Knaiaran stormed out of the banquet hall. He must have had murder writ on his face because servant and nobleman alike shuffled out of his way.
Murder. Now there was a thought. If he'd had a knife on him, he'd have killed the man then and there—and lost his birthright and his freedom on the spot. There had to be a better way.
"So happy I could help you." He snapped at Valor, but his words were true. "No one should have to bear their company. I don't know how my brother did it."
He changed his mind suddenly about leaving the palace and sprang around a corner and up a staircase instead.
"I don't know how anyone does it," Valor agreed, turning and following Knaiaran up the stairs. He got the feeling that maybe they shouldn't just be wandering around wherever, but didn't particularly care, either. Those stuffy peacocks could deal.
He met Knai at the top and leaned against the railing. "Anyway, we've escaped their floofy clutches, so I say we make our own party. What say you?"
Knaiaran could not keep his body still. He ran through endless, bloody revenge scenarios in his head, each more outrageous than the last and nary a one of them that didn't end in House Siilan losing Ravensway.
"What," he said, whipping around to fix his glare on Valor. Much like his poisoned tone before, it was not meant for the young man, but for those that had enraged him. They just weren't here to receive it. "You have something in mind?"
"Always," Valor said with a grin, seemingly unfazed by Knaiaran's dirty looks. Stepping in close, he slid an arm around the boy's shoulders like he was an old buddy and leaned close to his ear.
"For example, I know where they store the wine. And I know it's currently unguarded. What do you say we help ourselves to a bottle or two and relocate to somewhere more lively?" His grin broadened. "Not like it's stealing. It's just drinking what we didn't get to drink at the party."
This night may not have to be a total loss. He looked upon Valor with new eyes, saw the possibility of salvaging some pleasure from this horrendous evening.
Ever bold, he turned himself to press them closer together. "It's practically ours by right, isn't it? Lead on, then."
"Indeed! And their fault for not guarding it more closely."
With Knai pressing closer, Valor took that as his cue. He let his arm drop down to circle Knai's waist as he lead the way down the stairs and toward the kitchens. He knew the kid's reputation--who didn't?--and if Valor had done a good enough job of being bad, most people knew his. He knew there was a reason he'd always wanted to get to know this noble better--and if the night was especially successful, he might know him really well.
And what kind of talk would that cause?
He released Knai only so he could open the doors to the wine cellar. "After you, m'lord," he said with a sweeping bow, holding the door open.
He had not been mistaken. Valor was as receptive as his reputation had lead Knai to believe, and he was sharp enough to catch Knai's meaning and respond.
The promise of channeling his fury into another kind of passion improved Knai's mood considerably. He could do nothing against the Jadenshine bastards right now, so why waste the night? He flowed before Valor and made sure to cast a mischievous look to anyone who noticed them.
Knai let out a little sigh of frustration at Valor's hands removing themselves from his body. He trailed a hand down Valor's arm and put his intent into his eyes as he passed by and into the cellar. "Thank you."
That frustrated sigh did not go unnoticed. Neither did that look or suggestive touch, his skin tingling where Knai's fingers had been.
Well. Shit.
Maybe the wine could wait a little while.
He followed after Knai and kicked the door closed with his foot, letting it slam a little too loudly--but he didn't care. Let them be discovered. Part of him hoped they would; at least then people would talk about him instead of stupid things like coronations and the like. No sooner had the door shut before he found Knai and pushed him back against the cellar wall and pressed his body close to his, one hand on the wall by Knai's head and the other on his waist.
"Hm. On second thought, I think I'm craving something a little stronger than wine," he said, voice low and mouth close to Knai's ear, giving him a chance to change his mind just in case he'd read the signals wrong despite what his reputation lead him to believe. It would be a shame, though; the kid was pretty to look at and he wouldn't mind seeing more of him.
Ah, much better. He found it so insufferably tedious when men could not take these matters into their own hands. Some would not take it even when he gave it to them, even when he did everything but wrote it on their forehead that he wanted them. They hesitated and hedged and made him do all the work. How lucky he'd gotten with this one.
Knai bit his bottom lip in what he knew was a look to heat men's blood. He knew because he'd honed it with much practice. He arched his back and stretched against Valor like a cat, demanding and smug. He loved to tease, to make men want him.
"Mmm." A smooth purr from his throat. "Such vigor, my lord. Do you think you can get drunk on me?"
That cleared up any lingering doubts. Valor shivered, eyes drawn to Knai's lips, and in a second his hand was there, lightly caressing Knai's cheek and bottom lip, delighting in their softness. Thank Kia. He would have spent the night frustrated and in desperate need of a whore otherwise.
"Oh, yes," he murmured, low and throaty. "I'm already intoxicated."
And then he kissed him, hard and full on the mouth, and pressed his hips into Knai's to let him feel his need, slipped a hand under his shirt and slid it up along his belly and chest, testing the waters. This was the fun part of exploring any new partner--figuring out how they wanted it, what kind of lover they were and how they liked it, fast and rough or slow and sensual.
Valor was flexible.
There was pleasure to be had in the subtle plays of a leisurely dalliance, the double meanings and soft words, but Knai was in no mood for slow indulgence. He seized Valor's hand and brought it around to his ass where it belonged, and lest the man harbor any notion to hold back, he tangled his fist in Valor's hair and attacked his mouth with abandon.
Whether he realized it yet or not, Valor was going to drive all memory and thought of Lorin from his mind tonight, as relentlessly as he knew how. And if he went astray with some unwelcome idea of romanticism or gentility? Then Knai would just have to keep him to task.
Well! There was his answer.
Valor was completely and totally okay with that. Kia, he wasn't going to lie--he loved it when the delicate-looking ones were anything but, and adored a partner who knew what they wanted.
Moaning against Knai's lips and grinding their hips together hard, Valor slipped one hand down the back of Knai's breeches and unlaced them with the other, and he only broke the kiss long enough to pant, "Pants off. Now." Then his mouth was on him again and both hands were occupied, tugging and pulling the fabric down and exploring newly exposed skin until, finally, he could get at what he wanted.
He pinned Knai against the wall with his body and slipped a hand between them, gripping his cock and firmly stroking it, urging him to arousal.
Knai let Valor bring him to a writhing, moaning state before he could no longer stand the clothes on his back. With his pants falling about his hips, he suddenly could suffer not a stitch more of fabric on his skin.
He was getting to be an old hand at stripping his clothes off in a hurry. In a few efficient movements and with barely separating them at all, he had himself totally bare, his naked body pressed tight up against Valor. He circled his arms about the man's neck and grinned up at him. "Our meeting was most fortunate, wouldn't you say?"
Valor found himself impressed with how quickly and efficiently Knai stripped--especially since he didn't ease up on his ministrations or aid him or do anything to make his job easier. Clearly, he'd done this a lot, and Valor was not complaining; while he wasn't picky, if he had to choose, he did prefer the experienced ones.
He eased up only long enough to shrug out of his own shirt and wriggle out of his own breeches, feeling silly fully clothed with Knai laid bare before him. And then, as Knai looped his arms around him and pressed up against him--ah, finally. There was no better feeling than that of skin sliding against skin and, grinning back, Valor pressed his forehead against Knai's so he could look down between them and get a good look at his body, now that there were no longer clothes and limbs in the way.
"Oh, yes," Valor agreed, sliding his hands along Knai's hips and over his bare ass, dipping his head down so he could kiss along the side of the noble's neck and nibble at it teasingly. It was getting to the point where he really wouldn't be able to keep up a witty or coherent dialogue, too focused on the warm body writhing against his and the sensations that caused, so he'd just have to ensure Knai was just as senseless.
He lowered his lips to Knai's chest, mouth briefly teasing a nipple, and then slid lower. "And I thought this party would be boring."
And then he knelt down before him and, without much warning, took his cock in hand and lowered his mouth to it.
"I as well." Knai's speech cut off as Val drifted lower. He gasped at the sudden heat of Val's mouth around him and tangled his hands in the man's hair.
"And to think I expected...expected my first visit to the capital would be unpleasant." He moaned, loudly. He'd never been able to keep himself quiet. For whatever reason, he found himself hoping someone would hear and investigate, that they'd be caught. That he could flaunt his disregard for the propriety of these Arca dogs even further.
When he reached the edge, he pulled Valor away from him. "Ah, ease up! I don't want to spend myself yet."
Mouth occupied and mind more focused on the sounds Knai was making than the words he was speaking, Valor didn't answer Knai until the boy was pulling him away. He blinked up at him in momentary confusion before his words actually sank in, and then he smiled smugly and slid back up his body to press a hard kiss to his lips, still tasting him.
"Mmm. Well. If ever you come here again, I'd be more than happy to show you a good time," Valor said between kisses. He paused and licked two of his own fingers before sliding his hand along Knai's ass, stroking teasingly though not yet entering, making sure this was what he wanted. Some men didn't like it, after all, or didn't like much of it--which was no issue to Valor, so long as they were both taken care of in the end, one way or another.
"I will be here for a few days." His hand found Valor's cock, and he stroked the length of it. "You should show me some of your other favorite haunts."
He had nowhere to go for the length of his stay, especially now that he'd alienated the majority of Arca's nobility. He would waste away the time in one of House Siilan's manors, driving himself mad with boredom. He would far rather spend his visit with this entertaining young gentleman.
When Valor stopped just short of entering him, Knai pressed up against him and whined with need. "Valor, please. You're so wicked to tease me so."
Valor started to answer, but Knai's hand on him made his breath hitch and his hips buck against him and it took a moment for him for find his words again. "O-oh...I have many," he said, words trailing off into a moan. "Many yet to be consecrated. And several delightfully bawdy taverns with more wenches than you can shake your--"
He cut off again, panting lightly, and as Knai began to beg, well, who was he to deny him? Skin flushed and lips quirking into a smile, he dipped his head to nibble along the side of the lord's neck as he slid one finger into him.
"It's because you beg so nicely, m'lord," he said, slowly working in a second finger before thrusting them into him, preparing him. "Let's hear that pretty voice."
Knai provided. He gasped at the first breech then moaned with abandon at every stroke and movement. Back arched, his deft fingers worked at Valor's cock until he could take no more, and he clutched the man's shoulders and cried out.
"Ah, Valor! Please, more! Please!" His voice was tortured, imploring. He did indeed know how to beg nicely. They had not even finished here yet and already he thrilled at the thought of consecrating those places of Valor's.
Another time, and Valor would have liked to draw this out, make Knai squirm and beg until he could take no more--but for this encounter, that would do, and he didn't think he could stand to wait much longer, anyway. For as much as Knai cried that he was a tease, well, this was torture for Valor, too.
"As you wish, m'lord," he murmured into his ear, working him just a moment longer. Then he withdrew his fingers and forcibly turned Knai to face the wall. Knai was small and slender and he could probably lift him, but he wasn't about to attempt anything too athletic at the moment. Instead he gripped his hips and slid against him teasingly for a moment before, finally, he started to ease inside.
He leaned forward and nibbled at Knai's ear. "Shhh. Someone might hear."
And he hoped they did.
Finally Valor pressed into him, and so great was Knai's need that he didn't wait. He pressed back, took the entire shaft with a long, loud moan until his ass met Valor's hips.
"We should be so fortunate."
Ah, if only someone would walk in on them! Knai allowed himself the fantasy. It would be a man, not a servant but perhaps a soldier, a man-at-arms or one of the palace guards. He'd be surprised to see them at first, but Knai would coax him in, convince him the opportunity was well worth taking advantage of. He rode the thrill of pleasure that image gave him, of both men on him, in him...
Knai had to bite his lip to hold himself back. It had been far too long since he'd had a man! In his grief at Lorin's disappearance, dalliance had been the farthest thing from his mind. Valor had only just begun, and he wanted to feel the man working in him hard before he spent himself.
"Would you like that, m'lord?" Valor asked against Knai's ear as he rocked slowly against him just to tease, gradually building pace.
The kid was eager, but that kind of eagerness would end them both before it had barely begun, and it had been long enough since his last tumble--and he was aroused enough--that it wouldn't take much if he wasn't careful. He kissed the back of Knai's neck and shoulders and took a moment to catch his breath and steel himself, to adjust to the sensation without being overwhelmed by it.
"Do you enjoy being watched?"
And then he drew out nearly all the way and slammed back in with a loud groan. One hand still gripping Knai's hip, the other slipped around him to find his cock as he began to drive into him at a hard, steady rhythm. Someone had to show up for more wine eventually, and Valor didn't care who it was, just that the story would spread.
Valor's slow pace was maddening! Knai released a sigh and took his mind elsewhere. Cooled his head, brought himself under control. Valor was right, of course. He had the right idea here.
"Always." And by anyone. Knai loved when people looked at him, loved it more when he was the center of attention. It would undoubtedly have embarrassed some people to be seen like this. It only made Knai feel powerful.
Valor had mercy on him at long last. Knai's cries echoed back at them off the walls of the wine cellar. "Ah...more. Harder," he said, in breathy demand when he found air enough to speak. For two so eager, they held off well. Knai could even have gone longer had he not heard the door open. He never did see who it was, just heard them gasp then slam the door shut again, and that was the end of him. He ground back upon Valor's cock as he came.
Valor didn't last long after that. The thrill of discovery and the sensation of Knai's climax was all too much, and he was undone. He drove into Knai hard as he came with a cry, riding it out as long as he could, and then leaned heavily against Knai's back with both arms circled about his waist. Damn. Well. Looked like they'd gotten their wish, though it was a shame he hadn't been able to see who it was; he'd glimpsed only a silhouette, and wondered if the mystery person had been able to get a good look at who they were.
Heart beating fast and breathing coming quick, Valor pressed light kisses to Knai's shoulder and grinned.
"Seems we summoned someone better than any mage," he murmured, and shifted a little so he could slip out of Knai before things got too uncomfortable. "Poor thing. Such an awkward reason to give for not bringing back any wine."
Valor didn't sound sorry at all.
Knai pressed back as Valor released inside of him. He bit his lip as a fresh wave of pleasure rippled all through him. This had been just what he needed. All the tension was out of him as they panted against each other and caught their breath.
"I only wish I knew who it was." So he could find them later, find out how much they'd seen, see if he couldn't speed the rumors along.
He grimaced as Valor slid out, ever an unpleasant sensation. He turned around so they were facing each other. "Speaking of, grab a bottle for us."
With a smile, Valor reached behind them and slid a bottle out the rack, stopped a moment to check the year.
"Ahh. This one's a good one. Fifty years old!" he said, then paused to look Knai over, smile growing into a grin. "Ah, but before we go..."
Running a hand into Knai's hair, he gently tugged his head to the side, leaned in, and pressed his lips to the side of his neck. He sucked on the skin there, hard, teasing, and only pulled away when he'd left a dark, growing mark against his white skin. Kissing the mark playfully, he tilted his head to survey his work.
"There. Now you look thoroughly ravished, m'lord."
Valor just kept impressing him. Knai loved to be caught by surprise. He whined and pressed against Valor. At this rate, he'd be hard again in no time.
So long as they were leaving their marks, he scraped his nails down the backs of Knai's shoulders, raising welts.
"Good thing I don't have a high collar. I want everyone to see this." He ran a thumb over the mark. "Bring that with us? We can drink it in your carriage."
He'd already decided he was going to Valor's manor with him.
Valor shuddered and gave a small gasp of pain, then laughed low in his throat and fought against the urge to take Knai again, right then and there. He wasn't into pain, but nails down the back were the exception; they always felt so nice in the moment, even if they stung later. "Careful, m'lord. At this rate, we won't make it to the carriage."
No questions asked, no objections. He just rolled with it. If Knai wanted to come home with him, far be it for him to say no!
He wanted to enjoy him for as long as he could. After the festivities were over, who knew when he'd get to enjoy him again? Kid was fun, what could he say? It was so rare to find someone else who shared his interests like this.
With some reluctance, he sighed and pulled away from Knai, but not before stealing a last, lingering kiss. He collected his shirt and breeches and went about pulling them on, lacing them, but didn't bother to try to make them appear unrumpled, nor did he try to fix his hair. Let it keep the bedroom look. He had nothing to hide.
Knai didn't bother with half of his clothing, and he didn't even lace up what little he did put on. He didn't plan to be in it for long.
"Let's go." Knai took the wine and led the way, feeling more imperious in this little bit of clothing than he did in all his finery. They drew stares as they went, but it was impossible to know why. Knai had caused a scene during the revelry. Still, it was difficult to miss just what the two of them had been doing. Anyone with a scrap of sense would be able to tell with one look at them.
It didn't take long to reach the carriage, Valor walking too close to Knai to be platonic, even linking their arms together and pulling the boy against his side. He reveled in the stares, and in the embarrassed looks when he caught someone's eye and winked knowingly at them. He was certain all the gossip channels would be flooded with talk tomorrow and he couldn't wait to hear what was being said.
When they arrived, the coachman took one look at them--and didn't ask any questions. He was pretty familiar with this routine by now, and his job was to drive! He set out the step for them to board, and Valor detached himself from Knai and held his hand out to help him up, gentleman-like.
"Ah, I'm afraid we forgot some of your clothes," he said as though just remembering, loud enough to be overheard. "I'm sorry. Remind me and I'll send a courier to collect them. Not that you'll be needing them or anything--I intend to have you quite bare by the time we get home."
A pleasant shiver rippled along Knai's skin. He took Valor's hand. "And I intend to stay that way as often as possible."
As soon as they were both in the carriage, Knai sank to his knees between Valor's legs. One quick romp in a wine cellar was hardly enough to satisfy him for the entire night. He massaged Valor's cock through his pants, with long and slow strokes of his hand. "Are you ready for me again? So soon?"
Valor had barely gotten settled in his seat before Knai knelt before him--and he inhaled sharply as Knai began to stroke him, unable to keep his hips from squirming. Leaning his head back against the wall, he raked his fingers through Knai's hair, lips slightly parted.
"Hn...if you keep doing that, I will be," he said, growing half hard under Knai's hand. "I can't seem to get enough of you, m'lord."
Oh, that pleased Knaiaran. That pleased him very much. He didn't even need Valor's words. The man's cock swelled beneath his hand as it stroked, massaged, squeezed. Valor had spent himself once, and not that long ago, and already he was nearly aroused enough to go again. Knai could not feel anything but powerful as he knelt between Valor's legs.
He gave Valor that look, the one he'd perfected on many men and used often. He bit his full bottom lip and looked up at Valor through long, blonde lashes. Then he leaned forward and pulled at Valor's laces with his teeth, not stopping until he'd tugged them all open enough to run his tongue up the length of Valor's cock.
That look nearly killed him and he felt his blood run hotter, skin flushed with desire. Valor found himself watching Knai's full lips and imagining what they would feel like around him--and it looked like he was going to have his curiosity sated. He groaned as Knai tugged his laces with his teeth, and his hands tightened in the other man's hair when he felt his tongue against him.
"Ah gods, yes..." he moaned, hoping the coachman would hear and pitching his voice so he would. His hands raked through Knai's hair and down his shoulders, nails trailing over his skin and pulling him closer, and he made a desperate, breathy sound. "Hurry..."
Knaiaran hid his face. It wouldn't do to let Valor see his triumphant grin. He had the man writhing, aching for his mouth, and Knai had barely even begun yet. He should have thought to do this for the High Lord of Jadenshine. He might yet still. What better way to get a knife into a man than to first get into his bed?
He hid his sudden lapse by teasing Valor's shaft with light brushes of his lips and tongue. Only after he'd tormented him sufficiently in this way did he rise up and sink his pink lips around Valor's cock, sliding down until he'd taken the entire shaft. He rose slowly up and down Valor's length, from head to base, in no rush despite Valor's words. They'd eased his urgency in the wine cellar. Now, he wanted to enjoy the sensation and not just strive for the end.
If Valor had been at all worried about his functionality so soon after spending himself, Knai certainly took care of that. The teasing was far too much and soon had Valor whimpering shamelessly, panted gasps escaping him and body jolting at every feather-light touch. He let his head drop back against the wall and watched Knai through hooded eyes, lips parted. Gods, he was really taking his time, something that both frustrated and excited him, and by the time Knai got around to actually taking him in completely, Valor couldn't help but groan.
There were few things more arousing than watching yourself sink between a pair of pretty lips, his eyes on Knai's face the entire time.
It was difficult to think after that, and it wasn't long before he was tugging at Knai's hair and lifting his hips to urge him on, breath coming quicker. His back arched and he scratched lightly at Knai's shoulders. It was an effort to get the words out. "Knai...! Knai, please..." Anything. He loved the sweet torture of it all, but gods, he needed release, and Knai was keeping him just short of it.
Just look at Valor. A bigger man than Knai, stronger, and there he sat writhing and begging for what Knai would not give him. Yes, it would be rewarding indeed to see the Lord of Jadenshine in this state, right before Knai slid a knife in between his ribs.
This was far enough for now. Valor was at his limit and Knai wanted to enjoy this as well. He pulled away, licking his lips, and shed his clothes for the second time that night. "Very well. We must finish you off before we reach the manor, no?"
He knelt above Valor's cock, straddling his lap, and with one hand guided him in as he sank down and took his full length in one slow, smooth slide. "I hope you've some strength left in you."
Finally, thank gods!
Knai slid onto him, and Valor took his hips and helped pull him down, gasping in pleasure. He managed a grin up at Knai. "Somehow, I think I'll manage."
He helped Knai move, thrusting up into him at every downward stroke. But this time, he let Knai do most of the work; after their vigorous romp in the cellar, he was still recovering, still felt a little relaxed and languid, so he felt this was a fair trade-off.
"Mm, you're so beautiful like this, m'lord," he said between gasps, leaning up to kiss him and trailing his fingers up his sides to caress over his nipples, playing with the piercings.
"Good to hear," Knai panted out. There was no teasing or slow indulgence here. His need was as great as Valor's and he rode him hard and fast, bouncing up and down on his cock as the land sped by in the windows. He began to moan, loudly, every time he took Valor's cock into him.
The carriage eventually began to slow, and it passed onto a different kind of paving. They'd reached road on Valor's estate that lead to his manor. Knaiaran arched his back, jutting his chest out to Valor's teasing hands as he increased his pace, surging up and down on Valor's shaft. "Nnn. You first."
Valor didn't need to be told twice. With Knai riding him like that, and with the increased urgency of knowing they'd reached his home and would be stopping soon, he couldn't hold back much longer.
With a moan, not once trying to muffle his cries, he came, pulling Knai down hard as he thrust up into him and rode out his release. It wasn't as powerful as the one earlier but it was no less satisfying, and even as his own pleasant shudders eased, he wrapped his hand around Knai's cock. Pulling Knai tight against him and kissing along his neck and shoulders, he worked him hard and fast.
"Come for me."
Knai took in a gasp of air and bore down on Valor's cock, spreading his thighs wider to take Valor in as deeply as he could as the man released inside him. The carriage slowed then, and lurched to a halt just as Valor spent himself.
The windows and curtains were both open. Anyone outside would be able to hear them clearly. It was too much for Knai. He was already spilling over the edge by the time Valor's hand closed around him. He clutched Valor close as he came and moaned excessively loud for the benefit of anyone who might be within earshot.
Satisfied finally, he rose enough to slide Valor out of him then sagged down onto his lap again. Every muscle in his body felt like liquid. "Mmm. We're here."
"We are," Valor breathlessly agreed, arms wrapping around Knai's waist to keep him close. Right here, like this, he could have drifted off to sleep. Easily. Every muscle felt heavy and relaxed, and Knai felt warm and comfortable against him as he savored the euphoric afterglow.
He was in no rush.
The only thing that changed his mind on that matter was that, euphoric, warm, shivery feelings or not, they had made a sticky mess of things.
Valor took care of one of those messes by licking his hand clean, smiling lazily at Knai as he did. "I suppose we should go out and be social," he said, and noted with smug amusement that no one had come to open the carriage for them yet. "Or as social as one can be on the way to the baths. Will you be able to walk, m'lord? Or shall I carry you?"
Knai lifted his head from Valor's shoulder. He didn't particularly want to move, but Valor had uttered the magic word. A bath would feel amazing, and then they could slide into cool sheets and sleep the rest of the night away. "Would you really be able to? Carry me?" Valor was hardly a big man.
He glanced out the open window at the manor beyond. "Is anyone about with whom we'd need to be...discrete? If not I should go out like this. Just as I am."
Just as he was—naked, sated, and with Valor's come trickling down his thighs.
"Probably not, but I thought it sounded chivalrous," Valor said with a lazy grin. He arched his back and stretched his arms over his head. Oh, sure, he'd be able to lift him, but they might not get very far, especially not while he was all relaxed and sated.
"But ah, there is no one of import here. They're all back there." He waved in the general direction of the castle. "Only servants."
And servants hardly counted.
Knai's face lit up in a grin. He didn't put a stitch of clothing back on before opening the door and sweeping out of the carriage.
What followed his exit was a great deal of guardsmen and servants snapping their heads away after that first surprised glance his way. No few of them stole looks at his body once they'd turned away for modesty's sake. None of them would yet know who he was, and it gave him a truly splendid idea!
"Valor!" Knai turned about and stopped Valor at the door of the carriage. He continued on in a quieter voice. "Don't tell anyone who I am. Let them think I'm your whore."
Just the thought of all these people thinking him a common prostitute sent a coil of pleasure into his core. "They'll find out eventually, of course, but let them go on thinking that for as long as it lasts."
Even better, the manor's guardsmen might be more willing to let him get his mouth about their cocks if they thought him nothing more than a whore. Sometimes his high birth intimidated men of low standing.
It was an effort for Valor to contain both his excitement and his amusement. "Consider it done." He could get right behind a game like that!
He stepped out of the carriage and grabbed Knai by the wrist to lead him along, then snapped his fingers to get a servant's attention. "Run ahead and prepare us a bath. I fear we're a little road weary and...dusty...from our travels. Go on now! And stop gawking, for Kia's sake. He's just a whore."
He let his hand come to rest on Knai's ass as he spoke and he gave it a light slap to move him along. "And I plan to make good use of him," he said with a wink Knai's way, speaking in a stage whisper.
Mm, Valor was good at this game. He dragged Knai along by the wrist like he was nothing. For his part, Knai giggled and scurried after him and made eyes at the guardsmen flanking the door. They should be made aware he was available for use. He was a whore after all!
He even looked the part, and it wasn't just his nakedness. He still wore his jewels from the party, and it gave him the bearing of some expensive young slut, of the kind only a lord's coin could buy. He didn't have to put on a farce as he leaned against Valor and his skin flushed under the gaze of every pair of eyes that traveled over his body.
Valor gave him a good slap on the ass and Knai yelped and danced away from him. "How can you possibly use me any better than you have already, my lord?"
"You'll find out soon enough, won't you?" Valor said, and caressed Knai's cheek and jaw.
Knai wasn't the only one enjoying the looks; Valor ate them up, amused by the different reactions he saw playing beneath the attempts at stoicism. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be a fly on the wall, listening in on the gossip that was soon to break out as soon as they were out of sight and earshot! Maybe he'd be able to catch some later, if he walked the halls quietly enough.
Walking with his hand resting on Knai's lower back, he guided him to the baths, where the servants were still bustling about preparing them, though the water was already steaming nicely. It was a beautiful room with a raised stone tub in the center, ringed by columns, with steps leading up and into it. Arched windows let in plenty of light and various plants were set around the room to give it an earthy, natural feel.
Valor lead Knai toward the tub and watched the servants, many who startled and stared before hurrying back to their work, laying out soaps and oils. "I saw the way you looked at those guards," he told Knai as they approached the steps. "Perhaps I should request some guard us while we're so vulnerable."
Knai swayed down the hall beneath Valor's hand and shamelessly met the eyes of everyone they passed. He rather thought he projected a whore's flippancy quite well, not that flippancy was a difficult mask for him to wear.
The baths were already steaming. It made the skin on his arms prickle, that pleasing warmth. Once they entered, he detached from Valor and strolled about the edge of the baths, admiring the plants and the frosted glass windows, but Valor's offer made him pause.
"Oh! My lord, you have the most marvelous ideas!" His time with Valor was like some heavenly dream, all of his pleasures catered to. "Your manor is so vast and intimidating, but I would feel so much more at ease with your guardsmen to see to our...safety."
"Anything to make you more comfortable, my pet," Valor said with a smile, undressing while Knai explored the space. He handed his clothes off to a servant and stopped him before he could leave.
"Send for Ivanis and Albenu posthaste, if you please. You heard the lad! He's intimidated! How are we going to have a relaxing bath if he's intimidated?"
While the servant hurried away, Valor strode over to Knai and slid up behind him, wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed the side of his neck. "There now, that's settled. A couple burly men ought to keep us nice and safe. Let's enjoy the bath now, shall we?"
"Burly? Mm, I like the sound of that." Knai turned in Valor's arms and kissed him on the mouth before swaying his way over to one of the baths. Valor was as pleasing on the eyes as Knai could have hoped, but he simply adored large, muscular men. He adored the chance to wrap them about his little finger watch them become desperate for him. Something about commanding that kind of control over a man who was so physically powerful excited him far beyond any sexual pleasure.
Knai let out a long sigh as he sank into the steaming bath. It was almost too hot, but it felt heavenly with that heat soaking into his muscles.
With a pleased grin, Valor followed Knai to the bath and slipped into the water, slowly, sighing at the heat's pleasant sting. He slid close to Knai and looped an arm around his waist to pull him close, then slid that same hand down to stroke along his thigh.
"Very burly," he said. "Capable of overpowering the strongest of men." He leaned in and kissed along Knai's neck, lowering his voice to a husky whisper. "Never mind a naughty little whore."
Knai rubbed against Valor like a cat. He couldn't possibly become aroused again so soon, but Valor's hands felt delightful on his skin and he enjoyed the touch. His mind was already dwelling on what pleasures he and Valor might get up to next, and especially how they might make use of two burly guardsmen. He desperately wished his body would recover faster.
Valor's words sent a pleasant shiver through him. For a few moments, he'd forgotten that he was playing a whore. Perhaps the guardsmen would be especially zealous with him if they didn't have to worry about hurting a lord.
Speaking of—the two guardsmen strode into the steamy bathing room then, and Knai sucked in a breath. Valor had not exaggerated their physicality. The men were tall and broad-shouldered, and looked like they hurled trees for sport. "My lord, you make excellent choices."
Knai bit his bottom lip and put such a look of eager want on his face, gazing at each of them in turn. It was the same expression he'd used on Valor in the carriage.
Valor could tell by their expressions that Albenu and Ivanis knew exactly why they had been summoned, for this was far from the first time. He'd known the men for several years and had had a number of trysts with them during that, separate, together, and with company. They were his favorites for a reason; he really couldn't ask for better guardsmen.
Oh, and Ivanis had saved his life once. There was that, too.
"Gentlemen." Valor beamed a grin up at them, hand still idly stroking Knai, a master stroking his pet. They knew why they'd been called; he could read it in their faces, see the way they eyed Knai, and it sent an electric thrill through him. But there was no sense in breaking character. Gods, this was going to be fun.
"Care to join us? I'm afraid I may have told some joke about assassins or something that went terribly wrong, but I assured him my personal guard were quite...virile. Still, I believe we'll all feel a little better with a nice demonstration of just how well my bodyguards can guard a body."
He didn't have to tell them twice. And bless them, but they played along--another reason he adored them. With a synchronized, "Yes, my lord," they wasted no time in stripping down and slipping into the water, Albenu to Knai's right, Ivanis to Valor's left.
Albenu pressed against Knai, one hand brushing his hip. "You picked a pretty thing, my lord."
Knai leaned upon the cool porcelain edge of the tub, enjoying the sight as guardsmen undressed themselves. Gods but he did love a man with impressive muscles. He could scarcely contain himself from ordering them out of their clothes faster!
Even with four people in it, Valor's extravagant bath held them all comfortably, not that Knai felt in any rush to get away from the soldier pressed to his side. He giggled—actually giggled—at the way they all spoke of him, like he were this plaything Valor had picked up to be passed about for pleasure.
Knai snaked a hand down into the water to stroke Albenu's cock, whilst Ivanis took his time, threading his fingers through Valor's hair, enjoying himself and in no rush.
"You wouldn't let any harm come to me, hm?" Through the steam rising from the water, Knai fixed Ivanis with a smoldering look.
With a little moan of enjoyment, Valor closed his eyes and leaned into Ivanis's hand as he stroked his hair. What could he say? It was his weakness and the man knew it. In reward, he slid an arm around the man's broad shoulders and turned slightly so he could lay his other hand against his chest, fingers playing along his skin.
Ivanis caught Knai's gaze over the top of Valor's head. "We would never let harm befall one of the Lord's prized pets," he said, somehow maintaining somber seriousness.
"Indeed not!" Albenu agreed, and abruptly grabbed Knai, lifted him easily, and deposited him onto his lap, where he would feel his hardened cock pressing between them. He slid his hands along Knai's inner thighs, spreading them. His fingers played along Knai's cock and slid down further to tease his ass as he spoke huskily against Knai's ear, "Especially since Lord Valor shares."
And then, without warning, he lifted Knai and brought him back down, thrusting up in the same motion to enter him in one fluid movement, treating him as the whore he viewed him as.
Knai passed a sly smile to Valor. All of Valor's household now believed their ruse to be true, and why not? They played their parts perfectly. By the time they were done here, every guardsman in Valor's employ would know their lord's whore was free for the taking. If Knai were lucky, he'd get more than a few of the dumb brutes rutting in him before he left.
Albenu suddenly grabbed him, and Knai yelped and giggle prettily, just as he should. He did adore stronger, bigger men than he. Adored when they lifted him, handled him, bent him over. He teased Albenu, rocking his ass up against the man's cock, and he rather thought no true whore could have done any better!
Without warning, Albenu lifted him again and sheathed his cock in him. Knai gasped in genuine surprise and bit his lip to fight back a grin. This whore ruse was splendid! Men were often too cautious with him, too worried about offending him or harming him. They never felt free enough to be as zealous as Knai wanted them to be.
Not so here! Albenu began pumping into him immediately, hands gripping Knai's waist, strong enough to lift his whole body and plunge Knai up and down on his cock.
In between gasps, Knai licked his lips and caught Ivanis's eye, then Valor's. He didn't care which of them got their cock in his mouth, so long as one of them did.
Ivanis caught his meaning, but looked to Valor first. Ever a proper soldier, he awaited his lord's preference, content to follow where Valor lead.
Valor was content to sit there, watching Knai get thoroughly fucked by his guard until he could take no more himself, but when Knai licked his lips and looked to he and Ivanis in turn, he caught the meaning there--and it appeared he wasn't alone. He shared a knowing look with Ivanis, right before he pressed a smoldering kiss to the man's mouth. Ivanis didn't need to be told what he wanted; they were familiar enough with each other that he trusted his guard would get the hint. So when they parted, he slipped away from the man with one final lusty look over his shoulder before he made his way the short distance to Knai.
Though Valor had been cautious their first time, he dropped all pretense of that now--now that he knew Knai was not the delicate lord he first assumed him to be. If he wanted to be treated as a whore, well, Valor was more than happy to provide!
Grabbing Knai by the hair as Albenu slammed into the boy, hard enough to slosh water over the sides of the tub and bruise the young noble's thighs, Valor pulled his head down by the hair and pressed his cock against his lips as he held him there.
"Suck," he ordered, and grinned as he felt Ivanis press against him from behind, his cock hard against his ass, his lips on his neck and shoulder. With a breathy sigh, he rocked his hips, grinding back against Ivanis and forcing himself inside Knai's mouth on a forward thrust.
Albenu rutted in him like an animal and it was glorious. The man had no regard for him at all, was just using him as a thing to fuck, and this was treatment Knai had never enjoyed. Even the men he tempted to bed from other provinces all knew who he was and held him, touched him, fucked him with a certain restraint. They cared. They wanted to please him.
Albenu could not have given less of a shit about pleasing him. He'd barely touched Knai's cock at all. No, Knai was there for their pleasure and nothing else.
He welcomed Valor into his mouth readily, opening his throat so that every brutal thrust from Albenu forced him to swallow more of Valor. He jostled between them, speared by two cocks and utterly at their mercy.
Albenu grunted, his thrusts coming faster and more desperate. "You found an eager one this time, my lord."