Disclaimer: Haven�t we been through this before?/ It seems like I don�t own anything, anymore/ These are lies, corruption and fabricated diction/ As I�ve always said, this is fiction.
The Story:
He woke, at last, a properly painful hour and a half later.
This time, the sun was blessedly obscured by a roving cloud. Jade thanked his stars for this small miracle and sat up. Thunder rolled between his ears, and if there had been a mirror in the room, he certainly would have taken a worry to the amount of red in both eyes.
I�m killing myself, Jade mused, I was on the threshold of death, had a spontaneously great fuck, then went and drowned myself in mead. Cheap, filthy mead, too.
He groaned as he stretched. . . or tried to. His spine snapped back into place comfortably, but Jade found there were parts of his body that refused to respond correctly. Both hands and the left part of his chest tingled painfully and both his legs denied ever existing.
Well, that�s what you get, the voice in his mind said, for corrupting one of God�s men.
�Shut up,� Jade muttered. Eeugh. His tongue was coated with a thick, foul taste. He cupped a hand and breathed, wincing in disgust. He wondered vaguely, and not for the first time, just where the hell he was.
He gave himself a count to ten, then a count to twenty, then a slurred threat followed by another count to ten before attempting to stand. He rose slowly, swayed and flailed until he remained upright. Five staggered steps took him to the door and to the torturously long hall.
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It took Jade half an hour to make it down to the kitchen. But instead of finding a raven-haired cook, he found his raven-haired prisoner, clean, dressed, and devoid of chains.
Adam stood with his back partly to the door. His hands poured a hot and steaming drink into a clean ceramic cup.
He�ll not like seeing you. He�ll try to murder you again, you know.
This time, Jade didn�t bother telling himself to shut up, since it was most likely true. Instead, he wobbled into the room and took the drink from a stunned Adam.
He watched Jade lift the cup to his mouth, wince at the heat, then slurp greedily. His eyes followed the muscles of Jade�s throat as they flexed and worked the liquid down. Adam glanced up and flinched when he saw Jade eyeing him with one bleary red eye.
When the cup was empty, Jade set it down on the counter and took the pitcher from Adam to refill it. A brief second their fingers touched; a mere graze. Adam felt his heart pound, felt the heat rush through his face.
He�s here, Adam�s inner monologue whispered, he�s here, in front of you, and you do nothing? You don�t say anything?
But what could he do? What could he say? Jade, I hate you. Jade, I love you. No, that last was not right. He didn�t love Jade. It was. . . it was. . . Well, he didn�t know what it was exactly. But it wasn�t love.
So it was hate? Hate, anger, revenge. They had all been present since the beginning of the affair. It was only logical those feelings should be doubled after what happened. So was it hate?
Adam met Jade�s eyes again and whispered a single word. �Pity.�
It wasn�t clear if Jade heard the actual word or not. But he seemed to take in the situation at hand. He set the cup down with a bang, glaring.
�What the hell are you doing here?� Jade demanded, �You�re supposed to be chained and miserable to a wall. Who let you go? Not Mal, or Adrian. Was it Davey? The fucking bleeding heart? He let his boyfriend go?�
Adam�s expression turned stony. His eyes narrowed and his wide mouth thinned. �Hunter released me,� Adam said softly, �and he�s sworn to see me a free man. I�m no longer your prisoner.�
Jade grunted, then scoffed and outright laughed at the idea. Anger roiled in the pit of his stomach as he watched Jade clutching painfully at his sides from a few dry chuckles.
�Free man?� Jade�s humor died and his expression turned cold and chilling as his voice lowered dangerously. �You�ll always be my prisoner, Adam. It�s time you came to realize that fact. This isn�t a fairy tale. There won�t be a Prince Charming running to your rescue. My idiot brother already has his princess; he doesn�t need a back-up.�
Adam�s eyes glared and blazed. A back-up? �To hell with you.� Adam spoke softly, willing the venom from a torrent to a steady stream. �You�re so seeped in evil that you cannot see when someone does something not for their own benefit but simply out of the kindness and goodness of their heart. To hell with you, Jade, and bother a free man no longer.� He made as if to turn and walk away but suddenly found himself trapped by Jade�s arm. He looked up to find the man in a fine spitting rage.
�How dare you talk to me about Hell and goodness when you�re nothing but a common sinner.� Jade�s reddened eyes sparkled when he saw the flush creep across Adam�s face. He continued. �Yes, I remember, I remember all too well. You, sitting on my lap, moaning and aching for me to pound you good. I remember, you hard and willing, making you come in sweat and swear words your God would blush at.� Those swear words never actually came out of Adam�s lips but the ex-holy man was so embarrassed he had no idea if it had happened or not. However, he DID remember the sweat, the pounding, and the. . .
Adam swallowed and looked aside, not meeting Jade�s eyes. �You�ll not speak to me that way again, Jade. You have no right to. . .�
Then Jade�s hand was around his neck and tightening. Adam�s words stopping in his throat as Jade turned his head to face him once more. �You�re mine, Adam,� Jade muttered past clenched teeth, �don�t you dare forget it. Not even if Hunter decides to see you free, he�ll never put it in you the way I do. He won�t even get close.� Even as he said this last sentence, Jade noticed a startling change over Adam. The flush deepened to crimson, his eyes widened and a slight trembling ran lightly over Adam�s shoulders.
He�s excited? Jade asked himself. No, he�s. . .
�Adam?� A new voice cut in through Jade�s thoughts. Jade looked over his shoulder at the servant just walking in.
Realizing his hand was still clenching tightly around Adam�s neck, Jade immediately let go and stepped back. �What do you want?� He demanded.
Dexter cleared his throat. He�d actually heard something of their conversation and knew Jade was up to something. Damned if he�d let the monster intimidate Davey�s friend. Dexter ignored Jade and looked instead at Adam. �Sir, Lord Hunter humbly requests your audience.�
Jade scowled. �Later. Tell my brother he�s busy in at the mo-�
�Sir,� Dexter cut in, again, ignoring Jade, �he says it�s an emergency. My Lord has need of the royal clergy.�
Jade�s eyes narrowed at Adam. �He�s given you a title?�
Adam swiftly stepped around Jade and out of his reach. �So it would seem.� He avoided looking at Jade and quickly walked out, followed by the servant.
Jade turned and slowly poured himself another drink as he reflected on Adam�s odd behavior.
�Not even if Hunter decides to see you free, he�ll never put it in you the way I do. He won�t even get close.� And then he began acting funny. . .
Jade sputtered and nearly choked on the hot liquid running down his throat. He hacked and coughed until his air passage was clear. �Oh, god, no.� Jade whined to the counter in despair. �Please, no, not Hunter. Please tell me Hunter hasn�t!�
*********
Adam turned questioningly to Dexter as they left the kitchens. �What did Hunter want?�
Dexter smiled faintly and shrugged. �Sorry, nothing. Just thought you could use an escape from Jade.�
Adam paused, then smiled. �Thanks.�
�Don�t mention it, Sir.�
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They stared at her, mouths slightly gaping. It was Davey who moved first. He looked at Hunter in surprise. �You have a concubine?�
Hunter jerked awake and turned to the man still in his arms. �N-n-no! I�ve never seen her before, I swear!� He turned narrowed eyes to the woman. �Who sent you? Who said you were to be my concubine?�
Lilith couldn�t help herself; she smiled faintly. �Lady Armenia, my Lord. Told me to find you today and see what you�d have of me.�
That bitch. Hunter swore a storm under his breath. �Armenia, was it? And why did she think, all of a sudden, that I would need a concubine? I already have a consort, Davey.�
�My Lord,� Lilith dutifully curtseyed to acknowledge Davey and his status, �truly, I am but your servant.�
�Meaning, if you want answers,� Hunter muttered to Davey, �ask who sent her.�
Davey squeezed his bicep briefly. �Hunter. . .�
Hunter looked at Davey, chest tightening. �Davey, my love, my light, I swear to you, this woman will never, NEVER, replace you in my bed. I swear to it.� They exchanged a brief, chaste passing of lips before Hunter took up Davey�s hand and quickly strode out.
Since she wasn�t given an order, Lilith should have stayed put until told otherwise. But this was too much fun, she decided. Gathering her skirt so she didn�t trip, Lilith quickly hurried after the retreating two. She wanted to be a front row spectator when the sparks flew and the shit hit the windmill.
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This time, the battle was already on Armenia�s ground. She had her infantry, the members of Hunter�s council, and her choice of weapon she held in her hands to brandish in the faces of her soon-to-be-defeated foes.
She listened wearily to the endless chatter of the council members, her fingers slowly stroking the roll of parchment on the table before her. When she saw her husband stride in like a storm, consort in tow and concubine hurrying to catch up, she knew the battle was nigh. She unconsciously curled her fingers around the parchment and pulled it closer to her.
The council members stilled and quieted. Their eyes locked on Hunter and his expression; their own sadly knowing. But Hunter ignored them all and continued until he stood five feet from Armenia�s chair.
�What nonsense is this now?� He demanded of her.
Armenia thought about playing oblivious to the obvious but with Lilith present, she had no choice but to show her most coveted hands. �This is not nonsense, husband. This is what must be done. Davey should be on his way already, honestly. I didn�t expect the two of you to continue lingering this way. Lilith is your concubine, to ease your pain of separation from him.�
�Ease my pain?� Hunter asked in disbelief. �Woman, you tell me I must let my love go, then you hand me this pitiful excuse as a substitute? Tell me, woman, what the hell are you thinking?�
Armenia glanced around at the council members. They nodded, telling her to go ahead. She knew they would play as her puppets. They always did. She turned back to her husband and held up the roll. �Here. This is a request from the King himself.�
Hunter startled. �When did that come? Why wasn�t I aware of it?�
Armenia paused but remained calm. �Not long ago. And you ARE aware of it. I just told you.� Before Hunter could protest, she went on, �The King requests that his heir have an heir of his own, a family in truth and not in name. I gathered the council while you were busy with your consort to see what their advice was.�
Here, Armenia stopped and looked at one of the councilmen. Jonathon cleared his throat and stood. �Lord Hunter, I believe I speak for the council when I say that indeed, you must have a concubine. This would double the. . . the birth expectancy. Also. . . promiscuity with your consort will be . . . er. . . is. . . Uhm. . . that is. . .�
Armenia sighed in exasperation and shot to her feet. �Oh, for crying out loud!� she glared from the councilman to her husband. �No more fooling around with Davey or Adam. No use wasting effort with someone who can�t become pregnant to begin with.�
Hunter felt his heart sink to the pit of his stomach. But he sneered at Armenia, nonetheless. �As opposed to someone who could, but can�t?�
This stung her, he knew, and was only slightly delighted when her skin mottled unattractively and her fists clenched. A voice cleared. Hunter looked toward Councilor David. �That would be why you now have a concubine, Lord Hunter. Incase Lady Armenia should choose to become pregnant by a certain time, Lilith should be the exact same likeness as to pass the child off as her own.�
Hunter stared at the man without expression. His mind had gone blank.
�There is no use in argument, My Lord,� another councilor said quietly, �the matter must be done. It must be done as soon as possible.�
Hunter looked once more at Armenia and could have sworn he saw her victory dance in the light glinting off her eyes.
�Come, Davey,� Hunter spoke softly, �let us leave here.�
Wordlessly, Davey followed, eyes fixed to the ground before him, unable to speak until the two of them were alone once again.
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�I swear it.� Hunter whispered once more into Davey�s ear as they stood by the loaded and waiting carriage. Nim stood with his two chosen guardsmen little more than twenty paces away.
Davey glanced up and almost quelled at the dark looks Smith and Fritch threw him, as well at the stony gaze of Nim. But it was Hunter�s hot breath against his skin, his fingers caressing through his hair, his thumbs running against his cheekbones that made this moment the most unbearable. Davey�s eyes watered slightly.
�Hunter, don�t.� He spoke softly, the whine in his voice pitched higher from his emotions.
�I swear it.� Hunter repeated. �I shall not bed her. Nor Armenia. I didn�t bed Adam, I won�t bed them. If I never have a child of my own, then so be it. That will the price I pay to have you always with me. Davey. . . gods! I love you.�
Davey met his eyes with his own. �And I love you. That�s why you must. I�ll be gone, Hunter. And you�ll be lonely. I�d rather you be comforted and happy.�
�I won�t be happy until you�re with me!� Hunter scowled and pouted without realizing it.
Davey bit his lip, ducking his head slightly. He felt the heavy gazes of the three men watching. �Then. . . then, Hunter. . . if you need to. . .� He looked up again, eyes determined and loving as they always were. �Then go to Adam. Please. If you can�t. . . with them, have Adam there to help you. You need a son. And this might be the only time I�ll say this, so do it.� He grinned gently, sorrow filling his eyes like unshed tears. �Even if you choose not to with those women. . . Adam will keep you company until my return. He�ll understand. He�ll. . .� Davey trailed off at the look from Hunter.
�I�ll not bed him.� Hunter whispered.
�You will,� Davey said, pulling away, finally, �if you love me, you will. You�ll do as I ask.�
Hunter�s fists clenched at his sides. �How can you ask me of that? I won�t! I can�t!�
Davey turned to the side, facing the carriage as a single tear escaped the corner of his eye, unseen by his lover or their audience. �You will, Hunter. I don�t want you to suffer from my absence. Please. Take Adam to your bed. I will see you in four weeks, two if I can.� And with that, he stepped up into the carriage and closed the door.
If he looked into the tiny, lattice covered window of the carriage, Hunter was sure he�d see Davey�s profile. He didn�t look. Instead, he swallowed the lump in his throat and walked over to Nim.
The head of his security had already ordered the two guards about getting their places about the carriage so was alone when Hunter met with him.
�Nim,� Hunter croaked.
�Yes my Lord,� Nim said softly, nodding.
�And. . .�
�Yes, of course.�
�Because. . .�
�My Lord. . . Hunter, please, don�t worry. I understand.�
Hunter nodded slowly, then looked up to meet Nim�s eyes. �Then you understand that if Davey doesn�t return, I�d rather die.� He waited for Nim to respond. When he didn�t, Hunter nodded once more, then began walking back into the castle.
Nim�s jaw set and his eyes stared down at the ground. Deep in contemplation, he looked up to the carriage, held the only thing that kept his Lord and friend among the living.
�What, no farewell kiss to your sweety?� Smith spoke through clenched teeth. He pretended to make sure there was nothing wrong with the carriage wheel. His eye met Davey�s through the lattice work, making Davey shiver slightly.
�Leave �em alone, Smithy,� Fritch said low, clapping him on the shoulder, �can�t you see the girl is busy crying his eyes out, now that he won�t have anything to suck on for four weeks?� They laughed nastily and moved to get their positions. Davey looked to the side and saw the last glimpse of Hunter disappearing back into the castle. Immediately, his eye fell on the solemn figure making his way to the head of the carriage.
Nim glanced through the lattice and met Davey�s. He paused, frowned, then looked away quickly, hurrying to his place as driver.
Davey silently wiped the tear trails from his cheeks as he stared down at his lap. This was bad, he knew. Going away from the safe arms of his lover to accompany three men who more than just disliked him.
He knew it was bad, but what could he do? Nothing, but whatever he could to help his love, his Hunter, his future king.
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End of Part Fifteen.