Meadows of Heaven (10/23)
Chapter 10
"You're finally awake," Jeff said, walking out from his shower. Jensen looked up at him out of a pale face with dark rings around his eyes. They'd gotten to bed late, but not that late. "Weird dreams again?"
Jensen pushed the covers down and reached for the robe he had discarded last night. "I'm sorry, sir, I'll get breakfast."
If Jeff could kick himself any harder for last night, he would. Jensen had pulled back, and the easy partnership they'd shared had crumbled. "Jensen," he began, not knowing what to say.
For a moment, he felt angry, why should he apologize? Jensen had been the one to insist from the beginning that this was all for the mission. And now Jensen pulled away, as if Jeff's reminder could do anything to have changed that truth. Jeff wished he could know what was going on in the other man's head, but until the telepathy that controlled technology here allowed that, Jeff would just have to guess.
Jensen looked at him expectantly. Jeff swallowed his original words. "We're not scheduled to meet with the queen till this afternoon. She sent it on the tele." He pointed to the wall. "But we're invited to a picnic with her court and their subs for brunch. You up for it?"
"Yes, sir."
Jeff wished he'd say anything but those two words.
When they arrived at the gardens, the others were already there, gathered around a table filled with all kinds of food, streamers and lanterns decorating the edges. Jensen walked a few steps behind Jeff, dressed in a pair of pale leggings and a leather harness to match, a mix of demur and erotic, the combination had Jeff hard from when they left their quarters. Only now he'd taken away his own permission to touch. He wondered if Jensen had done that on purpose, since Jeff hadn't chosen the clothes beforehand.
"Commander Morgan," Claudia greeted him with a smile. She had dressed simply, no leather corsets, just a simple sundress. Jeff felt better about his own nondescript outfit of shirt and trousers. "Good day! I'm glad you came, for a moment I thought you might be caught up with ah, elements beyond your control."
"I'm afraid that will take us away later this afternoon." He surveyed the abundance of food.
"Ah," she said. "That was most intriguing, yesterday."
Jeff gave her a smile. "If you want to ask me about it, go ahead."
Claudia poked his arm playfully. "You know that's not the way we do things here."
Oh, Jeff knew exactly how they did things on 328. "Jensen," he said, "Why don't you go find Misha? I'm sure there is plenty he needs to tutor you on."
"Yes, sir," Jensen said again, not looking up as he moved into the crowd, over to where the other subs were gathering.
Claudia frowned as he left. "Do you not wish to speak in front of him? Is he attached to your Sub Tappen?"
Jeff winced. "Major Tappen isn't a sub where we come from. You told me he was being trained, would you tell me what that entailed? Why would Guard Ian have made a claim for him like that?"
She propelled him over towards the food, away from the other members of the court, who gathered on the benches, their plates already full. "I'm not sure what they accomplished in so short a time. Real training takes years," Claudia spoke in a low tone. "I do know that Guard Ian asked permission to court your Major Tappen. The queen allowed it, hoping to learn more about your purpose here."
"Did Major Tappen know this?" Jeff asked, an empty plate in his hand.
"I don't know." She started piling pastries onto Jeff's plate, probably disconcerted by his lack of movement.
"How likely is the queen to grant his request?" Because Jeff needed to know. Hopefully Jensen's idea would work, but he had to prepare them all for the worst.
"It depends on the strength of his evidence. And of course, what your Major Tappen wishes."
Jeff relaxed. "She'll ask him?"
"Michelle is not one to discount the wishes of a sub," Claudia said softly, her words implying strongly that there were those who did do such a thing.
He frowned to himself as he followed Claudia over to the benches, taking the free seat near Duke Adrian, his sub Peter on his knees, arms folded behind his back.
"Good Day, Commander Morgan," Adrian said with a tilt of his head.
As Jeff responded, Jensen left Misha's side to kneel at Jeff's feet, posture straight, hands posed delicately on his thighs, almost like a living statue. Jeff wondered at it, when he realized Jensen hadn't eaten this morning, and could only eat what Jeff gave to him. Despite the sudden coldness between them, Jeff couldn't forget such a basic thing. He held out one of the pastries for Jensen before he took a bite of his own, allowing Jensen to lean forward and take the food between his lips. Jeff swallowed, his fingers tingling where they touched Jensen.
Duchess Rachel, who sat across from them, leaned forward in her bench, though keeping her sub in the curl of one arm. "I'm afraid, Commander Morgan, that this year's Choosing was far more exciting than normal. What with Lady Natalie refusing her charge and of course, your own difficulties."
Well, at least Jeff had someone else to talk about. "Is it so unusual for someone to refuse like that?"
"Oh yes," Rachel said. "Being Chosen by Harmony is one of the highest honors."
Adrian snorted. "Things like that wouldn't happen if certain subs weren't spoiled. Lady Natalie would only indulge him if she did become his mistress."
"How do you define spoiled, Duke Adrian?" Rachel asked, but her voice was cold.
His lips curled in a tight smile. "Lack of discipline for one. Punishment needs to be swift and frequent."
"Without cause?" Rachel snapped.
"My dear, there is always cause. The point is to maintain control. Especially in our roles. It is not easy to keep order among 212 subs." Almost absently, Adrian stroked one finger along Peter's earlobe. Peter did not move an inch. "Due diligence must always be maintained. It is a sloppy dom who has spoiled subs, who dare to speak against him."
"I'm not sure I agree with your concept of spoiled," Rachel said.
Claudia cleared her throat, loudly. "I don't mean to interrupt, but would any of your subs like to join Misha for his walk?"
Jeff nodded at Jensen, who drew himself to his feet and followed as Misha led the way deeper into the gardens. Adrian gave Peter the same permission, and he too followed. Rachel stubbornly held on to her sub, as if unwilling to continue the discussion without her, while Duke Leonard sent his back into the palace to fetch something.
Claudia met his gaze, and she shook her head slightly, which Jeff didn't quite know how to take. She'd gotten rid of the subs for a reason, and it had to have more than just the topic of conversation.
"Your sub is exquisite, Commander," Adrian said to him. Jeff thought it was for a change of subject, but then he went on. "I'm curious as to your thoughts on discipline, since your ways are so different from ours."
Jeff coughed to give himself time to think of a way to respond. If only Jensen had stayed, he could use him as a way to gauge his response - if they had been functioning at the same level as yesterday. He decided to fall back on what he knew.
"I think discipline is more than just standards and rules. And yes, more than just punishment." Jeff thought back to his experiences in the service, to the leaders who maintained discipline and those that hadn't. "I think respect is key."
"Exactly," Adrian said and Jeff was surprised to be agreed with. "Respect must be commanded."
Rachel stepped in. "I thought respect needed to be earned."
Adrian shook his head. "You put the onus on the wrong party. By virtue of what we are, all subs should respect us."
"So you don't think there could be a dom who doesn't deserve respect."
"Of course not, that's not what I'm saying. Any dom who lets his subs run roughshod over him does not deserve any respect whatsoever. It is our responsibility to keep order, to ensure all subs know their place." Adrian answered Rachel's challenge. Jeff found himself watching the volley, wondering how to get out of this discussion.
"I think," Leonard put in, joining the conversation for the first time, "where you and Rachel differ is the extent of the sub behavior you are willing to put up with."
"It shouldn't be a personal decision," Adrian put in. "Sub behavior should be codified. Lawbreakers should be punished accordingly. I've had enough of spoiled subs who barely know how to behave in public."
"It's a good thing you aren't making the laws, then," Rachel said coldly.
Jeff stood up and took his plate back to the table, piling it full with food. He really did not want to get involved in this. Especially when he heard Adrian expounding further on his point.
"They are unable to reason for themselves. That is why they have masters. . ."
Jeff hoped Jensen was having a better time of it.
***
Misha led them to a terrace that looked over the city, instead of the ocean. There were baskets of fresh fruit along the stone wall that ringed the perimeter, so he must have had this planned. Jensen hung back a bit, not in the mood to banter as usual, although Misha was more than capable of holding a conversation by himself.
Peter curled up on the wall, drawing up his knees and looking out into the distance. While Misha went straight for the fruit, Jensen slid to the ground, sitting with his back against the wall, facing the carefully formed garden. Who cared for it, he wondered, this massive wild thing that grew along one side of the palace?
"You're quiet, Sub Jensen," Peter said, interrupting his thoughts.
"Call me Jensen, please."
"It's Peter then."
Misha pulled a cherry pit out of his mouth, his lips stained red with the juice. "Did you quarrel with your master? You seem out of sorts."
"It wasn't a quarrel," Jensen protested. "It's just, he said. Damn." He couldn't explain what had happened with Jeff, not without giving away how they'd been partnered together simply for this mission.
"Did he punish you?" Peter asked.
"What? No! No." Jensen shook his head.
Misha sat next to him, offering the basket of cherries. Why the hell not? Jensen took one and popped it into his mouth.
"Maybe he should," Misha said, causing both Jensen and Peter to stare at him in shock. "You're all mixed up because he hasn't."
Peter reached down to pluck one of the cherries from their grasp. "I'd never thought I'd hear you say such a thing."
Misha blew out a frustrated breath. "Why not? You think I don't need it?"
"I don't know if punishment is ever needed," Peter said.
"You don’t crave it, sometimes?" Misha's gaze seemed very far away as he spoke. "To be made into nothing? To give your body over to your mistress? To bear the marks with pride?"
Peter hopped off of the wall and started off, towards the small fountain in the center of the terrace. "No," he said, but didn't go any further.
Jensen wondered if that's what he needed, to give himself to Jeff as a reminder that it was the older man's authority that ruled here. Jensen's wants and wishes were irrelevant. Above all, he had the mission to think of, and if punishment restored his clarity, well, then he'd ask for it. "Maybe you're right," he told Misha.
"I have my moments." Misha grinned at him and Jensen had to laugh, throwing one of his cherry pits in his direction.
They wandered over to the fountain, washing the berry stains from their faces and hands with the cold water. Peter joined them, splashing water at Misha who retaliated with twisting one of the jets on the side of the fountain to point towards Peter, soaking him.
"Not sporting." Peter laughed, shaking droplets off of his hair. "Now I have to dry off."
"The weather is fine for it." Jensen squinted into the bright sunshine. "Does it never rain here?"
"Never during the Choosing," Misha said.
That reminded Jensen of something. He had seen many collars being given out yesterday, all in a variety of colors. The most memorable was an older pair, a couple wrinkled and gray, who had been together for years. Yesterday the dom gave that sub the golden collar, the lifetime promise, as the queen called it. More than a few in the crowd had gotten emotional over that. But Jensen hadn't seen any red collars given out.
"Misha," he said. "I meant to ask you something, please tell me if this is out of place."
Misha flashed him one of his huge grins. "You haven't stepped over the line so far."
There was always the first time for that. "I didn't see any red collars given out yesterday. And you never said the length of your contract."
Misha touched his own collar, the expression on his face shifting to thoughtful. "Red collars are given out when training for the red is completed, not when a contract is sealed."
"Red bands aren't like anyone else," Peter said. "Their contracts can be broken at any time."
"Or begun at any time," Misha put in.
Jensen's jaw dropped. "Oh, that's why when Johnson said what he did, the threat was real."
"I will not be taken from my mistress," Misha said softly. He climbed up on the ledge of the fountain, ducking his head under the spray.
Peter crossed his arms over his chest. "She hasn't offered to exchange the red?"
"She respects it too much," Misha surfaced long enough to say.
Sometimes Jensen felt that if he stayed here for a hundred years, he would still not understand these people or their ways. He climbed up next to Misha on the slippery fountain ledge and put his hand on the other sub's shoulder. In the short time he'd gotten to know him, Jensen considered Misha a friend. "If you want it, you should ask for it."
"Sound advice." Misha splashed him. "Perhaps you should take it."
Jensen shook his head. He moved to jump from the ledge, it was a small distance from the ground after all, and he'd completed far more dexterous feats. However, just as he jumped, one of his sandals slid against the wet rock, and he fell backwards, catching his arm on the stone fountain before landing hard.
"Jensen!"
He didn't know why Peter sounded so panicked, it was only a fall. Jensen was perfectly all right. Then he tried to push himself up and saw the bone sticking out of his arm. That might be a problem.
***
"Don't look Jensen, it helps if you don't look." Peter kept his palm on Jensen's cheek as he spoke, forcing Jensen to look away from his injury. He was a little too late, Jensen had already seen it, the mess of bone and blood. Who knew a simple fall could cause such a bad break?
Misha had run to get Jeff, after summoning the healers by calling up a tele screen out of nowhere. Jensen decided he needed to learn that trick, after they reset his arm.
"I'll be fine," he said, certain of that until he made the mistake of trying to stand. Then the pain he hadn't felt at the fall flared up through his arm. "Oh." Jensen sat back down with a thump, black specs surrounding his vision.
"Jensen!" That was Jeff's voice.
"Easy, let me see." A female voice said, gentle fingers touching his arm.
Jensen's eyes flickered open long enough to recognize Healer Nicci. "Ow."
"I know. Here, this will take away the pain."
He didn't feel a pinprick over the constant ache of his arm, but as soon as she spoke, the pain faded away. And then everything else got a bit fuzzy, almost as if he had fallen back into sub space. Jensen didn't care that Nicci took his arm, manipulating it somehow, into some sort of brace.
When Jeff knelt at his side, his dark eyes all full of concern, Jensen giggled. "You're here!" he said, reaching out with his good arm to run his fingers over the stubble on Jeff's chin. "Mmmm."
"What the heck did you give him?" Jeff said.
"Pain suppressor. It's a common reaction. Bring the stretcher. . ."
"No," Jeff said. "Let me."
Jensen was vaguely aware of the healer protesting as Jeff scooped him up into his arms. It impressed him that Jeff could do that, Jensen couldn't be called short by any stretch of imagination. "You're strong," he sang, pressing his nose against Jeff's neck, breathing in deeply of Jeff's scent. Jensen thought he could pick Jeff out of a room of men, just by smell.
"And you're so high." Jeff laughed, the rumble of his chest feeling good against Jensen's body.
"Are you going to punish me?" Jensen asked, closing his eyes because once Jeff started to walk back to the palace he grew a bit dizzy.
"What? No, Jensen."
"Why not?" he demanded. "Somethin' wrong with me?"
"Not when you're hurt," Jeff said.
Oh, that made sense. "Maybe when I'm better, then. Please?"
"Whatever you want."
He vaguely felt it when Jeff set him down on something soft. It felt nice, though he missed the feeling of Jeff on his cheek.
"Let the healer take care of you," Jeff told him. Jensen had to listen to Jeff. Besides, he was so comfy in the bed, it seemed like a good time to close his eyes and take a nap. So Jensen did.
"Do you love your master, Jensen?"
Jensen knew Peter was there, although he wasn't sure where Jeff or the healer had gone. He didn't know what the right answer was, although Jensen frowned and tried to think about it really hard. Did he love Jeff? "Yes," he told Peter.
Peter made a strangled sound at the back of his throat. "That must be magnificent. Did he train you?"
"No. Went to the Academy. Military," he clarified. "Like the guards." Because he didn't think they had a military here. No wars, no Confed. So peaceful.
"Like the guards," Peter repeated.
"Why are you asking me questions?" Jensen protested, wanting to sink back into sleep. "Want to go back to sleep."
Peter touched him, his palm on Jensen's head, but he barely felt it, the drugs still coursing through his system. "Sleep then." And Jensen did.
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Epilogue