RPS Fic: Spoil Of War [Adam/Tommy] 4/14
[Part 3]
[Master Post]
Part 4
The next morning, Tommy was still fuming over what the king had forced him to do at the evening meal. Movements short and jerky with anger, Tommy got Wild ready for his ride. Richard had tracked him down and told him Adam would be unable to attend to the horse himself due to pressing matters, so it was up to Tommy.
Normally, Tommy would have been thrilled that he was getting to ride Wild again, but the humiliation of being made to kneel in front of Cam was still fresh in his mind. It hadn't helped that she hadn't even been able to look him in the eye, or that she'd looked like she was about to burst into tears at any moment. In addition, it had been … uncomfortable, to say the least, to have to kneel in front of Adam and have Adam feed him after all the time they'd spent together over the last few weeks, and the fact that he'd been allowed to think of Adam as an equal most of that time.
The funny feeling in the pit of his stomach hadn't helped, either. It confused him, to say the very least. He'd noticed he'd been feeling it more and more when Adam was around, but it didn't make sense to him. It was along the lines of what he felt for women he was interested in, but different, too. He just didn't understand it. He'd never had any inclination toward men before and he didn't understand why Adam-of all people-had to be any different.
If it had been anyone else besides a man he would be forced to kill in the near future, Tommy would have embraced the attraction he was feeling and given it a try. He'd never been one to shy away from something new, and in fact, had earned somewhat of a reputation when he was younger and wilder for being willing to try anything once.
Tommy had just gotten Wild saddled when a familiar voice behind him made him tense.
"Hi, Tommy."
Tommy turned to face Adam, eyes narrowing at the abashed expression on his face. "There were no pressing matters, were there?"
Adam shrugged. "No, but after the meal last night, I assumed you'd make sure you weren't around when I got here otherwise."
Tommy's jaw clenched and unclenched as he fought the urge to tell Adam what he thought of his trickery. Regardless of the fact that Adam had given him leave to treat him like an equal when they were alone, though, Tommy was sure there were limits. He really didn't want to find out the hard way that he was right.
Exhaling, Tommy stepped away from Wild and said coolly, "He's all yours. I'll be off to my other duties now."
"No," Adam said, stepping forward.
Tommy hesitated. Adam hadn't asserted his authority over him for weeks, but that had sounded like an order.
"No?" he asked, needing the clarification.
"No," Adam repeated. That time it was unmistakably an order. "You will stay and exercise Wild as you were instructed."
Tommy tensed and bit out, "Yes, My Lord."
Turning away so Adam wouldn't see how livid he was, Tommy swung himself up into the saddle, his tunic hitching up over his riding leggings. Without another word, he trotted Wild past Adam and out of the stable.
Tommy was well into his third lap around the field when Adam cut across it on his warhorse and matched his stride. Tommy refused to look at or acknowledge Adam until Adam tried to speak to him, and then all Tommy did was urge Wild on to full speed, knowing Adam's horse couldn't keep up.
He knew he was being childish and flirting with punishment if Adam was of a mind to take him to task for it, but just then Tommy didn't really care. He was pissed off and running on next to no sleep since all he'd done was toss and turn on his mat the night before, the chain connecting his shackled ankle to the wall rattling enough to earn angry comments from the slaves around him. And now it appeared Adam had rescinded the privilege of allowing Tommy to treat him as an equal. It was all just a little too much.
Adam cut across the field and caught up to Tommy again. This time he gave a sharp, unmistakable order for Tommy to stop. Tommy's only recourse was to obey or face punishment. Reluctantly, he reined Wild in and waited, staring down at the ground while Adam trotted over.
"I didn't have anything to do with you being forced to test the food last night."
Having expected the first words out of Adam's mouth to be a reprimand of some kind, Tommy was surprised enough by what Adam did say to look up and meet his gaze.
Frowning, Tommy said, "I know that."
Adam's mouth turned down into a frown also. "Then why are you angry with me?"
Tommy blinked. "Permission to speak freely, My Lord?"
Adam waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and said impatiently, "Yes, of course."
"You tricked me into meeting you in the stable, not to mention the fact that you're apparently back to giving orders, which, to be honest, doesn't make a lot of sense to me. If you want to order me about, why not just demand I meet you in the stable in the first place instead of resorting to lies to get me there?"
Adam stared steadily at Tommy as he replied, "I didn't actually intend on giving you any orders when I walked in. I just didn't want you to leave before we could talk. And I did intend for you to ride Wild today. I thought we could ride together like we did before Wild allowed me on his back. I know it's only been a few days, but I miss our talks."
Put like that, Tommy found he couldn't stay angry. He'd missed their talks, too, and Adam seemed sincere enough…
Tommy exhaled and offered Adam a tentative smile. "I apologize. I didn't sleep much last night and I was in a bad mood long before you admitted to tricking me into meeting you."
Adam nodded and motioned toward the field. "Shall we?"
Tommy signaled Wild, who started walking.
Adam's horse fell into step and they walked in silence for a few moments before Adam asked, "You're angry with my uncle, aren't you?"
Tommy shot him a sidelong look. "Being angry with a king isn't allowed."
Adam rolled his eyes. "It's just us. Forget I'm a prince and talk to me."
Tommy bit his bottom lip, but in the end had to trust Adam meant it. He hadn't used anything Tommy had told him against him so far. "Yes, I'm angry with him. He's a complete bastard and if I could run him through with a sword, I would."
Tommy sucked in a sharp breath as soon as the words were out, unable to quite believe he'd said them. It was one thing to express anger toward the king in confidence, but quite another to threaten his life.
Adam, though, surprised him by throwing his head back and laughing.
Tommy scowled. "I don't see what's so funny. I just gave you all the ammunition you need to have me beheaded. Unintentionally, I might add. I'm usually better at holding my tongue than that."
Adam smiled at him, eyes dancing with mirth. "I'm laughing because you, Thomas Joseph, are a breath of fresh air." Tommy looked at Adam like he'd lost his mind, prompting Adam to lean in close and grab Wild's reins, stopping both their horses as he said in a conspiratorial voice, "I've got a confession."
Tommy stared into Adam's eyes, Adam's face suddenly so close that all Tommy would have to do would be to lean in a little himself and they'd be kissing.
Somewhat breathlessly, he asked, "What's that?"
"There have been many, many times I've wanted to run him through with a sword also." Adam straightened and his grin widened. "There. Now you have just as much ammunition on me as I have on you."
Tommy rolled his eyes, but couldn't help the grin that crept across his face. "As if anyone would take the word of a slave over a prince."
Adam reached out and touched Tommy's shoulder, waiting until Tommy looked over at him to say seriously, "I hope you know it would never come to that. You can trust me."
Tommy swallowed, nodding his head. "I know, and I appreciate that."
Eventually, Tommy broke the stare and they started walking the horses again. "The soldiers taunted me when they came to get me. The king had told them he wanted me there to humiliate me in front of Cam."
Adam cursed. "I'd apologize for my uncle, but it would be pointless. You're right, he is a bastard." Adam paused, then asked, "Cam? You and Lady Camila are on a nickname basis?"
Tommy glanced over at Adam, bemused. "Yes. We grew up in the castle together. She was an orphan and her manor was in trust until she came of age. I've never hated your uncle more than I did last night for what he put her through."
Adam's eyebrows lifted. "What he put her through? What about you?"
Tommy shrugged. "I can handle it. I just can't stand seeing her near tears and having to keep quiet instead of being able to speak her mind."
"You're protective of her."
Tommy looked over at Adam, taking in the closed off expression on his face. Confused by it, he asked, "Is there something wrong with that?"
Adam shrugged. "I'm just trying to figure out what your relationship with her was."
Tommy blinked. It almost sounded like Adam… Tommy shied away from the thought. If Adam was interested in him, that would make Tommy's attraction to Adam that much harder to ignore. In short, it would complicate everything.
Hoping he was wrong, Tommy said carefully, "At one time, we were betrothed."
It was impossible to miss the way Adam tensed at that. Damn.
"At one time?" Adam inquired.
"Yes," Tommy said. "Our parents were good friends. When we were old enough, though, we exercised our right to break it. On my part, because she's like a sister to me. On her part, because she fell in love with Leisha, a servant in the next manor over. They were married last fall."
Adam exhaled, obviously happy with that turn of events. "Oh. I didn't know she had a wife. She didn't say."
"She's probably keeping it quiet because she doesn't want the king to be aware of Leisha. Leisha's not technically a lady, so the king would be within his rights to denounce the marriage my father approved."
"Yes, and he probably would, especially after seeing the reaction you and Camila had toward each other at the table last night. He would know it would anger you. As it is, Camila tried to take leave today, but my uncle forbade it. He said she had to stay for at least one more night, so expect to be called for testing again tonight."
Tommy sighed. "I figured as much. Just make sure there are no sharp objects within my reach, will you? I won't be responsible for my actions if there are."
Adam snorted. "If it wouldn't mean your death, I'd make sure every knife at the table was available to you."
Tommy chuckled. "I'm getting the impression you really don't like him."
Adam shook his head, his mouth pressed into a thin line. "I really don't. I don't agree with many of his rulings, and the way he treats those around him sickens me."
Just then, Tommy caught sight of Jeffery near the entrance to the stable and decided a change of subject was in order. "Jeffery's coming along nicely. With your permission, I'd like to try him out on Wild tomorrow."
"You don't need my permission," Adam said. "I trust your judgement on anything to do with Wild."
Tommy felt that fluttery thing in his stomach again and found himself flustered by it, and by the blanket permission. "Thank you. That … means a lot." Needing to lighten the mood, Tommy flashed Adam a grin and said, "Five laps around, full out? Loser has to take care of both horses after."
Adam returned the grin and kicked his horse into gear, taking off as he called over his shoulder, "You're on!"
Things were going well, Adam decided. Jeffery had successfully ridden Wild for the first time a few days ago, and Tommy was back to his usual calm self whenever Adam came around the stable. Camila had been allowed to leave the day after Adam's and Tommy's talk, so even though Gregory had ordered Tommy to the table to test the food one last time that same night, Tommy hadn't look ready to stab him, just eager to be getting some decent food in his stomach.
Things were going so well that Adam was giving serious consideration to Neil's suggestion about asking Tommy to be his pleasure slave. So, of course that's when everything would implode. And implode it did, in a big, big way.
It was mid-morning and Gregory was holding court in the great hall from his throne, hearing complaints from villagers, sometimes against each other, sometimes having to do with the weather or the crops or whatnot. Adam was sitting in, as usual, and biting his tongue every time Gregory made a ruling that was completely wrong in Adam's opinion. Gregory had just sentenced a villager whose dog had trampled a small section of a neighbor's garden to a month in servitude of the neighbor-a punishment that far outweighed the slight to the neighbor in Adam's opinion-when there was a commotion near the door leading to the courtyard.
Adam looked up and his heart nearly stopped as he saw a strip of familiar blond hair sandwiched in between two large guards. The only reason Tommy would be dragged before the king in the middle of the morning was because he'd done something that warranted punishment.
As they got closer, though, and people moved out of the way so Adam could see more of Tommy's head than just the top of it, Adam saw that not only was Tommy in some kind of trouble, he'd been beaten. His face was bruised and his lip was cut and bloody. Tommy winced in pain every time one of the guards yanked him forward by his arm because he wasn't moving quickly enough to suit them.
When the trio reached the steps leading to the throne, Tommy was shoved to his knees.
Gregory looked from the guards to Tommy and back again. "What have we here?"
"He was caught trying to escape on one of the horses," the guard on the left, Ben, said.
Adam tensed, his eyes flying to Tommy, but Tommy wasn't looking at him. Instead, Tommy was staring at Gregory, jaw set and head tilted up defiantly.
"Which horse," Adam found himself asking, noting the way Tommy tensed further and also noting that Tommy continued to not look at him.
"The one that wouldn't let anyone ride him until this slave came along," Ben said. "The white one."
Adam was dumbfounded, wondering if he could have possibly read Tommy that wrong. Had Tommy just been using him to get access to his horse so he could make a run for it? That question echoed through his head as his uncle spoke.
"And the bruises?" Gregory asked.
"He … put up a fight when we ran him down," Ben answered, apparently the spokesman for the two of them.
Adam's eyes narrowed on Ben. He was clearly lying. Besides the transparent expression on his face giving him away, Adam had seen Tommy fight. If he'd put up a fight, Ben and the other guard would have bruises as well. They didn't have a mark on them. More likely, Ben and the other guard had beaten Tommy just to make a point.
"What say you, slave?" Gregory asked.
For a moment, Tommy didn't answer. Long enough, in fact, for it to be considered an insult to the crown.
"I have nothing to say that you would believe, Your Highness," Tommy said eventually, contempt dripping from his voice.
Adam was torn between admiration at Tommy's boldness and the urge to slap some sense into him.
"Is that a fact?" Gregory asked. "Tell me anyway."
"I'd rather not waste my breath when you're going to punish me anyway, whether I'm guilty or not," Tommy threw back, eyes blazing defiantly.
By the gods, Adam thought to himself, eyes widening, it was as if Tommy was begging to be beheaded on the spot.
Unable to sit by and watch that very thing happen, Adam spoke, putting as much authority into his voice as he could manage with fear for Tommy coiling in his gut. "Watch your tongue, slave. He is your king. You would do well to remember that."
Tommy finally looked over at him, but his angry expression didn't soften in the least. "He may call himself my king, but I do not recognize him as such."
Adam was sure his heart stopped while he waited for his uncle's response to that, certain he was going to order Tommy's death for it.
Instead, Gregory said in an amused voice, "Is that so?"
Tommy returned his glare to him. "Yes, that is so."
Gregory's lips curled up into a cruel smile. "Let's see if you feel the same way after a week in the breaking yard."
Tommy's chin tilted up higher yet and he said boldly, "I will."
Gregory's smile widened. "Then I shall enjoy sentencing you to another week there, and another, until you cower before me like a proper slave and beg my forgiveness."
Tommy's eyes narrowed. "I can promise you that will never happen."
"Then you will die out there," Gregory said. Turning to the guards, he waved his hand. "Off with him. His sentence begins now."
Tommy gritted his teeth as he swung. Three days. Three days out in the hot sun breaking apart rocks with a pick axe. His shoulders and arms burned from the strain and his back wasn't fairing much better. Three days and already he had no idea how he was going to make it through the next couple of hours until sunset, let alone get up and do it all over again tomorrow. The beating he'd taken at the guards' hands hadn't helped. He'd already been sore and worn out when he'd arrived in the yard that first day. Now he was ready to drop. The only problem with that was that if he did, he'd be whipped, and the last thing he needed was more pain.
Jaw set, Tommy swung again and again, until his hands and arms went mostly numb. Just when he was sure he couldn't take another swing, the horn blew, signifying the end of the work day and the arrival of dinner, such as it was.
Tommy dropped the pick and bent over, bracing his hands on his knees, arms shaking as he took a deep breath and tried to stave off the nausea swirling through his gut. Deep down, he knew he shouldn't have bated the king that way, but he'd finally had it. Between Chadwick's jealous attack that had sent Wild bolting from the stable with Tommy on his back, the guards beating him soundly for supposedly trying to escape-never mind he and Wild had been headed in the opposite direction from the front gate-the fall of his kingdom, his father's death, the worry constantly coiling in his gut that something had happened to Monte given he hadn't heard from him since that day on the battlefield, and now the added complication of his apparent attraction to a man he would be forced to kill at some point in the future, Tommy had just … snapped.
He rarely lost his temper, but it had all just been too much. The note of accusation in Adam's voice, coupled with the suspicion in his eyes when Tommy had looked at him hadn't helped, either. He knew what Adam was thinking. He'd be thinking the same thing if the roles were reversed. It didn't make it sting any less, although it was probably just as well. Adam was right to not trust him. Maybe not for the reasons he thought, but provided Tommy found some way to get back inside the castle walls, he was going to murder Adam and his entire family in their sleep.
Tommy glanced around at the others walking over to the side of the yard where the line for dinner was forming. Reluctantly, he followed. Even though his stomach was screaming from hunger, he wasn't looking forward to whatever slop they were feeding them that day. It was always some variation of something formless and grainy. Something meant to fuel their bodies for the next day of grueling work, but nothing more. No taste, no texture, nothing. Just a glob on a plate and a piece of day old bread to sop it up with.
Tommy took his meal and sat by himself, as he'd done for every meal so far. The other slaves in the yard had been less than welcoming. They were a different class of slave than the ones in the stables or the kitchens. They were harder. Meaner. It made sense, since most of them were there for violent offenses.
There were plenty of his former countrymen-ones that had fought in the battle with him-that had been sentenced to yard duty too, but they were in a separate group that worked a different field. He'd no doubt been placed in the other group on purpose, to make sure his punishment was as unpleasant as possible.
As lonely as it was during the day, though, it was worse at night. The first night, he'd been surprised not to be shackled to the wall. The surprise hadn't lasted long, though, when he discovered that the reason was because the guards locked the room down so none of the slaves could try to escape. Tommy had felt alone and vulnerable in that room in the dark with so many angry men larger than himself, but he'd found an empty corner and laid down-no pallet anymore, either, just hard ground-and had been left alone.
Last night, though, he'd woken up to someone pawing at him. In the pitch black he had no idea who it had been, but he'd put a stop to it with a fist to the side of the guy's head. Today, though, he'd noticed-and was noticing again as he sat and ate-that several of the men were looking at him, checking him out, derision and something else, something that Tommy could admit made him nervous, in their eyes.
This time, however, he would be ready. He'd managed to hide one of the pick ends that had broken on him earlier in the day away under his tunic. The point was digging into his side, held in place by the belt that cinched his undergarment up around his waist, but it was worth it if it meant he could stop anyone from forcing themselves on him.
He was pretty sure they thought he'd be easily taken given his size, not to mention that even though he was a slave now, he'd been a prince before, and a king for a brief time, so overpowering him would be like getting revenge on all kings. He understood it, but that didn't mean he was going to lie back and take it. He figured that if he made a point with one or two of them, the rest would lay off. At least, he hoped so. He didn't look forward to having to fend off multiple attacks on a nightly basis.
When Tommy finished choking down his meal, he brought his plate up to the kitchen slaves who had been sent to the field with their food, then fell back in line. Just when they were about to depart for their sleeping quarters, Adam rode in on Wild.
Tommy tensed, suspecting that Adam was there for him. His suspicions were confirmed a moment later when Adam dismounted, said something to one of the guards, then pointed at Tommy.
The guard walked over and said, "You, go with him. You'll be taken to your bed after."
"Yes sir," Tommy said, heading over to Adam, even though that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Tommy stopped in front of Adam and bowed. "My Lord, you wanted to see me?"
Tommy met Adam's eyes and decided the angry look in them didn't bode well for him.
Instead of answering, Adam grabbed his arm and dragged him off toward the guard post, a small wooden building that kept them out of the elements when it rained or was windy. Tommy winced as Adam's hand clamped tightly over the bruises Tommy was still sporting from the other guards' manhandling days before, but he gritted his teeth, determined not to let it show. Adam roughly pushed him into the building and shut the heavy wooden door behind them. Tommy whirled around and Adam grabbed him by the front of his tunic and shoved him back against the wall next to the door.
"Tell me, Tommy, did you enjoy making a fool of me?"
Tommy swallowed hard. He desperately wanted to tell Adam the truth, to set things right, but the ill advised pseudo-friendship they'd started had to end if he was to fulfill his duty to his kingdom, and what better way than this?
That in mind, he shoved at Adam's chest, managing to take him off guard, sending Adam stumbling back a couple of steps. "Yes, as a matter of fact, I did."
Hurt flashed through Adam's blue eyes. Tommy felt like a complete bastard because of it but he couldn't take it back now.
"I see," Adam said, voice quiet where seconds ago it had boomed with anger. "I'm glad I could amuse you, then."
Tommy swallowed against the lump in his throat and pasted a smirk on his face. "Tell me you didn't really believe we were friends? Not after you forced me to surrender my kingdom to you. Not after you brought me before your king and allowed him to enslave and humiliate me over and over. Not after my father died at one of your soldier's hands. Surely you're not that naïve."
Adam's eyes flashed with anger a second before he snarled and surged forward, pinning Tommy to the wall with a hand at his throat.
Tommy's instinct was to try to fight Adam off, but he couldn't bring himself to, the guilt at hurting Adam too great. Instead, he simply stood there and waited for Adam's next move.
Adam glared at him, face inches away, for a long moment. Suddenly, he released Tommy and backed up, the anger once again replaced by hurt. "I guess I am, at that."
Tommy exhaled silently, thinking it was over, but then Adam stepped forward again, crowding Tommy's space. He grabbed Tommy by the jaw and forced Tommy to look up into his eyes. Tommy would have sworn in that moment Adam was seeing into his soul. He just hoped whatever Adam saw there, he didn't see Tommy's true purpose for being there, or his true feelings for him. Either happening would be disastrous.
Adam's fingers tightened to the point of pain. "I don't know what game you were playing at, or what you thought to accomplish by it, but just know that I don't believe what you're saying now, either."
"Believe what you want," Tommy said. "It doesn't change what I did."
"No, it doesn't," Adam agreed. "What I want to know is why."
"That, you cannot force from me."
"I could have it whipped out of you," Adam said darkly.
Tommy's eyes narrowed and his hands balled into fists at his sides. "You could try."
Adam held him by the jaw for another moment, then abruptly released him and turned away. Just as he opened the door, he said over his shoulder, "I won't bother. You're not worth it."
Tommy slumped against the wall after Adam left and closed his eyes. He breathed in and out slowly, cursing the cold, heavy lump suddenly sitting in his gut.
Over the next few days, Tommy fended off several attacks, three of them the same night Adam had visited. Tommy came out the victor in all the battles, leaving each and every one of them bleeding on the floor of the slave quarters. The last, though, that had been the hardest won, against a very large, very determined slave named Fredrick. In the end, Tommy had made him bleed too, but Fredrick's stab wound hadn't been as serious as the others, so today he was back in the yard, hacking away at his batch of rocks and glaring at Tommy every chance he got.
Tommy cursed under his breath, only barely comforted by the pick still hidden away under his tunic. He was in for another fight tonight, he knew, and this time he wouldn't be surprised if Fredrick brought his own weapon to the battle; one Tommy wouldn't see coming in the pitch black.
Tommy swung his pick at the rock in front of him, only marginally satisfied as it finally cracked in half. The odds were against him beating Fredrick a second time, but he was determined to make it as hard as possible on Fredrick. He wouldn't go down easily.
Adam sat to the right of the throne, listening as once again his uncle sentenced someone to too harsh a punishment. As soon as the villager was dragged away, Adam turned to his uncle and said, "Maybe you were a bit too severe?"
Gregory pinned him with a glare. "You question my authority?"
Adam shook his head. "No, just your judgment."
On Gregory's other side, Randal sucked in a sharp breath.
Gregory's eyes narrowed. "That's the fifth time this week. Care to explain yourself?"
Adam returned the glare, feeling a bit reckless. "I watched my father rule with a heavy but fair hand for years. I do not understand how you and he came from the same stock."
He knew he was pushing things, but ever since his confrontation with Tommy-correction, ever since Tommy had been dragged before the king and exposed for the liar he was-Adam's temper had been riding near the surface. He'd been snapping at the littlest of things, regardless of the fact that it was giving his uncle ample examples of why Adam should not be allowed to rule.
Gregory cocked his head to the side a little and said, "You were but a boy when he died and you've romanticized him. You give him far too much credit. He was just as ruthless as I."
Adam tensed. "I don't believe you."
Gregory shook his head. "It is I who don't believe you. If you cannot stomach the punishments for the crimes, maybe you're too soft to be king. Maybe I need to consider removing you from your position as heir apparent." Gregory paused and reached over next to him without looking away from Adam, placing his hand meaningfully on Randal's knee.
From Adam's other side, Neil spoke up. "That is a grave charge, Uncle, and one that would have to be proven before the sovereign."
"So it is," Gregory said, his gaze shifting past Adam to Neil. "But running a kingdom the size of Vox is a grave responsibility and it is my duty to make sure whoever takes over, either by birthright or at my death, is fit to rule."
"I am," Adam said emphatically.
"We shall see," Gregory said.
Tommy stepped into line for his evening meal, such as it was, and nearly ended up plastered face first against the man in front of him when he was shoved from behind. Eyes narrowing, Tommy turned to glare at the person behind him and found himself facing down Fredrick.
Fredrick smirked. "You should watch your step more closely."
"You should keep your hands to yourself," Tommy threw back.
"Fall in order!" one of the nearby guards shouted.
Reluctantly, Tommy turned his back on Fredrick, facing the front once again, only to stiffen as Fredrick pressed himself against Tommy's back.
Near Tommy's ear, Fredrick said in a low voice, "Prepare yourself for tonight. I won't let you best me again. And after I'm through with you, there are a few others who want a turn. If you're good for me, I'll lay claim to you. Otherwise, I'll let them all take a turn."
Tommy swallowed hard, closing his eyes briefly as dread settled in his stomach. The line shuffled forward a little and Tommy went with it, trying to get away from Fredrick, but Fredrick kept himself pressed against Tommy.
Tommy's breath caught in his throat when he felt a hand at the bottom edge of his tunic, near where he had his pick tucked away. The hand slid up and Tommy glanced over at the guard, only to find him watching the whole thing with a smirk. Great. He couldn't even count on them for help.
Fredrick's other hand reached around and blindly groped Tommy and that was it. Knowing there was no way his pride would let him submit and be 'good' for Fredrick like Fredrick wanted, Tommy realized it was either do something right then or end up passed around that night. Regardless of his duty to his people, he couldn't stomach the thought of the others taking turns at him night after night. He'd rather be put to death.
With that thought, Tommy waited until Fredrick had one hand under his tunic, pushing it up, while the other pawed at his dick. Quickly, so as to take Fredrick off guard, Tommy shoved an elbow back into his gut. When Fredrick grunted in pain and stumbled back a step, Tommy reached under his tunic and pulled his pick free. He whipped around and before the guard could reach him, shoved the pick straight into Fredrick's gut.
With a sick satisfaction he'd never experienced before, Tommy smirked as Fredrick's eyes went wide and his mouth opened on a gasp of pain and shock. Time stopped for a minute as they stood there, staring at each other, before it sped back up. There was shouting and shoving and an instant later, Tommy was on the ground, face first in the dirt, a foot in his back and another kicking at his ribs.
Finished with his meal, Adam excused himself and stood. He couldn't get away from the table and his uncle fast enough. He'd had about all he could stomach of him for the day. Before Adam took two steps, though, two guards burst into the hall, dragging Tommy between them. Adam tensed. Tommy was covered in dirt and blood and he wasn't so much walking between them as stumbling and wincing as he was dragged along.
Despite Adam's anger at him, he couldn't help the way his blood ran cold at the state Tommy was in or the implications of him being brought before the king again. Surely this time his uncle would decide enough was enough and have him beheaded. Surprisingly, even after everything, Adam found himself bothered greatly by that possibility.
When Tommy was shoved to his knees before Gregory's chair at the table, Gregory looked down at him with an arched eyebrow. "This is becoming a habit, slave." Looking at the guards, he asked, "What has he done now?"
"He was standing in line for the evening meal when he suddenly turned to the slave behind him-one of our best workers, at that-and stabbed him in the stomach, unprovoked. The other slave is dead."
"That is a lie," Tommy hissed.
Gregory pinned him with a look. "Not only are you speaking without permission, but that is a serious accusation, slave. Do you have any proof to back it up?"
"Only the other slaves present, who I doubt will tell you the truth of it, that Fredrick threatened me," Tommy said, suddenly sounding resigned.
Gregory's eyebrows shot up his forehead and he laughed. "So I am to believe there is a conspiracy against you, am I?"
Tommy shrugged. "You'll believe what you want. What I say makes no difference, I am sure."
Gregory nodded. "You are right in that, at least."
Gregory fell silent, pursing his lips, clearly considering what to do. Despite himself, Adam found he believed Tommy's story, if for no other reason than the mere fact that Tommy wasn't an idiot. He wouldn't have killed someone so publicly unless he'd felt he had no other choice. Adam thought about speaking up on Tommy's behalf, but held his tongue, fairly certain anything he said would be used against Tommy, considering his uncle's current opinion that Adam was soft-hearted.
At length, Gregory said, "You're leaving me with little option here, slave. You destroyed my property. That's punishable by death should I so choose."
Adam held his breath as he awaited the verdict, his gaze heavy on Tommy, who knelt with his chin tipped up defiantly, glaring at the king.
"I think I have another solution, though," Gregory said enigmatically. "One that would solve two problems."
Adam stared at his uncle, bemused, as Gregory's gaze shifted to him. "You say you're fit for the throne."
Adam tensed, afraid of where this was going, afraid his uncle was going to demand he hand down the sentence to end Tommy's life, something Adam simply would not do.
Playing along for the moment, though, Adam nodded. "I am."
"I think I've found a way you can prove it to me."
Adam resisted the urge to look over at Tommy, instead holding Gregory's gaze as he asked, "And how is that, Uncle?"
"Take him as your pleasure slave," Gregory said, a pleased smirk on his face.
"Never," Tommy hissed.
Wishing he could look over at Tommy and see how serious he was about that sentiment, but knowing to do so would be to tip his hand to his uncle that Tommy's feelings on the subject actually mattered to him, Adam maintained eye contact with his uncle as he asked, "Forgive my ignorance, Uncle Gregory, but how will that prove I'm fit for the throne?"
Gregory waved a hand in Tommy's direction. "So far, this slave has proven unmanageable. He has failed to settle into any role he's given and the guards are obviously unable to control him. He's been brought before me more times than I can count. I see no reason his service to you would be any different. Prove me wrong. Bring him in line, show me you can make him subservient, and I'll concede the throne to you on your twenty-fifth year without further protest."
Adam exhaled. There it was. His way out of the mess he'd made by letting Tommy get under his skin. It was ironic that the fix, then, involved Tommy.
Still, he couldn't help but point out, "Even if I agree, that is the one form of slavery no one, yourself included, can force on him."
"Maybe not," Gregory conceded, "but faced with submitting sexually to you or being beheaded, I doubt he would find you repulsive enough to prefer death."
Deciding it was now safe to look at Tommy, Adam pinned him with a stare, steeling himself against the blood and dirt covering him and what that implied, that the guards had beaten him again before bringing him before the king.
"What say you, slave? Will you agree to become my pleasure slave, or do you choose death?"
Tommy stared at him for a long moment, long enough that whispers started to fill the room around them as people speculated what Tommy would choose.
Finally, Tommy lowered his head and said, "I choose your bed, My Lord."
Adam had to fight hard to keep the jolt of arousal, something completely inappropriate to the mood of the moment, from showing on his face.
Nodding his head, Adam said, "Very well. So be it. I take you as my pleasure slave." Turning to two of the castle guards, Adam said, "Take him to my chambers and have Taylor prepare him for me."
"Hold on," Gregory said, raising a hand to hold the guards off. Looking over at Adam, Gregory said, "There is the matter of the marking to see to first."
Adam looked Tommy over and said, "He is filthy. It can be seen to later, can it not?"
Gregory chuckled. "You are anxious to have use of him, I see. But no, it cannot wait. The spot can be washed so as to prevent infection, but it needs to happen now, and here, as is the law."
Adam resisted the urge to punch his uncle in the face for his remarks about Adam's eagerness, and nodded instead. "Very well."
The barber was called, and while they waited, a servant came over and cleaned Tommy's ear, preparing it for the piercing that would mark him as Adam's property. Adam couldn't quite believe this was happening. Especially considering how very recently he'd thought to offer the same thing to Tommy.
Once Tommy's ear was clean and the barber was present, Adam crossed to Tommy and grasped his jaw, stomach turning when Tommy flinched at his touch. They were not getting off to the start he had hoped for when he'd thought to offer him the position only a week ago.
As was custom, he held Tommy's head still as the barber pierced him. Through it all, Tommy held Adam's gaze as he knelt at his feet and took the pain of the piercing with only the barest of winces giving away how much it hurt.
Once it was done, the barber stepped away and Adam turned Tommy's head to the side, inspecting it. The piercing was made up of a long steel bar that was first driven through the top of Tommy's ear, then a spot not quite halfway down his lobe. Each end was capped with a steel ball, the threading such that the ends could not be unscrewed once they were locked in place. The only way to get rid of the bar now would be to cut it in the middle. The symbolism of it was that they were two individuals-represented by the two piercing points on Tommy's ear-bound together by the contract-represented by the bar-they'd made with each other.
The contract itself was like a marriage contract in a way, except for one notable exception. Now that Tommy had given his consent, it was the last choice he would be allowed to make. He was Adam's sexual property now, and as such, Adam was allowed to use or share him as he liked. Tommy did not have the luxury of changing his mind. If he had been a typical slave, it would be Adam's right to free him from the contract and from his slavery should he so choose, but given Tommy's status as a spoil of war, only the king could free him, meaning Adam was just as bound to Tommy as Tommy was to him.
Nodding his head at the barber to indicate he was pleased with the piercing, Adam released Tommy's jaw and motioned the castle guards forward.
As Tommy stood to be taken away, Gregory said to Adam, "I expect you to keep him chained at night until I'm sure you've brought him suitably in line."
"Yes, Uncle," Adam said, not missing the way Tommy's back tensed as he walked away with the guards.
[Part 5]