RPS Fic: Spoil Of War [Adam/Tommy] 9/14

[toobusy2write]

[Part 8]
[Master Post]

Part 9

When Tommy came around, it was the middle of the night. He opened his eyes to find Adam had cleaned him up, turned him on his side and cuffed his wrist. Tommy couldn't quite believe he'd slept through all that. He shifted experimentally, but Adam was pressed up behind him with an arm slung over him and a hand splayed over his chest. All of which meant Tommy couldn't move much at all without Adam letting him.

Tommy sighed, flexing his backside. He felt sore but it was a pleasant sort of sore. Considering how hard Adam had been smacking him by the end, Tommy was pretty sure there would be bruises. His heart stuttered in his chest. For days until the bruises faded, everyone who walked into Adam's chambers was going to know what Adam had done to him.

"What's wrong?" Adam whispered against Tommy's neck, causing Tommy to suck in a sharp breath in surprise.

"I thought you were sleeping," Tommy whispered back.

"I was until you started wiggling around in my arms and flexing your ass against me," Adam said, amusement lacing his voice.

Tommy snorted. "It's not my fault you like to sleep wrapped around me."

Adam chuckled and kissed the side of Tommy's neck, sending a pleasant shiver up Tommy's spine. "You're avoiding the question."

"Why do you think something's wrong?" Tommy hedged

Adam pressed his palm more firmly against Tommy's chest and said, "Your heartbeat."

Tommy exhaled and said, "My ass is probably bruised."

Adam pressed his hips and the beginning of an erection against the ass in question. "It was already starting by the time I got you cleaned up and cuffed."

Tommy rolled his eyes at the pride in Adam's voice, even as he bit his lip anxiously. In a whisper so quiet he wasn't even sure Adam would hear it, Tommy said, "Everyone will know."

Adam sighed and used his open palm to urge Tommy over on his back. Tommy went reluctantly when Adam scooted back enough to make room.

Adam studied Tommy's face in the glow from the fireplace for a moment, then said, "I forget sometimes how repressed your kingdom was sexually."

Tommy frowned. "We were not-"

"You were," Adam insisted.

Tommy clamped his mouth shut, knowing there was no point arguing. Besides, by Vox's standards, Adam was right. Tommy just didn't necessarily agree with Vox's standards.

When Tommy nodded his acceptance of the statement, Adam went on, "Spanking is not unusual here. It's not something everyone does, but enough people do that no one thinks it strange."

Tommy's eyes narrowed a little, irritated that Adam seemed to be so oblivious to his plight. "Most, I'm sure, don't have to walk around bare-assed, showing off the evidence for days afterwards, either."

Adam stared at him for a long moment. "This is really bothering you, isn't it?"

Tommy shrugged, looking away although he remained on his back where Adam had put him. "It's my problem. I'll get over it."

"Hey," Adam said, hand leaving Tommy's chest to reach for his chin, turning Tommy's head back so that he was looking at Adam again. When Tommy did, Adam reached up and brushed the backs of his fingers lightly over the piercing that marked Tommy as his sex slave. "You're mine, and so are your problems."

Tommy pulled restlessly against the chain he was cuffed to, making it rattle. "There's nothing that's mine anymore, is there? Not even my feelings."

Adam was quiet a moment, then said softly, "I'm sorry for that."

Tommy huffed in frustration. "You have nothing to be sorry for. You're the only thing making all this bearable. It's the circumstances that I'm angry with."

"Still," Adam said. "I wish…"

When he trailed off, Tommy prompted, "You wish what?"

Adam cupped Tommy's cheek and rubbed his thumb over the corner of Tommy's mouth. "I wish we could have met under different circumstances."

Tommy pushed his face into Adam's hand and said, "As do I."

Adam cocked his head to the side and asked, "Do you think we would have ended up here, in bed together, if we'd met some other way?"

Tommy grinned up at him softly. "I was attracted to you from the start. I would have acted on it at the first given opportunity."

Adam grinned in return. After a moment, his expression sobered. "My uncle wants you on display in the hall tomorrow. Queen Brooke is coming for a visit and he wants to show you off … and get under her skin, I'm sure, since she abolished slavery in her kingdom."

Tommy's breath caught in his throat. Brooke was the Queen of Solvo, the kingdom Tommy, his father and their army had been returning from the day Vox had attacked Reus. They'd gone to Solvo at Brooke's request, to discuss a possible alliance as they were the only two kingdoms in the Realm of Ubertas to have abolished slavery following the decree of Ubertas' new sovereign legalizing such action. Because they had chosen to eliminate slavery, they were considered weak by the surrounding kingdoms in spite of their impressive battle records.

Tommy often wondered if things would have been different had they been further along in the negotiations, say, to the point where they'd already signed a treaty. Maybe King Gregory would have thought twice about ambushing Tousma, then, seeing as Queen Brooke would have been honor bound to come after Vox on Tousma's behalf.

Tommy flashed on Cam's reaction to seeing him being treated as a slave and knew Brooke's reaction would be just as bad, maybe worse since Brooke wasn't one of the king's subjects and would not hesitate to speak her mind. He and Brooke had a friendship that went back several years. They'd even flirted with romance a bit at first, but the distance between their kingdoms and the fact that they were both in line to rule had made it too difficult of a pursuit.

"Please don't," Tommy found himself blurting after a moment.

Adam shook his head. "I don't have a choice, not without outright defying him. You'll have clothes on, though. No one will see your bruises."

Tommy swallowed and said in a small voice, "I know her. We're friends. I just… I can't. Can't you understand that?"

Adam leaned down and kissed Tommy's forehead, saying against it, "I do, and if there were any other way, I'd take it. We can't risk angering Uncle Gregory, though. It wouldn't go well for either of us."

"If I could kill him, I would," Tommy blurted, eyes going wide the moment he said it.

Adam put a finger over Tommy's lips when Tommy tried to speak again, tried to find a way to take back what he'd said. Staring intently at Tommy, Adam said, "Never let anyone but me hear you say something like that."

Since his finger was still over Tommy's lips, Tommy just nodded.

Adam hesitated, then admitted, "If it wouldn't mean your death, I'd let you."

Tommy's heart pounded in his ears, and for one brief, insane moment, he considered telling Adam the plan. Then reality crashed in and the reality was, even though Adam hated his uncle, that didn't mean he would actually help Tommy kill him when it came down to it, no matter what he said, or free Tommy's people and give him back his kingdom. So Tommy kept quiet and the guilt weighing him down got just a little bit heavier.

"Talk to me," Adam said, searching Tommy's eyes, obviously able to tell there was something wrong.

Tommy swallowed and settled on part of the truth. "I miss my family. My home. I'm sorry. It sneaks up on me sometimes."

"Oh love, I wish there was a way to give everything back to you," Adam said, pulling Tommy up off the bed and against him.

Tommy squeezed his eyes shut and hugged Adam back. He was so tempted to tell Adam everything. If only he could trust that Adam would actually do what he was saying. As it was, though, Tommy couldn't risk it, couldn't gamble with his kingdom's future if he was wrong, so he kept silent.

After a moment, Adam pulled back slightly and kissed Tommy softly on the lips. "We should get back to sleep."

"Don't know if I can," Tommy mumbled, tucking his head under Adam's chin, ear pressed to Adam's chest.

Adam rubbed an arm up and down Tommy's back under the blankets and said, "Just try. For me."

Tommy yawned, listening to Adam's steady heartbeat under his ear. "For you."



Adam sat on his chair next to his uncle's throne and clenched his jaw as Tommy fidgeted. He glanced down at Tommy where he knelt next to the chair on a pad, sitting back on his heels. Adam knew he had to be uncomfortable, what with how bruised his backside was, but if he kept fidgeting, Adam's uncle was going to say something, and then Adam would have to take action, something he very much didn't want to do.

Reaching over, Adam settled a hand at the back of Tommy's neck, the gesture both possessive and a warning to stop twitching. Tommy stiffened briefly under his hand and Adam could practically feel the irritation washing off him in waves, but then Tommy took a deep breath, exhaled and relaxed.

Relieved, Adam rubbed his thumb along the bottom edge of the diamond collar he'd put back on Tommy for the occasion. He'd also put Tommy's slave bracelets back on him, and while Tommy wasn't wearing the same clothing as the other day, he was wearing something just as filmy and see-through, with the exception of his opaque underpants. He looked gorgeous. He looked like the perfect sex slave, especially now that he was sitting still.

It made Adam want to run his uncle through with a sword. Both because Tommy should never have been enslaved, and because it was turning who Adam had thought he was on its ear. He'd never owned personal slaves-sex or otherwise-for a reason. Only now, he found he enjoyed owning Tommy. And Tommy-although understandably unhappy about his slavery in general-seemed to enjoy being owned by Adam. At least, when it came to sex.

Adam stared at the back of Tommy's head as he contemplated that. He knew he was forceful in the bedroom. He always had been, and he tended toward partners that would bend to his will, but Tommy… Tommy bent further and with more enthusiasm than any other partner Adam had ever had. It confused Adam because it didn't fit with the rest of who he knew Tommy to be. He'd seen enough of Tommy to know he was strong-willed and full of conviction. At the same time, he was smart as a whip and cunning. He understood how to play the game with Adam's uncle, and the times he didn't play along, didn't give Adam's uncle what he wanted, it was because Tommy had consciously chosen not to for one reason or another.

Adam's musings were interrupted by the arrival of Queen Brooke and her protection detail. Tommy stiffened under Adam's hand again. This time, Adam didn't try to soothe away the anger and irritation, knowing it was what his uncle had wanted to see.

"Queen Brooke of Solvo, Your Highness," Terrance, one of the highest ranking knights in service of Vox stated before bowing and backing away.

Queen Brooke was an imposing woman with a tumble of curls cascading over her shoulders and down her back from under her crown. She glanced at Gregory, Neil, then Adam in turn, before her gaze lit on Tommy. A look flashed through her eyes then, a mixture of sadness and anger, before her expression closed off and she brought her gaze back to Gregory, who was in the process of greeting her.

Dutifully, Queen Brooke nodded her head to him, although she pointedly did not bow, as was custom when a king or queen visited another's kingdom. Adam wondered if his uncle would make an issue of it, or overlook it in the interest of winning her favor so that she'd sign the trade agreement they needed in place to transport goods over her land from Avarus, which was on the other side.

Standing, Gregory clasped his hands together. "You're just in time for the evening meal. I would be honored if you would join me and my nephews."

Overlook the slight, it is, then, Adam thought to himself.

Queen Brooke smiled, although it didn't reach her eyes. "Of course. It would be my pleasure. Isaac," Queen Brooke said, turning to the side as she unclipped her cape from around her neck. When a short, thin servant stepped forward, she held the cape out to him. "Do find out what rooms will be mine during my stay and put this away there."

Tommy went rigid under Adam's hand and Adam wondered at it.

"Yes, My Lady," Isaac said. With a short nod, he was off, cape in hand.

Adam remained seated as his uncle stepped off the platform the throne and his and Neil's chairs were on, to lead Queen Brooke over to their table.

Once they were out of earshot, Adam's hand tightened on Tommy's neck and he said in a low voice, "Look at me."

Tommy turned his head slowly, obviously reluctant to meet Adam's eyes, which only piqued Adam's curiosity. "What's wrong?"

Tommy shook his head. "Nothing, My Lord."

Adam stared hard at him. "You would lie to me? After the rule I made?"

Tommy flinched, dropping his eyes. "I'm sorry. I-" He broke off and glanced around, then met Adam's eyes again. "Not here, please."

Adam held his gaze for a moment, then nodded his head. "We will handle this later in chambers, then."

"Yes, My Lord," Tommy said, sounding relieved and resigned all at once, a combination Adam wouldn't have thought possible before that moment.



Dinner was going well by Adam's estimation, until Gregory said casually, "So, Adam. I heard talk today of screaming coming from your chambers last night. Was your slave misbehaving?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Adam saw Tommy's hands fist in his lap briefly before he forced them open and flat against his thighs. His face and ears were bright red.

Glancing at Queen Brooke, Adam didn't miss the flash of anger in her eyes, or, oddly enough, the flash of pure hatred in her servant, Isaac's, eyes as he glared at Adam from his spot standing behind her.

Giving Gregory his attention, Adam said, "He was, but it's been handled. No need to worry yourself. As you can see, he's on his best behavior today, despite how painful I imagine it is for him to sit on his heels at the moment."

The words were bitter on Adam's tongue and he prayed Tommy wouldn't hold them against him, or worse, think the night before had been about strategy instead of what it had really been about. An intimate game between lovers.

Gregory eyed Tommy and chuckled. "You have brought him in line beautifully where others have failed."

Adam was mildly shocked by the compliment and revolted at the same time. He wished he could send Tommy back to chambers right away in a bid to keep him as far away from Gregory's lecherous gaze and cruelty as possible, but they were in the middle of dinner and there would be questions if he did so. Instead, he busied himself finishing dinner, then made a plate up of Tommy's favorites and handed it down.

"Eat everything, slave. You'll need your strength later."

"Yes, My Lord," Tommy answered quietly, taking the plate of food from Adam's hands, their fingers brushing briefly.

As kitchen slaves stepped forward to remove empty plates and top off everyone's goblets of wine, Queen Brooke sat back in her seat and eyed Adam speculatively.

"Indulge my curiosity, Prince Adam," she said.

Adam nodded his head and said respectfully, "Of course, Your Highness."

"I knew Tommy when he was a prince. I cannot picture him willingly embracing slavery of any kind, let alone sexual, so… Did you force it on him?"

Adam's eyebrows lifted. "That is against the laws of the realm, as you know."

Queen Brooke's lips curled into a cold smile. "You did not answer my question."

"No," Adam said. "I did not force him. He chose to be mine."

Adam said it with all the conviction the truth could give him, because it was the truth. Not the initial agreement in front of Gregory and the entire great hall, but the agreement they'd made in private, when Adam had given him the choice again and Tommy had chosen to slide to his knees and give himself to Adam entirely.

A shadow of doubt about her assumption that Tommy had been forced flickered through Queen Brooke's eyes, but was gone just as fast. "If I may, I would like to hear it from his mouth directly."

Adam nodded. "You may address him."

"Tommy," Queen Brooke said, ignoring the custom of addressing someone else's slave by his station instead of his given name. "As you well know from your days as a prince, if you answer in the negative, I will legally be allowed to give you asylum until the matter can be brought before the sovereign." Gregory opened his mouth to protest, but Queen Brooke silenced him with a glare. "And your king will not interfere because he knows as well as I that to do so would be a slap in the face to the laws of the realm and would constitute forfeiture of his crown."

Gregory clamped his mouth shut and Adam had to restrain himself from smirking. It was exhilarating watching someone put Gregory in his place. But then, just as quickly, Adam's elation deserted him as Queen Brooke once again turned her attention on Tommy and asked, "Did you freely choose to become Prince Adam's pleasure slave?"

Adam held his breath, fully expecting Tommy to take the opportunity to end his slavery that Queen Brooke-and Adam by allowing the question-was handing him on a silver platter, not to mention that it would give Tommy the chance to get back at Gregory by having him stripped of his throne as soon as the matter was brought before the sovereign.

Tommy didn't even glance at Adam, instead meeting her gaze head on as he said, "I did, Your Highness," shocking the entire table.

Silence followed, until Queen Brooke asked, "Are you sure? I have the means to protect you."

Tommy did glance at Adam then, but Adam couldn't read the look in his eyes. Turning his attention back to Queen Brooke, Tommy nodded his head. "I'm sure, Your Highness. I made my choice freely."

It was clear Queen Brooke hadn't expected that answer at all and wasn't sure how to react.

Gregory chose that moment to clasp his hands together and say, "Now that the matter is resolved, shall we open talks about the treaty proposal that brought you here?"

Queen Brooke stared at Tommy for a long minute before giving Gregory her attention. "Tomorrow. I am exhausted from my trip and would like nothing more than to be shown to chambers so that I may have a bath and relax."

Clearly not pleased but trying to cover, Gregory smiled at her. "Of course. I will have water brought to you."

After she left the hall, Gregory turned curious eyes on Tommy and asked, "Tell me, slave, why did you lie? You could have easily ended your slavery just now. I am sure there are those who would see me dethroned and would have therefore confirmed your story to the sovereign."

"I was warned not to dare seek asylum by my master. I was told I would regret it, Your Highness." Tommy paused and shifted slightly, wincing. "And I believed him."

Gregory turned surprised, pleased eyes on Adam. "Is this true?"

Adam nodded, smirking at Tommy's manipulation of the situation, knowing his uncle would think he was smirking at Tommy's plight, instead.

"It is," Adam said. "I warned him we'd find a way to get to him, either through a servant, a guard, or by poisoning his food."

Gregory returned the smirk. "And does this have anything to do with the screams coming from your chambers last night?"

Adam chuckled, even as he felt his stomach lurch. "Yes. He … did not like something I told him to do and threatened to go to the queen when she arrived and beg for asylum. I made sure he reconsidered." Adam paused, knowing his next words would most likely anger Tommy greatly. If he didn't make the offer, Gregory was sure to ask anyway, and this way it furthered his plan to make Gregory think they were alike. "He bruised beautifully. Would you care to see?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Adam could see Tommy go completely rigid, but didn't spare him a glance.

Gregory's eyes widened in delight. "I would very much like that, yes."

Adam looked at Tommy then, whose head was down, jaw clenched. "Stand and show him, slave."

Tommy hesitated for the briefest of seconds before rising gracefully to his feet. He turned his back on the king and lifted the bottom edge of his tunic, baring his underpants. Not waiting for Tommy to do it himself, Adam reached out and untied the knot holding them up. Tommy glared openly at him, even as he held still while Adam slipped his fingers under the fabric and slid his hands over Tommy's hips, dragging his underpants down in the back to reveal his ass to Gregory.

"Oh my," Gregory said. "He did bruise beautifully at that."

Tommy suddenly stiffened and looked to be about two heartbeats away from grabbing the nearest object and bludgeoning someone with it, clueing Adam in that something was going on. Peering around Tommy's side, he had to tamp down the urge to cut off Gregory's hand when he found him fondling Tommy's ass.

Instead, he pointedly yanked Tommy forward, away from Gregory's hand. In a hard voice, Adam said, "I did not give you leave to touch, only look."

Gregory's eyes narrowed. "I could force the issue. I am king, after all."

Adam's smile was cold and full of promise. "If you do that, I will reverse my decision and allow Tommy to seek asylum."

Gregory's eyes narrowed further. "And what, exactly, would that accomplish?"

Adam chuckled, pulling up Tommy's underpants and tying the waist again while he said, "It would get you off the throne, Uncle. I'm surprised you didn't figure that out. Since I'm the next in line…"

Gregory glared at him for a moment longer, then threw back his head and laughed. Adam motioned for Tommy to kneel down on his mat, then turned his attention back to Gregory.

"Something amusing, Uncle Gregory?"

Gregory pulled himself together and smiled at Adam. "I had lost all hope for you, boy, but now… You have truly grown into the man I'd hoped you would be."

He lifted his chalice in a toast and Adam had to swallow down the bile bubbling up in his throat in order to clink his goblet with Gregory's and drink to it.

As soon as Adam was able to comfortably do so without raising suspicion, he told Tommy, "Return to my chambers and ready yourself. I will be making use of you once I'm through here."

"Yes, My Lord," Tommy said dutifully as he rose from his mat.

Adam didn't miss the note of anger in his voice, though, and had to fight not to wince. He had his work cut out for him once he did make it back to chambers. That in mind, he signaled for a servant to top off his goblet. He was in no hurry to face Tommy's fury.



Angry and hurt and feeling more than a little betrayed, Tommy strode out of the great hall and made his way to the royal wing. He couldn't believe Adam had forced him to show the king his bruises, not after last night, after whispering in confidence to Adam how very much anyone seeing them bothered him. It was insult on top of injury, actually, after having to turn the spanking itself into something that it wasn't for public consumption. Not to mention that Brooke and Isaac-Isaac, his best friend since childhood-had been on hand to witness his complete and utter humiliation as King Gregory and Adam discussed his supposed 'punishment'.

Tommy wondered whose idea it had been to send Isaac in pretending to be Brooke's servant, since in reality, he was one of Tousma's highest ranking knights.

Before Tommy could get any farther down that train of thought, an arm shot out from a side hall and yanked him into it.

Tommy tensed, ready to fight off whoever was stupid enough to mess with the heir apparent's property, only to find it was Isaac.

"Isaac," Tommy breathed, relaxing and dropping his fists.

"Tommy," Isaac said.

They stared at each other for a heartbeat, and then they were hugging like their very lives depended on it.

Tommy blinked back moisture and said in a choked whisper, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Isaac said in return, face pressed against the side of Tommy's shaved head.

They held on to each other for a long moment, but eventually let go, knowing they couldn't linger forever without someone happening upon them.

"What is this?" Isaac asked, fingering Tommy's collar.

Tommy fought the urge to shy away, irritated with himself for the thought that only Adam should be allowed to touch his collar. He wasn't a slave, no matter what he played at with Adam. Isaac standing in front of him was living proof of that. It was all just an elaborate ruse in order to gain the upper hand. He'd started to forget that, he realized with a start. Hadn't he just moments ago thought of himself as Adam's property? By the gods, what was wrong with him?

"That," Tommy forced himself to say, "is my way into the royal wing at night."

Isaac shook his head. "Still. I find it hard to believe you're spreading your legs for the enemy just to get into position to take them out."

Tommy tensed. "It's not as if I had a choice."

"But you said-"

"I lied," Tommy interrupted. "It was either become his sex slave or get beheaded."

Isaac's mouth snapped shut at that and he frowned. "The plan was for you to play the part of dutiful slave. Earn their trust. How did it nearly get to a beheading?"

Tommy sighed and leaned against the wall, the filmy material of his tunic doing nothing to protect him from the cool stone at his back. "It was one thing after another, I'm afraid. I ended up in the breaking yard," he paused as Isaac gasped, then continued, "and some of the slaves there thought to make me pay for the sins of every authority figure who had ever wronged them by passing me around at night."

"Oh gods. Did they… Were you…"

Tommy pressed his lips together and shook his head. "No, but it was a near thing. I killed one of them in front of the guards and was brought before the king, who gave me the option: a beheading or become Adam's pleasure slave."

Isaac shook his head. "But why-"

"Adam and his uncle do not see eye to eye, no matter what it appeared like tonight. King Gregory fully expected Adam to fail to bring me in line and therefore prove himself unworthy to manage a kingdom given he couldn't manage one slave."

"So he does that by beating you at night before raping you?" Isaac said, voice hard.

"No!" Tommy whispered too loudly. Cursing, he peeked around the corner to make sure no one was around, then ducked back into the shadows with Isaac. "No," he repeated, quieter. In spite of his current anger and hurt caused by Adam's words and actions in front of the king, Tommy found himself defending him. "It's not like that. Adam and I are in this together. He's trying to keep his hold on the throne and I'm trying to keep my head on my shoulders. Last night wasn't- Adam didn't punish me, Isaac, I swear. It was a-" Tommy paused and glanced around to make sure they weren't being overheard, before finishing quietly, "sex game."

Isaac's eyes widened. "Beating you was a sex game?"

Tommy shook his head even as his face heated. "He didn't beat me. He spanked me. It's apparently something that's done here for fun between lovers. I liked it." He paused at the skepticism on Isaac's face, then added, "I did. And I consented."

"You can't consent," Isaac spat. "You're his sex slave. You have no say."

Tommy shook his head, willing Isaac to understand. If Isaac-or Brooke for that matter-took this to Monte, Tommy feared what he would do, fairly sure whatever it was would be born of rage and not well thought through. "It's not like that. Adam gives me … options."

"You mean he lets you think you have options in order to gain your cooperation."

Tommy tensed. 'That's not true."

"Have you ever said no?" Isaac asked pointedly.

Tommy hesitated, then shook his head.

Isaac nodded, arms crossing over his chest. "Then you don't know for sure he'd actually stop."

Tommy sighed. "I can't explain it, Isaac, but I do know. He would stop."

Isaac looked unconvinced.

"When are you supposed to contact Monte?" Tommy asked, trying another angle.

"Two days from now, Queen Brooke is going to suggest a hunting excursion. I'll break away from the group and meet with David, who will relay the message to Monte that you are alive and well."

"That is why you're posing as Brooke's servant," Tommy said. Isaac nodded. "Is Monte nearby?" Tommy asked anxiously, wishing he could talk to Monte himself.

"Yes," Isaac said. "He's in the woods just to the north of here."

Tommy nodded, some of the tension unwinding inside his gut. "Has he healed from his injuries?"

Isaac nodded again. "He has. It took longer than expected, but he's in fighting shape and ready to take on Vox. The last minute details are being seen to now. Queen Brooke sent out messengers to the knights in her charge in the outlying areas nigh on two weeks ago. They should be arriving soon, ready for battle."

Tommy blew out a breath. "Good. That is good."

"Is it?" Isaac asked.

Tommy frowned at him. "What are you asking me?"

"The way you talk about Adam… Will you be able to follow through with the plan when the time comes?"

Tommy honestly didn't know, but there was no way he was going to admit that to Isaac, not when so much hung in the balance. If Monte caught wind that Tommy was wavering, he might declare him under duress and take control of the when, where and how.

Deciding the best defense was a powerful offense, Tommy narrowed his gaze at Isaac. "I know we've been friends since childhood, but I am your king. You would do well not to question me."

Isaac's jaw clenched and he said curtly, "Yes, Your Highness. Forgive me."

Immediately regretting his tone and the implied threat, Tommy sighed, scrubbing a hand over his face. "Just leave Adam to me. I'll deal with him and the rest of the royal family as need be. Tell David to tell Monte I'm in position, and find out how he plans to let us know when everything's ready on his end."

Isaac nodded. "Anything you would like me to tell Queen Brooke?"

Tommy hesitated, then nodded. "Explain the... Explain my backside to her. And tell her I have not forgotten who I am or what I'm here for, and that I will be indebted to her for this."

"I do not require your debt," Brooke said, coming around the corner.

Tommy's eyes darted past her. "How did you… We didn't hear anything."

Brooke smiled and lifted her skirts to show that her feet were bare of sandals, which would have clicked all the way down the hall. "I did not want to alert anyone of my presence. I'm supposed to be in chambers because of exhaustion."

Tommy smiled. "As clever as ever."

Brooke grinned. "As if you would expect anything less." Stepping forward, she said more seriously, "We need to talk."

Tommy nodded. Looking at Isaac, he said, "Keep watch so that we are not surprised again."

Isaac nodded and started down the hall until he was just out of sight near the end of it, where it opened to the main passage.

Giving his attention to Brooke, Tommy said, "Thank you for this. You're taking a huge risk, going up against Vox, given the state Tousma's in at the moment."

Brooke waved Tommy's thanks away. "Vox is a bully. It needs to be taken down."

Tommy nodded. "This is true, although I've come to find the blame for that lies fully on the king's shoulders and a select few of his supporters."

Brooke pressed her lips together and reached out, fingering Tommy's piercing that marked him as Adam's. "We could have taken this to the sovereign. She would have believed you, I am sure of it. Now that you publicly accepted your slavery, though, it's too late. Why did you not take the opportunity I gave you at dinner?"

"Because it would have only freed me," Tommy explained. "My knights would remain here as slaves, and Tousma would remain under Vox control, even if King Gregory was taken out of power. I want my kingdom back, Brooke. On my terms."

Brooke dropped her hand and looked steadily at him. "So you were forced."

"Yes," Tommy admitted. "By the king. It was this or death."

"That bastard," Brooke said, venom in her voice.

Tommy shook his head. "But don't you see? He handed me the perfect opening to take them out in their sleep. I'm already in the royal wing." He paused, then added, "The truth is, even if I had been given a fair choice, I would have chosen to be Adam's slave anyway. I was in the breaking yard at the time. Nowhere close to where I needed to be to do what I came here for."

"And the screaming heard from the prince's chambers last night?"

Tommy nodded his head toward Isaac. "He will explain. I can't remain here much longer. Adam ordered me to chambers. If he doesn't find me there…"

"There will be another beating?" Brooke surmised.

Tommy shook his head. "Contrary to what you heard, he does not beat me. He will, however, have questions I won't be able to answer. We'll talk more later."

Brooke nodded. "I'm holding you to that. This isn't sitting well with me, Tommy. I'll play along for now, but if you don't find a way to speak to me alone tomorrow, I will send for the sovereign."

"Understood," Tommy said.



The fire was starting to die a little in the fireplace by the time Adam stepped into his chambers, not nearly enough alcohol in his system to take on the argument he expected to find. So when he found Tommy naked and kneeling in the middle of the room, hands clasped behind his back, knees slightly spread, the firelight dancing over his skin and giving it an unearthly glow that was fascinating and arousing all at once, it was understandable that he temporarily lost the power to speak.

When he regained it, he still couldn't manage to speak in full sentences, so all that came out was, "What is- Why are you…"

Keeping his gaze cast down, Tommy said flatly, "You said to be ready so you could make use of me. I'm oiled and ready, My Lord."

Adam swallowed, aroused and disturbed at the same time. There was something off, but he couldn't quite place it with lust suffusing every inch of his body. And then something in particular Tommy said filtered through and Adam's mouth went dry. "You're oiled? Meaning you…"

"Prepared and stretched myself, yes, My Lord," Tommy said in that same flat tone.

That was when it hit Adam, what was wrong. He crossed the room quickly and grabbed Tommy's upper arms, pulling him to his feet. "Look at me."

Tommy lifted his gaze and the anger lurking there in counterpoint to the flat tone took Adam's breath away.

Adam's fingers tightened on Tommy's arms, but if it hurt, Tommy's expression didn't give it away.

"Stop it," Adam ordered. "That was for my uncle's benefit. I have never and will never treat you like nothing more than a hole to get off in, understand?"

A flicker of doubt crossed Tommy's face, but then the anger was back in place and Tommy said, "Why not? It's what I am now, isn't it?"

Adam's fingers tightened further, nails digging into flesh, and Tommy's jaw clenched. Realizing he was actually causing Tommy pain, Adam set him away from him and tried to ignore the knowledge that Tommy's asshole was slicked and stretched and just waiting for his cock, in favor of dealing with the issue at hand.

"Tell me what's wrong," Adam said. Tommy opened his mouth, obviously getting ready to say something flip, but Adam headed it off by adding, "That's an order."

Tommy's mouth snapped shut and he glared at Adam. Adam waited him out and eventually Tommy dropped his gaze and stared at Adam's chest instead as he said, "I confided to you last night how I felt about the thought of anyone seeing the bruises and so today, what do you do? Force me to show them off to the one person in this realm I hate above all others. For his amusement. And then he touched me." The last part was hissed out between clenched teeth.

Adam felt sick. He backed up a step, and then another and another, until he finally turned away and walked to the other side of the room completely, not stopping until he was at the edge of the hearth, staring into the fireplace. Near silence shrouded the room for a long time, the only sound the crackle of the fire as it burned.

When Adam thought he could open his mouth without vomiting, he said quietly, "The deal's off."

"The-" Tommy broke off, then asked, tone clearly confused, "What?"

Adam turned and looked over at Tommy, who was still standing where Adam had left him. "The deal. The one where we have sex and I'm in charge and you submit to me. It's over. We'll just do what we should have done in the first place and pretend for everyone else, but keep to ourselves when we're alone."

"Why?" Tommy asked, and Adam could have hit him for the hurt in his tone. Didn't Tommy see that Adam was trying to make up for everything he'd forced on him?

"Why? Because I did what I swore never to do. I violated you. I would have thought you'd be happy to be free of me."

Tommy blinked at him, forehead furrowing, anger gone, honest confusion in its place. "You didn't violate me."

Adam stared at him. "I did. I forced you into something I knew you didn't want."

Tommy opened his mouth and closed it several times before sighing and walking over. He stopped a foot short of touching Adam and held his gaze as he said, "You didn't violate me," he repeated. "You hurt me, yes. I felt … betrayed. But I understand the politics involved here. I know why you did it. And you pulled me out of reach of him as soon as you realized what he was doing. None of that is the same as violating me."

Adam swallowed and looked back into the fire, not knowing what to say to that. Part of him knew Tommy was right, but the other part, the part that remembered…

A hand on his arm brought Adam back to himself and he looked over at Tommy.

"What is it?" Tommy asked.

Adam shook his head. "I don't know-"

"You're lying," Tommy said, tone firm. He squeezed Adam's arm reassuringly. "If it helps, switch roles with me for a moment. Let me give you the orders."

Adam stared hard at him, and then, with a nearly imperceptible nod of his head, gave Tommy all the power.

Tommy exhaled and took Adam's hand, leading him over to the bed. Sitting down in the middle of it, Tommy looked at Adam where he left him standing beside it and said, "Strip."

Adam hesitated. "What does that have to do with-"

"I told you to strip, not talk," Tommy said, tone brooking no argument.

Adam found himself obeying before he consciously thought about it, amazed to find he wanted to follow Tommy's orders, at least for the moment. Once he was naked, he stood by the bed again and waited for instructions.

Tommy nodded. "Very good. Now sit down facing me."

Adam climbed on the bed, feeling strangely vulnerable, and yet safe at the same time. He wondered briefly if this was how Tommy normally felt, and he hoped so, at least the safe part.

Once he was sitting naked and cross-legged facing an equally naked Tommy, Adam asked quietly, "Now what?"

"Now you explain your reaction to my anger with you just now," Tommy said. "The same rules apply to you that you impose on me. Total honesty."

Adam looked down at the blanket just beyond his legs, took a deep breath and found himself hesitantly admitting something he'd never thought he'd admit in his life. "Randal was barely sixteen when my uncle took him as his husband. He-"

Adam broke off and Tommy reached over, placing a hand on Adam's bare knee. Softly, he asked, "He what?"

Adam lifted his gaze to Tommy's and said, "Randal wasn't the first boy of that age he's ever taken to his bed. And it never really mattered to him whether they were willing or not. In fact, I think he prefers them to be unwilling."

Tommy frowned. "How do you… What, were there rumors?"

"No," Adam said, waiting for Tommy to catch on, praying he would, because Adam didn't honestly think he could say the words out loud.

Tommy's eyes suddenly widened in horror. "He didn't. Tell me I'm wrong."

Adam swallowed and shook his head, mortified to find his eyes welling with moisture. "You're not wrong," he said in a choked voice.

Tommy was across the bed and sitting sideways in Adam's lap in an instant, arms wrapped around him, one hand forcing Adam's head down to his shoulder. Adam took a shaky breath, not sure what to make of Tommy's reaction. This hadn't been how he'd thought it would go, not that he'd even once thought about admitting any of what Gregory had done to him in the first year after Adam's father's death to anyone. He suspected Neil knew, although they'd never talked about it. Given it had stopped about a week after Adam's seventeenth birthday, and the fact that it had been about that time that Neil had come into his own, gaining a confidence he hadn't had before and even more telling, a certain cockiness around their uncle, Adam was pretty sure that Neil was the reason Gregory had finally stopped coming to Adam's room at night and forcing his way into Adam's body. And as far as Adam knew, Gregory had never even tried it with Neil.

Too caught up in memories that made his skin crawl, Adam decided to stop trying to understand Tommy's reaction and just accept the comfort being given. With a deep, shaky sigh, he wrapped his arms around Tommy in return and let go, crying tears he'd never thought he'd release onto Tommy's bare shoulder.

Long minutes later, he realized Tommy was rocking them back and forth, making shushing sounds, and Adam was fairly sure he should want to crawl under the nearest rock for blubbering like that, only he couldn't be bothered because he'd just told someone what had happened to him, the hell he'd lived through at a man's hands he was now forced to deal with day in, day out, and the world hadn't come crashing down around him. He was still there, still breathing, and he felt … safe. And it was all down to Tommy.

"Thank you," he whispered against the side of Tommy's neck, lips brushing over the collar still there.

"No," Tommy whispered back, obviously just as wary of breaking the spell around them as Adam was. "Thank you. For trusting me enough to tell me that." Adam tightened his arms around Tommy in response and Tommy added, "And now I want to run him through even more than I did before. Maybe cut a few things off while I'm at it."

A surprised laugh borne as much of relief that Tommy wasn't looking at him like he was disgusting as it was by the vehemence in Tommy's voice, bubbled up Adam's throat.

Tommy hooked a finger under Adam's chin and tilted his head up, staring down into Adam's eyes. "Give me control for a little longer. Let me have you. Let me give you new memories of how it should be to crowd the bad ones out."

Adam's breath caught and he wavered. He'd never let anyone take him before or since. Before, mostly because it just hadn't come up. The partners he tended to be attracted to preferred to take it. Since, because every time he even considered it, his chest tightened and his breathing became labored and he felt like he was going to pass out. None of that was happening right then, though, with Tommy holding him and staring into his eyes, waiting patiently for his answer.

Making his decision, Adam said, "You have control until you choose to give it up."

Tommy's eyes widened at the blanket permission. He hesitated only the briefest of seconds before leaning in and kissing Adam, not a hint of his usual submissiveness in sight as he took charge, licking into Adam's mouth as his hands came up to frame Adam's face.

It wasn't long before Adam was moaning into the kiss, his dick lengthening and filling against the outside of Tommy's thigh. Tommy groaned and shifted against it, then lifted himself and turned to straddle Adam's lap and lean over him, making Adam bend backwards and brace himself on his hands in order to keep from tipping over.

"Lie down," Tommy breathed against Adam's lips.

Adam obliged and Tommy followed him down, bracing himself over Adam with one hand. With the other, he threaded his fingers through Adam's long hair and took hold, not pulling, just keeping Adam where he wanted him. Adam hadn't thought he'd enjoy giving up control like he was, but the evidence rested against his stomach, hard and heavy.

When Tommy let go of Adam's hair, his hand traveled down Adam's body until he reached his cock, taking it in hand and pumping it lazily.

"I should make you beg for it like you make me," Tommy said as he kissed his way along Adam's jaw and throat.

Adam moaned and arched his neck, giving Tommy better access. Tommy responded with a groan of his own and bit down on the juncture between neck and shoulder. "Would you like that? Ass in the air, face in the pillows, moaning and begging for my cock?"

"Oh my gods," Adam said, reaching up to grab hold of Tommy's hips, intent on pulling him down to grind on.

Tommy shoved Adam's hands away, clueing Adam in on just how easily Tommy could have fought him off all along if he'd chosen to.

Sitting back on Adam's thighs, Tommy let go of Adam's dick and grabbed his wrists. Leaning forward again, Tommy pushed Adam's wrists down to the mattress near his head and put his weight on them. "Leave them there or I'll tie you up."

"Okay," Adam managed, cock jumping against his stomach. His eyes dropped to Tommy's collar and he hesitantly asked, "Do you want me to remove that and the bracelets?"

Tommy shook his head, not even taking time to think about it. "No. I'm still yours. Our agreement stands. I won't let you break it so easily. This is just another side of that."

Adam nodded, more relieved than he cared to admit. He didn't truly want their agreement to be over.

Kissing his way down the side of Adam's neck and over his chest, Tommy let go of Adam's wrists, trusting Adam to keep them where they were, and Adam did, fists clenching against the urge to grab Tommy and roll them over, reverse their positions, reverse their roles. He wanted this more, though, and he'd given Tommy permission, so he forced himself to stay put and take whatever Tommy gave him.

Adam gasped and bucked when Tommy suddenly bit a nipple. Tommy chuckled. "Like that?"

"Yes," Adam said on a moan.

Tommy did it again and Adam groaned, hips canting up, trying to find friction. Tommy wasn't giving it to him, though, sitting back too far on Adam's legs for their dicks to touch. It was beyond frustrating.

"Please," Adam panted.

Tommy lifted his head and smirked at Adam. "Begging already? I thought I'd have to work harder for it than that."

Adam let his breath out on a huff. "If that's all you're waiting for, I'll beg as prettily as you want right now."

Tommy shook his head. "No way. Too easy. I want you to fight it, fight not to beg until you can't stand it anymore and have to beg or you'll burst."

Adam groaned in frustration, arm muscles tensing as he fought not to move. "You're cruel, you know that?"

Tommy chuckled and moved back up Adam's body to bite at his ear. "You have no one to blame but yourself. I learned from the best."

Adam found himself smiling, unaccountably pleased with Tommy's choice of words. Tommy lifted his head, saw the smile, and rolled his eyes, a smile creeping across his own lips a second before he slid down Adam's body and licked a line up the underside of Adam's cock.

Adam gasped and arched, only to have Tommy wrap his hands around Adam's hips and hold him down. And then the real torture began. By the time Tommy finally took Adam in his mouth, Adam was a writhing, panting mess, biting down on his lip to keep from begging. He cried out in relief as the wet heat of Tommy's mouth sank down around him inch by inch, only to disappear again as Tommy went back to merely sucking on the head and tonguing the slit.

Finally, Adam broke and began begging, babbled pleas for more that slipped from his lips easier than he would have thought possible. Only then did Tommy shift from straddling Adam's legs to pressing his knee between Adam's.

Adam sucked in a sharp breath and stilled for a moment before he let Tommy spread his legs and settle between them. It was a strange feeling, but a good one. And then Tommy sucked Adam back into his mouth and bobbed his head up and down, pleasuring Adam to within a heartbeat of his orgasm before pulling off.

In a husky voice, Tommy said, "No coming until I give you permission or I'll turn you over my knee."

Adam nodded eagerly. Anything to get those plump lips wrapped around his dick again. Only, Tommy didn't immediately start sucking him again. Instead, he leaned up and over, grabbing the oil off the bedside table.

Adam tensed and Tommy paused. "You can call this off if you want. We're supposed to be making a good memory. If it's not, you need to let me know."

Adam shook his head. "I don't want to stop. I just…"

"You just what?" Tommy asked, oiling a finger then running it in teasing little circles over the patch of skin behind Adam's balls, working his way ever so slowly back to Adam's hole.

Adam exhaled, having completely lost his train of thought. "I honestly have no idea."

Tommy grinned. "Just what I was waiting for."

"What you were-" Adam broke off and gasped as one of Tommy's fingers pushed inside him. "Oh," he said, trying to stave off a moment of blinding panic.

"Adam," Tommy said calmly. "Adam, look at me."

Adam looked down his body at Tommy and tried to breathe.

"That's it," Tommy said. "Look at me and see me. I'm right here. Breathe."

Adam nodded and took a deep breath, calming slowly but surely, focusing on Tommy and shoving his other thoughts away.

"Ready for another?" Tommy asked after a few minutes of fucking him with one finger.

Adam nodded again and Tommy knelt up between Adam's legs, reaching for the oil. He tipped it over his fingers, between Adam's legs, and then worked another finger in. Adam groaned as Tommy felt around inside him until he hit that spot, the one Adam always worked to hit inside Tommy, and then sparks shot off under Adam's skin, making him feel hot all over and unable to breath all at once.

"Tommy, Tommy please. Want you in me. Now. Please," Adam begged, spreading his legs wide and canting his hips up to the rhythm of Tommy's fingers pushing inside him.

"Just a little more," Tommy said, voice rough as he worked another finger in. "Just a little more and I'll fuck you until you come on my dick."

"Oh gods," Adam said, writhing and clutching at the pillow under his head.

Tommy pressed his fingers in one final time before pulling out. Adam watched through heavy-lidded eyes as Tommy oiled himself up and positioned himself between Adam's legs, pushing one of Adam's knees up to his chest.

Tommy hesitated and looked at Adam, waiting until Adam nodded his head before Tommy breached him. They both groaned as the head of Tommy's dick pushed in.

Thrusting slowly, Tommy said, "You feel amazing."

Adam moaned and bore down, taking more of Tommy in. "So do you."

Tommy pulled partway out, then thrust in again, deeper, deeper, until he bottomed out. He paused above Adam and Adam watched the way he squeezed his eyes shut, arms shaking slightly as he held back and it set something free in Adam, released the final knot that had been twisting its way through him.

Wrapping his legs around Tommy's waist, Adam let his arms go lax and said, "Come on, Tommy. Fuck me. Make me feel it."

Tommy opened his eyes and the heat and need Adam saw there made his breath catch. And then his breath was catching for another reason entirely as Tommy took his words to heart and started thrusting into him, fast and hard.

Adam tried to meet him thrust for thrust, but Tommy was driving into him so hard Adam couldn't keep up, not with the pleasure shuddering through him every time Tommy hit that spot inside, and soon Adam gave up and just held on for the ride, panting and moaning and begging for more, harder, faster.

"I'm close," Tommy said between gasps for air and thrusts into Adam's body. "Touch yourself. Come with me."

Adam moaned in relief, immediately reaching for his dick. He fisted it, keeping time with Tommy's thrusts until Tommy's hips fell out of rhythm and then it didn't matter anymore because Adam's balls were drawing up and his thighs were clenching around Tommy's waist and he was arching and crying out as blinding white pleasure ripped through his body, causing him to seize up around Tommy.

Tommy cried out in response and thrust in a handful of times before freezing and releasing himself inside Adam. Adam gasped at the feeling, warmth spreading through him that moved beyond where he and Tommy were connected.

Breathing hard, Tommy collapsed on top of Adam, face pressed to the side of Adam's neck.

Adam sucked in much needed air himself and asked in a rough voice, "Can I touch you now?"

"What?" Tommy asked, sounding a little disoriented, which made Adam smile.

"You ordered me to keep my arms still. Can I move them now?"

"Oh," Tommy said, lifting his head and pushing his fringe out of his face. Smiling down at Adam, he said, "Yeah. You can move them now."

Adam wrapped his arms around Tommy and pulled him down again, fitting Tommy's head to his shoulder.

Tommy chuckled. "Thought I was in control until I gave it back."

"You are. I'm just anticipating your every desire."

"So you anticipated me wanting to be held immobile on top of you?" Tommy asked, voice muffled by Adam's neck.

"Was I wrong?" Adam asked.

Tommy snorted, but snuggled in closer, even as his dick slipped free of Adam's body. "No. You weren't wrong."

"Okay, then," Adam said, turning his head to kiss the side of Tommy's.

They laid there for a few more minutes before Tommy sighed. "Let me up so I can clean us up."

Adam reluctantly let go, kicking himself right then for giving Tommy control until Tommy chose to give it back.

Tommy chuckled as he lifted his head and looked at Adam. "Quit pouting. It looks ridiculous on you."

Adam smiled and a sudden burst of feeling welled up inside him. Grabbing Tommy's wrist before Tommy could climb off him completely, they both oomphed as Adam yanked, sending Tommy sprawling across Adam's chest.

Adam kissed Tommy's protests away, then held his face between his hands and looked in Tommy's eyes as he said, "Thank you. For this."

Tommy dropped his eyes, face pinking adorably. "It's not so much, not after everything you've done for me." Tommy lifted his gaze again and said, "I wouldn't even be breathing if it wasn't for you."

Tommy leaned down and kissed him again, then whispered against his lips, "I need to clean us up before we stick together."

Adam nipped at Tommy's bottom lip. "Would that be so bad?"

"It might get awkward when one of us has to pee later."

Adam huffed out a laugh and let go of Tommy. "Fine. Go get something to clean us."

Tommy climbed off the bed and Adam rolled onto his side, watching Tommy walk away, his bruised ass flexing as he moved. If it hadn't been much too soon after coming for Adam to get hard again, he would have been hard at the sight.

Tommy caught him looking when he turned back with the towel and smirked on his way over. "Admiring your handiwork?"

Adam grinned. "You know me too well."

Tommy bit his bottom lip as he set to work wiping Adam down, front and back, then himself before he tossed the cloth in the direction of the fireplace.

When he looked up to meet Adam's gaze again, he said, "You said I have control until I give it up."

Adam nodded, waiting for whatever Tommy was going to say next.

"I'm giving back control."

Adam sat up quickly, pulling Tommy against him in a bruising kiss. Afterwards, he pulled back and looked at Tommy, saying, "I meant it, you know. I would have let you have it as long as you wanted."

Tommy grinned. "I know."

Adam searched his eyes and smiled in return. "On your stomach."

Tommy's eyes widened. "But we… Neither of us can…"

Adam just waited him out until Tommy turned in a huff and flopped on his stomach.

"Happy?" he asked petulantly over his shoulder.

Adam had to bite back a laugh. "Yes. Very."

Tommy rolled his eyes and laid his head on the pillow, but Adam didn't miss the smug smile that curved Tommy's lips. He'd wipe that smugness away soon enough and replace it with pleasure.

"Now," Adam said, smacking Tommy's bruised backside lightly and smirking at the gasp it brought to Tommy's lips, "I teach you what it really means to make someone beg. Spread your legs."

[Part 10]