The Unsuitable Slave. (NC-17) Part 5/34
Jared slowly came to his senses when the clatter and sway of the cart ceased. A horse stamped as it rattled at its harness and the wind blew a dent into the canvas above him.
There were voices just beyond the canvas. Jensen was speaking to another, whose voice he didn’t recognize.
“What is so urgent that you send a messenger to bring me here? You will surely be home by sundown.”
“I need you to perform a favor for me.”
“And when does that ever end well?”
“Please, Ethan.”
“Tell me.” The voice was filled with exasperation.
“I need you to take something into my apartments as I return. I need you to tend to it for a time. I do not want anyone to see it. I especially cannot have The King see it.”
“You have brought a present?”
“Not exactly.”
A corner of the canvas was rolled back and Jensen leaped in. He held out his hand and helped another man in. The man was slight with a shock of black hair and chocolate brown eyes in alabaster-white skin. He looked about the cart and Jensen pointed at Jared.
“It’s a slave, Jensen.”
Ethan. The look was distinctive, not of this Kingdom, not even of this region. It was the whipping boy of so long ago, and here they were again, the boys that had played carefree in the sunshine together. How could it be so far lost? Jared's heart hit the pit of his stomach, once more in fear of recognition, but Ethan looked at him blankly, as new.
“It is my slave,” nodded Jensen with a guilty smile. He reached to ruffle Jared’s hair and Jared glared at him.
“It is a damaged slave.” Ethan put an emphasis on the word damaged. The small man was regarding him with a look of intense distaste and Jared burned with shame at his exposed body. He scooted backwards as far as his chains would allow.
“It will heal.”
Ethan huffed. “It should be possible to take it in, undercover, but surely it does not need my attention.” He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Jensen. “I suppose your father should be grateful you have made any effort to meet him in this matter. We thought you were set in your refusal and you’re a stubborn man. You are right though, he would be after your hide for purchasing faulty goods and it certainly isn’t the dainty lass your brother would have in mind. I suggest you clean it up and set it to work in your rooms until it is recovered enough to be presented.”
“It is not trained, Ethan.”
“What do you mean it is not trained? You know you cannot bring it in. Where did you acquire it? Take it back and get another?”
“I found it on our sortie. I like it. I want to keep it.” Jensen sounded like a petulant child.
“Your Highness, have you lost your mind? Ethan raised his eyes to the ceiling, calculating something and then looked back at Jensen. “There has been no time for it to be broken. There are reasons why we cannot have an unbroken, untrained slave in Court. You will get us all killed.”
Jared didn’t like the sound of the word broken. He hoped his translation was flawed.
“Don’t call me that! It won’t need to be broken, it gave itself, willingly. Besides, it is just a child. It has a sweet temperament. We can train it. It is bright and learns quickly.”
“You have it in chains Jensen. It has your height and it does not look amicable to me.”
“It is hurting and a little angry with me right now.”
Jared let his features relax. He was sure he didn’t want to be broken and he suspected that appearing angry with Jensen, or anybody in his Master’s presence was the wrong way to avoid it. He had spent his life tiptoeing around the Palace avoiding the Elders’ ire, his Uncle’s sharp tongue and the Nobles’ disappointment. He could do diplomacy, he’d been practising it his entire life.
“Define, angry.”
“I may have hinted that we will have to extricate information from its boyfriend, in a confrontational manner. It will get over it.” Jensen chewed on his nails and threw a little-boy-lost expression at Ethan which was highly inappropriate for his rank and appeared to be a waste of time with the hard-nosed Ethan. It was, however, incredibly comical to Jared and he sniggered involuntarily, his lips curling into a smile.
“See. It has a nice smile,” Jensen said triumphantly and grinned back at his slave.
“Its mirth is directed at you Jen. You cannot do this. What are you going to do while it is in training? You cannot keep it permanently chained to your bed.”
“Why not?”
“Your staff will think you have perversions.”
Jensen leaned in to Ethan and grabbed him close. He angled his mouth over the man’s lips and kissed him passionately and deep. Jared wanted to look away but somehow the display was mesmerizing. He recalled the heat and sensuality of Jensen's tongue sliding over his own tongue, teeth and gums. Jensen caught his eye and winked at him and Jared moved his gaze to one side. “You know I do, Ethan.”
Ethan shifted on his feet and shook his head. “You know, your escapades always end with me in hot water and this goes a long way beyond anything you have ever done.”
“This is serious Ethan. I can’t sell it.”
”So give it away.”
“I mean, I have to have it, here, with me.”
“Why?”
“I can’t explain it.”
“Oh. By the Moons! You are attached to it. Your Highness, please think about this. You cannot form a relationship with a slave. It is not fair on the slave, and will bring disgrace on you. Can you even imagine your father's ire? It had a boyfriend. Is it even a virgin?”
Jared opened his mouth to protest. He was not deviant. He most certainly did not have a boyfriend. Good sense took over and he snapped it closed in silence.
“Yes, it is a virgin.”
Jared was listening in earnest now. His stomach was starting to turn flips at the number of times different members of Prince Jensen’s entourage had suggested that something unfair was going to happen to Jared if Jensen brought him to Court This presumption, from a selection of people who generally appeared to care nothing for slaves, was starting a coil of terror in him that was wound tight by the thought of being permanently chained, like a dog. Added to that, being smuggled into Court seemed an inherently bad idea. If it ended badly for Jensen and Ethan, it could only be a hundred times worse for him.
Something must have shown in his expression. Jensen stopped in his arguments and sat by Jared’s side. He checked his brow for fever and frowned. “What is the matter, Child?”
For the first time Jensen’s words sounded genuine to him. There had been rumors that reached even the court of the Realm, of Prince Jensen, the wayward, deviant son. The one who cared little for structure or tradition. He had paid little heed, what did it matter to him, providing their hordes were crushed? Jared wondered how it must be to grow up second son to the tyrant who was his father, to not be the ideal of what that man wanted him to be. He could empathize but he had no idea what to say. He couldn’t admit to understanding their conversation. The truth tumbled from him in an inexplicable loss of control, “I’m frightened, Master.”
Jensen bowed his head and shut his eyes. When he opened them again they were over-bright. He jangled a key in his pocket, thinking on it. He bent over his slave and kissed his cheek gently. “It is perfectly normal to be scared. I know you will make mistakes. It is my responsibility to make the best of you and there is no shame in giving pleasure. It is all with me. You are my property and nobody can touch you without my permission. Will you trust me?”
Jared shook his head, his tousled hair fell around his face and hazel eyes filled with the fears he could not express. “You do not understand.” He received a sharp look from Ethan and corrected himself, “Master.”
Jensen looked down at him for a long moment and his brows dipped and met. “You know I really don’t, but I want to. If I make an effort to understand you, will you make a similar attempt to understand me?”
It wasn’t the answer Jared had expected. It gave him hope to grasp at. He looked up at Jensen and nodded. He opened his mouth and Jensen placed a finger on it. “Child, if I hear the word Master once more, I shall stuff my ears with wool. I am beginning to wonder how others bear such tiresomeness. It is my command that when we are in private, we make normal conversation. We shall review it if it becomes impracticable.”
Ethan threw up his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. “Jensen, you are making all sorts of complications for yourself and while I would like to ask if you know what you are getting into, I am sure that you do not.”
“I only need to know if you are with me Ethan.”
“Aren’t I always? Hasn’t it been my lifetime career to take care of the muddles you get yourself into?”
“You no longer have to Ethan. You are Chief of Household Staff, it is a respected position.”
“True, but life in Court is dull without your adventures, and I hope I shall always be your friend.”
Jensen turned back to Jared and held up the key to his chains. “I am giving this to Ethan and for now you will be in his care. I have known Ethan since we were small, I trust him with my household and I trust him with my life. I know with certainty he will look after my property and the people I care for. I care for you Child, I know he understands that. You will be pleasant and obedient for him. He has my permission to administer punishment but I am sure that will not be required.”
Jared’s heart lightened. In a small way Jensen had referred to him as a person and said he cared. Yes. Ma.., Yes sir.”
“You will remain restrained. You have seen the reason for that. It shall remove temptation to run and that is easier for you. Let one of us know if the binding starts to cut you. I do not want you further damaged.”
Jared nodded.
“And Child, it is your purpose to serve. Your first task is to find a way to prevent Ethan from getting over excited by our cloak and dagger ventures.” Jensen gave him a friendly smile.
Ethan poked his friend in the ribs. “Don’t be cruel Jensen, you should start the boy with something he can hope to achieve.”
Jared observed their easy friendship through soft strands of hair that had fallen on his face. He felt a sudden sense of loss for his brother. They should have had this. He should be immersed in friendly banter back in his own Realm, with Christian and Jeff. Maybe Jensen knew the warrior who killed Jeff, perhaps he had patted the officer on the back and congratulated him on his fine tactics and swordsmanship. Jared could have done the same for the killer of one of Jensen’s family or friends. He wondered at Christian’s fate. Christian would die before giving Jared up and Jared would let him. Anything less would be a betrayal of his Counsel’s loyalty and a slight to his friend’s honor. He pushed the thoughts into a dark corner of his mind and resolved not to dwell on them.
Jensen’s soft touch pushed the hair from his eyes. He knelt over and kissed his slave lightly on the brow. His other hand caressed Jared’s shoulder, trailed across his chest and rested on the brand. Hot pain flared briefly and settled. “Mine,” murmured Jensen.
He was a long way from home with no friends, no allies and no reprieve. Jared let go. It felt like falling and only Jensen could catch him.
Part Six
Back to Part Four
Masterpost
There were voices just beyond the canvas. Jensen was speaking to another, whose voice he didn’t recognize.
“What is so urgent that you send a messenger to bring me here? You will surely be home by sundown.”
“I need you to perform a favor for me.”
“And when does that ever end well?”
“Please, Ethan.”
“Tell me.” The voice was filled with exasperation.
“I need you to take something into my apartments as I return. I need you to tend to it for a time. I do not want anyone to see it. I especially cannot have The King see it.”
“You have brought a present?”
“Not exactly.”
A corner of the canvas was rolled back and Jensen leaped in. He held out his hand and helped another man in. The man was slight with a shock of black hair and chocolate brown eyes in alabaster-white skin. He looked about the cart and Jensen pointed at Jared.
“It’s a slave, Jensen.”
Ethan. The look was distinctive, not of this Kingdom, not even of this region. It was the whipping boy of so long ago, and here they were again, the boys that had played carefree in the sunshine together. How could it be so far lost? Jared's heart hit the pit of his stomach, once more in fear of recognition, but Ethan looked at him blankly, as new.
“It is my slave,” nodded Jensen with a guilty smile. He reached to ruffle Jared’s hair and Jared glared at him.
“It is a damaged slave.” Ethan put an emphasis on the word damaged. The small man was regarding him with a look of intense distaste and Jared burned with shame at his exposed body. He scooted backwards as far as his chains would allow.
“It will heal.”
Ethan huffed. “It should be possible to take it in, undercover, but surely it does not need my attention.” He crossed his arms and rolled his eyes at Jensen. “I suppose your father should be grateful you have made any effort to meet him in this matter. We thought you were set in your refusal and you’re a stubborn man. You are right though, he would be after your hide for purchasing faulty goods and it certainly isn’t the dainty lass your brother would have in mind. I suggest you clean it up and set it to work in your rooms until it is recovered enough to be presented.”
“It is not trained, Ethan.”
“What do you mean it is not trained? You know you cannot bring it in. Where did you acquire it? Take it back and get another?”
“I found it on our sortie. I like it. I want to keep it.” Jensen sounded like a petulant child.
“Your Highness, have you lost your mind? Ethan raised his eyes to the ceiling, calculating something and then looked back at Jensen. “There has been no time for it to be broken. There are reasons why we cannot have an unbroken, untrained slave in Court. You will get us all killed.”
Jared didn’t like the sound of the word broken. He hoped his translation was flawed.
“Don’t call me that! It won’t need to be broken, it gave itself, willingly. Besides, it is just a child. It has a sweet temperament. We can train it. It is bright and learns quickly.”
“You have it in chains Jensen. It has your height and it does not look amicable to me.”
“It is hurting and a little angry with me right now.”
Jared let his features relax. He was sure he didn’t want to be broken and he suspected that appearing angry with Jensen, or anybody in his Master’s presence was the wrong way to avoid it. He had spent his life tiptoeing around the Palace avoiding the Elders’ ire, his Uncle’s sharp tongue and the Nobles’ disappointment. He could do diplomacy, he’d been practising it his entire life.
“Define, angry.”
“I may have hinted that we will have to extricate information from its boyfriend, in a confrontational manner. It will get over it.” Jensen chewed on his nails and threw a little-boy-lost expression at Ethan which was highly inappropriate for his rank and appeared to be a waste of time with the hard-nosed Ethan. It was, however, incredibly comical to Jared and he sniggered involuntarily, his lips curling into a smile.
“See. It has a nice smile,” Jensen said triumphantly and grinned back at his slave.
“Its mirth is directed at you Jen. You cannot do this. What are you going to do while it is in training? You cannot keep it permanently chained to your bed.”
“Why not?”
“Your staff will think you have perversions.”
Jensen leaned in to Ethan and grabbed him close. He angled his mouth over the man’s lips and kissed him passionately and deep. Jared wanted to look away but somehow the display was mesmerizing. He recalled the heat and sensuality of Jensen's tongue sliding over his own tongue, teeth and gums. Jensen caught his eye and winked at him and Jared moved his gaze to one side. “You know I do, Ethan.”
Ethan shifted on his feet and shook his head. “You know, your escapades always end with me in hot water and this goes a long way beyond anything you have ever done.”
“This is serious Ethan. I can’t sell it.”
”So give it away.”
“I mean, I have to have it, here, with me.”
“Why?”
“I can’t explain it.”
“Oh. By the Moons! You are attached to it. Your Highness, please think about this. You cannot form a relationship with a slave. It is not fair on the slave, and will bring disgrace on you. Can you even imagine your father's ire? It had a boyfriend. Is it even a virgin?”
Jared opened his mouth to protest. He was not deviant. He most certainly did not have a boyfriend. Good sense took over and he snapped it closed in silence.
“Yes, it is a virgin.”
Jared was listening in earnest now. His stomach was starting to turn flips at the number of times different members of Prince Jensen’s entourage had suggested that something unfair was going to happen to Jared if Jensen brought him to Court This presumption, from a selection of people who generally appeared to care nothing for slaves, was starting a coil of terror in him that was wound tight by the thought of being permanently chained, like a dog. Added to that, being smuggled into Court seemed an inherently bad idea. If it ended badly for Jensen and Ethan, it could only be a hundred times worse for him.
Something must have shown in his expression. Jensen stopped in his arguments and sat by Jared’s side. He checked his brow for fever and frowned. “What is the matter, Child?”
For the first time Jensen’s words sounded genuine to him. There had been rumors that reached even the court of the Realm, of Prince Jensen, the wayward, deviant son. The one who cared little for structure or tradition. He had paid little heed, what did it matter to him, providing their hordes were crushed? Jared wondered how it must be to grow up second son to the tyrant who was his father, to not be the ideal of what that man wanted him to be. He could empathize but he had no idea what to say. He couldn’t admit to understanding their conversation. The truth tumbled from him in an inexplicable loss of control, “I’m frightened, Master.”
Jensen bowed his head and shut his eyes. When he opened them again they were over-bright. He jangled a key in his pocket, thinking on it. He bent over his slave and kissed his cheek gently. “It is perfectly normal to be scared. I know you will make mistakes. It is my responsibility to make the best of you and there is no shame in giving pleasure. It is all with me. You are my property and nobody can touch you without my permission. Will you trust me?”
Jared shook his head, his tousled hair fell around his face and hazel eyes filled with the fears he could not express. “You do not understand.” He received a sharp look from Ethan and corrected himself, “Master.”
Jensen looked down at him for a long moment and his brows dipped and met. “You know I really don’t, but I want to. If I make an effort to understand you, will you make a similar attempt to understand me?”
It wasn’t the answer Jared had expected. It gave him hope to grasp at. He looked up at Jensen and nodded. He opened his mouth and Jensen placed a finger on it. “Child, if I hear the word Master once more, I shall stuff my ears with wool. I am beginning to wonder how others bear such tiresomeness. It is my command that when we are in private, we make normal conversation. We shall review it if it becomes impracticable.”
Ethan threw up his hands in a gesture of hopelessness. “Jensen, you are making all sorts of complications for yourself and while I would like to ask if you know what you are getting into, I am sure that you do not.”
“I only need to know if you are with me Ethan.”
“Aren’t I always? Hasn’t it been my lifetime career to take care of the muddles you get yourself into?”
“You no longer have to Ethan. You are Chief of Household Staff, it is a respected position.”
“True, but life in Court is dull without your adventures, and I hope I shall always be your friend.”
Jensen turned back to Jared and held up the key to his chains. “I am giving this to Ethan and for now you will be in his care. I have known Ethan since we were small, I trust him with my household and I trust him with my life. I know with certainty he will look after my property and the people I care for. I care for you Child, I know he understands that. You will be pleasant and obedient for him. He has my permission to administer punishment but I am sure that will not be required.”
Jared’s heart lightened. In a small way Jensen had referred to him as a person and said he cared. Yes. Ma.., Yes sir.”
“You will remain restrained. You have seen the reason for that. It shall remove temptation to run and that is easier for you. Let one of us know if the binding starts to cut you. I do not want you further damaged.”
Jared nodded.
“And Child, it is your purpose to serve. Your first task is to find a way to prevent Ethan from getting over excited by our cloak and dagger ventures.” Jensen gave him a friendly smile.
Ethan poked his friend in the ribs. “Don’t be cruel Jensen, you should start the boy with something he can hope to achieve.”
Jared observed their easy friendship through soft strands of hair that had fallen on his face. He felt a sudden sense of loss for his brother. They should have had this. He should be immersed in friendly banter back in his own Realm, with Christian and Jeff. Maybe Jensen knew the warrior who killed Jeff, perhaps he had patted the officer on the back and congratulated him on his fine tactics and swordsmanship. Jared could have done the same for the killer of one of Jensen’s family or friends. He wondered at Christian’s fate. Christian would die before giving Jared up and Jared would let him. Anything less would be a betrayal of his Counsel’s loyalty and a slight to his friend’s honor. He pushed the thoughts into a dark corner of his mind and resolved not to dwell on them.
Jensen’s soft touch pushed the hair from his eyes. He knelt over and kissed his slave lightly on the brow. His other hand caressed Jared’s shoulder, trailed across his chest and rested on the brand. Hot pain flared briefly and settled. “Mine,” murmured Jensen.
He was a long way from home with no friends, no allies and no reprieve. Jared let go. It felt like falling and only Jensen could catch him.
Part Six
Back to Part Four
Masterpost