The Unsuitable Slave. (NC-17) Part 33/34
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence.
Cold beneath him. Cold air, no, yes, cold air with pockets of warm, damp air. Steam?
A strong reek of horses on him, and, all around him, damp, with hint of rotten eggs. Sulphur?
Hard floor under thin fabric beneath him. Jared stretched a hand and his fingers trailed over rough, damp stone, no they were smooth stones, a mosaic of small smooth stones.
Pain, bright gashes of pain everywhere, some skin deep, others that burned into muscle and tissue. A throbbing circle of pain that threatened to engulf his entire head and sodden unresponsive airways that rasped dank air.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Snuffle.
Rough fabric covering his naked body. He felt for the reassurance of his cuffs and his breath hitched in panic, gone, hand to his neck, collar, gone. Stiff, crusted fabric pulled tightly on his shoulder, across his back and around his legs.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Laboured breath.
“Jen!”
“Jen, Jen, Je” returned an echo.
Jared choked, coughing green chunks of mucus and muddied spots, and the noise bounced in repetition. His ribs were too tight, too fragile, the agony consumed him and he forced a compromise of harsh croaked breath.
He unglued his eyelids to a twilight world, or was it his sight that was compromised? Glints of bright reflection and a dim disc of light overhead.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Laboured breath.
Fragments of memory returned. Jensen somersaulting through the air, Campbell’s cruel laughter, icy black depths, the grasp for a still body, dead weight dragging him back into the water and a struggle to the steep, muddied bank. Sliding, grabbing, but finding no purchase, slipping under the water, sinking under the surface. Bursting lungs filled with water as he fought to keep Jensen at the surface. Then, acceptance, fading into a black, hazy calm.
Was this Hell? His mind asked his neck to tilt and his body still worked. His eyes adjusted to the gloom. A myriad bright colours, bejewelled mosaic tiles and pretty shells covered the walls, and jewels twinkled like stars in the faint light of the grubby skylight. Twin artists'-moons shone in bright-painted sapphire-tile sky. He ignored the throb and lifted his head to look to the inner cavern, because he was sure it was there. He knew it would be.
It was safe, familiar, or Heaven and sure enough it was there, the step downward to the clear green pool, with clouds of fluffed, yellow-tinted steam that drifted low over its surface. There was a slow burning lamp lit in the alcove by the steps, which surely shouldn’t be possible.
“Daddy?” Daddy, daddy, dad
No strong arms moved to gather and comfort him.
Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Drip, drip. Echo. Silence. Cough, cough.
He turned in the direction of the sudden noise. Blanket covered form, angular pale face, high cheekbones, proud chin with a growth of ginger-blonde scruff. Thick, long eyelashes that curled from closed eyelids and rested on the freckled cheeks, freckles, so many of them and tangled, mussed, gold-blonde hair that he itched to run his hands through.
“Jen! Moons, Jen?”
Somehow the Gods had blessed him with a Heaven he didn’t deserve. He tested his stiff, aching body and managed to scoot the few inches that separated him from Jensen. A fit of coughing wracked through him and he trembled uncontrollably. He reached his hand into the soft warm hair, dropped his arm onto the smooth warm skin of his waist, trailed his palm to Jensen’s stomach and flinched backwards as his fingers touched ragged skin and rough sewn stitches. There was a gasp and then quickened breath and his Master wriggled back so that their bodies spooned flush together. Jensen’s breathing steadied and he showed no signs of waking. Jared’s head whirled with dizziness and he felt himself slipping back under. He gave in to the dark.
Jared kept his eyes closed and continued spinning until he was dizzy. When he finally lurched and fell to the soft grass, he laughed. “Coming! Ready or not.”
The orchard was dense with straight rows of heavy hung trees. He could hear Prince Jensen giggle. It was wild and free and contagious. He peeped around wide trunks and explored between shrubs. Ethan whistled and mocked from somewhere up high and Jared double backed and peered upwards, pointing in excitement at the pale leg that poked from the greenery of an apple tree. “Found you.”
Ethan was pink with excitement “I can show you his secret fort but he won’t let you in, he will battle you for it and he is better.”
The folly was solid and stone and Jensen defended his castle with vigor until the seven year old Jared sank to the lawn, close to tears and pouting. “You’re never gonna let me in.” Jeff sometimes bullied him like this, older boys were mean, thought Jared.
Suddenly Jensen was next to him, strong arms flung around him, his fur waistcoat tickling at his nose and an unexpected soft kiss to the top of his head. “You need to know the password, Silly,” the ten year old whispered in his ear and then added, “Yours. The word is yours.”
“Yours,” repeated a confused Prince Jared at the half-size door.
“And then I say mine and you can come in, because I can share this with you, if you’re mine.”
“Oh, alright.” Jared didn’t understand but he wanted to see Jensen’s fort more than he’d ever wanted anything, aside from wanting his daddy back.
“Mine!” announced Jensen with pride and pulled the younger Prince into his hide-out.
Ethan picked at daisies on the ground by the folly. The two young Princes lay side by side on the battlements, not a space between their sun drenched bodies. “I have a special place.” announced Jared, “It’s prettier and more secret than this.”
“There’s nothing more secret than this,” boasted the green-eyed boy.
“My place is. Nobody but my daddy and I know it is there.” He furrowed his brow and remembered that big boys don’t cry, “My daddy is in heaven, so it really is a secret.”
“Is it bigger than this?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Please.” The freckled boy pleaded, “I never tell a secret.”
Jared chewed at a nail, he really, really liked Jensen and Jensen had let him into his fort. “I don’t know. Long ago, all the Kings and Queens went there to bathe and it would make their sicknesses better but nobody goes there now. Daddy said the Elders declared it friv, frivul,” he couldn’t remember the word. “anyway, we’re not supposed to know about it and it would be real bad if it was found out, but daddy said he fell through the undergrowth into it, one day, when one of his hounds was lost. We went there sometimes and got it all cleaned up and pretty. It was our special secret.”
The emerald eyes glowed with curiosity. “I promise. I promise on everything I have. I promise on Ethan, I won’t tell. Papa says the Elders are mean and miserable men and I won’t let them be mean to you. When you’re here with me, you’re mine. You said so. That means you have to tell me everything.”
Jared sighed, after all, it was a BIG secret to keep to himself forever. “Daddy called it a grotto. It’s a cave in the ground. It is lined with sparkling jeweled tiles, it has its own sky and pools of hot bubbled water and a spring that you can drink from. Sometimes I bathe in the pool that has green water that is the shade of your eyes.”
“Neat.”
Jared rolled to his side to look into the green eyes. I would let you in. You’re the only person I would let in and we already have passwords.
“Mine,” breathed Jensen
“Yours,” grinned Jared, without understanding.
Prince Jensen propped himself up on one elbow and rested his head in his hand to look down at Prince Jared. His fingers trailed softly over Jared’s face and Jared was suddenly embarrassed about mentioning Jensen’s eyes. The touch wasn’t unpleasant but it was unfamiliar and felt odd, nobody ever touched him any more. He laughed and stood, “Catch me if you can.” he teased. He was already running.
***
He jolted into wakefulness as the hand pulled back from his face. “Prince Jared. C’mon, you have to wake up, you need to eat.”
Jared blinked and grabbed at the blanket that covered him. “M’wake.” He mumbled hoarsely and broke into a cough.
“Here.” Ben crouched beside him and pressed a cup of cool water to his lips. “You were dreaming, Sire. Was it nightmares?”
“Huh.” He sat up gingerly and glanced around at the grotto. “Dreaming,” he muttered and added, “Memories.”
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here?” he kept his voice quiet, he restrained it to prevent the cough that lurked in his throat.
“What do you remember Sire?”
“I remember the moat, finding Jensen, I couldn’t get out, couldn’t find purchase to get Jensen out.” He was frantic and close to tears with the memory.
“Sshh. So you don’t remember bringing us here, or the pain when I stitched your wounds?”
Jared dropped back to the hard floor. “No,” he groaned, and then asked in panic “Jensen? Is he?”
Ben gave a smile, “Turn around, he’s right there next to you.”
“Oh Gods, he is so pale and damaged.” Jared reached to caress his Master’s face.
“His fever has broken but he will not wake. I think he needs time to heal.”
“I need to..” Jared shuffled closer to Jensen.
“I know. I keep separating you so I can bathe your wounds and every time I return you have found a way together, pressed to each other like magnets.”
“How are we here? What has happened?”
“If I tell you, will you eat? I haven’t much but I can steal scraps and there is still some fruit and berries frozen to the trees. They thaw well enough.”
Ben handed him a thin slice of bread and slices of brown-edged apple. Jared turned his nose slightly but he was hungry, his stomach growled and he nibbled at the food. It wasn’t so bad, he ate with some gusto even if there was an overwhelming smell of horse coming from his immediate vicinity.
Ben ran his hand through his hair, he looked scared. “I, er, I got in to the gardens, and into the stables and let the horses out, like you said. I did come back to the Square but the battle was fierce and I could not tell friend or foe and everyone was bigger and more skilled than I. I’m a coward and I ran away in the only direction I could find space, until I was at the moat and could go no further. I hid.” he said miserably. “I’m sorry.”
Jensen shifted and murmured in his coma. Jared laid a hand over his chest and held it firm. He could feel the fast, irregular beat of his heart. Jensen calmed and his heart slowed and steadied, he gave a faint whine and slept on.
Jared returned his attention to his young companion. “You have courage, but you have sense also. There was no gain for you in that fight Ben. Don’t feel bad. What happened then?”
“I saw Jensen fall, I saw you follow and I ran to be beside you when you surfaced, but you were weakening, the bank was too slippery and I could not reach you. I broke a branch from a tree and I thought you were gone under for the last time but you rallied and took it. Between us we pulled you both out and I could not believe you still stood. The City was returning to normal around us and we guessed it was locked down. You said you knew somewhere safe, somewhere hidden within the protection of the outer walls of the Palace. Who would look to find you within the Palace grounds? Somehow we made it here, carrying Prince Jensen between us.”
Jared finished his meal. He carded a hand through his Master’s hair. “He looks so ill.”
“The water was fetid and foul and you both carried deep wounds. I took everything from you and chanced the spa pool to bathe you entirely. I think it was useful but your wounds could not help some infection. I’m sorry, I had to break your collar and cut your cuffs because I could not leave the filth that was beneath them.”
Jared nodded his understanding “S’Alright.”
“Jensen’s gut wound was particularly gruesome, he had lost much blood and I stitched it, innards and out, best I could but it has been problematic.”
“You stitched it?” Jared spoke in awe.
“There are many times a horse may catch a wound or abscess and I have to treat it. This was my first time to work on people and it is not neat, but the silk has held.” Ben looked proud of himself and it was deserved.
“Ben, how long have we been here? How are you able to find this food?”
“It has been three days and the City remains locked and in turmoil. My sources suggest that Earl Ford has taken victory in many cities, most notably Ty’bont. The Realm’s troops withdraw from the Kingdom and there has been no chase.” Ben looked around the multi-colored cave and gestured to the scree-deep and bramble covered entrance, “I am careful not to be followed to this place, I think we should wait and build your strength. I am certain that the City will be liberated soon, then we can leave without threat.”
Jared was gaping, Ben seemed to have no concept of how incredible his achievements were.
“I’m sorry Sire, that was forward of me. Of course, it is not my decision.”
“Ben, if what you are telling me is correct, then I fully concur with you. I still don’t understand how you have achieved all this.”
Ben gave a bright smile. “Oh, it was easy. The barracks lost a stable lad in the fighting so I contrived to return some of their lost mounts, and, when they needed assistance I provided it. Of course they couldn’t refuse a displaced horseman a temporary position in the stables. I can steal some small items, such as needle and thread and clean rag, and I am given food with my board.”
The slave looked carefully at the blankets on which they lay and the other which covered him. He wrinkled his nose. “Ben, are these horse blankets?”
The stable boy giggled “Yes, Sire, which reminds me, I have a mare in foal. I must check on her before feeding time. I should go before suspicion is aroused. You can care for Prince Jensen and sleep a little more.” He balled himself small to crawl into the overgrown gardens.
“Ben!” Jared called after him, “Thanks. Take care.”
Brambles looped back and were stacked over the entrance.
***
However beautiful the space happened to be, the confinement, the pale stillness of his lover and the waiting could all drive a man insane.
Ben brought clothes for them but Jensen’s wounds were too extensive for them to be practical. Jared put his own garments to one side without wear. He kept busy in any way he could. He bathed Jensen’s wounds and bound them, thanking the God's for the healing salts that bubbled from the core of the ground. He drew water from the fresh spring to drip into his mouth and he dried their blankets in rotation. He kneeled beside Jensen to talk to his unconscious form and massaged his undamaged muscles. He had known of warriors that took a blow to the head and never awoke but he could not dwell on that, he traced the scar of his brands and kissed the brow of his Master, he was Jensen’s slave and he would live in the moment, to serve him, there could be no tears.
At dawn and dusk he let Ben take over the watch, placed his blanket at the entrance and prayed, naked and on his knees, to the Gods that rode the Stars and tethered the Moons. He watched the low sun rise over the frigid earth and begged for its light. He hardly noticed the drastic change of season or the blue tinge of cold on his fingers though they warmed by the hot pool in the darkness of night. They lived in their own small world and he didn’t ask for news of politics or battles. There was just this, Jared waiting for Jensen to wake.
Three days after Ben woke Jared, Jensen opened his eyes and allowed his slave to spoon him thin oatmeal. Jared wanted to sob and scream at his lack of focus and recognition, but he needed to be strong. After four days, the emerald gaze found Jared’s face, and fingers sought Jared’s hand.
On the seventh day Jensen licked his lips and blew a breath. With a shaky smirk and in a grating, uneven, voice he informed Jared that he still owed him a smacked ass and Jared wanted to cling to him and cry but he couldn’t, Jensen needed his fortitude.
“You told me about this when we were children, this is our grotto.” Jensen announced on the tenth day, as they paddled their legs in the hot, green pool.
“Nu-uh.” replied Jared, and dropped his leg hard enough to splash warm droplets over the top of the soft gold hair. “You didn’t give the password.”
Jensen grabbed hard at the brunette’s bearded chin and held it tight as his lips descended on Jared’s mouth in a hot, harsh, kiss. Teeth knocked together and tongues twisted. Jensen gave a high whine and Jared could feel the burn of their unshaven scruff and the delicious bruise of Jensen’s fingertips.
“Mine,” growled Jensen, as he paused between kisses.
“Yours,” confirmed Jared. “Our grotto.” He added.
“I want to do things to you in our grotto.”
“You don’t have to ask Master. Never have to ask.” Jared slipped into the shallow water, he pressed Jensen’s legs apart and kneeled between them, hazel gaze held correct and low and a familiar thrill coursing through his veins. He had longed for the closeness, the possession and the sex but his Master was sick and he would not push for it.
Jensen’s hand tangled through his hair and rubbed the skin of his neck. “I wasn’t sure.” he rasped. “You took your collar off. I was captured and weak, an unworthy Master.”
Jared couldn’t help the sharp look up into Jensen’s face. “Never! Never that. I didn’t remove it, it wasn’t a choice.”
“You had it when you took Morgan down, I remember that. I remember thinking it made you the most honest and brave person I ever met. Then I realized you left your safe walls, you came all this way, in the wide open for me and I was honored and undeserving to be your Master.”
Jared kissed a path up the inside of Jensen’s thighs and stopped with his head buried in the coarse hair and rich smell of his Master’s cock and balls. The flesh filled out and hardened with the touch of his face. “Didn’t come all this way to lose you, Jen.”
Strong fingers grabbed tightly at his hair and tugged his head painfully, to look back at his Master. “Didn’t say you could do that, you impertinent pup.” he growled.
Jared fought to hide his delight but his cock swelled and hardened.
“Who is in charge here, Child?”
“You are, Master.”
“Stand.”
Jared stood, towering above the older man who sat on the edge of the pool. His eager member was erect by Jensen’s face and the older man stared at it without a touch for what seemed like an age, then, lightly, almost tentatively he stuck his tongue out and licked into the hole at the top, dipping into the slit and sucking just a fraction. He withdrew his tongue and Jared shivered with want. Jensen ran a single finger up its length. “Have you touched yourself? Did you come without me?” he asked with a sinful honey-drawl.
“No, Master.”
Jensen groaned, a little needy sound. “Gods, Jared! You’re so wrong you’re right. What you do to me.” He let his hands roam all over his slave’s ass, he squeezed his firm globes and sucked hard on his balls. Jared threw his head back and moaned with the effort of restraint. “Bet you want to come soon, don’t you?”
Jared bit on his cheek and nodded. “Yes, Jensen.”
“Knees!”
The slave took a moment to register the command and then dropped with grace and the faintest splash. Hot water swirled and slapped against his throbbing dick and it wasn’t enough.
“Not fast enough, Child. You’re slacking.”
“I beg your forgiveness, Master.” He remembered his training, kept his position with lowered eyes.
“You ordered my departure, you have damaged my property, you do not bear my collar and you forget your manners. So many mistakes, my Child.” Jensen petted his head. “I think you want to be better than this. Do you want to be better than this?”
“Yes Master”
“Do you need my discipline?”
Jared’s body thrummed with tension. His voice was thick with desire “Yes, I do. I need your discipline.”
“I am injured, so you must make this easy for me.” He signaled for Jared to bend over the rocks at the edge of the pool. “Show.” he said and pushed Jared’s head sideways to the tiled floor with his face so close Jared could feel the brush of hair on his jaw. Jensen’s eyes were glazed and hooded and his breath sped up and deepened with the pink flush of his cheeks.
So damned pretty, mused his slave.
Jared reached his hands behind and pulled his ass cheeks apart to expose his tight pink hole. He felt pressure at the rim and the slow push and exploration of a finger. It was dry and the intrusion scraped and hurt. He wriggled and hissed but his erection didn’t fade, pre-come dripped from his slit in anticipation.
I am going to spank your ass till you come, Jared and when it is cherry red and hot you will sit on my cock and pleasure me. Your come will be the only oil you will get, so you better prepare to catch every single drop.” Jensen’s beard dragged up his spine with a trail of sparking nerves, “I can see how much you want it.” Teeth latched on the nape of his neck and bit down with sharp erotic pain, blood was sucked to the surface and Jared knew he was being marked with intent.
Jensen offered his hand and Jared kissed it. “Yes, Master.”
There was no leniency in the hand. It was as strong as Jared remembered and it fell with punishing sting and fast punishment. Fingerprint painted over fingerprint in forceful slaps, until his ass was a fiery patchwork of pain. The carefully constructed dam of his emotions collapsed and tears flowed. His body accepted his survival, he was alive and feeling it with every nerve end and every fiber, his arousal was overwhelming and he snapped his hips forward searching for relief. He cried for the sharp pain, he screamed into a hastily balled rag, for the wrong of his throbbing dick, he sobbed for the time when he thought Jensen would not recover and wept for loss of battle. Jensen’s hand took his and held it around his needy member, squeezed and stroked at it, and, as the final smack reverberated through the echoing caverns and deep into his soul, Jensen spoke the command “Come, for me.”
Thick ribbons of fluid coated their fingers as he shuddered through his release with bright relief and satisfied sensation.
“Let me look after you, I got you. Let it go, Child.” His Master reassured in soft voice and pulled him up with tender hug. The tears still flowed through his lashes and dropped over too-pale skin. Soft pads of Jensen’s fingers wiped drops from his eyes and the plump lips kissed at his face. “So beautiful, so good for me, Child.”
Jared adjusted his position to silent command, he allowed himself to sit in Jensen’s lap, felt the line of hot thick cock that pressed against him, accepted the press of slick, come covered fingers that scissored him open with impatience and allowed the press of the thick cock-head that nudged inside as he sat back on it. He pushed down with Jensen’s encouragement until it spread the flower of his hole and stuttered inside with the lubrication of his own ejaculation. He slid down until he was full, filled with the hot evidence of Jensen’s survival and it felt so good, so right, so alive. Jensen clenched his teeth and whimpered and Jared stalled “Is it hurting?” he asked.
“Stars! No. Move. Just move, Jared. Been so long, can’t hold out.”
His neck stretched with his head resting on Jensen’s shoulder and he arched as he slid up the length and bounced down with a slap of Jensen’s balls against his hole. Teeth nipped and marked him, sucked at is earlobes with the repeated simple statement “Mine.” and the word travelled in a predictable thrill, right to his groin.
He fucked down against the older man with firm rhythm that he let increase into a crescendo of ragged thrusts and heavy breath until Jensen was pumping hot and wet into his hole. His own orgasm crept up on him and surprised him with a whispered prompt and blinding white explosion of fuck, gods, damn, so fucking good.
They slipped into the soothing depths of the hot pool in each others arms to let the healing salts clean the traces of semen and of blood that had seeped from their wounds during their passion.
“What did you learn?” asked Jensen.
“I learned that you are here, you are alive and you must never leave me again, Master.”
Jensen nuzzled his slave. “I learned that I am not complete without you. I learned never to underestimate you. You are my hero and I am blessed with you.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere.” Jared giggled but it faded into a yawn.
When Ben returned with their Supper Jared was clutched tightly into Jensen’s embrace and they slept deep and free from signs of pain. Ben tucked their blankets in and left them to their dreams.
***
On the eleventh day Jensen spoke about the events that led to their capture. He described the rendezvous that hadn't been met by Christian. They had known then, that Captain Kane's troops would not participate, had hoped that Meghan was already safe with Captain Kane or sheltered within the walls of the Summer Palace.
"I took the decision." his voice was emotionless but his eyes were moist. "The numbers were greater than our sources suggested."
Jared guessed that those sources included Christian.
"We would have done it regardless. Steve's men needed the head-start and it has been a pivotal base for Morgan." Jensen leaned in to Jared and Jared rubbed gentle circles into his back as he took a moment. "Steve got what he needed, the documents went back with three different couriers in three different directions. We have to hope that at least some made it through. It was the right decision. " Jensen pulled his knees in tight to his chest and his head dipped to meet his knees. "Doesn't make it any easier." he added quietly, "I lost good men, good friends, good husbands and fathers. Once we had given Steve the time for his mission, I gave the order to pull out, but we were surrounded. It was brutal. The kills were not clean, they played with us and I wasn't the only one who could have been killed outright, but it didn't suit them. The cuts were designed to maim with maximum pain and steady blood-loss. It wasn't a fun game." He indicated his shredded stomach. "I thought, if we surrendered, there was a chance for a later escape. James had fallen back with the archers. I had to hope that he would come for us." He found Jared's hand and squeezed it. "I knew you would come. I trusted in that."
Jared lifted the pale hand to his lips and kissed it. "Always. As soon as I heard."
"Didn't think we'd make it. Campbell recognized Lord and Lady Collins straight away, separated them out. It made it easy for him to call this whole thing a scheme engineered by the Kingdom, a public exoneration of his deeds. I almost skated by, but no-one ever really does that. Morgan took a long, hard look at each of us. It wasn't like I could resist, but the worm still took a few swings." Jensen managed a grin. "Have to say, Child, I'm not too impressed by certain members of your family. I won't be making polite visits any time soon." The humor didn't extend to his eyes. Jensen stared into mid-distance, his expression was grey and lined, haunted by recent ghosts. Jared held him in his arms and they didn't speak for the rest of the day.
On the fifteenth day Venne was liberated by Earl Ford’s armies.
On the seventeenth day Jared and Jensen returned to Steve’s Manor and heard a graphic account of the punch with which Sophia laid Christian Kane to the floor. Jared blew out the flame that Sophia had kept alight for them.
On the eighteenth day there was confirmation that Campbell had been captured near Venne but Lord Morgan had fled the Realm, for the protection of the Northern Lands. That same day Ben’s courage was formally acknowledged by the Queen and he was asked to consider employment as foreman of her own stables. He didn’t have to think for long before accepting the position.
Day twenty saw Jared hug his mother and sister tight and bid them farewell, with promises that he would keep in touch by letter.
On the twenty fifth day they returned to the Kingdom and to Jensen’s chambers within the tattered fortress. Hope clung to Jared’s ankles with a full throated purr and the deep press of fully developed claws. Joshua didn’t ask for details of their absence and Jensen didn’t elaborate. Jensen had attacked a target at Venne, there had been riots and they had been trapped. It was all the King needed to know. The rest; the ghost of a Prince, the glimpse of a Princess and the strange collaboration of strangers was just rumor and fairy tale.
Misha and Victoria welcomed them home with fond embrace but soon returned to rebuild their devastated home, and Chad traveled to Venne to stay with the girl he fell in love (or perhaps lust) with during the heat of battle. Cookie prepared a magnificent feast, Jared seated his Master and kneeled to serve by his side, eating food delicately, direct from Jensen's fingers and licking them clean with care.
On the thirtieth day Jensen and Jared rode out to meet a man and take him to a nearby smallholding. Colin Ford saw their approach, ran to the gate and squinted at them until he could be sure, and then he was running at full tilt, into the strong, safe arms of his father. Earl Ford surprised Jared with a tight hug and a promise that they were always welcome at his home.
Injuries healed, good food and peace filled them out and gave them color. Their life settled into some sort of routine. Jared dressed in the fine clothes of a warrior noble which contrasted with his near-perfect submission as Jensen’s slave. Days came when Jensen sparked with dark, possessive energy and then Jared would savor his Master’s ownership, give in to the screaming, sweet, agony that proved life and challenged his control. In those times Jensen never overstepped Jared’s thresholds and never lost his own control. Afterwards, they would lie together, Jensen sated and peaceful. They would explore the map of his bruises, bites and welts, Jensen would kiss each one with tender love and Jared would take calm from the sharp ache of discipline and restraint.
A short, cold, Winter gave way to Spring and Jared noticed Jensen’s ennui. Jensen spent hours pacing or looking into the far distance. His attention was short, his conversation shorter and Jared could not shake him from it.
Jared woke, naked, in the soft comfort of their bed one morning, to Jensen’s anxious call. He remembered the day and understood his impatience. Today, the Realm, the States and the Kingdom came to the table to ratify the Treaty of Venne. In this fortress, on this day, King Joshua, Queen Sherri and President Speight came together under the watchful eye of Envoy Woolvett, to make history and put their signatures to lasting peace.
The older man tugged him toward the bay window. “Come here.” he said. He hugged his slave into his chest and slid his arms to rest about his waist, so they both looked out of the thick, barred glass. Dawn splashed brilliant color across sapphire sky and a bright orange ball of light peeked over the distant hills. Jensen kissed his neck. “Remember them?” asked his Master.
Jared gazed to the vast sky and the far-off peaks and recalled a day when they had done this, long before the events of Venne. “I remember.” he said. He didn’t need any other words from his Master. “Is it time?”
“Will you come with me?”
“I am yours, I belong at your side.”
“Kneel.” It was said with reverence and the power of unspoken love.
Jared slipped into position, immediate, lithe and graceful, he felt the tangle of a hand through his soft hair and fingers that trailed to lift his jaw, to look up at Jensen. The other hand was reaching to the window seat, to clutch at a velvet box. Jensen breathed deep and retrieved his hand from Jared’s head. He opened the box and tipped it to show his slave the contents.
Red silk lined the box and contrasted with the shine of the heavy, silver band, softly lined with deep green velvet. A simple inscription was finely engraved on one side “Mine.” A smooth tag hung from a ring at the center. He didn’t need to see it to know that it bore Jensen’s name.
Jensen kneeled in front of his slave, a mirror of Jared's submission. “I know that your life cannot be everything you thought it would be, a year ago. I know everything that you give up today, what it was supposed to be and what it is not. I cannot pretend I comprehend the scale of your sacrifice. On this day, the day you come of age, let me offer you a new future. Will you come with me in a new adventure? Will you be mine and let me keep you safe and close in new places? Because, Jared Tristan Padalecki, Prince of the Realm, Hero of the Kingdom and Honorable Slave, I cannot think of a life more wonderful than one spent with you, under the vast Skies of your Stars, your Moons and your blessed Sun.”
Jared hesitated and blinked, come of age. He calculated the day and understood Jensen’s meaning. Today he turned seventeen. A year ago he looked forward to this day, the day his mother would relinquish her crown to him. It was to have been filled with pomp, circumstance, responsibility and war. Time had altered his World, tilted it on it’s axis until it was unrecognizable and he hadn’t even remembered this day, his birthday.
Jensen was swallowing, his hands trembled “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have…”
Fuck it. Jared reached to Jensen, took his face in his hands and slid his lips over the shocked, slightly open, full mouth of his Master. He kissed him deep, slicked his tongue over the hot cavern of his mouth. He kept his eyes open and looked into the loving and most passionate green eyes that ever were. His tongue twisted and licked teeth, entwined with Jensen’s tongue. He counted the freckles on his nose, and watched the flutter of long lashes against the proud face. He felt the rasp of morning stubble as they continued, breathless. He nipped at Jensen’s lip and listened to him whimper.
When they finally parted, with a lick of their spit slick lips, he answered. “Yes. Of course I will. Of course I am yours. I am always by your side.” Jared touched a finger to the silver collar. It was the most beautifully crafted piece he had ever laid eyes on. “Thank you Jensen. It is wonderful, it is just..” he didn't have words for the pride he felt.
“I wasn’t sure. You haven’t worn my collar since Venne and I didn’t know if…”
“I do want it. I didn’t know how to ask. I didn’t want you to think I would only be yours with a physical reminder. I didn’t know if it would offend you.”
“I am flattered that you will wear it.” Jensen lifted a second box. “I thought maybe, if you liked the collar, then you could want these too.” He lifted the lid to reveal a gorgeously crafted pair of cuffs lined with the softest, green, kid leather and embellished with silver. “Will you let me fit them for you?”
Jared gave no verbal answer. He smiled and nodded, then dipped in formal submission. Jensen fitted the collar with gentle hands and the greatest care, and then did the same with the cuffs. “My good boy.” He said, with meaning, and that didn't fail to thrill his slave.
***
The request to attend the signing of the Treaty was unexpected. Woolvett asked Jared to take an equal place at the table and later, Jensen said he thought that Joshua’s jaw would never return from the floor, to which it had dropped when the Envoy asked for Prince Jared’s formal confirmation that he would not, ever, seek to become King. Jared signed his name for the first and last time, as the legitimate heir to the throne of the Realm. While the revelation of his identity stunned Joshua into temporary, fish-faced, silence, it was a testament to Jared’s strength and honesty that there was not a single raised eyebrow that this responsibility was undertaken wearing the collar and cuffs which identified his status as Jensen’s slave.
Jensen didn’t wait to explain himself to Joshua and Mackenzie, he didn’t feel like having that conversation and there was little he hadn’t already organized.
Ten days after Jared’s seventeenth birthday they warmed by a camp fire near the peak of the highest hill in the range. From here, the entire Kingdom spread before them. On the other side of the peak, other lands and cultures stretched into the distance, but that was for future days. Jared sat between Jensen’s outstretched legs and leaned into the safety of his fur and leather clad chest. Jensen placed the gentlest of kisses on the back of his neck and he leaned into the touch.Their horses huffed softly beside them and Hope woke on the blanket of the bay mare’s broad back. She stretched, jumped down from the day’s perch and stalked to sit with Jared. Jensen carded his fingers through Jared’s hair, traced the metal edge of his collar and gave a contented sigh. They drank coffee from battered mugs and watched the sun set over their past. Two full moons rose and the stars cast points of care over the Master and his slave.
Part Thirty Four, Epilogue
Masterpost
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