The Unsuitable Slave. (NC-17) Part 21/34
“What do you mean by what did I do?” Joshua snatched his brother up and spun him around. He shook Jensen by his shoulders and yelled at him. “Where have you been? Have you any idea what you have done? The trauma you created? What you put Lady Victoria and Ethan through? What you put your own slave through? And for what? Tell me what is different little brother.”
The room cleared rapidly, Jared and Envoy Woolvett remained, along with a single household sentry, uncertain of what he should do.
Jensen was rattled and adrenalin-high from his mission, he pushed back and swung a punch at his brother which connected with a loud snap. “He’s not a whore!”
The sentry approached with purpose and Woolvett blocked his path just as Joshua retaliated with an equal blow to his brother’s gut.
“Family argument, as long as they don’t involve any blades,” the envoy said quietly. The sentry looked unsure, he didn’t know who Woolvett was, but he stopped and waited.
Jensen pushed back hard at Joshua and there was a smacking noise as his hand met shoulder. “Don’t, just don’t Josh!”
The King grunted and stepped back, off-balanced and red with anger. They were both breathing hard, their focus had slipped to nothing more than themselves, in the moment.
“He’s not a spy or a traitor Jensen but we didn’t know that. We couldn’t know that because you didn’t tell anyone that you were leaving or what you were doing. Even if your note was real it gave nothing. I thought you were dead. I thought he had betrayed you. Even when they said that nobody lies after three hours I wasn’t sure, not until the moment you walked through that door.” Joshua held his hand to his head in despair.
“What do you mean, you thought he was a spy?” Jensen stalked forward and they circled each other warily. “You whored him because you were angry with him?”
I was angry with him and I was angry with you Jen. I just lost Papa and you go to get yourself killed because you have to do things differently, go your own way with no regard to tradition or teamwork.”
“You think I would have enjoyed presenting him?” disbelief laced the question.
“He is a prize, a source of pride.”
“There was something broken in Papa and there’s something broken in you Josh.” Jensen shook his head sadly and continued speaking, “I’m not dead, I simply can’t trust you not to treat me as a child. I have held this command since I was fourteen and still you cannot trust my decisions.” As Jensen’s fingers grasped at the hilt of his blade Woolvett nodded to the sentry and took position in front of the younger brother, the sentry blocked Joshua and they broke eye contact with a sudden realization of the public nature of their disagreement.
Jared was powerless to intervene. He hid his face in his knees. This wasn’t how it was meant to be, he should have been in Jensen’s arms, welcoming him home, showing him that he waited, telling him that he always would.
“Prince Jensen. It’s lovely to see you again. Perhaps we can retire somewhere quiet to continue this.”
“Envoy Woolvett?” Jensen looked at the man in confusion, “Who made you umpire?”
“Jen!” warned Joshua “He’s right. We are both worked up. I have had a rotten day and it looks as if yours has been little better. He raised both arms, away from his weapons.
Woolvett spoke softly to the King and tipped his head to Jared, “Maybe we should get him somewhere quiet and check on your girl.”
Josh agreed and reached his hand to Jensen, “We should retire to my chambers.”
Jensen cold-shouldered him and returned to his slave. Jared couldn’t look at him, His mind was still reeling and dizzy and he retained the reeking evidence of his shame all over his skin. Jensen’s letter hadn’t protected him. It had given nothing when Jensen had promised protection. Joshua had believed Jared was to blame and Jensen hadn’t prevented any of this. Jensen told him he couldn’t be presented without him and Joshua had once told him that a slave should never be used in anger but they had done all of that today. He concentrated hard and refused Jensen’s hand. His Master reeled back with hurt in his eyes. Joshua gave a direct order with his hand and again with voice command and he still sat, unmoveable. Whatever spell the tincture had worked was unraveling with time or with his anger. He wouldn’t be a pawn in their sibling rivalry.
“You two go ahead. Tell me to pick up the boy.” Envoy Woolvett winked at them, raised a single brow toward the hallway where he was sure eavesdroppers waited and added in a whisper, “damage limitation.”
The brothers left the room with the sentry who was warily separating them by a step. For the first time it was just Envoy Woolvett and the naked slave, alone in a cavernous room with scattered furniture, stray clothes and the strong smell of sex. The envoy took his hand and spoke low, “You know Prince Jared, when we last met and I told you I wished to see more of you, I didn’t mean it quite so literally.”
Jared gave in to a fit of chemical induced giggles, “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
You are the best company in this Palace. You did a damn fine job of putting me at my ease and I told the King that. Is it always this dysfunctional around here?”
Jared laughed again at that, at least his body chuckled while his mind caught up. “No. They love each other really.” Then he shushed Woolvett with a finger to his lips “Joshua doesn’t know about me. Oh moons, did you…? ”
“Of course not, and Jensen?”
“Of course, he always did.”
“So he is hiding you in plain sight. He is right, Joshua underestimates him.”
“Jensen’s an ass and an idiot. They are both liars.”
“And despite everything, it is transparent you care for Jensen. Don’t bother to deny it because I saw your face when he walked in that door. You, being his slave. Is it real?”
Jared huffed and indicated the state he was in. “What do you think?” he asked bitterly.
A soldier of the household guard approached. “His Majesty has asked me to show you the way to his Chambers.”
The Envoy looked to Jared's crumpled and debauched state, “Can you do this?” Jared knew he saw bruises and scars.
Jared gathered his resolve and rose elegantly to his feet. “Yes, Sir. You walk and I will follow.”
***
Tension crackled like a storm in the air. The brothers stopped talking the moment Woolvett walked into the apartment with Jared. It crossed the slave’s mind that at least they seemed to be talking rather than yelling.
Jensen looked to the Envoy as he stepped into the room and when the man stayed he swivelled his head to his brother and opened his arms in a gesture of query. “Why is he here Josh?”
The King ignored his brother’s question, “Apologies, Gordon. This has been out of order, I cannot believe you are still here. Please sit.”
The Envoy smiled politely and took a seat. “Family drama happens to us all and current circumstances must be very stressful.”
Jared took a place by Woolvett’s side. Jensen’s eyes widened and he was back in his brother’s space with his fists raised. “Did you sell him?” He demanded to know. Joshua stepped back and Jensen stepped forward again.
“Back off Jen! I didn’t. I should have done. I should have done it the first time the boy suffered, but I stupidly thought you cared enough for him,” He shot an angry look at Jared “and I should have known he would prove insufficient for our purposes.”
“Yours and Ethan’s purposes? He’s my sl..” Jensen stopped, as if the word choked him, shook his head, “He’s mine, he’s more than sufficient for me and I am an adult.”
“You were ill, incapable.”
“I was angry and grieving, for a few days Josh, for a few days.”
Woolvett coughed lightly. “He has an exquisite silver tag Jensen. Your initials are engraved upon it.”
Jensen took another short glance at where Jared sat by the man but he seemed to calm. “I’m sorry. It’s been a strange few days. I shouldn’t have…Oh moons we have thoroughly screwed all protocol this evening haven’t we?”
The Envoy smiled indulgently. “Don’t mind me. These things are almost always deadly boring. Tonight has been one of the most exciting evenings I have had in years and a fruitful one for our Nations, I hope.”
Joshua explained, “The Envoy is hopeful that there can be a small alliance between the Kingdom and the States. There are some limited troops that would be made available and they can shelter the vulnerable members of our Household and the Court slaves. They would only take the slaves as free citizens and we could not make them stay with their Masters, but they would be safe from the Realm and away from cruel resale.”
“Why do they change their attitude to us now? Is it not too late?”
Woolvett interrupted them to speak, “We have no wish to see Morgan as our neighbor but it is the Kingdom’s change of heart that will make it happen.” Woolvett raised the glass which Jared had just filled for him. “I should leave you to discuss it as a family.”
“I have made some tentative agreements but we should talk them over,” explained Joshua.
“If someone will show me to my room I shall take Child and retire. We will finalize details in the morning.” The Envoy stood and stretched.
Joshua indicated for Jared to follow him and stepped into Jensen’s path to pre-empt his brother’s outburst. “It is part of our agreement. Child will stay with Gordon tonight, while we make our decisions. Just tonight Jensen.”
“No! It doesn’t happen. He isn’t anybody’s whore. This man pretends to be shocked by our practices then demands sexual favors. No Joshua, I won’t let it happen.”
“I am content to do this Jensen. Trust me.” Jared’s voice was soft but quite unexpected in its interruption.
“No, Child. I forbid it. You are not all yourself, I can see in your eyes that you are not capable of refusal and decisions are not yours to make.”
“I refused you and Joshua, did I not? I want to go with him. Why would his company be any worse than yours? I wish to be away from your arguments and hate.” The words tumbled angrily from him before he could reconsider them and it was too late to rescind them. He wondered what the punishment would be. They would wait until Woolvett was gone, he was sure of that. He moved closer to the Envoy but he would not lower his eyes, he kept a defiant stare.
Jensen winced, he stood over his slave, spoke with his voice raised and sour, “Why do you deliberately mess me around, give me promises and break them? Do you want him? Did you make your decision and regret my return? Is that what this is about?”
Jensen turned his back on Jared as Joshua stepped back into his space, hand on his dagger while Jared’s own anger finally bubbled through and somehow the slave managed to drag his worn and weary body up and step forward, fists forming. Woolvett grabbed at him and flung him back to his knees with little effort. The envoy put one hand on Jared's shoulder and applied pressure to have him stay down.
Joshua and Jensen paid no heed to the slave or his temporary protector. The King had Jensen by the throat and slammed to the wall at the point of his dagger. “That’s it! Did I mention I had a really bad day. I’ve had enough. Child asked you to trust him and if you have any sense left, you will.”
Jensen squirmed, “You would let a slave defy me, have him speak so insolently to us?”
Joshua continued “We deserve it Jensen. We were wrong. What I did to him today, I was wrong to do it, but he went through with it all for the chance to be with you. You have no idea what that boy went through for you, because of your stupidity. He stayed loyal through unimaginable torment. I thought he was buying time for co-conspirators, but here you are, you’re alive, and the only explanation is, he did it for you. You left him opportunity to escape at any time. He could have chosen the easy way out, over and again, but he didn’t, he chose to wait for you.” He pulled the dagger away as Jensen lowered his eyes and looked to Jared and his body sagged against the wall as if unable to stand on his own.
“Josh, you have never said that before, never admitted to being wrong. What happened?” Jensen looked devastated.
“Let them retire to their room and we can talk. I have made promises. I will not renege on them.”
Both men stood down and the tension broke with a slight, edgy laugh from Jensen, “Josh, did you just end the party by throwing every ambassador and representative out?”
“I think I did.” Joshua’s laugh was no less hysterical. “Except for Envoy Woolvett here, who got his own floor show. We should let him take Child and retire while we discuss our options. I have sent for Mack. Don’t make her kick your ass too.”
“Can I speak to Child alone first? Please.”
“You should ask him that, Jen.”
Jensen kneeled by his slave, gently tucked a strand of sweat stiffened hair over his ear and kissed the top of his head softly. His eyes were more gold than green and his expression begged of need for Jared’s trust. “Can you bear me long enough to speak with me, Child?”
Jared nodded numbly, face of stone but his fists began to unclench. Woolvett released the pressure on his shoulder with a pat.
“Come through to the bathing room with me.” Jensen took his hand and squeezed it gently, then spoke to the others, “Excuse us a time.”
Jensen settled him on a chair and drew warm water. He bathed residue from Jared’s body with tender care as he spoke. “You’re angry with me and you have every right to be. This shouldn’t have happened. It wasn’t supposed to. There has never been a case in my lifetime, where a slave was presented without its Master. For everything, I’m so sorry. Do you remember what I told you about blame? It still holds true. You can take no blame for anything that has happened. I am to blame for it all. I am your Master and I allowed these things to happen to you. Whatever happened this evening, the shame is all with me and with Joshua. This won’t happen again. I’m never going to underestimate the risks to you again. It’s my place to protect you and from now on that’s what I’ll do. I’ll even let you take a swing, beat me black and blue, but not right here and now, when it will earn you punishment.” Jensen was biting his lip and pointing to his chin
“I could kick your ass all the way back to the Realm,” snarled Jared with passion, but the menace was starting to fade with soft touches and the sincere and sorrowful expression in wide green eyes. He had missed Jensen, missed that emerald stare and those long, gentle fingers.
“Good. I’ll find somewhere..”
“Don’t be stupid Jensen. Where would it all stop?” Jared exhaled loudly, “You came back, you rescued me. You were late but it is over and I didn’t give myself to anyone.”
Jensen grabbed him, held him in a crushing hug for a moment. Jared didn’t want to need it but it felt like the only thing that could hold him together. He let Jensen clasp his journey-grimed arms about him and closed his eyes in weary acceptance.
Oh Jared, I was carried away with the intricacies of my mission, there was so little time, so much to do. Everything moved so fast and Earl Ford’s boy has been lost without any family. It was difficult to balance between being found out and taking care of you and of him. I didn’t stop to consider the plans I made for you. I didn’t make enough provision for you or anyone else that I got involved in this scheme. ”
“Is Colin Ford safe?”
“It is typical of you, to ask after the lad before worrying about yourself. He is confused and homesick and I cannot make any promises to him. Wait! Does Joshua know of him? Were we found out?”
“I was not asked and I did not say. Why did you take him, Jensen?” Jared wanted to understand.
Jensen didn’t seem to hear his query in his eagerness for an answer to his own question. “You waited for me, despite everything?”
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have. I’m not worthy. I should tell you to go with Gordon, to leave with him, and I cannot stop you if want that, but as ever, I am needy for your help.”
“Do you only need me for my assistance in this war?”
“I need you whatever the circumstances, Jared. I would need you if there was no war and I wasn’t a Prince.”
Jared listened but he couldn’t be sure. Jensen was a natural campaigner and his own mind was still drug-addled and suggestible. His fury had deserted him and he shrank into himself, becoming wary and fearful once more, unsure if he could believe this man’s sweet promises and gentle encouragement. He was so very tired and confused.
Jensen looked to his demeanor and cocked his head thoughtfully. He lowered his voice and spoke with authority. “You are mine, Jared, you belong at my side. I will have you there.”
The words felt right, these weren’t platitudes and false hope, they were strength and leadership and they felt good. Jared’s entire being warmed to the thrill of them but he didn’t want to show his reaction. He continued with his questions.
“Why did you take Colin?”
“In two days Morgan’s forces will meet with Earl Ford’s army, they will march to meet the small army of the Southern Borderlands. Morgan’s intention is to pillage our Kingdom and lay siege to this fortress. Unfortunately for him, it is the intention of Earl Ford and the Southern Landowners to defeat him and seize the Realm from his power. It is my promise to keep Colin safe when the Realm goes to war against its own.”
Jared couldn’t catch his breath. He snatched his undamaged hand to the nearest surface for support. “You already knew. The note! You were always going to do this. You set my people against each other? You would have families fight each other?” He was shaking his head in disbelief “You started a civil war with a child for ransom? How could you? Oh Gods, what have you done?”
“I only stirred the pot. The Realm has been a tinderbox for a long time. The only thing that has kept your Nation united so long has been this war against us. You must know it in your heart Jared. The Elders have been allowed to take too much from the citizens for too long. It has been fueled by Morgan’s obsessions and it is them that lit the flame. They did that, not us.”
“How?”
“They accused Ford’s boy of seducing an Elder, of tricking him into deviant behavior. They were delusional enough to believe that Earl Ford would hand him over for trial and punishment. Morgan defended the Elder’s rights as moral guides for society and insisted Colin be tried. Earl Ford has been holding back on Morgan for a long time now. This was the end of his patience.”
“The boy is only ten.” Jared couldn’t disguise his horror.
“It was a poor excuse for the rape of a boy and it is not the first occasion it has happened. It is simply the first time it has happened to a family that could make a difference. Earl Ford is a good citizen and of course he sent his child by carriage, for trial. He cannot be blamed for our subsequent attack, on said carriage.
“So you didn’t kidnap him?”
“Technically we did. Morally, perhaps not.”
“Did you let Joshua suffer through the loss of his people just so he would continue to take desperate last measures, so there will be no hint of this ambush? It is a cruel thing to do, he is ill with defeat. Surely he would have made pretense if he knew.”
“There are many who see through false actions and I am sure he would not be negotiating with the Federated States if he knew. That is a good surprise to return to. There is always a chance that Earl Ford or others will double cross us and then we will need an ally or a haven.”
“Surely you will tell Joshua this night and then he will stop the negotiations.”
“I shall not be telling him and neither will you. That is a command. When it is all over and the Realm has different governance, it will be best if the Kingdom was never known to be involved. I was never there.”
“How will you explain your long absence?”
“I shall tell him that we kidnapped your mother. It is not untrue.”
Jared was grateful he was already seated. The blood drained from his face and he thought he would faint. “What will you do with her? Where is she? What did you do? She isn’t strong enough Jensen, you will kill her.”
“Too many questions, Jared! We simply mean to keep her safe from thoughtless retribution. She is frail but she has tenacity. My own physician is with her, Jake Abel is by her side and we are hopeful we will see some recovery. She needs to see you, it will help I think.”
“I am dead. The shock of my presence will stop her heart.”
“Her heart is perfectly strong Jared. It is the withdrawal of poisons she was fed for so long that threatens to kill her. She needs reason to fight the addiction that has formed.”
Jared's whole life fell into place in a single moment. Missing pieces and unexplained events resolved to form a new story of his childhood and of his Uncle. He knew with certainty where truth lay and that Jensen had not lied to him. “I missed it. I was with her, I could have protected her from him. It was my duty to protect her.” A terrifying thought struck him and he had to ask “Meghan? What about Meghan?”
Jensen spoke gently, “We tried Jared. Really we did, and it is not hopeless but Morgan is keeping her close. She is important to him and we could not reach her. We won’t stop trying. Kane has a small band of loyal men. They will fight till the last. We all will.”
Jared was unraveling, threatening to fall apart. The whole day, the evening, this revelation, it was too much and he was going to shatter.
Jensen saw the first tremble, the moment it broke across Jared's face. He gripped his slave’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “Jared. You were a child, even your brother was too young to have seen it; Not from where you were. Not with the people that surrounded you. You are mine. You are strong enough to get through all this.” He rubbed his slave’s arms gently. “You no longer have responsibility, it is mine to take and I take it. I take it all. I am going to make this right, whatever it takes.”
Jared’s hands shook so hard they tapped a noise upon the surface on which they rested. “I need…” he struggled with words and Jensen continued to stroke his arms soothingly.
”What do you need? You can tell me.”
“Cuffs. I need cuffs. I need to feel safe, feel you.”
Jensen took a leather strip and some rope from his pockets. I’m going to use this as a leash, tether you and tie your hands for a moment while I sort some out. Will that be alright? Will it let you cope for a moment?” Jared clutched at him but he nodded and blew out a breath.
***
Jensen kissed the skin on which the restraints would lie and fitted each with care, tight enough for Jared to feel their security but not so tight they marked. “Mine” he said as he closed each clasp. Jared calmed with the snick of each lock. Jensen finished by peppering kisses over his slave’s face and around the entire line of his collar. He nipped and sucked a deep purple bruise into the flesh below his skin. “Mine and make sure Woolvett remembers it,” he growled.
“Yours.”
“This collar looks amazing on you.”
“Joshua chose it, in your taste, Master.”
Do you like it? Shall we keep it?
“If it makes you happy then I like it too.”
Jensen smoothed the silver tag with his fingers. “I like you bearing my initials. It is more personal than the brand.” He sat with Jared, holding his hand and neither spoke for a while. Jared’s breathing steadied and Jensen saw the black of his eyes return to their natural state as the effects of the tincture finally receded. “Nobody should have given you anything to influence your self control. I will not allow it to happen again. Do you understand? I am going to take better care of you.”
“I understand. Will you punish me for my insolence, Master?”
“Do you think it merits discipline?”
Jared chewed at his lip as he struggled with his mixed emotions. He surprised himself with the honest answer. “Yes I do, Jensen.”
Jensen looked unsure for a fleeting moment before he replied, “Very well, I will think on it. You will report to me after breakfast. You will submit for punishment and thank me for my consideration to teaching you manners.”
“Yes Master.”
“Good Boy. Now that you are back to yourself, do you remain content to spend the night with Envoy Woolvett?”
“Yes. I think he only wants to speak with me.”
Jensen tugged at the loop on his collar, pulled him flush to his body and tilted his head to place a kiss on his lips. Jared sighed and his eyelashes fluttered as he closed his eyes and opened his mouth to the hot slick lips and searching tongue. They kissed slow and wet, as Jensen stroked smooth circles on his back. Jensen pulled away with low moan and a nip and suck to Jared’s bottom lip
“I trust you Jared. Are you sure you trust him?”
“He’s an honorable man. I think he wants to rescue me. We have met before. I never spoke much to him, Morgan was keen to forge some trade but the States politely told us to go to the deepest pits of hellfire. Gordon was always nice to me.”
“Do you want him to rescue you?”
“You rescue me,” murmured the slave. He leaned into Jensen and buried his head into the fur and leather over the firm chest. Jensen took him back in his arms and held him close, his chin resting on the crown of his head.
“We rescue each other Jared.”
Masterpost
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Part Twenty Two