* * *
“Well done, Sire,” Sirus rumbled. “You have wrought much seed.” Slowly, he withdrew the reed from Alec’s cock.
Alec fought another shiver. Tamped another moan. God, he felt boneless. Unable to move.
Quiet shuffling noises sounded, as if things were being put away, then a low, deep-throated purr met his ears. It was coming from Zercy, blanketing Alec’s body from above. Alec stilled as the pumping vibrations sank under his skin. What was Zercy doing? He seemed focused on something else. Something that was clearly bringing him pleasure.
Beneath the blindfold, Alec peeled open his eyes, instinctively wanting to see the king’s face. Nothing but black. Agitated by the blindness, he shifted against his restraints. He wanted off this goddamn fucking table.
As if reading his body language, Zercy’s soft thrumming ceased. “You are finished then? No longer need him?”
“Yes, my lord. His exam is complete.”
Alec exhaled in happy relief. He’d made it through alive, sane, and still in one piece. Granted, he was a few ounces lighter than before, but he supposed the means-to-an-end there could have been worse.
“Just allow me a moment to quickly unbind him and—”
“No,” Zercy cut in. “I should like to do that myself.”
“As you wish.”
Above them, Mina’s casing creaked as Sirus’ presence left Alec’s side. Guess he was taking his ‘assistant’ with him. Good, and good riddance. Another exhale left Alec’s lungs. Until, that is, warm fingers grazed his neck. Then more air sucked back in and refused to budge.
Zercy chuckled low and unlatched the restraint. “You do not like Mina?”
“Not really.” Alec twisted his freed head. Ahhh. Movement.
Zercy unlocked his arm next, his claws grazing the inside of Alec’s bicep. Alec tensed, nerve endings stirring back to life.
“She is not so bad,” the king murmured. “She enables discovery, and has helped Sirus save countless lives.”
So, Sirus wasn’t just a mad scientist/ provider of creepy pleasures? Alec turned his head in Zercy’s direction. “You mean, he’s also a doctor?”
“Tah. He is many things. His brilliance knows no bounds.” He reached across the table, his warmth brushing Alec’s chest, and pulled Alec’s other arm support back to the table. “I depend on him,” he unlatched more brackets, “for very important matters.”
And then his scent hit him and Alec’s stupid mouth watered. He couldn’t help it, though. The Kríe smelled unexpectedly good. Like golden-brown marshmallows over a campfire.
Zercy freed his second wrist restraint. Two arms officially liberated. At which point, he moved to Alec’s legs. Alec tugged off his blindfold and—oh fuuuuck, what an eyeful. That big-ass dark king looming over his naked body, his strong hands doing their thing against Alec’s thigh. Alec’s hamstring twitched as another claw grazed him, then his stupid fucking traitor dick twitched, too.
Zercy paused and lifted a brow, eyeing said traitor dick, then slid Alec a smirk and resumed.
Alec scowled, waiting impatiently for him to open the last shackles. When he did, Alec sat up—and covered his junk. Heat suffused his cheeks. Not that everything hadn’t already been fully seen.
The king’s full lips twitched. “Sirus, fetch me a garment.”
“Yes, Sire,” Sirus called from outside the partition. He appeared not long after with something dark clutched in hand. “A youngling-sized wrap. I believe it will fit better.”
Alec shot him a glare. He wasn’t child-sized, goddamnit.
Zercy chuffed a little and walked it over. “You still look tired. Would you like for me to help you put this on?” There was teasing in his tone. In his deep, rich tone. With its titillating lilt that roused Alec’s senses.
“I got it,” Alec muttered, quickly taking it from his hand.
The king didn’t seem surprised. Crossing his thick arms, his bicep cuffs gleaming, he watched Alec secure it around his hips. “Are you ready, my little pet? Able to walk?” His lips curved.
Alec’s jaw ticked. He knew why he’d asked that shit. After the brain-blitzing orgasm he’d just friggin’ given him, he figured Alec’s knees might not be steady.
Whatever. Smug bastard.
Alec slid off the table. “Yeah, I’m able to walk. You’re not that good.”
The king’s dark brows lifted. Then he barked out a laugh. “You will be disciplined for that. I hope it was worth it.”
Visions of whipping posts inundated Alec’s brain. But before he could even attempt to do damage control, Zercy turned to Sirus. “Bring me a harness.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And a leash. Not too long. I want him close.”
Alec bristled from head to toe. Another goddamn leash?
He shot the king a look. “I’m not an animal. I have dignity.”
Zercy tilted his head and stared at him, his gold piercings glinting. Up his pointed ears. Along his sleek horns. Were his nipples pierced, too? Gesh’s pack’s definitely were, but then, so were their septums, and the king didn’t have anything through his nose.
Distracted by curiosity, he glanced at Zercy’s chest, wondering if he could tell through his tunic. After all, the dark green fabric looked notably thin. And smooth. So smooth, in fact, it probably felt and moved like silk. Against his rock-hard pectorals. And his washboard abs. And, shit yeah, those tiny pointed nipples.
He eyed the little peaks, looking for any hint of piercings—until the king gave a rumble and flexed his pecs. “Dignity? Are you sure? You seem to function much on instinct.”
Alec froze, aghast, and glanced back up. What the fuck had he been doing, all ogling his captor’s chest?
Although…
In his defense…
The Kríe’s pecs were practically eye level.
Clearing his throat, he frowned and looked away. “I don’t need a leash. That’s degrading as hell.”
Sirus returned with Zercy’s request and handed it over, then turned on his heel and disappeared again. The king stepped close and clutched Alec’s jaw, turning his head firmly to face him. “It is not meant to degrade,” he murmured. “But to emphasize. That I value you. That you please me. That I do not wish to lose you.”
Alec gripped Zercy’s wrist and shoved his hand away. “Yeah? Well, to me what that fucking ‘emphasizes’ is that you see me as a possession that you own.”
The king’s gold eyes blazed. “You are that to me, also.” He held up the harness. “Now give me your arms.”
Alec chuckled humorlessly. Took a step back. “Bullshit. I am not fucking wearing that.”
“Tah, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
Zercy’s jaw tick-ticked. “Very well.” He called to his guards. “Kellim. Setch. I will be needing your assistance.”
* * *
Alec glowered indignantly as he descended the stairwell, securely harnessed and led by King Smug. He hadn’t even bothered resisting Zercy’s cronies. Encourage a bout of manhandling with two Kríe twice his size? Yeah, he’d pass. He’d been humiliated enough already.
Fortunately, the harness wasn’t too big or elaborate. Just hide straps that wrapped around the front of each shoulder, then crisscrossed at his back to bind his elbows. A separate strip was used to tie his wrists together, too, and—surprise, surprise—a collar was wound around his neck. Whatever. Which wasn’t to say he’d ever get used to being detained. He was just grateful the getup didn’t draw too much attention.
Zercy took the steps beside him as his guards led the way. Namely, the two comedians who’d escorted Alec to Sirus, nearly giving him a heart attack in the stairwell. The same two who’d just strapped him into his harness. In fact, Setch—the one who’d offered him that blowjob earlier—even asked if he’d told Sirus about the elevator. Right in Alec’s ear, all hopeful and shit, as he held him against the wall while Kellim buckled him.
“Sorry,” Alec had bit out. “I was kinda indisposed.”
The Kríe had merely grunted in disappointment.
Alec eyed said Kríe now as they neared the bottom, then glanced over his shoulder at two others. A second pair who’d been posted outside Sirus’ door, no doubt having come as Zercy’s escorts. All four were probably part of his royal guard. Alec wondered how many there were in total.
They reached ground level and cut a right, heading down the east side of the castle. Nobles milled about with wine-filled goblets, their stately garb giving testament to their status. Servants of various species hustled around. All, however, paused in whatever they were doing to look Alec over with appreciative eyes.
Alec tensed, feeling awkward. And embarrassed. And exposed. For fuck’s sake, all he had covering his body was that wrap, which barely covered his goods and upper thighs. He could feel their hungry gazes. It was the market place all over again, with every species undressing him with their stares. Something that Zercy clearly noted, too, if his rumbling growl was any indication.
Subtle and low, but its meaning was clear. And, yup, all eyes quickly averted.
Alec eased in relief and diverted his gaze, too, to the east corridor’s stretch of large arched windows. The two suns must have dipped beyond the mountainous horizon. Only hints of purple still lingering in the young night sky.
He frowned, wondering how long he’d been gone from the team. Where were they, and how were they faring? He needed to get back to them. Now.
Turning his gaze, he looked at his handler. With Alec’s leash wound casually around his large wrist, Zercy strode along like a big, serious cat. He wasn’t smiling, but wasn’t frowning. Just looked kind of pensive—until he turned his head and met Alec’s eyes. He smiled a little, but the gesture looked fake. As if their walk through the castle was killing his mood. Something, as it stood, that wasn’t Alec’s problem. He had enough of his own, thanks to the Kríe.
“I want to see my men.”
Zercy inclined his head. “Of course.”
They came to the junction of that hallway from earlier, the one they’d walked when headed for the bath house. This time, however, they were at the opposite end, where another staircase happened to be situated. They strode to the thing and started their ascent.
“Where are we going?” Alec muttered.
Zercy smiled wryly. “Up.”
Grr. “Up to where?”
“The second floor.”
Wow. Just as aggravating as Gesh.
Alec grumbled and looked away.
Zercy chuckled and tugged the leash.
Soon they reached the top of the steps. Alec looked around. More hallways. And doors. And ambling workers. Like maybe a wing of the castle where servants lived. There was also another immediate flight of stairs. Stairs that their convoy promptly turned right and headed for.
He glanced back at Zercy as they started their next ascent. Didn’t bother asking this time, though. No doubt, all he’d get was an ‘up’ again, or ‘third floor.’
They reached the next level, which looked similar to the last. But nicer. Cleaner. With décor and better lighting. His guess: the nobles’ quarters. In fact, there was one now, exiting his chambers with an adolescent. Not a child, maybe an older teen in human terms, but definitely younger and smaller than the aristocrat. And definitely not Kríe like the larger male.
Looked similar, though. Had purple skin, but it was lighter. And pinker. With jaguar spots along his lean arms and legs. Had horns too, but they were dark gold. And shorter. And spiraled. Like dainty little unicorn nubs at each temple. His ears were pointed like the Kríe’s, and though he had dreads as well, his were dark gold and in a mohawk. He also had two sets of nipples— which at the moment looked super erect—and a sleek, twitching tail of gold dreads, too.
Alec watched as the larger male pulled the youth against him, growling as he palmed his ass and squeezed. His plaything growled back, but it wasn’t as robust. His bite to the Kríe’s pec, though, certainly was. The Kríe straight-up shuddered with a guttural snarl, then lifted the boy and sank his fangs into his neck. The young male shot instantly into urgent writhing as choppy, breathless grunts punched past his lips.
Alec blinked, the sight immediately reminding him of Roni and Chet. The Kríe pinned the youth against the wall with his body. The boy snapped his thighs around the Kríe. And just like that, the noble lit up, grinding his powerful hips into the male’s crotch.
Fuuuck.
Alec swallowed and quickly turned away. Should probably pay attention to where they were going. Because, nope, the guards weren’t stopping on this level, either, but turning to yet another set of steps. Again, they repeated the climb, and as they arrived on the fourth floor, Alec happily noted that they’d reached the last of the stairs.
He glanced around. This level was different than the others. No stretches of hallways. No servants wandering about. Just a spacious landing with grand, double doors. Alec’s heart thumped warily. Where exactly had they taken him?
Setch and Kellim strode forward and, without preamble, unlocked the bronze panels and went inside. The rest of them remained where they were.
Alec frowned. “Where are we?”
Zercy smiled. “Your king’s chambers.”
Alec stiffened. Aw, shit. They were at his fucking bedroom?
He shook his head. “You were supposed to take me to my men.”
Zercy quirked a brow. “Was I?”
“Yeah. We discussed this just a minute ago. Remember?”
“Ah. I do remember. You demanded to see them instead of asking.” Zercy’s expression grew dark. He leaned in close. “But I do not take orders. From anyone.”
Alec stared at him, frustrated—and now a little intimidated, too. “But… you said, ‘of course’.”
Zercy chuffed and looked away, straightening back to full height. “Tah. Meaning, ‘I am very sure you do’.”
Alec blinked, then bristled and opened his mouth just as the two guards reemerged from inside.
“All clear, Your Highness. It is safe to enter.”
They turned and led the way, with Zercy pulling Alec along by his leash. Reluctantly, he entered, but stopped the second they breached the doorway. His jaw went slack. Holy fucking shit. Zercy’s bedroom… it was effing incredible.
Although, honestly, it was way freaking more than a bedroom. More like his own lavish living space—in a Kríe-esque sort of way—open and spacious, with lots of plants and windows.
He glanced around, eyes rapt. There was cool shit everywhere. Forgetting momentarily about his ire—and his team—he settled his gaze on the centerpiece. A huge, steaming hot tub, recessed flush with the floor, with a slightly-raised border of masculine stone. It kind of looked like granite, with its mottled grays and browns, but its edges weren’t sharp, and its finish wasn’t polished. Alec eyed the water, noting more of those little floating lotuses, and how the firelight reflected off its surface. Firelight that burned not just from a grand hearth to the right, but also from countless wall sconces around the perimeter.
He eyed said walls, easily fifteen feet tall and textured in a white, coarse-grained stucco. In conjunction with all the potted trees, rounded windows and inset shelves, it gave the space an exotic, cave-like ambiance. Primal, yet strangely inviting.
“Nenya.” Come. Zercy tugged his leash, having paused by Alec’s side. “I will give you a little tour of your new quarters.”
Whoa, what? Alec shot him a look.
But the king just turned to his guards. “You are dismissed. Setch and Kellim, take first shift.” Which presumably meant standing sentry outside the door.
The Kríe gave clipped bows and swiftly departed, shutting Alec in with the king. His heart thudded faster. He didn’t want to be alone with him. With the one male on this planet that messed with his head.
God, this wasn’t good.
He fisted his bound hands.
Zercy slid him a look, then casually sauntered left. “My slice of secluded peace within a world of anything but.” His lips curved a little as he gestured to…
What was that?
Alec frowned, trying to decipher what the hell he was seeing. Eight-foot-high partitions along the room’s whole left side, curiously arranged amidst themselves, creating paths. Or rather, obscure walkways, like bookshelf aisles gone awry. It sort of reminded him of a little piece of the jungle. Although, that was probably due, in part, to all the plants. Tall, slender flora of dark greens and purples placed flush, here and there, against the walls. Walls, incidentally, that looked like Swiss cheese, riddled with large cut-out shapes you could peer through.
Alec pursed his brows, still clueless as to what all of it was, but decided nevertheless not to ask. It’d probably slow down the tour, and he strongly suspected that he wouldn’t be going anywhere until it was done.
Zercy cast him a look. “Would you like to enter?”
Kind of, actually, yeah. But instead, Alec glared. “No. I would like to see my men.”
The king just smirked gruffly and continued on, pointing to a small, tiled opening in the wall. “Where you take your cock to urinate.” Lovely. They kept going toward the far corner. Zercy gestured to a wooden desk facing away from them. “Where I write. Or draw. Or stare out the window.”
Alec’s brows rose as he followed, surprised that Zercy drew. Not so much that he wrote; he seemed educated.
They turned right and strode along the chamber’s back wall, passing more arched openings and tall plants. But right as they came upon the halfway point, Zercy paused at one window in particular. Only this one was noticeably larger, and semicircle shaped—its bottom flat, the rest a generous curve. What was curious though, was how, unlike the others, this window was closed-off by curtains. Well, not really curtains. More like heavy swaths of crimson velvet.
Zercy slid him a smile, then pulled open one side.
Alec stiffened.
It wasn’t a window.
It was the entrance to where Zercy slept.
A private cove within his mega-massive cave. Which wasn’t to say that the cubby wasn’t big, or opulent, because it was definitely both of those. Shaped like a semicircle inside as well, it looked roughly five feet high and eight feet wide. Equally short windows wrapped around its perimeter, boasting of both mountainous views and lay of the land. And yet, the whole enclosure was entirely sleeping space. One wall-to-wall sea of furs flush with the entry. Just climb through and, bam, you’re in bed.
Alec eyed the cozy nook, wishing he had one just like it. But all the space station offered were twin-size bunks, that you shared with a roomie in cramped living quarters. No space. No privacy. No room to stretch or think. Yeah, an upgrade like this would be heaven.
Zercy gestured inside, his gilded gaze gleaming. “Would you like to try it out? It is very soft.”
And just like that, Alec’s dick gave a twitch. From just the freaking sound of his voice. But, God, he couldn’t help it. It was just so fucking heady. Like the rumble of a sex storm on the prowl.
Clearing his throat, he quickly shook his head. “No, thanks,” he muttered. “I’ll pass.”
Zercy released the swath and resumed with the tour, leading Alec by his leash to the other corner. This one had an oversized chaise amidst the windows, covered in luxurious black suede. A spotted fur throw was draped over the arm. A small wooden table sat to its left. And on that small table, Alec happened to notice, was an eclectic dish of glassy-smooth rocks.
Come to think of it… He glanced around… On flat surfaces everywhere, more bowls sat full of similar stones. He studied them from afar. “What are those rocks for?”
“They calm me,” Zercy answered.
“Calm you?”
“Tah. So smooth. I find them soothing.” He didn’t expound further. Just tugged Alex along, gesturing half-heartedly to the fireplace.
“My hearth, but I assume you have similar things. Ah, yes. Here we are.” He stopped a few steps later, in front of what looked like a bar. A fully-stocked bar out-cropped from the wall. One that not only displayed countless thick-glassed decanters, but also assorted dishes of peculiar edibles. “Thirsty?” the king asked.
Actually, Alec was—considering the way he’d just been worked over. Strapped to a table, and made to strain and pant? Not to mention that brutal orgasm they wrenched out of him. Problem was, parched or not, he didn’t trust whatever Zercy was offering.
Watching as the king poured himself a ruby liquid, Alec licked his dry lips. “No. I’m good.”
Zercy took a large swig from his goblet. “Suit yourself.”
Alec glanced at the door. “So, are we done now? Can we go?”
Zercy tilted his head. “Go?” Amusement flickered in his gaze.
Alec clenched his jaw. “Yes. To see my goddamn fucking team.”
“Ah.” The king took another swig, then sauntered past. “Not tonight. Perhaps tomorrow... If you are good.”
Alec’s mouth fell open as he reluctantly followed, that fucking leash pulling him along. “Tomorrow? Are you kidding me? No way. I go now.”
Zercy slid a dark look over his shoulder.
Shit. No doubt, that had sounded ‘demanding.’
Alec pursed his lips. “Please.”
The king’s features eased. He stopped in front of the hot tub. “I will think on it while I soak. My mind needs to relax.”
Alec scowled, stopping, too. “Wouldn’t relaxing be easier alone? Your guards could take me to them while you—”
“Mah,” Zercy interrupted. “I should like you to stay.”
With Alec at his back, he removed his sandals, then dropped the leash on the rock ledge and stepped on it. As if he suspected Alec might try to scurry away or some shit. But seriously, what the fuck would be the point of that? Like he could get past those two hulking guards.
Alec swallowed, staying put, as he watched him unfasten his belt.
Oh, fuck.
He was taking off his clothes.