The Unsuitable Slave. (NC-17) Part 17/34
Jared took his time returning to Jensen. He explored hallways and stairs and peered into open rooms. When he declared himself lost sentries turned him around with rolled eyes and knowing grins. He wasn’t untruthful but he was never lost in the physical sense, he could use markers and judge distances and direction perfectly well. He needed opportunity to think, not in chains, not with his Master’s watchful gaze and not with Ethan carefully nudging his behavior.
For the first time since he had made his impulsive decision in the small village of the Realm he was fully awake to the position he was in. No longer floating in denial or fear, or even relief at finding himself excused awful responsibility, it was time to face himself, as he really was and accept the limitations and power it lent him. It was time to work through what he felt for Jensen, as his Master and as a person, because he knew he would wait for Jensen, even if the Kingdom burned around him he would be the last person standing for him and would take whatever he could get with him. Jared wasn’t completely sure what that meant because it wasn’t a healthy choice.
When he returned to Jensen’s rooms his Master was sat on an armchair with a piece of string by his knee and an intrepid piece of grey fluff scaling his legs. He was welcomed with a guilty smile. “She needed to get out.” He scanned Jared’s face “Gods! What has he done? You are bleeding.”
“I bit my lip. I am fine Jensen.”
“How did it go? Are you recovered?”
“It was all right. I am perfectly well.” He grinned at the memory of the physician’s discomfort. “It went better than expected.”
“You’ve changed,” Jensen was regarding him with interest. “Or maybe you’re just being you. If I’d known a little swordplay would toughen you up I would have done it long before now.”
“I’m a slave, you don’t want me to toughen up. I am supposed to be submissive, quiet and obedient.”
“Being a slave is the toughest thing of all, but I never wanted a slave, I just wanted you, I sort of screwed that up,” Jensen’s eyes dropped and he fiddled with the piece of string.
Jared gave a short scoffing laugh. “Yeah, the whole brand and chains thing tends to do that.”
Needled claws drew blood from his ankle and sharp teeth nipped at his toe.
“She’s like you,” commented Jensen, “Soft and fluffy in appearance, nice to cuddle but she is a born predator with a sharp bite.”
“I’d hardly say that.”
“No because you’ve been hiding it your entire life but it is your second nature. I’ve watched you. You have given yourself and submitted, but you never backed down and lost yourself entirely, not even at the worst. You’re a strong person Jared and there is so much more behind that facade. You forgave me and I know I would not be able to in your position.”
“You could, you just never had to.” Jared kneeled by the side of Jensen's chair.
“For goodness sake sit on the furniture Jared.”
“No, Jensen.”
“What?!” Jensen was flabbergasted.
“When I told you it was easier this way, that the collar released me, I was telling the truth. If you want to return my life, then you must take me with you, as an equal. I am willing to try, but that is not what you are offering. If you succeed there will be a solution, you will return and I will remain your slave but I can never be more than that. There will always be others in your bed, eventually a partner, someone with the correct standing and connections.”
“You have…”
Jared cut him off, “No. Not any more. What you said about Ethan, about consistency, I thought about it and he’s right, it is easier to be a slave that way. I cannot pretend I’m not a slave and I have to stop wishing for what I cannot have. I need to get on and accept it. It makes it easier for me if you accept it too.”
“I only asked you to sit on the furniture.”
“You want to pretend. You will behave as if I am an equal, kiss me sweetly, tell me again that you love me then you will leave me and command me to stay like a faithful hound.”
“Whatever the risks, it remains safer than taking you with me. Is it so bad?”
Jared’s answer was soft, he took his Master’s hand and rubbed it gently “It depends what your reasons are. I think it is because you believe you will not return to deal with the consequences, with me and with your emotions.”
Emerald gaze bored into him, Jensen lifted their entwined hands and rubbed them over his cheek “I may not return. The rest….” He sighed and rubbed his face.
“You won’t return if you think that way. For today I want you to be my Master. When you return, if you still want to pretend, then there will be plenty of opportunity for us to work out how to be together. Then you can tell me you love me and there is hope that I may believe you, then you get to ask if I will stay and receive an answer, but for all of that you have to come back.” His mind added more that he could not speak, and by then I may have worked out how I feel.
“If I don’t survive?” Jensen’s voice cracked.
“That is a future neither of us can see.”
“When did you get so wise, Child?”
“It isn’t wisdom, it’s just words and ignorance. Wisdom comes with age, experience and travel. I have none of that, just a dusty life spent behind walls, with people who could not understand me and a library where I was free to go anywhere, as long as it was in my imagination. I’ve never actually been anywhere. I can be told anything and I have no experience to guide me to trust or distrust it. I have no idea if you are truthful or a liar and the same is true of Morgan. All I can do is wait for the future to play out and then I will know for sure who is trustworthy and who is not.”
“You have better judgement than most. You follow your heart.”
“You flatter me Master.” Jared placed a hand on Jensen’s thigh, brushed it affectionately with his fingertips and left it laying solid there.
The change in manner was subtle but Jared noticed it, Jensen carded his hands through Jared’s hair and followed the curve of his collar around his neck with a finger, traced it up to his chin and lifted his face gently to stare in his eyes. “My good boy.”
He gave the slightest hand movement and Jared stood. Jensen placed the kitten in its bed-box and led into the study, he drew a rug across the cold floor to lie by the impressive desk and with a flick of his fingers Jared kneeled on it, settled comfortably, his head just level with the edge of the wooden surface. His Master pushed a stack of sealed parchment toward him. “Pre-dated meal orders for Cookie, some for me, others for us both and a few for when I have a guest.”
“What guest?”
“Lord Collins and I shall be spending time together, which, in the circumstances, is not a lie. Misha lost his home and land, his was one of the first to fall. Remember I told you I had a friend on the Border? He and Lady Victoria are lodged here for now.”
“I didn’t know.”
“How could you?”
“What will they do now?”
“What is left of their army will fall back and return to the fight, his senior men will cover for the fact that he will be accompanying me. Lady Victoria and Chad are with you in delaying the knowledge of our mission.” Jensen let his hand stray to Jared’s face and stroke his cheek, trailing it to rub the bloody mark on his mouth with his thumb. “Victoria will not allow you to take the blame for following my orders. I have left a note of explanation with her.”
Jared tried to control the butterflies that churned and fluttered in his stomach. He suspected the note might be sufficient if he hadn’t given the King his word to stand against Jensen, if he weren’t required to report to Ethan and Mackenzie on an equal status. He schooled his features “Thank-you Jensen.”
“You will assist me in packing the minimum possible, I leave after dark. It will give a head start until morning at the very least. I have listed tasks for you to undertake once I am gone.” He pushed another sealed parchment at his slave. “Take it, hide it well, destroy it if you must.”
***
Everything was in order with a good portion of daylight remaining. Jensen left him to his own devices, didn’t give a reason or say how long he would be, he didn’t have to explain his actions to his slave.
The kitten darted under the bed after a spider, batted the unfortunate creature between its paws and let it go, only to wriggle her bum, wag her tail and pounce after it again. Jared watched for a moment and smiled but pulled his glance away as his gaze fell on the small book the physician had handed him. Books were familiar, they had been his refuge when life with the Elders had become too hard. He would find a hidden corner of the library and search the furthest high shelves for delicious contraband, a fiction of peculiar characters or descriptive text of far away places he might one day see.
Jared was puzzled as to what sort of volume the physician would give him. He settled on the floor by the armchair and flicked to the center pages. He squinted at the drawing depicted on the paper and rotated the book a whole, slow, 360 degrees. He paled and read the text. He turned the pages then, quickly scanning drawings and text, color draining and eyes widening in horror. He was too absorbed to hear the door shut.
“Child?”
He flicked another page, chewed on his fingernail and visibly flinched as he emitted a short high pitched gasp.
“Jared, what have you got there?” His Master kneeled with him and gently prised his shaking fingers from the bound volume.
“Hey. Why so scared?” Jensen flicked the pages on the book, his brows knotted and then his hands were gripped tight about it, whitening at the knuckles as his face reddened in rage. “Where did you get this?” he spat, voice of sharp gravel and low danger.
The kitten stopped in its play, flattened its ears and hid in the darkest recesses under the bed, its glowing blue eyes just visible. Jensen’s slave shrank from him “Forgive me Master.”
“Why Child? What am I to forgive you for?” Jensen was yelling.
“I, I, didn’t mean to, I looked and I can’t, I just can’t.” Jared was folding his body inwards, bracing for the blows he was sure were imminent.
“Stop! Just stop!” Jensen was breathing hard, as if working to regain control, he shuffled on his knees toward Jared and took his hand, rubbed a slow soothing circle on it with his thumb and shushed him, “I’m not angry with you Child, look at me, I’m not angry with you. Whoever gave you this, whoever scared you so needlessly, that is who I’m angry with.” A strong, warm arm snaked around his waist and pulled him flush to Jensen’s side. “When I left you not more than an hour earlier you were so strong and confident. What happened? It’s alright, tell me.”
Jared swallowed and reined his fear back, a heartbeat at a time. Jensen stroked his hand over his shoulders and down the curve of his spine. It grounded him and he leaned into the action.
“Take your time.” All anger was gone from him.
“The physician gave me it. He said this is what I would do, how to serve you and well whoever.” He flailed his arms toward the book “He didn’t say whoever but I can see…”
Jensen placed a finger over his lip, “Sshh, I get it.” He took his finger away, lifted the book from the floor and tossed it, with good aim, into the fire which ate it with eager flames. “That thing is ridiculously outdated.” He tilted Jared’s face so he was staring into the gold-flecked green, could see the faintest flutter of the long lashes, “There are things in there I would never do, never let anyone do to you. The things that we might try will never be like that, not cold, not without care, never unless you want to and not without love, Jared. You are mine, you will never be a whore.”
Jared released a long shuddering breath. “Oh. Good.” His nerves were too shot to think of a better reply. Jensen’s fingers resumed toying with his hair.
“Child, what precisely did your visit to the physician entail? Whatever it was, I shan’t be angry with you.”
Jared looked downwards as he described the entire visit. Jensen shifted and his hand stopped in its soothing arc across his back. “I don’t understand why Joshua would interfere to have you certified for Presentation. I have never given him any indication that I would let that happen to you. Why did Ethan not tell me the truth? Why didn’t you?”
Jared couldn’t return the green-eyed gaze. He took Jensen’s hand and clung to it. He didn’t want to lie, not now that this may be his last day with Jensen. “I agreed with Joshua that I would do everything that was required of me, as a normal Court slave. Ethan wanted to tell you but I thought it was best that you did not have the stress of knowing, since you would likely not be here for the Summit.”
Jensen look confused. “You have hardly met Joshua.”
“We talked, when you were sick.”
“Why would he do that?”
Jared could see when understanding finally bloomed on Jensen’s face and this time the man paled, freckles becoming a stark contrast. “I let you go. He forced you to return to me didn’t he? How? What did he do? Are you his spy?” he looked dejected.
“I wanted to return and Joshua let me, providing that I took Ethan’s and Mackenzie’s guidance. Your brother just wants you healthy, I would never agree to spy on anyone Jensen and especially not you. You can trust me.” The last was a plea, though Jared was not sure how he would live up to it. He had promised to betray Jensen if necessary and it would be the King that would be denied if he did not. He let it lie, it seemed he could not tell his Master the whole truth after all.
“I’m glad you came back to me. It’s not like I have time to fret about the rest.” Jensen worried at his lip, huffed and squeezed Jared even closer to him. “I am disappointed that you didn’t tell me but it seems my family placed you in an impossible position.” He kissed Jared’s brow.
The kitten slunk to Jared’s knees and mewed until a large hand reached to cradle it. The younger man curled it against his chest and it purred, loud and content.
“You must name her.” Jensen commented.
“Can I?”
Jensen reached over to scratch the fluffy, upright ears. “She’s your responsibility.”
“Hope. I’ll call her Hope.”
“Good choice, Child.”
***
Light was fading to hazy dusk, Jensen stood at the window to watch the twin moons rise with the sun’s demise. For a few minutes golden light pooled with reflected white light over the distant hills and they shone, iridescent and alluring.
“It is so beautiful.” Jared couldn’t help the words that spilled. He kneeled at his Master’s side, careful in his posture.
Jensen looked wistfully at the scene. “One day I will go there for the beauty, to drink it in and revel in it. We pass through for our purposes and the nature of it is forgotten.”
“I have never been to such a place, not really anywhere. I came here when I was small and after that, nothing until I turned sixteen and then Morgan only had me attend battle scenes for my education. Sometimes I wonder about it all, what I could see, all the experiences I am missing but then I know it scares me too, to go outside the walls on my own, it is all so vast and alien. I wish I had been well when you brought me here, I could have seen it, secure in your chains, which would not let me hide.”
Jensen turned his head down to look at him at him, a hint of surprise in his demeanor, “Nobody really knows you, do they Jared?”
He ducked his head, Dumb fool! Why did he have to say something so stupid and weak?
Jensen didn’t laugh at him or chastise. He looked to the hills once more. “I spend all my time escaping this place, its constraints choke me. When this war ends, however it ends, I will miss it. ”
Jared tried not to look shocked but the chuckle from his Master showed that he did not succeed, he continued, “I don’t like death and pointless destruction but there is something thrilling in the plot and execution of missions, the adrenaline of a stealthy approach to a covert target. I have the trust of my family and my troop, and I never reported all my dealings to my father or Joshua. I like life on the road, freedom of a pack and a horse, a camp fire and stars over my bed. I enjoy meeting new people and learning other culture with no walls and no restricting tradition or regulation. Is it so very strange?”
“Like that, it sounds a wonderful adventure.”
“Put your cuffs on Child.”
Jared stilled for a moment, tried to process what it was he had done wrong.
“Trust me.”
He rose with obedient grace and did as he was bidden, his heart fluttering with each beat. He felt the weight and the tight clasp of each restraint as he clicked them around his wrists and ankles and the locks slid into place.
“Good Boy.”
Jared followed silent instruction and stood before Jensen, his breaths shorter and more hurried, eyes a fraction too wide.
Jensen cupped his face in his hand, long fingers brushed over his jawline. His breath whispered over his slave’s cheek as he spoke quietly, “Turn around and look again.” He moved his hands to the dent of Jared's hip bones and encouraged the twist, pulled him in against his chest and held him close, hands meeting around the slim waist. He spoke again, hot into the shell of Jared's ear “When it is all over, we should go, travel to the furthest places and explore everything they have to offer and I can keep you like this, keep you close to me. Would these be sufficient to make you safe, keep you from hiding behind walls?” There was a tug on his collar and Jensen drew his wrists behind his back and held them loosely by the cuffs.
A delicious shudder radiated through Jared, he felt the heat and breath of his Master on him and the solid comfort of his strong yet gentle hold. “Yes.” He breathed “Yes, I think I would like that, I think it would work out.”
“We’ll start with those hills, camp through a sunset.” Jensen stroked a hand over his chest, leaving a tingling trail of sensation in its wake, “and we’ll just keep on going.”
***
He couldn't be sure how much later the sound of stone grating over floor interrupted them, Jared was pinned firm to the wall, Jensen was using one hand to fix his cuffed wrists above his head, while the other roamed his flesh, his Master’s tongue plundered his mouth and Jared returned the kiss enthusiastically, lips spit-slick and swollen.
Captain Beaver coughed, “We’re ready to go Sire.”
Jensen gave a low moan and locked eyes with Jared in a heated, unspoken moment. He pulled back with an obscene smacking noise and Jared was left exposed with arms aloft, eyes glazed, cock spent and stomach wet with the pungent odor of sex. He colored and looked away in shame.
“No worries Child, I’m old enough to have seen it all.” The whiskered warrior commented, brash and cheerful but he glared in harsh judgement at his Commander.
“I have to freshen up, Misha will be here soon enough.” Jensen adjusted his clothes, covering up his own flesh, but not hiding the fresh stain on his pants. “Jared you can let your arms down now.” The green-eyed Prince offered his hand to lead him, “We’ll get those cuffs off and you can wash. Good Boy.”
Lord Collins brought Chad with him. The two slaves grinned at each other and nodded a greeting. The blue-eyed Lord appraised Jared from head to toe and smirked “Any time your Master isn’t treating you right …”
Jensen clipped his hand across his friend’s ear and finished for him, “you shouldn’t even consider running to this old pervert.” He returned to his quiet conversation with his Captain.
Misha’s eyes sparkled, he grinned at Chad and Jared and had them follow him to the far side of the study “I assume you know what you’re doing, you’re bright slaves. I suggest you spend some time formulating plans. Jensen has let it be known that he is using his last days of rest to ensure that Child’s intimate education is sufficient. To that end nobody should be bothering you as long as you look the part. Child, you shall sleep in Jensen’s bed, ruffle the sheets, stain them a little and take them to laundry too often, looking tired.” He wiggled his eyebrows at them. “Chad will bring a few toys for you to be seen with, to complete the picture.”
Jensen looked across from his own conversation and interrupted, with a glance at Jared and reassuring words. “Of course if I am not back I cannot be there to present you and if I am here I can refuse.”
Jared released the breath he had been holding.
Jensen contnued, "They spar twice a day, stay sharp and work out routes to the rooms where every Court Slave is housed. They organize clothing, find a hiding place and formulate a plan of evacuation.”
“Yes, Master.” Jared replied, in clipped military style.
Chad and Misha looked doubtful. “Can they do all that?” Misha asked.
“I know that Child can and I have faith in Chad’s abilities.”
“Thank you Sir.” Chad bounced like a puppy with a stick.
***
Dread overtook Jared as conversation wound down and Jensen hauled his pack onto his back. Two moons suffused soft light and the stars watched over the earth with bright points of care. He offered a silent prayer to the Gods that rode the stars and tethered the moons and hoped they would spare time to listen to a damned boy.
Misha kissed Chad on the cheek, squeezed his hand “Look after my Love for me Baby Boy.”
Chad looked decidedly uncomfortable at the familiar term being revealed to all present. “Be careful, Master,” he returned.
Misha pulled the Captain to the secret doorway in an attempt at tact but they remained peeping through the gap in the wall. There was the low chatter of others waiting on the stairs below the false opening.Grey fluff skittered sharp claws over floor as Hope slid after an imaginary prey, then scaled the leg of a chair.
Jared felt warm, sturdy arms envelop him and hands curl into the hair at his neck. “I give you permission to touch yourself when you think of me. If you need to use the cuffs to feel safe, you can ask Lady Victoria or Chad, I give them my permission to use them wisely. Don’t let anyone use you, Jared. If I’m not there they can’t make you attend the Summit. Don’t give in to Joshua, don’t let him Present you without me. If it gets bad don’t you dare get wounded or captured, do you hear me? Promise me.”
“I won’t.” Jared spoke softly, they both knew these were promises he couldn’t truly make. “Come back to me Jensen. I want to travel with you.”
Jensen put his head down and didn’t look back. Jared’s eyes glistened but he wasn’t crying , damnit he wasn’t crying.
“Close the door after us Child.”
Jared moved to follow the command just as a streak of charcoal leaped through the opening. Jared lunged after Hope and grabbed her on the top step of a winding stairway. He stopped and hugged her into the crook of his arm. He looked down the staircase into the shocked blue stare of a Queen’s man. The expression changed to fury as Jake finally comprehended the naked and collared Prince. Jake squared his shoulders and prepared a punch for Jensen and another man grasped him and held him back.
“It’s done Jake. I already did it. Now is not the time.” Captain Kane shouted into his face and shook him.
Jared and Jake looked in unison at Jensen’s bruised and battered face.
“He did. He really did,” confirmed Jensen, with his hand unconsciously dabbing at his wounded lip.
.“Chris?”
Kane dipped a bow and Misha took over guiding Jake down the stairs.
“I’m sorry Jared. We have to do this. We will come back for you, I give my word and my honor.” His friend sounded small and broken.
Jensen grasped at Kane and roughly turned him away and downwards. “Shut the door, Child.” Jared stared after them, unable to move.
Misha took control, “Chad! Get Child out of here, close the door and put the cuffs on him. Stay with him till he calms.”
Chad moved quickly and Jared let himself be manipulated, felt the cuffs heavy and safe around him and breathed slow with Chad by his side.
Masterpost
Part Eighteen
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