* * *
Alec woke for the umpteenth time with morning wood the size of a tree trunk. Fitting, he supposed, what with the nickname and all. Not that he didn’t wake with hard-ons pretty regularly as it was. Just never with ones as big, or ridiculously hard.
Moaning drowsily, he rolled over, writing it off as a Niran side effect. God knew, his body was changing in plenty of other ways, too. His digestive tract, for example, with his intestines no longer operating. Or the way his brain could decipher alien language. In truth, he suspected even his emotions were changing. Why else would he suddenly be having feelings for a male? Until Nira, he’d always considered himself heterosexual.
Languidly, he peeled his eyes open, expecting to see the object of his unbidden affections lying next to him. But Zercy wasn’t. In fact, the Kríe wasn’t in the bed with him at all. Alec frowned, brain churning to life inside his skull. Zercy was always there when he woke. Not a day had passed that he wasn’t.
Hell, for the last week—ever since they’d gotten intimate after the wrestling matches, which ultimately led to kissing for the first time—the king had deliberately waited for Alec to wake before heading off to court with his aide. According to Zercy, there was little he delighted in more than starting each new day with Alec ‘in hand.’
Unreal, really, how much the king enjoyed making him come. Which wasn’t to say Alec gave it up every time. Because he didn’t. A very big part of him was still struggling with their relationship—or maybe he should call it their conundrum. But with each passing sunrise, as Alec woke against Zercy’s warmth, the king’s morning timbre playfully tickling in his ear, he found himself succumbing more often than not.
God, a few times he’d even stroked Zercy off, too. Pumping the king’s cock as the king pumped his. Morning brain fuzz must’ve been affecting his better judgement—that, and his stamina, because he always came first. Couldn’t hold it, though. Not that Zercy ever seemed to mind. He’d just chuff and unload too, then ‘clean up’ their mess.
Sitting up in bed, Alec scrubbed his face with free hands. Their status, incidentally, since the hunting stint last week, where Chet held out the longest against his predator. True to the king’s word, he granted the winner one request. What did Chet ask for? No more bound wrists—for the whole team. Before then, the only time they’d let the guys go unrestrained was during activities that required full motion. That, and at night when the team was locked in their room. Every other part of the day, though? Wrists tied.
Ultimately, the king had agreed to Chet’s request—under the condition that all remain on good behavior. One sketchy move and wrist binds were back in business.
Alec looked at his hands, still reveling in their freedom. Since their very first day on Nira, the team had perpetually been bound. First by Gesh’s pack, and then under order of the king. Even when he slept, as precaution for Zercy’s safety. Although, ever since the night Zercy fucked him with that tail, he’d allowed Alec to sleep freely. No binds. No leash.
Which was progress in Alec’s book.
The king liked him. Maybe a lot. Was even starting to trust him.
Alec’s heart thump-bumped anxiously.
Nope. Not going to think about how that knowledge made him feel.
Redirecting his focus, he peered out into the chamber and soon spotted Zercy over by a window. Facing Alec’s direction, he sat propped on his desk as he quietly looked at a big scroll of parchment. With it fully unrolled, Alec recognized it immediately. It was his star map. The one he’d picked up at the market. The same one he’d studied every day since.
Zercy lifted his gaze. “My pet has awoken. I was beginning to think you were dead.”
Alec offered a groggy smirk. “My alarm didn’t go off.”
“You have an alarm?”
“Actually, yeah, I used to. A human gadget… Now it’s just a figure of speech.”
“Mm. Figure of speech.” Zercy’s lips curved slightly. “Meaning your body is reluctant to rouse without my touch.”
Alec coughed a small laugh. “Uh, no. Not meaning that.”
“Hm.” Zercy dropped his gaze back to Alec’s map. “And yet, it is true nevertheless.”
Alec grinned a little and shook his head, but didn’t bother to respond. Just shoved the furs aside and pulled his ass out of bed. Feet meeting the slate, he glanced toward the door. “If it’s so freaking late, how come your aide hasn’t come yet?”
“I instructed my guards to turn him away.”
Alec looked back at Zercy. “Why?” That wasn’t typical. In fact, not once had he done that since Alec had been there.
Zercy rolled up the star map and set it on his desk. “Because I am taking the day off.”
Alec’s brows rose. “You are?”
“I have decided I need a break.”
Alec looked at him.
Zercy smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “My duties as king, they weigh heavily on me, Alick. Like poison to my spirit.”
Alec frowned at his tone.
“Fortunately,” the king went on, “I have discovered an effective remedy.”
“Time off?”
Soft chuff. “You.”
Alec’s heart tripped. “What—Me?”
Zercy crossed his arms, biceps bulging. “Tah. You distract me. Counter the toxin.” His gaze glinted. “So I shall spend the day with you.”
Alec stared at him. Shifted his weight. This news should not make him happy. Zercy’s time away was Alec’s time with his team. But for some reason, it did. To hang out with Zercy during the day, outside of his chambers? Curiously, the prospect kind of psyched Alec out. What would normal interaction be like? Outside of bed—when Zercy wasn’t ‘hunting’ him.
Zercy pushed off his writing desk and strode Alec’s way. “It is either that or take you to court with me, but that is risky. You could die.”
Alec tensed. “Die?”
“Tah. Of boredom. It is dreadful.”
Alec fought a grin.
So did Zercy.
He stopped a foot away. Peering down, he met Alec’s eyes. “Kiss your king,” he rumbled softly.
“You’re not my king,” Alec murmured.
Zercy’s lids lowered. “Kiss me anyway.”
Alec’s stomach clenched. He shook his head.
Zercy smiled. “Must I beg?”
Something squeezed inside Alec’s chest. He cleared his throat and rasped, “Please don’t.”
The king cocked a brow, then smirked a little. “As you wish.”
Alec frowned, watching Zercy tie his wrist cuffs together. “What are you doing?”
“Obliging my pet.” Zercy lifted Alec’s bound hands, then hooked them up and over his dark head.
Alec stiffened, suddenly flush against the king’s big-ass body. “What the fuck, Kríe?” He tugged his arms and glared up at the king. The fucker just trapped Alec’s hands behind his neck.
Zercy palmed the sides of Alec’s head. Loosed another soft growl. “Behold, Alick. Your mighty king not begging.”
Gaze hooded, he claimed Alec’s lips. Guess the opposite of begging was taking. A Kríe truth that, in this moment, Alec found himself appreciating. Grateful for, as he groaned and closed his eyes. Why? Because it’d handed him the guilty pleasure of Zercy’s kiss without having to openly consent to it. Something that, deep down, Alec realized he liked. Zercy taking what he wanted from him. At least, in private.
Without warning, a hot little visual slammed Alec’s brain. Of Zercy shoving him face-first against a wall. Grazing Alec’s neck with his fangs as he growled. Rumbling wicked promises as he groped him…
Alec’s morning wood bucked eagerly against the king’s strong thigh.
Zercy grinned. “Your cock is hungry.”
Alec played it off. “Just need to piss.”
Zercy chuckled against his mouth. “My little liar.”
* * *
“Chet. Ugh. No. I said hold it, not shred it. Great.” Bailey scowled. “Now I gotta start all over.”
Chet frowned and glanced down at the twig he was clutching. Bailey had asked him to hold it up so he could sketch it. Thing was, just a minute ago, the thing had little leaves. Now however, it was pretty much bare. “Oops. Must’ve absently plucked the fuckers off. Sorry,” he muttered. “I’ll get you another one.”
“Nah. It’s alright,” Bailey grumbled, setting his journal down. “I wanna get a good one. Be right back.”
Chet watched him get to his feet, then amble toward the tree line while the rest of them lounged atop a thick-weaved blanket. The rest of them, minus the captain, that is. He was off somewhere with the king. Had been all day. They’d only seen him once, at breakfast. Zercy had been there, too. Which was weird. The Kríe king never ate with them.
He did today though, explaining between mouthfuls of food that Alec wouldn’t be going to Ryze’s lessons. Or to lunch with the team after. He wouldn’t be participating in Kellim’s sessions, either. Said he was keeping our captain all to himself, and that he’d return him to us in one piece the following morning.
Freak.
Chet scowled and tossed the stripped twig into the grass. Or whatever the hell it was their blanket was spread over. He eyed the tiny frond-like blades, then glanced back over at Bailey. He’d made it to the dark purple trees and was intently inspecting a branch. Due to his persistence, they’d scored a ‘nature walk’ after Kellim’s boot camp. Apparently, Bailey and his sidekicks, AKA Jamis and Noah, wanted to sketch a bunch of different Niran wildlife.
So, after Kellim finished running their asses into the ground, he and the rest of the team’s chaperones took them hiking. Across the training field, then into the forest, tromping up and down the side of a mountain. By the end, the trio had acquired quite the collection of samples, so they ended their little romp by the lake. Right on its bank, in fact, between two big ole flat boulders, easily able to see right into the water.
Which is where they sat now, atop their big, colorful blanket, as the scientists diligently sketched their little hearts out. Chet glanced at the two of them, so content in their tasks. Noah, meticulously capturing the perfect likeness of some weird flower. Jamis, rendering the strange leaves of a weed he’d propped on his knee. Talk about engrossed. The guy was concentrating so hard, even the tip of his tongue was peeking out.
Chet exhaled. God, he was bored. Wanted to wander around some more. Get a more perfect lay of the land. But their ‘escorts’ wouldn’t let him. Like they could somehow sense his motives. Chet shot them a glare where they stood just yards away. Kríe were annoyingly perceptive.
Fucking bastards.
“Oh, my God! Did you see that?” Jamis jerked in surprise. “My specimen! I—I think it’s alive!”
Zaden paused from skipping rocks to cast the guy a curious look. “It’s a plant. Of course it’s alive.”
Jamis stared at the weed on his knee. “No, I mean alive-alive. As in, aware of its surroundings.”
That quieted their co-pilot.
Noah’s face lit up. “Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack,” Jamis laughed. “Look.” He touched its blossom with his writing utensil. Its feather-light tendrils twitched, then curled around it, as if investigating its essence via touch.
Chet gawked, eyes widening, then grimaced. “That ain’t right.”
Noah grinned from ear to ear. “Oh, yes it is.”
Zaden stared in fascination. “Alec mentioned plants like that.”
Chet looked at him. “He did?”
“Yeah.” Zaden nodded. “After his visit to Sirus. Said there were plants here that were sentient. Called ‘em dygons.”
Jamis and Noah swapped looks.
Chet frowned, doing the math. Alec had gone to Sirus for an exam. Why would he suddenly be aware of sentient plant life after the fact? Disturbing images doused his brain, but Bailey’s return quickly distracted him.
Plopping down with fresh twig in hand, he was brought up to speed as both Jamis and Noah excitedly showed him the weed.
Chet grunted and shook his head. No matter what, weeds weren’t cool.
But then movement across the field snagged his attention. Glancing that way, he stilled in recognition; Alec and Zercy, emerging from the forest and headed for the castle’s rear gate. “Well, well. Check it out. Bossman making a surprise appearance.”
The trio stopped talking and followed Chet’s line of sight.
Zaden did, too. “Wonder what they’re doing.”
“Looks like they’re taking a stroll to me.” Jamis quirked a brow. “Wow. Cap looks pretty chill.”
Chet studied them with intrigue. Neither had noticed the team. Were too engrossed in whatever they were talking about. Alec’s posture looked relaxed as he strode by Zercy’s side. The king looked contented too, periodically gesturing. And even though the two of them were still far away, Chet swore he spotted Alec actually smiling.
Like he was enjoying himself. Having a good time with their captor.
Chet furrowed his brows broodingly and clenched his jaw. That vibe the cap was throwing had better be a façade, driven by ulterior motives. Like schmoozing the king into letting the team go. There was no other legitimate reason to look so friendly.
Noah watched them quietly also, until they wandered through the gate, his brown eyes suddenly looking super somber.
Zaden seemed to notice the same and gently bumped Noah’s shoulder. “You okay, man?” he murmured.
Noah nodded with a shrug.
Zaden frowned and bumped him again. “You’re thinking about Gesh.”
Noah exhaled, not denying it, and glanced down at his sketch, but then looked back up and met Zaden’s eyes. “Be honest,” he spoke quietly. “Would you want to see Naydo again?”
Zaden stilled at his question. Clearly, he hadn’t expected it. Expression thoughtful, he averted his gaze and skipped another rock. “Maybe? I dunno. It’d be stupid. He helped sell us. And it’s not like he’s out there wanting to see me.” He looked back at Noah. Offered a small smile. “Me and Naydo… We weren’t like you and Gesh.”
Noah chuckled and dropped his gaze. “‘Me and Gesh’ weren’t what I thought.”
“Yeah, you were. It was obvious. He’s just a dick.”
Noah smirked. “That he is. A big, stupid dick.” His smile faded. “But by the end, man—and I know this sounds ridiculous—it felt like he was my stupid dick.”
Chet glowered at the two of them, unable to stand another word. “Are you out of your friggin’ minds? You’d want to see those pricks again? They’d just do the same shit. Ass fuck us both literally and frickin’ figuratively.”
Jamis and Bailey paused mid-conversation and looked their way.
Chet just kept on going, resentment climbing. “Don’t forget, if it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t be in this fucking mess. Sold off as pets to yet another bag of dicks. Making us do completely fucked up shit. God only knows what they’ll make us do next. Hell, in truth, they aren’t any better than Gesh’s pack. They’ll screw us over too, there ain’t no question in my mind. Just as soon as Zercy gets bored of his shiny new toys. And what’ll happen to us then? Huh? It’s not like we have any control over the situation.” Irritably, he pointed to the massive white-washed castle. “Our fate’s in their hands! Those asshole Kríe! Thanks to other asshole Kríe! Their species sucks!”
His teammates nodded grimly. He was right, and they knew it.
Exhaling a curse, Chet frowned and rubbed his crew cut. “We gotta come up with a plan. Gotta get the fuck outta here. Then get back to the beacon so this shit doesn’t happen to the others.”
Jamis offered a bleak smile. “Gotta rescue the rescue team.”
“Something like that anyway,” Chet muttered, dropping his hand.
Bailey scowled down at the leather-bound journal in his hand. “Still pissed they took my smart pad. Wouldn’t need this if they hadn’t. Could’ve taken a hundred high-res pictures by now.”
Zaden nodded and chucked another stone. “Yeah, I miss my music. Had enough in my pad’s library to last a decade.”
Jamis groaned. “Aw, man. To hear some quality tunes. So freaking sick of drums and flutes.”
“Right?” Zaden chuckled. The first Chet had heard from him in days. “Someone around here needs to invent a guitar. Hell, I’d take a ukulele at this point.”
“Hey now,” Jamis laughed. “Ukuleles are cool.”
“I used to play the cello,” Bailey piped in with a smile.
“The cello,” Chet drawled flatly.
“Yeah, man. The thing was huge. Started when I was young so it literally came up to my—Whoa!” Bailey stopped, eyes locking on something in the water. “Did you see that?” He pointed to a huge protruding boulder.
Chet peered in its direction. Shook his head. “I don’t see shit.”
“Me neither,” Zaden concurred.
Jamis searched the shadowy depths. “What’d you see? An octo-fish?”
“A guy!” Bailey blurted. “I saw a guy! With long teal hair! In the water! Just his head and shoulders were showing.”
Chet scoffed. “Give me a break.”
“I swear it! He was right there! Just chilling by that rock freaking watching us!”
Noah and Jamis swapped looks, excitement glittering in their eyes.
Zaden warily scanned the spot. “He was watching us?”
“Yes!” Bailey scrambled to the ledge on hands and knees. Peering around, he nodded repeatedly. “His face was partially covered by his hair, but we made eye contact.” He froze, as if something big had suddenly occurred to him. “Damn. What if…” He glanced over his shoulder at the team. “What if it’s the dude from the river?”
Noah’s brows rose. “Aw, shit. You mean the guy that grabbed your ankle?”
“Yes!” Bailey beamed.
Jamis blinked, then cracked up laughing. “Oh, my God, Bay. It’s official. You’re obsessed with your lover-boy merman.”
Bailey’s bright smile morphed into an irritated scowl. “I didn’t fucking imagine it. I saw him. He was there.”
“Right.” Chet smirked. “Did he blow you bubble kisses?”
“Fuck off,” Bailey grumbled. Moving back, he snatched up his journal. “Gonna draw the dude and show you. Mermen are real.”
“I believe you. But technically, that’s not their name.” Zaden eyed the lake. “Naydo called them Oonmaiyos.”
Bailey stilled, then shot him a look. “The guy I wrestled with last week. Prince Nen. He was Oonmaiyos. Holy shit.”
“Damn,” Noah murmured, scanning their slice of lake again. “You don’t think—”
“That that was the prince?” Chet asked incredulously. “Lurking like a hoodlum in Kríe territory?”
“He did kinda look like him,” Bailey murmured, expression thoughtful.
“You sure?” Chet contested. “You said his face was obscured.”
“Both had teal hair...”
“Maybe all Oonmaiyos do. Every Kríe has the same long black dreads.”
Bailey frowned and averted his gaze back to the lake. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter. But I didn’t imagine him. He was right fucking there. I saw him.”
Chet grunted, letting it go. Still, he didn’t understand. Bailey wasn’t even gay, so why all the hullabaloo about that merman? Not that his species really mattered all that much. Any of these sex-crazed Nirans represented trouble. Best not to fixate on their otherworldly allure and risk getting fucked over. Or worse, infatuated.
Chet shifted his gaze to the mountain. Somewhere on the other side of its huge ridge, asshole Roni was off gallivanting with Gesh’s pack. Chet’s chest slowly squeezed. Even now, he couldn’t believe he let that purple dick use him. Or that he let himself enjoy it while it was happening.
What was wrong with him? He scrubbed his face. He needed to get Roni out of his head. But everywhere he looked there were big-ass arrogant Kríe. Incessant reminders, never letting him forget. About the male he’d had sex with. About their raw, flammable chemistry. About the way Roni ultimately betrayed him.
Chet ground his molars. He hated how fucking easily he’d been deceived. How, despite all the shit Roni subjected him to, he still somehow made Chet feel his equal. The way he’d verbally sparred with him, even challenging Chet to skirmishes. Chet might not be Kríe, but he still was a male, and invitations like that were only offered to worthy rivals. Not to those one viewed as inferior.
In hindsight, Chet suspected it was all just an act. A way to lure him into all of Roni’s traps. Shrewdly feeding Chet’s ego as he openly toyed with him. It would certainly explain why it was so easy for Roni to dump Chet off like worthless trash.
Chet’s jaw muscle ticked as he pinned their guards with a glower. Kríe were pricks. Every one of them. With no morals whatsoever. Ever taking what they wanted with no concern.
His glare landed on Mannix. He wasn’t so different from Roni. All arrogant and overbearing. Definitely wanted to fuck Chet, like Roni. Probably would’ve by now, had the king not forbidden it. Didn’t stop the guy from hounding him, though. Propositioning him left and right. Talk about annoying as fuck.
Chet eyed the huge guard. Hell, maybe he should say screw it and give the Kríe what he wanted. If Mannix was like Roni—and Chet was certain he was—he’d lose interest once they fucked and let Chet be. Then Chet wouldn’t have to deal with his shit anymore. One less aggravation to have to deal with.
Sighing heavily, Chet averted his gaze. No. Awful idea. He didn’t need another brain fuck. One was plenty, fuck you very much, Roni.