* * *
Zercy set his belt aside, along with its dagger, then gripped his midnight green tunic and kept going. Alec’s lips parted as he tracked the silken garment’s ascent, sliding up over his dark, chiseled ass before climbing the length of his muscular back. And then it pulled over his velvety black locks, taking them along for the ride. A split second later, it was off and on the ground, with those curious dreads tumbling back down over his shoulders.
Of their own volition, Alec’s eyes dropped back down to where only a jockstrap-type loincloth remained. His dick gave a nudge. He cursed and closed his eyes.
Keep that thing on, Kríe. Do not take it off.
A soft chuff met his ears, then the sound of water sloshing.
“Nenya, pet. Join me.” Zercy’s voice sounded husky.
What? Get in? Oh, hell to the no.
Alec opened his eyes, relieved to find Zercy in the tub. He’d left his metal bicep cuffs on, as well the rings on his fingers. Alec’s gaze dropped to his pecs. Pecs that boldly displayed—yup, he’d totally called it—dark, little, rock-hard, pierced nipples. Not hoops, though, like Gesh’s pack. Just tiny horizontal bars, capped on both ends with small, golden gems. In truth, they looked bad ass. And kind of sweet, too. He’d love to get a look at them up close...
Fuck. He was staring.
He quickly glanced away. Away to focus instead on Zercy’s clothes. Shit. That damn jockstrap was sitting right on top. Which meant that big motherfucker had nothing on. Alec swallowed again and shook his head. “I already bathed.”
Zercy settled in across from him, Alec’s leash back in his clutches, his drink set on the smooth stone to his left. “That was not a request. And right now it is not a bath. Just a place to relax and converse.”
Alec eyed him warily, and then the round tub. If Zercy only wanted to talk, maybe he’d be willing to compromise. Stiffly, he stepped forward and sat down on the ledge, easing his lower legs into the water. He looked at the king. The Kríe’s mouth quirked. Then, with a wicked grin, he gave the leash a yank.
“Shit!” Alec yelped, falling forward helplessly.
SPLASH!
He went under, then shot back up.
Zercy chuckled.
Alec glowered. “That was so not cool.”
“Tah. But it was so very fun.”
Alec ground his molars and moved to the farthest spot possible, settling on some kind of underwater seat.
The king just watched him with those mesmerizing eyes, then smiled a little. “Admit it. This feels nice.”
Alec looked away, still irked.
“You truly do not like it?”
“No,” he snapped. “I truly do not fucking like it. I don’t want to be here. Remember?”
“My accommodations do not meet your standards?”
“That’s got nothing to do with it.”
“Then it is my company you do not like. Do I repulse you?” Zercy murmured.
Alec tamped a humorless laugh. How he wished he repulsed him. “That’s got nothing to do with it, either.”
“Hmm.” The king stared at him, an impish look in his eye. “So you enjoy my company… and like the way I look.”
Alec stiffened. “I didn’t say that.”
“I believe you did.”
Alec clenched his jaw again. “Why won’t you let me see my men?”
“It is your punishment for earlier.”
Alec furrowed his brows. “Punishment?”
“For speaking disrespectfully to your king. I told you I would discipline you. Did you forget?”
Actually, no, he hadn’t forgotten. He’d just expected… far worse.
Zercy’s lips curved at his expression. “You thought I would have you beaten?”
In truth? Yes, he did.
Alec clenched his fists. “I don’t know.”
Again, the king chuckled. “Kríe are civilized, not savages.” His grin widened. “Kidding. We are absolutely savages.”
Alec stared at him, not exactly sure how to respond.
“Do not worry.” His eyes glinted. “You are my favorite. You are safe.”
“Great,” he muttered.
The Kríe’s face sobered. A few moments ticked by. “Tell me about your time with Gesh’s pack.”
Ah. Subject change. Not that this one was any better.
Alec shrugged a little. “He pretended to be our friend, then tricked us into eating senna`sohnsay.”
Zercy’s brow lifted. “Senna`sohnsay? How very insidious.”
“Yeah, no shit. Then he took us friggin’ prisoner.”
“Hm. You must have been furious.”
“Hell yeah, we were furious. I mean, seriously, what the fuck. And then to sell us on top of that? To me, that’s even fucking worse. Swear to God, that whole pack’s a bag of dicks.”
“But he sold you to the king. Not some jungle sadist.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck who that bastard sold us to. We aren’t fucking merchandise. Fucking commodities to be sold. We’re human fucking beings. With fucking dignity.”
“Ah,” Zercy murmured, clearly noting his anger. “Your dignity. That means much to you.”
“Yes,” he grated. “It does.”
They both went silent, gazes locked, bodies still.
Eventually though, Zercy resumed with his questions. “So, you were angrier to have been sold than tricked into eating senna`sohnsay. Does that mean you enjoyed how it made you feel?”
Alec glanced away. “Would’ve been nicer under different circumstances.”
The king’s voice dipped low. “How did you spill?”
Fuck, he could feel Zercy’s timbre in his crotch. Awkwardly, he shifted atop his underwater perch—one that kind of felt like a bike seat—and cleared his throat. “I, uh, yeah… I had sex.”
Zercy’s brows rose. “Willingly?”
Ugh. Truth time. He nodded.
“But with whom? If your men could not spill as you could not, then—”
“With a Kríe,” he answered tersely. “I had sex… with a Kríe.”
The king paused at that, looking downright confused. “But our species are not compatible. Your kind is too small.”
Alec averted his gaze again, not wanting to go into specifics.
Zercy’s frown was palpable. “Did he hurt you?”
Alec looked back at him. Shook his head.
The king studied him intently. “How? Was he deformed?”
Alec coughed a humorless laugh. “Uh, no. He wasn’t deformed.”
“Then how did he not hurt you? Your size cannot accommodate.”
Fuck. Alec’s stomach clenched. He did not want to answer that. And the reasons why ran the whole fucking gamut. The most obvious being that if he told Zercy how, then the king could easily use that method, too. A prospect that truthfully made Alec restless as fuck. Because deep down, a part of him would love for that to happen, which was an utterly FUBAR way to feel.
Problem was, whether he told Zercy how it happened or not, the king would find out. He’d just be pissed at Alec for making him work for it. And since he’d be in the big Kríe’s presence for the foreseeable future, it’d probably be wise not to start off on the wrong foot.
“They, um…” He cleared his throat again. “They used tachi venom.”
The king’s brows wrenched high again. “Tachi venom. How resourceful.” His gaze turned probing as he locked eyes with Alec. “Did you enjoy it? Find pleasure in laying with a Kríe?”
Gah. Alec’s face heated. “I… I don’t know.”
“You do not know if you enjoyed it?” Zercy sounded incredulous.
“It was… intense.”
“Intense…” Zercy canted his head. “Would you like to do it again?”
“Uh...” Alec’s dick nudged his thigh beneath that wrap. Thank God he wasn’t naked. Not that the wrap was helping much. Just sort of floating over his junk.
Zercy’s features tightened. “You would. With the same Kríe as before.”
Alec scowled instantaneously and blurted, “Fuck, no.”
Miros and his pack could kiss his ass.
“You are still very angry with him.”
“Uh, yeah. He helped Gesh sell us. Sell us. What kind of scum fucking do that?”
Zercy’s brows rose again. “You believe they are evil?”
Alec pressed his lips tight. Then exhaled. “No. Not really. They’re just a bunch of… overbearing shits.” He shook his head thoughtfully. “But… with the way things ended earlier, down in your hall, I’m thinking they might actually feel bad. Regret their decision.” He looked away. “I don’t know… Maybe they do have consciences.”
“I assure you, Kríe have consciences. We just put ourselves first.”
“Yeah. I’ve noticed,” Alec deadpanned. “Awesome trait.”
Zercy captured a floating flower in the palm of his hand. “Our species is supreme. It is just the way it is. But I do not hold others’ inferiority against them.”
Alec coughed out a laugh. “How big of you.”
His lips quirked. “Tah.”
Alec shook his head. “Okay, so, you claim to have a conscience. But if that’s true, then how are you okay with holding us prisoner?”
“I am not holding you prisoner. You are my special guests.”
Alec’s next laugh came harsher. “Who aren’t allowed to leave?”
Zercy chuffed indignantly and waved off his words. “Semantics. And you are viewing it all wrong.”
“Oh, really.” Alec shifted again. Water lapped at his chest. “And how exactly am I supposed to be viewing it?”
“As luxurious living. Indefinitely.”
“Gee,” he ground out, “how fucking hospitable. But guess what. We’d rather be free.”
The king shook his head. “To be free would mean death. I can ensure your safety in a world you would not survive in.”
That one was hard to argue.
“We’re smart. We’d adapt. It’s better than captivity. That and never knowing what the hell you’re gonna do to us.”
Zercy paused from toying with the flower and looked at him curiously. “What exactly do you think I have planned for you, pet?”
“You tell me. I mean, what the hell do you need six humans for?”
The big Kríe shrugged. “To delight in. Show off. Entertainment for my guests.”
Alec stiffened. Every one of those answers made him wary. “Entertain how?” he muttered.
Zercy lifted a devious brow.
Alec paled.
Oh, God.
“No.” He adamantly shook his head. “I heard how Gesh described us. But we’re not your fucking playthings. I don’t care how much you paid for us. You can’t just—”
“Silence,” the king barked, his big eyes flashing. Alec stopped and stared at him. Zercy stared right back. “I vow that I will never use your men for sex, nor will I whore them out to others.”
Alec eased a little. “Never? To anyone?”
“Not even my royal guard.” He smirked a little. “I can already hear them complaining.”
Alec exhaled before he could stop himself. That news was just such a relief. Although, now he couldn’t help wondering as a result—what would compel the king to promise that?
Shifting again, he eyed the Kríe suspiciously. “Why would you make such a concession for us? I mean, clearly you view us as mere objects of indulgence. Why not just take what you want? You don’t owe us anything and I know your species. Sex is like the crux of your existence.”
Zercy held his gaze. “I am king. Such would be beneath me. I can fuck countless prospects whenever I want. Have my cock sucked in court should I wish it.” He paused, eyelids hooding. His voice dipped again. “Besides,” he took the leash and started drawing Alec forward, “I want your adoration, not resentment.”
Pulled from his seat, Alec instinctively braced. “As long as you keep us prisoner,” he dug in his heels, “we’ll always resent you, no matter what.”
“Hmm.” The king slowly drew him closer… and closer… not even remotely fazed by Alec’s resistance. “Then I will have to be clever and find a way to compensate.”
Alec bit back a curse, struggling harder to stay put. But shit, the Kríe was so fucking strong. And with his arms trapped behind him and only a flat floor to brace his feet on? Goddamnit, he didn’t stand a chance.
“Stop,” he grunted, resisting regardless. He needed to maintain distance. To keep some space.
Zercy smirked and shook his head, steadily reeling him nearer.
Alec’s heart pounded anxiously. He strained against the leash. “I’m serious. Don’t. Stop.”
Only two feet left between them…
“Are you sure that you want that?” Zercy rumbled. “You look conflicted.”
One foot and closing…
“Yes,” he grunted. “I’m fucking sure!”
But the king just purred and closed the final gap. His big knee parted Alec’s futilely bracing legs. His free hand firmly clutched Alec’s hip. Then, with one last unyielding tug, he slid Alec over his thigh so he straddled it.
Alec tensed, stiff as a board as all that muscle made contact. Contact with his ass cheeks and nut sac. But what fucked with him most was the feel of Zercy’s cock against his leg. All big and thick and heavy and long, casually brushing against him like it was nothing. But it was something. Something major. Contact that was simply not okay. Mostly because it was going to give him a boner.
But then anger surged, overriding his trepidation. This Kríe was just as bad as Gesh’s pack. Arrogant, domineering. Ridiculously sexual. Exasperating the ever-loving shit out of him.
“Let go of me,” he demanded as Zercy’s big hands clutched his sides. “I don’t want—I don’t want you to touch me.”
But Zercy just peered down at him, looking unconvinced. “Why? You liked when I touched you in Sirus’ chambers.”
Alec bristled and glared up at him, their faces inches apart.
Zercy stilled, then frowned. “You are angry about that?”
“Of course I’m angry,” he grated. “You made me come.”
“You said you wished to spill. Specifically, by my hand.”
“Well, yeah, because you—” Alec stopped himself before he started shouting. What was the point? Kríe didn’t fucking get it. Were just flat-out fucking oblivious.
As if backing up his point, Zercy canted his head, looking befuddled. “Why are you upset that you found satisfaction? I brought you to ecstasy. Made your body sing. Nira,” he rumbled. “The sight was intoxicating. Made me wish to spill, too. All over you.”
Oh, fuuuck.
Alec’s dick bucked. His blood pumped hotter.
Fighting the urge to picture that, he quickly closed his eyes. “I’m upset,” he muttered slowly, “because that kind of thing is personal. It’s not like just eating a fucking sandwich.”
Zercy was eyeing him oddly. Alec could feel the weight of his stare.
He looked back up at him. “It’s intimate. An intimate act. You know, like something you do with a lover?”
When the king just stared at him, Alec scowled. “For real? You don’t ever think of sex as private?”
Zercy’s brows furrowed. He shook his head. “Mah. Not really. Kríe fuck whoever whenever. Often in public.”
Yeah, kind of like the freaking sex party at Gesh’s.
“In fact,” he went on, “there is a chamber in my castle specifically dedicated to public sex.”
Whoa, what? Why did a twisted part of Alec want to see that?
“Some say it is different when one finds a mate,” Zercy mused, “but, to me, that is hard to believe.”
Of course it was. Because Kríe were wired to fuck indifferently.
To them, sex was exactly like eating a sandwich.
Which meant this conversation was moot.
“Whatever,” Alec muttered, rubbing his cheek with his shoulder. “I’m done fucking talking about it. Just forget it.”
Zercy watched him, then smiled a little and gently stroked said cheek.
Alec pulled his head away and frowned. “Don’t. Just… don’t touch me.”
“I cannot help it. You ceaselessly compel my hands to your body.” His fingers slid down Alec’s throat and traced his collarbone “You compel other parts of me, too.”
Alec shivered. Goddamnit. Zercy’s touch. His fucking words. They were giving him a full-fledged fucking boner. “Don’t,” he rasped, shaking his head, way too focused on that hand. “Fuck— Please—Just—Please just stop touching me.”
“Why?” Zercy murmured, watching his fingers roam. “You like this. I can see it on your face. In your eyes.” His gaze glittered. “Can feel it heavy on my thigh.”
Oh, fuck.
Pissed and mortified, Alec squirmed to get off him. “No. You’re wrong. So just let me—”
“Be still,” Zercy ordered, clamping a hand around his throat. “You are my pet,” he growled. “You do not tell me what to do.”
Alec clenched his teeth and glowered. “I’m nobody’s pet. So stop fucking calling me that. My name is Alec.”
The king’s grip tightened, his gaze churning brighter. Must not have liked Alec giving him another order. But right as he opened his mouth to chastise, he paused, tilted his head, and murmured, “Al-lick…”
Oh, God.
Alec instantly bit back a moan. Couldn’t help it. The way he just uttered his name. Like a honey-drenched purr wickedly manipulating that last syllable, flooding his brain with visions of zealous tongues.
He shifted against Zercy’s thigh and cleared his throat. “No. It’s Alec.” He enunciated clearly. “Al-eck.”
“Tah.” Zercy nodded. His gaze dropped to his mouth. “That is what I said… Al-lllick…”
Alec’s lips parted. Fuuuck. Another stroke to his dick. But shit, the way Zercy said it with that titillating lilt, rolling his name like a sex marble off his tongue…
He shook his head, the sound alone making him feel drunk. And, truth be told, really fucking horny. Tamping a restless groan, he tried to lean back, needing to put more distance between them. But either Zercy read his intentions wrong, or was just being deviant, because instead of pulling him close again, he did the opposite. Gripped the back of Alec’s harness and slowly pulled backward, easing his torso down into the water.
Alec grunted, shifting awkwardly atop the king’s thigh, suddenly struggling hard to stay upright. Easier said than done though, with his arms bound behind him. Body taut, abs contracting, he fought Zercy’s strength, but his own was no match for the Kríe’s. The water reached his jaw. Was he going to pull him under? His heart raced urgently. Canting his head back, he sucked in a breath. Zercy halted a second later and held him inclined.
Alec shifted uneasily. Water lapped at his ears. And then the king’s free hand palmed his chest. He stilled at the feeling of those warm, splayed fingers, so long they reached both of his nipples. Zercy grazed them lightly with the tips of his small claws. His nubs tightened instantly to hard rocks.
He grazed them again. Current sizzled down Alec’s torso, delving into his crotch, stiffening his dick even more. He tamped another moan and peered warily at the king.
“What… are you doing?” he rasped.
Zercy’s lips curved a little, but his smile wasn’t smug. Oddly, it looked kind of affectionate. “Just enjoying my pet. Mmm… I mean, my Alick.” He slid his hand lower, to Alec’s stomach.
Alec sucked in sharply and tensed his abs, then shuddered when Zercy lazily thumbed his navel. Aw, God. That fucking claw. And the others, too. Every single time they made the slightest contact, his nerve endings went berserk. Which, in turn, made his traitor dick stand at attention, sending that wrap drifting up and off his crotch.
Shit, damn it, fuck.
He shifted his hips, squeezing Zercy’s thigh for extra purchase. No way could he let him see his boner.
The king growled huskily and dragged his claws across his belly. At the same time, his cock brushed Alec’s leg. Holy fucking hell, it felt like stone, and twice as freaking long as before.
He gasped and twitched, heart hammering like crazy. “Aw, God—You need—You need to stop.”
Zercy’s rumble turned dark. “Are you giving me more orders?” Blatantly, he grazed those claws down Alec’s groin. Again, his steel pole brushed Alec’s leg.
Alec jerked, sending that wrap floating upward again. “No—I’m not—I’m—Please—Please, will you stop?”
The king chuffed softly. “So sensitive indeed.” Lifting Alec back up, he smiled and met his eyes. “Now you see what happens when you try to distance yourself. Perhaps you would like to try it again?”
Arrogant bastard.
Alec scowled, his dick still reeling. “Are we done fucking talking?”
“I suppose.” Zercy reached around and deftly unfastened his harness, then pulled it off, leaving only the wrist binds and collar.
Alec moaned at the feeling, his elbows finally free, able to hang in a much more natural position. Zercy slid him off his knee and stood to his full height. Alec stared at the view before he could stop himself. But, shit, in his defense, Zercy hogged up all the space in front of him.
Alec’s gaze locked raptly on his dark, glistening torso, then slid to his pecs, and those pierced nipples. He stared at the barbells all over again, wanted to give their beads a nice hard tug. With his fingers. No, his teeth. Would the arrogant king like that? Or would it royally piss the fucker off?
He stopped himself right there. He needed to get a grip. His mother effing boner was making him loopy. It was also the reason he needed to stay in the tub. No need to flash Zercy an eyeful of erection. He’d already encouraged the Kríe way too much. Unintentionally, but still. A boner was a boner, and pretty much meant one universal thing.
Its owner was aroused and wanted to fuck.
Alec groaned and closed his eyes.
What the hell was wrong with him?
Maybe he could use that drink after all.
Abruptly, two clawed fingertips lifted his chin. Alec looked up. The Kríe king was gazing quietly down at him.
“I am tired,” he murmured. “I would like to retire. It has been a long day. Nenya.” Come.
Alec stilled as Zercy dropped his hand and turned to exit the tub. Oh, hell no. No way were they sleeping in the same bed. And for shit’s sake, Alec couldn’t just ‘come’ with him anyway. He was still friggin’ dealing with his flagpole.
Zercy reached what evidently were some steps to the right, but paused when he realized Alec wasn’t following. His features hardened. “Nenya,” he repeated, giving the leash a tug.
Alec cursed under his breath. As soon as he got out, his little wrap was going to get clingy, which would display with great effectiveness his ‘current state.’
Frowning, he shook his head.
Zercy’s jaw ticked. “What is wrong?”
His cheeks heated. “Nothing. I just… want to… stay here.”
The king narrowed his eyes.
Alec awkwardly shifted his weight.
Which evidently was a big fucking giveaway.
Zercy stilled, then slid his gaze down Alec’s torso, down to the where the water obscured his view. His lips curved knowingly.
Alec muttered another curse.
Zercy chuckled and turned back to the steps. “As if I did not already know. Your cock has been eager this whole time.”
Alec opened his mouth, shut it, then ground his molars and scowled—until Zercy emerged naked from the tub. Then Alec was back to cursing under his breath while quickly cranking his head in the other direction. He was trying to lose his boner for shit’s fucking sake, not fan the idiot thing’s freaking flames.
Zercy pulled his leash again, unyieldingly this time, forcing Alec to move to the steps. Reluctantly, he climbed them, feeling utterly exposed. Which was ridiculous. Zercy had not only seen his rager before, but worked it till Alec blew a monster nut. But the circumstances were different then. He’d had an excuse for being aroused. Now he had nothing but stark truth.
Eyes averted from the king’s body, he reached the top and stepped onto the ledge, right beside a basket of rolled towels.
A husky little purr curled at the base Zercy’s throat. Alec could feel his gaze on his stupid saran-wrapped dick. “So proud for its size,” he rumbled. “So proud, like its owner.” Moving to Alec’s back, Zercy murmured in his ear as he reached around front to untie his wrap. “You cannot sleep in this. You will get my bed wet.”
Alec swallowed, then froze. Zercy’s cock just brushed his hand. His fingers tingled where it grazed him. Current bee-lined to his crotch. Then that clinging drenched wrap dropped from his body. He stiffened as cool air engulfed his junk—until Zercy wound a towel around his hips from behind.
“There. All better,” the king stated softly. “Now no more delays. Come along.” Stepping away, he rounded the large tub and sauntered his naked ass toward that cubbyhole. That strange little fancy-schmancy nest in the wall—that he clearly expected Alec to join him in.
Warily, he followed him, but when they reached their destination, Alec hesitated as Zercy pulled back the velvet flap. His heart picked up speed. His breaths came faster, too. Because once he breached that threshold, God only knew what would happen. Last time he got horizontal with a big-ass Kríe, he ended up getting the living shit fucked out of him. Not that it didn’t feel mind-blowingly incredible. But it’d all been so intense, like some tumultuous erotic tailspin, his body having stripped his mind of all control.
And that shit couldn’t happen again. He needed his head clear. As it was, just being near Zercy drugged him up. What if he tried to seduce him on that bed in there? And what if Alec was unable to resist? He didn’t need, and couldn’t afford, any connection with this male. But something told him if they got physical that’d be unavoidable. Which would only distract him from getting his team out of there.
Zercy turned and gestured for him to climb in.
Alec quickly peered inside, diverting his gaze from naked cock, and eyed all the flickering sconces. Then he glanced through the windows at the view. Village torches glowed near and far through the realm, with a backdrop of black mountains beyond. And damn, look at all those gazillion stars in the sky…
No. Ugh. He couldn’t let himself get distracted.
“I’m not tired,” he blurted, turning, but keeping his gaze high. “I want to see my men. You said you’d think about it.”
The king’s eyes hooded irritably. “Tah. My decision remains.”
“But—”
Zercy’s growl cut him off as he clutched Alec’s hips, then hefted him up and tossed him through the opening. Instantly, he sank into soft, plush warmth. Damn. Zercy hadn’t been kidding. It was ‘very soft.’ The king joined him, and man, did he take up some serious space. Alec knew that he was big, but in a small space like this, it felt like he took up every inch.
Zercy dropped onto his stomach with a contented rumble, and nuzzled his exotic face into the fur. Alec watched him, unable to help it. He was just so striking. So inexplicably and savagely handsome. With those thick pierced horns and those masculine pointed ears, and that tantalizing mass of bead-strewn velvety dreads.
Alec gazed at his closed eyes, and their thick fringe of lashes, then regarded his mouth—and his partially exposed fangs. Instantly, he thought again of Roni and Chet, and how the Kríe’s bite seemed to drive the guy crazy. Chet fronted like he hated it, but it was pretty obvious he didn’t. Most likely just didn’t want to admit it.
Which, of course, made Alec wonder what it actually felt like. Clearly really good, something Miros had corroborated. Hell, at one point, he’d almost bitten Alec. But he didn’t. Got interrupted. And for some reason, Alec was glad. Had a feeling he’d feel different though, if it’d been Zercy.
As if sensing the weight of his stare, the Kríe lifted his lids and locked his golden eyes on Alec’s face. His gaze trapped Alec’s instantly.
His heart thumped anxiously. “I’m not tired,” he murmured again, still laying where he’d been tossed on his back.
Zercy rolled onto his side and propped his head in his hand. “Mah, you are. You will realize this once you let yourself relax.”
He was right. Alec knew he was. He could feel his exhaustion down to his bones. But his men, he had to get back to them. He couldn’t go to sleep.
“Esh,” Zercy grumbled. “Stop worrying about your team. I vow to you that they are safe and very comfortable.”
Alec studied his face. He wanted to believe him so bad. Because, in truth, he was tired. And this bed was so damn soft.
The king’s lips quirked, and then he was up on all fours, reaching over Alec’s body for God knew what. Alec stiffened, staring up at him. Jesus. He was huge. Abruptly, something swayed in his periphery. Without thought, he glanced over—then cursed and quickly looked away. Right. It was the Kríe’s big dangling dick.
Alec groaned and looked away as Zercy clutched his leash and secured it to something on the bed’s wraparound headboard. Or at least, a headboard is what Alec assumed it was, although, it did look a lot more involved. As in, lined with countless small, decorative pegs. Or hell, maybe the things were little levers.
Zercy finished what he was doing and peered down at Alec. “Now you cannot slip away and leave your king as he sleeps.”
Yeah, right. Like that shit was even possible. But now Alec felt like a dog tied to a tree. Irritably shifting atop the furs, he glared at his captor. “Will you free my wrists then? Now that I can’t go anywhere?”
Zercy eased back and settled down a few feet away, clearly giving Alec some personal space. “You may not be able to leave while I slumber, but your free hands could still do much harm.”
Alec blinked at him, surprised, then chuckled incredulously. “What, you think I’d try to kill you in your sleep?”
Zercy held his gaze. “Would you?”
Wow. He’d asked that in all seriousness.
Alec made a face. “No. Because where I come from, that’s murder. Something we view as very, very bad. Kind of like kidnapping and human trafficking.” He leveled him with a pointed look. “And keeping people prisoner.”
A smile tugged at Zercy’s lips, even as his eyes hooded drowsily. “You amuse me, Alick,” he murmured. “I am glad to have found you.” His big body eased, his muscles going lax. “Tomorrow I will take you to your team… as I promised…” He settled his hand on Alec’s hip and closed his eyes. “Thank you,” he exhaled.
Alec frowned. “For what?”
His regal vibe sobered as he drifted toward sleep. “For giving me something to finally be happy about.”