto the smooth, pale flesh.

"Yes..." Kane moaned, lips parted as heat flooded him. He kept moving, more rippling now than going up and down, and the pleasure continued, sliding up and down his spine. Finally, he collapsed down against Kane, panting, spent. Kane stroked his spine, petting him. "Rest, Sire. You have no meeting this morn." He nodded, squeezed his ass around Kane's cock. He chuckled as a shiver went through his stalwart bodyguard. "You are incorrigible, my lord." "I know. It's part of my charm." He grinned and kissed Kane's shoulder, rubbing his cheek against the smooth, warm skin. "Do you think they'll try again?" he asked, mind returning to the dream where it wasn't a single assassin after him, but a whole mob. "If they do, more of them will die." He shivered a little at that cold, hard tone. Even after all these years. it surprised him, sometimes, that his dear Kane could sound like that, could back something like that up with cold, hard ability. There was nowhere safer, though, than within Kane's arms, within his reach. "Do you ever grow tired of it, Kane?" "Of protecting you? Never." It humbled him, that pure devotion. "I don't make it easy for you." "You are the center of my life; you are my king." He sat up again, groaning in protest as Kane's prick slid from him. He wanted to see those icy eyes, though, to meet them. "I love you, Kane." "And I you, Eric." So calm, sure. His Kane was eternal. "Then all is well." He lay down, curled into Kane's heat, his trust and his heart in Kane's capable hands.

Chapter Three

The castle was buzzing with the knowledge that three members of the Clan of Firan had been brought in for questioning by the king's bodyguard. They were being held in the deepest recesses of the dungeon where no sunlight could find them -- for a cult dedicated to the sun demon, this was a torture in and of itself. Of course, on top of that they would each spend time with Kane. A fate that Eric himself enjoyed as often as he could, but then, he didn't hide anything from those icy eyes. Kane was there to protect him, to love and adore him. The cult members would not be so lucky. Eric made his way down to the dungeon, wanting to watch Kane as the man questioned the cult members -- there was nothing like the terrible beauty of his Kane at work. The stairs became increasingly narrower as they moved down and down into the bowels of the castle. The stones were larger here, felt heavier, as did the very air itself. It was a dark place. Two of Kane's best men trailed him wordlessly. It always amused him, how it took two men to do Kane's job and even then, he never felt as safe with them as he did when it was Kane himself acting as bodyguard. Eric wore tight, leather breeches stained a dark brown. His blouse was white and fluttery, but his tight, leather shirt was beneath it -- he was ready for his practice with Kane when the man was finished insisting on answers to hard questions from the prisoners. It was surprisingly quiet as he reached the dungeon, the torches upon the walls valiantly trying to penetrate the darkness. Eric's guards moved closer, their bodies the only warmth down here. There was more light coming from a room about halfway down the dark hall, two more of Kane's guards standing there. They bowed as he stopped in front of the door. "He asked that no one be granted entrance, Sire." "Nonsense. He didn't mean me. Open this door at once." They glanced at each other, hesitating. Eric let his spine stiffen and he spoke very softly. "Open this door or I will have your heads on my dinner table as ornaments." He was pleased when they complied -- it would have made for a very gory meal, one he no doubt wouldn't have been able to eat. The heavy door was opened and Eric strode in. Kane was dressed in black, silver hair plaited with a strip of leather. Three men were

hanging from chains against the wall, one moaning, blood pouring from nose and lips. "...cut out your tongue like your unfortunate friend." Oh yes, that was his Kane, and where he'd learned his best threats. And it was from Kane that he had learned to follow through on them. Idle threats held no power. Kane looked... fierce. Scary as anything Eric could imagine. And quite impossibly beautiful. Like a shard of ice that refused to melt in the midst of flames. Eric stood just inside the doorway, eyes only for his Kane. "Please. No. No." "Then tell me what I want to know." The other man, this one older, stronger, looked over. "No. No, don't tell him. He'll kill you." Kane's eyebrow arched and the third man received an icy look. "Careful of your advice, man." Eric looked at each of them as they spoke, hissing and only just barely keeping himself from taking a step backward as he saw the face of the older man. He'd seen that face before. In the nightmares that haunted his sleep. The fingers of one hand curled and it was all he could do not to reach for Kane. "Do you think I am afraid of you, Vengalai?" The insult was spat out, the curse for foreigners and enemies vile, making his skin crawl. A long, needle-thin dagger was pulled from Kane's belt, set carefully under one of the man's eyes. "I think a wise man would be." Indeed, a wise man would be. A sane man would be. Eric well knew that Kane would follow through with the threat. He held himself still, refusing to look away from this. If a man called himself king, he had to be prepared to watch those in his service perform their duties without flinching. His own duties weighed heavily upon him at times, but he had never had to do such terrible things to a man or woman. It reminded him, when he would pout and stamp his feet and complain, that there were harder things than to be king. He waited for the prisoner's response -- it would tell them how serious the clan was this time around, just how far they would be willing to go to keep their secrets. "You have two eyes now, old man. Be prudent." A drop of blood formed at the tip of the stiletto.

Eric remembered the first time his father had brought him here; it had been before Kane had returned to him this tempered steel man. He'd watched his father's bodyguard slowly kill a man. It had been gruesome, excruciating. "One day you might need to do that to someone. Be sure you can." And he had, when it was needed, but only after Kane had come back, had returned to him, hard and sure and so very, very capable. He licked his lips, admiring the simple elegance and beauty of Kane, the efficiency of every word and motion. Kane would not do such things, were they not necessary. "You have one chance, boy, to save this man's eye. Tell me what I wish to know." There was not a hint of emotion in Kane's tone. Nothing but quiet ice. Eric shivered and sent a silent prayer to the lady moon, companion to the sun demon, that the boy would speak. Necessary as he knew it was, he didn't like to see it. And he knew what it did to Kane, knew it made his lover harder. "Please. Please. They say he's a half-breed, that he's not king. That he is unfit to rule. That the gods are angry and will punish us." Eric nearly bit through his lip, trying not to say anything, not to growl and go after the cur. This was Kane's demesne and he knew not to interfere, just as he brooked no interference with his rule. But the temptation was strong. So very strong. "The gods brought the Galinas to the Land of Boet. When is the next attack planned?" "And what will you do when you stop that one?" asked the old man, spitting on the ground. "The children of the sun will never stop." Eric knew it was true, but as he let go of his anger at being called a half-breed, he knew too that the man's words had been subterfuge, a reason that they hoped he and Kane would believe. Perhaps there was a grain of truth to it, but certainly not full truth. In his nightmare, they wanted him alive. A quick motion of Kane?s hand and the older man's face was sliced, the cut deep and bleeding badly. "Hurry, boy." "Don't say a word," ordered the older man. "No," said Eric, coming closer, looking into the young man's eyes. "Kane will make him suffer, will make him scream until you are both begging for his death. Are you ready to

see that? To know that you caused it?" He would apologize to Kane for the interruption later. The lad -- for that was all he was, a youngster with scared, light eyes, pure panic hiding within them -- stared back at him. "I... I don't. I don't understand..." Eric spoke softly, looking kindly upon the lad, knowing it would be a welcome relief after Kane's icy regard. "Of course not. Just tell the man what he wants to hear and you'll be taken back to your cell, fed. You all will. Just tell Kane when the next attack is planned." "At the harvest celebrations. We're supposed to..." One of the guards moved quickly, sinking a sword through the boy's throat as he grabbed Eric around the neck. Eric froze and then let himself go limp, turning into an unwieldy, heavy burden in the guard's arms. His heart pounded, time seeming to slow. He knew Kane would save him -Kane always did -- but only a stupid man would not be afraid when caught as he was. And what perhaps scared him the most was that this was one of Kane's hand-picked men who was in on the attempts. Kane made a soft sound, moving so quickly that Eric couldn't even see it, the stiletto sinking into the guard's eye socket. Eric got his feet back under him, moving away quickly as the man sank to the ground. He had his own small blade out, putting his back to Kane -- the only man he could trust to keep him safe. One of Kane's own men was with the clan. The words kept circling in his mind, the implications enormous. Everyone had potential to be the enemy now. Everyone but Kane. Kane snarled at him in the secret language only they understood, learned over years and hours of practice. "We're going to the door. Then the war room. Anyone -- anyone -- who tries to stop us dies." He knew it to be true because Kane said it, his trust in Kane complete, total. "Yes." It was all he said, it told Kane all the man needed to know -- that Eric understood. Time was still running slowly, every moment stretched so tight a wrong step would snap it. He and Kane made their way to the door, back to back, working as one. Kane snarled orders to the remaining guards, all the while moving them faster and faster, into the darkness. They'd practiced this again and again. That it was real this time made him vibrate with fear and excitement -- pure adrenaline

running through him. He concentrated on doing it right, on doing it perfectly, making Kane proud. That it was all that would keep him alive, he pushed from his mind. He was doing it for Kane. Kane led him up and up into the palace, away from the crowds, from the public, into a series of rooms that only he and Kane knew. As it grew quiet, the enormity of it began to hit him. This wasn't a drill. This wasn't practice. This was real. Real. He kept himself together for Kane. He would make the man proud. "Come, Sire. Almost there and we will think." Those eyes flashed at him, furious and burning. "Your training serves you well." Think. He was supposed to think after this? He met those eyes. He supposed he was. " Your training serves me well." "Yes." Kane nodded, pushed him into a tiny, quiet room, well-furnished and stocked. The bolt shot home with a loud noise, locking them in, and Eric stood in the middle of the room. Just stood there, watching Kane, holding onto the strength of his Kane with everything in him. "Breathe. You did exactly as you should. Sit." He obeyed the order without thinking. "That was one of your elite guard, Kane. Handpicked. If we can't trust them..." It was too large to conceive, that the entire castle could be conspiring against him. "Eric. Breathe. One man and you are unharmed. Whatever they want, they want you alive." He nodded, and managed to pant a little, lungs too tight to open. All of him was too tight. "I told you. I dreamed it, Kane. And I don't think being wanted alive is better than being wanted dead." He shuddered. "Yes, but now we know. We know." He thought about that for a moment, frowning. It was quiet up here, the only light coming from a little window too small for even a child to crawl through. The only noise was the sound of his heart, beating so loudly inside him. "How does knowing make it better?" "Knowing allows us to plan. To prepare." Kane's voice was completely calm, but Eric knew that underneath, the man would be roiling with anger. "Do we know enough?" Eric asked, ignoring the way he was beginning to shake as the

quiet penetrated him, as he realized he was safe and could begin to relax. "Can we make a plan when there is no one we can trust?" "You may trust me." Kane sat him down, uncorked a bottle of wine and tasted it before pouring him a glass. He reached out and took the glass, his fingers lingering along the back of Kane's hand before wrapping around the heavy crystal. "I trust you with all that I am and I always will." There was nothing anyone, not even Kane, could do that would convince him otherwise. He took several gulps of the wine, feeling it begin to warm him as it went down his throat and settled in his belly. It began to calm him, as well, the shivers slowly subsiding. "How long are we safe here? More importantly, how long can I remain in hiding before the effects are as if I truly were dead?" "We remain here for a moment until I can gather my thoughts, then we continue on as if nothing happened and wait for the cultists to show more of their hand." His heart began to beat faster again and his fingers tightened around his cup. "I will do my best not to look as if I suspect every guard, every servant." It would not be easy, wondering if each person he saw was a cultist, was part of the plot to nab him and secret him away for the gods only knew what. "They would not trust so many and I will not leave your side. Besides." Kane looked at him, straightforward and honest. "You are capable of coping." He bent his head in acknowledgement. "I was planning to spar with you once you'd finished your interrogation." "Well, we have no need of practice this day." The words startled a laugh out of him and suddenly he relaxed, the tension easing inside him. He was safe. Kane was here and would ensure that he remained that way. This was only another one of the bothers of being king, like having to listen to the peasants' petitions. "A shame," he noted. "I quite enjoy our little practices." He received a pleased, warm smile. "Indeed, Sire?" "Have I never said so?" Did he really take Kane that much for granted? He knew the answer was likely yes. "You are never required to do so, Sire. Knowing I serve is enough."

He finished his wine and put down the fancy glass, moving to kneel between Kane's legs where his bodyguard sat. "I would tell you now. Say thank you for the training that has saved my life." Kane chuckled, shook his head. "It is my calling, my life, to serve you. I have no need for thanks, for anything more than your life, your health." He slid his hands along Kane's strong thighs. "Then indulge me, Kane." He would never deny that touching Kane, sucking and fucking, whipping, everything they did together brought him pleasure. "Always wanton once the danger has passed." Kane's nose was twitching, the man still not quite relaxed. "It makes me need." He needed to know he was alive. That Kane was alive with him. It was always the same, the only thing that changed was what they did about it. He bent, burying his nose in Kane's lap, breathing Kane in through the breeches he wore. Kane hummed, fingers surprisingly soft as they carded through Eric?s hair. It was like his father's, not like Kane's and the Queen's had been. His own fingers slid up to open Kane's breeches, the leather ties seeming to fall apart for him. He wanted to taste what he could smell, to take Kane into him. He watched as Kane's prick pushed out eagerly and then looked up to let Kane see him lick his lips. "You are voracious." And most loved. "Only for you." It had been a problem until he'd realized he just wasn't cut out to marry some sweet girl and make her happy. He could not. Only Kane made him need. Only Kane would ever taste his passion. He turned his attention back to the hard prick in front of him, tongue sliding to lick around the head. The hands in his hair almost -- almost -- tightened, then they eased again, the soft sound swallowed back. He hummed and licked again. He would make Kane forget himself, would have Kane offering him those sounds without ordering them to be heard. The taste was pure Kane, the skin beneath his tongue so hot, so soft. He loved the velvet of Kane's prick. Kane's body whispered to him of a land he'd only read about in books, a distant, frigid land with miles upon miles of white boulders on rocky shorelines. His fingers slid to toy with Kane's balls, rolling them in their soft, wrinkled sac as his mouth closed over the tip of Kane's prick. He sucked gently to start with, tongue teasing a sharp drop of flavor from the tip. Kane remained silent, just barely rocking in the chair, offering him that long cock.

Eric bobbed slowly, taking the first third into his mouth and then letting it slide away, lips clinging to Kane's skin, teeth just barely touching here and there. He pushed his fingers beyond Kane's balls, stroking the smooth, hot patch of skin beyond them. Kane spread, shook enough that he could feel it. He could have imagined the whisper of his name. He slid his finger into his mouth alongside Kane's prick, fingertip swirling around the velvet flesh, nail sliding against Kane's slit. Yes. There was the growl, the groan he needed to hear. He repeated the touch and then let his fingers slide away, move back behind Kane's balls. Eric scraped his teeth lightly over Kane's flesh as he pulled up, covering them with his lips on the way back down. His wet finger pushed at Kane's hole, just the tip breaching the tight muscles. The thrusts began then, shallow and sharp, fucking his mouth. Triumph and pleasure went through him -- he loved making Kane need, making the man forget everything but pleasure. He began to swallow around the head of Kane's prick every time it pushed into his throat. Kane's fingers gripped his shoulders, head thrown back, throat working. He let Kane's own motions ride the tight ass back onto his finger, and concentrated on sucking hard, on swallowing, on swirling his tongue around the head of Kane's prick. "Eric. Eric. Sire..." Kane shuddered, body squeezing his finger tight. He purred around the velvet rod in his mouth, sucked harder, needing to bring Kane pleasure, needing to taste the saltbitterneed of Kane's seed. Kane handed it to him, cock throbbing in his lips, seed splashing on his tongue. He swallowed it all down, taking Kane's essence into himself. Humming, he let his finger slide out of Kane, but continued to suck, to gently tug, tongue swirling again. "Sire..." Kane shifted, humming softly, fingers stroking his hair. His cock was hard, aching, but he nuzzled into the touch and then turned his head to kiss Kane's palm, enjoying the moment of softness, of peace Kane had found in his mouth. These times were few and far between, and he feared, soon to be even rarer. Sliding his hand into his own breeches, he held the icy eyes, knowing they melted only for him. "Velika." The soft word in his mother's tongue meant beloved, most adored. He whimpered, Kane's love like a touch, sliding through him, heated and strong, almost physical. His hand moved faster on his prick as he nuzzled Kane's hand. Kane encouraged him with soft words, low cries, enjoying his pleasure. It was simple, but good, pure. Soon his hips were snapping, pushing his prick along his palm, through his fingers. He could feel it in his balls, in the base of his spine, and his lips wrapped around Kane's

fingers, biting on the tips as he came, seed spilling over his hand. Kane moaned, watching him closely, admiring him throughout his pleasure. He tugged a moment longer, drawing it out. and then let himself go, leaning against one strong leg. "It's so quiet here," he murmured. And it was more than just the lack of noise, it was the knowledge that no one knew where they were, that they could, if need be, hide here for a long time. "Yes. It is a good place to gather our thoughts." "Do you ever wish things were different?" he asked, closing Kane?s breeches once more. "Different, Sire?" That was an honest confusion, a baffled curiosity in those eyes. It made him smile, that Kane was so devoted to this path that another never occurred to him. "Different. Not the same," he teased for a moment. "I just mean... we could have been just two boys with no great responsibility. It would have been an easier life." "You were born to be king, and I was born to protect you." He could hear the truth of it ringing in Kane's words. "And you would be bored without a king to keep out of trouble." "I would be lost without my king." "I don't deserve you, Kane." He stretched up, bringing their mouths together, whispering against the heat of Kane's lips. "But I will keep you." "Indeed, it can be no other way." Kane's arms wrapped around him, held him close. Warm, safe, loving, there was no other place in the world like Kane's arms. "When do you think they will try to take me again?" "When they believe they can." He chuckled. "That isn't very specific." "I am no witch, Sire. Only a bodyguard." Kane dared tease him, squeeze him. "Only." He snorted. "There is nothing only about you." It felt good, normal, to tease and hold each other. And while he knew they had to return to their duties soon enough, he was enjoying this time, the rush of fear and adrenaline, of nearly being taken and escaping again faded away.

"Would you like another glass of wine, Sire?" Those eyes danced, knew him, knew how he felt. He stretched, sliding against Kane, enjoying those hard muscles. "I would. And something to eat. I've already had my appetizer." "There are sweets. Wrapped cheeses. Some flatbread and jellies?" Eric purred, rubbing his cheek against Kane. So good to him -- not just well-stocked, but stocked with things he enjoyed, loved. "What will you share with me?" he asked, knowing Kane would take a bite of it regardless. Eric never ate anything that hadn't already passed Kane's lips. "Whatever you desire, my lord." Kane's lips curled, eyes twinkled. "There is no Gares cheese here." "Oh, you stocked your favorites, did you?" He stood, stretched, feeling as if he'd been yanked from one extreme to another in the last hour. "I would have something sweet, from your fingers." "You would, would you?" Kane went to a small basket, began searching and arranging. "Has anyone told you that you are spoiled, my lord?" "You do. Every day." He pouted. "Every single day." His eyes followed Kane's every movement, nothing here in this tower room to distract from one of his favorite pastimes. "Every day? Then it must be true." Kane winked over, grinned, a smear of jelly on his lip. Laughing, he went to Kane and leaned in to lick the jam from Kane's mouth. Kane groaned, tongue just touching Eric?s in a brief caress before those lips opened for him. The jam was sweet, bursting with the flavor of berries across his tongue. Then came the taste of Kane himself, the sharp, spicy, male flavor that was as familiar as his own. His tongue swept into Kane's mouth, slid over teeth and gums and met Kane's tongue. He loved that little hesitation, the way Kane shivered and waited for him to offer pleasure. His fingers slid into Kane's hair, messing it, tugging the long strands from the neat braid as he deepened the kiss. He felt more than heard Kane's complaint; that braid was a symbol of Kane's control. He loved mussing it. Loved what it represented as well as the feeling of the silk on his skin. He pulled more strands from the braid, one kiss melting into another as he held Kane's head in place. Kane groaned, tongue sliding against his own, body fighting him in tiny, almost unnoticeable ways. He let one hand slide down over Kane's neck, tugged at the fastenings holding the neat clothes closed. There was something about getting Kane to let go of his

training, of his need to be in control, that made Eric hard. "Sire. I must think..." Kane's eyes were burning for him, shining. "We are safe here. You'll have plenty of time to think." He bit at Kane's lower lip, fingers continuing to work open Kane's shirt. "Later." "My lord..." He could feel duty battling with need. "That's right, K. Your lord said later." He licked at Kane's chin, nibbling on the skin there, teeth scraping as one tie after another was opened. "I..." Kane's skin was smooth, silken, soft, and touched by him alone. He tugged the shirt off Kane's shoulders, hands exploring that fine skin, touches gentle, thorough. When he was sure he had Kane's attention, those icy eyes so hot for him, he let his fingernails scratch across Kane's nipples. The tiny bits of flesh perked up, went tight and hard and dark for him. Eric purred. Oh yes. Yes. So receptive. His. His mouth slid to one of Kane's nipples, tongue teasing the bit of flesh before his teeth closed over it, biting down. "Sire!" Kane groaned, gasped, arched under his touch. "That's me," he teased, licking again, slowly making his way over to Kane's other nipple. He wondered idly if there were toys up here. And if there weren't, he'd have to correct that. He bit at Kane's other nipple, fingers moving down to stroke the taut belly. The tiny hairs above Kane's low-slung pants fascinated his fingers, his touch. He kept coming back to them, sliding his fingertips over them as he hummed. Wrapping his lips around Kane's nipple, his tongue slid over the hard little bit of flesh as he sucked vigorously, bringing the blood to the surface. He'd shaved Kane there, more than once, made his strong bodyguard bare and open to his touch, to his will. He let his palm drift down to press upon the bulge pushing against Kane's tight pants. His fingers caught the hairs between them and tugged. Kane grunted, arched, hips rolling. "Sire." He loved how many different ways Kane could say his name, how many sounds Kane's need had. He worked at Kane's fastenings, bumping the needy cock time and again. Kane's stomach was hard, heated against his hand, muscles shaking as he fought to reach

skin. At last, he had the leather pants open, Kane's prick pushing out into his hand. So eager. Kane's body knew what it wanted, what it needed. Moaning, Eric wrapped his fingers around the heated column and tugged, his mouth sliding back up to leave a mark on Kane's collarbone, where it wouldn't be seen but where the shirt would rub. He got a deep moan, Kane's hands opening and closing, over and over. Those hips rolled, so slowly, just barely answering his hand's touch. He brought their mouths back together again, tongue pushing in between Kane's lips, taking that taste back into himself. His free hand grabbed Kane's and pulled it to his own shirt. Kane's fingers flattened against his chest, searching, touching, assuring that he was whole, safe, unharmed. "Take the shirt off, Kane." He was ready for them to be skin on skin, to feel the silk of Kane's body against his own. "Pushy king." The words were almost too quiet to hear. He nipped hard at Kane's lower, lip, moaning at the sudden taste of copper. He licked the hurt away and wrapped his mouth around Kane's lip, sucking, teeth scraping as he slowly let it go again. "Off." "Yes, Sire." That low voice, the sudden passion within it, made him stop, listen. He looked into Kane's eyes and nodded. "Yes." No one had ever loved him more. His shirt was removed, carefully, reverently, the fading sunlight turning the room rose. He slid his hands along Kane's arms, squeezing the strong biceps. So powerful, all his. It was a heady feeling, to know that no one else had ever been allowed to touch, to feel this, that Kane's purpose was to be his protector, his beloved, his. "I love to feel your hands on me, Kane." He chuckled, fingers twisting one of Kane's nipples. "Love having my hands on you." Kane flushed rose, the compliment accepted with a tiny gasp. Eric moaned appreciatively, loving that sound. He let his eyes travel from Kane's head and down to the silver curls that crowned the long, hard cock, Kane's balls drawing up beneath. "Are there toys, Kane? Any at all?" "Why would your safe room hold such items of perversity?" Wicked man. Now he simply had to find them. He pressed close, fingers wrapping around Kane's balls, tugging on them gently. For now. "Because you need them."

"I..." Kane moaned, admitting that need painfully difficult. "What did you secret away up here, Kane? Whips? Floggers? Things to fill you with?" He tugged a little harder on Kane's sacs. Kane arched, thighs spreading. "There is a box, my lord. With duplicates of the items in your chambers." "Oh, you wanted it all. You greedy, greedy man." He laughed, pressed close, absolutely delighted. "Not greedy. I simply know my king." Stubborn man. He knew the truth, though, knew that Kane needed everything they did together. "And I know my Kane." His hands let Kane's balls go, slid up along the heated length of Kane's prick. "Where's the box?" "Hidden in the back of the armory chest. In case another found the room." He stroked along the heat of Kane's cock, fingers sliding over the slit and spreading the liquid there. "You think of everything." "It is my duty." And it was so seriously taken to heart. "It is more than your duty." He licked the mark he'd left on Kane's collarbone. "Get it for me." "Yes, Sire." Kane nodded, stepped away and settled the leather pants on those leans hips before unlocking the arms cabinets and bending to dig out the box. He pouted. "Kane... for the love of your king, take the pants off when you bend like that." Kane stood, stared over at him, and for a moment, Eric saw the young man again, just barely hidden in that beloved face. "Eric!" He laughed, let his eyes travel the length of Kane's body, let Kane see how much he admired. "Your body deserves to be admired, K." "Only by your eyes. None other." A growl built in his chest and he stood straighter. "I would have it no other way, Kane. You are mine." No one else would see Kane like this, no one else would touch him. Only Eric himself. The shudder that rocked his Kane was visible, that heavy cock firming. "Yes. Yes, my lord."

"Choose something from the box, Kane. Anything you want." Anything at all for his K. The box -- the chest, really, though it was simple with only his seal carved into the lid and no other adornments -- was opened, filled with such items to enflame his passion. Kane looked and Eric waited impatiently -- would it be a phallus or would that be too much for his lover to ask for? Would Kane choose pain? He would give Kane whatever the man wanted. Whatever Kane needed. He would give Kane every part of himself... He moaned softly, watching that backside and wishing again that Kane's pants weren't there. "Anything, my love." Kane could ask anything of him. Kane returned the chest to the cabinet and turned to offer over what he had chosen. It was the flogger with the heavy handle that was so carefully smoothed and sanded that it could be used to spread Kane wide as well as turn that pale skin a warm tone. His cock throbbed at the sight of it, his need great. "You will look so beautiful, my love." He would be both pinked from the flogger as well as filled by the handle. Oh yes, Kane had chosen well. As always. "For you, Sire." Kane's eyes fastened on Eric?s groin, lips parted, damp. He groaned, legs spreading, hips rocking. He could see his cock sliding into Kane's mouth, could feel the heat and suction. "Kane..." "Yes. Yes, please. I will." Kane moved so quickly, almost sliding to kneel before him, to suck his cock in deep. "Kane!" he cried out, hips snapping. His hands landed in that lovely, long hair, fingers wrapping around it. Kane groaned, head bobbing, sucking hard, hands wrapped around his thighs. His. Beautiful. His own. The lovely cheeks were hollowed, Kane's lips reddened. It felt wonderful. It felt better than wonderful. "Don't stop," he murmured, though he knew Kane wouldn't, not until he'd come. A vibration slid over his cock, Kane swallowing, tongue moving over his shaft furiously. His eyes fluttered, trying to roll in his skull, or to close, but he didn't let it happen, just watched. The sight and the sensations worked together, filling him with pleasure. No one would ever love him, adore him, worship him as this man did, completely and willingly. "I love you," he whispered, giving it all back to Kane, even as he came, Kane pulling out every bit of pleasure from him. Kane just shone, eyes gleaming at him, so pale, so blue. He stroked Kane's face and slid his hand through the silky hair, shivering with aftershocks, each one a wave he couldn't control. The softest kiss was dropped on the tip of his cock, Kane's mouth leaving him clean. He whimpered softly; the air hitting his prick was cold after the hot intimacy of Kane's mouth.

His thumb slid along Kane's lower lip. "That's a good look on you, Kane." Kane kissed his thumb, lips wrapping around it for a moment. The tug of Kane's mouth, so recently around his prick, made his whole body throb. "My arm is ready, Kane. Are you?" "I was made for you." So serious, so sure. His Kane. "Indeed." He nodded toward the chair. "Will you bend over the arm? Or have you thought of this as well and have a bench or stool that would be just perfect for what we are about to do?" Kane pinked, drew a simple bench from a corner, made at the perfect height to hold the lean form. Eric laughed and clapped his hands. It always pleased him so when Kane admitted to needing this, even if that admittance was not verbal. "Perfect. You do think of everything." Kane ducked his head, cheeks hot. "Yes, my lord. I try." "Oh, you do more than try, Kane." He moved up into Kane's space and took a long, slow kiss, fingers sliding to Kane's pants and tugging them down over trim hips. "Take these right off and assume the position. I'm not going to bind you, but I expect you not to come until I give you permission." "I would not." No. No, barring very few times, Kane's control was perfect. "I know." He hummed softly, fingers trailing over Kane's spine as the leather pants were removed, Kane's boots along with them. That lean body was offered over, Kane kneeling, leaning and spreading for him. Eric hummed softly, appreciatively, taking up the flogger and testing the weight of it in his hand. He stroked Kane's back again. "This is a beautiful piece of work," he told Kane, admiring the handle. "Did you make it yourself?" "Yes, Sire." The flush deepened, heat spreading up along that long spine. "So lovely." He let his hand glide over Kane's ass, touched the soft balls that hung below. He would wait a little, let the anticipation build for both of them. Kane arched, pressing back into his touch. Eric loved how sensual Kane was when they were alone, when he let go and let his need have reign. Bending, Eric kissed the small of Kane's back, the signal that he would begin.

"Yes, my lord. Your own." "Mine." The word was punctuated by the song of the flogger through the air, the thud as it landed on Kane's back. "Yes!" Kane arched, body begging for more. Eric moaned, Kane's eagerness exciting him. He laid down another hit and then another, Kane's skin beginning to pink. He loved the color, the sounds, and the way Kane's body moved beneath the touch of the flogger. "Sire..." Kane's body rippled, arched and began to move under the flogger. "Yes. Such need inside you. I bring it to the surface, yes?" He slid his hand along Kane's ass, pressing where the skin was already pink. Kane groaned, skin so warm. "Yes, my lord." He pressed again, watching the way Kane's skin went white before the pink came rushing back. Moaning, he began to flog Kane again. Kane's hands were fisted, white-knuckled on the bench as they moved together. It wasn't long before there was nothing else but him and Kane, his arm working with their breathing, the scent of musk and need rising on the air. Kane's skin went from pink to rose, reddening nicely each time the leather landed. The sounds faded as Kane focused, felt. Flew. There were no worries, no roles, no dangers. There was only Eric and Kane, friends and lovers, two men who needed each other. Eric himself flew with the freedom of it, the connection between him and Kane. Eventually, he grew tired and his hits slowed. He was breathing heavily, panting and sweating. Kane sighed, the sound shaky and weak, the strong muscles trembling visibly. "So strong," he murmured. "My beautiful Kane." Eric went to his knees, fingers sliding on Kane's ass, feeling the heat of it. He spread Kane's cheeks wide and began to lick at the small hole. Kane whimpered, entire body shuddering. "My lord." "Oh yes. Your lord. I know what you want. I know what you need." He blew on the tight little hole and then began to lick again, wetting it, readying it for the phallic end of the flogger. "Yes. Yes." Kane was shivering violently, hips beginning to buck, beg. He pushed his tongue right into Kane, the sharp, male taste joining the strong scent of Kane's need. He used Kane's own rhythm, pushing his tongue into the needy body again

and again. He could feel Kane begin to shudder, the motions becoming more hungry, needy. He replaced his tongue with two fingers and put the end of the flogger into his mouth, sucking it noisily so Kane could hear. Kane's head dropped against the long arms, the harsh panting audible. "You're ready for it, aren't you, Kane? Ready for my will." Groaning, he slid his fingers out of Kane and put the end of the flogger at the twitchy little hole. Kane stilled, muscles taut, eyes closed. He pushed the phallus in a little and then let it slide out again, let it rest against Kane. "Take what you need, K." "Eric..." So difficult. Always such a struggle. He pushed just the tip in again, let it slide out. "Yes, Kane?" "You." Kane took a deep breath, shuddered. He bent and kissed the small of Kane's back. "Anything for you." He threw the flogger down and lined up, resting the head of his cock against Kane's hole. "Take what you need, Kane." Kane groaned, head lifting, body pushing back and accepting him, taking him in. Eric's own groan was loud and needy, Kane so tight around his cock, so hot. "Yes." "Yes." Kane nodded, moving, riding faster, harder, their skin slapping together. He held on as long as he could, stayed where he was, fingers sliding on Kane's skin as Kane took him in again and again. When he couldn't stay still a moment longer, his fingers curled around Kane's hips and he began to thrust. "Lord." Kane groaned, skin slick against him, wet. Lovely. "Yes. Yes." He thrust hard, pushing into the tight heat that was his and his alone. "You may come," he told Kane, wanting to feel Kane's culmination around his cock. He did feel it, all around him, fluttering and squeezing, milking his shaft as the scent of Kane's need hit his nose. He cried out, fingers holding tight enough they would leave bruises on Kane's hips. He kept moving, kept fucking, stretching Kane's pleasure and chasing his own. Then he was there, hips jerking as he filled Kane with his seed. Kane leaned forward, heart pounding, gasps sounding almost like sobs. Eric forced his fingers to uncurl, sliding his hands along Kane's sides, petting the sweat-sheened skin. With a soft groan, he rested his head against Kane's back. Kane sighed, slowly relaxing, easing.

Moaning softly, Eric kept touching, not willing to relinquish the deep connection they found only here.

Chapter Four The castle was dark, the secret corridors empty and eerily silent as Eric moved along them. He could hear no sounds from the rooms he passed, and when he stopped to peek beyond a tapestry into the kitchens, not even the fire in the hearth gave off any light and there was no scent of food, nor was there any heat coming from the hearth. He could see no one. It was as if the castle was deserted. Suddenly, there came the sound of footsteps hurrying through the secret passages. He couldn?t tell exactly how many -- he didn?t have Kane?s skills in that -- but there was more than one set, even more than two. The only person aside from himself who knew the passageways hidden within the castle walls was Kane. There could not be more than one other set of footsteps, aside from his own. Except that he could hear them clearly. He stayed frozen where he was until he saw a faint light appear ahead, voices joining the sound of footsteps. ?He?s this way! I see him! Get him!? Eric turned and ran. His pursuers gave chase, the light of their torches dancing crazily upon the stones ahead of him, casting monstrous shadows upon the walls. Their lights became brighter as he ran, the footsteps that pounded behind him growing closer. There had to be at least a half dozen men behind him, though Eric didn?t dare turn to check -- they were gaining on him as it was. ?Kane!? He cried out for his bodyguard, his lover and friend. The only man he could trust. ?Kane, I need you!? His voice sounded so small compared to the noises of his pursuers. Soon the sounds of voices and footsteps were muffled by the sound of his own labored breathing, of his heart beating loudly in his ears, his blood rushing madly through his veins. He tripped over an uneven patch of ground, going down hard and slamming his knees and his palms into the stone floor. ?Kane! Please!? Staggering up, he spared a glance behind him, seeing a mob of angry faces, the fire from their torches reaching ominously for him. Crying out, he kept running, feeling the blood dripping from his knees, his breeches torn and dirty. His hands stung, and his lungs ached, and he didn?t know how much longer he

could continue -- the mob seemed to be gaining on him steadily. He called for Kane again and again, growing cold as he realized that the only way Kane would not be here with him, guarding his back, spurring him on and keeping him safe would be if Kane were dead. His feet felt like lead, and dread filled his stomach. ?Kane,? he whispered. ?Please. I need you.? There was no answer to his plea, only shouts and jeers from behind him.

Biting back the cries of pain that pushed at his throat, Eric ran into a wall, a dead end. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere to go and no one to stand at his side, no one to guard him and keep him from the people who wished to harm him. He was caught. He struck out with arms and hands, refusing to capitulate, to go down easy. Kane had taught him better than that. "Sire. Sire. Eric. Stop this nonsense." Kane's voice tore through the darkness, tore through the dream. Kane. Not captured. Not dead. He gasped, struggling now to get away from the terror and darkness the dream had trapped him in. He sat, arms still flailing as his eyes popped open. Kane sat, stared at him with still eyes. "You need more training, if you dream so." "They're getting worse, K." He wrapped his arms around himself, shivering. "They're so real. Every time something happens another one comes." "Then you should take them as warnings and prepare yourself to fight." He nodded, moving closer to Kane, to his bodyguard's warmth. "I suppose you'll want to begin additional lessons as soon as we go back down." "Absolutely. And you will remain with me at all times." That deep voice was hard as stone. "Mmm... I do like the sound of that..." He rubbed against Kane, hand sliding along one muscled thigh. "You are incorrigible." Kane's hand brushed his hair. He nuzzled into Kane's hand, each touch from his stern bodyguard a gift. "Incorrigible?

That means sexy and handsome, right?" "Only for you, Sire." Kane's smile warmed his heart. He leaned against his lover, entirely loathe to leave this place where they were safe and alone, hidden from the world. "Do we have to go back?" he asked, knowing well the answer. "We do. You are king." "Yes. It doesn't seem to be doing me much good lately." He pressed his lips to Kane's and then gave his bodyguard his best pout. "We don't have to go back yet, though, do we?" "Don't whine, Eric. It doesn't become you." Kane was laughing at him, hand wrapped around Eric?s buttock. He looped his arms around Kane's neck and wriggled against Kane's hand. "What does become me?" He knew they had to go back, but if he could delay it longer... "Your strength. Your passion. Your ability to lead." He melted against Kane; his lover, his boyhood friend, always knew what to say to get to his heart. "If you're not careful you'll have me insisting it's time to go back." "Together, we will stand against them, Sire." Kane sounded as firm as any stone. "You will keep me safe." Of that he was sure. Even if Kane hadn't been with him in his dream. A shiver went through him. "I will, and if I fall, you will keep yourself safe." That had another shiver going through him. "You will not fall, Kane." He waved his hand imperiously. "I will not allow it." "I will not fall." Kane grabbed his hand, fingers strong. "But if I do, you will keep yourself safe." He met the icy, hard eyes. "Yes, Kane." He couldn't imagine being able to overcome anything that had defeated his Kane, but he would hold strong for his bodyguard. "Good." Kane's hand cupped his jaw, fingers sliding on his skin. "I will not lose you." He nuzzled into the touch and pressed closer. "You won't. You won't." Turning his head, he kissed Kane's palm and then dragged his tongue over Kane's skin, the taste of salt and Kane filling him.

Kane tugged him up, lips crashing down upon his in a desperate kiss. He met it with desperation of his own; the dream had been so real, and there was nothing scarier than imagining continuing on without Kane. Moaning, he pushed closer, sucking Kane's tongue into his mouth. Kane tugged him closer still, bringing their bodies together with a slap. He pushed Kane's blouse open -- the man must have dressed while Eric was sleeping, an annoying habit -- and rubbed like a dog in heat, moaning at the heat and silk of Kane's skin against his own. Kane encouraged each motion, driving him higher, faster, low sounds pushing into his lips. He pushed the leather breeches from Kane's hips, almost shaking with his need. "I have you." The words were purred into Eric's lips. "Take me," he demanded. "I want to feel you inside me still when we go back down there." "You will feel me inside you for an eternity." Kane shifted, spread him with a growl, cock nudging his hole. He spread further, one leg wrapping around the back of Kane's thighs. He pulled, trying to get Kane to move, to push in. "Yes. Kane. Yes." Kane took him without quarter, filling him, spreading him wide. He cried out, back arching as he tried to pull Kane in even deeper. "My love," he whispered, offering himself to Kane as he would never do for anyone else. "Your own." Kane shifted, sliding deeper, cock pegging him deep within. His whole body jerked, the sensation running through him with his blood, all the way to his toes. He wrapped his other leg around Kane. "Harder." "Demanding man." Kane bared his teeth, groaned low. "Yes." There was no reason to deny it, not with Kane, not when he wanted and needed. His head tilted back, his neck offered up to those bared teeth, his skin goosepimpling in anticipation. Kane bent to his throat, teeth stinging and sharp, marking him as Kane's own. No one else would dare mark him. He loved that Kane did. Moaning, he humped up into Kane's thrusts. "More." The bite dug deeper, Kane fucking him with furious strokes, pounding him again and again. "Yes! Yes, Kane." His prick was caught between them, sliding on Kane's belly.

One strong hand took a grip around his shaft, pumping him, working him. He cried out, going wild beneath Kane, body working toward his orgasm, the pleasure intense. "Soon. Soon, Eric. Give it to me." Kane demanded his release. Bucking, he shouted Kane's name as his seed sprayed from him, his body going tight around Kane's cock. "My Sire..." Kane bucked into him a few more times, entire body rolling. "Your turn, K. Give it to me." He echoed Kane's words, squeezing Kane as tight as he could. "Yes. Yes, Sire." Heat flooded him, Kane's eyes rolling madly in their sockets. He clung to the long body, holding on and trying to make the moment last. "I. I have you. I have you, Sire." Kane held him close, rocking him. "I will protect you." His eyes closed and he nodded; he knew Kane would. He wagered his life on it. *** Kane dressed quickly and quietly, encouraging Ericio to do the same. The court awaited, and their enemies did as well. Eric needed to go down to the court, prove he was strong, prove he lived and ruled. Then, as soon as that happened, Kane fully intended to round up every cult member in the land and behead them. Slowly. "Hurry, Sire. We will take the long way out, via your chambers and in through the throne room. You are armed?" Once they stepped outside this room, they were no longer lovers, not until Ericio was safe. "I have my sword." Ericio smiled at him. "And the knife in my sleeve. The other in my boot. Are there any other blades I should be hiding about my person?" "If you didn't nod so often, I would hide one in your collar." He could beat Eric, so glib. One of Eric's eyebrows went up. "Do you have one in your collar?" Is there anywhere you can't hide a knife?" The long fingers reached for his neck.

"No, Sire." He grabbed Eric's hands, easing them away from the long, thin blade hidden in the lining of his jacket. "There is nowhere I cannot hide a blade." "My deadly bodyguard," murmured Eric, hands turning in his, linking their fingers. Eyes full of heat and love turned up to him. "How I love you." Then Eric sighed and shook his head, hair falling around his shoulders, body going straight, eyes cold. "I am ready to go back, Kane." "You are." He had never been so proud of his king. Eric didn't look back as they left, walking as if he owned the world. "You'll round up all the cult members, Kane. I want answers." "I will, Sire." He would get answers and his pound of flesh. "But first, you will find out which of your guard can truly be trusted. I will not have you leave me with any of them unless they have been cleared." Each step down brought them closer to the castle, to servants and guards and petitioners - each one a potential threat to his king's life. "I will not leave you with anyone. I am your shadow." If necessary, he would send someone to his master, to the men who trained him, and have them send assistance. "My shadow, eh?" There was that glibness again, but he could see the relief in Eric's posture, though he imagined no one else would have noticed the difference. "Indeed. Your shadow. Left, Sire. We'll exit by the throne room." He nudged Eric's shoulder, encouraging them to turn. "We'll surprise a few people, I imagine," murmured Eric, flashing him a grin as they arrived at the thick tapestries that hid the secret passageway. "Stay." He peered out, the throne room empty, as he'd anticipated. "Come now. The room is empty." Eric's hand slid over his waist as his king moved past him into the throne room. "It seems so quiet." "Everyone is readying for their late meal. I can smell the meat roasting." Eric near moaned. "Hot food. Oh, Kane, the treats you stocked were good, but a real meal. We have wonderful timing." Eric went over to the bell pull, grabbing it to call for a servant.

He rolled his eyes. "You are always controlled by your appetites." He got a lazy grin. "I don't *have* to eat, Kane. But if there's food, why shouldn't I indulge? Would you have me starve myself to prove that I'm taking this seriously?" "No. No, I would not." In truth, he quite adored his sensual king, his wanton friend. "Then we will eat." Eric pulled the bell. "And we will show ourselves. Word will travel quickly that I am alive and well." "It will." He checked the throne over for weapons. "Don't taste anything before I do." "Well don't you taste anything before the official taster does. I won't lose you to something stupid like a poisoning." "Yes, Sire." The doors opened, his seneschal and three guards thundering toward him. "Sire! Sire! Are you well?" Eric settled calmly on his throne. "I'm quite well, actually. A little hungry." Kane stared down his nose at the men, drawing the mantle of his icy control about him. "Would you dine here, in your quarters, or in the dining hall, my lord?" Simpering little beast; Ericio should have the seneschal beaten for fun. Eric glanced at him. "Here will do. And send in the Captain's second." Eric waved his hand dismissively. "Now." Once the seneschal had gone, Eric leaned toward him to murmur, "Can you trust your second, Kane? Or will we be lying to him?" "I will trust no one, but if I were to, Majil would be the one." Majil had been with him since the beginning. "I hate this," growled Eric. "I hate seeing killers behind every face, suspicions against every person." Kane looked at Ericio, unsure what to say. He saw nothing but danger, even when he and his king were alone. "I will watch for you, as best I can." Eric's expression gentled again. "Yes, I know. And it's not every face -- not your face. You have always been the one I could trust. Ever since we were boys."

"It is what I was born for." He was Ericio's shadow. Had been from the moment of his birth. "Yes. To be mine." The heat in Eric's eyes nearly burned him; his king licked his lips. "Yes." Kane made no bones about that fact; he never would. There was a crash from the hall and Ericio jumped up, hand going to his sword. The seneschal's voice sounded, berating someone soundly. Kane arched an eyebrow. "Honestly, you go missing for a few hours and they all panic." "Of course -- they adore and love me and are lost without me." Eric grinned. The man was so spoiled. "Darso!" Eric called out to the seneschal. "Where is my food?" "It is coming, Sire. Along with the guard." The seneschal carried a tray with glasses and wine. "Shall I pour for you?" Kane shook his head. "You will not." "My personal guard will pour, and you, Darso, will take the first taste." He had taught Eric well. *** He watched the seneschal pour the late-year wine into one of the hammered copper cups, the liquid blood-red and thick, the thin hand shaking as a leaf in the autumn. Those dark eyes kept staring about as if waiting for someone to come to the rescue. Praying for him to appear and take the cup from nerveless fingers. Fool. For years, he had been moving his players into place. For years they had been patient, quiet, slowly infiltrating into near every corner of the palace, following the Sun God?s will. He would not risk himself now, not for a single man, not matter whether he might claim to have the king?s ear. As if anyone?s voice could creep into Ericio?s ear with the swift hand of retribution standing eternal guard beside him. No one -- not advisor or lover or kin -- could slip between a man and his shadow. If only that guard had struck true. So much bloodshed could have been spared. If it were not for the white-haired devil that seemed never to sleep, they would have moved a season ago, perhaps more, cutting the snake at the head, one swift and mostly painless blow. As it was, some said that Kane was a demon born only to keep Ericio upon the throne, that the dark gods themselves lived within Kane?s blades. That Kane?s soul

had been removed and a monster returned to them. He had been to the dungeons. There was a part of him that believed that, that understood his followers? fears. There were tales of Kane as a lad, fun-loving and laughing, the sun following him as if caught by the joy within him. When he had been returned from the walled city beyond the mountains, that light had been extinguished, that laughing boy turned into stone. All regents had their guards -- Ericio?s father?s had been laid to rest alongside the king not a day after the king had fallen -- but Kane? Kane had been born for light and had been forced into darkness. Forced by Ericio. Another proof that the half-breed was unfit to rule. That their land was doomed to cycle after cycle of ruin unless this wrong was righted. His god had come to him in a dream, showed him the way. Showed him His will. They would kill the king and he would have the bodyguard as his own, force the pale man to kneel, to suckle upon his cock like a starving calf. He would bury himself within Kane?s body, mark the man as his own, as the property of the Sun God and the Sun God?s favored. He would undo that heavy braid, rend the heavy armor from the lean body, bind the pale skin beneath the harsh kiss of the sun. He would and his life would be fulfilled. Whole. Kane would be his own. His fingers curled around the heavy curtain that hid him, his muscles bunching and groaning as he shook. The blade at his waist screamed, begging to be buried in Ericio?s throat. Even as he had the thought, Kane?s unnatural eyes seemed to stare at him, fingers hovering over the curved hilt of his sword. Demons. There must be demons, for he was protected by the Sun God Himself. He forced himself not to step back, knowing that any hint of movement would send a blade to pierce his flesh. Not that his death would stop what was barreling down upon them. Not now. In truth, it was a shame so many would have to die to remove the mongrel from the throne. A shame, but a necessary evil. Much like Kane.

He only turned from his hiding place behind the curtains when Kane?s attention turned to the doomed seneschal, a sharp word cracking through the throne room like a whip, one long hand held out for the cup. The seneschal shook his head, sobbing, the thin lips only pressed to the lip of the cup, the panicked face pale as a ghost as the man fought to drink deep of the poison before Kane could wrench the cup away. After all, the man had painted the essence of trova upon the metal himself, only moments before. He knew the agony that awaited -- the cramps and waves of pain, the death when the ichor entered the body. And the seneschal knew this as well -- that agony was bliss compared to the tortures in the dungeons. Pure bliss.

Chapter Five Ericio parried and lunged; he went on the attack and sent his opponent stumbling back. Pressing his advantage, he sliced the front of the guard's shirt open. Stepping back, he spat upon the ground and tossed his hair out of his eyes. "Next." Another guard stepped onto the black practice floor and Eric saluted him, and began his attack. He poured his anger, his fury, into his movements, letting his instinct take over. So far, none of Kane's men had come near to besting him. And after the first few, they'd actually been trying. He had no one he could trust but Kane and himself. If he could not defend himself, there was no guarantee that anyone else would do so. These were his sworn guard, his servants who had been with his family for as long as he could remember. And he could not trust one of them. When his seneschal had sipped of the wine that was from his own cellar, that was supposed to cross his own lips, and the man had screamed, landing on the floor and writhing, it had driven the point home even further. No food crossed his lips that he or Kane had not prepared themselves. They eschewed the well in favor of the stream that flowed to the north of the castle, making the trek once a day to fill their skins. They slept in turns in rooms with nothing more than a bed in them. He felt like a prisoner in his own castle, always watching, wondering where the next

attack was coming from. He hated every second of it. He stabbed the guard in the arm, pulling the thrust at the last minute so it didn't pierce too far into the muscle. Panting, he stepped back and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Next." "Enough." Kane's voice was soft, sure. "It will do you no good to exhaust yourself." "I can do another," he insisted. If he stopped, he might have to think, to worry again which of the stony faced men he'd been fighting truly wanted him dead. "Men. Stand down." Kane brooked no argument, no discussion, and the guards melted away. "I could have done another, Kane." Still. Now that he'd stopped, he realized he was tired and hungry. And he wanted things the way they'd been. "Yes, my lord." Kane was, as always, completely unflappable, moving him into a private hallway and toward his quarters. The way was dark and quiet, the only sounds the ones they made themselves. "How long are we going to have to do this?" he asked. He wasn't pouting. He wasn't. "Until I've destroyed the cult." He stopped and rounded on Kane. "And when is that going to be?" One eyebrow rose up. "Genocide is a rather tricky business, my lord." "So is regicide -- but they're coming damn close!" His voice rose with every word. "Yes, but they only have you to focus upon and they know your face." Unflappable bastard. "You used to focus on me." Now he was pouting. "I am completely focused on you." "Completely?" he asked, a frisson of something not fear and anger going through him. "Utterly." Those pale eyes burned into him. "Kane." He licked his lips and started to lean in toward his icy lover.

"Not here, my lord. Where you are safe." Kane's hands were like shackles on his upper arms, holding onto him. "Then take me there, K. Before I crawl out of my skin." "Yes, my lord." He was led down the corridors, moving quickly, keeping to the shadows. Kane's strength, his ability, it was a turn on. And it had been days. Eric found himself wanting, the rest of it trying to fade away beneath the need that went through him. Kane kept him close, those pale eyes searching each room before moving him through. Each night, they landed in a different room. Each night Kane searched for hidden dangers. "Soon, Kane. Please." He just needed a piece of normality. A piece of the man who knew him, who loved him. Who he loved. "Shh." One last door was opened -- no windows, no tapestries, just a lush bed and a single door. "I can shh." He could. If Kane needed him to be quiet, he could be as quiet as a mouse. "Let me bar the door, my lord, and then you might relax." The door was sealed with a heavy bar, Kane grunting as it was set into place. Relax? He was nearly vibrating, waiting for Kane to say it was safe, to say he could forget about it all and lose himself in the one person who he could trust. "Now, Ericio. Now." Kane's arms were held open, the strong body there to support him, adore him. He pushed into Kane's arms, mouth lifting for Kane's kiss, all the emotions of the last days surging through him. Kane's mouth crashed down upon his, tongue pressing in to taste him, to open him up and make demands. He allowed it -- he wanted it -- wanted that power and need and love pushed into him. His hands went to Kane's braid, pulling at it. Kane's hands wrapped around his hips, tugging him close, driving them together. A sound ripped from his throat, full of need and want, the strain of the last days pouring out of him. "Yes. Yes, Eric. I have you." And Kane did, those hands strong and sure upon him. He pulled Kane's braid apart, fingers sliding through the long, white hair, pulling it around Kane?s shoulders. The scent of his lover lived in that heavy braid, the silken strands pouring all around him. Another whimper left him, and he rubbed his body

against Kane's, pulling at their clothing now, searching for skin. It was easy to strip Kane down, to bare that skin to his touch. His fingers were near trembling with his need as he slid them over Kane's body, re-familiarized himself with the planes and angles of his bodyguard's muscles. "I have you." Lips brushed over his temple, his Kane so strong for him. "I need you, K. Need you to fill me, to make me fly." "Yes, my lord." Kane walked him toward the bedding, hands smoothing his armor away. He gave control over to Kane, moaning as his skin was exposed to the air, pushing into Kane's hands and begging touches. He was eased down, spread wide as Kane's mouth slid down his body. His fingers tangled into Kane's hair, loving the silk of it as Kane's mouth warmed him through. "Don't stop," he begged. "I have no intentions of stopping, my lord." That hot tongue slid over his belly, down toward his prick. "Good." He didn't care if the entire sun clan burst in -- he needed this. He pushed his hips toward Kane's mouth, the tip of his prick dripping in anticipation. Kane sucked him in, mouth hot and wet, sliding down the length of his shaft. He cried out, head tossing. He wrapped his legs around Kane's body, heels digging into his lover's spine. Strong hands spread his buttocks, thumbs pressing against his hole, even as that tongue worked him. "Yes!" He nodded, hips moving to press his ass down onto Kane's thumbs, his cock up deeper into Kane's mouth. Kane gave him all he needed, driving him toward that place of pleasure where nothing mattered. Nothing but their heat. He held Kane's head in place, fucking that mouth, fucking himself on Kane's thumbs, beginning to fly, to soar with it. "K... my K." He heard Kane's agreement, groaned around his prick. With a cry, he came, his hips bucking as the seed poured out of him, his ass squeezing tight around Kane's thumbs. Kane took him in, eased him down with a soft moan, throat working around his cock. He shuddered a few times, his cock staying hard, his body letting his need be known. Kane kept sucking, mouth kept sliding up and down his shaft, encouraging him to move again, to take him. His hips began to roll again, pushing his prick deep into Kane's throat, his eyes rolling in his head as the pleasure began to grow heavy in his balls again.

Taking handfuls of Kane's hair, he rubbed it over his belly, his nipples, groaning at how good it felt. Kane's fingers wrapped around his hips, tugging him in deeper and deeper. He rubbed the ends of Kane's hair on his face with one hand, pinched and twisted his own nipples with the other, the pleasure building just as quickly as it had earlier. He was going to come again, he could feel it in his balls, in the way his cock throbbed every time Kane's throat swallowed around the tip. Those thick thumbs pressed in, fucking him, taking him with sure, strong motions. His balls grew hard as stones, ached with it. He pinched his nipples harder, hips bucking wildly as he flew into the pleasure again. Toes curling, his fingers fisting, his entire body going tight, he came. It passed over him in waves, and then was gone, leaving him panting and melted. Kane's head rested on his stomach, cheek smooth and warm, comforting. He made a noise of satisfaction, of happiness, his fingers smoothing the hair back down over Kane's head. He closed his eyes and tried to hold onto the satisfaction, to keep everything else out a moment more. "Relax, my lord. I have you. I have you." "And what of your need? You could fuck me, Kane. You could lose yourself in my body." Even as he said the words, he knew instinctively that Kane would not allow himself to become lost, not now. Kane's kiss brushed the base of his belly. "Rest, my lord." "And when do you rest, Kane?" He'd not seen his bodyguard sleep since they'd left the tower. "When you are safe, Ericio." "And when will that be? How are you going to catch the cult if you're watching me all the time?" They were going to have to do it together. There was no other choice. "Eric. Quit pushing." Who was the king here? "I am not pushing. I merely want this done. I cannot live like this, Kane. Always on the run, trusting no one. I am ruler here, and yet I am a prisoner of the cult as surely as if they had me behind bars." "What would you have me do, Eric?" Those pale eyes flashed. "I don't know!" He wasn't angry with Kane, he was just frustrated and angry. And scared; his nightmares grew worse every night, promising he would die alone at the hands of his enemies.

"Well, then." One eyebrow arched. "You rest and allow me to worry." "How come you're always so calm?" he demanded. "Doesn't this anger you?" "It infuriates me, that someone could harm you. It makes me rage." "You hide it very well, Kane. It is no wonder you have need of my hand, of my whip. Something needs to make you let it all go." So controlled, so strong. Kane was truly amazing. "I miss your hand, my lord." He nodded, stroking his fingers over Kane's spine, squeezing one round buttock. "I miss it, too, Kane. I miss giving you what you need. I miss being the only thing you know." Kane kissed his shoulder. "Things are as they are, my lord." "You have always been more willing to accept that than I have." He sighed, the lazy satiation having disappeared as he railed against things he had no control over. He got a nod, but that was all. Just a silent nod. He would never know what they had done to train his Kane, to make his lover the bastion of strength. Strength he could not have survived without. He let his eyes close, held tight to his lover, and willed the nightmares to stay away.

Chapter Six The pressure encroached like a dark stone atop a cliff, constantly casting a shadow upon the world. Kane stared over at his king, scribbling on a long, thin bit of parchment, the ink dark as night. The note was simple, short. "Masters, danger surrounds us. I require your assistance. A package will arrive soon. Care for it for me until it is safe for him to return. K." It would burn him, to send Ericio away, but he needed to do something to protect his liege until the cultists were each hanging. He looked away from Eric for only a second, missing the moment when his liege woke

and sat up, leaning over him. "What's this, Kane?" Eric asked, voice still rough with sleep. He rolled the parchment quickly in his fingers. "A message, Sire." Eric tried to snatch the parchment from him. "Safe for him to return? Who is he, Kane?" He growled, keeping the note away. Blast it to the sky, why did the man sleep so lightly? One of Ericio's eyebrows went up, his back going straight. Oh, Eric did that haughty look so very well. Kane believed Eric had had lessons after he'd been sent away. "You mean me, don't you? You believe you can just send me away." "I will do what I must, to protect you." "Kane. You are my protection. I do not trust another soul with my life and I will not go." "They will keep you in the heart of safety." No one, not a single cultist, could find Ericio there. "And who will keep me safe from them?" Eric stood and stalked toward the door, testing the lock. "My masters would never harm you." "I simply don't trust them, Kane." Lock tested, Eric returned to his side. "I trust only you. And I will not be sent away like a child." "I did not treat you like a child!" His temper flared, fueled by worry and fear that he had kept hidden so long. "What do you call it? Sending me away without telling or consulting me?" Eric didn't back down from him. "You forget who is king here." "I forget nothing. I am charged with your safety above all else!" Beyond all else. "Then you would do well to see to that safety yourself." Eric stalked around him and then threw his hair back over his shoulders. "Pull down your breeches and bend over." "Have you lost your mind? I must be vigilant, Sire! I cannot rest." Not even for what he so desperately needed.

Ericio waved his hand. "You cannot be properly diligent in the state you're in. This scheme to send me off is proof of that." His king pressed up close into his space. "Now do as you are told." The conflict within him -- whether to obey his king's wishes or do as his training demanded -- threatened to drive him mad, a low growl escaping him. "The door is well-barred. There are no windows. No one can touch me here." Eric's hand came down on his ass, hard and sure. "Don't make me tell you again, Kane." He groaned, the sudden strength surprising him. Had he known that this would help him discover Eric's will, he would have threatened it earlier. "Pull. Down. Your. Breeches. And. Bend. Over." Each word was punctuated by a smack, Eric's eyes steel, that back straight. He unfastened the tie at his waist, eyes going to the door, assuring it was locked. He would not lose his Eric. Not here. His breeches fell to the floor, assisted by those steady, sharp blows that warmed his skin. From the top of his ass to the top of his thighs, Eric spread the hits out, covering a lot of territory. The blows heated him, relaxed his body and caused him to rock, to begin to shift beneath Eric's touch. "Your skin takes my marks so beautifully." Eric spread his fingers so Kane could feel each one as it landed on his ass. "I was made for you." Every inch of him. "I know. Bend over." Eric's hand landed in the small of his back, pushing hard. He bent, hands landing upon the mattress, thighs spreading to balance his weight. "Oh, yes. Lovely." Eric's hand landed a time or two more on his ass, then down to his thighs, fingers just skimming his balls. His sac drew up tight, wrinkling and pulling against his body. The next blow landed a little more fully on his balls, and then Eric cupped them, pushing them up tighter. "So hot, Kane. You're going to feel perfect, wrapped around my cock." "Ericio..." His control held, but only by a thread. "Don't be pushy, K." "I am. Not. Pushy." Eric laughed, hand coming down hard on his ass again. He moaned, pressing back toward the touch. "So very pushy," murmured Eric, hand rubbing against Kane?s abused ass.

"You would have me no other way." The skin tingled, burned. His Eric laughed again, the sound almost carefree and young.Two more smacks hit him, and then two wet fingers probed at his hole. He tightened, without thought. It had been weeks since they dared relax enough for this and he was unsure his body could open. The fingers disappeared and Eric slapped his ass again, three quick blows. Then Eric knelt behind him, growling against his heated skin. "Let me in." Fingers spread on his cheeks and pulled them apart, the burn hot, but not as hot as Eric's tongue as it licked across his hole. "Ericio." He spread, gasping at the pleasure. "My love." "Yes." Eric's tongue slid over his hole again and again, not pushing in, just licking and lapping and driving him mad. Slowly his tension left him, the tightness in his chest easing. Eric knew the moment he'd let go, that hot tongue pointing and pushing right into him, breaching his hole and wriggling inside him. A soft sound left him, torn out of him and offered only to his king. Eric pushed a moan into him with the wicked tongue, vibrating along his flesh. Eric gasped for breath and then that tongue pushed back in along with one of Eric's thumbs. He groaned, ass clenching around that thumb, hips beginning to rock. They moved together, one thumb becoming two, Eric's fingers working in deeper, stretching him wider. His head tossed, heavy braid thudding onto the mattress. More. More, he needed. He needed now. Eric knew, his king surging up behind him, pushing the long, hard cock into him in one slow thrust. In and in, Eric sank, prick bumping past his gland and deeper until Eric's hips hit the hot, reddened flesh of his ass. He groaned, pushing back, ass squeezing Ericio's cock, the burn and pressure perfect. "Kane." There was such satisfaction, such pleasure in his name, Eric's voice flowing over him like a caress. "Eric." He shuddered, eyes rolling in his head as he nodded. He could feel the tremble of Eric's thighs against him as his lover fought to hold still. Then Eric's hands came down on his hips, fingers curling around them, holding him tight. And still Eric waited, the anticipation of what was to come building. His ass rippled around that heavy cock spearing him, his motions instinctive, immediate, necessary. Moaning, Eric began to move, pulling slowly out and then thrusting in hard, pulling him back into it. He added his own strength to the motions, moaning low as he pushed back.

"So hot and tight. Perfect," murmured Eric, pulling him back harder, moving a little faster. "Yours." His eyes crossed, teeth sinking into his bottom lip. "Yes. You are. Never forget that. I don't." Each word was punctuated with another thrust, Eric hitting his gland each time. "Never. Made for you." Created to protect his king. To adore his lover. Ericio moved faster, fingers digging into his hips as he was pulled back over and over again. He could hear Eric's breath growing shorter and shorter, the panting becoming louder the longer they moved together. "Come now," Eric ordered. "Ericio!" He jerked, Eric's name ringing out as seed poured from him. "K. Oh!" Eric stilled, cock pulsing inside him, filling him with heat. He moaned, leaned forward, head on his hands. Eric's prick slid away, long fingers moving over his ass, squeezing and petting. The skin tingled and burned, soothing and aggravating him all at once. "On the bed, Kane. On your stomach." Eric punctuated the words with a kiss to the base of his spine, hair brushing over his ass. "Yes...yes, Sire." He worried about the door, about their safety. Eric straddled his legs as soon as he was down, fingers digging into his shoulders. His muscles tensed momentarily, then he melted, groaning with pleasure. Eric didn't say anything for a long time, just worked on his muscles, fingers digging and rubbing, loosening all his muscles from his shoulders down to the small of his back. Then Ericio rubbed his ass, fingers digging in just as hard, giving no quarter to skin that was red and sensitive from the spanking. "Feel that? That's me, beneath your skin." "Yes." He nearly whimpered with it, throat working, emotions welling up inside him. A kiss graced his spine, and then another. "I will not be parted from you, Kane. You need me." "I need your safety." Eric's hand came down on his right ass cheek, the blow setting it on fire. "There is nowhere where I am as safe as I am with you."

He twisted, shoulders rolling. "I will do what I..." What he must. "You will do what I say. I am king." Another blow hit his ass and then Eric lay full across his back. "Feel me? Get used to it, because I'm not going anywhere." "Swear it." He needed to know that Ericio could be strong. "I am your king, my word is law. My word is a promise of its own." Eric's hand found his, his liege twining their fingers together. "But for you -- and only for you -- I will swear it." He held tight. "I wish for nothing but your happy, long life, Eric. You have my heart, my very soul." "As you have mine. And you," Eric left another kiss on his skin, lips hot against his shoulder, "will ensure my happy, long life." "Yes." He nodded, as sure of that as he'd been of anything in his life. "Yes, love." "Good. Rest now." "I..." Ericio growled again, and he nodded, eyes closing. "Yes, Sire." Time would tell whether his body would obey his training or his king.

Chapter Seven Ericio lay on top of Kane until he felt his lover and bodyguard?s body slip into sleep. It was not true relaxation; Eric wondered if that would ever come to Kane again, but it was as close as he could ask for from this man who?d given up everything to be his shadow. He rolled slowly off Kane, lying on his back with the warmth of his lover against one side, his hand reaching and finding his sword on the floor by the bed. He held it, body alert as his bodyguard slept; he would not fail his lover by falling asleep while he was meant to be awake, aware. Kane had given up everything to make sure Eric stayed safe. Eric could remember the first time they?d met, when he?d been twelve summers old. He?d been spoiled rotten, and so lonely. Petulant and sulky, and bored out of his mind. And then his mother got a new maid. A maid who had a son with white hair and icy blue, serious eyes. Eric had vowed to make those eyes smile the first time he?d seen them. He'd swaggered up to the boy and held out his hand to be kissed. "I'm Prince Ericio.

Who're you?" "Kane." Those eyes stared at his hand, one eyebrow lifted, then it was shaken firmly. He felt his own eyes go wide and he gasped. "You're supposed to kiss my hand!" Didn't this Kane know anything? "Why?" "Because I'm the Prince! I'm going to be King one day, you know." Who was this peasant? Ericio was starting to reconsider his vow to make those eyes smile. "I know. That seems like a very hard job." "It is. I have stupid classes all day." He pouted. "But the good thing is people kiss your hand." He held it out hopefully again. "Why would you want strangers' icky lips on your hand?" Kane dug through his pockets, produced a packet of sweets. "I have gelia candies; would you like one?" Huh. Kane maybe had a point on the icky lips thing. And he had candy -- that trumped a stupid kiss on the hand. "Uh-huh, I do." "They're my favorites. Mother says I have to come to your classes, too. Do you think anyone would notice if we went fishing instead?" "Yeah, but it would take them ages to find us -- let's go!" He sucked on the candy that Kane gave him and tugged the new friend toward the servants' entrance. They could slip out that way. Kane chuckled, running right alongside him, not trailing behind at all. There were fishing poles and hunting knives, baskets and bowls in the storage room next to the kitchen, and Ericio led Kane there so they could use real poles to go fishing. He put his finger across his lips. "Shh." He wouldn't get in trouble if he was found here, but he would get dragged off to classes, and fishing with Kane sounded oh so much better. He received a nod, Kane slowing, moving almost silently as they gathered food and a jug of cider for their outing. They took the two poles last and slipped out the small servants? door. As soon as they cleared it, he started running and shouted "Come on!" Kane was right with him, their fingers twined together as they tumbled toward the pond. He laughed as they ran -- he never had anyone to play with, to do lessons with. To get into trouble with. It was so much more fun with someone else. Kane had proven himself to be the best of friends that day -- fishing and laughing,

swimming and splashing, standing with him when they appeared back at the castle -sunburned and filthy. It had been the first time Kane had protected him, insisting that the fishing had been his idea, that he'd led Ericio astray and the punishment had fallen solely on Kane?s head. When his father had threatened to banish Kane, Eric had insisted that he would refuse to eat if that happened. His father had relented. Eric turned and looked at the sleeping figure by his side, Kane's face still so serious, even in sleep. The laughing companion with the serious eyes had been taken away from him when they were grown, stolen away by his father's bodyguard, and when Kane had returned, Kane was different. The boy he?d known was gone. Eric sighed and sat up, still clutching his sword. A part of him wanted to wake Kane, and to run away together, to run so far that they would never be found and they could play and swim and fish and dance in the sunlight like they had as boys. But he had a duty, and Kane's duty was tied to him. They would not run. They would stand together and fight. He stood and began to pace, began doing the sword katas that Kane had taught him, running through his lessons as he'd been taught. During a left turn, he connected with Kane's strength, the square hand moving his arm, correcting him. "Here, Sire." "You should be sleeping," he chided softly. "You were practicing." As if that explained everything. "You don't have to make it sound as if I never do it." Just because Kane usually had to bully him into it... "You do what you need to, Sire, as do I." Smartassed bastard. "And what exactly is it you need, Kane, hmm?" He nudged Kane's hip with his own, meeting the icy blue eyes. "To keep you safe, Sire." "Yes, yes. I know that." He kissed Kane's shoulder. "I do, you know." "Yes." Warm lips touched his ear. "As you know that is not my sole need." His prick jerked. "Mmm... yes, I do know that." He tilted his head, offering himself to Kane. His throat was given a soft, near-gentle kiss.

"I also know that our needs are..." He moaned softly as another soft kiss slid over his skin. "Well-matched." "Yes. I was made for you." Kane's tongue slid over his skin. He let the sword fall to the floor with a clatter and slid his fingers through Kane's hair. He loved it down, loved the long, flowing silk. "I was thinking of that earlier, you know. Of the day we met." "Were you? You seemed so surprised that I would not kiss your hand..." "You distracted me with sweets." He chuckled, turned to rub their fronts together. "You knew how to get around me from the very start." "It is a gift." Kane nipped his jaw firmly. His laughter was laced with a moan, his fingers digging into Kane's hips. "You are a gift." "I am yours." Kane's muscles rippled, rolled under his touch. "Show me," he demanded, looking into those eyes he loved so much. "Show me." "Eric." Kane jerked, cock lifting, slapping his belly. His thumbs dug into Kane's hips. "Yes, just like that. Show me more." Kane's head went back, body shifting, sliding, fucking the air for him. Groaning, Eric went slowly to his knees, his fingernails dragging down along Kane's thighs. "Sire. Sire..." Kane spread for him, groaning low. He looked up the length of Kane's body, the hollows by the lean hips, the ridged abdomen and lovely nipples, all the way up to Kane's face where those icy eyes stared down at him, full of heat. With a soft smile, he licked the tip of Kane's cock. "Ericio!" Kane's cry satisfied something deep within him, the desperation there speaking of Kane's need. With a smile on his lips, he licked again, tongue pointed, playing with the slit in the tip. "Please. I need." Yes. Kane's need was written in every line of the long body. He slid one hand up between Kane's legs, cupping and tugging at his lover's balls as he slipped his lips around the tip of the hard prick. It took no time at all for Kane to succumb to him, to pour all that heat and passion and hunger into his lips and send him flying as well. His own hips snapped as his mouth moved on Kane's prick, sucking, tongue licking,

throat swallowing. "Yours." The words slid down his spine like a prayer. "Mine." His. His. He sucked hard, hand squeezing the sweet balls in his hand. "Yours!" Kane screamed with it, giving him all he needed. He pulled off Kane's cock, standing and rubbing his prick along Kane's hip. "I want you. I want to feel you wrapped tight around my prick because you're mine. Because you'll give me all of you." "Yes. Yes, Eric. All I am." Kane nodded, bending over the bed without any ado, long thighs spreading. Knowing Kane would still be stretched from earlier, he nonetheless slid two fingers into the man's ass, groaning at the way Kane's body grasped him, seemed to pull him in deeper. His free hand slid over the marked flesh and up along Kane's spine. The ripple and groan that he got was the most luscious thing he'd seen and heard in hours. He bent to kiss the small of Kane's back, teeth and tongue stimulating the nerves there as his fingers found Kane's gland and hit it hard. "Sire. Love." Kane's head tossed, ass clenching tight around his touch. "It's not enough, is it? You need more. You need me." He nudged Kane's thigh with his cock, hitting the tiny gland once more before sliding his fingers away. "Yes. You. Now. Now, please." Oh, demanding. Eric loved it when Kane needed so badly he forgot himself. Wrapping one hand around Kane's shoulder, and the other around one hip, he thrust into the tight heat. Kane pushed back against him, riding him, taking him in to the root. "So pushy," he teased, though his voice was rough with his own need. "You create my need." "I am your need." He thrust again, rocking them both. "Yes. You are my life. My world. My king." Another prayer, the truth ringing out in the words. "Mine. Mine." He spoke the word over and over, driving himself into Kane's body. Their climax -- for it was a single thing, when they were like this -- galloped down upon them, crashing like a wave. "Kane!" he shouted as he poured himself into Kane's body, his

fingers digging in and leaving bruises. Kane's body rippled around him, his beloved one spending with a cry. He collapsed over Kane, holding on, that tight heat holding him deep inside. Kane's fingers twined with his, squeezing him. "Yes, Sire. In all things."

Chapter Eight The sun pounded down upon them and Kane did his best to stay in the shadows, to keep his vision unclouded and his defense strong. Ericio insisted upon meeting the peasants outside, to prove that he was alive and well. It was a strong decision, but perhaps an unwise one. Still, strength and courage would serve Ericio well and, should even one of Kane's guards twitch in the wrong direction, Kane would slit them, throat to gullet. The option gave Kane, perhaps, just a little too much satisfaction. If he had his way, he would gather an army and collect each and every cultist, cut them down like wheat under the scythe and protect his King. He had to hand it to Ericio; not one person present could possibly believe their King was anything but his usual carefree, charming self. He allowed the ladies to kiss his ring and bestowed blessings upon the peasants, anointed babies' heads with his touch. Only someone watching as closely as he, and who knew Ericio as he did, would have caught the nervous flutter of Eric's fingers now and then, checking the dagger where it lay within one fluffy sleeve. He pressed close to his liege, baring his teeth to back off a pair of young men who simply came too close. "Soon. The clouds gather in the East." Where the clouds gathered, danger came. "The sun still shines on us," Eric murmured, smiling and waving at the two young men who'd been chased away. "Yes, my lord." It shone, but he was unsure for how long. A woman came with her daughter dressed in ribbons and bows, lips reddened with powder, no doubt from the freesia flowers that bloomed near the riverbanks. "Your Majesty." Eric allowed them both to kiss his ring after they'd curtseyed.

"You've not taken a wife yet, Sire, and I told my Elsbeth that you would likely follow in your father's footsteps and choose someone not of royal lineage. We are well-situated and it would be a good match. My Elsbeth would bear you many beautiful children." Ericio's charming smile fell a little, but was soon bolstered up again. "I am far too young to be thinking of such things yet, madam. Though your daughter is, indeed, a beauty." Something made Kane tense, the nerves in his spine tingling, warning him. "Move along, lady. The king has offered you enough time." One of Eric's eyebrows went up, but his King said nothing. Instead, Eric took a half step back, coming closer to him again, responding instinctively to his worry. He saw the flash in the younger girl's eyes and his hand went to his sword. "Do not believe, even for a moment, that I will not defend your king from all threats." Female or not. "She's just a girl," Eric whispered in the language only they two knew. "You are being overprotective." Nonetheless, Eric waved the mother and daughter away, signaling for the family behind them to come to him. "If she is, she's unharmed." If not, she was lucky. The pair of women disappeared in the crowd, which was worse than if they 'd stayed visible. Seemingly oblivious, Eric continued to interact with his subjects, the easy charm delighting everyone around him. His growl vibrated inside him, low and deep, and he stopped it, forced himself to silence, to stillness. To watching. He caught sight of the girl again, out of the corner of his eyes. She no longer wore the ribbons and bows, but the red lips gave her away. Her eyes were intent on Eric's back and her hand was hidden behind her skirts, but her arm was tense. "My lord. The storm comes." He concealed the king with his body, his heavily armored cloaked swinging about. The attack came from two fronts, the girl leaping at Eric's now protected back, the mother attacking from the front. There were screams as the peasants fell away from the attack, the two women flying at him and the man he protected. The mother went down under his guards' blades, the girl spitted on his sword. He pushed Ericio toward the carriage and the horses, snarling under his breath. The way back to the safety of the castle walls was blocked, the road into the forest their only hope for escape as several men hammered at his guards, the attack proving to be far larger than just the mother and her daughter.

Eric hauled himself up into the carriage, staying low as Kane had taught him time and again. The crowd was milling, people upset and confused and rushing about. Kane swung up into the saddle, grabbing the reins and slapping the horses' backs. They neighed and rose up on their hind legs and then took off, racing for the forest road and away from the crowd, the carriage careening as they took a corner. "Kane! You'll get us killed!" "I don't have time to argue with you, Eric." Not now. He took another turn, barreling down upon a road block, a group of armed men trying to stop them. "Hold it steady; I can get the big one, maybe another." One of Ericio's knives went whistling past his head, and then the second, two of the men blocking their path going down. He simply rode the others down, leaving the screams of terror behind them. They rode until they got to the river, the horses wet with lather, their attackers left far behind. "It's like my dreams," Eric murmured. "Except you're here with me." "I will not allow them to take you." He would die first. "I know." Eric's eyes met his, absolute trust in them, along with something a little wild. "We should send the horses back up the trail and continue on foot -- run as far as we can tonight." "No. No, we'll take the horses, leave the carriage. You do remember how to ride, Eric?" The tease was familiar, fond, well-meant. Eric's eyes shone. "I've ridden you every night since we became lovers; I think I can manage the horse." "Then we'll leave the carriage, take the mounts and go into the hills. It would take only a few days to reach the entrance to the underground tunnels." Then they would retake the castle. If it were lost. "You remember the big trees where the river first comes down off the hills? We used to hide there when we were ditching our lessons. We could stay there tonight." Eric helped Kane unhook the horses from the carriage, pulling his own weight, not needing to be told or cajoled. Eric could be a spoiled brat, but when he needed to, Eric always did what was

needed. "Yes." He loaded blankets and food, water bladders and the small box of treasure from the carriage. "Check your saddlebags, Eric, your cinch." "I know, I know." Eric worked quickly and without fuss. "I used both my blades back there, Kane. I've only my sword left." "I have mine." He reached under the carriage, searching for the cloth-wrapped bundle tied beneath. Where was it? Where... Oh. There. The blades clanked down as he unfastened them. "And now I have your spares." Eric's fingers slid against his ass as the blades were taken, the touch slow and deliberate. "Is there anything you don't think of, Kane? Anything you haven't prepared for?" "It is my world, Ericio, to prepare for you, for your life." "I am your world." Eric nodded. "As it should be." Eric hid the blades within his clothes and mounted his horse. "Let's go find someplace safe so you can prove that to me." His King winked and kicked both heels against the horse, sending it running. Kane shook his head, swinging up into the saddle to follow. His King. His life. His own. *** It was just like one of his dreams. Eric rode through the forest, his horse's hooves pounding against the ground, his heartbeat nearly as loud. The cultists were out there, looking for him. They wanted to kill him. They wanted to take his reign from him, and with it, his life. He wasn't going to let them. And so he rode through the forest, spurring his horse ever onward toward the caves where he and Kane had hidden as boys.

The leaves slapped at him, forcing him to lay his face down against the horse, his hands tight on the beast?s neck as the day slowly gave way to twilight. Just like one of his dreams. Except Kane rode with him, the sound of Kane's horse's hooves beating a counterpoint to his own. He kept looking back, expecting Kane to have morphed into the cultists, but it didn't happen, and the further they went, the more confident he became that this wasn't a dream. He slowed his horse to a walk as they began to climb, the river flowing quickly beside them. He looked around, trying to find the grove of trees that were so tall and so thick they made their own cave. He stopped, finally, complete darkness almost on them. "Kane? Have we missed it?" He didn't see how, but he hadn't been back here since they were still boys. "No. No, my lord. You are heavier now, the horses slower." Kane pointed to a series of stones that formed the shape of a heart. "Remember those?" "Oh. I do." He looked over at Kane, heat flaring in his belly. Kane had made that for him, a gift before his best friend was taken away to learn to be his bodyguard. "As do I. Come, we will want a fire before the night falls." "So practical..." So many things about Kane had changed when he'd returned to the castle, taking his place at Eric's side. He urged his horse forward again, thinking of his Kane. Practical. Solid. Strong. Completely devoted to him. He knew there was no one else in life who would care for him, care about him, like Kane did. Of course, the feelings were entirely mutual -- he adored his bodyguard, and he alone knew Kane's secrets. At last, they came to the groove of trees and he dismounted, leading his horse through the small opening. The place was still exactly as he had left it -- a bit dustier, a bit smaller, but the same. They'd carved a bed out of the earth in one corner, removed all the rocks. It was still there, covered in moss now, as was the log they?d brought in to use as a table. The chipped plate they'd stolen from the kitchen was still sitting on it. "No one's been here since we last left it." Their secret place, still a secret. "Then it is still ours. We can rest a night, recoup." Kane led the horses to the far corner, and began working -- settling things, gathering kindling, propping furs for him to sleep

upon. He helped, willing to work to get their camp set up, to be settled before he pounced on Kane. It never ceased to amaze him -- how Kane moved, how Kane could make the most distant place seem like home. It also never ceased to amaze him how Kane somehow managed to prepare for any eventuality. Kane pulled food out of the saddle bags; he'd been ready for this, for them having to flee. They would almost eat as well as at home. "Do you make such preparations every time I step out of the castle?" "Yes, my lord." Was that sarcasm? He stopped and raised an eyebrow at Kane. "Really?" "Yes, my lord." Kane stared at him, challenging him. His bodyguard had such a straight face, nothing showed through. Eric stared for a moment or two and then waved his hand dismissively, still not sure whether or not Kane was being sarcastic, damn the man anyway. "Well, let's see if what you've brought is any good." "Of course it is good. As if I would bring supplies unsuited." His lips twitched, but he managed not to chuckle at Kane's outrage. He sat on a pile of furs by the log. "Well then, serve me," he commanded imperiously. And when they were done eating, he'd be doing some commanding of another kind. His prick filled a little at the mere thought. One eyebrow lifted, Kane's lips twitching. Still, his bodyguard held that temper in check, pouring out a measure of broth into a pan to heat, handing him a hank of bread. He wished suddenly that he had his whips here. It was far more... intimate and arousing to test that will physically as well as mentally. That would have to wait until this was all over, and in the meantime, he could still use his hand, his teeth, he could still make his lover cry out. Pulling some of the middle out of the bread, he put it in his mouth and chewed. Not bad, though it would be better dipped into the broth that was beginning to fill the air with good smells, making his belly growl. In fact, it might well be a challenge, to force his beloved to bend, to create ways to test that fine flesh... He picked at the bread, eating it without really tasting it, his eyes trained on Kane, watching every movement as the man prepared their food. The long legs were so graceful, the strong hands efficient -- there was not a single wasted movement.

He barely bit back a moan of appreciation. Every inch of that man belonged with him, to him. From cock to lips to that incredible will -- Kane was his. He licked his lips. "Will that be ready soon?" How long did he have to wait to take what was his? "The broth is hot, Eric. Here. Watch your lips." He was given a cup, the broth flavorful, rich. "You'll kiss them better if I burn them, right?" "Don't burn them. I'll kiss you regardless." He chuckled and blew across the top of the cup. "I wouldn't burn them on purpose." Though if he thought it was the only way he could get Kane to kiss him, he might. Happily, he didn't have to go to any such extremes to earn his bodyguard's full attention. He took a sip. "Oh, this is quite wonderful." "Thank you." Kane ate as well, holding the cup in those long, pale fingers. He dipped his bread into the broth, softening it. He ate quickly, chewing the bread and drinking the broth, eyes on Kane the entire time. Kane met his regard straight-on. Unflinching. Adoring him. "We have a night to ourselves, Kane. One that will have no interruptions. No other duties." "Yes, my lord." Kane's fingers tightened around the cup, tongue lapping up a bead of broth on that sweet bottom lip. He put his cup down, wiped his hands on his shirt. "Are you done?" "I am." Kane stood, handing him a wineskin. He took a long drink, head tilting back to let the wine roll down his throat. It was one of the finest from his cellar and he grinned as he handed it back to Kane. "You do indulge me, K." "I adore you, Ericio." Kane leaned in, lips brushing his forehead. "Oh, you missed," he murmured, grabbing Kane's braid and tugging the man down so their lips could meet, press together, and open to let their tongues slide together. He did

love Kane so. Kane gathered him close, arms surrounding him. Holding him. cradling him. Moaning, he opened wide to the kiss and pushed against Kane, letting his lover hold him for a moment, just indulging in the amazing feeling of being cared for and loved by this man. "I will protect you. From all things." "I know." He bit at Kane's lower lip. He knew. He counted on it. He began to strip Kane down. "Eric." Kane's pale body was bared to him, almost glowing in the darkness. "So beautiful. It will be more beautiful with my marks." He didn't have his whips, his crop, his flogger, but he did have his mouth, his teeth and his fingernails. "You forgot your tools, Ericio." The man's lips were soft, gentle on his own. "I didn't know we were going to be making a mad dash through the woods." He circled one pink nipple. "I'll just have to make do with what I have." He raked a fingernail across the tip. Kane gasped, little bud of skin going tight. He smiled wickedly and gave the other nipple the same treatment. His needy one arched, head falling back as that throat worked. He slid his fingers down along Kane's belly, and then back up, the touches soft and teasing. Without warning, his ran his fingernails down along the sweet muscles, nails scraping as they went. "Eric!" The pale skin went pink, Kane pulling away. "Oh, no you don't. You don't back away from me." He grabbed Kane's hips and pulled his lover in hard, rubbing their lower bodies together, his breeches against Kane's bare prick. "My lord." Kane's braid fell against him, heavy and thick as rope. Oh, rope. "Put your hands behind your head, Kane." "Eric?" Kane's hands moved, even as those pale eyes questioned. "Trust me." He took Kane's braid and looped it around each wrist, tucking the end under and tugging it tight. That earned him a husky chuckle. "Inventive King." It was a compliment, he could tell.

"You bring out the best in me." He smiled and leaned in to nip at Kane's lower lip and right nipple, and then the air right above the hard, hot prick. The pale skin bruised for him, easily and quickly, that heavy prick leaking with need. "Spread your legs, Kane." He looked up and met Kane's eyes, the icy blue now hot. He gnawed at Kane's hip. "Did I not feed you enough?" Kane's legs spread for his will, though, even with the teasing words. "I never have my fill of you." Never. He never grew bored, never was sated, always wanted his Kane. His fingers reached for Kane's balls, curling around them and tugging roughly. Kane's moan suited him well, the way that heavy cock jerked suiting even more. "Eric." He turned his head, licking along the big vein that ran the length of Kane's prick. He slid his tongue across the head, the drops that leaked there exploding flavor over his tongue. Staying still, Kane still shivered for him, cock bobbing and begging his attention. "Mmm... should I let you come before we truly begin tonight?" ?You continue that, my lord, and I will spend." "You wouldn't if I told you you weren't allowed to." He licked the very tip of Kane's prick, pushed his tongue into the slit. His Kane would do everything possible to obey. Kane groaned, hips rolling instinctively, begging for more. "I won't do that tonight, though." No, tonight he would love on his Kane, mark the beautiful, pale skin with more than just a couple of love bites. He pushed his tongue harder into the slit. "Ericio. Burns." Yes, and his beloved Kane needed it. He looked up along the beautiful body, hard abdomen, little pink nipples; he looked right up at his bodyguard. "Then I must be doing something right." He closed his teeth in a sharp bite in the air right next to the head of Kane's cock. Kane growled, but did not move, did not flinch. "Mmm... my strong, beautiful man." He took the head in again, slowly went down on Kane's prick until he was swallowing around the tip. So hot in his mouth, velvet covering the hard core. "Eric. My lord..." Kane's muscles were tight, taut, hard as stone under his hands. He pulled off slowly. "You may come when you need to." Then he went down on the hot,

hard flesh again, one hand sliding to play with Kane's balls. Kane spread, rocking down into his touch, pushing hard enough that Eric knew it would ache. He twisted his hand just a little as he swallowed around the tip of Kane's prick. Kane jerked, head tossing, hips jerking as Eric?s lips were filled. He swallowed Kane down, this feast better than anything else he could have had. His hand on Kane's balls gentled as he licked Kane's prick clean. "Ericio." Kane moaned softly, tense muscles relaxing. "So good to me." "Oh, I'm not done yet." He raked his nails along Kane's thighs -- hard enough to leave marks, but not to break the skin. "After all, we have all night." "Not. Not done." Kane groaned. "My lord." "You didn't pack a whip." He nipped at Kane's hip, his teeth closing over skin. "Oh! Tell me you brought the riding crop and didn't leave it with the carriage." "I would never be here without weaponry, my lord." He was about to point out that a riding crop was hardly a weapon, but in Kane's hands, it no doubt was a formidable one. In his own, it would be wielded as a tool for bringing pain and pleasure, and for marking that fine skin. "Where is it?" he asked, going to search the saddlebags, striping his clothes away as he went, tossing them away from the fire. "Is it wise to tell you?" Oh, Kane was relaxed enough to play! He chuckled. "It depends on how long you want to take to repack. And whether or not there's anything you don't want me seeing in these bags..." "In the back of the darker bag, Eric." "Now you've got me curious if that was to save time or to save me from finding something you want to remain hidden." Grinning, he reached around the back of the bag in question and found the crop and took it, hitting it against his hand several times. Oh yes, it would do very nicely. Kane stood, unflinching. Watching. Those thighs were still parted, cock half-hard, filling for him. So strong. So beautiful. And all his. Kane was magnificent. Licking his lips, he walked slowly around Kane, the firelight seeming to dance on the pale skin.

"My lord." One day, they would have the freedom again to spend a day on nothing but this passion between them. He ran the tip of the crop from the top of Kane's neck over the long spine and down to Kane's crack. "This is a promise of the things to come when this is all over." With that he hit Kane with the crop -- once across the ass and once across the shoulders. "My lord." Kane seemed to relax into the blows, needing this as badly as he did. "Yes. Yes." He nodded, hitting Kane again with the crop, and then again. The sound it made through the air made the horses whinny and he laughed, hitting Kane again. The sound it made on his Kane's skin made him whimper and he didn?t laugh, only held his breath and did it again. Kane's skin began to glow, to just barely sheen with sweat. He could smell the musk and heat of his lover, his bodyguard. His center. They began to breathe together. Without even trying, each exhalation matched and it informed the rhythm of his strokes. He could see Kane's arms beginning to shudder, the braid slowly unwinding, letting those hands free. He moved around to Kane's front, the bruises from where he'd bitten earlier standing out. Flicking with the very tip of the crop, he hit those spots in quick succession. "Eric." His name was bitten out, Kane's stomach rippling. Biting his own lip to keep from crying out, he flicked the crop across Kane's right nipple again. Kane's cock leapt, the scent of desire sudden and sharp. Oh yes. Yes. Groaning, Eric slid the crop down over Kane's pectorals and abdomen, rubbing Kane's prick with it. That earned him a low, deep, rumbling growl, Kane's cock leaking. "I know what you want." He hit Kane's right hip. "I know what you need." He hit the left. Kane's only response was a snarl, a shuddering of those muscles. "When we have retaken the castle, I will tie you to my bed and whip you until you have forgotten your own name." He snapped the crop across each thigh. "I will spend hours making you scream, not letting you come." Kane's hips began to shift, bucking ever so slightly, in response to his words.

"I will loose your braid and your hair will become wet with your sweat and your blood and my come." Kane's chin dipped, a hoarse moan tearing from him. "Tonight, I am only marking you with my promise that these things will happen. And tonight you may spend." As he spoke the last word, he flicked the crop gently across the head of Kane's prick. Seed sprayed from Kane, the pearly white ropes splashing upon the ground. "Yes." He leaned against Kane's strength, opening his lover's lips with his tongue and plunging in for a deep, hard kiss. That flavor -- the need and pleasure and pain and love -- that was his and his alone. It made his prick throb, his own need great. With a cry, he tore his mouth away. "I want you." The words were an inadequate description of his need. "Anything." Kane bent and spread for him, eager, willing. Groaning, he grabbed Kane's hips, and pulled the beautiful body back onto his prick. His cockhead nudged Kane's hole and then spread it as he sank in. Hot, tight -- Kane was made for him, made to take him in and hold him tight. He leaned over his lover, cheek resting against the heated, abused flesh. Groaning at that heat, at the scent of Kane's sweat, he began to move, hips jerking, pushing him into Kane's body over and over. That tight hole squeezed him, rippled around him, dragged against his shaft. "Kane!" It wasn't going to be long, the adrenaline of the chase, the long day, and Kane himself all conspired to bring him quickly to completion. "Love," he whispered, jerking several more times before coming, filling Kane with his seed. Kane nodded, body holding him tight, holding him like a fist. He lay bent over Kane's body for long moments, slowly catching his breath, loving the way Kane held and supported him, knowing his bodyguard would do it as long as necessary. Eventually, his back became cold and, with a sigh, he pulled out. Kane's hands landed on his skin, warming him immediately, holding him close. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the peace and care he found in Kane?s arms whenever he needed it.

They moved toward the bedding, dropping to it, Kane curling around him as they lay down. Keeping him warm. Keeping him safe. He grabbed Kane's hand and held it tight. "Don't let go." "Never." It was more than a promise. It was a vow.

Chapter Nine Boran Firan strode through the halls, moving easily among his own people who now held the castle as their own. The Clan of Firan had achieved their victory, as promised to them by their god. Stopping in front of a small altar to the forest spirits that the dog Ericio and his kind favored, Boran swept his arm across the stone, sending candles and offerings crashing to the floor, the heavy scent of pine and earth rising from the debris. He tore the branches from the wall behind the altar and strode with them to the throne room, tossing the offending tokens into the fire. It flared brightly for a moment, a pale imitation of his own Sun God's presence. Indeed, the forest clans were weak and puny when compared to the Clan of Firan. In the end, taking the castle had been surprisingly easy. He'd had men and women scattered throughout the castle, loyal to a fault and awaiting only his word. From simple maids to the king's own guard, each would die for him, and each other. The Sun God's people were fierce warriors all, tempered in the fires of that blessed orb. Their chance had come when that fool of a king had gone out into the villages to visit his people. Fool. Idiot. Did the man really think that people cared so much for him that they needed to have his person in their presence? And that had been the only mistake he'd seen the demon bodyguard make -- allowing such a thing with the threat still hanging over them. The castle had been his before the pair were out of sight in their fancy carriage. His men among the Guard had let him and his warriors in. They'd slain anyone who got in their way. A full third of the Guard had insisted on remaining loyal. Most of them were dead, several were in the dungeon and would make a most satisfying display in the courtyard in the morning where they would be hanged and their heads set upon the

ramparts so that all who came would see the price of following that dog, Ericio. Servants were easy enough to subdue, especially when near to half their ranks were Sun worshippers. Those who were not were currently in a corral near the stables. They would be sent to their homes to spread the news of the new lord and master of the land. His only regret was that his men had missed their opportunity to kill Ericio and bring the demon bodyguard to him. He had scouts scouring the forests, looking for their escaped enemies. He could not rest until he knew that they were no longer a threat. The flames consumed the branches as he watched, just as his clan had consumed Ericio's followers. They would burn the loyalty from them until not even embers remained. "My lord." He turned to find his second standing in the wide doorway to the throne room, hand on the hilt of his sword. "Yes, Tiber?" "If I may be so presumptuous, I believe we should execute two of the Guard now. The people need to see that we mean business." "Only two?" "I would save the others to torture, eke out the hangings slowly." "Very well." Tiber had been born with a cruel streak in him. Boran's best friend, as boys they'd torn the wings off flies and killed frogs, rabbits and foxes to see them bleed. Tiber smiled, the dark eyes alight with the pleasure of doing his duty. "I will inform our men, have them get the gallows ready." Tiber hesitated a moment. "Out with it." It was not in Tiber's nature to hold his tongue, and Boran had no desire for the man to begin doing so now. "Should I return, my Lord?" Tiber's eyes dropped significantly, and Boran felt his cock stir. "As long as you call me my lord while you're kneeling in front of me, sucking my prick." The very idea made him fill even more. He enjoyed the power he had over his lovers and he would take Tiber's mouth the way he wanted to take the demon bodyguard's. He would practice his technique and pray to the Sun that he had his chance to exert his will over the pale, icy man who served a dead king. Not dead yet, a voice reminded him, and Boran growled. He would not rest easy until Ericio's head adorned his castle walls.

Tiber came back some moments later, carefully closing the door behind him. Boran had half a mind to tell the man to open it again, but Tiber was his second, and there was no need to completely humiliate the man. That pleasure was saved for the demon bodyguard. He stayed where he was, though, spreading his legs just slightly, so that when the time came he would have plenty of leverage to rock his hips. Tiber came right up to him, stopping only when they were a mere foot apart. Boran grinned and nodded at the ground. "On your knees, Tiber. Show your lord and master the proper respect." "We were boys together, Boran. And I am your right hand." "You are not! My right hand would already have my prick out and be stroking it quite effectively!" Laughing, Tiber slowly dropped to both knees, eyes still dancing as the man looked up at him. "This is no joke, Tiber. Just as you kneel before me now, so must you kneel before me in front of the assembly. I must prove my dominion over my own men if I am to have the acceptance of that dog Ericio's." "Am I not allowed to enjoy this task, my Lord?" "Yes, you may enjoy it. Just remember, my pleasure come before yours." "Yes, my Lord." Tiber's thick fingers opened Boran?s breeches, pushing into them to wrap around his prick and tug it out. The tip glistened with his need, and Tiber licked carefully at it, groaning happily. Hands on his hips, Boran watched with almost detachment as Tiber's lips opened to take him in. He was quite thick, and the sight of Tiber's lips stretched wide around his girth usually brought him closer to his climax, but today it seemed ordinary, definitely not arousing. Growling, he wrapped his hands around the back of Tiber's head, fingers tangling within the dark length, and began to thrust, pushing hard into Tiber's mouth, slamming back against the man's throat with every thrust. In his mind's eye, it was the pale demon with the silver hair he took, it was those thin, unsmiling lips that were stretched by his cock as the bodyguard sucked for his life. Now that was far more arousing and Boran moved faster, harder, grunting sounds coming

from him as the pleasure built and built. He would choke the demon with his prick, make the pale one beg for his seed. With a guttural cry, he came, spilling into Tiber's mouth in long pulses. Tiber cleaned him carefully, smirking up at him. "And what of me, my lord?" "Stand." Eyes holding Tiber's, he dug into the man's breeches and stroked the squat prick that waited eagerly for his touch. "Your pleasure is mine to command." "Yes, my Lord." "Lucky for you, I command it. Now." Tiber cried out, body shuddering as heat spilled up over Boran's hand. They cleaned and adjusted themselves wordlessly, using a piece of fabric from Ericio's throne. A piece with the king's emblem on it. "We should have come over his chair." Tiber sneered toward the throne, but Boran shook his head. "I will sit in it as his subjects bow to me. Only when they have all done so will I have it destroyed." "And that is why you are our leader and I am only your second." Growling, he grabbed Tiber's chin, turning the man's face until their eyes met. "I am leader because our god has decreed it, Tiber. Never forget that." Fear flashed in Tiber's eyes, ever so briefly. "Of course, my lord." He let go of Tiber's face and grinned. "Well then, is my execution ready to begin?" "I do believe so, my lord." "Excellent. We'll make our sacrifice of the two Guard to the Sun god and then we shall feast -- I find I have quite the appetite." Doing his god's will was hungry work. *** He was running again, chasing this time instead of being chased.

Eric had lost Kane hours ago, but still he ran, the trees slapping at him, tearing at his clothes as he searched for his bodyguard. For his lover. The moon hid behind clouds, refusing to share her light with him, and the trees laughed at him, their roots tripping him as he ran, slowing him down until he was further and further behind Kane and the men who'd come into their hidden bower and stolen his beloved bodyguard away. His breath caught painfully in his chest, but still he ran, refusing to give up, refusing to leave Kane to a terrible fate. The man would not have given up on him. And he could do no less. Scratched and bruised, his clothes torn to tatters and his hair wild around his face and full of leaves and sticks, Ericio finally burst into a clearing, bright sunlight shining impossibly. The Clan of Firan. They numbered in the hundreds, four and five deep in a circle, their Sun God shining down on them in the middle of the night. He tried to push through them, to see what it was they circled, but they were too thick and he was pushed and shoved, squeezed between them until he nearly lost his breath. "Kane!" his mind screamed. "Kane!" Again and again he found himself outside of the circle, and again and again he would push into the wall of people, panic and worry keeping his heart beating as if he was still running. At last, he spied a tree with low branches and he scrambled up it, the bark tearing at his fingers and his feet and his knees, but still he climbed, the urgency to find Kane growing with each moment. When he was high enough to see over the crowd, he turned. The sight that met his eyes made his blood run cold. Kane knelt, naked and beaten, at the feet of the Sun god's leader, the man opening his breeches. Eric let go of the tree in shock, his scream echoing through the woods. "Kane!" "My lord?" Hands grabbed hold of him, dragged him closer. "No! Kane!" Eric fought the hands, the vision of Kane on his knees fading. "Kane?"

"Here. Here, my lord. I have you." Kane wrapped around him, knife drawn, ready to protect him. "Kane. Oh." He ran his hands over his bodyguard, his lover, the dream chasing him still. "I have you." He had Kane, right here with him. "Yes. Yes, Eric. You do. What haunts you?" "You do. The clan. They had you. They took you from me." He looked up into the ice blue eyes. "They are evil." "No one will take me from you. No one." "I know." He pressed closer, shivering, trying to get his feelings to match his words. Kane's touch slid down his back, fingers curving over his hip, stroking him. Moaning, he searched out Kane's mouth with his own, the kiss a touch desperate. Kane kissed him back, tongue pushing against his, sliding, forcing him to focus on the now, on the heat. On Kane. He pushed back, needing that strength against him, around him. Their tongues fought for dominance, the duel sweet, full of need. Kane hummed into Eric?s lips, comforting him, centering him. Protecting him. He rolled onto his back, Kane coming with him, on top of him. Oh yes, that weight, his lover strong and solid on top of him. "My lord." Kane covered him, pushing and rocking down against him. His eyes rolled back in his head as he arched up against Kane, his focus narrowing, nothing else mattering but the spark that blazed between them. The kiss he got burned him to the ground. He wrapped his arms and legs around Kane, clinging and rubbing, humping up against the strong, lean body. "Shh. You are safe. You are." Kane did not understand. It was not his own safety he feared for. "Promise me you'll stay by my side, Kane." As long as he had Kane close, he could protect his lover as much as the man protected him. "I swear. Eternally. I would never leave you." "Good." He ran his hands along Kane's back, feeling the whole skin, the faint scars beneath his fingertips that he knew better then the sight of his own hands. The kisses grew longer, Kane near stealing his breath, hands hard and sure on his head.

"Take me, Kane. Seal your promise with your seed." "Mmm." He received another kiss, another, legs pushing between his. He tilted his hips, offering himself to his lover. "Kane. Please." "No. No, you should never have to beg." Kane stared into his eyes, so serious. "You are king." He reached up, stroking the fine cheek. "Then take me, Kane. Give your king what he desires." That strong cock pushed into him, demanding, strong, thick. The stretch burned and was exactly what he needed. He bore down, drawing Kane in deeper, his thumb sliding across Kane's lips. "My lord." Kane sucked his thumb in, pulling. The twin sensations of sucking and fucking had him crying out, jerking beneath Kane's body. "Don't stop!" he demanded. "No. No, I won't." His Kane would not; his Kane would fill him, keep him safe. He held those eyes -- he could almost see his face in the black center of them. "Love." The one word was filled with need, with pure emotion. "Harder." He grabbed Kane's ass and yanked. Kane slammed into him, rutting and pounding into his body, their skin slapping together. His prick was caught between them, rubbing against Kane's belly with each thrust. "Yes! Yes, Kane." "Mmm. Yes. Ericio. Beloved." Kane's braid landed between them, the tip tickling his cock. He jerked, arching with a gasp. Kane groaned, swinging his head, making the braid sway. Each flick of the braid against his cock sent him flying higher. "Mmm. Yes. Yes, my love. My lord." He cried out, shuddering as he came, the pleasure going through his entire body. Kane's smile was beautiful, transcendent. His. Heat filled him, pulsing inside him, Kane jerking wildly above him.

He tugged Kane close, their bodies still twitching, still taking the last moments of pleasure. "I have you." Kane whispered into his lips. "And I have you." He kissed Kane hard. "I have you." "Yes, Eric. You do." He nodded, the nightmare's grip no match for the reality of Kane, solid and warm and real in his arms. *** Kane watched, hand on Ericio?s shoulder, his king?s breath coming slowly, his beloved one sleeping. He protected the man, even from those dreams, even from fantasies. There was something coming. He could hear his master?s voice, low and steady, in the wind, whispering for him to watch, to listen. Sinking into the sound, he reached out for the quiet space where he could hear all of the men that came before him, all of the men born and bred for nothing but to protect their kings. Protect the line. To not allow the danger to find his liege. Kane sat perfectly still, eyes slitted. They will come for him, Kane. They will come for him; they wish him to suffer. He nodded, I know. I will not fail him. You cannot fail. Kane. Heed me. The sound in that voice buried deep within his mind sounded strange. Odd. Unusual. Frightened. How could his master be frightened? I hear you, master. I will heed you. There are outside forces acting on this, Kane. Things beyond your training, beyond our touch. Images of fire and burning sunlight filled his mind, the scent of roasting flesh near making him gag. A low, thrumming chanting pounded at his ears -- the words vile and

raw, furious. Angry. Hate -- hundreds and hundreds of people hating his Ericio. He shook his head, belly roiling, denying the idea that it might be Ericio upon that pyre. Master! Master, I cannot fight an army! What was he supposed to do? How could he protect his liege? His lord? His lover? That is not the worst. The words chilled him to the bone, his concentration slipping. Master? Watch for your own life. You may be called to betray all you know. He growled, baring his teeth against the darkness. I cannot betray him. You may not have a choice.

Chapter Ten Ericio had no more dreams, but when he woke, he felt sullen and dull, the sun's light barely penetrating the thick canopy of branches and leaves that sheltered them. Kane was still and silent, holding him, and for a moment Eric studied the stern profile. Many would miss the beauty of the sharp features, but not him. He knew each inch intimately; he saw the passion in those ice-cold eyes. He had never feared Kane, never known those sharp features to look at him with death written on them. Perhaps he alone knew Kane's... softer side. It was a pity. On the other hand, there were very few who knew him as anything but the somewhat aloof King. Those were their roles and they played them as best they could.

He sighed and stirred, drawing that amazing focus to himself. "Morning, Kane." "Bright morning, my Lord." Those pale eyes smiled upon him, warmed him with their regard, their passion, their love. "Oh... yes, Kane." The blanket of dullness that had covered him was torn away by that look. He reached up, touching the tight braid, Kane's white hair pure silk beneath his touch. Kane lifted Eric?s face, kissed him with a rich, pure hunger. He opened immediately, his own hunger responding to Kane's, matching it and driving them both higher. A low, needy sound pushed out of him, flowing into Kane's mouth. Kane dragged him closer, their bodies rubbing and rocking together, the heat between them sudden and sharp. His fingers searched out Kane's nipples, tugging on the little bits of flesh until they grew hard beneath his fingertips, the skin around them puckering. He pulled harder, knowing that his beloved one needed the ache, the burn, the edge of pain and danger. His teeth worried Kane's lower lip, scraping the flesh. "I miss our freedoms, my lord. Our privacy, our pleasure." "Yes." He pinched hard and licked his way across Kane's jaw line. "Need that, need you." "Yes. Yes, Eric. I know." Kane looked almost desperate, almost needy. He rolled them, pressing Kane into the ground with his body as he spread the long legs wide. "Ericio." Kane arched, eyes wide, trying to protect him, trying to see danger. "We're safe here," he growled, taking Kane's face between his hands and holding that gaze with his own. He pushed himself between Kane's legs, hips jerking slowly, jabbing Kane's balls as he searched blindly for that tiny little hole. "I need." He knew. He knew the panicked hunger that lived inside his Kane, the way that nothing eased it but him. "I have what you need, Kane. I always have." He always would. He finally found Kane's ass, his prick sliding along the crack. He didn't tease long, Kane's

need like a pulse within his own veins, wanting, needing, demanding. With a cry, he pushed in, plunged right into the hot, tight cavern of Kane's body. "Love!" Kane's throat worked, body accepting him, welcoming him like no one else could. "Right here." He lowered his head, forehead resting against Kane's shoulder as his hips rolled and pushed, sliding his cock in and out of Kane's body. "Yours." The word was whispered and he knew it was a prayer, a blessing for the gods. "Yes." Prayer for the gods or not, it was also the truth. He set up a hard rhythm, taking Kane as hard as he could, wanting his lover to feel him all day long. And, as always, Kane took him. He breathed Kane in as he humped, nuzzling into the long neck. Kane's fingers were on his hips, dragging him in deeper, harder, making demands. He bared his teeth, scraping over Kane's collarbone. Kane's head fell back, long throat bared for him. He found the spot where he could feel Kane's heart beating beneath his tongue, and he circled the spot with his lips, sucking up a mark as he moved to that beat, hips snapping quick and hard. Kane's cries poured out over them, that heart beating faster and faster. He slipped a hand between them, tugging at Kane's prick, demanding his lover's orgasm before his own overtook him. Kane squeezed and shifted, body working his cock, fighting him. "Together," he grunted, just before his mouth crashed down on Kane's. Kane's seed sprayed over his fingers, hot and wet and perfect. That hot channel held him tight, massaged his cock and pulled his own seed from him, his orgasm making him jerk and shout. "Love." The word was mouthed against his lips, making them tingle. "Yes." He shuddered. "I want to tie you up, K. I want to whip you and fuck you and make you scream over and over." "Yes. I want to wear your marks, to follow your orders." He moaned, just the thought of how things were, how they could be arousing, enticing. "I love you, Kane." His whispered words were fierce, his gaze holding Kane's. "As I love you, Ericio. With all I have, I swear it."

"Then we will survive this. The nightmares and the clan cannot touch us." He didn't know why he had mentioned the nightmares first, but they always felt like a bigger threat, closer. "We will. They cannot have you, my lord." "Nor you." If his dreams had told him one thing, it was that he needed Kane to survive this as surely as he needed to survive it himself. "No. No, they cannot have us." Kane tilted Eric?s head, kissed him again. He lost himself in it for a moment, but he could feel that Kane was centered once again, that Kane?s full attention was not on the kiss. Still, the entirety of that attention was, as always, on him. He slipped from Kane's body, curling up on his bodyguard, Kane keeping him warmer than the fire. Those arms wrapped around him, holding him, defying the gods themselves. He rested for a long time, and then broached the question in his mind now that he was sated and warm. "How long before our hide-out here is found?" "A few days, perhaps as long as a week. We will move before then, and head toward an encampment." "An encampment? What kind of encampment? I've never heard of an encampment. I thought we were going to use the tunnels to return to the castle?" "We are, but first we must travel to my masters' place. We need men we can trust." "You're bringing me there? I didn't think that was allowed." The kings' bodyguards had a long tradition of secrecy. "It isn't. I have no choice." "I won't let them punish you," he warned. He would stand against anyone he had to. "My masters will know; they called for me. It is your right to punish me." "Mine and mine alone." He growled, hands curling around Kane's arms. "No one else will ever touch you." "Yours -- by law. If they pass judgment against me, you will mete it out, but we need men, Ericio. I cannot fight a god and his army." It was sobering. Not that he hadn't believed the seriousness of threat before. If nothing

else had convinced him, their mad dash from the castle and through the forest would have. But to hear Kane admit that he needed help against this threat... He hugged Kane tightly. "Trust in me. I will defend you." Those eyes stared him down. "I will." "I know. I have every faith in you against any threat. Any threat." But losing Kane would be no better than losing his own life. He buried his face in Kane's neck again. He hated this. Hated it. He wanted to be a soft, spoiled, well-loved king who spent all his days playing with his bodyguard. And he didn't care how childish that wish made him.

Chapter Eleven They headed north, moving as fast as Kane thought Ericio could go. Part of him screamed that this was a terrible idea, that they needed to return to the castle, fight for what was Eric's. The bigger part of him insisted that he followed the call of his masters. The call home. Eric was quiet, not saying a word -- not complaining, not making demands, just riding, following his lead. It was almost creepy. "My lord? Are you hungry? We can stop..." "I'll eat when you're ready for us to stop, Kane." Eric slowed as they spoke. "We'll have one night rest, and then meet my masters when the sun is high." "And you're sure this is the right course, Kane?" "I am sure, my lord. I would not lead you astray." "No, of course you wouldn't." Eric quirked him a half-smile. "I just don't want to go." "They're not monsters, Ericio." They continued for some time, their pace still a walk, their horses staying close together. "They took you from me once," Eric murmured quietly. "They did." And if they chose to again, Ericio would probably let them.

"I won't let them do it again, Kane. You're mine. They have to understand that. And I am king. Even where we are going, I am king." "Yes, my lord." Something in him soared at the words, rejoiced. "I'll have some water, Kane, and then we can resume our pace." "Yes, my lord." His cock threatened to fill, just at the sound of command in Ericio's voice. His king's eyes watched him as Eric drank, as the skin was handed over again and their fingers brushed. His recalcitrant cock leapt again at the touch. And Eric knew, he could see it in the blue eyes. "Make sure we make camp somewhere with some privacy." "Yes. Yes, my lord." Yes, my Eric. Remember that you are king. They continued on, moving a little faster than they had been, making good time. It was shortly before night fall when Eric told him to find someplace for them soon. "I need to stop. We need to stop." "Yes. There is a cave, close." He strained his memory, trying to remember where the little private lair was. His mind traveled back to training, to running these mountains, following the moon... "Where? I see nothing." His Eric was always so impatient. "I..." His eyes caught the pattern of trees -- three, then four, then three again. "Here. Between those trees." He led them unerringly to the opening, to the hidden spot where no outsider could discover them. "Clever man," murmured Eric. "I shall have to reward you." His cheeks went hot and his head ducked, but he didn't say a word, he simply put himself to making things comfortable. Eric hobbled the horses and then sat on the log he'd dragged into the cave, watching him again. Those eyes... they were a touch, a caress. He started a fire, pouring water from a skin with some herbs and dried meat. The soup would fortify his king. "More soup." Eric sighed. "I miss my kitchens. My cooks." "I know, my lord. There will be food at the temple." "Well, there we go, something to look forward to there." Eric gave him a wink.

"You never know, my lord. The masters may believe they can teach you something." The look Eric shot him was pure horror. "I am joking, Ericio. Honestly. I am simply trying to ease your mind." "Oh, good." Eric chuckled. "Sorry, but the tales of your masters are... legendary." One hand came out to stroke his back. "And you were so serious when you came back." "I was." He had been broken, and then reformed in another's image. He was no longer the prince's companion. "I know. I hated it." Eric shifted, moving to sit closer. "It was as if they'd stolen you from me. I made you my own again, though." "You did. It was necessary." Painful. Harsh. Devastating. Necessary. "Yes." Eric leaned in and took a hard kiss. "My Kane. Always." "Yes." That was a simple, unavoidable truth. Eric pushed him over suddenly, coming down on top of him, tongue sliding between his lips. He opened, allowing Eric in, offering Eric all he was. Eric's tongue plunged into his mouth, fucking it as his lord's hips pushed him into the ground. Part of him dared to push back, to demand that his king take him, enforce that will, that need. A low moan was his reward, Eric's hands pressing against his shoulders, holding him down as Eric's lips slid away from his and moved to his neck. Sharp teeth joined the soft, hot lips, biting a mark into his skin. He bit back his cry, hips bucking up into Eric. Marked. Marked by his king. Eric kept biting and sucking, until he finally pulled back a little, admiring his handiwork. "There. Now there will be no mistake who you belong to when we meet with your former masters." "There can be no mistake."

"There will be none." Eric took the skin just above his right nipple and rolled it between sharp teeth, hands sliding on him. "My lord!" Burned. Oh, fuck him. But not as much as it burned when Eric took his nipple between those teeth and rolled again. He clenched his teeth together, heels thrumming on the ground. Lapping at his nipple, Eric chuckled. "You will feel me all day tomorrow, Kane." "I would feel you eternally." "I'll do my best." Eric winked at him, and then took the tip of his cock into that hot mouth, teeth threatening. He went still, muscles tight and hard, refusing to be a coward, to move. Eric's teeth scraped lightly down the length of his cock, the touches sharp without being painful. On the way back up it was purely lips, tight and hot around his flesh. His stomach rippled, cock throbbing, seed threatening to rise. As if Eric knew, long fingers slid around his balls, tugging them down hard, the warning not to come yet clear. He swallowed, nodded. Agreed. Not without Eric?s say-so. A low hum vibrated around his prick, Eric's head beginning to bob, taking him deep, swallowing around the tip and then nearly coming off only to start all over again. His fingers dug into the dirt, scrabbling on the stone. Suddenly, his prick was sharing space with one of Eric's fingers, the long digit cold for a moment compared to Eric's mouth and his own heated flesh, but it warmed quickly and then was gone. It pushed against his hole, slick with Eric's saliva. Bearing down, he let Eric fill him, touch him inside. A low moan vibrated all along his cock and a second finger slid into him, going deep. Kane spread, heels digging in, toes curling up. Eric's fingers pushed and stretched, twisted inside and bumped into his gland. Lightning shot up along his belly, making him grunt and arch. Tongue swirling around his flesh, Eric finally pulled off his prick, smiling wickedly up at him. Those long fingers found his gland again and pegged it harder. "My lord." His legs drew up, spreading himself further. "Yes." The word was fierce, Eric's fingers disappearing, leaving him empty. He couldn't help his groan, his whimper. Before the sound had ended, Eric pushed into him, cock spreading him wide, filling him slowly, surely. Yes.

Yes. He leaned up on his elbows, bearing down onto his love, his liege. Once in, Eric stayed still for a long time, eyes staring into his own. Love. He loved. Finally, Eric made a soft noise and started to thrust, prick hard and hot and huge inside him. "Ericio." He leaned up, begging a kiss, full of his lover. Moaning, Eric met his mouth, tongue sliding along his lips, tracing them before plunging in, the kiss finding the same rhythm their bodies were enjoying. Together they fought toward their climax, their pleasure, their need. One of Eric's hands grabbed onto his prick, tugging. "My Kane. Show me your pleasure now." "Yours. I swear it." No matter what was before them. "Yes! Mine!" Eric thrust hard, cock sliding deep, bumping his gland hard. Seed poured from him, splashing wet and hot on his belly. Eric cried out, hips bucking, jerking into him as an answering heat pulsed from Eric's prick "My lord." His body squeezed the heat within him. "Mine and no one else's," Eric said, beginning to thrust again. "Can you feel me?" "Yes. I feel you. Yours." He groaned, head tossing. "Good. Good." Each word was punctuated with another thrust, Eric's mouth crashing onto his again. Then Eric pulled out, collapsing onto him, fingers unerringly finding the bite mark on his neck. "I will not let them take me from you." "Neither will I, Kane. Neither will I."

Chapter Twelve Ericio grew more and more tense as they rode, his hands twitching every time he resisted the urge to slow the pace, to halt his horse before they arrived at the place where Kane had been taken and remade when they were still young. His dreams had been fitful, but not the so very real seeming nightmares that had plagued him so recently. These were filled with the usual shadows and monsters chasing, of falling from great heights as he was pushed, almost the nightmares of a boy. Still, they?d left him restless and tired, on edge. It didn't help that Kane seemed more and more withdrawn the closer they came to his former masters. Eric's faithful bodyguard had not seemed so distant and cold since the day he'd returned from his time with the very same men they were now heading toward. Finally, he could stand it no more and he called a halt to their progress, his hands hard on the reins. "I must speak with you before we arrive," he told Kane. "Yes, my Lord?" Those eyes seemed nearly frozen, icy. He nudged his horse until he and Kane were side by side, and then he grabbed the back of Kane's head and pulled the man in for a hard kiss, pouring himself and his love into it. It took a heartbeat, but then his ice lover melted, opened for him, and he could taste Kane's worry, Kane's fear. Kane's love. He slid one hand to over Kane's chest, pressing hard against Kane's heart. "This is mine," he said, breaking the kiss. "Yes. Yes, Eric." He could almost hear the unspoken, 'no matter what they do to me.' Almost snarling, he pushed his hand slowly down Kane's body and pressed against his bodyguard's belly, pushing on Kane's gut. "And this is mine." "Yes." Kane pushed back against his touch. "And this," his hand dropped to Kane's crotch where he grabbed the hardening shaft through Kane's breeches. "This has always been and always will be mine." "Yes." Those eyes were pleading with him, begging him.

"Do not forget that. No matter what those men who call themselves your masters say -you are mine, through and through." He let go of Kane's prick only long enough to push into the man's breeches and grab Kane's cock itself. His hand began to move, sliding hot and sure on Kane's flesh. "Master." Kane's head fell back, throat working. No more ice, no distance. This belonged to him and him alone. "That's right. I am your master. This is mine. You are mine." He kept pulling, bringing Kane pleasure. Only he could do that. Only him. Kane was his. To punish, to pleasure. His. The horses danced under them, Kane's fingers white-knuckled on the reins. He held Kane's eyes, waiting until he could see it there, the need to come, the need to give in to the pleasure. "Now," he ordered, thumb sliding across the tip of Kane's prick as he passed it by. "Yes." The word was bitten out, almost growled, and his entire soul shook with the truth in it. The scent of Kane's come made him shudder and groan. "Yes." His eyes closed for a moment and then opened again, his gaze catching and holding Kane's. "I love you, Kane." "As I love you, Ericio. You must remember that. Above all things." "As must you. You are no longer a student, where we are going. You are my bodyguard, my Kane." Kane's laughter was almost bitter. "I will always be a student there, Eric." "But they are no longer your masters, Kane. My word is law. You are mine!" He put power into the words, made sure they were orders, made sure he didn't whine. He was no child stomping his feet over a favorite toy; this was far more important than anything else. He could see it, see his command settling in Kane's spine, putting his lover at peace, at one with Kane?s place. "Yes. Yes, my Lord. My King." "Good." He nodded toward the way ahead of them. "We can go now." "Yes, my Lord." The long braid caught the sunlight, turned to pure silver. Eric was caught for a moment, blinded by Kane's braid, by Kane himself.

And then he clicked his tongue, moving his horse to take the lead. He would not let these men know there was any fear in him at all. It wasn?t long before he could feel the weight of eyes, even as the forest got thicker and thicker, the sun disappearing under the canopy. He forced himself to not stiffen up, to ride easily; his attention was split between their surroundings and Kane. "There will be a man soon, meeting us. My Mas... My... The Elder of this place." "Good. I've had enough of people lurking in the shadows." He spoke loudly, wanting to be overheard. Kane's chuckle was whisper-soft, proud. He flashed a smile at his bodyguard. He could do this. They both could. "Kane, you have returned as you were commanded." A tiny, skinny man stood in a clearing, dark-skinned and bald, but with a long, thin braid at the base of his skull. Eric answered before Kane could. "No, we came to seek your help." One eyebrow went up. "Has my apprentice served you well, King?" " My bodyguard and his service are none of your business." "Are you quite sure? It was been many years since my brother served your father, but I remember when the old King sent my apprentice to me." "Yes, I remember as well. And I remember when he came back. He is mine now." Eric stared down at the little man, refusing to be intimidated. "We came here for your help ousting the sun clan from my castle. If you aren't going to help, we'll be going." "We will help. We called for our Kane to return home. We must prepare. There is danger." "This isn't his home. But thank you for your help." He wanted it absolutely clear that Kane was his. He would hammer the point home as often as he felt he needed to. "So you know about the sun clan and their plot." "We do now." The man came closer, one hand held up to him. "King Ericio. I am Master Ben-Ko." He slipped from his horse and offered his hand for the man to take and bow over. "Master Ben-Ko. Your king needs you." "My king died with your uncle in the west, but my people live to support your line." The

grip was strong, sure. "Then take us to your camp and we'll make our plans together." And as long as no one threatened his Kane, they would get along well. Ben-Ko nodded and then went to Kane, who slid off his horse. "My Kane." "No. My Kane." Eric?s words were firm. He would not let that point slide. "This is most awkward." Kane bowed to the tiny man. "It must be. It is rare, to have one of our own return." "He's not yours anymore!" Eric shouted and rounded on them. "Get up, Kane. You bow to no man but me." "Yes, my Lord." Kane stood, obeying him immediately. "And if I punished you for disobeying, Kane?" "I am not yours to punish, Teacher." "I told you, Ben-Ko, he is mine now." Eric stood, proud and strong. Kane would know he was treasured, worth being fought for. "He was born to be yours, Lord Ericio. You are his destiny. Come, there is food, bathing chambers, a place to plan." "Excellent. Lead on." He gave Kane a smile, grabbed his horse?s reins and followed BenKo. Bathing chambers. He liked the sound of that; the dirt of the woods was thick on his skin. The trees opened to a simple, rustic village, the buildings large and solid, a few men and women moving quietly between them. Eric had to admit that he was curious. It seemed so normal for a place that had changed his Kane so profoundly. He imagined that was down to Ben-Ko and men like him. But was everyone who lived here cut of the same cloth? From what he understood from his father, men from this place had protected the line since it had begun generations ago. "What news have you had from the castle?" he asked. "The cultists have destroyed the guard, have rounded up the peasants. It will be difficult to find who your allies are." "You are our allies," he told Ben-Ko. "And I can't think of a better start than that." He

ignored the little voice in his head that suggested he and Kane just keep going, that they find someplace that was for them alone and live out their days undisturbed. He ignored it because he was the King and he would not leave his people to the sun cult's rule. His birthright had been stolen and he would have it back. Kane looked around, eyes wide. "There are so few people, Teacher." "Most are in the woods, training, allowing us our privacy." "Will they all rally around their King and join us in battle?" Eric asked. "They will do as I command them." Eric noted that didn't exactly answer the question he'd asked. "You mentioned a place to plan..." Only a few days ago, he would have put off the planning in favor of eating and bathing. "Yes. Please." The horses were led to stables and they were led to a quiet, low-ceilinged building filled with couches and long tables with fruits and jugs and bowls of food waiting. Oh, fresh food. Real food. He might have put the planning first, but his stomach was very pleased to be able to put the two together. "Are there others coming to this planning session, or is it to be just the three of us?" "The council of elders will come, as well as the most senior guards. Please, dine." Eric sat on a couch that was big enough only for himself, and Kane next to him. He almost reached for the nearest plate, but didn't, waiting for Kane to taste first. Kane inspected each morsel, trusting no one, not even these men. When the food was deemed fit, he fell on it rather eagerly. "You, too," he told Kane around a mouthful of food. It was amazing how quickly one grew tired of the food you had to eat while on the run. "Yes, my Lord." Kane took a bit of fruit, a roll, nibbling carefully. Eric ate his fill and then began popping grapes into his mouth, the flavors wonderful. "This doesn't seem so bad," he murmured to Kane. It certainly wasn't what he'd imagined. "No." Kane said nothing more, eyes on the floor, so careful not to look at Ben-Ko. Eric swallowed his growl. He hated that Kane felt subservient to this man. To anyone other than himself. He kept his counsel to himself for now; he would wait and see what aid Kane's former masters were prepared to give before he gave voice to his anger.

"Thank you for the meal. We enjoyed it." He gave Ben-Ko a pointed look. "Are we ready to begin?" "The Elders are administering the evening absolutions. They will enter once their apprentices are dealt with." Dealt with. Well, that sounded more like what he'd expected to find here: somewhat ominous. "Very well." He searched for something to say, to ask, but he found he had very little desire for idle conversation with this man. Kane sat perfectly still, saying nothing, watching him. Staring at him. He smiled at his bodyguard and placed his hand on Kane's thigh, the gesture pure possessiveness. Mine, it said. Kane gave him a single nod, the only sound that heavy braid rasping on the man's jacket. Eric shifted his gaze to Ben-Ko, trying to read the man's face. If Ben-Ko was uncomfortable with the heavy silence, it didn?t show, and Eric fought himself as hard as he could, not wanting to be the first to give in to the quiet and speak. He knew it was a losing battle, this man had trained his Kane after all, but he made the attempt nonetheless. Fortunately, he didn't have to try for long. It was no time at all before a stream of a dozen masters wandered in, along with four silver-haired warriors. The warriors swarmed his bodyguard -- slapping Kane on the back, welcoming him. It was the first time he'd seen Kane truly smile since they'd been met in the woods by Ben-Ko, and Eric found himself relaxing. These were men he could understand, men like his Kane. It was surprising, though, seeing men that called Kane their equal, their peer, their friend. It made him feel alone. There were no others in the kingdom who were his equal. Then Kane's eyes met his -- sure, strong, willing to die for him. No, he was not alone. He was never alone. He nodded once and cleared his throat, signaling that the planning should begin. It was time to gather his resources and recover what was his.

Chapter Thirteen "Kane." Ben-Ko stopped before him where he guarded Ericio's sleep. "We have foreseen

danger for you, my child." He nodded once, the urge to kneel before the master almost unbearable. "I have seen it." "Does your king know? Does he know you will not survive this attack?" "No, master. No." And he hoped Ericio never did. As if he heard them, Ericio shifted, moaning in his sleep. It was not a moan of pleasure. Ben-Ko murmured softly, one hand touching Kane?s long braid. "We have missed you, my child. Missed your control, your presence." He opened his mouth to respond in kind, but could not. He had not missed this place; his focus had been Ericio. "Thank you." "Kane!" Eric's breathless shout was familiar. He heard it every night that the nightmares plagued his king. "My lord. My lord, I am here." Eric would be soothed by his touch, his words, though if the pattern went as usual, his king?s agitation would soon return, stronger than ever. "Ben-Ko. I must go." He former master reached into his robes, pulled out a bag of Atsere flowers. "These will ease him." "Kane! No!" The sounds were tortured. "Thank you, master." He headed into the sleeping area, flowers in hand. Eric had tossed the covers off, was moaning and shifting, caught in the nightmare. Kane crushed the flowers in his fingers, the scent sudden and acerbic. Strong. Eric gasped and came awake, eyes searching for him, hand reaching. "I'm here." He wrapped Eric in his arms, the scent of the flowers all around them. Eric's arms wrapped around his middle, face burying in his chest. "It was another nightmare. I haven't had one in days. Not until we got here." "Shh. We are not in danger here." Were they? "They would sacrifice you. You are expendable to them." Eric raised his face and looked into Kane?s eyes. "You are not expendable to me." "I will do whatever it takes, my lord. To assure your safety." Even give his life.

"Are you sure we can trust Ben-Ko and his people, Kane? We are leaving our backs open to them when we go in after the cult." "I believe we must trust in someone, Sire. We must." Eric nodded. "My nightmares worry me, Kane. You know my mother had the sight, and I had none while we rode in the forest and were alone." "We will do what we must, my King." Eric nodded. "So we leave at dawn and move toward the caves that lead into the castle? It is a good plan, I would have expected nothing less from these people. I actually feel a little sorry for the cultists with all those warriors sneaking up on them." He nodded, but in his heart, he felt nothing at all. The cultists made their choices; they would meet their gods. "Whatever shall we do until dawn, my Kane?" Eric's fingers slid up along his spine. "You should rest..." He pressed down, the scent of the flowers spreading all around them. "I want to..." Eric blinked slowly. "What is that?" "A certain flower. It eases minds, dreams." "I don't want to sleep, Kane." Eric looked as if he was having a hard time staying awake, alert. He frowned, pushing the flowers away. "Ericio?" "The smell is making me sleepy, Kane." Eric was whining, eyes heavy. He shook Eric's shoulders. "My lord. Get up." Now. Now. "I don't want to get up. My legs are heavy. My head is heavy." Ericio seemed to flop like a doll made of rags, his limbs limp, useless. "Now." He put all of his will into the word, all of his anger, his love. Eric frowned at him, but his king was moving with him now, standing, leaning hard against him.

"Silent as a mouse." Eric's mouth opened, and then closed again, his king nodding, awareness slowly coming back into Eric's eyes. He dipped his chin once, and then headed out, going right around the edge of the chamber, blade drawn. One of the warriors -- Anik, who'd been training at the same time he had -- was standing outside the chamber, obviously trying to listen in. Two slices -- one to the gullet, the other to the gut -- and the deed was done, Kane moving Ericio faster now, thanking years of training that kept the king sleeping in clothes and sword. He could feel Eric vibrating with questions, but his king stayed absolutely silent, following as quiet and close as his shadow. Something was off. Kane didn't know what it was, but there was danger here. Danger that had come suddenly. An eerie silence had fallen over the place, not a single man standing out in the open. And yet the shadows seemed to move, to be alive. Kane refused to panic, refused to do less than his life's work, which was protect his king. Ben-Ko's little hut was across the clearing. There was precious little for them to use as cover. He wasn't even sure if Ben-Ko could be trusted, if his former master was going to help him or betray him. Still, it was the way he knew to go. "There is an evil here, Kane." The words were breathed into his ear, his king close against him. "We must see if it has taken Ben-Ko with it. If it has, we are on our own. Again." "Yes. Yes. Hush now." They stayed low, creeping toward the hut, the scent of evil sudden and strong in his nose. Two men -- both masters, slid from Ben-Ko's chamber, blades drawn. Ericio came out from behind him, blade in hand, and stood next to him. Ready to fight with him. "No." He stepped in front, snarling. "Traitors." The word caught the masters' attention, both turning toward him. There was no life in their eyes, no recognition of him or of Ericio. They advanced, slipping into attack positions. He pushed Ericio back, knees bending as time itself seemed to slow. They launched themselves at him together, blades flashing as the moon slipped out from behind the clouds. He had trained all his life, but these men had trained him. He met the attack, fighting as hard as he could, each blow ringing through his body, through his

bones. He became aware of another blade joining the fray, and for a moment he thought Ben-Ko had come to stand at his side and fight with him. Then he saw Eric's dark hair, his king fighting at his side. Then his friends, his brothers, they came together in a rush, fighting heart-to-heart against a wave of traitors, of their masters. The sound of metal hitting metal filled the air. Grunts and metal meeting flesh joined the noises as they battled side by side, slowly beating their masters back. A flash of light appeared, so bright that they stumbled back, the heat bringing them to their knees. A voice, great and terrible, boomed out in victory. "This place is MINE!" Ben-Ko's body appeared at the doorway of his chamber, thin and wavering. Kane knew, from the look of his former master that this was a stranger. This was not his master. Eyes as black as pitch opened, and Shinko, the god of warriors, spoke. "This place is sacred to me." His Ericio stepped forward, standing up to both gods as if he was not human himself. "We did not start this fight. But we will defend ourselves against all enemies." Shinko's eyes fell upon Ericio and his king fell to his knees, gasping. Kane threw himself before the horrible gaze. "Beloved Lord. Please." "No!" Eric's hands pulled at him. "I will not lose you. You are mine." The bright god attacked Shinko, and Kane took the opportunity to pull Ericio away from the fight. There was nothing but horror there. The gods would not care who got in their way as they battled each other. "I would stand up for myself, Kane. For my people. We are not playthings for the gods!" He knew his Ericio was no coward. It did not need to be proven here with his King's life. "These are gods. Not men. Not men, Eric." His king shot him a hard look. "And what happens if the Sun God wins?" "Then none of this matters. Move." "Where are we going?" Eric asked, moving nonetheless toward the forest. "Away from the fight. This is not for us." "Wait. Do you think if the Shinko defeats the Sun God it will scatter the sun clan? Leave my castle free for the retaking?" "I think they will be weakened, regardless."

"Then we should go, now, while their god is distracted. Where are our horses?" "In the stables. Hurry." He pushed Ericio before him, moving faster as the trees began to crackle and burn around them. Their horses were terrified, neighing and bucking, trying to get out of their stalls. "Hurry, Eric. Hurry." He freed all the horses, some of his brothers-in-arms taking his lead. Ericio grabbed the mane of his horse, swinging himself up. They would have to ride bareback -- staying to worry about reins and saddles would get them killed. He did grab the saddle bags, though, the bare necessities always ready. Eight of his compatriots came with them, long braids bouncing on their leather-clad chests. They fled through the forest, nine warriors and their king with nowhere to turn but to each other. They would fight to retake the castle, and pray that Shinko defeated the Sun God and gave them strength. And if he did not, they would battle nonetheless.

Chapter Fourteen Ericio led the way through the tunnels that led from deep in the forest back to the castle. Behind him were eight of the best warriors ever, the eight who had not been touched by the Sun God's evil hand, the eight who had fought with him and Kane against their brothers whose minds had been stolen. The eight who had ridden through the night with them to face their enemies. Beside him was his Kane. Ten might have seemed a small number against the Sun God's forces, except that they were the best warriors in the land, and they had surprise on their side. If this journey through the dark tunnels didn't feel so much like his nightmares, he would feel more confident about their chances. "Kane," he hissed. "Tell me this is real and not a nightmare invented by my mind." It certainly smelled real, the mold and dust of years wrapping around them and settling in his lungs. "There is very little more real, my lord." Kane was paler than he'd ever seen the man,

eyes hard and ice cold. No, though the last days had been as a nightmare, they were not nightmares themselves. The flight to Kane's master, the Sun God's treachery and their subsequent flight through the forest while the warrior's god Shinko battled the evil Sun God -- all of it was quite real. And, unlike his nightmares, Kane had been at his side through it all. "Do you think the battle between the gods is over?" Would the warriors know if their Shinko had been triumphant or defeated? Kane looked back, and the other warriors shook their heads. "Keep moving." "If the Sun God is distracted, this is a good thing, isn't it?" Eric had held onto that thought, to the hope that Shinko would win the battle, or at the very least weaken the Sun God and his focus, leave his worshipers on their own. They needed every advantage they could find. "Yes, Sire. It allows us the chance to fight the priests without the gods interfering." One of the older warriors answered, turning worshipping eyes upon Kane. One of Eric's eyebrows rose at the look. Kane seemed unaware, nodding. "We will head directly into the castle, and then we will attack, remove the head from the snake." "I cannot wait to meet this usurper to my throne face to face. I will make him pay." Every lesson Kane had ever taught him would come to bear and prove him victorious. "Mmm." Kane's sound was... noncommittal. At best. "What?" he demanded. He'd had too many nightmares where Kane was torn from him to let Kane's... comment slide. "Hmm? I said nothing, my lord." "Yes, and it's what you're not saying that has me concerned." Kane murmured at him, turning them a sharp left. The evasions had him more worried than the original sound. He stopped, waited for Kane to look at him. "What?" He put every ounce of command he could into the word. He was the king, after all, Kane would answer him.

"The warriors will protect you, my lord. I will take three and we will retake the throne room." Oh, no. He would not be separated from Kane. Perhaps his nightmares had simply been bad dreams. But they felt like more than that. They felt like foretellings and Eric would not risk being left behind so that Kane could blithely go to his death. It was not happening, not while he was king. Kane squeezed his hand. "Trust in me. Your safety is paramount." "I will not lose you, Kane." He would not. Not. Kane did not respond with anything but another squeeze. "I am your king. I will not be left behind." His nightmares haunted him, made him insist. He knew what he must do. "I am your guard. I will not leave you in danger." He shook his head. "Those are almost the words I wish to hear." All Kane had to do was remove the ?in danger? and they would be in agreement. "Ericio. You must stay with the warriors. You must live to rule." "And you must live to guard me as I rule." His whole body had gone tight; he could not change his mind on this. The group stopped, the warriors resting a moment, drinking from flagons as Kane pulled him aside. "You must listen to me. The tall warrior -- his name is Mik -- he will care for you. We have all seen it, yourself included; I will fall. There is no changing that. I will fall. You will survive." "No! I have seen that if we are separated, you will fall." The solution therefore was simple. They would not be separated. "Ericio!" Kane snapped, frowned at him. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Do not take that tone with me. I am going with you. I am." "I will not allow you to fall." "And I will not allow you to fall. So it would seem no one is dying." They could argue it in circles all day long, he would not back down.

Those pale eyes snapped with a pure fury. "You are a stubborn thing." "Me? No more stubborn than my bodyguard." He grabbed Kane's tunic and pulled the man close. "I lost you once, Kane. I will not lose you again." That time at least, Kane had been returned to him, albeit the boy his friend had been gone, beaten away and replaced by this tall, deadly warrior. "Do not make me defy you." Kane tilted his head, lips crashing down upon his. He slid one hand up into Kane's braid, wrapping it in his fist as he opened his mouth wide. He could taste Kane's worry, Kane's fear. He tugged on that braid, pulling Kane from the kiss to hiss, "I do not plan to die in this." "You cannot." Kane growled back, fury and pain painted on the lean face. "I will not, Kane. But that feeling inside you, the one that urges you to lay your life down for me -- I feel it, too. And I will not let you die." And his Kane called him stubborn. He wasn?t nearly as stubborn as his beloved bodyguard. "We must go, Kane." That worshipping warrior, the one Kane wanted him to stay with, came close. "All of us," he told Kane. "We have better odds with all of us." More swords, more strength. Ten could still be silent, especially trained warriors. Four was far too small a number to both succeed and survive this. "I do not wish for you to see my death." The words were whispered against his lips. "Do not make me beat you, Kane. You are not going to die today." He needed Kane to believe it. He would repeat it until the man did. Those eyes held his, burning. Desperate. "I love you, Ericio." "And I love you. Never forget that. Never forget that you hold my heart. Never forget that your king expects your kisses today when the sun leaves the sky." "I... I swear to you. I will never forget." Tears filled Kane's eyes, the kiss salty and sweet. "I swear to you." That was the only warning he received before the world went black.

Chapter Fifteen They moved through the tunnels, silent and sure, the four of them moving as one, swords drawn. It was time to take back that which was his lord?s. The stench of corruption and waste filled Kane?s nose, but they slogged forward, heads down, the door close by. As they drew closer, they spread out, staying close to the walls. The first guard went down quickly, the other three silently, bodies set aside so that they might slip in undetected. The door opened slowly, and Kane himself dispatched three more guards before slipping into the secret passages that no one but he and the king knew about, heading for the throne room. As he sped along the passageway, his fellow warriors at his heels, he imagined he could hear Eric calling out to him. He ignored the sound, knowing that Eric was safe with Mik and the others. He had to focus on what was before him lest he let his king down. "I will take the High Priest. You take the others. Once the throne room is secured and the snake's head is removed, we take the rest." The three with him nodded and they moved as one, silent as ghosts as they slid past the tapestries and into the throne room. That they were not expected was obvious, the High Priest and his guards lounging as if they had not a care in the world. Even on the best day, Kane had never left Eric so unprotected. The High Priest deserved what was coming to him, the man?s arrogance unbounded. Kane slipped behind the curtains that hung around the throne, moving quickly toward the priest and attacking without a sound. One hand came up to stop him, but the man had obviously been caught unawares, flailing at him. Finally, the High Priest threw himself at the ground and started scrambling away, holding his throat. Kane snarled and pushed forward, slicing another guard and another, eyes fastened on his prize, on the priest. The man rolled, blood pouring over the hand held at his throat, lips moving in an incantation. The man?s followers fell upon him and his companions, snarling and fighting, hacking at them. The High Priest crawled back to the throne, laughing, snarling. "Kill them! Kill them all!" "I will have you." He ran his sword through a priest, the blade catching in the ribs as he

yanked it free. The priest stood, the look in his eyes pure insanity. "By the Sun God, I command you to bow down before me!" "I bow to one man, and you are not that man!" His roar rang through the chamber. "Master of the sky, I call you to me. Your enemy stands before me -- take him now!" "Your master is terribly busy, I'm afraid." Kane took a blade from his waist, threw it, aim true and sure, the blade sinking into the high priest's forehead. The lights in the throne room all dimmed. The Priest's eyes went wide and he slowly crumbled, one hand still held up toward the sky. A blow came to Kane?s shoulder, knocking him to his knees. Another half-dozen guards had joined the defense, the death of their priest infuriating them. Looking up, Kane saw his beloved King with his warriors, his shieldmates, his brothers, Ericio on the throne dais. Yes. Yes, just so. "Fight, brothers!" He screamed the words before he saw the flash of steel before him and his world went dark. For Ericio. Yes. For his king. *** Eric's head hurt. It felt as if he'd spent the entire night drinking and carousing, and was now paying the price. Groaning, he attempted to sit upright. "Sire? Sire, calm yourself." Warm, large hands tried to ease him down. Warm, large hands that were not Kane's. "Don't touch me!" It hurt to snarl the words, but snarl them he did. He was king! He managed to sit up, the world spinning for a moment and nearly knocking him back down again. "Easy. Easy. You must rest." "Where is Kane?" Eric could well guess the answer. Damn the man to fiery hells.

"He fights for your kingdom. He protects your lands." The warrior looked so much like his Kane -- the same strength, the same braid. "Then we must join him." He struggled to his feet. "He bade us stay." Eric let one eyebrow rise. "And I bid us go." "I..." The warrior looked confused, unsure, and Eric pressed his advantage. He was king. "We go." He looked around, finding five warriors had been left with him, to protect him here in the caves where there was no one. Kane had taken only three with him. Stubborn idiot. It made Eric growl. It made him want to beat Kane silly. And then take the man hard and fast and furious. He settled for glaring at the warriors who had been left with him. "We go. The throne is mine and I will fight for it." They stood together as one, blades flashing. "Yes, Sire." Better. He ignored the pounding in his head and found that he was no longer dizzy. Wearing a bloodthirsty smile, he strode forward, heading for the castle. It was far too much like his nightmares: Kane missing, not at his side. He pushed on, regardless. This was not a nightmare and he would find his Kane and take back his throne. They found the guards -- first at the entrance to the castle, then again and again, his Kane doing the job beautifully. The further they went without finding a single body that wasn't a servant of the Sun God, the more he shook off the cloak of the nightmares. He saw the flash of long hair, of the beloved body, running for the throne room. They were only moments behind Kane! A surge of energy went through him and Eric sped up, the men with him matching his pace. "Kane!" He called out, needing his guard to stop, for them to fight together. But his stubborn bodyguard was either ignoring him or had not heard. He could hear the battle in the throne room even before they got there. It sounded brutal, bloody, but he couldn?t tell if the battle favored either side. Bursting through the tapestries that hid the passageway, he was confronted by chaos, Kane and his three shieldmates fighting like five times as many men. The warriors swarmed around him, the war growing more and more vicious as Kane

roared, face bleeding and torn, knife flying through the air. The High Priest went down and Eric added his own roar -- the usurper had been slain! And by none other than his own Kane. More of the Sun God's followers swarmed in, and Eric made for the throne, his warriors staying with him. He reached the dais and climbed up, raising his sword in victory. The warrior called Mik dispatched an attacker and Eric knew it was just a matter of outlasting the dwindling enemy troops. He turned, his eyes searching for Kane, wanting to share this moment. He saw the heavy blade slice into Kane's leg, saw his lover buckle. Time seemed to slow, Eric crying out as he saw one of the Sun God's followers leap toward Kane, blade catching the light as it moved toward his bodyguard, his lover, his Kane. He took the man down, but it was too late, the damage had been done. "Kane!" Eric threw himself toward his prostrate bodyguard, his worst nightmares coming to life before him even as his throne was wrested back from the enemy and secured.

Chapter Sixteen Ericio's blade slashed at anyone who came near him, anyone who came between him and his Kane. He left a trail of carnage behind him, his blade sinking into whatever flesh he could connect with. He looked to Kane, the rest of the room disappearing, the chaos and noise fading beneath the beating of his own heart. It was his nightmare, the sun worshippers keeping him from his Kane, from his lover. He shouted Kane's name, their life together flashing through his mind: the shy boy who was brought to play with him, his cohort in ducking out of lessons and chores, his faithful bodyguard, the man he loved. Finally, he was at Kane's side, and he cradled Kane's head, the white braid messy, the hair coming out of it stained red. "Kane! I will not lose you! Do you hear me?" "The throne is yours, my lord." Blood trickled from Kane's lips. "Yours." "Yes, thanks to you." He hissed the words, knowing it meant nothing if he lost Kane now.

"Stay with me." They would find a healer and make Kane well. "Is that an order, Eric?" "Oh yes, it most certainly is." Whatever it took to keep his Kane alive. He wiped gently at the blood on Kane's lips. "Tell me that I protected you." The icy blue eyes stared at him, near burning. "Not only did you protect me, but it was your blade that delivered the killing blow to that dog of a high priest. You have won me my throne back." There would be a celebration in Kane's honor. He was determined that the guest of honor would be able to attend. "Then I have done my duty. My gods will be pleased." "And now your duty is to live, Kane. I need you to fight to stay with me." It would be so meaningless if he was to be left by himself. "You are my very breath." Those pale eyes closed. "My king." "Kane!" He bent, pressing his lips to Kane's, tasting his lover's lifeblood, his lover's breath. "Your lover, Kane. Stay." He raised his head and looked around wildly, shouting. "Healer! I need a healer!" One of the warriors, a huge man with a scarred cheek, hurried over, handing him a square of cloth woven with herbs. "Staunch the blood, my lord. Hurry, before it is all lost." He ripped open Kane's tunic, finding the wound in his lover's left shoulder. With a cry, he pressed the cloth over it, holding it there with his hands. "His leg is hurt as well." He nodded his head toward the knife hilt that protruded from Kane's thigh. "Yes." The blade was removed, Kane moaning softly as another cloth pressed against that thigh. One of his guards, one he remembered well, came limping up, one eye gone, horribly tortured. "They have released us, Majesty. I will care for my Captain so you might take your throne." Eric's first instinct was to snarl and push the man away -- to push everyone away so that he could protect his Kane. Mik's hand landed on his shoulder, and Eric could see the other warriors gathering in a circle around Kane. "Your people need to see you on the throne, Majesty. I will guard you while the others care for Kane." Eric looked into each of their faces, looking for honesty and trustworthiness.

Finally, he stood and charged them. "You will find a healer and you will guard his life with your own. If he dies I will hold each and every one of you responsible." *** It was nearly dawn before Eric was able to make his way to Kane's quarters to find out how his lover was faring. He had led the clean-up of the castle, throwing anyone who still claimed allegiance to the Sun God and his cult into the dungeon. The bodies of the dead were gathered, the Sun God's followers piled together to be interred in a mass grave. His guards and the warriors who fought for him who had perished were anointed and prepared for burial, some sent back to their families, others to go into the crypt next to the royal family's. He'd had the heads on pikes removed and flags of victory replaced them. He'd spoken to the people from the tallest turret the castle boasted, letting everyone know that he was back and order had been restored. On his order, a huge feast had been prepared and served in the courtyard, the castle gates flung open for all his subjects. Through it all, Mik had been a towering, silent presence at his back. It only served to remind him that Kane was not there to perform that duty. He'd sat on his throne and received the masses, one at a time, to pledge their allegiance to him or to beg him some small pittance for the damages they'd suffered. And he'd worried. His dearest wish was that Kane would come and tell Mik to find someone else to guard, that his Kane's silent, icy presence would find its rightful place behind him. It had not, and now, with both eagerness and worry, he nodded to the two warriors who guarded Kane's door and knocked. Godon, his personal healer, answered the door, face long and sad. "Your Majesty." His heart clenched, stopping within his chest. "What news?" he demanded. "He fades, your Majesty." Godon sighed. "He lives, but he is quiet inside." His heart began to beat again, relief warring with fear. "As long as he has breath, there is hope!" Eric pushed past the healer, going immediately to Kane's bedside. Kane was pale as his hair, eyes opening at his voice. "Ericio." "Kane." He sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his hand through Kane's hair. Someone had washed the blood from it, and the long, white tresses slid through his fingers. "Your kingdom?"

"Is mine. Any sympathizers are in the dungeon and my people have had a great feast. All is well. Thanks to you." "Excellent. You have Mik check your quarters for danger. Do not allow them access again." "He will do so until you are well enough to resume your duties again." He would use Kane's sense of duty to keep the man with him if he must. Those eyes met his. "You believe I will survive? My master said I would die here, defending you." "Your former master said that, Kane. I am your master now and I say that you will live." He leaned in and spoke into Kane's ear. "I love you." "Master." Kane moaned, hand moving, sliding on his leg in the briefest touch. "Yes, Kane. Yours." He slid his hands through Kane's hair. "And I need you whole and healthy and next to me. You must fight to live. To stay here." "To be yours." The words were almost silent. He pressed his lips against Kane's and breathed the words, "Yes, mine," into Kane's mouth. Kane moaned, falling into a deep sleep, so still beside him. Ericio was not in the habit of offering prayers to anyone, but as he lay curled up with his lover during the early morning hours, he offered every prayer he'd ever known to the gods of his mother's people. Through it all, Kane continued to breathe, that strong heart beat, and, as the dawn came, one arm came around him, holding him close. And finally, he began to believe that Kane was fighting to stay with him, that they would be as victorious in this as they had been in retaking his throne. *** Every day, Ericio inspected his guard and held court in his throne room, Mik's solid, silent presence just behind him. Every evening, he would take his evening meal with Kane, his lover a little stronger with each passing day. After five days of this, he was out of sorts, growling at Mik, at the cook, at the last few peasants who had come to offer their support.

He strode down through the halls to Kane's room, throwing open the door with yet another growl. Kane's bed was empty. He stopped mid-growl, eyes going wide. "Kane?" "Yes, my lord?" Kane turned, his guard nude, washing himself in a copper tub. "You're up!" Eric turned and closed the door firmly, leaving Mik outside. "I am. I smelled terrible." It was true, but Eric would never have said anything, not while Kane was so ill. He made himself walk slowly over to where Kane stood, and reached out to slide his finger down along Kane's spine. The skin was warm, supple, smooth. Healing. His Kane was healing. Taking a deep, happy breath, he kissed one shoulder. "My King." Kane sounded well-satisfied by those two words. "Mmm... my Kane." He was just as satisfied. Perhaps even smug. "Your guard." The water slid down the lean body. The wounds were still raw and ugly, but not angry in appearance. "My body guard." He licked his way across Kane's shoulders. "Your lover." Kane shivered. "I might catch a chill, my lord." "Come back to the bed and I will warm you through." He would taste and scent and love on Kane. Kane stepped from the tub, and Eric wrapped a soft towel around the beloved body. He slid his hands over the towel, drying the water from Kane's body, teasing them both. The bruises were fading, the poor wounds still tender, but all-in-all, he could tell Kane was with him. Awake. Aware. Solid. He drew Kane to the bed and laid the man down. His gaze strayed from head to toe as he admired the long, lean body. One arm was offered up to him, opened to him. He stripped quickly and climbed onto the bed with Kane. Slowly, enjoying the anticipation, he brought their lips together. "You won, my lord." The words were whispered against his lips.

"We won, K. I could not have done it without you." Just like it had always been. "No. You needed your guard." "I needed my heart." Eric would not allow Kane to shrug off his importance. "I needed you." He nodded; he could accept that. He kissed Kane, his hands sliding over the smooth skin, careful of Kane's wounds. Kane moaned, eyes falling closed. "I feared I'd lost this forever." "No, Kane. Never." He found one of Kane's hips, his hand curled around it. "Never." Those fierce eyes met his. "I will never fail you again, Ericio." "You didn't fail me this time." He pressed another kiss on Kane, one to match the passion in those icy eyes. Then he began to kiss his way down Kane's body. "My lord?" Kane reached for him, hands on his shoulder. "I want to taste you. To hold you in my mouth." He possibly needed to. "Ericio." Still, after so long, he still heard the wonder in Kane's voice. It made him smile against Kane's skin, his tongue circling Kane's navel before he turned his head to look down at Kane's prick. Not hard yet, but it would be. He would make it so. He blew gently and then licked the rest of the way down Kane's body, his tongue flicking out to touch the tip. Kane's moan was deep, low. Wanton. How long had it been since he'd heard that sound? Since they'd been able to do this and not worry about anything else but the two of them? It felt like forever. He licked his way down one side of Kane's prick, and then up the other, coming back to the tip, to the little slit there. Soft and quiet, that bit of flesh still fascinated him, still aroused him. He rubbed his cheek against it, enjoying the velvety softness of Kane's skin there, the heat. Kane relaxed, humming softly with pure pleasure. Eric took the tip between his lips, sucking gently. The flavor was as familiar as his own breath -- male and rich, salty and bitter. He hummed, sucking harder, his own prick firming up.

"My lord." That lovely cock began to fill for him. Yes! He was doing that, making Kane hard. He renewed his efforts. Soft sounds filled the air, Kane slowly, carefully beginning to move. He encouraged the cock in his mouth to continue to fill, to harden. Kane spread for him, so careful of that wounded leg, barely pushing up into his lips. He pushed his hands against Kane's hips, holding Kane still. He began to bob his head -he could do the work. "Master." The word rang through the air. Oh yes. He sucked harder, cheeks hollowed as he took the entire length in. Fully hard now, Kane's cock pushed into his lips, spreading them. He slapped the tip with his tongue as he pulled most of the way off. "My lord." He did love the heated flush on that skin. His fingers found Kane's balls, rolling and tugging on them as his head bobbed. Kane began to shift, body desperate to move. To shift. He pulled right off and looked up along Kane's chest until he met Kane's eyes. "Be still." Kane's lips parted, body rippling. "Yes, Master." "That's right." He went back down on Kane's cock, taking it all in and swallowing around the tip. His. His Kane. His Kingdom. His. He moaned, a rush of confidence and peace and arousal flooding him. He could taste Kane on his tongue, the flavor making everything stronger, sharper. He reached down, cupped the soft sacs and rolled them, pushing them a bit. He could feel Kane's pleasure in the way the cock in his mouth hardened further, leaking constantly now. "Please. My lord." Yes. Yes, Kane. He nodded around Kane's prick, his fingers pushing against the little hole. Kane cried out, seed filling his lips at that single, intimate touch. He swallowed it all down, taking Kane's essence into himself. Kane slumped into the bedding, moaning softly. Eric slowly kissed his way back up

Kane's body, tasting the sweat that beaded on Kane's skin. Kane was nearly asleep again, worn out. He pressed a soft kiss to Kane's lips and settled next to his lover, his bodyguard, his Kane. He had his throne back, and he had the one he wanted to share it with. It was good to be King.

Chapter Sixteen Kane stood behind Ericio's throne, silent and strong, staring over the slowly rebuilding court. Every bone in his body ached, and Mik stood with him now, would stand with him forever because his leg would never recover enough to run, to move with the grace of before. He had offered to step down a dozen times, and would do it again and again until Ericio agreed. The king needed a warrior at his best, not a broken man. Ericio was on his best behavior, listening patiently to petitions and court business. Kane could tell he was as bored as ever, but he was probably the only one. The throne room eventually cleared out and Eric sighed softly. Mik stood, moving to assist the king from the throne. "Your Majesty." "Thank you, Mik." Eric came straight for him, linking their arms. "Are you hungry, Kane?" "No, my lord. Mik, will someone serve the King his meal?" Mik nodded. "I will arrange it myself." "Bring it in an hour." Eric waved his hand dismissively. "Kane and I will be busy until then." "Yes, your Majesty." Mik bowed and Kane nodded. Mik would make Ericio a perfect guard. "We'll be in my quarters. Come, Kane."

"Yes, my lord." Kane forced himself not to limp, to show himself as strong and solid for his King. He could feel Eric's heated gaze on him, admiring him, loving him. "Mik is a fine companion, Sire." His cock throbbed, wanting to fill. Eric snorted. "He's a good enough bodyguard, Kane. But he's not you and he is not my companion." "He could be; he is whole. He looks upon you with adoration." His heart ached in its cage. "What?" Eric growled and sped up, walking quickly toward his chambers. Kane fought to keep up, but could not. He simply could not. Eric stopped and took his hand when that let him catch up. Not a word was said until they were in the privacy of the king's chambers. "Talk to me, K. Not your King, but me. Eric. Your friend. Your lover." He looked into eyes that he loved beyond all else. "I cannot protect you." Eric's eyes narrowed. "Because of the leg? It's that bad?" He had hidden it well, but he had to admit the truth at Eric?s direct question. "Yes. I will never be as able as I once was." "But you will still be mine. Any warrior can be my guard. No one else can be my Kane." "You deserve the very best, the most fierce." Eric stamped his foot. "I deserve you." He arched an eyebrow, staring. "You think I will give you up?" Eric grabbed his blouse and tugged him in close. "I will not." His king's mouth descended upon his. The fire flooded him, the need sudden and sharp, and he caught himself gasping. "You are mine." He found himself up against the wall, Eric pressed hard against him. He stared, body aching. "Prove it." Eric's eyes went dark and his lover snarled, tugging him away from the wall and moving

him to the bed. His shirt was the first to go, torn from him like it was simply paper. He swallowed his moan, loving the heat and passion between them. Eric's mouth slid over his shoulder, working down toward his nipple. "You deserve the best." "That's you." Eric bit his nipple, hard, teeth sharp. Kane gasped and then set his lips tight together. Teeth closed around Kane?s flesh; Eric shook his head, the sting and tug connected undeniably to Kane?s prick. His fingers curled into the bedding, the desire within him sharp and wonderful. Small, biting kisses made their way across his breastbone, Eric finding his other nipple and lapping at it. "Ericio." Kane watched that tongue slide and move, stroke over his skin. "My Kane." One hand landed on his hip, fingers digging in as Eric held him, thumb sliding along the crease by his hip. "I want the best for you." He needed that. "I have the best." Eric pushed him over onto his stomach, biting his ass, hard. "My lord!" He pushed up, legs parting instinctively. "That's right." Eric sucked a mark up in the small of his back, lips and tongue hot and wet. His body began jerking, moving in little, restless motions. "You need so beautifully, my Kane." Eric's fingers slid along the backs of his thighs. "I miss you." "You should have said something, Kane. I haven't wanted... I was worried for your health. I cannot lose you." Eric slid off the bed, but before Kane could turn to look, his lover was back, something thin and hard sliding over his ass. "It's my riding crop." He swallowed his groan. "I will do my best, lord, to be worthy of it." "You always do." Soft kisses landed on his back and his ass first, sweet and gentle. It was moments later that the crop came down, sharp and quick against his ass. The sting was welcome, the tiny bite making him feel as if his skin might fit him again one day. He was able to take two breaths before the next hit came across his ass again. The next few after that came in quick succession across his shoulders. "Ericio." He bent his head, letting the blows come.

"Mine." Eric began to repeat it with every single blow. "Ericio... Master. My lord." His cock began to fill, his hips shifting. "That's right. My Kane. Mine." The crop came down over and over, Eric laying it up and down his back and ass. "Yours. Yours, I vow it." "That's right, Kane. Mine." Eric continued to hit him, his back beginning to burn with it. Kane began to groan, growling a bit under his breath. He could hear Eric begin to pant, working hard. The blows moved downward, landing on his ass and upper thighs. Sweat beaded over his skin, the breeze making him shudder. Please. Please, my lord... "When I'm done, I'm going to take you," Eric told him. "Will you keep me?" "Forever, Kane. I will keep you until the end of time." "Swear it?" He needed to hear the words from his king. "With everything I am, I swear it to you." A last blow against his ass punctuated the words. "Yes." He pushed up, his sore leg protesting. The crop fell to the ground, Eric climbing onto the bed and helping him turn onto his back. He hissed, the burn welcome, necessary. Eric's skin shone with sweat, his king's eyes heated, burning right into him. He reached down, hiding the scar, the damage to his leg. Eric growled and knocked his hand away, bending to trace it with a hot, pointed tongue. The sensation was different than he had experienced, arousing and strange all at once. "This is a symbol of your devotion." "Of my failure." Eric drew back. "Failure? You saved my life and then you restored my throne to me. This is not failure." "I am... flawed now."

"You are mine. That's all that matters." Eric's words were fierce. "And I see no flaws, only the proof of your devotion." Those fingers stroked over his scar again and his cock throbbed. Kane bit back his whimper. "Yes." "Yes." Eric repeated the word, two slick fingers pushing into him. "Yours." He spread, muscles clenching around the touch. "Oh, yes. Mine." Eric's fingers went deep, stabbing his gland. He cried out, heels digging into the bedding. "Yes! Yes!" Eric kept nudging that spot, watching him closely. His breath caught in his chest, the pressure and pleasure crashing together like the surf upon the sand. "Your body knows, K. It knows me, knows you are mine." "Yes. My body. My spirit. My heart." "Never forget that." Eric's fingers slid away, his king moving to press the tip of that long prick against his hole. "Take me. Please." He needed his king, his friend, his lover. Without a word, Eric pushed into him, a long, slow thrust that filled him up. In that motion, the tension within him relaxed, driven away by his lord. "K." His name was little more than a breath, Eric moaning, moving within him. "Yes. My lord." More. Eric started to thrust slowly, fingers grabbing hold of his. Need grew inside him, the fire building steadily, strongly. Eric bent, mouth pressing against his. He was caught, captured in those eyes. In him and around him, Eric surrounded him completely. "Love." He mouthed the word, gasped it. Eric kept moving, filling him, loving him. "I. Master. My lord." Touch. He needed to be touched. Groaning, Eric slid a finger across his nipple and then down his belly. "Yes. Please." His cock bounced, throbbing, begging for Ericio.

Nodding, Eric finally wrapped a hand around his prick, lightly at first, and then squeezing. "Yes." He bit the word out. "You may not come until I say so." Eric's eyes met his, dark and glittering, the smile upon his king's face quite wicked. He held that gaze, daring his lord to take his submission, to prove that this place was his. The hand around his prick tightened, Eric sliding his fingers across the tip, briefly pressing into the slit as it flew by. Biting back a gasp, Kane could not hide how his body tightened. "You cannot hold back from me, Kane. I know what you need." Again those fingers bit into his most tender flesh. "You. I need you." "You have me. Feel." Eric's thrusts became harder still, his king plunging into him. "Yes. As you have me." "Yes! Mine!" Eric's thrusts became wild. "Come with me, Kane! Together!" His body was well-trained to answer that command, the seed pouring from him in a rush. He could feel Eric's pleasure pushing deep inside him, filling him. Yes. He soared, heart pounding. His King's hand stayed on his prick, moving slowly and demanding one aftershock after another from him. "Love." The single word slipped from him, honest, pure truth. Eric melted against him at the word, lips pressing to his, swallowing his breath. He opened easily, allowing his king full access. When the kiss ended, Eric drew his head back slowly. "I love you." "Yes, my lord." Please. Please, do not send me away. Groaning, Eric withdrew, moving to lie next to him, arm and leg thrown over him. "I need you to do something for me, Kane." "Yes, my lord. Anything." "Stop trying to talk me into replacing you." His King's eyes met his. "Because I won't do it."

"Yes, my lord." He nodded, moaning as Eric's fingers touched his scar. "This only proves your love and loyalty, Kane. It is nothing to be ashamed of." "I would have died for your honor." "Thank the gods you didn't have to." "Yes. Yes, I do." With all his heart. "Then it's settled. There will be no more talk of replacements. You are where you belong." "Yes, my lord." "Mine. For all time. And don't you ever doubt it." "Yes, my lord." He didn't roll his eyes, not even a bit. "I will beat you if you even think of suggesting it again." He dared to quirk a lip. "That is a deterrent?" Eric laughed, fingers digging into his ribs. "Very well, I shall threaten not to beat you." His own laughter joined with Ericio's, the happiness and pleasure familiar between them. Their lips met, this kiss soft and wet, gentle. He stretched his arms around, held his king. Ericio held him in return, their bodies fitting together perfectly. "We won, my lord. Your throne is secure." "And so is my love. I am a very lucky man." "As the gods will it." Eric's eyes twinkled, gaze holding his own. "As I will it, Kane. As I will it." End