Slave of My Heart

 

Author: NA10

Fandom: X-Files

Pairing(s): Mulder/Skinner (AU)

Warnings: spanking, violence

Spoilers: none

Summary: Finding his family disgraced and himself sold into slavery, Fox

learns that only one man stands between him and a horrifying fate - Lord

Walter.

 

Nominated Category:

Best Slave!Fic: Acted TV & Movies - Slash

---

 

Part 1: Claiming Part 2: Taming Part 3: Interlude

Part 1: Claiming

Chapter One

Walter

 

I don't know what made me go to the slave auction that day. I had no need of more household slaves and I had long ago given up the hope of finding a personal slave to meet my exacting needs. Perhaps it was just that I was in town, or that my host was attending, or perhaps it was the Gods taking a hand in my fate. Lately I am inclined toward the latter, although I have never been a particularly religious man. Perhaps, just perhaps, I should stop by the Temple the next time I'm in Town and make an Offering of Thanks - it certainly couldn't hurt and I have much to be thankful for these days.

 

In any event, when my host announced that he was off to the auction I agreed to accompany him. And so we found ourselves strolling through the stalls, Reginald looking carefully over the merchandise offered while I glanced about seeing nothing new, nothing special, nothing worthy of my attention.

 

And then I saw Him.

 

He was standing in the middle of a string of young men all in their late teens but, unlike the other boys, he was looking around him with interest and curiosity. His eyes met mine and I could see that they were that peculiar shade that changes color with mood and lighting, beautiful eyes framed by dark lashes. He returned my gaze steadily, a slight smile playing on his mouth, and I could see the intelligence and humor shining out of those eyes. I let my eyes travel briefly over his face noting the fine bone structure, the full bottom lip, the slight imperfection of the nose that marked one with noble birth, and I saw a slight blush stain his cheeks at my examination. This was no ordinary boy. What in the hell was a boy like that doing here, I wondered, a common slave on the auction block?

 

"Eyes down, boy!" A sharp crack of the crop across his back and the young man hastily dropped his eyes. I drew closer, mesmerized.

 

"You!" I called to the merchant. "What is the story on this boy?"

 

The slave merchant recognized me at a glance and bowed deeply. "Honored lord, this boy is being offered as a slave for seven years to pay for his family's crimes. He has no slave experience although he has been educated." He shrugged dismissively but that intrigued me even more. I stepped closer to the young man, studying him carefully. He was tall, just a few inches shorter than myself. His slender body revealed by his bare chest was trim although it was obvious that he was unaccustomed to hard physical work. The swell within his breeches seemed to indicate an adequate endowment there as well.

 

"You, boy, what is your name?"

 

"Fox." As the slave merchant raised his crop, he added, hastily, "sir."

 

"Your family?"

 

"My parents are dead, sir." There was a shadow on that face but the eyes remained fixed on the ground.

 

"How old are you, boy?"

 

"Eighteen, sir."

 

Reginald joined me. "Walter, you can't be serious! Do you know how much trouble it will be to take on an indentured boy? And one this old with no experience? You're asking for trouble!"

 

"You're right, Reggie," I said with a sigh and was turning away when a deep, mocking voice caught my attention.

 

"Hello, Lord Walter. I didn't expect to see you here."

 

I took a deep breath and managed to put on a polite smile before I turned around. "Hello, Spender. I'm surprised to see you here as well. I thought you generally obtained your slaves in other ways."

 

The Earl of Spender's eyes narrowed but he merely drew in another breath from one of those tobacco sticks that the Court had lately begun to favor. His eyes flicked to the line of slaves behind us, casually studying them. "Well, what have we got here?" He stopped in front of Fox, reaching out to force his chin up. I could see the young man's eyes widen and his body stiffened. "Not so proud are we now, Fox? What do you think, Alexi - should I buy you a new toy?" I glanced over at the slave following Spender, another of the beautiful young men that Spender always had around him, and saw a cruel light in the green eyes. Fox saw it, too, and swallowed hard.

 

A liveried servant ran up. "Lord Spender, the King requests your attendance immediately."

 

"Coming." Spender released Fox's chin, tapping his cheek with mock affection. "I'll be back, Fox." He strode off in the wake of the servant followed by the beautiful Alexi.

 

"Come on, Walter," Reggie said and I turned to follow him.

 

"Sir," came a soft voice behind me. "Please."

 

I turned back to find those chameleon eyes on me, beseechingly. I hesitated, touched by that appeal.

 

"Are you crazy, Walter?" Reginald hissed. "You know better than to get between Spender and his - pleasures. He clearly has his eye on this boy."

 

"I'm not afraid of him," I said quietly. "We've seen favorites come and go. Spender is just another."

 

"He's more powerful than the others and he is ruthless."

 

"So am I." Reginald flinched at the steel in my voice but he did not disagree. I had been the King's Marshal for twelve years and had put down two rebellions during that time. I had no doubt that this upstart John would not be pleased at my interference, but I also knew that my half-brother's devotion to me was stronger than his passing fancy for any favorite.

 

I turned back to the young man who had once more dropped his eyes to the ground. "So, Fox," I said, my voice deliberately harsh, "you would prefer me over Earl Spender? You are a fool - you would do far better to court a merchant who would set you up as his bookkeeper. If I took you on, boy, you would be my personal slave. You would bathe me, dress me, care for my wardrobe and my rooms, serve my meals and warm my bed. I would be within my rights to whip you for any reason - or no reason except my own gratification. For seven years I would own you body and soul, and I would get my money's worth out of both. Do you understand me, boy?"

 

In reply, the young man dropped to his knees and kissed the tip of my boots. He did it with a natural grace that fired my blood - by the Gods, what I could do with such a talent! I turned to the merchant.

 

"Done. Wrap him up - I will take him with me."

 

 

 

Fox

 

And so I became the property of Lord Walter, King's Marshal, half-brother to the king and easily the most powerful person in the land.

 

I had seen him before, from a distance, and had heard my father talk about him in admiring tones. When the King's father had died twelve years before, the new king had been a boy of only ten years. Lord Walter had been a young man of twenty but already acknowledged the finest fighter in the land, undefeated at the joust or in battle. He had rallied the support of the lords of the land behind his younger half-brother, securing the boy's place on the throne when he could have easily taken the throne himself. Bastardy has never been a deterrent to ambition, and a king's bastard can have more power than most.

 

My own family had been of the minor nobility and I had spent my years until now in blissful ignorance of the real world. Living in my family's modest townhouse with my younger sister, educated by a string of tutors, then sent to University with the expectation that I would follow my father's footsteps into service at Court, one of the Clerks that kept the legal, financial and judicial systems of the kingdom going. Until a month ago. Until the night when the Earl of Spender's flunkies burst into our home, arresting my father on charges of High Treason, taking my family into custody. I had later learned that my mother's weak heart had given out from the shock, that my father had been executed, and that I was to be sold into slavery to pay for my father's "crimes". Of my sister's fate I had no word, although I assumed that she had likewise been sold.

 

And that is how I found myself standing shackled to a line of other young men on that summer day when Lord Walter walked into my life.

 

I had never been to a slave auction and certainly never as a participant, and I found myself looking around with interest. The pennants fluttering in the breeze, the colorful garb of the passers-by, the variety of human flesh offered for sale at the booths around me - all of it was new and exciting. After three long weeks in first a prison cell and then a slave pen, the fresh air and the scents on the breeze were enough to lift my spirits. Even the prospect that I was to be sold into slavery could not dim my spirits -in a way it was an adventure, and I had had little adventure in my life to this point. I knew my skills and education were greater than the common slave's and fully expected to be sold into "indentured servitude" to some merchant, to spend the next seven years chained to a desk in some dingy office so I had little personal fear.

 

And then I saw Him.

 

He stood out from the crowd, and not just because of his height. Standing there, his hands on his hips, surveying the passing crowd and the merchandise, he radiated power and authority. He was not beautiful but there was something in that stern, strong face that was beyond mere beauty. I stared, mesmerized, unable to tear my eyes away. Lord Walter. The King's Marshal.

 

As if he felt my eyes on him, he turned his head slightly and his eyes met mine. Brown eyes, deep and dark, and they widened slightly in surprise. I could feel myself smiling back, acknowledging him, even as I felt his eyes curiously examine my face. I drew a breath, feeling a spark of hope inside. What if - what if he were to purchase me? Surely such a powerful man had need of a clerk, a secretary - although, no doubt, such a man had no need to purchase such talents. Such a man had no need to purchase anything, not even a warm body for his bed. The thought arose unbidden, and I felt myself flush at the sudden arousal that filled my body. Although I had tumbled a few willing girls while at University, I had never had such feelings for a man before this.

 

"Eyes down, boy!" The sudden crack of the slave merchant's whip across my back recalled my attention and I winced, dropping my eyes to stare at the ground. I was embarrassed to have been caught staring, more mortified by that than by my half-nakedness as I stood there.

 

Amazingly, he came closer, calling to the merchant and asking for information on me. Hope flared again. And then he was standing in front of me, studying me, examining my body carefully. Desperately I willed my arousal away and kept my eyes on the ground.

 

"You, boy, what is your name?"

 

"Fox." Aware of movement behind me, I hastily added, "sir."

 

"Your family?"

 

"My parents are dead, sir." There was a sudden lump in my throat but I swallowed it down.

 

"How old are you, boy?"

 

"Eighteen, sir."

 

There was movement beside Lord Walter and his companion was arguing with him, then they were moving away. Unbidden, I felt tears coming to my eyes. Then another voice, a hated and familiar voice, rang out through the crowd and I stiffened.

 

"Hello, Lord Walter. I didn't expect to see you here."

 

Lord Walter was turning back, replying coolly, and I was amazed to hear the calmness of that voice. He wasn't afraid of Earl Spender. Everyone was afraid of Spender - my father had turned white at the mention of his name - but Lord Walter's voice was cool, contemptuous, even. Then I felt eyes on me again, and I closed my eyes, willing myself to become invisible.

 

"Well, what have we got here?"

 

Cruel fingers pinched my chin, forcing my head up. I felt my eyes widen in fear and loathing as they met his, saw the amusement in Spender's eyes as he studied me. "Not so proud are we now, Fox? What do you think, Alexi - should I buy you a new toy?" There was movement behind him but I didn't need to look. I was well aware to whom he was referring: the dark-haired man, one of those who had dragged me off to prison. The man who had haunted my dreams and made me wake up in terror at any sound, certain that he had come back to finish the rape that his eyes had promised. I could feel myself shaking, terror chilling my soul. Please, please, not him. Not Spender.

 

A liveried servant ran up. "Lord Spender, the King requests your attendance immediately."

 

Thank you, Lady! I thought fervently. Reprieved.

 

"Coming." Spender released my chin, slapping my cheek gently. "I'll be back, Fox."

 

Those words sunk into me, filling me with despair. Not a permanent reprieve, then; just a respite before my doom would be sealed. And Lord Walter was turning away, too, leaving me to a horrible fate.

 

There was one last chance. "Sir," I said and put every ounce of feeling in my voice and silently muttered every prayer that I knew. "Please." And, praise be, he was turning back and those dark eyes were studying me again.

 

"Are you crazy, Walter?" his friend hissed. "You know better than to get between Spender and his - pleasures. He clearly has his eye on this boy."

 

"I'm not afraid of him."

 

No, Lord Walter wasn't afraid of anyone - how could he be? There couldn't be anyone stronger, more capable, in the world. I longed to be pulled into those strong arms, sheltered under his protection, the only place safe from Spender.

 

"So, Fox," he said, his voice deep and harsh, and the sound of my name on his lips made my bones melt and my cock jump to attention. "You would prefer me over Earl Spender? You are a fool - you would do far better to court a merchant who would set you up as his bookkeeper. If I took you on, boy, you would be my personal slave. You would bathe me, dress me, care for my wardrobe and my rooms, serve my meals and warm my bed. I would be within my rights to whip you for any reason - or no reason except my own gratification. For seven years I would own you body and soul, and I would get my money's worth out of both. Do you understand me, boy?"

 

Did I understand? Yes, I all too clearly understood that somehow the Gods had smiled on me. No merchant's counting house, no lawyer's chambers, no humdrum existence for seven long, boring years. Safe from Spender, from his eyes and his hands. I felt an overwhelming rush of desire to serve this man and an equally overwhelming need to prove it. I dropped to my knees before him, lowered my head, and fervently kissed his boots. Command me, master. Whip me, take me, I am yours.

 

"Done. Wrap him up - I will take him with me."

 

I looked up at him then, smiling in relief, and met a smiling look in return. All that and a sense of humor, too. And for the first time in that long and unhappy month I felt the warmth of happiness inside.

 

 

 

Chapter Two

 

Walter

 

Reginald studied my purchase with a mixture of amusement and disgust. "By the Lady, it is a filthy and smelly wretch that you have purchased. And that size - you'll never be able to keep him in clothes, Walter."

 

"That's the least of my worries, Reggie," I said in amusement. "The smell, however, is a good point. He needs a bath and a shave at the very least." I tugged at the chain secured to his collar. "Come, Fox."

 

The young man followed me obediently and quietly, although I could tell from the movement of the chain in my hand that he turned his head from side to side as we walked. A proper slave keeps his eyes fixed on his master's feet as he follows him but I was inclined to be indulgent for the moment. Time enough to train my new possession when I got him home. And suddenly I was impatient for my own home, to be away from the town and ride on my own land, Fox at my side. I wondered if he could ride. Unbidden, pictures of another kind of riding sprung to my mind and I pushed those down as well. Time enough for all that later.

 

We arrived at Reginald's townhouse and servants ran to remove our cloaks. Reginald turned the young pair he had purchased over to his steward and I put Fox into his hands as well. The young man looked at me in sudden apprehension and I touched his cheek reassuringly.

 

"It's all right, Fox. You're safe here with me." I spoke instinctively and I saw the fear leave his face as he nodded, then he followed the steward. I watched my new possession disappear into the servant's hall, then turned back to Reggie to find that he was grinning at me.

 

"Walter, for the first time since I've known you, I believe that you have taken leave of your senses. That boy is trouble with a capital T."

 

"Perhaps. But you know how I like a challenge."

 

"There's challenges and then there is sheer lunacy." Reginald studied me across the table. "What's wrong, Walter?"

 

I sighed. "I don't know. I feel - old. And tired. And lonely."

 

"You need to get married again."

 

I snorted. "No, thank you, once was quite enough. And besides, you know my preferences lie elsewhere."

 

"A man needs sons to inherit his lands after he is gone."

 

"What inheritance? I'm a bastard, Reggie. A king's bastard but a bastard no less. Everything I have I owe to the King."

 

"Your half-brother adores you and would give you anything you wished. Even a title and inheritable lands."

 

"Precisely why I don't ask for anything. Jeffrey has enough leeches hanging onto his purse." I took a deep swallow of my wine. "I am content with the lands I hold for him. Speaking of which - "

 

"You'll be leaving tomorrow." Reggie grinned at my look of surprise. "What, you think I don't know you after all these years, old friend? I'm surprised that you've idled this long. You must be getting soft, old man."

 

"I'll show you soft," I growled at him good-naturedly.

 

"Seriously, Walter, it would be best if you got your new possession safely home before Spender decides to take him away."

 

I nodded. "My thoughts exactly - " I paused as the steward comes to stand before me.

 

"Pardon, my lord, but we are having a slight problem with your new slave."

 

Reginald grinned over at me. "Told you," he said smugly.

 

I glared at him and rose to my feet. "I'll be back shortly." I followed the steward toward the servant's quarters and, as we approached, could hear my new possession's voice raised in anger although I couldn't distinguish the words. I paused at the doorway, gesturing for the steward to move out of the way, and took a deep breath before throwing open the door. "What in the name of the seven hells is going on here?"

 

It had the desired effect on nearly everyone in the room. Before my eyes, bodies flung themselves on their bellies, covering their heads with their arms and even the steward clutched the wall, eyes wide. All but my primary target. Fox stood in the middle of the room, gloriously naked and, although his eyes were wide with surprise, he stood his ground. My mouth twitched a little in amusement, unsure if the man was that brave or just unaware of the storm that was about to break over him. I turned a narrowed glance at the steward.

 

"Well?"

 

"Sir, he refuses to be shaved."

 

I turned my attention back to Fox and let the suppressed anger crackle in my eyes. There - a convulsive swallow. This was going to be fun. I stalked toward Fox and saw the young man automatically back up as slaves scattered out of our path until he ran up against a wall. "Is there a problem here, Fox?" I asked, my voice deadly quiet.

 

"Sir - " His voice squeaked and he cleared his throat and tried again. "Sir, they want to shave my body."

 

"Of course."

 

"All of it?" The indignation in his voice was amusing but I refused to let him see that.

 

"All of it."

 

"But, sir - " There was a young man's pride and indignation in that voice, both of which had no place in his new life, and it was time to make that abundantly clear.

 

"Are you forgetting your place?" I asked, pushing him inexorably down toward the floor until he was kneeling. "My boot, Fox. You did that nicely enough in public." Fox flattened himself and kissed my boots. "Good. Now you will be shaved and there will be no further discussion on the subject. Am I understood?"

 

"Yes, sir." The voice was quiet. "Sorry, sir."

 

I gestured to the steward. "Please proceed. And when you are finished, bring him to me in the main room. Naked." Fox's head jerked up at that and he opened his mouth to protest but something in my face must have told him that it was useless. He shut his mouth and lowered his head again. Satisfied, I returned to Reginald and picked up my goblet.

 

Reginald's lips twitched and he signaled for my goblet to be refilled. "Problem solved?"

 

"For now." I smiled as I drank. "And I was right - he's going to be a challenge. Just what I like."

 

 

 

Fox

 

They shaved me. All the hair - gone. All of it – except for the hair on my head. I had thought that there was nothing more humiliating than being sold like a piece of property, no matter how much I admired my new "master". I was wrong. It was bad enough to have my chest and underarms shaved clean - not that I had much chest hair to begin with - but then they shaved my genitals. I held my breath and sweated when they shaved my testicles and then, greatest humiliation of all, they bent me over and shaved my asshole. If I had been unsure of my standing in Lord Walter's household before now, this alone confirmed it. I was his slave, his boy.

 

More humiliation lay in store. The soap was rinsed off my body, I was toweled off, and then led into the main part of the house, naked as the day I was born. I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look up from the ground, certain that I was the object of derisive stares, feeling my face hot and flushed.

 

"Ah, here's Fox."

 

That voice, that loved and hated voice, and those boots in front of me. I didn't need instructions; I knew what I was supposed to do, what I needed to do. I knelt before him, bent over and kissed his boots.

 

"That's a good boy." The voice was warm with approval and a gentle hand stroked my hair. I ventured to look upward and found warm brown eyes smiling down at me. "Stand up and let me have a look at you."

 

I flushed and bowed my head. "Sir - I - I can't."

 

He bent over and murmured against my ear, "Embarrassed, Fox? Ashamed to be seen naked?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"You are forgetting something, Fox. Your body doesn't belong to you anymore - it belongs to me. If it pleases me to see your body naked than it should please you. Now, stand up."

 

I stood up, still flushed but fixing my eyes on him and willing everyone else to disappear from my awareness. Lord Walter examined me carefully, running a hand over my chest and lifting my balls, appearing to be satisfied.

 

"Beautiful, Fox," he said softly.

 

"Careful, Walter," said his friend. "You’ll be turning his head and ending up with a vain slave boy."

 

"I don’t think so," my owner said, studying me with a half-smile. "I doubt that vanity is one of Fox’s sins. Rather the reverse. All right, boy. Return to my chamber and wait for me there."

 

"Yes, sir," I said quietly and turned to follow the steward.

 

"Fox."

 

I turned back, startled at the sharp tone. "Sir?"

 

"Never turn your back to your master, Fox, without my express orders."

 

I flushed, embarrassed. "Sorry, sir." I backed away, trying to judge with my peripheral vision so that I wouldn’t trip over a stool or bump into anyone, until I reached the doorway, then hurried after the steward.

 

 

 

Chapter Three

 

Walter

 

Fox was waiting when I entered the room, nervously pacing back and forth, and he looked up with a combination of relief and dread that I found strangely endearing. I sat down on the bed and held out my foot. He quickly moved to kneel and removed first one boot and then the other.

 

"They will need to be cleaned before I dress in the morning," I said as he carried them over to the wardrobe. "Bring that bedgown over here and undress me."

 

"Yes, sir." As he unbuckled my belt and started to take it to the wardrobe I said, "Leave it on the bed. I'll be needing it." I felt his eyes jerk up to my face but ignored him until he had completed undressing me and helped me into the bedrobe.

 

"Every night you will undress me and bathe me before bed. We'll forgo the bath tonight, but in future you will prepare for it. After my bath we will handle your punishment for the day."

 

"Punishment, sir?" The voice was weak.

 

"Punishment, Fox. For every time you fail to perform a task and have to be reminded, or perform a task badly you will receive one stroke. For every time you question my orders you will receive two strokes. Direct disobedience will merit three strokes per incidence. I will expect you to keep track of your punishment strokes and tell me what you have coming. I shall also be keeping track and, should you fail to give me the correct number, your stroke count will be added to mine. Am I understood?"

 

"Yes, sir." The voice was so wispy that I thought he might faint on me.

 

"Now, you have belonged to me for less than half a day and you already have punishment coming to you. What do you deserve to be punished for, Fox?"

 

He cleared his throat, obviously trying to pull his wits together. "Um - the shaving thing. Refusing to be shaved and then arguing with you about it. And then - in the dining room -when I didn’t want to stand at first. Seven strokes, sir?"

 

I was inclined to forgive his reluctance to be on public display, but I was impressed by his scrupulousness in owning his faults. It had been such a long time since I had dealt with such a truly honest person that I had almost forgotten what it was like. "Very well. Seven strokes. Bend over the bed." He quietly obeyed me and I took a moment to study the smooth, unmarked skin in front of me. Such a beautiful young man, such a firm ass, and I wondered if he was a virgin. I intended to find that out for myself before too long but first things first - he was awaiting punishment and it was cruel to make him wait any longer.

 

I picked up my belt, wrapped it twice around my fist until it was the length I wanted, and then lifted it. Seven strokes, and I counted them aloud as I slowly measured them out. His body jerked as each stroke of the belt met his ass and clenched the bedcover tightly in his fists but he was silent. I wondered who had taught him to be so quiet when being whipped but that, too, was a matter for another time. The last stroke, and his forehead slumped down against the mattress as a silent shudder wracked his body. I gently rubbed his back, feeling him tense under my hand.

 

"All over, Fox," I said gently.

 

"Yes, sir," he said weakly and attempted to get up but my hand still held him down. I could feel him tense again and sensed that he was wondering what I had in store for him next. I settled on the bed next to him, turning him over onto his back. Those chameleon eyes, vulnerable and fearful, met mine. I smiled.

 

"Relax." I caressed his face gently, lifted his head and slid over so that his head rested on my lap. My hand moved down his chest, caressing his smooth skin. "You are very beautiful, my fox cub. Such soft, sweet skin." I could feel the trembling of his body under my hand and I leaned over to brush my lips against his. "What, Fox?" I asked very gently.

 

"I – I don’t know what you want of me now, sir."

 

"I want you to relax while I acquaint myself with my new possession." I continued to caress his skin, toying with his nipples, watching the shifting light in his eyes. "After your punishment, if I feel so inclined, we will have sex. There may be other times that I will wish to use your body as well, but you should always expect it at night. If you please me, then you shall be permitted to sleep in the bed with me. If you displease me, you will sleep on the floor. If you continuously displease me, I shall send you to the barracks to entertain my soldiers and buy another bedwarmer. Am I understood?"

 

"Sir," Fox was flushing scarlet now. "I - I've never - I don't know how - "

 

"Are you a virgin, Fox?"

 

He was embarrassed and I found it endearing. "I've been with a few girls but no men."

 

"And in prison and the slave pens? None of the guards touched you?" He shook his head and I thought I understood - Spender had undoubtedly given strict orders that this delectable young man was to be reserved for him. I was amused at the thought that all of Spender’s care had been for my benefit and I leaned over to kiss him gently again. "Good. Then you have no bad habits to break. I shall teach you how to please me, Fox, and I shall never fault you for lack of knowledge or skill - only for insufficient enthusiasm."

 

I let my hand move down to his cock, gently stroking it, and felt his response with satisfaction. Although I wanted that beautiful body beneath mine, hungered to feel myself buried deep within his sweet, tight ass, I was no green boy unable to control my appetite. I wanted him for more than one night and I wanted him hot and eager for my touch, a willing slut for my body. I was more than willing to move slowly in order to achieve my prize. Tonight I would give him pleasure.

 

I took his cock in my hand and stroked slowly up and down. He sighed a little and those dark lashes fluttered shut. The tip of his tongue came out to moisten his lips and I smiled. What a little hedonist he was! So sensitive and sensual, ready to surrender himself to pleasure. With a little skillful handling, he would be the most desirable bed partner I had known in longer than I cared to remember. Fluid was already flowing from the slit and I thought that it had been a long time since he had taken any pleasure. I tightened my grip and increased my stroking; he moaned and wriggled slightly in my lap, and I bent my head to softly kiss him. His lips clung to mine, and they tasted so sweet that I let myself drink of them. I could feel the tension in his body increase and I leaned over to murmur in his ear, "Come, my beautiful fox cub. I want you to come." He gasped, and then he was coming hard under my hand and crying out with the pleasure of it. I smiled again; yes, I had chosen well when I had bought this young man.

 

He lay there panting for a long moment, his face flushed and his lips swollen from kissing. His eyes slowly opened and I could see that they were very green and full of wonder. "Why did you do that?"

 

"Because I can." I smiled. "There are two things and only two things that you have to remember, Fox. I am the source of all your pain and I am the source of all your pleasure. It is your behavior that will determine which you receive from me. Do you understand me, Fox?"

 

"Yes, sir – and thank you."

 

The simple and sincere gratitude in his voice and eyes was almost enough to unman me and I said, gruffly, "Enough of that, boy. Get to bed. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Speaking of which - do you know how to ride?"

 

"Yes, sir."

 

"Good." I stood up and pulled back the covers as he slipped out of the bed and started to curl up on the floor. "Up here, boy." He looked surprised and I smiled as I ruffled his hair. "You did very well for your first day. You may sleep in the bed tonight."

 

"Thank you, sir." He slipped under the covers and slid to the far side of the bed.

 

I removed my robe and slid between the sheets, wincing a little at the cold. Tomorrow I must remind Fox to warm the sheets. Tomorrow we would be home, I thought with a smile. I closed my eyes and fell into an easy sleep, dreaming of home and my own bed and a warm fox cub making it a cozy nest.

 

 

 

Fox

 

Will I ever understand the man?

 

He lies on the other side of the bed, sound asleep, and I can see the strong planes of his face in the flickering firelight. And I lie here, exhausted in body but not mind, watching him sleep. My ass is sore and bears the marks from his belt. My cock is flaccid and satisfied from his skillful handling. Pain and pleasure, pleasure and pain. Which is the true measure of the man? Or are they both sides of his true self? I was prepared for the harshness but not for the softness, and it is that which will undo me. Does he know it? I feel as if, somehow, he does. And I find it impossible to believe that twenty-four hours ago this man knew nothing of me and I knew little of him and now I am in his bed and, moreover, happy to be there. Of course, I tell myself reasonably, I had no choice in the matter and it is far, far better to be here than in Spender's clutches. I shudder.

 

"Fox, if you don't close your eyes and go to sleep, I shall beat you again and send you to sleep on the floor."

 

How did he do that? I look at him carefully but his eyes remain closed. I decide not to test the man - for now, at any rate - and close my eyes. A strong arm comes across the bed and I find myself tucked up against a hard warm body. I smile, breathe a sigh of contentment, and let myself drift into sleep.

 

 

 

Chapter Four

 

Walter

 

I awakened to the unfamiliar but not unwelcome feeling of warmth from a long, lean body pressed against my side and I was aware that a smile had crossed my face. Fox. The young man was wrapped around me as if taking refuge in my greater warmth, and the combination of the innocence and trustfulness of his action threatened to unman me again. The steady heat from his seal-soft skin raised another kind of heat within me; if it weren’t for my resolution, I would roll him over and take him right now. I sighed and exerted my willpower to conquer my baser inclinations, reminding myself that the pleasure will be all the greater for waiting. However, if I was to keep my resolution, I must get us both out of this bed.

 

I sat up and slid out of Fox’s arms, then bent over to shake him. "Fox, wake up."

 

He blinked and, for a moment, looked confused by his surroundings. Another blink, and then he was smiling at me so softly and sweetly that I could barely restrain myself from flinging myself on him and fucking him senseless. I sighed and turned away, getting out of bed.

 

"We’ve got a long way to travel today."

 

Fox slid out of bed and brought me the chamber pot, then a basin of water and a towel and I found that both helped to wake me up and lessen my ardor. He fetched my riding clothes and assisted me into them, then settled down to clean my boots while I broke my fast. I watched the faint morning light play on his bent head and saw him shiver a little in the cool morning air. Clothes, I thought; I must do something about clothes for him. For a moment I regretted my decision to leave immediately, but I could always have my sewing women outfit him and I found myself feeling even more territorial today. I will have him in my home and in my bed, and the sooner the better. In the meantime… I went to my trunk and hunted for a few minutes, producing an old tunic and breeches that would fit him without being overly loose. Footwear would be more difficult – his feet are longer and narrower than mine – and in the end decided that a pair of soft-shoes would have to do for now. At least they wouldn’t rub his feet raw, and it wasn’t as if he’d be walking today.

 

I set the clothes down beside him and he looked up, puzzled. I grinned. "For you, Fox. Although I admire your current condition, you will be much more comfortable traveling suitably dressed."

 

He grinned back at me and I could see a hint of mischief in that grin. "What a relief, sir."

 

I cuffed him gently. "Insolent cub. Are my boots ready?" He nodded and pulled them on for me. "I’m going to see to the horses and the wagon. Dress yourself and then pack. We leave within the hour."

 

 

 

Fox

 

As soon as my master left, I scrambled into the clothes he left me. It had been a long time since I had anything clean to wear and I reveled in the feel of clean fabric against my skin. I fancied that a bit of his scent clung to the clothes and rubbed my face briefly against the sleeve, feeling a little foolish as I did so. Then I set about packing up his belongings, not an onerous task for the man appeared to be incredibly neat by nature. There were a few garments to be packed back into the trunk, some bagged for the laundress, and some personal possessions to be packed into saddlebags.

 

On the table by the bed was a slender bound book of verses and I picked it up with reverent hands. I had seen and touched these before at University and, suddenly, the wave of longing for my old life was so intense that I wanted to cry and scream and bang my head against the wall until the blood clouded my eyes and my memory.

 

He came into the room and I dropped the book on the bed, turning hastily toward the window and the bags there. "Ready, Fox?"

 

"Yes, sir." I picked up the bags and slipped out the door, my face averted from his sharp gaze, and followed the men carrying the trunk.

 

 

 

Walter

 

He had been crying. I could see the red eyes in that face averted from mine and, for a moment, I was filled with an unreasonable anger. Insolent cub, how dare he weep and mope about when I have risked my future to secure him? He slipped from the room and I let him go, wordlessly, trying to control the shaking. Fool that I am, letting a pretty face and pretty manners blind me.

 

And then I saw the book on the bed and the shining drop on its cover. I picked it up and smoothed the moisture away, touched my finger to my lips. Salty. So it was this that he was weeping over – a book. I frowned as I looked at the cover, wondering what would have set him off. Then, in a moment of sudden clarity, I saw Fox as he must have been before Spender wrecked his life: an eager lad, chattering with his tutors, soaking up knowledge the way a plant soaks up nourishment from the earth. And now, a slave, dependent on a master for food, shelter, even the clothes he wore. I was suddenly ashamed of my anger. I, risking my future? What right have I to be angered when he has no future but what I allow him?

 

I slowly went down to the courtyard where my trunk and the supplies I purchased were being loaded into the wagons. Fox handed some bags up with one hand, my saddlebag in his other, and I crossed to join him. Wordlessly, I took the bag and unfastened a panel to put the book inside, and I could feel his eyes on me. I gripped his shoulder and said, gruffly, "It will come out all right in the end, boy."

 

I could see him swallow hard, heard him murmur, "Thank you, sir," and then I squeezed his shoulder again and moved on to talk to the Amazon who was captain of my soldiers. The Captain inclined her head to me as I approached, turning away from her troops to give me her full attention.

 

"We are ready, Lord Walter."

 

"Good. You have a horse for the boy to ride?"

 

"Yes, my lord."

 

I could see that she was curious – slaves ride with the baggage cart, not mounted on horseback – and I wanted to emphasize Fox’s place in my household. "Captain, you should consider Fox to be my most important possession. His life and well-being should be second only to mine in your thoughts."

 

"Yes, my lord."

 

"He is noble-born, not a peasant’s brat. And it is possible – unlikely, but possible – that the man responsible for his family’s downfall will try to snatch him from me. That is one reason why we are leaving town so soon, before our original plans. Do you understand me, Captain?"

 

"Yes, my lord. I shall see that he is well-protected."

 

I nodded in satisfaction and mounted my horse. Behind me I could hear the troops mounting up, then the Captain was leading our party out of the town. Toward home.

 

 

 

Fox

 

Footsteps approached me as I finished securing Lord Walter’s possessions, and I glanced over my shoulder warily, then my eyes widened in surprise. Facing me was a tall young woman in soldier's armor, near my own height but of muscular build. A fringe of red hair showed under her helmet and her blue eyes studied me in an appraising manner. An Amazon, I thought in amazement.

 

"Fox? I’m Captain Dana Scully. I have your horse ready, and his lordship is eager to depart."

 

I looked over and saw Lord Walter swing up easily onto the back of a large black destrier, easily controlling its nervous movements as it pranced and swung about in place. On horseback, he looked twice as big as life and I was awed and not a little frightened at the thought of belonging to such a powerful being. Then I clenched my jaw and drew myself up to my full height - I might not be as strong as Lord Walter but I was no puny weakling.

 

I turned towards Captain Scully and said, firmly, "I'm ready."

 

I could see the amusement on her face, as if she had read my thoughts, but she said nothing. She gave me a leg-up and settled my stirrups, and I could see her appraising my riding ability. I had few qualms for I have ridden since I was little although it had been over a month since I was in the saddle. I thought ruefully that I would be stiff and sore at the end of this day’s ride, and the thought reminded me that Lord Walter may wish to do another kind of riding when we reached his home. I could feel my face flushing at the thought, but the Captain just nodded and went to mount her own horse. I found myself at the center of a ring of horseman as we rode through the town and wondered if this guard was for my protection or to keep me from running away. Unnecessary, I thought – I have no where else to go.

 

Reality hit me then and tears blinded me as I followed my escort out of the main gate. In a few short hours I would be far away from the town where I was born, and I did not know if I would ever return.

 

 

 

Chapter 5

 

Walter

 

We rode out of the city without incident and took the main road north. Once free of my first worry, that Spender would engage my troops within the city where there was little fighting room, I let myself relax. I was being overly paranoid, I told myself. Fox was only a slave and surely even Spender would not risk alienating himself from my brother's affections by a direct attack on me. More likely, Spender would vent his anger on his unfortunate servants when he learned that Fox had slipped out of his hands and would seek an alternate way to bring the young man into his possession. An offer to purchase the slave from me, perhaps. Yes, that seemed the most likely course that the other man would take.

 

A burst of laughter from the back of the troop brought me out of my thoughts and I realized that many miles had passed while I was locked inside myself. I glanced back towards the sound and saw Fox at the center of a knot of riders. I signaled for Captain Scully and, in a few minutes, the young Captain joined me.

 

"Your men sound in good spirits, Captain."

 

Captain Scully grinned. "It's the lad, sir. He's been telling us stories of his school days, and singing." She chuckled. "The lad has a wider knowledge of bawdy songs than one would expect from one of his years."

 

"He's eighteen," I murmured. "Hardly an infant." At eighteen I had been married for a year and put in command of my first regiment.

 

"From his stories, it appears that the lad has a genius for getting into trouble. I don't envy you, sir. He's going to be a handful."

 

Another burst of laughter, and I found my teeth clenching in an effort to rein in the flare of jealousy. "Send him up here to ride with me. I could use the distraction myself."

 

Captain Scully saluted and wheeled her horse around. A few minutes later, Fox's horse pulled alongside mine and he smiled at me.

 

"You wanted me, Master?"

 

I found my ire disappearing under the influence of that smile. "I grow tired of my own thoughts. Captain Scully tells me that you've been amusing her men."

 

Fox looked at me warily and I supposed that I hadn't been able to completely suppress my jealousy. "They were just trying to be friendly, sir."

 

"As long as they are not too friendly, Fox." I smiled at him and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Entertain me, brat."

 

"Of course, sir. What would you prefer - a story or a song?"

 

"Start with a story - one of your University adventures. I have a feeling that I need to be prepared." As he looked over at me with wide, innocent eyes, I fought down the urge to grin. "And don't give me any of your innocent looks. I know trouble when I see it and you, my fox cub, are pure trouble."

 

Fox grinned over at me. "Speaking of cubs, sir, there was this teacher I had once. He was a prime example of how money and influence can triumph over the educational system - couldn't pour piss out of his boots with instructions on the heel. He insisted on arguing with me over documented evidence of existence beyond this Plane of Existence -" At Walter's puzzled look, he added, helpfully, "Ghosts, sir. He insisted that such things are nonsense, imaginings of disordered minds and the foolish dreaming of peasants. When I expressed a difference of opinion, he ridiculed me in front of the entire class."

 

I observed the tightly pressed lips and could well imagine the humiliation he had felt. "What did you do?"

 

Fox hesitated, then gave me that endearing grin again. "Well, there was a traveling circus in town at the time. One of the Fellows slipped me and a - um - friend into the Dorm where the junior teachers slept. The man made the whole College come running when he woke to find a tame bear cub licking honey off his toes. I believe that his nightclothes and bed also required changing after that."

 

I burst out laughing, well imagining that scene. "By the Gods, Fox! You are a scamp! What happened after that?"

 

"He complained to the Dean, wanted me caned within an inch of my life. But the Dean was a splendid fellow - and I suspect he disliked the man as well. Oh, he reamed me a new one and sent me down for the remainder of the Term, but when I came back the next Term I found that the idiot teacher had been dismissed." A look of intense satisfaction crossed that expressive face and I filed another piece of information about my new possession.

 

"And your parents? What did they do?"

 

He shrugged. "My father would have beaten me, I suppose, but my mother kept me out of his way until the new term started. And he was always busy at Court." A sad, wistful look crossed his face and I recalled his brief statement that his parents were dead.

 

"Well, you won't find any women's skirts to hide behind in my home," I commented dryly, and was pleased to see a flash of indignation cross his face.

 

"I don’t hide behind women's skirts, sir! I'll take any punishment that I have coming to me!" He colored suddenly, as if worried that his outburst would anger me, but I merely nodded and he added, quietly, "My parents were having -problems. And my mother was in ill health since the birth of my sister. It upset her when my father and I had - disagreements."

 

"What happened to the rest of your family, Fox?" I asked gently.

 

He stared off into the distance, his jaw muscles tight. "They broke into our house late one night with a decree from the King naming my father as a traitor. Spender's men. We were all taken away. I learned later that my mother collapsed and died that night. My father was executed a few days later. You know what happened to me." He swallowed hard. "I never heard what happened to Samantha. I suppose that she was sold as well." He gave me a hesitant, sideways look. "Sir - do you think - "

 

I nodded. "Write out a description of your sister - her age, appearance, the date she was taken - when we get home, and I'll see what I can find out."

 

A sudden smile crossed his face, and it was like the sun coming out from behind a cloud. "Thank you, sir!"

 

I returned the smile, relieved to see the sadness lift from his face. "My pleasure, Fox. And now - how about a song to lighten our spirits?"

 

"Of course, sir!" Fox began singing an amusing ballad about a young minstrel's improbable and erotic travels in a light, clear tenor. I smiled and listened with one ear, laughing at the appropriate places. But, inside, my heart was chilled by the thought of what Spender was capable of doing, and my mind was filled with worry about the fate of not only young Fox, but of my brother and the Kingdom I was sworn to protect.

 

 

 

Fox

 

I passed that morning in a more lighthearted spirit than I could recall since the day that my life had changed. Lord Walter had said that he would help find Samantha, and I knew that there was little that he wouldn't be able to accomplish. He kept me at his side for most of the morning, and I found that I enjoyed making him smile and laugh. The man looked like he had experienced little of either lately, and I was determined to learn more about my new master. I told myself that it was only prudent, that a slave should know everything he could about his master, and had best be able to interpret his moods if he was to keep his skin intact. In truth, though, I was already starting to fall in love with him.

 

We halted at mid-day to rest the horses and eat, and I was grateful for the break from riding. I could already feel my muscles protesting at their ill treatment after many long days of forced inactivity and I attempted to work out some of the kinks before collapsing on the ground under a tree.

 

There was movement in the grass and a body settled beside me. I looked up to see Captain Scully offering me food from her saddlebag and accepted with thanks, casting my glance around without finding my quarry.

 

"He's walked up to the top of the rise," Captain Scully said, gesturing, and I looked in the direction that she pointed. "I think Lord Walter is eager to be at home."

 

I could feel speculative eyes on my face and focused on ripping a piece off the load of bread she offered me, then looked over to see that one of the guards was removing the saddle from Lord Walter's horse and placing it on another of the fine destriers among the spare horses.

 

"Is something wrong with Lord Walter's horse?" I asked.

 

"No; his lordship always changes horses when we stop during long journeys. It would not be wise to be caught on a tired horse if we were set upon by enemies."

 

"Do you expect trouble?" I asked, a little anxious, noticing that the Captain had also posted two guards while the others rested and ate.

 

"I always expect trouble," Captain Scully said coolly, "And I am rarely disappointed."

 

"I've never met an Amazon before," I said, studying the tall redhead as she removed her helmet and settled more comfortably on the ground. "I didn't know that there were any in this land."

 

She shrugged. "There aren't many outside of the Temple. I was brought here as a child after the late King's fleet destroyed the slaver's ship that I was on. They would have sent me home but my parents were dead and I didn't know where my home was, so the King gave me into Lord Walter's care. I became a page in his household; the steward and his wife became my second parents and Lord Walter saw that I was trained in arms. When I was old enough, I joined his guard and eventually became captain."

 

"Your sense of devotion is remarkable."

 

"I would give my life for Lord Walter." Her deep voice was matter-of-fact but there was an underlying tone of pure steel. Anyone would think twice about crossing swords with her.

 

"What is it like - his home, I mean?"

 

Captain Scully shrugged. "The fortifications are well-designed and it's situated above a cliff on one side, so it's easy to defend."

 

"Spoken like a soldier," I teased. "What about the castle itself? Large? Small? Cold and drafty? And the estate - large or small?"

 

The Captain appeared to consider this and said, slowly, "The fortifications are medium-sized, and the lord's house itself is medium-sized, I suppose. More comfortable than some I've seen, and there's one of those Roman contraptions to run water from an underground hot spring to a bathing chamber. I hear that the late king had it specially built for Lord Walter's mother - she was in fragile health most of her life and died young."

 

"Lord Walter was born there?"

 

The Captain nodded. "Lived there all his life, from what I understand. Of course, the estate belongs to the King but Lord Walter manages it for him. I don't think he's really happy anywhere else."

 

I eyed the figure standing on the hilltop looking off into the distance and asked, casually, "Did Lord Walter's wife like it there?"

 

Captain Scully eyed me again. "You ask a lot of questions for a slave."

 

I shrugged. "It's best to learn everything I can so that I don't do or say anything to offend my master. Does he ever talk about her?"

 

The Captain studied the apple in her hand and said, slowly, "No, he never talks about her. It was a match arranged between the late King and Lady Sharon's father, and it was a mistake from the start. Lady Sharon hated it - she refused to come back here after her first visit. She preferred the excitement of Town and the intrigue of the Court. They spent much of their marriage apart, Lady Sharon in Town and Lord Walter here, although he went to her as soon as word came of the accident."

 

"Accident?"

 

"She was thrown from her horse and struck her head. She appeared to be all right, even laughed about it, but later on she got sleepy and they couldn't wake her. Then she was gone."

 

I nodded - I had read of such things while at the University. "How did Lord Walter take it?"

 

The Captain sighed. "I think he felt guilty about it although there was nothing he could have done. And I think he was relieved as well. His heart was never in it although he tried for his father's sake. But his preferences were always elsewhere."

 

I felt the sideways glance and flushed slightly. "Surely the King didn't disapprove? The Priests tell us that everyone is capable of desiring both sexes and that there is nothing shameful in the expression of that desire. It is well-known that the late King had several male lovers, and his father had a male consort after his Queen died."

 

"Ah, but they took wives to give them heirs. The late King thought that Lord Walter should marry to produce heirs and seek his preferred pleasures outside the marriage bed, in the traditional manner."

 

"And did he?"

 

"I don't think that it would be appropriate for me to say anything further on this matter." She started to rise and I put out my hand quickly to stop her.

 

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or embarrass you, and I'm not trying to pry. It's just - this whole situation is new to me. I feel like I'm walking in the dark without a torch." I removed my hand but said, softly, "Please stay."

 

The Captain stared at me silently for a long moment. "You are trying to pry, but I suppose that it is understandable. I was a slave once myself, and if the Gods hadn't intervened, I might have been in a similar situation." Blue eyes studied me again, and a faint smile quirked her lips. "Perhaps it is just as well that I am not attracted to men, for I can see that it would be easy to fall for you, Milord Fox, and I imagine Lord Walter would have my head for that."

 

"Then perhaps we can be friends. It has been a long time since I've had a true friend."

 

If the Captain saw anything peculiar in the suggestion of friendship between the Captain of the Guards and a slave-boy, she didn't say so. Instead, that faint smile quirked her lips again. "I would like that, Fox." Then she rose and began the process of stirring her troops from their rest.

 

I spent most of the afternoon deep in thought as we rode. Lord Walter rode at the head of the troop accompanied by the Captain and, by their expressions and gestures, they were discussing the relative merits of the various routes to our destination. I rode in the middle of the troop this time, and the Captain must have warned her men about being too friendly towards me because their attitude was cautiously polite. Ah, well, I thought; it wasn't the first time I'd found myself isolated. In the meantime, I let my thoughts wander and wasn't too concerned that they tended to focus on the enigma that was my master.

 

We stopped for another break in the late afternoon, and I felt my legs trembling as I stood on solid ground again. A little stretching was all I could manage before I sank to the ground with a groan, lying flat on my back. I refused offers of food although I gratefully accepted a skin of watered wine and drank thirstily. I wondered how much longer we would have to travel and groaned at the thought of climbing back into the saddle.

 

Propping myself up on my elbows, I studied the men scattered around in various states of repose. I noted that two men walked or stood on the fringes of the resting group again, alert for any sign of danger, and grinned as I thought that the Captain was not taking any chances. Another man was saddling a fresh mount from the string of war-horses. I glanced around for the Captain and saw that she was talking to Lord Walter again and, more to the point, they were both looking at me. I dropped my head back on the ground and swore under my breath. I knew that they had seen my shaky dismount and were debating what was to be done with me. Images of being sent back to ride with the baggage cart, or left here with guards till the cart caught up, rose to mind.

 

There was movement around me and I realized that the troop was mounting again. I pushed myself to my feet, biting my tongue to keep a groan from escaping, and moved toward my horse.

 

"Fox, you'll be riding with me," Walter said, striding over to where I stood trying to summon the energy to put my foot in the stirrup. Captain Scully led over the freshly saddled mount, a blank expression on her face.

 

I looked at Lord Walter suspiciously. "I'm fine. I can ride by myself."

 

"Perhaps so, but I wish to talk with you privately, and it will best be served by having you sit before me."

 

"Besides which," Captain Scully added, "I believe that your mount has picked up a stone and we have no spares safe for you to ride."

 

I frowned at both of them, recognizing that I was being managed but I could hardly call either of them a liar - not unless I wanted to risk an encounter with that belt again. I sighed. "Very well."

 

Lord Walter mounted. I put my foot on his and he held down his hand to pull me up easily to sit astride before him, then wrapped an arm around my waist to secure me close against him while the other hand took up the reins. I could feel myself flushing at the intimate closeness of our positions; I had never been this close to another man before, even last night, and I could feel his heat all the way down my back. A different kind of heat flashed through my groin and I bit back a groan, hoping that he wouldn't discover what his nearness was doing to me. A soft chuckle in my ear told me that my hopes were in vain.

 

"Very flattering, cub. If we were alone, I might do something about that but you'll have to wait till we get home."

 

The troop started off again and I welcomed the cooling breeze that fanned my flushed face. "How long before we reach your home?"

 

"We've got several more hours of travel still. Relax - rest. You've had a busy couple of days."

 

His voice was low and soothing against my ear and I fought the urge to close my eyes. "I'm not tired," I said steadily. "Tell me about your home."

 

He was silent, and I turned my head to look at his face, worried that I might have offended him. I was surprised to find a soft smile on his face, his eyes focused elsewhere. "There's a place on the hills above the castle. It's a steep climb, but when you get there you can look out over the land below: the forest, the river, the fields. From there, the castle looks like a child's toy, as if you could reach out and pick it up and put it in your pocket." He paused and looked down at my face and smiled. "I'll take you to that place someday and you'll understand."

 

"I'd like that," I said softly.

 

"Good," he said, his face and voice returning to normal. "Now close your eyes and rest."

 

I turned my head back to look forward, hiding the smile on my face. "Yes, Master." And, between the wine and my own fatigue, I slept.

 

 

 

Chapter 6

 

Walter

 

Dark was falling by the time our weary horses crossed the drawbridge and passed under the portcullis. Stableboys ran forward to our horses' heads and around me I heard my weary troops dismount. Captain Scully was at my stirrup, calling forward two soldiers to relieve me of my sleeping burden. Fox hardly stirred when he was transferred and I gestured for them to take him toward the manor house. I dismounted and rubbed my stiff arm; the lad may be slender but he had been a dead weight against my shoulder for the past two hours.

 

"Good work, Captain," I said, clapping her on the shoulder. "Extra rations for your troop tonight and I think a ration of spirits."

 

She smiled at me widely. "The men will appreciate that, my lord. Thank you."

 

I nodded and moved on toward the manor in the wake of my sleeping companion. William, my steward, hurried down the steps with a smile on his face and torchbearers in his wake.

 

"My lord, it is good to see you! You've been gone a long time."

 

"Too long," I agreed, looking around me in satisfaction. "It is good to be home."

 

William looked curiously at the burden the soldiers carried. "Did you find him on the road? Was the lad injured?"

 

"No, he is merely exhausted. His name is Fox and he belongs to me. I bought him at the slave market."

 

William's eyes widened in surprise but he said nothing, turning toward one of the pages. "Take him to my lord's chamber."

 

"See that he is settled for the night - I doubt that he will wake. He is unaccustomed to travel." William nodded. "Any matters of import to be handled?"

 

"Nothing that can't wait till morning, my lord. Not that I expect you'll pay me any heed on that matter. Should I have supper brought to your office?"

 

I smiled. "You know me too well, William. Yes, that would be good." William sent another page off in search of his wife as we entered the manor, then headed off towards my chamber as I turned toward my office. I pulled off my riding gloves and settled behind my desk with a contented sigh. It was good to be home.

 

I was sorting through the scrolls and documents on my desk when my housekeeper entered, beaming from ear to ear and bearing a tray. "Lord Walter, it's so good to have you home again. Though the Gods know that you shouldn't be messing about with business when you've just got home - not that you'll listen to me."

 

"Don't fuss, Maggie," I said with a frown as I waved for her to set the tray on a side-table instead of on my papers. "You'll have a new target for your mothering skills. I've brought home another stray."

 

"Another child, my lord?"

 

"Hardly. Fox is eighteen, though he does tend to appear a bit younger." I picked up the mug from the tray and drained half of it.

 

"And not an ounce of fat on him, by what I can see," William added, entering the office.

 

"Maggie'll soon fix that. Is he settled?"

 

"Sleeping like a babe. I took the liberty of removing his shirt and shoes so he could rest more comfortably." I nodded in thanks, occupied as I was in swallowing a hunk of bread and cheese. "Lord Walter bought him in the slave market," he informed his spouse in a carefully bland voice.

 

Maggie frowned at me. "And just why would you be buying a slave boy in a common market, my lord?"

 

My mouth was still occupied so I merely raised an eyebrow at her while her husband helpfully informed her, "The boy is in Lord Walter's bed."

 

"A common slave boy?"

 

"There is nothing 'common' about Fox," I informed her dryly. "His father was a Clerk at Court before he was accused of treason and the family imprisoned. Fox is well-born and something special. And you are not to be making a pet of him, Maggie," I said sternly. "The boy is having a hard enough time adjusting to his new life without you spoiling him."

 

"A high-spirited lad?"

 

I snorted. "To say the least." I pushed away the tray and rose to my feet. "Well, I expect that these will keep. I'm going to bed. William, we'll handle these matters in the morning. Notify my bailiff that I'll want to ride the estate the day after tomorrow."

 

"Very good, my lord."

 

I started down the corridor towards my chamber but not before I heard the exchange behind me.

 

Softly - "He left the papers till morning. He's never done that before."

 

Questioning - "Do you think this is the one?"

 

"Who knows? Perhaps."

 

And I smiled to myself as I walked. Yes. Perhaps. This just might be the one.

 

 

 

Fox

 

I woke mid-morning to an empty bed, although the indentation next to me proved that I had had a companion during my slumbers. I sat up and looked around the unfamiliar room and wondered where I was and how I had gotten there. The answers seemed simple enough - I must be in Lord Walter's home and this was more than likely his bed.

 

My body was urgently reminding me that there were matters that needed to be taken care of and I located the necessary facilities, then stripped off my breeches and quickly washed in cold water. Chilled but awake, I dressed again - the same clothes as yesterday and somewhat the worse for wear, but I had no others. Then I looked around the room, trying to determine what I should do next. My stomach was growling and I was aware that I had missed at least two meals if not more, but I could hardly go roaming around the castle without my master's permission. I straightened the bed and picked up the discarded clothing, setting them aside for the laundress, then unpacked the saddlebags lying across one of the chairs. The book of poetry was there and, after a moment of hesitation, I curled up in a chair and opened it.

 

I was deeply absorbed in reading when a knock came on the door. Guiltily, I dropped the book onto the chair and called out, "Come!" then realized that it was hardly appropriate for a slave to be giving orders and I started towards the door.

 

A stocky, pleasant-faced, older man stood in the doorway and he smiled at me. "Good morning, Fox. I'm William, Lord Walter's steward. He asked me to bring you to his office, if you were awake. Follow me."

 

I followed in his wake, casting curious eyes around me as I tried to get my bearings. Evidently Lord Walter's chambers ran along the entire East Side of the house. As we turned left around a corner, I could see the Great Hall through an archway to my left and the entry hall to my right. William continued forward and stopped at a doorway along the west corridor, tapping on the door before opening it and entering.

 

Lord Walter looked up as we entered. "Ah, good! Fox, take a seat over there - I have need of your copying skills." I obediently sat down at the small clerk's desk in the corner, checking the shelf for supplies. He brought over a scrap of parchment with a hasty scrawl on it. "This is a summons for my castellans. I need five copies in a fair hand. Do the first and let me see it before you start on the rest."

 

I nodded and dutifully set to work, ruefully reflecting that I had become a clerk after all. The first copy was approved and I set to work on the rest. As I worked, I became aware that my empty stomach was once more protesting its ill treatment. I wrapped an arm around my stomach in an effort to muffle the sound and concentrated on my work.

 

Lord Walter was discussing a legal ruling regarding sheep that had strayed onto another crofter's lands with William and he paused to make a note. Into the sudden silence, my stomach decided to make its presence known again. Loudly. Walter's head jerked up and he looked around with a frown.

 

"What was that?"

 

William coughed slightly. "I believe it was Fox's stomach, my lord."

 

Walter turned and fixed that frown on me. "Fox, was that you?"

 

"Um - yes, my lord."

 

"When did you last eat?"

 

"Yesterday. At the first stop, sir."

 

Walter gave an exasperated sigh and threw his pen down on his desk. "And why didn't you eat when you awakened this morning? There was bread and fruit on the table in my chamber."

 

"That was your food, Master," I said quietly.

 

"By all the - " Walter broke off his oath and rubbed his hand across his eyes. "Fox, you have my permission to eat and drink anything in my chambers. Are we clear on that?"

 

"Yes, sir. Should I return there?"

 

"From the sound of that growl, it will hardly be satisfied with bread. William, take Fox out to the kitchens and have Maggie feed him. You can finish the scrolls after that, Fox."

 

"Yes, sir."

 

I followed William out of the room and saw him look over at me with a grin. "You're a right handful, aren't you, Fox?" Evidently no reply was expected to that remark. "The kitchen is this way. Maggie - that's my wife - is the housekeeper here and she'll see that Cook finds you something hot and filling." That sounded wonderful and my stomach agreed, and William chuckled again.

 

"Have you worked for Lord Walter for long?" I asked as he led me out the back of the hall and across the kitchen gardens.

 

William nodded. "I've been with his lordship all his life, and I've been steward here since he took over the management when he was a lad younger than you. He's a good man - a bit short-tempered at times and rough with his tongue." He chuckled. "Although there should be less of that now, and there's plenty as will be glad that you've come here, lad."

 

Wonderful. Just what I needed to boost my self-confidence - the knowledge that the entire estate was counting on my sexual prowess to keep Lord Walter satisfied and off their backs.

 

We entered the kitchens and William called out to a small, dark-haired woman who was checking the contents of a barrel in a storeroom with a frown. She crossed to us, wiping her hands on her apron, and looked me over in quick appraisal.

 

"Well, you must be his lordship's Fox."

 

"Lord Walter would like you to find young Fox something to eat. It seems the lad has missed several meals and his stomach is sorely troubling him over it."

 

Maggie beamed at me as if learning that I was hungry was the best news she had ever heard. "We'll set you to rights, lad. Go on back to his lordship, Bill. I'll bring the young man back to his office when he's done eating." William nodded and hurried off with a reassuring smile at me, and Maggie looked me over again. "My stars, lad, you're nothing but skin and bone! Where have you been that you got so thin?"

 

"Prison," I said dryly.

 

Maggie made clucking noises and muttered something about "putting decent young lads in prison" as she settled me at a trestle table and called out orders to the kitchen staff. Two giggling servant wenches brought over a plate of broken meats, a loaf of bread, and a mug of beer, setting them on the table before me and trying to flirt with me until I was red with embarrassment.

 

"Off with you light-skirts!" Maggie ordered, seeing my embarrassment. "He belongs to His Lordship and is not for common trollops like you!" She settled across the table from me and gestured at the plate before me. "Well, go on, boy! It's not much but it should fill your stomach till dinner."

 

Not much? Compared to what I'd eaten over the past month, this was a feast and I set upon it like a ravenous animal. Maggie kept me company with an endless stream of small talk about the estate and its inhabitants until, by the end of the meal, I felt I knew the denizens of the manor intimately. Maggie surveyed my clean plate with beaming approval and took my mug to refill it, returning with a small tart in the other hand.

 

"Fresh out of the oven and filled to bursting with blackberries," she announced, setting it down with a wink. "I doubt that anyone will notice that one tart has gone missing."

 

I didn't protest, not even once, before that tart and I became one. It had been so long since I had tasted anything so good and she beamed at me again when I told her that.

 

"I don't hold by fancy dishes here, not as some prefer," she announced with a sniff, and I had a feeling that she was referring to the late mistress, "but you'll get good, solid, nourishing food at my table. We'll have flesh on those bones of yours by winter."

 

"Thank you, ma'am. You're being very good to me."

 

"Such a well-mannered lad - his lordship said there was nothing common about you and he was right."

 

I flushed a little at that, then began to think that Lord Walter would be expecting me back to finish the scrolls. Another thought occurred to me. "When does Lord Walter eat luncheon? Surely it is past time."

 

Maggie shook her head in amusement. "He'll send for a tray when he gets hungry -although like as not he's so buried in his papers that he won't notice till dinner. Aye, and growl about it like a wounded bear."

 

"I'll take his lunch to him," I offered. "I've got to finish my work anyway."

 

Maggie gave me a look that I couldn't read, then laughed softly. "Aye, lad. I believe you'll have him eating out of your hand in a month." She stood and, in a matter of minutes, handed me a tray laden with a roasted bird among other things, and then she hefted a pitcher and led the way.

 

Lord Walter looked up as I entered with the tray, followed by Maggie, and growled, "Maggie, I didn't ask for luncheon. I'm too busy right now to stop."

 

"Don’t blame Dame Margaret. It was my idea. You haven't eaten and it's past time." I stood in front of the desk, my eyes fixed on the tray in my hands, but I could feel the glare that he directed at me.

 

"Fox, you appear to have forgotten who is in charge here," he growled.

 

"You are, Master," I said, moving toward the side table. "Shall I set the tray down here, sir?"

 

"You - oh hell - just set it down anywhere!"

 

I carefully set the tray down and turned back to him with my head bowed. "Shall I finish the scrolls, sir?"

 

"Oh, for the Gods' sake - Maggie, take him out of here! The brat needs new clothing - get your women working on it."

 

Remembering an earlier lesson, I backed my way toward the door. It was only when I was in the hallway that I gave in to the shaking and leaned weakly against the wall. Lord Walter would no doubt beat me for my audacity later.

 

A low chuckle caught my attention, and I looked over at Maggie in stunned surprise.

 

"Did I say a month? I give him two weeks at most!" She tugged at my sleeve, laughing again at the look on my face. "Come on, lad. Let's see about getting you some new clothes."

 

 

 

Chapter 7

 

Walter

 

I looked over at William to find him grinning at me and glared. "And what are you smiling about, idiot?"

 

"You, my lord. You just chastised the lad for neglecting to eat and he turned around and caught you at it. It's about time that you had someone to look after you."

 

"I didn't buy him to be a nursery-maid," I growled. "I bought him to warm my bed and serve as my clerk."

 

William walked over to the desk where Fox had completed two more of the scrolls, examining them. "He has a fine hand, my lord. Unusual to find in a slave."

 

I set down my pen and frowned. "His father was a Clerk at Court. He was accused of treason and the family - well you know what happens to the family of traitors. His parents are dead, his sister gone. The boy himself was at University before this happened."

 

"An educated lad hardly makes a good bedwarmer, my lord."

 

"In any case, that is my concern and not yours, William."

 

"Certainly, my lord. I just hope that you don't set your heart on this boy returning your affection."

 

"My affection - are you daft? He's a slave, not my lover or consort."

 

"Just as long as you remember that, my lord."

 

I was sitting there at my desk, brooding about his words, when Maggie entered to fetch the tray.

 

"Your Fox is with the tailors, my lord. They're fitting a tunic and breeches to him now, and they'll have two sets of clothing ready by the morning and the rest within a few days. And the bootmaker has taken his measurement but it'll be a week before the boots are ready. He'll need a decent cloak before winter, too. I'll have to send into the village for heavy woolens - or would you prefer fur?"

 

"He's a slave boy, Maggie, not a child's doll to be dressed up."

 

"Aye, and that's something I don't understand. Fox told me about his family but I don't understand why you bought him."

 

"If I hadn't, Earl Spender would have bought him. And I have the feeling that Spender triggered the events that led to the accusation against his father."

 

"Dear Lady!" Even here, rumors of Spender's unnatural influences and tastes were beginning to spread. "But surely you could free him, keep him here as a clerk."

 

"I have no power to free him. It was the King's writ that imprisoned and enslaved him, and only the King can release him."

 

"I see." Maggie slowly walked toward the door with the tray. "It's been a long time since you had anyone here to share your bed."

 

I eyed her with a frown, certain that this was leading somewhere. "Yes, it has been."

 

"Why Fox?"

 

"Because I own him and want him. What is this about, Maggie? You've never questioned my preferences before now."

 

"It's just - he's such a young and innocent lad."

 

I growled and wondered why everyone persisted in viewing me as a debaucher of the young. "He is eighteen, Maggie and, although he is a virgin with men, he has tumbled more than one girl at University. Hell, at eighteen I was a married man and would have been a father if Sharon had been fertile."

 

Maggie sighed. "Yes, my lord. If you wish to change before dinner, you had best do so."

 

I growled, irritated at my staff's insistence in meddling in my affairs, and picked up my pen again. I didn't have time to change - didn't really have time for dinner; I had not gotten everything done that I needed to, and I was going to be away from the castle for two days. An hour later, I had made a sizable dent in the work before me when there was a knock on the door and Fox entered.

 

"Dinner, my lord."

 

"Coming," I said absently, then something registered and I called out, "Fox!" He came back in and I grinned. "New clothes?"

 

He looked down at the green tunic and brown breeches and grinned back at me. "Better? A little less like socks on a rooster?"

 

I capped my pen and rose, joining him at the door. "Much better."

 

The Hall was humming with talk and laughter when I entered, and I felt myself relax. I liked being here, among my people, so many of them familiar to me for years. I stopped to exchange a greeting with one, to congratulate another on the birth of his first child, aware of Fox following on my heels and the curious glances cast at him. I took my place at the High Table alone, a usual occurrence since I did not encourage visitors, and Fox brought me a bowl of water for washing my hands and a towel to dry them. The pages brought out the platters of meat and vegetables, and I found that I had a healthy appetite after all. I saw Captain Scully enter the Hall, stopping to speak to a few of her men, before taking her seat at the table with her foster parents. I saw her glance in my direction and then past me briefly, and I glanced over my shoulder to see that Fox had taken his place along the wall behind me.

 

"Fox," I called and he came forward to my side, kneeling.

 

"Master?"

 

"I'm bored with my own company. Sit. Entertain me." He hesitated, surprised, and I called over one of the pages. "A plate and cup for the boy. Talking is thirsty work."

 

I was aware of the looks being exchanged in the hall as Fox settled into the seat at my right hand, muttering a polite thanks to the page as he set out a plate and cup. I gestured for the page to fill Fox's wineglass and I carved a slice of beef from the platter, forking it onto his plate along with a selection of vegetables.

 

"So, Fox, tell me what you think of your new home so far." I pulled his plate closer to me so that I could cut the meat since he didn't have an eating knife, then decided that this would be a good lesson for both young Fox and my well-meaning-but-interfering staff. I speared a piece of the meat and held it up for Fox to eat. Hesitantly, he opened his mouth and pulled the tidbit off the fork, chewing it carefully.

 

"It's different from what I'm used to - but very nice," he added hastily. I held up another morsel. From his flushed face, I could tell that he was embarrassed to be fed like this but he would get used to it - and I could have commanded that he kneel beside my chair while I fed him.

 

"Different - how so?"

 

"We lived in a house in Town since I was a child, so that Father could be near the Court. It was a large house as such things go in town, with a small garden in the back, but nowhere near as large as this. And, of course, we didn't have a fortress surrounding us." He frowned at the piece of carrot that I held up to his lips. "I don't like carrots."

 

"I don't recall asking you what you liked." Reluctantly, he opened his mouth again and accepted the forkful of the hated vegetable, reaching for his goblet as soon as he had swallowed. I continued to feed him in between prompting him to talk and there were no further protests. I smiled - Fox was a quick learner, I thought, although I had no doubt that we would continue to have tussles of will. As a reward, I picked up a fruit tart in my fingers and held it up to his mouth. His eyes lit up and he carefully ate the sweet out of my fingers. The sight of those sharp white teeth made me wonder how they would feel on my skin and I felt a flash of heat run through my body.

 

"You missed some," I murmured, leaning over to lick a trail of berry juice off his full lower lip.

 

I felt his sharp intake of breath. "Master, they are watching us," he murmured as I released his mouth.

 

"Good. I don't want there to be any doubt that you belong to me." I held my fingers up to his mouth. "Clean them." Obediently, he licked the crumbs and berry juice off each finger then, to my surprise, sucked each digit into his mouth for a more thorough cleaning. His eyes flickered up to mine briefly, and I caught fire at the intense look in those chameleon-green depths. I leaned closer to him, murmuring in his ear, "You have the soul of a courtesan, my Fox. So hot, so eager for me. I could take you right here, on this table, and you wouldn't care who was watching. Can you see that, my sweet slave? Your naked chest pressed against this hard table while I filled that hot, tight ass again and again, pounding into you until you came screaming my name." I heard the groan that escaped from him and brushed my fingers over his groin. "Yes, you like that, don't you? You are already hard and eager for me."

 

Fox released the fingers that he had been sucking and opened the eyes that he had squeezed shut while I talked. "Please, Master," he murmured, his eyes hot and begging.

 

I chuckled and brushed my fingers over his lips and down his cheek. "Bedtime, Fox." I rose from the table and gestured to William to resume his place when he would have come to my side. "Don't interrupt your meal, William. I shall be turning in for the night."

 

"Yes, my lord," he said and his eyes flicked over to where Fox stood. "Your bailiff will be ready in the morning."

 

"Good. Come, Fox."

 

Once we were in my chamber, Fox quickly undressed me and helped me into my bedrobe, then followed me down the hallway to the bathing chamber. I slipped off my robe and eased into the water, unable to prevent the blissful sigh that escaped from me as the warm water eased the tensions of the past month away. I opened my eyes and looked over at Fox.

 

"Join me, boy."

 

He readily stripped off his clothes and slid into the water, reminding me a little of the sleek water creatures that I had seen off the northern coast. The surprise on his face at the warmth of the water made me laugh.

 

"The water comes from a warm underground spring. The Romans discovered it and built a palace here and over time the various owners have added the fortifications and the manor house. The mineral water was the only thing that could soothe my mother's aching bones and joints during her last years."

 

"It feels good," Fox admitted.

 

"That's not the only thing that feels good," I said, and pulled the slave over to straddle my lap. "Your skin feels as smooth as a seal, except where the hair is growing out. I will shave you again after our bath."

 

I stifled the protest with my mouth, and he responded with a tentative eagerness to my kisses. I coaxed his mouth open, drinking again of that sweet warmth, relishing the delicious shiver that ran through him as I slowly explored his mouth. One hand held his head in place while the other gently caressed his back but I attempted no further explorations with my hands, concentrating on our kisses. I intended to take this seduction very slowly.

 

I released his mouth and let my lips travel over his face: the slight youthful stubble of his cheeks, the sleek warmth of skin over fine bone of his temples, the closed eyes, the line of his nose which made his face distinctive instead of merely pretty. My mouth moved back to his and he opened to me without hesitation this time, eagerly welcoming me back. My cock began to harden and move against his, and I heard him breathe in sharply, startled and aroused at the same time.

 

"Time to take this elsewhere."

 

He dried me carefully and helped me into my robe, then I fetched the shaving supplies and removed the light stubble re-emerging over his body. He flushed in embarrassment as I shaved his genitals but I ignored him - in time, he would become accustomed to this. I ordered him back into the pool to rinse, then ran my hand over his skin to check that nothing had been missed, enjoying the slick feeling under my fingers. I had had male lovers before, some with even more hair than me, and had enjoyed the feel of their hair against my skin but there was something exotic about this absolute nakedness.

 

Once Fox had dried off, we returned to my chamber and I settled down in my chair in front of the fire. Something hard poked at my thigh, and I found the slender book I had been reading at Reggie's tucked in the cushions. I pulled it out and looked at it, puzzled at how it had gotten there, then glanced over at Fox as he moved around the room, putting away my clothes and straightening the room. Of course - he must have found it when he was unpacking my saddlebag and had been indulging in a little reading. I set the book on the table and resolved to talk with Fox about that later.

 

Fox came over to kneel in front of me, my belt in his hands, and I felt a rush of pride that he had remembered my instructions from two days past even though he was obviously reluctant to submit to this.

 

"All right, Fox. We have two days to cover since you were too tired last night for us to attend to this. What are your transgressions?"

 

He took a deep breath and I waited, curious as to what Fox would feel were his failings. I was unaware of any major faults, although there had been token protests on a number of items.

 

"I didn't finish the scrolls that you ordered me to copy - that's one. Then I argued with you about changing horses, and shaving - oh, and those carrots. That's two each. And your lunch - I forced that upon you which I had no right to do, which I suppose is being disobedient and that's three. Ten total." His hands holding the belt trembled slightly but his voice was firm and steady.

 

"It occurs to me, Fox, that you are going to be overly hard on yourself. I hadn't thought of that - most slaves try to avoid punishment for their actions."

 

His head jerked up, his eyes meeting mine, confused. "Master? I don't understand."

 

"I told you to leave the scrolls for later, so there will be no punishment for that. As to your 'arguing' - as I recall in each of those instances, you voiced a brief protest and, when I insisted, you acquiesced. That is permissible, therefore there will be no punishment for those items. Although I will no longer accept any protest about shaving. You know that I require that of you and there will be no further comments allowed. Now, about the final item." I leaned over and cupped Fox's chin with my hand. "How can I possibly find fault with your wanting to take care of me? I am touched that you would think to do such a thing. You expressed more concern over my well-being than you took for yourself, and that is the only real fault I have to find with you."

 

"Sir?"

 

"I will not have you missing any more meals, Fox. You are already undernourished from your ordeal, and I will not have you jeopardize your health. And what good to me is a slave who is fainting from hunger? Furthermore, I do not wish to be interrupted while working or making love by your protesting stomach. So I will add this to the list of punishable offenses. From now on, you will receive one stroke for every meal that you miss unless you have a very good excuse, and you will get one stroke tonight as a reminder of this. Am I understood, Fox?"

 

"Yes, Master," he said faintly, looking at the ground. "So that is eleven total?"

 

"I just said 'one', Fox."

 

"But you said that if my count and yours differed that I would receive both combined."

 

I bit back my exasperation. "That is only if your count is lower than mine, boy. If I choose to give you less strokes than you think you deserve, you won't be penalized for it."

 

He looked greatly relieved. "Thank you, sir. Where do you want me?"

 

I pointed toward a bench over to the side. It was uncomfortably hard, of the right height, and had cross braces underneath where he could hold on. "Over that."

 

Fox nodded and moved into position, bent over the bench with his head nearly touching the floor on the other side and his bottom raised. I readied myself to administer the whipping then recalled something that I had wanted to discuss. "One moment, Fox. The last time I whipped you, you made no sound. Is that how you were taught to receive punishment?"

 

I could see his hair brush the floor as he nodded. "My father - if I made a sound, he would whip me twice as hard."

 

I rested one hand reassuringly on his back. "I won't do that, boy. I prefer to know that the punishment is making some impression on you, so you may cry or scream or make any noise you wish. If you remain silent, I may think that I am not striking hard enough. On the other hand, I do know the difference between a genuine reaction and playacting, so don't expect that carrying-on as if you were dying will lighten your punishment." His body jerked at that and I saw his head nod again. "All right, Fox. Only one stroke tonight."

 

He gripped the cross-brace and I could see his whole body tense. I ran my hand over his back for a moment, steadying him, then raised my hand and administered one sharp blow across both cheeks where he would feel it in the morning. I felt the startled whoosh of breath, the choked off sound, and caressed his back again. "All over, boy. You may get up."

 

Fox stood, took the belt from me, and hung it up in the wardrobe, then returned to stand in front of me, eyeing me uncertainly. I smiled and touched his face gently, stroking his cheek. "And now, my Fox, I am going to claim you for my own." I could feel the slight tremble in his body. "You have nothing to fear, my sweet one. I'll take care to give you the most pleasure and the least pain possible."

 

"Thank you, Master."

 

I pulled him into my arms, my mouth seeking his. Fox's mouth was hot against mine, his body warm and pliant, and I fell into that warmth willingly. I caressed his back with my hands, ran my hands over his firm ass, and bent my head to tongue one of those tempting nipples, loving the groan that escaped from his lips.

 

"Gods…master…please…"

 

That begging voice sent fire straight to my cock and I pushed him down onto the bed, pinning his body beneath mine as I continued teasing his nipples. He continued to make helpless noises, his hands clutching at the covers, as my mouth moved down over his belly towards the rising evidence of his arousal.

 

A sudden pounding on the door made me swear and I raised my head to glare at the door. "It had better be damned important!"

 

"Lord Walter, it's an urgent matter." It was Captain Scully's voice. "The baggage train was attacked."

 

"What?" I sat up and ran my hand over my head, then looked back at Fox, lying flushed and panting and naked on my bed. I sighed - duty came first. I pulled the sheet over Fox, pulled my bedgown back on, and went to open the door. "Come in, Captain." Captain Scully entered, carefully averting her eyes from the bed where Fox was still sprawled, half-covered by the sheet, trying to catch his breath. "What is the situation?"

 

"I sent fresh guards out this morning to relieve the guards with the baggage carts. One of the guards has just returned with the report that the baggage carts and their escort had been attacked, the guards killed so there is no way to identify the attackers. By the looks of it, several of their men were hurt or killed but they took the bodies with them."

 

I frowned. "Unusual behavior for thieves. What did they take?"

 

"Nothing, sir."

 

I stared at the Amazon. "Nothing?"

 

"No, sir. They tore apart the wagon - goods were strewn everywhere - but nothing appeared to be missing."

 

"Why in hell would thieves attack an escorted baggage train and then not take anything - " I stopped and turned to look at the figure now sitting quietly on the bed.

 

"My thoughts exactly, sir." Captain Scully stared into the fire, obviously reluctant to continue. "Slaves generally ride with the baggage. It appears you were right to be concerned about his safety, sir."

 

I looked back at the young captain and started to speak but a tight, flat voice interrupted me.

 

"How many?"

 

We both turned to look at the bed. Fox was sitting up against the headboard, his arms wrapped around his legs, his face absolutely white. "How many?" he repeated. "How many did they kill?"

 

Captain Scully looked back at me, her face clearly asking if she should answer. I shook my head at the Captain and Fox launched himself off the bed, unconcerned about his nakedness, eyes blazing in that pale face as he confronted the Captain.

 

"Damn it, I asked you how many!" There was a ring of authority in that voice, an echo of the man he had been just a month prior, a man accustomed to having his orders obeyed. Before I could speak, the Captain automatically responded to that voice.

 

"Eight guards, sir. Plus the two drivers."

 

If possible, Fox's face went even whiter. "Ten. Ten people killed because of me."

 

"That will be all, Captain," I said firmly. "Take a detail out in the morning. Escort the train back. And see that the dead are brought back to receive proper burial. I'll talk with William and make sure that their families are cared for."

 

Captain Scully nodded and hastily left the room while Fox turned desperate eyes toward me. "You've got to send me back."

 

"I have no intention of doing that."

 

"Spender is behind this, and he'll stop at nothing to get me - surely you can see that!"

 

"Of course. But I don't intend to let him have you. You belong to me and you will remain with me."

 

Fox's eyes blazed at me. "You knew that this might happen! That's why you had me ride with you instead of with the baggage! Those people are dead because of me - and you could have prevented it!"

 

He swung at me, wildly, and I ducked his blow and pinned him against my body, my arm holding him immobilized in a headlock, his back against my chest. "That'll be enough of that!" I growled in his ear. He struggled ineffectively, his body still too weak from his past ordeal to put up much of a fight, then sagged against me. "Are we done with this, Fox?"

 

"Yes, sir," he murmured, his eyes closed.

 

I eased my hold on him but didn't completely release him - I thought that he would likely collapse if I did. "Fox," I said gently in his ear, "if you give yourself up to Spender, it will not bring the dead back to life. This was his doing, not yours. You are not to blame."

 

A sob wracked the slender body and I swung him up into my arms, settling into the chair by the fire with him on my lap. He buried his face against my nightshirt and, for the first time since I had met him, wept in my arms.

 

 

 

Fox

 

All the tears that had been held back over the past horrible month spilt over. I wept for my dead parents, for my missing sister. I wept for the guards and the drivers. And I wept for myself, for a life lost and innocence destroyed. And while I wept, warm, strong arms held me close while a gentle hand rubbed my back and a soft voice murmured in my ear. I don't know what he said - I was too lost in my own grief to absorb the words - but the meaning was clear. I was here, I was safe, I was cared for, I belonged to him. I belonged here. I drew comfort from that, from the large, warm body cradling me, and slipped into exhausted slumber.

 

I awoke the next morning in bed, alone. Again. Really, I thought with amusement, this was getting to be a habit. I rolled over in the bed, stretching out, and found my face pressed against a pillow - his pillow - with his scent still clinging to it. I sat up, hugging it to my chest, and breathed deeply, then grinned to myself. I was acting like a lovesick idiot.

 

There was a rap at the door and I hastily released the pillow. "Come!"

 

A servant girl opened the door and Maggie entered with a tray, beaming at me. "So you are awake now? Lord Walter asked me to make sure you ate this morning." She set the tray down over by the fireplace and poked up the fire; autumn was setting in and the mornings were becoming quite chilly. I quickly slipped on my discarded breeches, glad for the fire's warmth as I settled down to eat my breakfast. Behind me, I could hear the maidservant stripping and remaking the bed, bundling up the sheets and the dirty clothes I had set aside before leaving the room.

 

"Where is Lord Walter?" I asked around a mouthful of food. "Is he in his study already?"

 

Maggie was sorting through a pile of cloth that the maidservant had set down and she shook her head. "Lord Walter's gone out riding the grounds with his bailiff. He won't return till tomorrow evening."

 

"Oh," I said, disappointed.

 

"William will be fetching you after breakfast to finish some copy work for Lord Walter. In the meantime, here are some of the new clothes that have been finished and you might wish to bathe. Have you seen the bathing chamber yet?"

 

I nodded. "Lord Walter showed it to me last evening."

 

"Good. Take your time, and when you are ready you will find William in Lord Walter's office." She patted my cheek and bustled off.

 

I quickly finished my meal and stripped off my clothes, then made my way to the bathing chamber, sinking down into the warm water blissfully. For a long time I was content to drift and let the warmth sink into my muscles. I was still a little stiff from our long journey but not as bad as the previous day. Then I remembered that Lord Walter had left work for me and would not be pleased by his slave idling away his time. I sat up and washed quickly, then wrapped a towel around my body and returned to Lord Walter's chamber.

 

There were two sets of clothes on the bed and I chose a tunic and breeches in shades of blue, dressing quickly while reveling in the thought of new clothes after so long, something I had taken for granted before my imprisonment. My boots would not be ready for another week, so I slipped the soft-shoes back on my feet and went in search of William.

 

He looked up with a smile as I entered the office. "You look much better this morning, young Fox. Amazing what a few hot meals and clean clothes will do, isn't it?"

 

I agreed and started towards the little desk, but William stopped me. "Before you settle down, his lordship wanted me to give you a complete tour, including the manor and the castle itself. He may need to send you on errands and you'll need to know where everything is. Then he has those summons for you to finish and a letter that he drafted to the local merchants' guild that he'd like you to copy out in a fair hand. That should keep you occupied for today. You'll be taking your meals in here or in his lordship's chamber, not in the Hall." I nodded. "Good. Then let's go over the outside first."

 

We spent the better part of the morning going over the castle. I had never been inside such a one before, and it was like a small village within the sheltering walls of the castle. There were the kitchens with their gardens, the stables, barns and storage buildings, a small shrine, mews and a kennel. William introduced me to the blacksmith and the dogboy, the head groom and the stable boys, the master falconer and the cook. He pointed out the soldiers' barracks, which were in part of the outer keep, and took me into the armory where he introduced me to the Sergeant-at-Arms, Jerry Lamana, who was also the Captain's deputy.

 

"You're not to go near the soldiers' barracks, Fox; if Lord Walter sends you on an errand there, you are to find the Captain or Sergeant Lamana or, if you can't find one of them, send a page to find them." At my inquiring look he said, with a smile, "They're a rough lot, Fox, uneducated and simple men. I doubt that they'd lay a finger on you - not with you being under his lordship's protection - but men in their cups will act without thinking. Better safe than sorry. Lord Walter said that you're to consider that a punishable offense."

 

I nodded and followed him back into the manor house as he said, "Before the manor was built, the castellan and his family lived in that keep," and he pointed out a sturdy keep behind the hall. "Not the most comfortable of places, but safe and that's where you'll go if the castle should come under attack. Even if the outer walls are breached, we could hold off attackers from there till rescue came. That's where we accommodate most guests - not that we have many since Lord Walter chooses not to entertain. There's also guest chambers on the second floor of the manor, as well as my chamber and the Captain's."

 

"I understand that the late king built this house."

 

William nodded. "Before that, there was just the Roman bathhouse on this spot, where the spring came to the surface. But Lord Walter's mother couldn't abide the cold of the keep - even as a young woman she had the joint sickness - so he built this house for her. That's why the lord's chambers are on the first floor instead of the second - so she wouldn't have to climb stairs."

 

"He must have loved her a great deal."

 

"He did," William said quietly. "Do you know the story?" I shook my head. "She was dedicated to the Lady by her parents when she was a child and sent to the Isle of Maidens to take the Veil in the Lady's service. One day, the Maidens came to the mainland to gather herbs for their healing. The King rode by and caught sight of Lady Anne. I've heard that when their eyes met it was like magic. She put down the herbs she had been gathering, walked over to him, and he lifted her into the saddle before him without either saying a word. There was no need. Their eyes had already spoken.

 

"The priests forbade them to marry because she was dedicated to the Lady, and they said that the joint sickness she developed was punishment from the Gods. They didn't seem to care; King John brought her here and they were blissfully happy together and a year later Lord Walter was born. When she became ill, he built this house for her and he was faithful to her for ten years until her death. He only married the Queen at the insistence of the Council that he provide a legitimate heir, although I think he hoped to convince them to accept Lord Walter. The priests would not consecrate him as heir - there is no love lost between Lord Walter and the High Priest because of his mother. But his lordship is happiest here - he would not have wanted to be king."

 

William finished showing me the second floor of the manor, pointing out his chamber and the Captain's in case I needed to bring a message during the night, then we went back down to the main floor. "There's one more room that his lordship wanted me to show you. He wanted me to save it for last." He walked past Lord Walter's office and opened a door, gesturing for me to enter. I did so, then halted in amazement.

 

I stood in the middle of a room about half again as big as the office. A fireplace burned at one end with a couple chairs drawn up before it. A long table littered with maps stood to one side, along with an inlaid scale model of the kingdom with flags marking the defensive castles. But it was the far wall that caught my attention: between two floor-to-ceiling windows stood shelf after shelf of books. The scent of leather and fine paper filled the air.

 

"Lord Walter left a letter for you on the table," William said. "I'll have your lunch brought here shortly."

 

I heard the door close behind me but I barely noticed. On numb feet, I moved forward and picked up the letter, blinking to bring it into focus.

 

Fox - You will be able to make good use of this library as I expect you to continue your studies. I have requested a copy of your transcript and, upon my return, we will set up a program of study for you to pursue outside of your regular duties. I doubt that you will find documented studies verifying other Planes of Existence among these books, but I am sure that I will be able to procure any legitimate resources that you require for your studies. W.

 

I blinked my eyes rapidly to prevent tears from spilling onto the precious parchment and carefully folded it, tucking it into my pouch. Then I gave into the library's siren call and ran caressing hands over the spines of the books, lovingly touching old friends and rejoicing over new acquaintances to be made. And, as I fell asleep that night tucked around a volume of Plato's Dialogs, I dreamed of brown eyes meeting mine across an open marketplace and of magic.

 

 

 

Chapter 8

 

Walter

 

Darkness was falling as I crossed under the portcullis and entered the courtyard with my bailiff and the small troop of guards that had accompanied us. I sent them off towards their long-delayed meals and entered the manor, stripping off my gloves as I did so. I hesitated in the entryway, then turned to my right and headed towards the library. As I opened the door, I caught firelight glinting off brown hair and smiled.

 

"I thought I would find you here."

 

There was the sound of a heavy tome hitting the floor and then a slender figure was throwing himself into my arms and pressing kisses over my face in between thanks and impossible declarations of devotion and obedience. I laughed and returned a kiss that had managed to land on my lips, then gently removed the arms that threatened to strangle me.

 

"Slowly, Fox, slowly. And breathe before you pass out."

 

Fox laughed and released me. "Sorry, Master. I've been saving up everything that I wanted to say and it just came out at once. Have you eaten yet or did you just arrive?"

 

"Just arrived and, yes, I'm hungry but I'd like to get clean first."

 

"Of course, sir."

 

Fox took a moment to bank the fire and carefully place the volume he'd been reading on the desk, then he led the way to the bathing chamber where he quickly stripped me. After I slid into the water with a grateful sigh, he murmured that he'd be back in a few minutes and slipped out with my dirty clothes. I closed my eyes and just let myself drift, and it seemed only moments later that Fox returned with my bedgown over one arm and balancing a tray with the other. He set the tray down next the bathing pool and shed his own clothes, then slipped into the water and began carefully washing my body. I watched his face as he concentrated on his task.

 

"So what did you do while I was gone?"

 

"I went with William on a tour of the castle and he gave me your instructions about the barracks." Mischievous grey-green eyes flicked up at him before returning to their task. "And I hear and obey, Master."

 

"Impertinent imp," I growled mockingly, reaching around to pinch a bare ass cheek. He laughed at that and squirmed out of reach. Considering that the last time I had seen him awake he had been in tears, I was pleased at the change. "What else?"

 

"I finished the scrolls and letters, and William went over them so they are just awaiting your seal. I ate three meals today and three meals yesterday, and Maggie can vouch that I cleaned my plate. I stayed out of trouble and began reading Plato's Dialogs. Did you know that he wrote about a lost island called Atlantis that was supposed to be a perfect society? He briefly mentions it in 'Timaeus', which I've read, but describes it in detail in 'Critias' - I hadn't been able to get my hands on that one till I found it in your library. It seems that this Atlantis was possibly settled by beings from another world and mysteriously destroyed - "

 

"Fox," I interrupted. "Another time, please."

 

Fox flushed. "Sorry, Master. Sometimes I get a little carried away."

 

I chuckled. "I can see that." I caressed a soft cheek affectionately, then again in surprise and ran a hand over his chest. "You shaved."

 

He nodded, flushing and ducking his head in embarrassment. "You - um - weren't here to do it last night and I know that you like me to be smooth so I did it myself. I had a little trouble in some areas but overall - "

 

He had no chance to finish as I pulled him close and kissed him soundly. When I let him go again, he grinned and said, "Well, if I had known you were going to kiss me like that every time I shave, I wouldn't have objected in the first place."

 

"Impudence," I said and settled him so that he straddled my lap. "I can see that I'm going to have to keep my eye on you if you're going to get so saucy when I'm gone just two days."

 

"I like the sound of that," Fox said, then reached for the tray beside my head. He held a tidbit of meat before my lips and his eyes twinkled at me. "My turn to feed you, Master."

 

"Definitely getting out of hand," I growled but opened my mouth and let him feed me. I nipped at his fingers and he drew them back with a laugh. He finished feeding me, then hauled me out of the pool and back to my chamber where, to my surprise, he settled me on the bed and began massaging my back. I relished the warm weight of his body as he straddled my buttocks and marveled at the strength of those clever fingers as he worked out all the knots and tension from two days in the saddle and a night lying on the hard ground. I felt my eyes drift closed under his loving ministration and let myself slide into sleep.

 

 

 

Fox

 

By the time I realized that my massage wasn't only relaxing his muscles but was putting him to sleep it was too late. Lord Walter was deep in slumber and not even a nibble on an earlobe or a murmur in his ear could wake him. I sat back on my heels, frustrated beyond belief, and gave up. Another night of celibacy. I realized in amusement that it had been almost a week since Lord Walter had bought me and I was still a virgin. And it looked like that wasn't going to change anytime soon.

 

I got out of bed and dressed in my discarded clothes, then set about sorting Lord Walter's clothing. His tunic and breeches went into the pile for the laundress but he had worn a heavy padded garment over top his clothes that felt like it had plates stitched into it and I had no idea what to do with it. I slipped out of the room with it and padded upstairs to the Captain's room, tapping lightly on her door. A moment later, she opened it and looked at me in surprise.

 

"Milord Fox?"

 

I held up the garment. "This is Lord Walter's and I have no idea what to do with it."

 

She laughed and shook her head. "One moment." I waited in the doorway while she disappeared into her room and returned a moment later with her boots on. "Follow me, Fox."

 

The Captain led me across the courtyard to the armory and pointed toward a padded form that looked like a tailor's dummy. "Put it on that. In the morning I'll show you how to clean it and check for tears and missing plates."

 

"Thanks," I said and she nodded, suppressing a yawn. I recalled that she had just returned that day as well, escorting the remains of the baggage carts and the bodies of men that she had commanded. "I'm sorry - you must be exhausted."

 

"I'm fine." She looked at me sideways as we returned to the manor. "How about you, Fox? Are you settling in okay?"

 

I shrugged. "As well as can be expected. I'm glad that Lord Walter is back."

 

"You like him, don't you?"

 

The question could have been phrased in a way that would have been suggestive or lewd or disgusted, but Captain Scully said it almost rhetorically, answering her own question. I nodded.

 

"Yes. He's been fair in his treatment of me - more than fair," I added, recalling the library. "He's indulged me in a way that no other master would have, been patient with my mistakes. I think he could be very harsh if I disobeyed him, but he's also been kind."

 

"And you don't mind about the sex?"

 

I flushed a little but gave her a rueful grin. "Well, actually, there hasn’t been any. Between traveling and - and everything. But no, I don't think I'll mind about the sex." I looked at her curiously. "Have you ever - ?"

 

"I'm not attracted to men."

 

"Oh." I wanted to ask about the other option but figured that I was rather fond of all my body parts and the Captain didn't seem the type to share girlish confessions. I grinned at the thought of Captain Scully doing anything "girlish". "Well, good-night and thanks."

 

She nodded and headed up the stairs to her chamber and I went back to the library to fetch my book, then returned to Lord Walter's bedchamber.

 

He was sleeping soundly, snoring slightly, and I grinned at that as I pulled the sheet up over his body. Then I settled down with my book on the nest that I had made next to the fireplace and read until the dancing flames lulled me off to sleep.

 

 

 

Chapter 9

 

Walter

 

I woke to the realization of bright sunlight outside my chamber window, a comfortable bed under my back, and the thought that I was getting too old for roughing it out under the stars. Then I smiled as evidence indicated that, although my bones may think I'm old, other parts of my body were feeling very young and full of life. I reached out expectantly for a warm body but my questing hands came up empty. I sat up abruptly and looked around, but there was no indication that there had been anyone sleeping next to me. Had it been a dream, then? My heart sank at the thought, and then a murmured sound from the floor caught my attention. I glanced over at the fireplace and found my slave boy curled up there, clutching a pillow and muttering in his sleep. From what I could tell, the dreams weren't pleasant and when he murmured, "Samantha," I had the feeling that he was reliving his family's arrest.

 

I slipped out of bed and approached him carefully, knowing full well the dangers of waking those experiencing nightmares. "Fox," I said quietly. "Wake up, Fox. It's only a dream."

 

He stirred and a bleary eye blinked at me. "Sorry, Master. Did I wake you?"

 

I shook my head and reached out to caress his hair. "No. It was being alone in the bed that awakened me. Why are you sleeping down here instead of in my bed?"

 

He looked at me soberly. "The first night you said that if I pleased you I could sleep in the bed but otherwise I was to sleep on the floor. Since I wasn't able to please you last night, or the night you were gone, I slept down here."

 

I closed my eyes and shook my head, then gave my too-obedient slave a rueful grin. "So I did. Well, I'm going to change that rule. From now on, you sleep in my bed -whether I am here or not - unless I specifically send you to sleep on the floor. Understood?" He nodded and smiled at me, and I realized how much I had missed that smile in just two days. I leaned closer to kiss him.

 

There was a loud knock on the door. "Breakfast, my lord."

 

I swore under my breath and stood up, stomping into the latrine to relieve myself and splash cold water on my face. Fox had my clothes waiting when I returned to the main room and helped me dress, then served my breakfast before he settled down in front of the fire again and started on his own breakfast. Neither of us talked as we ate; Fox appearing deep in thought while I was just irritated with the way my morning had begun.

 

I set my empty plate back on the tray. Fox got up and took the tray to the door, setting it down outside and then looking over at me hesitantly. "Master?"

 

I sighed. "Yes, Fox?"

 

"I asked Dame Maggie to tell William that you'd be in the office after luncheon, that you needed this morning to - to rest." I turned my head to look at him and felt a grin cross my face. "I hope that you're not angry."

 

I rose from my chair and prowled toward him. "That depends on what you had planned for this morning, my Fox."

 

"I thought that I would make sure that you were adequately rested, Master."

 

"I think that sounds like an excellent idea."

 

I tossed him onto the bed and followed him down. I pinned his body beneath mine and felt the willing response, his mouth opening under mine as his hands came around me to hold me tighter against his body. I settled between his legs, feeling him spread them wider to accommodate me. I rocked my hips slowly, feeling the heat and hardness swelling inside the confines of his breeches as our groins rubbed together. My mouth swallowed his groan, and he returned my kisses with an intensity that drove any thoughts out of my mind but one - I had to have him and I had to have him now. I broke free from his mouth and my lips traveled across his face, mapping every contour, before moving down to his neck. He arched against my body, gasping, as I fastened my teeth on the spot where his neck met his shoulder.

 

"You like that?"

 

"Oh God, yes!" His hands plucked at my tunic, trying to find their way underneath to the skin. "More…please…"

 

I lifted my body slightly off his, just enough so that I could slide my hand between us and into his breeches. He gasped and then groaned as my hand took possession of his cock, and I could feel the heat and the swelling. He rocked against my hand, desperate to provide more friction. "You like that, too, don't you, boy? You like the feeling of my hands on your body, my mouth on your skin. Like knowing that you belong to me, that every inch of your body is mine to play with, to touch, to caress, to kiss."

 

"Yesss…please…please…make me all yours, Master." He was nearly sobbing now, humping against me in an effort to bring himself off, and I moved my hand down to tug his balls away from his body.

 

"Not yet," I said as he swore in frustration at the denial of his pleasure. "I intend to make this last a long, long time. By the time I let you come, you will be begging me for release." He groaned at that, licking those incredible lips, and I wanted to dive into them again. But first I needed to remove our clothes. I pushed myself up onto my knees and unfastened my belt, throwing it over on the floor, then unlaced my tunic so that I could pull it over my head. Fox's eyes were on me, hot eyes that could draw my soul out of my body. I leaned back down to secure another kiss -

 

A sharp knock on the door startled both of us and I swore, out loud and in colorful words. "What do you want?" I shouted at the door.

 

William's voice, quiet and apologetic, came through the solid door. "I'm sorry, my lord, but there is a messenger from the King. He says that he has an extremely important message for you and insists on speaking to you immediately."

 

Underneath me, I could feel Fox's body shaking and I realized that he was laughing helplessly. I pushed myself back up to my knees and looked down at him, lying there on my bed, still incredibly aroused and shaking in helpless mirth. Frustrated as I was, I had to smile.

 

"Fox, I am starting to get the feeling that the Gods themselves are intervening to protect your virginity."

 

"With all due respect to the Gods, sir, I wish They would mind Their own business." The frustration in his voice nearly equaled my own.

 

I chuckled and caressed his cheek. "Well, I had best go see what this summons is about. At this point, I wouldn't put it past Them to instigate a war to separate us." Fox got up, fetching my belt from the floor while I readjusted my tunic, his face troubled. "I am teasing, boy. The land is at peace and I'm sure that the Gods have other things to occupy Their time." I pulled him close, capturing his mouth for another kiss. "And I will have you soon, my sweet slave. If I have to lock every damn person here in the dungeon in order to secure some privacy."

 

I released him and went to the door, throwing it open. William was waiting in the hall and I saw his eyes flick toward Fox, as if reassuring himself that the boy was okay. A sudden unwelcome thought intruded - maybe it was not the Gods but my own staff who were interfering with my plans for Fox. Clearly William and Maggie were wrapped around his little finger as well as Captain Scully - not that I blamed the boy. His willingness, his pleasure at my touch, his frustration at the interruption could not have been forged -he simply did not have the ability to fake that. I frowned and decided that this dissension among my staff would have to be swiftly dealt with - unless I wanted to suffer permanent frustration.

 

"Fox, come with me. I may need you to take notes or draft a response." Fox nodded, straightening his clothes as he joined me. "William, show the messenger to my study."

 

I settled in my chair in the study and watched Fox settle down at the scribe's table over to the side. His face had settled into its customary bland mask as he set out his papers and uncorked the ink, checking the points on his pens.

 

The messenger was vaguely familiar to me, one I had seen at Court, so any thoughts that this was a faked message faded. Still, I examined the seal carefully for signs that it had been lifted by a hot knife or tampered with. There were none. I broke the seal and opened the scroll, reading through it quickly. Then I frowned and read it again, slowly.

 

Walt,

 

I was distressed to learn today that you had left without even bidding me good-bye. That is so unlike you, brother, that I feared that you might be unwell. I anxiously await reassurances that you have not caught one of those fevers that the lower classes are so prone to.

 

Speaking of which, my dear friend, Spender, has become tiresome on the subject of a slave boy that you purchased at the market. I can certainly understand the "boy" part, but a slave? Seriously, Walter, when have you ever needed to purchase such comforts? Although, I suppose, the idea of a living soul dependent on one could be rather delicious, and one could certainly indulge unusual pleasures with such a creature. In any event, it is certain that Spender has his heart set on this creature and has offered very generously to purchase him for three times what he cost you, even if he is no longer a virgin. (If it is true that he was a virgin, then I begin to understand your actions. Such a one is surely a rare find among slaves). In any event, Spender would also be willing to exchange this Wolf or whatever he is called for one of his slaves. He assures me that the boy you purchased is a difficult creature, half-wild and untamed, and unworthy of your attention. Spender has several slaves that have been trained to perfection and know infinite ways to provide exquisite pleasure - he is even willing to let you sample their wares before you make your decision once you come back to town with this Bear person.

 

Do come back, dear brother. I miss you dreadfully. I don't know why it is, but I never think as clearly as when you are around me to give your advice.

 

Love, Jeff

 

I rolled up the scroll and tapped it against my thigh, thinking quickly. So Spender was trying to drag Jeffrey into this, was he? And that offer - as if I would want to take one of Spender's discards in exchange for Fox, much less welcome a spy into my household.

 

I turned my attention back to the messenger. "What is your name, lad?"

 

"Michael, sir."

 

"William, see that Michael is accommodated with a room and a bath and fresh clothes. I imagine that he is hungry and tired as well." I smiled blandly back at the messenger who, for all his youth, was possibly another spy of Spender's. "By the time you have dined and rested, I will have a reply to take back to my brother."

 

Once the messenger had left, I turned to the man sitting silently to the side, waiting for instructions.

 

"Fox, draft a reply to my brother as follows. Tell him that I thank him for his concerns over my health but that matters of estate took me away from Court. It is the harvest season and it is critical that I am here on his lands to secure a bountiful harvest for his table. And, in regard to the matter of the slave, tell him that I regret Spender's feelings of loss but that it is, after all, just another slave boy and that he can pick up another pretty specimen. Regarding Spender's offer to exchange the boy for one of his own trained slave-boys, tell him that I appreciate the gesture but that I much prefer to train my own slaves to my own tastes and that I am not finding the boy to be troublesome at all. Let me see the draft when you're finished." Fox nodded and bent his head over his desk, and I signed the documents waiting for my signature, then settled back with my thoughts.

 

A short time later, a soft voice interrupted my thoughts. "Master? I have that draft ready."

 

I took the paper handed to me and read over it carefully, noting that Fox had a good way of phrasing his sentences. One sentence made me look over at him, eyebrow raised. "You've written here that 'I look forward with pleasure to returning to Court for the occasion of your birthday - ' I didn't say that."

 

"I know, sir, but I thought that it might reassure him. You do intend to be there for his birthday, don't you?"

 

"Of course - and Jeffrey knows that I've been there every year."

 

"Yes, sir, but it doesn't hurt to remind him of that so he doesn't think you've deserted him. From what my father said, the King is often insecure and requires reassurance."

 

I studied the young man and nodded. "You're right, Fox. Thank you." I handed the paper back to him. "No corrections. Write that out and I'll sign it."

 

While Fox worked, I went in search of my household staff. Time to have a serious talk with them.

 

Maggie and William appeared to be in a deep discussion with their foster daughter when I found them in the kitchen gardens. They looked up at me with wary and slightly guilty expressions.

 

"Ah, just the ones I was hoping to find. Captain Scully, did you have any problem bringing the wagons back home?"

 

"No, Lord Walter. The burial detail finished this morning, and the priest from the village is coming this afternoon to perform the ceremony. Will you be attending?"

 

"No," Walter said shortly. "The priest will not welcome my presence. I rely on you to represent me, Scully. William, are their families provided for?"

 

"Yes, my lord. Most of the men were single and their parents were either deceased or have other children to care for them. I have distributed the customary death compensation to the parents who had no other support. One man was married and I have made arrangements for his widow to be returned to her parents."

 

"Good. I would appreciate it if you will also attend the ceremony this afternoon. That way I will know where you are."

 

"Pardon, my lord?"

 

I turned to Maggie. "As for you, are you going to refrain from interfering, or am I going to need to lock you in the pantry till tomorrow?"

 

The three exchanged another look. "We don't understand, Lord Walter."

 

"Of course you understand. The messenger was from the King but his message wasn't marked urgent. Of course, the fact that Fox had asked Maggie to inform you, William, that we would be busy this morning might have something to do with the urgency of the message." William flushed and looked over at Maggie. "I thought as much."

 

Captain Scully cleared her throat. "I tried to tell them, sir, that Milord Fox didn't appear to be - reluctant."

 

"And what would an innocent young boy know about such things?" Maggie demanded of her foster-daughter.

 

"More than you might imagine," the Captain said wryly.

 

"The fact of the matter is that Fox belongs to me," I said grimly. "Whether you approve or not. Now, I'm going to go into my study and you're going to bring us lunch. And then I'm going to take Fox to bed. And if it's even half as good as I think it will be, I don't plan to get out of that bed till tomorrow morning. If anyone so much as breathes on my door before then, we had better be under attack or the manor had better be on fire. Have you got me, people?" Three heads nodded. "Good." I turned and stalked back into the manor house.

 

Fox looked up with a smile as I entered, and the sight of that smile was enough to reduce my ire and reinforce my plan. "It's finished, sir."

 

"Good work." I ruffled his hair and took the scroll, reading over it and signing it, then applying my seal. "Clean up, Fox. Lunch will be here momentarily."

 

Maggie entered a few minutes later with the tray, and Fox went to take it from her. She patted his cheek. "You're a good boy, Fox." She threw a look at me that I blandly ignored before she left.

 

"Is something wrong with Maggie?" Fox asked, puzzled, setting the tray down on the desk.

 

"I have no idea." I smiled and pulled him down to sit on my lap. He looked surprised but settled willingly enough. I brushed the hair off of his face and opened my mouth to say something but the door opened and William entered. "Ah, William. I have the scroll ready for the messenger." I handed William the scroll. "Give this to him and then let Maggie feed him and send him on his way. That should keep her busy."

 

"Very good, my lord."

 

I turned back to Fox who was polishing off a slice of bread and cheese, seemingly not the least bit concerned to be found sitting on my lap. I was well aware that William was watching and listening as he sorted out my papers. Deliberately, I smiled into Fox's questioning face and saw an answering smile in those expressive chameleon eyes. "I was very pleased with your work, Fox. You have a good hand and your phrasing was perfect. Considering that the subject matter of part of the scroll concerned you, you showed remarkable composure."

 

Fox flushed, pleased at my praise. "Thank you, sir."

 

"I think that you have earned yourself a special reward, Fox. What would you like to do this afternoon? Spend some time in the library, perhaps?" This was a risk, of course, but one hand was gently stroking his back while the other hand lay on his lap, covering the bulge swelling there.

 

"I - um - I’d rather have what - what you promised earlier."

 

I pretended not to remember. "What was that?"

 

Fox bit his lip and leaned closer to my ear, whispering, "You remember - in the bedchamber earlier. You promised to - to have me."

 

I looked directly in his face and said, clearly, "You want me to take you to my bed as your reward." He nodded. "Words, Fox."

 

"Please, Master. Please take me to bed and make me yours."

 

I smiled in satisfaction and kissed him, a hard and greedy kiss, and he opened to me completely. I could have taken him right there, or in the Hall in full sight of the entire staff, and he wouldn't have cared in the least. And if he didn't stop wiggling like that, I would be forced to take him here. I released his mouth, gently pushing him off my lap as I rose.

 

"Very well, Fox. You shall have your reward." I turned to William. "I think we are finished with lunch, William. Please see that I am not disturbed."

 

William's eyes met mine and he smiled ruefully, nodding. "Very well, my lord."

 

 

 

Chapter 10

 

Walter

 

Fox was nearly quivering with anticipation as we walked down through the hallways towards my chambers, barely restraining himself from tugging me along. It occurred to me that he was so hot, so eager for me that he would probably explode at my first touch.

 

The door had barely closed behind us when Fox was stripping off his clothes, recklessly unconcerned for where they fell or if they were damaged in the process. I had never seen anything so hot in my life and I have seen many a lover - male and female - disrobe seductively before this. If I thought I was aroused before I had been completely mistaken - I was now painfully hard. And, more to the point, by now my own self-control was seriously impaired. If I tried to take him in this state, it would be both too short and too rough to be enjoyable for him. I would have to take the edge off our hunger first.

 

Fox undressed me now, his hands slower and more careful with my clothing and my body than he had been with his own. His actions were interspersed with gentle kisses to whatever part of my body he exposed, an action both tender and erotic. I had seen professionals with less skill than this virgin and it took my breath away to imagine the possibilities once he got some practical experience in lovemaking. I wondered if I would survive the winter.

 

 

 

Fox

 

It's not that I hadn't seen his body before - over the last six days I had become intimately familiar with it while bathing, dressing, and undressing him. It's just that I hadn't become intimately familiar with his body. Which probably makes no sense, but I only knew that I wanted to worship him, to explore every inch of that magnificent frame, to learn what gave him pleasure. Speaking coldly and rationally, I knew that it was in my best interest to please him - I had no wish to become a common plaything in the soldiers' barracks. However, there was nothing cold and rational in my thinking. I was on fire, certain that by the time he finally took me I would be reduced to a pile of ashes. He stood still and accepting as I undressed and caressed him, and only the hitch in his breathing told me that he was feeling this as deeply as I was. By the time I had him naked, we were both breathing heavily and seconds away from exploding. And then he caught me by the back of the head with one hand and around the waist with the other, pulling me in tight for one of those devastating kisses, and we were of a perfect height for our groins to mesh. His hand slipped down to my ass and he thrust against me once, twice, and I was coming and moaning and shaking all over.

 

I was mortified to have lost control, certain he would banish me to the floor to sleep, but his mouth was against my ear. "By all the Gods, I've never known anyone so beautiful, so hot. You drive me right out of my mind, my sweet slave." And that's when I realized that he had come, too, and I felt ridiculously pleased that I had done this to him. Me, Fox, neophyte slave and bedwarmer, had driven my master clear over the edge, thank you very much. I felt the grin on my face and did nothing to hide it, even if I was disappointed that we hadn't even gotten to the bed or the main event before it was all over.

 

Walter dropped a kiss on my lips, then released me as he nudged me toward the bed. He picked up a piece of our discarded clothing and cleaned us briefly, then crawled up onto the bed. "I hope you got plenty of sleep over the past few nights, Fox, because I intend to keep you otherwise occupied all night."

 

I laughed as I sent up a silent thank you to all the Gods. "I think I can manage to stay awake, Master." I moved into his arms willingly, eagerly kissing every inch of skin I could reach, and he laughed.

 

"Slowly, my sweet slave."

 

"I don't think I can wait, Master," I murmured, replacing the kisses with nips. "I want to belong to you completely. I want to know what it's like to feel you inside me, and I want to come in your arms."

 

I could feel the tightening of his muscles. "Gods, Fox," he growled and pushed me flat. His mouth devoured mine and I surrendered to it completely. Whatever he wanted, however he wanted it. His mouth moved down to my neck and I could feel the marks that he left as his teeth danced over my collarbone. His mouth moved lower, teasing at first one nipple and then the other and I clutched at his head as I arched up against his mouth.

 

There was a puff of cool air across one sensitive nipple and a soft laugh. "Like that, do you?"

 

"Gods, yes!"

 

His mouth moved lower, licking and nipping at the skin on my belly, moving across the smooth and intensely sensitive skin of my groin. I was nearly sobbing by now, once again hot and hard and aching for relief. His tongue flickered at the head of my cock and I could feel the stars flickering behind my eyes before, abruptly, one hand pulled down on my balls and the other hand squeezed the base of my cock. I gasped and swore, frustrated at having my climax halted.

 

"I don't want to end this too soon, and I promise it will be even better for the waiting."

 

His tongue moved back over my cock, bathing it from base to head, and I groaned and tried to shift my body to bring his mouth where I wanted it. He pinned my hips with my hands, murmuring for me to be still, and I groaned again but tried to obey. Then, abruptly, his mouth engulfed my cock completely and I would have come off the bed completely if he hadn't been holding me down. I know that I was saying something but my brain seemed to have disengaged itself from my mouth so I couldn't tell if I was talking sense or simply babbling. Whatever it was, it seemed to encourage Lord Walter as he suddenly took my cock even deeper and then he was sucking it hard, and I erupted down his throat with a scream. And his mouth was milking me dry and it was so good, better than anything I had ever felt, and he hadn't even taken me yet. I sagged down bonelessly on the bed and wondered if I would survive the night.

 

 

 

Walter

 

Fox lay gasping and dazed on the bed after shrieking like a damn whistle in my ear before shooting straight down my throat. I had taken it all, milking him till he had nothing left and was boneless as a kitten; I hadn't intended to let him come this soon but the sounds that he had been making as I licked and sucked his cock had gone straight to my head. And, I thought practically, it was better for him to be as relaxed as possible before being penetrated. I shifted upward and moved the little pot of fragrant oil from the table onto the bed.

 

He was still half-dazed as I pushed his knees back against his chest so that I could access him completely but, as I circled a lubricated finger around the outside of his hole, I could see him blink and try to reconnect. "Hush, it's all right," I murmured, leaning down to kiss him. He opened his mouth to me readily and I broached him with one finger at the same time, absorbing his involuntary groan with my mouth. I nibbled at his mouth, coaxing his tongue to follow mine back. My finger slid deeper inside, past the muscle that was still slightly relaxed from his last orgasm, and then I slid another finger inside. Before long, he was rocking against my fingers while his mouth ravaged mine and I knew that he was as ready as I could make him.

 

I shifted between his knees and lubricated my cock, then shifted his legs up onto my shoulders before pressing against his opening. He bit back a moan and his hands twisted in the covers but I moved slowly and steadily inside, pausing to give him a few minutes to adjust to the fullness before sliding further inside. At last I was fully sheathed inside him. I leaned down to kiss him gently, refocusing his attention on me and, after a moment, he responded to my kisses. Unable to hold still any longer, I slowly withdrew and slid back in, and I heard the low moan of pleasure.

 

"Beautiful," I murmured against his ear as I slowly fucked him. "So hot and tight."

 

"Gods!" he gasped. "So good - didn't know it could be so good - "

 

I kissed him again. "I'll always make it good for you, my sweet cub."

 

"Want to move - need to - " he panted, trying to move to meet my thrusts.

 

"Easy, sweet. Slow and easy this first time. Plenty of time for rough and hard once you're accustomed to it." I increased my thrusting, still keeping it gentle and thorough but with a little more speed, and he rocked against me. His cock was pinned between our bodies and I could feel that he was getting closer. So was I - it had been too long since I had done this for me to make it last any longer - but I was determined to make him come first. I pushed myself up a little so that I could grasp his cock and I stroked it twice before he gasped and came hard in my hand. As he came, his ass muscles clenched hard and it was all over for me as well. I thrust once, twice, inside that hot, tight body and then I was coming harder than I could ever remember in my life.

 

I collapsed, just retaining enough presence of mind to support my body on my elbows, and looked down at the face of my bed-partner, then grinned to realize that he was out cold. I gently eased myself out of his body, fetched a damp cloth to wipe us down, then settled back into bed and pulled him into my arms to wait for him to come back.

 

He moaned slightly and his eyes blinked open slowly. "Am I dead?"

 

I laughed softly. "No, you're very much alive."

 

"What happened?"

 

"You fainted. It's not uncommon to pass out during intense sex."

 

"Intense? I felt like the top of my head exploded."

 

I laughed again. "Thank you for the compliment. I tried to do my best."

 

He shifted up on top of me, covering me like a blanket, and looked down into my face. "It was incredible. I never knew - "

 

I captured his mouth for a brief kiss. "I know."

 

"And now I belong to you completely." There was intense satisfaction in that voice and I found my throat was tight with emotion.

 

"Yes. I have claimed you, and you are mine forever."

 

He laid his head down on my chest and said, drowsily, "I like the sound of that."

 

"So do I, Fox," I murmured. "So do I."

 

---

Part 2: Taming

Chapter One

 

Walter

 

I was besotted.

 

I had thought my hunger for him would diminish now that I had claimed him, had made him mine. It always had before this. No matter how beautiful the body, how willing the embrace, after time it would become commonplace and my appetite would disappear. But not with Fox. He was like the Syrup of Poppies - the more I tasted him, the more I craved him. He flowed through my blood and filled every breath I took. He became as necessary to me as food or drink. And, moreover, I was rapidly becoming content to have it so.

 

I had an inkling that I was in trouble that first morning when I awakened to a sense of satiation greater than I had ever known, not only in body but in my heart and soul as well. I could not remember ever feeling this - this complete in my life.

 

Fox lay sprawled on the bed with the abandon of the young, half on my chest and half spread across the remaining space of the bed. Opening my eyes, I could see his face clearly in the early morning light and I smiled. His eyes were smudged with fatigue where his long lashes brushed his cheeks and there was a half-smile on his swollen lips that did my ego good to see. I reached out to caress his head, running my fingers through the shaggy, soft hair. His short, spiky scholar's haircut had grown out unevenly while he was imprisoned, the bangs now falling into his eyes. That needed to be trimmed, I thought, but I would let the back grow out, just for the pleasure of running my fingers through it. Light glinted on the slave earring and I studied the dull gleam of the base metal with a frown. I would replace that with silver, I thought, or gold. I pictured the effect of a gemstone and thought in amusement that I had never before desired to bedeck a lover.

 

Sleepy eyes blinked open at the sound of my chuckle and a smile curved that tempting mouth. "That's a merry sound for such an early morning, Master."

 

"And why not?" I let my hand move down to stroke sleek skin. "It is a beautiful morning and I awakened to the equally beautiful sight of my own fox cub's sleeping face."

 

He flushed, embarrassed but pleased. "You think I'm beautiful, Master?"

 

"I do, and I hardly imagine that I'm the only one." I frowned at that thought and captured his chin so that his eyes met mine. "I don't mind if others admire that beauty, but I shall be the only one to possess it. I do not share what is mine with others. Am I understood, Fox?"

 

Chameleon eyes that had turned smoky blue met mine. "I understand, Master. I would die rather than let anyone else touch me."

 

I pulled his head up to mine and kissed him. "A little drastic, perhaps, but I appreciate the sentiment. And I shall take great care of you, my treasure." A sudden thought came to mind. "Why is Spender so anxious to get his hands on you? I thought his desires ran to more - exotic pleasures." There was a shudder in the body under my hands, and I pulled Fox up into my arms, seeking to reassure him. "What, Fox? Tell me."

 

"He first came to my father's house three years ago, just after my fifteenth birthday. He had business with my father - I never knew what it was, just that it involved the Court and it was very secret. The first time I felt his eyes upon me, a chill ran through me. There was something in his eyes, something evil. My sister and I usually stayed out of the way when my father had business at home. But one night my father - drank a little more than usual and passed out. I had to see Spender out and he - " Fox flushed a little. "He - said things that I had never heard anyone say, told me what he wanted to do with me. After that I took care to make sure I was never around when he visited."

 

"Did you tell anyone what happened? Your parents? The priests? You know he had no business approaching you without their consent."

 

Fox shook his head. "I was too afraid of what he would do." There was a shadow on his face that was not hard to interpret. "Perhaps it would have been better if I had let him - "

 

I tightened my hold on him. "Fox, what happened to your family had nothing to do with your refusal of Spender's attentions. No matter how great your charms, I doubt that he would go to so much trouble just to possess you. There must be some other reason - you said that your father was involved in some secret involving the Court. Did others come to the house?"

 

"Not that I know about. Just Spender."

 

Something about the whole situation made me uneasy. "Did you ever hear what they were talking about? Or is it possible that Spender thought you overheard them?"

 

I could see the look of comprehension in Fox's eyes. "You think that's why he wants to get his hands on me? To keep me from talking about something he thinks I saw or heard?"

 

"Or something you saw or heard that you don't remember or that you didn't think was important."

 

Fox's brow furrowed. "I can't think of anything."

 

"Don't try so hard - it will come to you. Just relax." I kissed him again and let my hand caress his smooth skin again. "And it just so happens that I know exactly how to relax you."

 

Fox returned my kiss eagerly, shifting in my arms so that his body lay atop mine, then he grinned down into my face. "But Master, I'm afraid I don't feel very relaxed right now."

 

"Brat."

 

I rolled with him, pinning him underneath my body. I silenced his laughing reply with a kiss again, then moved down his body as my mouth and hands cataloged every inch, every response for future reference. He was gasping and begging for more, but I refused to be hurried. I thought of the possibilities before me; I had already taken him twice that night and had no intention of doing so a third time even if I had been capable. I noticed with amusement that Fox was not having any difficulty in that regard and fleetingly envied the physical resources of youth. But, as they say, age and cunning will overcome youth and skill, and I was not above using every bit of cunning I possessed to bind this vibrant creature even more firmly to me and my bed.

 

By the time I finally relented and took him into my mouth, he was nearly weeping in his need and surged desperately upward, seeking satisfaction. I released him, sitting back up as he swore in frustration, then bent back down to continue. Again, he moved and again I backed off, my eyes catching his and conveying the message that I would only continue if he remained still. I could see him gritting his teeth and, for the third time, slid my mouth down his hard cock. This time he remained still although I could see him sweating with the effort. I smiled and brought my hand up to caress his nipples, still highly sensitive from the night's love-play, felt the instinctive bucking quelled. So beautiful, I thought, and so eager to learn, so ready to please. It would be a long time, indeed, before I tired of this one.

 

I increased the speed of my attentions, moving my hands to hold his hips down, encouraging him to let go fully. And it wasn't long before he was coming, only a small amount to be sure after so many previous climaxes, but intense nonetheless, giving in to his passion with an abandon that I found refreshing and wholly intoxicating.

 

Oh yes, I was besotted. And I didn't care who knew.

 

 

Fox

 

He is going to kill me if he keeps on like this, was the first vaguely coherent thought that crossed my mind as I came back to reality and found myself nestled against a warm, hard body. And I don't think I'll mind in the least. I felt a laugh bubbling up inside me and vainly tried to repress it but I could see that he felt the shaking of my body and heard the snicker I couldn't control.

 

"And that is a merry sound, too, my brat."

 

I leaned my head back to grin up at him. "I can't help it, Master. I've never felt this happy before."

 

I saw a strange expression come over his face, half-sorrowful and half-pleased, and the tip of a finger traced my cheek with infinite gentleness. "Nor have I, my cub." There was a tapping at the door and he sighed. "Well, I knew that it was too good to last. That'll be Maggie with our breakfast - you'd better let her in."

 

I hopped out of bed, wincing a little at the protest from parts of my body unaccustomed to the previous night's activities and heard another low chuckle from my master. Opening the door, I found both Maggie and William present and stood back so that they could enter the room. Maggie's eyes quickly flickered over me, as if assessing me for damage, and I flushed but resolutely ignored any other sign of embarrassment at my nudity as I fetched my master's robe and helped him put it on. He settled into his chair in front of the fire, listening attentively as William ran over the items of business for the day although I could sense that most of his attention was on me as I prepared a plate of his favorites from the lavish tray. He accepted the plate from me, running a caressing hand over my head as he did so.

 

"Thank you, my Fox. And I expect you to do justice to your own breakfast this morning - you'll need to keep your strength up."

 

I flushed at the implied statement but couldn't help but be pleased at the attention. "Yes, Master. Thank you."

 

William cleared his throat. "Any instructions for the day?"

 

Lord Walter appeared to consider this. "I am feeling rather indulgent today. How would you like to spend this day, my Fox?"

 

I looked up at him, startled, and saw a wicked twinkle in his eyes. Glancing briefly at Maggie and William, I saw that they were likewise stunned. "What - whatever my master wishes is likewise my desire."

 

"Very prettily said, my sweet slave, but I prefer to hear the truth. Come - there must be something you would like to do in particular."

 

I couldn't think clearly. I was exhausted from lack of sleep, my brain had gone completely, and everyone was staring at me. Suddenly it was all too much. I was trapped, I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move; I was once again in the dungeon longing desperately for a sight of blue sky -

 

"I would like to go out - outside the castle," I blurted out. "Walk, run, ride - I don't care. I just need to be - out."

 

A gentling hand on my head and a soft voice brought me back to myself. "Then that is what we shall do, my cub. William, I shall attend to business matters this morning. Have my personal guard and our horses ready to go out at midday - Maggie, a picnic lunch to take with us, if you will." The hand carded through my hair, soothing me. "And tonight, perhaps an evening in the library?"

 

"You are very kind, Master," I murmured, ducking my head to hide my embarrassment at my overreaction.

 

"But first, I think, a bath."

 

Still a trifle unnerved, forgetting for a moment the presence of the two servants, I said teasingly, "You have an unnatural fondness for bathing, my master." The instant the words left my mouth, I felt appalled at my own boldness and waited for the blow that would punish my impudence.

 

Instead I heard that soft laughter. "Perhaps I do at that. My father used to say the same about my mother. She was raised in the Temple and never got out of the habit of bathing daily. Maggie, I believe that we are done with breakfast, and you can see that young Fox has suffered no serious harm at my hands. William, I will join you in my study when I have finished bathing and dressing."

 

Once the door had closed behind them, I felt an insistent tug on my hair and let Lord Walter pull me up and into his lap. His hand captured my chin, forcing my eyes up to meet his.

 

"You are an impudent rascal, my Fox, and by rights I should teach you to mind your tongue with the flat of my hand."

 

I shivered at the stern note in his voice. "Yes, Master."

 

"Do not push my indulgence beyond its limit. As fond as I am of your sharp mind and ready wit, I will not be teased or embarrassed before others. Save that charming impertinence for the times that we are alone, like now." His mouth descending on mine, ravishing it thoroughly and reminding me in no uncertain terms that he was master here and that I was his slave and bedmate, and not his consort and equal. "Am I understood?"

 

My lips were bruised from the kiss, my body shaking from arousal generated by his touch, my eyes burned from the tears they wanted to shed, and my heart felt like it would break. "Yes, Master," I whispered.

 

I would never again forget that, although a slave may certainly fall in love with his master, the master would never, ever, fall in love with his slave.

Chapter Two

 

Walter

 

I began to regret my harsh words when I saw the light in his beautiful eyes die. And yet, what else could I have done? Bad enough that I was besotted with the boy, bad enough that my household staff knew my weakness, but if I allowed this slave boy to treat me with impudent familiarity - like a lover - then I would have lost complete control. I might as well sit in the corner and drool into my porridge.

 

And so instead of reassuring him, I kissed him again, briefly, and pushed him off my lap. "Bath. The Gods know that we could both use one."

 

Fox was quiet but efficient as he bathed and dressed me. I found myself missing his usual chatter and inquired about his studies, hoping to spark that enthusiasm, but he only smiled faintly and quietly replied that he hadn't had much time lately. I was inclined to credit his unusual behavior to nothing more than a sulk due to my reprimand but he betrayed none of the usual signs. And, after the years spent with my late wife, I was very knowledgeable of the signs of sulking and bad temper. I gave up the attempt, deciding that the boy was merely tired and could use a morning for reflection, so I dismissed him until lunch and went down to my office to take care of business.

 

For the better part of two hours, I reviewed the messages that had come in over the past few days. William and I discussed the upcoming harvest, estimating the size and the amounts to be expected from the various farms. I made plans for clearing and distribution of the current contents of the granaries, trying to anticipate where shortages might be expected. Then there were the visits to the various castellans owing fealty to me to be planned, and all the trivial matters that made up our daily lives to be handled.

 

I was surprised when, at mid-morning, Maggie entered bearing a tray which she set before me. "What's this?"

 

"I thought you could use a little something to eat. You barely touched your breakfast."

 

I looked at Maggie in amusement, having judged by the appearance of a plate of gingerbread that I had been forgiven for my sins. Maggie’s gingerbread had been a favorite of mine from childhood. "Do I appear likely to fade to a shadow for lack of a meal?"

 

"No, but it won't hurt for you to get a little more meat on those bones."

 

I snorted at that, picking up a large square of gingerbread. It was still warm from the oven and I bit into it with great relish. "If you want to coddle someone, I advise you to direct your attention to Fox. The boy could use some fattening up. I expect he's in the library."

 

"I already took him some, and he is not in the library."

 

I frowned, hoping that he was not sulking in my bedchamber or up to some kind of mischief. "Where is he, then?"

 

"In the armory, putting your armor to rights."

 

"Putting my - why in hell is he doing that? Scully usually gets one of the men for that task."

 

"Seems to think that he's responsible for it."

 

I sat back in my chair, rubbing my neck as I thought over this situation. Curiously, I asked, "Does he know what he's doing? The boy hasn't had any military training."

 

"Scully showed him what to do. When I left, he had finished sponging and brushing the fabric and was checking each plate individually to make sure none of them were loose. For some reason," she added tartly, "he seems determined that you should be as safe as possible."

 

Well, there didn't seem to be anything else to say on that matter, so I picked up another piece of gingerbread before Maggie could come to the decision that I was unworthy of her culinary skills. Also, it gave me a good excuse to swallow the sudden lump in my throat.

 

"William, where did we put the small jewel box?"

 

"Lady Sharon's jewelry, my lord?"

 

"No, the box with my mother's jewelry."

 

"In the strong room, my lord. Shall I fetch it?" I nodded my assent and he left.

 

Maggie looked at me, frowning. "And what would you be wanting with your mother's jewels? You're not selling them?"

 

"No. Although I expect I should dispose of Lady Sharon's when I go to town next." The Gods knew that I didn't want to see those again. Every gaudy piece had a memory associated with them, an argument or a bitter accusation flung at me, failings of mine that had to be redeemed with a trinket before peace was restored in the house. After our years together, the worth of the contents of that box nearly rivaled the Kingdom treasury.

 

William handed me the small box containing my mother’s jewelry and I could see him exchanging a curious look with his wife. I unlocked it and sifted through the contents, smiling as I touched each piece and remembered my mother wearing them. For all that she was a King's Consort, she had remarkably little taste for show and had preferred the simpler ornaments. I extracted a simple hoop earring of braided gold and held it up to the light.

 

"Yes, this will do nicely. You may put away the box, William."

 

"It's for the boy, then," Maggie said softly.

 

I could feel myself flushing under her sharp eyes. "I don't want to risk an infection from the base metals in those cheap slave earrings. It would be tiresome to have his looks marred."

 

"Of course," Maggie said solemnly, then smiled. "I'd best be getting back to the kitchen - this castle doesn't run itself." She paused in the doorway. "Oh, and I'll make sure to pack some gingerbread with your picnic lunch."

 

Well, I was certainly back in Maggie's good graces I thought as I chuckled. "You're too good to me, Maggie. I don't deserve you."

 

"Aye, that's the truth," she said tartly, "but at least you realize your good fortune."

 

That I did, and my good fortune appeared to be growing with each passing day. She left me to contemplate one gold earring, cradled in my palm.

 

 

Fox

 

Dismissed from my master's service for the morning, I cast a longing look at the library but I had a task that I had left unfinished from the previous day. I crossed the courtyard and entered the armory in search of Captain Scully, finding her in her office staring at a scroll with a frown. I tapped on the door.

 

"Captain Scully? I'm sorry to bother you - "

 

She smiled, pushing the scroll away with a smile. "Just the thrice-damned paperwork that's an unfortunate part of the job. Payroll, accounts, lost and damaged equipment - " She sighed. "So, what can I do for you, Milord Fox?"

 

"Lord Walter's armor that I brought here the other night - you told me that you'd show me how to take care of it."

 

Scully nodded and rose, leading the way into the main part of the armory. She lifted the heavy garment off the dummy and laid it on a table, unbuckling the sides so it would lay flat.

 

"How familiar are you with armor?" she asked as she worked.

 

"Not at all," I admitted. "My father was a Clerk, and I was to be one, too. I never had any military training."

 

She gave me a curious look. "No matter. I'll tell you what you need to know. Normally, a man in Lord Walter's position would have a squire to look after his armor in return for training, but his Lordship isn't a knight himself so - "

 

"Why not?"

 

"Why not what?"

 

"Why isn't he a knight? He's the king's brother, son of a king. He was the Lord Protector of the Realm."

 

"A knight has to be sanctified by the High Priest," Captain Scully said, her eyes meeting mine. "The Priests would not do that unless Lord Walter publicly denounced his mother and did penance for her sins. He refused. He's too powerful for them to declare him Outcast but, believe me, there is no love lost between Lord Walter and the High Priest."

 

"It's not fair to punish him for his parents' sins," I said, brooding on this slight to my master, and I heard a chuckle. I looked up in surprise at Scully. "What?"

 

"You are a slave, Milord Fox, because of your own father's mistakes, but I believe you are more indignant for Lord Walter's wrongs than for your own."

 

I flushed, unwilling to admit to my inexplicable feelings for the man that owned me, body and soul. "You keep calling me 'Milord Fox'. I'm not a lord; I'm just a slave. You should call me Fox."

 

Scully tilted her head and looked at me with a faint smile on her face. "I don't know - it somehow doesn't feel right to call you 'Fox'. So I shall continue to call you 'Milord', whether you like it or not."

 

"Well, I can't stop you," I said with a sigh. "So that's why there's no priest in the castle? How do the people living here feel about that?"

 

Scully shrugged. "There's a priest in town. Are you religious?"

 

"Not particularly - I've seen too much hypocrisy among those that are supposed to be holy. Are you?"

 

"In a way. I belong to the Temple of Artemis."

 

I nodded. The followers of Artemis were women, dedicated to the art of warfare and the science of healing, and the Temple was outside the religious mainstream.

 

"So tell me, what exactly does a squire do?" Seeing the puzzled look on her face, I said, "I'm the closest thing he's likely to get, so I should at least learn how to take care of his armor properly. I take it that this thing is pretty important, right?"

 

"This thing is what can save his life in battle, and it cost 10 times what he paid for you at the least." Scully said dryly. "The cloth on the inside needs to be carefully sponged and brushed to prevent chaffing which could hamper movement in battle. Each of these pieces of metal on the outside has been individually riveted to the leather, and they must be checked individually to make sure that they are not damaged or loose. One well-place arrow combined with one loose plate could be fatal."

 

I suddenly felt dizzy at the thought of Lord Walter being killed and felt Scully grab my arm.

 

"Are you all right? You look ill."

 

"I'll be fine," I said as the dizziness receded, and suddenly I was grimly determined to ensure my protector's safety. "Tell me what to do."

 

An hour or three hours later - I couldn't be sure of how long I had been sitting here - I heard my name being called. "Hmm?"

 

"By the Gods, Fox, I was starting to wonder if you had gone deaf. What are you doing, child?"

 

Maggie set down a plate and a glass and peered at the garment draped across my lap as I sat cross-legged on the table. "What - that's Lord Walter's armor. What are you doing with that, lad?"

 

I stopped, shaking out tired fingers. "Checking the riveted plates. Does this part look loose to you?"

 

Maggie peered at the section I indicated and tugged a little. "No, I think it's fine."

 

I looked at the coat of plates critically again. "Well, it could really do with being taken apart, thoroughly cleaned, and put back together again but I'm afraid that's beyond me."

 

"Fox, why on earth are you doing this? Scully usually has one of the men take care of it."

 

"It's my responsibility to take care of my master. What does it matter to them if he gets hurt or killed - he's merely the man that pays their wages. I, on the other hand, have a vested interest in keeping him alive. I lo- " I broke off, flushing at what I had been about to say. "There are worse masters out there - I could be a lot less lucky if I had to go on the sales block again."

 

"Fox," she said gently. Startled, I looked up into her kind and sympathetic face and realized that she had seen what I felt. I flushed, embarrassed, and was grateful when she changed the subject. "I brought you something to nibble on till lunch," she said briskly, turning my attention to the plate of gingerbread and glass of milk. "The Gods know that you don't eat enough to keep a bird alive, much less a growing lad like yourself."

 

"Thanks, Maggie."

 

"You're welcome, Fox." Maggie's hand covered mine and squeezed it. "It will all work out in the end, lad," she said softly. "You'll see. Have faith."

 

Faith? I lost that long ago, when my world had been ripped apart. But trust - maybe, just maybe, there was enough trust left inside me.

 

Chapter Three

 

Fox

 

Captain Scully wasn't pleased when Lord Walter announced he wouldn’t be taking his escort along on the picnic but he looked at her with a smile in those warm brown eyes.

 

"Why, Scully, do you think I am in danger from one slave boy? And an unarmed one at that?"

 

Scully gave me a look that I couldn't interpret and then looked back at Lord Walter. "I expect that you couldn't be in safer company, my lord."

 

"Then you think that I am unable to protect the two of us? Perhaps, at my advanced age, I should surrender my sword and sit by the fire."

 

Scully glared at him and I hid a smile. "You won't get around me like that, Lord Walter. I'm responsible for your safety. I will take only your personal bodyguard and we will ensure your privacy - but we are going with you."

 

Their eyes met for a long moment and then Lord Walter sighed. "Very well, Captain."

 

We rode out at a brisk pace, Captain Scully leading the way with two soldiers following behind us. I threw back my head and breathed deeply, nearly dizzy from the intoxicating scents of grass and sunlight and flowers. It had been long, so long, since I had been able to take the time to just enjoy the world around me.

 

As a child, I had grown up in the confines of Town with its narrow, dirty streets and tiny backyard gardens, and it was not until I attended University that I realized the full wonder of nature. The University, situated on its own lands across the river from the city, had extensive grounds and I had taken great delight in exploring them. Often times, when faced with a tough exam or while trying to work out a problem, I had taken to walking through the woods and gardens, sometimes for hours at a time. In fact, I had become something of a joke among my fellows with my penchant for long walks over the University's grounds, but there was something about the exercise outdoors that cleared my head.

 

I closed my eyes and breathed again, deeply, turning my face towards the warmth of the sun. The light breeze whipped through my hair, teased my shirt, and caressed my skin like a lover. I suddenly felt as weightless and free as a bird on the wing.

 

A soft chuckle caught my ear and I opened my eyes. Turning my head, I caught Lord Walter watching me curiously and blushed, feeling a little silly, but he smiled.

 

"You reminded me of my favorite falcon for a moment," he said with a smile.

 

I looked at him, my eyes speculative. "And is it your intent to tame me to your fist, my lord?"

 

I had spoken in jest but his eyes regarded me seriously. "I don't know if there is anyone alive who could do that."

 

I looked away from those intent eyes, flushing again. "You own me."

 

"It's not the same thing. And I think that the only one to tame you will be the one who wins your heart."

 

I glanced back at him. There was a slightly sad look on his face and I wanted to ease his sadness. I wanted to tell him that my heart was almost completely his already, but this morning's lesson was still fresh in my mind. It wasn't my love that he wanted; it was my body. And that was what causing my distress – I wanted to give him not only my body but all that I was.

 

"So where are we going, Master?" I asked quietly, steering my thoughts into other channels.

 

"A quiet glen situated by a little pool not far from here. We can enjoy our lunch there in peace."

 

I grinned. "You think Captain Scully will let you out of her sight?"

 

"She had better, or I won't be responsible for the consequences."

 

The tone was light but there was a hidden meaning in those words and I found myself flushing as my treacherous body responded to his teasing. What a slut I am, I thought despairingly. The man has only to snap his fingers and I am spreading myself for him. Of course, a part of my mind that could still remain reasonable said, the man owns me and will have my body no matter what I want. Why shouldn't I enjoy it as well? And wasn't it in my best interest to keep him happy and satisfied? Otherwise I would be getting on friendlier terms with the castle's soldiers than I would like.

 

The problem wasn’t with Lord Walter. He knew what he wanted - a warm, comely body in his bed – and had never claimed otherwise. The problem was with me. With each passing day, I was falling more and more in love with the man who owned me. And moving further away from the person I had been only two short months ago. In another two months, I thought bitterly, there would be nothing left of the University student. There would only be Fox, the slave, willing to do anything for the smile and touch of my master. In another year, I wouldn’t even remember what it had felt like to be free, to be able to go where I willed and love whom I chose. In another three years, there would be nothing of the man who had dreamed of traveling the world, finding the answers to a hundred mysteries awaiting me. In seven years, when I was finally free, I wouldn’t even be able to take care of myself. I wondered what would happen to me then – I would be too old to go back to the University, too unskilled at anything other than pleasuring a man. Drearily, I imagined that I would become one of those around the fringes of society, a whore or – if I was lucky – someone’s kept man until I lost my ability to please. Until I grew old, or sick, or ugly -

 

My thoughts were rapidly destroying my good mood and worrying about future troubles was useless. With a sigh, I gave up my inner struggle and just settled back to enjoy the beautiful day.

 

 

Walter

 

We arrived at the entrance to the clearing and dismounted, leaving the horses to graze and the soldiers to eat their lunch. Captain Scully and Fox carried the picnic basket and blanket down the pathway, Fox setting up while Scully checked the place over. Satisfied, Scully joined her men and left us alone.

 

Despite my teasing remarks to Fox, I didn't bring him here to seduce him. My sole reason for coming here had been an instinctual response to the panic in his voice, a certainty that he needed this, needed to get away from everything and everyone for awhile. I was also aware that he was uncomfortable with me, that somehow I had mis-stepped this morning and that I needed to put it right. Which was difficult to do when Fox wouldn't look at me or say anything but "Yes, Master" or "No, Master" and when he barely touched his food and that only in response to a growl from me. The boy was clearly unhappy about something and I hadn't the slightest idea what it could be or how to break through the wall of reserve he had raised around himself.

 

I looked over at Fox, lying stretched out on the blanket with his arm over his eyes. I looked over at the pool of water and a thought occurred to me.

 

"Fox, let's take a swim."

 

Fox lowered his arm and looked at me, puzzled. "Sir?"

 

"Swim? You do know how to swim?"

 

He grinned, and I was amazed at how relieved I was to see that smile. "Like a fish." He stood up and stripped, then ran down the bank and plunged into the water. A moment later, he burst to the surface, gasping for breath. "Shit! It's cold! You didn't tell me that."

 

I laughed. "You didn't ask."

 

I began removing my own clothes then remembered the small earring I had tucked into my pouch earlier. I pulled it out, debating, then stripped off the rest of my clothes and walked down to the pool.

 

Fox was frisking about in the water, swimming with strong, sure strokes towards the far end of the pool before turning and heading back. He emerged from the water just in front of me, shaking water onto me like a puppy and I laughingly protested.

 

"Brat!" I reached out and pulled him towards me. "Stand still a moment."

 

He obeyed, puzzled as I removed the simple slave earring and tossed it away. I saw his eyes widen as he caught a glimpse of the gold in my hand but he didn't make a sound as I inserted the gold loop into the hole in his right earlobe. I studied the effect of gold against his skin and nodded.

 

"Much better."

 

A tentative hand came up to touch the loop and he looked at me, puzzled. Good, I thought to myself, keep him a little off-balance, get under his defenses. With that in mind, I placed my hand in the middle of chest and pushed.

 

Fox emerged sputtering from the water after the unexpected dunking. "You - that wasn't fair!" He launched himself at me, laughing, knocking me off my feet. We wrestled playfully, each of us trying to best the other, Fox giving as good as he got. I might have been more muscular but he was quicker and my hands slid off his water-slick skin. I caught him once, tickling him until he squirmed away, and he dunked me once by pulling my feet out from under me, so the score was just about even.

 

It was the chill of the water that finally drove us out to collapse on the blanket in the warmth of the afternoon sun.

 

 

Fox

 

We lay on the blanket, soaking up the warmth of the sun as it drove away the chill of our naked bodies. I lay on my back and closed my eyes, listening to the sounds of the woods around me, aware that Lord Walter had rolled over on his side and was watching me. His hand stroked my skin soothingly as we lay there, his voice soft and hypnotic.

 

"Before the leaves turn, we'll have to go up the mountain so you can get a good look at Beauforte."

 

I yawned sleepily. "What's a beauforte?"

 

Lord Walter looked at me in amusement. "The castle is Beauforte. Didn't you know?"

 

I shrugged. "No one told me, and I never asked. It wouldn't have made a difference, would it? A slave goes where his master bids," I said reasonably. "But it's a nice name. Beautiful fort."

 

"My mother named it. She loved this place." Lord Walter rolled closer and began nuzzling at my neck. "I'll take you hawking, too. Have you ever been?"

 

"Beyond my touch. My family were merely clerks."

 

"You'll like it." His mouth worked its way down my body, and I found myself responding automatically. Inexplicably, I felt a brief spark of resentment that he knew just how to push me, how to make me perform for him. "And soon there will be the harvest festival - I think you'll enjoy that. There's a fair with food and games and merchants."

 

"Sounds like fun," I said, a little breathlessly, as his fingers played with my nipples.

 

"It is. And, with a good harvest, there'll be no need for a Corn King." Brown eyes twinkled at me. "Although I believe you're safe from that fate."

 

I frowned, realizing he was teasing me with a hidden meaning. "What's a corn king?"

 

"An old ritual practiced among those that follow the Old Ways," Lord Walter said blandly. "It is said that a bad harvest is a sign of anger from the gods and a young, virile, virginal male is sacrificed to appease them."

 

I laughed and captured his palm, kissing it. "After the past night, I think I can safely say that there is no hint of virgin left on me."

 

He smiled back and caressed my face. "The sacrifices I must make to ensure your safety, my cub."

 

I pushed myself up, moving closer to him, watching the brown of his eyes deepen to black with passion. "Then I must ensure that you are amply rewarded, my protector." I kissed him, pulling him down on top of me, and wrapped my legs around his waist to draw him closer.

 

 

Walter

 

"Are there many practitioners of the Old Religion here?"

 

I must admit to surprise at that question. It is not the first thing one expects to hear after catching one's breath from mind-blowing sex. However, I was rapidly coming to realize that Fox was no ordinary young man. Moreover, it was this odd quirk to him that made him even more endearing. Still, I couldn't help chuckling and I reached over to pinch a firm ass.

 

"Ouch!" he protested as he sat up, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

 

"Your choice in post-coital conversation, my brat."

 

"Oh." He crawled up the blanket, slowly and sensuously, his eyes locking on mine, and I found I couldn't look away. Hell, I could barely breathe. He was smoldering sensuality, sheer male animal. Warm lips pressed a trail of kisses from my stomach to my lips, barely touching the surface of my skin. "Have I ever told you, Master," he purred against my lips, "how grateful I am that you found me that day in the market?" His lips began back down my body, his eyes never leaving mine. "Allow me to show you how grateful."

 

Suddenly, I heard the echo of the last whore I had taken to my bed, the practiced tones of one knowing what to say to please the customer and earn his fee. It was like a bucket of cold water dumping over me and I reached out to grab Fox by the hair, pulling his head away from my body.

 

"Ow!" he complained in his normal voice, rubbing his head. "Now what did I say?"

 

I couldn't look at him, could hardly tell him that I was suddenly, inexplicably jealous. That I had pictured him responding to other men as he had to me, using practiced skills to pleasure them, making the same noises for them as he did for me. Hot rage was suddenly replaced with cold again, picturing Fox alone in the world and forced to sell his body, knowing that I had brought him to this end, had turned him into a pleasure slave. I pulled him back down into my arms, holding him tightly to reassure myself and banish these ghosts. It would not happen, I told myself fiercely. He was mine for seven years and a lot could happen during that time. And even if he chose not to remain with me in the end, I would make sure that he was well taken care of for the rest of his life.

 

"Nothing," I growled in response to his question. "But I am too tired to play your games, cub."

 

He sighed and I could almost feel the mental shrug. "Sorry, Master."

 

"Never mind. And, in answer to your earlier question, there have always been practitioners in this area - there's some kind of sacred place nearby."

 

"Really?" I could almost feel Fox perk up at this and sighed again. "I've heard about some of the practices but there's very little in the University library on the subject, most of the traditions being oral. Is there anyone in the village who practices? Maybe I could talk to some people and go to this sacred place and - "

 

I silenced him with my hand over his mouth. "I warn you now, Fox - you leave the castle without permission and without a guard, and I'll take my strap to you till you can't sit down. Am I understood?"

 

A sulky voice replied, "Yes, Master."

 

"I'm serious, Fox. You don't know this area and there are lots of dangers. On the other hand," I added, figuring that a little bribery couldn't hurt, "if you behave, I'll have Scully take you into town when she has a free day and introduce you to the local healer, her blood-sister from the Temple. She's a Wise Woman as well and can tell you everything you need to know - she knows those who practice the Old Ways."

 

Fox sighed. "All right. I'll behave."

 

"Good." I sat up, stretching. "Now, as much as I like your current attire, you must get dressed. We need to return to the castle. Tomorrow will be a busy day."

 

 

Chapter Four

 

Fox

 

Two weeks passed and, despite my impatience, I managed to stay out of trouble. Lord Walter kept me busy during the day as the harvested crops began to pour into the castle to be sorted into three lots: that which went on to the King, that which remained in the Castle, and that which went into the storage granaries against future need. And, of course, the grains already stored there from last harvest had to be removed, checked for mold or other damage, and then distributed as needed to parts of the land that had not had as bountiful a harvest. I was impressed with Lord Walter's care for his people: while he expected a full tally from those whose harvest had been good - and received it with very little grumbling - he was also generous towards those whose fortunes had not been as good through no fault of their own. As for those whose own idleness or mismanagement had caused their misfortune, he reduced them to quivering repentance with a thorough tongue-lashing and - in a severe case - turned a man out of his place and gave title to his eldest son.

 

Following these kind of these incidences, everyone was careful to stay out of his way until he recovered his temper. Everyone except me, of course, and I had no real choice in the matter as Lord Walter ordered my almost constant attendance. I quickly learned to judge his moods and adjust my behavior accordingly and even on occasion, to coax him back into good humor. The castle staff was quick to observe this and took shameless advantage of the situation, leaving me to break any bad news and deal with the consequences. As a result, I soon became more of an Assistant to his lordship than his bedslave, at least in the eyes of the rest of the household. But in his eyes I knew that I was nothing more than a slave - a highly desired one, but a slave nonetheless.

 

That I was highly desired I had no doubt. There was a certain look that came into Lord Walter's eyes during the day that, if I happened to catch it, could make me blush from the intensity while all the remaining blood in my body rushed southward with painful intensity. Each night was a lesson in the art of lovemaking from one who was obviously a master. Limited though my experience might have been, I still had a healthy imagination and, moreover, had spent two years going through the University's collection of erotica. But imagination and reading had left me totally unprepared for reality at the hands of Lord Walter, and I had certainly never imagined that anything could feel this good.

 

He was a generous lover, more generous than any slave had the right to expect, ensuring that my satisfaction was at least as great as his own. And I never knew what to expect each night. It might be exquisitely tender lovemaking built up with word upon kiss upon touch until my whole body tingled with anticipation and dissolved upon completion. Or an impetuous and explosive coupling that was like being caught outside in a thunderstorm - all heat and flash and fire until we exploded into a million pieces. Or relaxed and sleepy, lying peacefully content in the joining as he slowly rocked us towards a gentle release.

 

Tonight he was in an especially good mood. The first reports of the harvest had been tallied and were better than expected. The woodsmen had been reading the weather signs and predicted that the coming winter would be a mild one. The land was at peace and the people were content. Lord Walter had ordered a portion of wine for all at dinner and had once again called me from my place standing behind him to set me in the chair beside him and fed me from his own plate.

 

We made an early night of it and he pounced on me when we reached his room. Tossing me onto the bed, he tickled me mercilessly until I begged for quarter, then made love to me with a surety of touch that took my breath away and dropped me into unconsciousness. And it was bliss itself to come back from oblivion to find myself wrapped in his arms with gentle kisses being liberally bestowed all over my face. I sighed and shifted deeper into his arms, utterly content with the moment. His hand moved soothingly, caressing my back, skimming the cheeks of the ass he had so recently possessed.

 

"So smooth and cool," he murmured softly. "You've been very good over this past week, my Fox. I haven't had to punish you at all. You deserve a reward."

 

I lifted my head, looking into his face to judge the seriousness of his words. "You said that if I was good you would have Captain Scully introduce me to the Wise Woman in the village."

 

He sighed and smiled. "So I did. And I expect that there will be no peace until you get this out of your system. Very well - you can go visit the Healer tomorrow. I'll tell Scully in the morning."

 

I grinned and put my head back down with a contented sigh, kissing the firm flesh under my cheek. "Thank you. You're so good to me."

 

"That's because you're good for me," he said softly. "Fox - "

 

"Hmm?" I turned my head up to look at him when he didn't continue, and saw a peculiar expression on his face, half-longing and half-fear. "Master, what's wrong?"

 

He sighed. "Nothing. Go to sleep, Fox."

 

I sleepily nodded and snuggled back down, and was asleep in minutes.

 

When I awoke the next morning, the bed and the room was empty. It appeared that Lord Walter was getting an early start on the day. I got out of bed and cleaned up, then dressed and went downstairs in search of my master. Entering the study, I saw that Captain Scully was already there and Lord Walter was reading over a message with a frown.

 

Scully spared me a brief look. "My troop will be ready to leave when you are," she said to Lord Walter, leaving at his nod.

 

Walter looked up at me briefly and gestured for me to approach him. "Change of plans, Fox. My woodsmen report strangers on the northern borders - Scully and I need to go investigate. We'll be gone till late afternoon." He saw my face fall and stroked my cheek affectionately. "I promise I'll make it up to you and take you to town myself later this week. And while I'm gone I want you to work on your studies. You've been neglecting them sadly these past weeks."

 

What point was there to studying? I thought in irritation. It wasn't as if I was going to actually get my degree or use anything I learned. I swallowed my disappointment. "Yes, Master."

 

A short time later, the courtyard was filled with horses and armed men. Disappointed and dejected, I sat on the front steps and watched the troop mount up. Captain Scully paused to give Lt. Lamana last minute instructions.

 

"- the rest of the shipment will be in today. Lord Walter is expecting some special goods, so take your troop into the village to escort the wagons here."

 

"Yes, Captain."

 

My ears pricked up at the mention of the village and a plan formed in my head. I watched the troop ride out with Lord Walter and Captain Scully at its head, my heart racing at the risk I would be taking but unable to delay my need to know any longer.

 

Shortly before noon, I saw Lamana assembling his troop and put my plan in action. Grabbing my cloak, I went down to the courtyard.

 

"I'm ready, Lt. Lamana."

 

Lt. Lamana looked at me, puzzled. "For what?"

 

I pretended to be surprised at the question. "Why, to go to town with you. Lord Walter wanted me to consult with the Wise Woman there and pick up some medicines. Captain Scully was supposed to escort me, but he needed her so I'm to go with you."

 

Lamana frowned. "He said nothing to me."

 

"He must have forgotten." I put on my blandest, most innocent face. "He was in a bit of a rush to get out of here."

 

Lamana looked at me doubtfully, then at Maggie who had given him the list of goods that Lord Walter was expecting and stood there listening.

 

"I did hear Lord Walter talking to Scully about it," she admitted.

 

Yes! I thought triumphantly but managed to keep my thoughts to myself.

 

Lamana chewed his lip. "All right, but you'll have to ride pillion. We haven't time to catch and saddle another horse."

 

I nodded - at this point I would have walked to town if necessary. One of the younger men helped me swing up behind him and we set off.

 

I was elated at the success of my plans and questioned the young soldier eagerly about the village. He was more than willing to talk - it seemed that he was a native and was on his way home for a week furlough. He told me about his family, his younger brothers and sisters, and the girl that waited for him to complete his allotted service so they could be married. I listened, my throat catching at the memories of the normal family life I had known. If only - but then, I would never have known Lord Walter. Or would we have met anyway? A pretty little fantasy spun up in my mind where I went to work in the Court after University, catching Lord Walter's eye with both my looks and my brains, meeting him as an equal where he would have been able to fall in love with me. I sighed.

 

"Here we are," said the young soldier, and I came out of my reverie to see that the horse had halted before a hut on the outskirts of the village. I swung down, thanking him before he rode off, and then turned to take a good look at the hut.

 

It was a medium size building, its walls made of wattle-and-daub with a fresh coat of whitewash, and its thatched roof was likewise new. To the side, I could see part of a garden, and smoke curled out of the fireplace above.

 

"Well, if you're coming in, then do so."

 

I started and moved forward, ducking my head under the low doorway. "Hello?"

 

"Come in and take a seat, lad. Are you hungry? Silly question - boys your age are always hungry." A small, slender woman looked up at me from the fireplace as she ladled thick stew into a bowl. "I know you're not hard of hearing, just stubborn." She gestured pointedly towards a stool. "Sit."

 

I obeyed, accepting the bowl thrust into my hands. "Thank you, ma'am."

 

"Melissa."

 

Thinking that she had spoken to me in some strange language, I said, "I beg your pardon?"

 

The Wise Woman smiled at me, blue eyes twinkling, and settled into a chair opposite me. "It's my name, boy. The villagers call me Sister Melissa."

 

"Oh." I dipped in my spoon and blew on it to cool the stew, surreptitiously looking over at the Wise Woman.

 

"Go ahead, boy. Get your fill of looking at me. You won't hurt my feelings."

 

I looked at her squarely then, seeing a small woman with dark-red hair and sharp blue eyes. In years, she looked to be older than myself but not as old as Lord Walter. "You seem rather young to be a Wise Woman."

 

She laughed. "I am older than you think, little cub. And far younger, as well. I am as old as these mountains and as young as a spring lamb."

 

I sighed. "Why do mystics always speak in such riddles?"

 

She laughed again. "It's one of the Guild rules. We have to talk like that, otherwise people realize that most of what we're telling them is plain common sense."

 

"Oh." This woman was not an Adept, then, just a woman with knowledge of herbs and healing. Overwhelming depression filled me, drowning the hope that had brought me here. "Then you won't be able to help me, will you?" I rose, turning to the door.

 

"She is alive and well."

 

I swung back around, and I know that my eyes were as wide as wagon wheels. "Who?"

 

"Your sister - and no, I can't tell you where she is. The place where she is kept is well-shielded. But I can tell you that she is safe, even happy, and well attended."

 

"You are certain?" I sat back down on the stool.

 

Sister Melissa nodded. "The Goddess has Her hands over both of you. No harm will come to you."

 

I felt my lips twist bitterly at that. "You'll forgive me if I don't have much faith in your Goddess at present. Or in any of the gods. Their protection doesn't appear to be worth much."

 

"Really, Fox?" Her eyes were intense and I dropped my own, picking up the bowl to have something to focus on. "And what would have happened to you if Lord Walter hadn't happened to attend the market that day? You could be in far worse hands than his."

 

The thought of his hands brought images to my mind, memories of how those hands had touched my body, and I could feel myself blushing. "I know."

 

"You are a seeker of Truth, Fox. Lord Walter will be your shield, keeping you safe from those who would have the Truth be hidden. Sister Scully will be the sword that will restore justice for those who have been wronged."

 

There were layers upon layers of meaning in her words. "Will I find it? Will I find the truth I am looking for?"

 

"You will find the answer to all your questions, young Seeker - but you must not make the job of your protectors any harder than it already is. Foolish and reckless endangerment of your life will not only destroy your life but the kingdom as well."

 

I found myself smiling a little. "You sound like Lord Walter when you talk like that." A sudden thought occurred to me and I swung around to look out the window. I could see that it was already late afternoon; time had passed faster than I had thought possible.

 

The wise woman paused, as if hearing something, and looked at me sharply. "Did your master give you leave to come see me?"

 

"Oh, shit!" I said. "I'm in trouble, aren't I? He's here, right?"

 

She nodded, then smiled ruefully. "You must give Lord Walter a lot of trouble."

 

"He does indeed," said a grim voice from the doorway and I dropped my head into my hands with a groan. I was a dead man.

 

 

Walter

 

The strangers on my northern borders turned out to be a small band of mercenaries, men whose faces and livery were unfamiliar to me. They remained sullenly silent under my questioning and nothing on their persons informed me of their intent although I had an uneasy feeling about the situation. Although I would have preferred to question them further, I had no legitimate reason to do so, so I had Captain Scully send the larger part of the troops and one of her sergeants to escort them off my land while the rest of us returned to Beauforte.

 

It was mid-afternoon when we arrived back at the castle, and I found myself looking forward to the pleasures the evening would hold. A warm bath, a quiet dinner, and then bed. With a warm - although possibly sulky - bedmate to keep me company. I smiled, thinking how I would tease my young love out of his bad mood, and shook my head ruefully as I realized that this old war-horse was becoming settled in his middle age.

 

We entered the courtyard and found a scene of mild chaos before us. Lt. Lamana had evidently just returned from the village and half of his men were engaged in unloading the wagons while the other half were standing open-mouthed as Maggie stormed at the poor lieutenant for some misdeed.

 

"What's going on?" I asked, amused and thinking that Lamana must have forgotten to take sufficient care of the goods. Lamana swung around and, if it were possible, turned even paler than before.

 

"L-Lord Walter! Captain!"

 

"What did you break this time?" Scully asked in amusement as she gestured to her men to tend to their weary horses. A stable-boy ran forward to hold my horse's head as I dismounted, stripping off my gloves.

 

"Go easy on him, Maggie," I said, and looked around for Fox. "Where's Fox? In the Library sulking, I suppose?" I started up the stairs.

 

"Um - your Lordship - the thing is - we seem to have - misplaced Fox."

 

I stopped and turned around, frowning at the stuttering Lamana. "Misplaced? How can you have lost him in a castle this size?"

 

"Well - he's not exactly lost - we know where he is - we think. And he's - not exactly in the castle."

 

Captain Scully strode forward, grasping Lt. Lamana by the front of his maille shirt. "What do you mean - you think you know where he is? Where exactly is Milord Fox?"

 

"In the village."

 

I came back down the steps. "And what is Fox doing in the village?"

 

"Visiting the Wise Woman, as you wished." As he saw the look on my face, he started shaking. "Sir! He told us - he assured me that he had your permission - "

 

The Amazon captain shook the poor man, glaring at him. "Lt. Lamana, if Milord Fox went to village with you, why didn't he come back with you?"

 

"Um - we sort of - forgot him."

 

"Forgot - How in the hell could you have forgotten him?" she demanded.

 

"We didn't have time to saddle a horse for him - he rode with one of the soldiers - young Billy, Captain?" Lamana was speaking rapidly, trying to save his skin. "Only Billy went on furlough today and there was a problem with the wagon and - and it wasn't until we got back just now that I realized that none of the other men had brought him back."

 

I was already back in the saddle. "Captain Scully, gather some men and follow me."

 

"Yes, Lord Walter." She turned back to Lamana, giving him one last shake. "Settle my men and unload these goods. And I expect you to be waiting in my office when I get back. I'll have a lot to say to you, Lieutenant." He nodded weakly and she gave the order to mount.

 

It was a short distance to the village and we covered it quickly. I alternated between praying that Fox was safely there and planning just what I would do when I got my hands on him. As I dismounted outside the Healer's hut, I heard a very familiar voice saying in a tone that would have been funny if I hadn't been so angry, "Oh shit! I'm in trouble aren't I?"

 

I heard the Healer laugh softly and say, "You must give Lord Walter a lot of trouble."

 

Who could ask for a better cue? I pushed open the door to the Healer's hut.

 

"He does indeed."

 

Fox jumped up from the stool he was sitting on, hastily setting down the bowl in his hands, and turning pale. "Master!"

 

I advanced on him slowly, watching him back away, letting him see the anger in my face. "Did I give you permission to come here, Fox?"

 

"No, Master, but I thought since Lt. Lamana was coming -"

 

"Did you understand me when I said you could come later?"

 

"Yes, but Master - " He was up against the wall, unable to escape me, and his eyes were large with fright.

 

"Have you somehow lost your ability to hear within the last 12 hours?"

 

"No, Master, but I thought - "

 

"You thought?" I was right in his face now, and I grabbed him by the neck, shaking him. "I think that your actions prove that you did very little thinking at all on this matter. Your actions could be considered an attempt to run away - which can be punishable by death." There - Fox's face completely drained of color and it was clear that he had forgotten that he was a slave, not a freeman.

 

"Lord Walter, you cannot kill him here in my home," the Wise Woman said calmly. "The disharmonic vibrations would be extremely damaging to my healing powers. Besides which, blood is so hard to clean up."

 

"Sister Melissa is right," Scully said from the doorway. "Bring him outside, my lord, and we'll kill him there."

 

"Scully!" Fox protested feebly. "I thought you were my friend!"

 

"And your point would be?" Scully asked coolly.

 

I grabbed Fox by the scruff of his neck and pushed him towards the doorway. "Outside and on my horse. Now!"

 

I don't think I've seen anyone move that fast in my life.

 

 

Fox

 

At that point, I knew my only hope was to get my ass out of range and pray that Lord Walter cooled off before we got back to the castle. The penalties for running away were indeed harsh - a slave could lose a foot or a hand or even be put to death, depending on the whim of his owner. My only hope was that Lord Walter would settle for the whipping that he had promised me instead. And wasn't it a sorry state of affairs when that was the best result I could imagine.

 

One of the village boys was holding the reins of Lord Walter's horse and looked at me curiously as I practically leapt up into the saddle. I said nothing, staring at the horse's mane while I waited. A few minutes later, Lord Walter and Captain Scully emerged from the hut and I was relieved to see that Walter was laughing with the Healer. Maybe he wouldn't be too angry, I thought hopefully. After all, this whole thing was partly his fault, too. He had promised that I could come to the village today, and he had broken his promise.

 

Scully turned back to the smaller woman and they clasped arms. "It was good seeing you, Sister."

 

"And you, too, Sister. Take care of yourself - there is unrest on the horizon. And guard this young one well."

 

Scully nodded and mounted her horse, and I felt Lord Walter swing up into the saddle behind me. A hard arm went around my waist, settling me tightly against him, and for a moment I forgot how to breathe. "Take the troops on home, Captain Scully. I will be shortly behind you."

 

"Lord Walter - "

 

"I'll be fine, Captain." There was a note of finality in that voice. Captain Scully sighed and I could feel her eyes on me for a moment, then she was leading her troop back towards the castle.

 

"Sister Melissa, thank you for your hospitality toward my brat here. I hope that he at least got some information to make his little trip worth the price he'll be paying." The growl was back in his voice but I began to have a little hope that I'd at least survive the afternoon.

 

The Healer laughed. "All information is useful, Lord Walter. Even that which we think is worthless." I felt her take my hand and press something into it. "An amulet to protect you against the dangers ahead, young Fox." I murmured my thanks, then wished I could take them back when she turned to Lord Walter and presented him with a switch. "And for you, Lord Walter, to punish this lovely young man." I let out an outraged protest and glared at the Healer but I could see my master's lip curl with a hint of a smile. He set his heels to the horse and we began riding slowly towards the castle. Slow was good, I thought to myself. The longer it took for us to get to the castle, the longer my ordeal would be delayed.

 

Lord Walter had transferred the switch to the hand wrapped about my waist and I stared down at the thing. "You're not really going to use that, are you?" I asked, reluctant to call his attention to the punishment I deserved but equally filled with a dread-fascination about my fate.

 

"After she went to so much trouble to choose a good, stout switch, it would be churlish of me to turn down such a gift." He glanced over his shoulder, as if gauging how far away we were from the village, and turned his horse into the woods. "Ah, that will do nicely."

 

I eyed with trepidation the fallen tree that seemed to have caught his attention. "Um - Master - shouldn't we be going back to the castle?"

 

He swung off the horse, tying the reins to a branch, and settled comfortably on the log. "Very nicely, indeed." He crooked his finger at me. "Come here, Fox."

 

For a moment, I contemplated setting my heels to the horse and fleeing. Only the certainty that Lord Walter's horse would throw me and that, if that didn't kill me, Lord Walter would, made me give up that idea. I sighed and slid off the horse's back, slowly walking over to my waiting master. In less than a minute, my breeches were around my ankles and I was staring at the ground from over Lord Walter's knees.

 

"Time for a little lesson, I think." The switch came down hard on my bare ass and I couldn't help jumping. "Do you know the meaning of the word 'no', boy?"

 

"Yes, Master," I gasped, twitching as the switch struck again. Gods, but that stung!

 

"Did you hear me telling you not to go to the village, not to leave the castle without an escort?"

 

"I had an escort - " I couldn't help yelping as the switch struck rapidly several times, the strokes thin and burning across my skin. "I heard you!"

 

"So you deliberately disobeyed me?"

 

"Yes!" My whole ass felt as if it was on fire, and I could feel sobs welling up inside as he continued.

 

"And you lied to Lt. Lamana, getting him into trouble as well."

 

"Y-yes, M-master." I was openly sobbing now.

 

"And if you hadn't been 'lost'? If you had returned to the castle with the troops? Were you going to tell me what you had been up to?"

 

"Um…"

 

"Wrong answer, brat." A few more strokes and then he tossed the switch aside. "You can get up now, brat."

 

Easier said than done, I thought, trying to get myself under control. I struggled to my feet and reassembled my clothes, dragging a sleeve across my eyes.

 

"Here." Lord Walter's voice was surprisingly gentle as he handed me a handkerchief.

 

"Thanks." I dried my eyes and blew my nose. "Um - I didn't say it - you didn't ask me to - but I'm sorry I disobeyed you."

 

"I expect you are." To my surprise, Lord Walter pulled me into an embrace. "Do you have any idea how I felt when I learned you were missing? Anything could have happened to you, Fox. Have you forgotten that Spender would like nothing better than to get his hands on you?"

 

I could feel tears welling up again and buried my face against his tunic. "I'm sorry - I wasn't thinking - "

 

Lord Walter sighed. "Well, if it takes me beating your ass black and blue, that is the one thing you will learn from me - how to think before you act, not after." He released me after one last hug. "Come, it is getting late and we need to return to the castle before Captain Scully starts hunting for my ass."

 

Speaking of ass, I thought to myself, there was no way that I was going to be able to sit comfortably on that damn horse now. I should have known that Lord Walter had already found a solution as, in short order, I found myself lying face-down across the horse's neck.

 

"This is so embarrassing," I muttered, feeling my face redden, and tried to shift into a more comfortable position.

 

A swat to my tender backside stilled me. "You'll be even more embarrassed if you tumble off onto your head, so stay still, brat."

 

I sighed and lay quiet for a few moments, lulled by the movements of the horse. "Master?"

 

"What is it now, Fox?"

 

"She says Samantha is safe. Should I believe her?"

 

"She's been known to be right more times than wrong. Do you believe her?"

 

I sighed. "I want to believe."

 

A gentle hand moved soothingly over my back. "I know, my cub. I know."

 

 

Chapter Five

 

Walter

 

Scully looked relieved when we rode into the courtyard, her lips twitching a little when she saw Fox draped across the front of my saddle and his obvious discomfort when he slid down to stand on his feet. Lt. Lamana stood at her side and I could see that relief at Fox's safe return was warring with dread for his coming ordeal. Scully was a tough Captain, dispensing discipline among her troops with a just but firm hand, and her men feared and respected her in equal parts.

 

"The troops have been settled, Lord Walter. If you have no further need for me, I have Lt. Lamana's punishment to deal with."

 

I nodded. "Thank you, Scully. It's been a busy day - I believe that I shall indulge in a quiet dinner tonight." I turned to the stairs, gesturing for Fox to follow me.

 

To my surprise, he hesitated and turned to Scully. "Captain, what will happen to Lt. Lamana?"

 

She looked at Fox squarely. "He will be whipped at the post. Ten lashes for failure to carry out his duties, five lashes for forgetting that he takes orders from Lord Walter and myself alone, ten lashes for his - misplacing you."

 

I could see Fox pale but he squared his shoulders. "Lt. Lamana shouldn't be punished. It was my fault. I told him I had permission to go, and I lied. I should take his punishment."

 

I could see that my astonishment was mirrored in Scully. She frowned, saying, "Do you know what you are asking? Twenty-five lashes is enough to send a man to his bed for several days."

 

Fox swallowed hard. "Then I am even more certain. You cannot afford to lose Lt. Lamana's service. I can be more easily spared - I am not so important."

 

I came down the stairs to join them, frowning. "I wouldn't be so certain of that, Fox. You understand that this would be in addition to what you have already received?" Fox flushed at the mention of the switching that he had received but nodded. I looked over at Captain Scully; management of the troops was under her command and I would not lightly usurp her authority. "Well, Captain?"

 

Scully shook her head. "I can't whip Milord Fox. It is not my place to do so."

 

"And if I whip him in your place? Will that satisfy you?"

 

I could see her weighing the matter, trying to determine where justice would be served the most. "Very well. I can't allow Lamana to go unpunished, however. He will receive ten lashes with the strap, the rest to be taken by Milord Fox on the condition that you substitute a strap as well. And both punishments to be conducted in private instead of at the post." Her voice softened. "Such generosity of spirit should not go unrewarded."

 

I nodded in agreement. "Agreed. Come, Fox."

 

Fox nodded and turned to follow me. Lamana, who had been watching the entire proceedings in stunned silence, moved now, dropping to his knees before my startled slave and halting him. As he looked up at Fox, I was startled to see grateful tears in eyes that burned with feverish dedication.

 

"I am in your debt, Milord Fox. If there is ever any way that I may serve you in future, you have only to name it," Lamana said humbly, and I knew that the young soldier would protect Fox with his own life. A sudden chill ran up my back at that thought.

 

Fox shook his head. "Thank you, but you owe me nothing. It was I who got you in this trouble." He reached out a hand to help Lamana up. "And I am not a noble. I am but a slave."

 

Lamana shook his head and smiled but said nothing else as he turned to follow Scully into the Armory. Fox stood watching him for a moment, looking up at me when I gently touched his shoulder.

 

"Come, Fox."

 

He nodded, following me to my chamber. I sat down on the bed, weary from the long day, and sighed.

 

"Bath first, then a quiet dinner here before bed."

 

Fox began removing my clothes, unfastening my belt and laying it across the bed. "You forgot about my punishment, Master," he said quietly.

 

I touched his cheek gently. "I haven't forgotten, my cub. That was a generous thing to do."

 

He shook his head. "It was my fault, that's all. I deserve the punishment, not Lamana. He shouldn't have been punished at all."

 

I caught his chin, forcing his eyes to meet mine. "You are not to blame for everything. Lamana made some bad choices, as did you. I will not have you beating yourself up over this." I smiled at him, trying for a little gallow's humor. "That's my job."

 

Fox drew a deep breath. "When will you do it, Master? I - I don't like to wait for it."

 

I drew him against me, settling his nerves. "After our bath. You won't want hot water on your ass afterward, and I imagine that you won't be able to eat till it is over."

 

Fox nodded, resting his head on my shoulder. "Why are you being so nice to me, Master? You were furious with me earlier."

 

"Idiot," I said affectionately. "I can't begin to tell you how I felt when I realized you were missing. I haven't been that frightened since I was a lad going into my first battle. And then, to see you alive and well - of course I was furious. But I didn't punish you because I was angry - I did it because you disobeyed me and risked your neck without cause. I would be most unhappy to lose you, brat."

 

Fox's voice was odd and muffled against my shoulder. "You would?"

 

"Of course. You are precious to me, my cub, and becoming more so as each day passes. I would not willingly part with you."

 

There was a sound like the release of held breath, and then Fox was pulling away, determinedly removing my clothes. "You need a bath, my master."

 

I laughed. "Is that a comment that I smell?"

 

"Well, Master, I wouldn't have mentioned it myself but - "

 

I laughed again and cuffed him gently. "Brat."

 

Our bath was quick and quiet, but I was pleased to see a look in Fox's eyes that I had seen once, when his eyes had opened on the morning after I had first taken him. A look that I had somehow destroyed with careless words a few hours later. I had gone over our exchanges several times in my mind, trying to determine where I had erred, but had ended up with no more of a clue than before. And now the shadow was gone and that peaceful contentment was back, and I still had no idea what had brought about this change but I wasn't about to risk ruining it again by questioning it.

 

We returned to the room and Fox helped me into my bedgown, then brought me the belt as he had every night for the past month since I had purchased him. Of late, I hadn't had much occasion to use it as he had been remarkably well behaved, but it was still a nightly ritual. Only tonight Fox's luck had run out.

 

"All right, get over the bench."

 

Fox nodded, drew a deep breath, then moved into position and gripped the cross-brace underneath the bench. I put a hand on his back, steadying him.

 

"Tell me what this punishment is for."

 

"I'm taking Lt. Lamana's punishment, for getting him in trouble. I lied to him, telling him that I had permission to go into town. Then I didn't stay with the troops so they forgot about me, which caused you to worry when you got home and I wasn't there."

 

"That's right. And you are to receive 15 strokes. Are you ready, boy?"

 

Faintly, he replied, "Yes, sir."

 

I studied his bared bottom for a moment, noting that it still bore thin welts from his earlier thrashing. I determined not to use my full strength on this whipping, only enough to carry out the punishment. I raised the belt and brought it down on his upturned bottom, counting out the strokes. I could see Fox squirming under the blows, heard the catch in his breathing that told me he was trying to keep from breaking into sobs. I paused for a moment, halfway through the required strokes.

 

"Fox, it's okay to cry or yell or swear if you want. I won't think any less of you for it."

 

"T-thank you, sir." Despite this, it took three more blows before the first sound passed his lips. The next stroke forced a sobbing groan from him, and for the remaining five blows he sobbed freely.

 

"All done, Fox," I said, setting down the belt. Fox nodded and, after a few minutes, had collected himself enough to push himself to his feet. As before, I pulled him into my arms, and he clung to me. I could feel silent tears soak through the shoulder of my bedgown and decided that he needed a little coddling tonight.

 

I scooped him up into my arms and carried him over to the bed, settling him on his side. He rolled onto his stomach and grabbed a pillow, burying his face in it, and I rubbed his back soothingly for a moment.

 

"I'll be back in a moment, Fox."

 

I left the room, almost running into Maggie in the hallway outside the room carrying a heavily laden tray. I smiled at her, taking it. "Thanks, Maggie. Could you get the healing cream - " I halted as she lifted the cover off a small pot and I caught the faint aroma of herbs. "Bless you, Maggie."

 

"How is the lad?"

 

"Resting at the moment, then I'll try to get him to eat. He'll be fine. Have you seen to Lamana yet?"

 

Maggie nodded. "Already asleep, unless I miss my guess. He'll be fine as well, and very grateful he is to young Fox, too."

 

"I would imagine so. Good-night, Maggie."

 

I took the tray inside and set it down on the hearth, then took the pot of salve over to the bed. Fox lay so still that I thought he had fallen asleep until I saw the convulsive shaking and realized that he was still crying silently.

 

"Shh," I said, sitting on the bed beside him. "Do not weep so, my heart."

 

The body beside me went still and a wet face appeared from under the pillow. "Master?"

 

"Lie still. I have a soothing balm to put on your backside. It was my mother's recipe and it will both ease your pain and heal your injuries."

 

Fox tensed and tried to move away. "I don't deserve either - "

 

"Lie still, Fox," I said sternly. "I will not have you damaged or in pain."

 

Fox drew a deep, shaking breath and all the tension seemed to melt away. "Yes, Master."

 

 

Fox

 

I heard Lord Walter saying something to me but the waves of pain washing over me made the words sound like a distant rumble. I heard the door close behind him quite clearly, though, and felt a fresh batch of tears well up. He was disgusted with me, with my childish tears, and couldn't even stand to be in the same room as me. I buried my face in the pillow, feeling miserable inside and out. And this after my early hope that I might mean more to my master than a warm body.

 

A heavy weight settled on the bed next to me and a warm voice murmured, "Shhh. Do not weep so, my heart."

 

My heart?

 

The sound of that endearment stunned me, and I lifted my head from the pillow to make sure that it was, indeed, Lord Walter sitting beside me. "Master?"

 

"Lie still. I have a soothing balm to put on your backside. It was my mother's recipe and it will both ease your pain and heal your injuries."

 

That was wrong - I had to pay for my misdeeds. I didn’t deserve any kindness. I tried to pull away.

 

"Lie still, Fox," he said sternly. "I will not have you damaged or in pain."

 

Of course. Earlier, I would have said it was because I would be worthless as a bedslave in this condition, and a worthless slave was sold or assigned to other duties. But he had just called me "my heart" and earlier he had said that I was valuable to him. Could it be - was it possible that Lord Walter cared for me? That I had not mistaken the affection that I thought I had seen in his eyes on several occasions? Could it be that I had misunderstood him that first morning? Perhaps, just perhaps, he had only meant to remind me that - although he did care about me - there was a gap in our stations and I must be aware of that at all times.

 

I drew a deep breath, trying to control the shaking of my body, willing myself to obedience. "Yes, Master."

 

The feel of something touching my tender backside was sheer agony but it was immediately followed by a cooling relief so intense that I nearly blacked out. The world narrowed down to one sharp focus, that of the hands running over my inflamed skin, soothing away the pain and heat as easily as he had caused it. It was almost erotic, that release from pain, and I groaned and tried to wriggle into closer contact with those hands.

 

A soft laugh and a fond voice said, "Such a hot little one! Relax, my brat - the pain will return soon enough and then you will be in no mood for such games."

 

I turned to meet his eyes, giving him a sultry look. "So we should do something before the pain returns, shouldn't we, Master?"

 

Lord Walter laughed again and leaned over to kiss me. "Yes. You should eat before the pain returns."

 

I made a face at him, but he ignored me and fetched our dinner. I lay on my side on the bed while he fed me, an act that amused me greatly and seemed to give him pleasure. And if it was strange to feel this relaxed and happy after having the two harshest whippings of my life within hours of each other - well, I was willing to blame it on the herbs in the salve. That, and the look in Lord Walter's eyes.

 

Chapter Six

 

Fox

 

I woke up in the early morning just before dawn aware of two things: the throbbing ache of my backside and the warmth of the man curled around me. The one made me long to find that wonderful salve and bathe in it; the second made me want to stay curled up in his arms without moving forever. What to do, I mused - and then the answer was taken out of my hands as another need made itself known. Swearing slightly, I eased out of Lord Walter's arms, shivering slightly against the early-morning chill as I made my way to the privy. As I returned to the warmth of the bed, Lord Walter stirred slightly. He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me closer and nuzzling my neck.

 

"Your feet are like ice," he grumbled.

 

I yawned. "So are the floors. Ever think about rugs in here?"

 

He murmured something vague and drifted back to sleep, and I grinned and followed him down.

 

It was mid-morning when I awoke again, this time to awareness of a chill on my backside and the gentle hands that were easing the pain. I turned my head slightly on the pillow to look at him.

 

"You know, Master, if you keep being this nice to me after punishment, it's going to stop being a deterrent."

 

There was a soft laugh. "Somehow I don't think so, Fox. You aren't the kind of person who enjoys pain." More soothing balm and I sighed blissfully. "There, that ought to do it."

 

I rolled up into a sitting position, suddenly aware that Lord Walter was already dressed and the day was bright outside. "You shouldn't have let me sleep so late, Master."

 

An eyebrow raised at that. "Presuming to tell me what I can and can't do, boy?"

 

"Of course not, Master," I murmured, bowing my head but peering up at him through my eyelashes. I was beginning to discover that certain actions like this could effectively distract my master, turning his thoughts into a more pleasurable channel. "It's just that I have so many things to do today. Your armor never got cleaned yesterday, and I didn't finish recopying the last of the barley accounts for you, and - "

 

The Look didn't appear to be working today. Lord Walter crossed his arms and stared down at me, no sign of passion overwhelming him. It seemed that I was going to have to work harder on those seduction techniques - that was the second time in less than 12 hours that he had turned me down.

 

"Lt. Lamana collected the armor earlier and Captain Scully says he's going over it like his own life depended on it. The accounts are fine as they are - you have a much neater hand than I, even on a rough draft. Today you are to spend time catching up with your studies, my boy. You've gotten behind on a number of subjects."

 

I shrugged. "What's the point? I won't ever be going back to the University so why should I bother?"

 

A firm set of arms dragged me out of bed. "Learning is never a waste of time, brat. Now get your lazy ass out of bed and get dressed."

 

He set me down on the floor and I moved quickly out of reach before he could add a little emphasis to his words. I had taken a few steps before I realized that something was different. I looked down. There, beneath my feet, was a thick carpet and there, in front of the fire, lay a fur rug. Dumbfounded, I turned and looked over at Lord Walter.

 

The eyebrow raised again. "What? You never heard of rugs?" A slight smile and he was out of the room.

 

Which, of course, was no reason why I should find myself hugging an old fur rug like it was a long lost treasure.

 

Walter

 

For a young man that smart he could be incredibly stupid at times.

 

Case in point - yesterday's escapade. Although, I must admit, one also had to admire the ingenuity that had come up with such a scheme on the spur of the moment. That is, of course, unless you had sworn to protect the body that housed such a sharp mind and indomitable spirit. And how to keep that body in one piece while leaving that brain sharp and that spirit free was the big mystery. For a moment, I wished that we could have met under different circumstances - at my brother's Court, perhaps. But such thoughts were useless - Fox would never have given me a second look and would certainly never have shared my bed had he been free to make a choice.

 

I sighed as I settled at my desk for another day of accounts and reports, this one unenlivened by Fox's presence at his little desk. At the thought of Fox, a smile crossed my face. The way that he had looked at me this morning, those green eyes peering up at me through those impossibly long lashes - and the brat had known exactly what he was doing. It had taken all my determination not to betray the sudden flush of desire that had filled me, not to throw him down on the bed and fuck him senseless. The boy was developing new tricks and it would definitely be interesting to see where this led.

 

These thoughts, however, were not conducive to concentrating on my work. I turned my attention away from my arousal and back to the paperwork that needed to accompany the shipment of grains to the Royal storehouses. With my attention where it needed to be, I made quick work of the papers so that by luncheon I was finished and had the rest of the day free. I decided to indulge myself and went to the library in search of my cub.

 

Fox was stretched on his stomach before the fireplace, so absorbed in his reading that he didn't hear me enter the room.

 

"Must be an interesting book to have your full attention."

 

Fox's eyes flicked toward me and he nodded but said nothing as he finished reading, then closed his book with a contented sigh.

 

"Sorry, Master. I wanted to finish that section - I'll go fetch the lunch tray."

 

I settled into my favorite chair, sighing with satisfaction as I allowed my body to relax. I had been so busy over the past month with the estate business that I had taken little time to simply relax and enjoy a good book at my fireplace. I decided that I must make time for that, particularly now that I had someone to share that fireplace and love of books.

 

The door opened and Fox entered with the tray, setting it down on the table. "Maggie sent enough to feed a troop so I hope you're hungry." He brought me a plate and cup.

 

I accepted them and gestured towards the chair beside me. "Join me, Fox."

 

He flushed again. "Um - Master, it's not very comfortable for me to sit right now."

 

I nodded in understanding. "Of course, my cub. I had forgotten." I rose with my plate. "Then I will join you on the floor."

 

He looked startled but moved quickly to bring pillows and furs, assuring my comfort before bringing his own plate over. He stretched out on his stomach again, eating with a good appetite. I watched him, delighting in the pure joy of being able to look upon him, and then my eyes fell on the thin book Fox had set aside. I picked it up, noticing his aborted reach for it, and opened it.

 

“Greek poetry, Fox?”

 

He flushed. “I’m brushing up on my language skills.”

 

Slowly, I turned the pages and scanned the poems. I was a fair Greek scholar myself and I recognized these as love poems. More than that, poems written by an anonymous author about the male lovers in his life. The poems themselves were very beautiful, ranging from soft and tender to highly erotic. I handed him back the book.

 

“Read to me. I would enjoy hearing the sound of your voice.”

 

He blushed as he took the book from my hands and flipped through the pages. Quietly, he began reading aloud, first in Greek and then translating it. Fox read well, his voice becoming more animated as he read, and I closed my eyes to let the words wash over me. The poem that he had selected was one of the poet’s early ones, expressing his love for his mentor, his feelings of unworthiness, and his yearning for any sign of affection. Fox’s voice reflected the deep longing and I felt my throat tighten in sympathy for the poet.

 

Fox stopped speaking and I opened my eyes to smile at him. “Beautiful, my cub. You have a gift for languages.”

 

“Thank you, Master. Should I read another?”

 

I looked over at him, his face flushed in the firelight and his young body stretched out before my eyes. I was suddenly hungry for his touch again, longing to taste him, to feel him moving under me. I reached out to touch his hair. “Fox,” I said hoarsely. “Take off your clothes.”

 

His eyes widened. “Here?”

 

I ran my fingers over his lips. “Yes. Here. Now.”

 

“But – but someone could come in,” he protested.

 

“Yes.” I leaned over to kiss his lips briefly, tasting their sweetness.

 

“Master – I can’t – “

 

“You can and you will.” I kissed him deeper and then released him. He flushed and bit his lip, moving up on his knees, and pulled his tunic over his head. His eyes were downcast and I could almost swear I saw tears in those long lashes. I took his chin in my hand and forced his head up.

 

“Look at me, Fox,” I commanded. Eyes filled with misery met mine. “Why the tears, my cub? Does my desire for you cause you this grief?”

 

“No, Master,” he whispered. “I – I am pleased that you desire me.”

 

“Then perhaps you do not desire me?”

 

“Oh no, Master!” he said quickly. “I want you very much.”

 

“Then why are you distressed?” He was still silent and I pulled him closer, nuzzling his neck. “Is it because I want you here instead of up in my room?”

 

“Yes, Master,” he whispered, flushing. “Someone – someone might see – “

 

“Only Maggie, William and Scully come in here, and never without knocking. They have seen you naked.”

 

“But not being – um – “

 

“Fucked?” I kissed him, feeling the trembling in his aroused body. “I think that they would find it a beautiful sight. Your body gleaming with sweat, your head thrown back in passion as I ride you hard, your voice hoarse with the sweet sounds of passion that you make as you climax.”

 

I felt his lips against my neck, heard his whisper, “You are beautiful, my master. Not me.”

 

“Are you arguing with me, my cub? I shall have to punish you.” I pushed him down on the floor, covering his body with my own, kissing him with deliberate passion.

 

When I released him, his eyes were bright with need. “If that’s the punishment, Master, I’m going to be very, very bad.”

 

“Brat,” I said affectionately. I kissed my way over his chest, exploring every inch anew, hearing him moan with pleasure under my attentions. By the time I reached his waist, he was gasping and clutching my shoulders. He made no protest as I tugged his leggings down, merely lifting his hips to help, and I continued my explorations. When I finally took him into my mouth, he was whimpering in his need and so hot that it took little to release him.

 

Immensely satisfied with myself, I sat back and watched my beautiful slave come gradually back to his senses. He lay sprawled on his back on the rug before the fire, gloriously naked and flushed with passion, and I felt a deeply satisfied sense of possession. He was mine, I thought fiercely.

 

Fox opened his eyes at that moment and he must have caught the look on my face. A slow smile crossed his own face and his eyelids drooped with desire. He held out a hand to me and said in a husky voice, “You have too many clothes on, my master.”

 

I smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. “That can be remedied.” I stood and shed my clothes, seeing the resurgence of interest in his body as I did so. “No more problems with this, my Fox?”

 

He held out his hand again and I let him pull me down. “Master, if you want to take me in the courtyard at mid-day, I am yours.”

 

I chuckled and pressed a kiss against his lips. “Brave words, my heart, when you must know that I am too jealous to let anyone but my most trusted servants see your beautiful body.”

 

“Really, Master?” His gaze was painfully intense. “You wouldn’t send me to another’s bed?”

 

“No,” I said roughly, capturing his mouth again. “You belong to me and in my bed. Do you hear me?”

 

“Yes, Master.” He wrapped his arms and legs tightly around me, kissing me fiercely. I caught fire and devoured his mouth, our bodies rubbing together and generating a heat more intense than the fireplace at our backs.

 

“Please – take me – please – “ he whispered, rocking against me.

 

“Yes,” I murmured, biting his neck. “Yes, my beautiful cub.”

 

I could tell that his backside was still sore from last night’s punishment and he hissed as my finger entered him. I would have pulled back but he grabbed my hand in silent entreaty so I continued to prepare him. Then I rolled onto my back, pulling him with me.

 

“Ride me – it will be easier on you thus.”

 

I saw the flare of passion in his eyes and he pressed a kiss on my lips before sitting up. He carefully eased himself down onto my hard cock and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to thrust up into that tight warmth. I focused on his face to keep from exploding. There was an intensity in his expression, his whole being concentrating on his own movements as he slid up and down on my cock, rocking his hips slightly to take me in more completely. I was enchanted by this new view of him, enjoying the sensation of being worshipped, and decided that I would have to allow him to pleasure me like this more often. Then, unbidden, the thought of him over me like this but moving within me filled my mind and I felt my body flare with heat at the image in my mind. The intensity of my need surprised me - I was hardly a virgin but I had never really enjoyed being penetrated by my previous lovers. But it seemed that with Fox all things were different.

 

I pulled him down for a kiss, hungrily feasting on the mouth that brought me so much pleasure, and holding his hips with my hands as I rocked up into his body. He groaned against my mouth, thrusting back to meet my body, and if it caused pain to his abused ass he didn’t seem to notice. I felt the familiar tightness beginning in my belly and released him, letting him sit back up so that he could move deeper while my hands grasped his cock, stroking it firmly. I heard him gasp and then he was moving frantically, riding me hard as he erupted in my hand. I felt his muscles clench tight around me, and his shout of joy blended with mine as I came deep within him.

 

Fox collapsed onto my chest, breathing hard, and I smiled as I wrapped my arms around him. “I think you wore yourself out, my cub.”

 

“Mmm-hmm.”

 

“Then I suppose it would be useless to suggest that we get up and dress?”

 

“In a little while, Master,” he said sleepily, his head snuggling against my shoulder.

 

I smiled again indulgently and pulled a fur over us, hearing him nearly purr in contentment. Reaching out for a pillow to cushion my head, my hand brushed over the book of poems. I picked up the book and began reading aloud, letting the beautiful love words lull my beloved cub to sleep in my arms.

 

Yes, I was besotted. And I didn’t care who knew.

 

---

Part 3: Interlude

Chapter One

 

Fox

 

It was a crisp autumn day and the leaves were already turning to flame when Lord Walter fulfilled his promise to take me up the hillside and show me Beauforte. Two weeks had passed since my misadventure in the village and I was eager to get away from the castle for a short while. We rode out at a steady pace, Captain Scully alert as always to any danger with the rest of the guard arrayed before and behind us. Lord Walter was in an especially good mood this morning, taking the time to point out the features of the land as we crossed the open meadow and started up the narrow mountain path leading to one of the watchtowers guarding the land. The guards we had with us would be relieving the current ones on duty, living here on top of the mountain for the next month as they kept watch for any dangers, be they man-made or natural. A large signal-fire lay at the ready, a beacon that could be seen from the castle or the village. Two other watchtowers protected the far western and southern borders of his land, evidence of Lord Walter’s vigilance.

 

Halfway up the mountain path, Lord Walter halted his horse and dismounted. "We’ll wait for you here, Captain Scully."

 

Scully nodded, for once not worried about Lord Walter’s safety – after all, anyone coming up the path would be easily heard or seen. She and the guards continued up the path while I dismounted and tied up both of our horses, grabbed my cloak from the saddle, and looked around for Lord Walter.

 

"This way, Fox."

 

I followed his voice through a gap in the tangle of low brush and found him standing on a little knoll of ground that looked out over the valley below. He spread my cloak on the ground and sat down on it, and I settled down in the V formed by his legs. He pulled me back against his chest, resting his chin on my shoulder, and wrapped his cloak around both of us.

 

"There," he murmured against my ear, pointing down the hill. "Beauforte."

 

I looked where he pointed and caught my breath. It was indeed a beautiful sight I saw before me. What had seemed to be, close up, gray walls without much interest looked completely different from a distance. The gray seemed to turn to silver against the brown and green of the fields around it and the blue of the bay behind it.

 

"It’s beautiful," I said softly.

 

I felt Lord Walter’s pleasure in my answer as he hugged me. "I think so, too."

 

We sat there in peaceful contentment, looking down through the red and gold leaves at the castle. I idly watched the small figures moving about the fields and roads, looking like toys against the wide vista stretching before us.

 

"It’s so peaceful up here," I said, leaning back against the warm chest behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist and his cloak around the two of us. It was very cozy to sit like this, warm like two woodland animals in their nest, and I felt snug and safe and sleepy. I let my eyes drift half-shut, just drifting through the lazy afternoon.

 

Suddenly, I felt Lord Walter stiffen behind me.

 

"What’s wrong?" I asked softly, not opening my eyes.

 

"A royal messenger," he said shortly. "Lately that seems to mean trouble."

 

I felt a chill run up my spine and shivered. "What kind of trouble?"

 

A breath of a sigh in my hair. "I have no idea, my Fox. But I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear it on my honor."

 

A brief kiss on my head, too brief and too light for the sudden overwhelming need I felt for reassurance. I snuggled back closer, letting my body rub provocatively against his as I shifted in place. A soft chuckle and a nip on the part of my neck exposed above his cloak greeted this effort on my part.

 

"My sweet pleasure slave. How much you have learned in such a short time."

 

"I’m ready for more lessons, Master," I murmured, turning slightly to nuzzle at his neck.

 

"Brat. Now is not the time nor the place for these games."

 

"Why not? It’ll be an hour before Scully comes back this way and we are totally private here. Let me help you take your mind off your worries." I continued my assault on his neck, greatly encouraged by his hesitation.

 

"Beautiful brat," he said with a sigh. "I have no one to blame but myself, I suppose – I have taught you too well."

 

I pouted, well aware by now that he found this irresistible. He groaned at that and pulled me around and into his lap, crushing me against his chest as he devoured my mouth. I wrapped my arms around him under the cloak, surrendering myself willingly to the man who owned me body and soul – and heart as well. And if he didn’t know that last – well, I was certainly free to bestow my heart where I willed.

 

He released my lips to continue down my throat and I rocked my body in his lap, seeking further closeness. Steel arms pinned me, holding me still.

 

"Stop – Fox – if you don’t stop now I will surely take you right here."

 

"Take me, then. I want you to."

 

"No." Lord Walter pulled back, keeping his arms around me but stopping those devastating kisses. "We have nothing to ease the way and I will not hurt you."

 

"I don’t mind – "

 

"I do. You belong to me and I will not have you hurt."

 

I wanted to bang my head against a tree in frustration. “But I want you so badly!”

 

“And I want you.” Lord Walter began kissing me again, gently, teasing me. “But wanting will keep.”

 

I ground my teeth in frustration. “Master, please!”

 

“Have you never indulged in just kissing and touching without culminating the act?” His lips were butterfly light, moving across my face.

 

Remembering my few furtive tumbles with willing girls before I met Lord Walter, I sighed. “My experience has been somewhat limited.”

 

“Then I shall teach you this as well.” Lord Walter kissed me briefly. His hands slowly caressed my back and I felt the heat through the thick wool shirt I wore. “There can be great pleasure in just kissing and caressing, building the pleasure slowly, knowing that soon, very soon, it will become more but that, for now, this is all you want.” One hand slid along the back of my head, holding me still as his mouth slowly descended. “What’s more, you can do this in public.”

 

Public was good, I thought dazedly as my mouth was slowly explored. The idea of sitting in Lord Walter’s lap or at his feet at table while he caressed me thus was highly intoxicating. And the notion of being able to do this to him in public was arousing as well.

 

“I think – I understand – Master,” I managed to say finally.

 

Lord Walter chuckled. “You like this lesson, then?”

 

“I like all your lessons.” Since he had stopped, I dove in and began kissing and caressing him.

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Even the ones delivered with my belt?”

 

“Even those.” I kissed his throat, licking it with slow, erotic flicks of my tongue. “You do that to show that you care about me, not to be cruel.”

 

“You are very wise, my fox cub. And that I did not teach you. That comes from having eyes that see clearly into other people’s hearts.”

 

I could feel myself blushing and buried my face in his shoulder. “You overrate me, my master. I am unworthy of such praise.”

 

“I think that I shall be the judge of that.”

 

His arms tightened around me and he pressed a gentle kiss on my hair. I let myself relax in the comfort of those arms, just enjoying the day and his presence. My body’s urges had subsided somewhat and I found that I was content to spend time with him like this, just holding one another and being close. It was a novel experience. When I rested in his arms like this it was after he had taken me and, while I cherished the affection that he showed me afterward, this was a moment I knew that I would treasure forever. To be held thus for the simple joy of being close was somehow more intimate than all the times that he had possessed my body, making me feel like his lover instead of just his bedmate. Not that I would ever forget which was my true place in his life; still, I hurt no one by indulging myself in the illusion of being his beloved.

 

It was with a regretful sigh that I heard the returning riders and pushed myself off his lap, rising to my feet and giving him a hand up. We were mounted by the time Captain Scully and her troop reached us and Lord Walter quickly moved to the front of the soldiers beside her. I hung back in the middle, aware that I had no business listening to whatever discussion they were having, and realized that I had been wrong in thinking I hurt no one. I hurt myself by my foolish indulgence. I would do well to remember my true place and not yearn for what could never be mine.

 

We rode quickly back to the castle and, as we entered the courtyard, Lamana and William came down the stairs with news of the messenger. Lord Walter went off to see the messenger with William while Lamana and Scully set about assigning leave rotation and assignments to the returning men. I slowly made my way to the library, settling down on the rug before the fire and opening one of my history books to begin studying. But, although history was one of my favorite subjects, it held little interest for me at the moment. Instead, I found myself staring into the fire and remembering that afternoon two weeks earlier when Lord Walter had made love to me here, had held me afterward and read love poems aloud. It had felt like the whole world had narrowed down to just the two of us, just as it had this afternoon, and I found myself yearning for that again with all my heart and soul.

 

It was some time later that I heard the door behind me open and I quickly brushed away my tears at the familiar footsteps.

 

“Fox? Ah, there you are! Hard at your studies I see.”

 

“Yes, Master.”

 

I heard him settle into his chair. “Good. While we are in town, I will arrange for you to be tested and a new lesson plan drawn up.”

 

“In town, Master?” I asked, my interest perking up at that. It had been four months since we had left the City, five months since I had seen my friends, and I wondered if they would have any news for me about my sister.

 

“Yes. That is why the messenger was here. I was planning to return to town next week for my brother’s birthday but I had intended to leave you here in Captain Scully’s protection. However, my brother has requested that I bring you with me. As he put it, he is interested in seeing the creature that has so enchanted both his favorite courtier and his brother.”

 

“Me, Master?” I asked, turning to look at him in alarm. “The King wants to see me?”

 

“Yes.” Dark eyes studied my face as if searching for something. “It appears that you will have a wider audience to display your charms for, my cub.”

 

I didn’t like the sound of that, either the thought of being stared at by strangers or the sharp tone in Lord Walter’s voice. “I’d rather stay here, Master.”

 

Lord Walter sighed. “And I would rather you were safely behind these walls as well, although my heart is glad that we will not be apart. But we have little choice in this matter.” His eyes were on my face again. “I will be occupied with business and you will have considerable time on your hands. Perhaps I should be less concerned for your safety and more for your virtue. You are a beautiful young man, Fox, and there will be those who will seek you for their beds.”

 

My eyes widened in horror and, without stopping to think, I crawled across the floor to embrace his legs. “Please, Master! I don’t want anyone but you – don’t send me to anyone else!”

 

His voice was gentle but there was a darkness in his eyes that frightened me. “I promised you that I would not, but I speak instead of them enticing you behind my back. The Court is full of good-looking men and women, younger and more attractive than myself.”

 

“There is no one more handsome, Master,” I declared, alarmed at the strangeness in his eyes. “I belong to you and no one else, and I would die before I let another touch me!”

 

Desperate to prove my adoration, I dropped to my belly on the floor and kissed his boots as I had done that first day. All my hopeless love was lavished on those boots as I covered each inch with kisses mingled with tears. And then I moved upward, pressing more kisses along the inside of his calves, feeling the strength of those legs through the cloth, and upward till my hands were holding his knees. I heard a faint groan but ignored it as I pushed his legs apart and moved between his knees, concentrating on his thighs. As my cheek brushed against his groin, I could feel the swelling member within and smell the musk of his arousal, and it was too much to ignore. I turned my head and sucked at his cock through the thick material, lavishing all my attention on that mound of flesh, and I heard a gasp of pleasure.

 

Casting my eyes briefly upward, I saw that Lord Walter had slumped back into his chair, his head thrown back and his eyes closed, and I felt a surge of elation run through my body. I was doing this to him, pleasuring him as he had pleasured me, and the sense of power was heady indeed. My hands went to his waist, pushing his tunic up over his belt to give me access to the ties on his breeches. In a moment, his member was free and the sweet heaviness of it lay in my hands, ready for my worship. And worship it I did, laving every inch with my tongue, teasing with little nips, doing everything but what he needed and what he was now begging me to do. The sound of his hoarse voice begging me to suck him was intoxicating and I slid the thick cock into my mouth, taking it deeper than I had ever managed to do before this. I could feel his involuntary thrust upward and pinned his hips with my hands, determined to make this last as long as possible. He swore and wriggled beneath me but I ignored that, listening to his body instead of his words, and his body demanded that I delay gratification as long as possible.

 

He was crying out now, close to fulfillment, and I released his cock from my mouth, squeezing firmly to stop the impending climax as he had done to me so many times. He swore again, weakly, then stopped as I rose to my feet and casually stripped off my clothing until I stood naked before him.

 

"Fox…"

 

His voice was a low moan, desperate with his need. He was sprawled in his great chair, still mostly clothed except for his splendid shaft thrusting upward from his opened breeches, a picture of wantonness. I smiled back at him wickedly and turned back to the library shelves where I kept a small pot of oil for tending the leather on some of the old books. Coating my fingers thoroughly, I spread my legs and bent forward slightly, giving Lord Walter the best view while I prepared myself for his usage. I couldn't help groaning in pleasure at the feeling as I fucked myself on my own fingers and, glancing over my shoulder at Lord Walter, I could see that he was mesmerized by the sight. He was breathing erratically now and his cock looked hard enough to hammer pegs. I grinned at that thought and withdrew my fingers, moving closer to the man who owned me and who looked as if he would like to eat me alive. Quickly, I covered his cock with the oil then climbed into his lap and carefully sank down onto the hard shaft.

 

At the feeling of his thick cock filling my body, I abandoned any thought of prolonging this pleasuring. Settling my knees to either side of his thighs, I lifted myself up and thrust back down, letting my eyes close while I sought the fulfillment I needed. I felt his hands on my body, one hand on my hip to steady my thrusting but not controlling it. More joy flooded my heart as I realized that he could have taken control but was allowing me to continue, and I thrust harder as I moved my hips to bring the sweet pressure where I needed it the most. I heard his gasp and then a wordless cry as his hips rocked upwards toward mine, and all sense deserted me. I pushed downward, hard, and felt the brush over my sensitive inner nub. That was all it took. The shuddering spasms claimed my body and I cried out in ecstasy even as I felt the hot warmth from Lord Walter's completion flooding me. I collapsed against him, exhausted, and felt warm arms wrap around me as soft kisses were pressed against my hair. Well contented, I snuggled in closer and felt the throb of the cock I still held within my body.

 

"Enough." My master's deep voice nearly purred in my ears, and I was relieved to hear humor as well as satisfaction in it. "I believe you, my heart. And I will keep you safely with me for as long as I can."

 

"Good," I murmured, feeling myself getting sleepy after my exertions. "Because if you should have any more doubts, I'm certain that I can assuage them - after a short rest."

 

He chuckled and I relished the rumbling feeling against my cheek. "I have no doubt of that, little fire-eater. No doubt at all."

 

Chapter Two

 

Walter

 

We approached the city from the southern gate late in the afternoon on the second day after leaving Beauforte. Captain Scully and a troop of seasoned fighters accompanied us, leaving Lieutenant Lamana to guard Beauforte with the rest of my soldiers. Unlike our trip from the city four months earlier, I had decided that we would keep pace with our baggage caravan instead of riding ahead. Following the previous attack on the baggage wain, I wasn't taking any chances and wasn't about to exhaust my men riding straight through when they might be called upon to defend us from ambush. Also, I had to admit that I was in no hurry to reach the city. After the idyll of the past four months alone with my Fox, I was reluctant to share him with others. If I had been going to Reggie's, I would have been easier at heart but, at my brother's orders, we would be staying at the royal palace. Right in the midst of all those sophisticated courtiers and beautiful women. Right in Spender's lair.

 

We passed the night at an inn and I lay awake for hours holding Fox in my arms and watching him sleep. I told myself that I was starting at shadows, like a frightened child, but my heart was heavy with dread. I had not inherited my mother's Gift, but there had been times before a battle when I had felt a certain sense of either success or doom and I had been right more often than wrong. What I sensed now wasn't immediate danger but rather a sense of standing on a path that would lead towards great changes - for good or ill I could not tell.

 

As we rode under the gates into the City, I felt a presence at my side and turned with a smile to look at my slave's face. Despite his earlier dread, I could sense his excitement at returning to the place where he had spent all his life. The streets were bustling with merchants and townsfolk about their business, and I watched him drink in the sights eagerly.

 

"Glad to be back, my Fox?"

 

"I'd forgotten this," Fox said with a slight smile. "The bustle, the noise, the people - the smell."

 

I chuckled at that. "I expect that you'll have plenty of time to refamiliarize yourself with the city over the next two weeks." I felt Captain Scully draw up on my other side as we drew near the royal enclosure and turned to look at her inquiringly.

 

"Lord Walter, what are your orders?"

 

"Set up rotations of two guards on our rooms, day and night. In addition, I want you and another guard with Fox at all times - you'll both be sleeping in my chambers during the night as well. While not on duty, the others will stay at the barracks - and caution them to stay out of trouble."

 

Captain Scully nodded and wheeled around to issue orders, no doubt already having the rotation schedule planned in her mind before I finished speaking. I knew that Fox had heard me when I turned and found a questioning look on his face.

 

"Expecting trouble, Master?"

 

"Anticipating it more than expecting it. And you will obey my orders, Fox," I added sternly. "You do not take a step outside our rooms without myself or Scully. Am I understood?"

 

I saw the mulish tightening of the young slave's mouth and his eyes met mine defiantly but I refused to look away. Finally, he sighed and dropped his own eyes. "Yes, Master."

 

I reached over to lay one hand on his, squeezing it. "Fox, I know you don't like it, but it's for your own protection. Spender doesn't give up easily, and I'm sure that your inclusion in this trip was his plan."

 

Fox shivered but nodded silently and I sighed, withdrawing my hand, leaving the boy to sulk in peace. There would be plenty of time to coax him out of this mood later when we were alone.

 

We rode into the castle courtyard and stable boys ran to take our horses as we dismounted. The Chamberlain hurried out to greet me and lead me to my chambers while servants saw to the unloading of our baggage. Fox pulled the hood of his cloak up to shield his face as he followed in my wake and Scully plus three of her men fell into place behind him.

 

"His Majesty said to tell you that you've been assigned your old rooms from when you were Regent," the Chamberlain said as we walked. "He thought you would be most comfortable there."

 

"Be sure to thank my brother," I said, grateful for my brother's sensitivity in not assigning me to the rooms I had shared with my late wife. I had hated those chambers for the very reason that Sharon had loved them - in the newer palace section, they were too opulent and too near the main court. My old rooms in the original section of the castle were much more to my taste and would allow me to come and go with greater freedom.

 

"His Majesty hopes that you will be able to join him for dinner tonight."

 

I sighed and shook my head. "Thank him for his kind invitation, but we've been traveling for two days and I am longing for a simple hot meal and my bed."

 

"Of course. I will arrange it. You will be present at Court tomorrow, Lord Walter?"

 

I repressed another sigh knowing that this could not be avoided. "Of course."

 

We arrived at my chambers and, after the Chamberlain ascertained that everything was in readiness for me, he left us to arrange for a simple supper to be sent up. I walked through the rooms - the outer room, the small bedchamber where Scully would sleep, and the master bedchamber - and saw that they had been well prepared for our arrival. A fire in the outer room blazed merrily, taking the chill off the rooms. Servants carried in our belongings and I directed their disposal, watching out of the corner of my eye as Fox set about unpacking my belongings and setting the bedchamber to rights. He appeared to have gotten over his sulk for which I was heartily glad; I was looking forward to a good night's sleep and had no desire to either coax or beat him out of a sullen mood.

 

Kitchen servants appeared with a simple repast and I ate heartily although I noticed with concern that Fox barely touched anything. Perhaps there was something troubling him and not just a mood, I thought, and determined to get to the bottom of it before long. We finished our meals and I retired to my bedchamber with Fox while Scully settled the guard for the night.

 

Fox was silent as he helped me out of my clothing and into a nightshirt, then shed his own clothes and presented the strap to me. I raised my eyebrows at this – we had discontinued nightly punishment as it had been a long time since I had needed to administer daily correction. His recent punishments had only followed singular if spectacular acts of disobedience, like the trip to the village.

 

"What's this, my Fox? For what do you believe you deserve punishment?"

 

"For arguing with you," Fox said quietly. "I know that you only have my safety in mind, and I shouldn't have questioned your orders that I must have a guard."

 

I captured his chin and kissed his lips gently, startling him. "Fox, you didn't argue with me, and I am not going to strap you for a momentary defiance quickly corrected. However, I will punish you - and severely - if I ever find that you disobeyed my orders about this."

 

He looked relieved and I drew him onto my lap, kissing him gently. "You have been upset all evening, but surely it was not this that was bothering you." He buried his face in my shoulder, muttering something that I couldn't hear. "Speak up, Fox."

 

"I – it's nothing. I'm being foolish."

 

I sighed and stroked his back, sensing that I would get nothing further from him. And, in truth, what could I say? My own vague forebodings were disturbing my peace and I knew it must be worse for him, back here where his life had changed so dramatically.

 

"It's been a long day and we're both tired, making it easy to jump at shadows. Let's go to bed."

 

Chapter Three

 

Fox

 

I woke to a strange sense of disorientation, staring at an unfamiliar ceiling, and for a moment panic set in. I sat up in the bed, looking around me wildly, then relaxed as I recognized the body in bed next to me. Lord Walter was lying on his side turned toward me and, as my heartbeat settled back down, I was tempted to lie back down next to him. But then the noise that had awakened me repeated, a soft tapping on the door. I slid carefully out of bed, quickly throwing on my tunic, and went to the door.

 

Scully stood on the other side. "Breakfast is here and his lordship wanted to be woken by the eighth hour."

 

I nodded. "I'll wake him. Is there warm water for washing?"

 

She nodded and handed me a pitcher of hot water. Closing the door, I set the pitcher down on the washstand and went back to the bed to gently shake his lordship.

 

"Time to wake up, Master."

 

A hand reached out and yanked me onto the bed on top of him and Lord Walter smiled up at me. "Morning, my Fox." He kissed me as his hands slid down to cup my bare ass under the tunic. "And what a fine way to wake up."

 

I gasped under the intensity of his kiss and, as his hands pressed my groin tightly against his, let out a squeak of protest. "Master! Captain Scully and her men – they're on the other side of that wall! They're waiting on us for breakfast!"

 

"Then they'll just have to wait." He shifted me slightly, pulling free the sheet between us, then resettled my body against his. His hands ran along my back, caressing and pressing me against him in counterpoint to his thrusting. He was already half-hard with his morning erection, and the feel of our groins rubbing together ignited my own arousal. I began rocking against him of my own volition, kissing him hungrily, and it didn't take long before I was crying out and coming against him. He wasn't long behind me, gasping my name as his climax shook him, and then pulled me closer as we caught our breath.

 

"And that is an even better way to wake up, my cub," he said with a grin, kissing me again. "Morning."

 

"Morning, Master," I murmured, content for the moment to lay here in his arms. "There is hot water for washing. Well, it was hot a few minutes ago."

 

He chuckled. "If it has gone cold, we will send for more. A hot Fox is infinitely more pleasurable to me than hot water."

 

I flushed in embarrassment and slid out of his lax embrace, going to the washstand to pour warm water into the basin. Wetting a washcloth, I took it and a towel over to Lord Walter, carefully cleaning off the results of our lovemaking. Then I helped him into his chamber robe and drew on a pair of leggings.

 

"Well, Fox, I believe that I am ready for my breakfast. I'm starving – what about you."

 

In my mind, I could see Scully and the three guards sitting in the outer room and I knew that they had heard us in bed together. Neither of us had thought to muffle our cries of completion, so they could have had little doubt about what was keeping us from our breakfast. The thought made my stomach knot.

 

"I – um – I'm not very hungry. I'll just tidy up in here."

 

Lord Walter frowned. "Fox, you hardly touched your dinner last night and I can hear your stomach growling from here. What is the matter with you?"

 

I could feel my face growing flushed as I hissed, "I can't face them! They heard everything that we did in here!"

 

Lord Walter looked at me in amusement. "They already knew you were sharing my bed, Fox."

 

"Knowing it and hearing it are two different things," I pointed out. "I am not going out there."

 

I could see the storm building on my master's face and knew that I had pushed his patience too far. "In another minute, they are going to hear the sound of my hand on your bare backside," Lord Walter said warningly. "Now get your ass out that door and if I so much as suspect I see a pout on your face during breakfast, I will turn you over my knee in front of them."

 

My face flamed even more and I hastily moved towards the other room, scooting sideways in the doorway to avoid the swat he aimed at my backside. Scully was not there but the three guards were sitting at the table, occupied with their meal. They rose at his lordship's entrance and then returned to their meal, quietly discussing matters of arms and off-duty activities. I immediately felt foolish about the way I had acted. These were soldiers, trained to defend his lordship and his lordship's property, and if they had any thoughts about Lord Walter's sexual activities, they would hardly express those thoughts in his presence.

 

Quickly, I fetched hot porridge and cider from the hearth for Lord Walter, brushing my hand over his in apology. I was grateful when he caught my hand in his and pressed a brief kiss on it. I got my own breakfast and settled down on the floor by his feet, realizing suddenly that I was famished. I was on my third bowl of porridge when Scully re-entered the room, and I wondered where she had been this morning. The answer turned out to be simple enough.

 

"Captain, are the men settled in?" Lord Walter asked.

 

Scully nodded, warming her hands in front of the fire. It was nearing mid-winter and the mornings were becoming chillier. "Yes, and your horses are well-tended." She turned back towards Lord Walter. "Orders for the day, Lord Walter?"

 

Lord Walter sighed. "None. We have to attend Court and that will occupy most of our day." That thought was enough to destroy what remained of my appetite and I set down my bowl, suddenly wishing that I hadn't been so greedy about breaking my fast. "We'll need to bathe first. I assume that a page or maid has been assigned to our rooms?"

 

Scully shrugged and glanced over at me, and it wasn't hard to interpret that look. In the ordinary way of things, I would have been responsible for making sure that such things as food and bathing water were sent up just like at home, but we three knew that Lord Walter wasn't going to have me wandering about the castle alone. Not with the threat from Spender.

 

"The Lord Chamberlain was unaware that you wouldn't have servants to attend your chambers, but he is seeing to the matter. He promised to have a tub and hot water brought up within the hour."

 

Lord Walter smiled. "You are a treasure, Captain Scully. Since we won't be leaving the Court today, you may give your men liberty as you see fit. One guard on our rooms should suffice and we won't need a personal guard in Court. You should take the day and visit with your Sisters at the Shrine."

 

"I'll arrange liberty for the men, sir, but I will be accompanying you to Court."

 

My master chuckled and shook his head but didn't bother arguing with her. "You are stubborn, Scully."

 

"I learned from the best, Lord Walter," she said dryly.

 

Within a short time, several sturdy men arrived lugging a bathing tub and buckets of hot water. As I directed the setup in the bedchamber and fiddled with the water to get it to the right temperature, I realized that the bathing pool at Beauforte had spoiled me. And yet, as I knelt on the floor and vigorously scrubbed my master clean, I enjoyed this opportunity to devote my attention to Lord Walter without the distraction of him washing me at the same time. I carefully shaved his face and then washed his body, taking my time over the job until he declared laughingly that he had lost at least two layers of skin from the washing. I devoted equal attention to drying him thoroughly, worshipping his firm body and wishing that we could just stay snugly in these rooms today, but finally he dismissed me to get my own bath.

 

I hurried through my ablution, not wishing to keep his lordship waiting, and was done before he had finished dressing. He was wearing finer garments than usual, in the current style of the Court rather than the country-style clothing of tunic and loose breeches that he preferred. His fitted green hosen, now laced tightly at ankle and groin, had been tailored to mold to his lower body. I could hardly take my eyes off the generous mound so well displayed and knew he had seen the avid look in my eyes when he chuckled softly.

 

"What a sweet slut you are, my cub," he murmured, caressing my face as I knelt before him. "Behave yourself and I promise you will have your reward later."

 

I flushed, rising to help him don a shirt made of finest white silk and tied the gathered neckline at the front, tucking the laces inside before lifting the heavy robe he had chosen to wear overall, in the style that the older men of the Court affected. I laced up the dark green velvet garment that hung to the floor with a discreet slit up the front for easier movement. The final touches were put into place: the belt with dress sword fastened about his waist, the soft shoes slipped onto his feet, and the heavy chain of state fastened about his neck. As I stood back to make certain that everything was in place, I admired the picture of elegant strength he presented, although I also thought it was a pity that none would see the magnificent body hidden behind the heavy robe. And yet it was a source of secret pleasure to know that I was one of the few permitted to look upon it.

 

"You look magnificent, Master," I murmured. "There won't be anyone to compare with you."

 

He laughed at that and reached out to tousle my hair. "You are decidedly prejudiced, my cub. I am a drab among peacocks here, and I am content to be so. And speaking of peacocks, it is time to get you dressed."

 

In short order, I was dressed similarly to my master except with the short tunic affected by the younger men of Court. So short, in fact, that it barely covered my ass and, with my hosen laced tightly to emphasize my body both in front and behind, I felt myself blushing at being so exposed. Lord Walter paid no attention to my embarrassment, trimming my hair and brushing it back behind my ears where the unaccustomed length of it brushed against my neck. I could feel his eyes critically studying me and then he turned back to his open strongbox and looked through its contents.

 

"Take out your earring."

 

I removed the small golden hoop he had placed in my ear a few months earlier, puzzled, then I gasped as I saw the small emerald in his hand. "Master! You shouldn't," I protested.

 

"And why not?" he asked, setting the earring in place. "It goes very well with that tunic."

 

"It's too fine for a slave to wear."

 

"I shall be the judge of that."

 

He stepped back and I could feel the approval in his eyes as he looked me over. "You are beautiful, my cub."

 

I flushed. "Now it is my master who is prejudiced in my favor."

 

"I don't think so," Lord Walter said, and suddenly I was being held tightly in his arms as he said, a trifle hoarsely, "Whom do you belong to, Fox?"

 

"You, my master," I murmured, unable to pull my eyes away from his and feeling my breath coming short. And then I was unable to breathe at all as he kissed me with a ruthless passion until I felt that I would faint from the blissful intensity. Then he released me, his tongue gently soothing my lips as we parted, and I swayed weakly in his arms.

 

"Good," he said softly. "See that you do not forget that."

 

Little chance of that, I thought to myself, still feeling the phantom pressure of his mouth upon mine. And then he was kissing me again, and the world went away.

 

Walter

 

He was beautiful, the green velvet tunic flowing with his every move. The emerald earring caught the light, shining brightly in his earlobe, but not nearly as bright as his eyes. I smiled. "You are beautiful, my cub."

 

His eyes sparkled and I pulled him close to claim him with a kiss. He melted into my arms, returning my kisses eagerly, breathlessly vowing not to forget that he belonged to me. I kissed him again and bent my head to nip his neck just above the collar of his under-tunic, then released him and smiled in satisfaction. Even better, for now his skin was flushed and his eyes lit with passion. No one would be able to take his or her eyes off him.

 

"Follow me closely, my Fox, and remember your manners."

 

His eyes met mine and he flushed. Here at Court there would be less tolerance for an ill-behaved slave and, should he offend the wrong person, I might be required to publicly punish him. There was a slight diminishing in the glow on his face and a hint of fear in his eyes before he dropped them to stare at the floor.

 

"Yes, Master."

 

Captain Scully was waiting in the outer room wearing her ceremonial Amazon armor and she fell in behind Fox in our little procession through the castle to the main part of the palace. I paused on entering the throne room and looked around, spotting my old friend Reginald across the room, and started making my way towards him while Scully took position against the wall where she could keep an eye on us and the room.

 

Our passage through the room was everything I could have wanted. The nobles turned and bowed as I passed then, as they began to straighten, froze and stared. I suppressed a smile and walked on, pausing to talk to an occasional friend, aware that my beautiful shadow moved and paused in rhythm with me, as if an invisible chain connected us.

 

"Hello, Reggie."

 

Sir Reginald turned with a smile. "Walter! By the Gods, it's good to see you! I was beginning to think that you were immured in Beauforte forever." His eyes suddenly widened. "And now I know why." His voice was almost breathless with wonder. "Walter, I've never felt an inclination for the Greek pleasures but your Fox could make me a convert."

 

I turned to look at Fox as if surprised to find him behind me. He stood as I had taught him, straight and tall, head up and eyes straight ahead but distant. With the signs of passion still visible in his eyes and on his lips and neck, he looked delectable enough to tempt a God. Fox's eyes meet mine briefly and I let my eyes tell him how proud I was of him. He blinked, smiled slightly, and almost seemed to glow.

 

"Yes, he did clean up rather nicely, didn't he?"

 

Reggie chuckled. "You can't fool me, old man. You're as proud as a young knight who's just won his spurs. And you have every right to be." Then he shook his head. "But you're playing a dangerous game, Walter. The Earl of Spender is even more in favor and he will not take kindly to having the boy flaunted like this."

 

I shrugged. "I was ordered to attend Court and bring the boy. Hiding him would serve no purpose, especially if Spender intends to obtain him by trickery or theft. Now there isn't a single person in this Court who won't remember the boy and remember to whom he belongs."

 

"Clever, Walter," Reggie said. "But don't underestimate Spender."

 

"I never underestimate my enemies."

 

I had seen Spender approaching accompanied by his own shadow and spoke deliberately. I could see the amusement on Spender's face as he stopped beside us and drew upon his tobacco stick again.

 

"And are we enemies, Lord Walter?"

 

I met his eyes coolly. "That remains to be seen, Lord Spender."

 

He looked away first, his eyes landing on Fox and he raised an eyebrow. "Excellent work, Lord Walter. I would hardly recognize the boy. You permit?" he asked, taking a step towards the slave, and I could see his hand moving involuntarily towards him.

 

"You can look but I don't allow anyone other than myself to touch Fox."

 

His hand halted and dropped to his side. "Very wise, I am sure. These slave boys are notoriously lax in their loyalties and will respond to anyone."

 

If he wanted to anger me into allowing him to take liberties, he had missed his mark. "Perhaps, but Fox is rather special in that regard as well. I imagine that he would fight tooth and nail to protect his virtue and his master's honor. Is that not so, Fox?"

 

"My life, my body, my soul are yours, Master, and yours alone," Fox replied in quiet but clear tones.

 

"Impressive." Spender's eyes flared with displeasure and I watched him light another tobacco stick in an attempt to regain his composure. "His Majesty has been anxiously awaiting your arrival."

 

"Then I won't keep him waiting any longer." Inclining my head to Spender, I took Reggie's arm and moved away with my shadow following.

 

"First blood to you, Walter, but beware. That man is more dangerous for being wounded."

 

I nodded in agreement but, before I could say more, I heard a voice cry out over the crowd.

 

"Walter!"

 

I turned with a smile to see the ripple through the crowd that presaged the approach of the King. I bowed and felt myself pulled up and into a warm embrace.

 

"Brother! It's good to see you again!"

 

I pushed back slightly to smile into my half-brother's face. Slighter in build than me, he took after his mother's bloodline in appearance rather than our father. His manner, however, was so like our kingly father that it still had the power to take my breath away - I had never been able to manage that slightly arrogant attitude of both expecting worship and, at the same time, ignoring it. Jeffrey, like our father, was born to the art of kingmanship.

 

"You look well, Majesty. Life must be agreeing with you."

 

Jeffrey shrugged and said, with all the pompous humor he could manage. "We enjoy our excellent health although we have been tediously bored without you. No one else lets us win at chess with quite the skill that you do, Walter."

 

I laughed at that and shook my head. "It takes no skill on my part to lose to you, brother. Now, place us both on a battlefield and it is a different story." The King laughed at that. "Speaking of chess, I hear that my nephew is becoming quite skilled at the game."

 

A shadow seemed to cross his face. 'Yes, well, we'll speak of that later." Then he smiled at me, dropping the royal pose, and I saw a trace of my mischievous younger brother. "For now, I'm eager to see this new treasure of yours that has Earl Spender nearly crazed with jealousy."

 

I nodded. "Fox, attend me." I knew without looking that Fox had gone to his knees to the right and slightly behind me at the King's approach, and I felt him rise gracefully and stand beside me but I didn't turn to look at him. My eyes were on my brother's face, watching it for a sign of what had prompted him to order me to bring my slave here before him. I saw his eyes widen in surprise and then narrow slightly, appraising the young man standing quietly before him. There was a faint hint of some unhappiness there and then it was gone before I could name it.

 

The King shrugged as he studied my slave. "I must confess, Walter, that I fail to see the appeal."

 

There was a soft, deep laugh from behind him and again the Court was in motion as the Queen moved forward to stand beside her royal spouse. "You fail to do the boy justice, my love."

 

A flash of irritation crossed my brother's face and all my instincts for danger went on alert. There was trouble here, so thick that one could almost taste it and, as I saw the Queen's eyes avidly drinking in my slave's face and form, I believed I knew what it was. Although the marriage between my brother and his queen had not been a love match, Jeffrey was hardly the man to enjoy being cuckolded within his own house.

 

With a detachment that may have fooled anyone but me the King said, "Oh, I'll grant you that he's pretty enough to look at, Diana, but pretty slave boys can be had anywhere."

 

"But look at those expressive eyes and that pensive look! Not quite as exotically pretty as your Alexi, Lord Spender, but quite unique."

 

The last remark was addressed to Earl Spender as he joined our little group, and he bowed gallantly to the Queen. "I believe that Lord Walter is already aware of the - admiration I hold for his slave. And your Majesty is most gracious in regard to my slave. I have grown rather bored with him and would gladly give him to your Majesty, should you deign to accept so trifling a gift."

 

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see a flash in the eyes of Spender's dark shadow, and I thought that he had made a grave error in slighting the slave publicly. Neither Spender nor Diana seemed to notice; she laughed and tapped his chest playfully with her fan.

 

"Very prettily done, Lord Spender. What say you, Lord Walter? Will you not equal Lord Spender in manners and offer me the gift of your slave?"

 

I stiffened, wary of the trap that was laid out before me. "Unlike Lord Spender, I have not grown tired of my slave and do not anticipate ever giving him up."

 

Diana was not pleased with my answer and I saw her eyes flash. "That was not so prettily done, Lord Walter," she said tightly. "But then, I can hardly expect Court manners from one with your upbringing, can I?"

 

I could see anger building on my brother's face. There was little love lost between my sister-in-law and me - she was well-aware that I had opposed their marriage, favoring an alliance with the Spanish Infanta instead, but she had never been so brash as to clash with me in public. In an attempt to diffuse the tension, I smiled coolly and said, "I'm afraid that Her Majesty is right - I am more comfortable on the battlefield than I am in the ballroom, a fact I hope all will remember when the dancing begins later."

 

I heard a relieved chuckle form my brother. "Truer words have never been spoken, Walter. You have two left feet."

 

"Yes, I do recall Lady Sharon complaining about the state of her shoes after partnering with you on the dance floor," the Queen said mockingly. "I wouldn't doubt that sore feet were at the root of her – accident."

 

My breath caught at this unexpected jab and there was an audible gasp from those near enough to overhear. Dimly, I heard Jeffrey hiss, "You forget yourself, Madam!" Out loud he said as he summoned her Ladies-in-Waiting with an imperious wave, "Her Majesty is fatigued and will be retiring to her rooms."

 

Her eyes met his with a glare but she could do little but curtsey to him and retire. Jeffrey watched her retreat with an odd look on his face, then turned to me and forced a smile, linking arms with me. "Walter, you must come and give me your opinion on my new roses. I have a new Gallica that will take your breath away."

 

I smiled at him, recognizing his actions as meant to convey to the Court that I was still in the King's favor, and let him guide me towards the terrace. "And what would an old warhorse like me know about roses?"

 

"Don't try to play the uncultured warrior with me, brother. I happen to know that you have the largest private library and that our father prided himself on your education." His voice was slightly overloud as we walked slowly towards the large doors leading to the gardens, intending to carry through the crowd around us and offset the damage from the Queen's slurs. "And I have seen your own gardens as well. Tell me, what fertilizer do you prefer? My gardener says horse manure but I have my doubts."

 

"Among many experts, the manure from large cats is said to be best."

 

"You hear that?" the King said, turning slightly to his secretary. "I must have several large cats. What kind, Walter?"

 

I looked at him with as bland an expression as I could manage. "Lions are said to be the best, although tigers might do as well."

 

I tried not to laugh at his expression as he paused and then, with kingly aplomb, he said to his secretary, "In that case, one large cat should be more than sufficient."

 

I had to laugh at that and allowed him to draw me outside.

 

 

Fox

 

The evening meal went better than I could have anticipated, especially as the absence of the Queen and several of her Ladies-in-Waiting meant that dancing was cast aside in favor of other amusements. Lord Walter sat at the King's right hand and appeared to be enjoying himself highly as he laughed at the pantomimes and juggling with all the enjoyment of a young boy. I stood along the wall behind him, as did the squires, pages and slaves attending their masters, watching for his slightest need.

 

Earl Spender's slave stood a few feet to my left as his master was seated to the King's left, and I could feel his eyes on me from time to time. Once I glanced over at him and met those enigmatic green eyes, and the intensity of his gaze made me flush. I felt as if he had deliberately run his hand over my body and was glad for the large presence of the King's eldest squire between us. I focused my attention on my master's large and muscular back, longing to have his arms wrapped around me again, to feel safe from the avid hunger displayed on so many faces as they covertly studied me.

 

Lord Walter paused in his eating as if he felt my eyes on his back and raised his finger to signal for my attention. In an instant, I was kneeling at his side awaiting his orders. To my surprise, he held a tidbit of choice meat to my lips and I opened my mouth, flushing slightly. Although it was customary for him to feed me like this at home, at public banquets it was more common for those attending their lords to get what sustenance they could following their masters' meals. For Lord Walter to do this in public was an open declaration of my place as his favorite and a warning to others that trifling with me would be dangerous. While I appreciated the security of the gesture, I was also embarrassed to be fed like this, as if I were a small child or a pet.

 

"You'll spoil him, Walter," the King said, his voice a little harsh with disapproval.

 

Lord Walter only smiled and cut more meat to feed to me. "And what joy is there to life if we cannot indulge such pretty creatures?"

 

Earl Spender leaned back in his chair, lighting another one of those damnable tobacco sticks. "I agree with his Majesty. Indulgence only makes slaves rebellious - especially high-spirited ones like this. Take a whip to him until you break his pride and you'll have a more obedient slave."

 

Lord Walter must have sensed my stiffening for he gently ruffled my hair. "Ah, but why damage such beauty when a little kindness and a firm hand can accomplish the same?"

 

His voice was hypnotic and, although I could fee the embarrassed flush on my face, I turned my head to nuzzle his hand.

 

"Very pretty," the King said coolly. "Now do you suppose that we could find some other subject to discuss? I find that I am heartily bored of this one."

 

"Certainly," Lord Walter said, bestowing a last caress before sending me back to my place. I was reluctant to rise for his attention had aroused my traitorous body, but managed to rise and return to my place without totally embarrassing myself.

 

As I took my place along the wall, a dark voice hissed, "Pretty pet." I flushed and bit my lip but avoided looking over at Spender's slave. The King's squire ordered him to shut up and, although he obeyed, I could feel his smoldering eyes on my face throughout the rest of the meal.

 

At the end of the meal after the nobles had washed their hands with scented water, we were sent off to the kitchens with the basins, bowls and plates. I cast an anxious look towards Lord Walter but he didn't appear to see, so I decided to move quickly and return to his protection as soon as I could.

 

It almost worked. I hurriedly deposited my load and scurried out the door, back along the corridor towards the main hall. I was almost there when an arm reached out and grabbed me, pulling me into a side corridor.

 

"Well, well, well. If it isn't Lord Walter's pretty plaything."

 

Alexi's body pressed me into the wall, my hands pinned behind my body. I heaved at him but he was planted firmly and I couldn't budge him.

 

"Let me go!" I snapped, turning my head and trying to bite him.

 

"Oh, the pet has teeth!" he laughed, easily avoiding my teeth. "Do you bite your master? Or do you just lie down and spread your legs when he snaps his fingers?"

 

I glared at him. "You don't know anything about it!"

 

"Oh, don't I?" he said with a bitter laugh. "Let me give you a bit of advice, pretty pet. Let him touch your body, let him have you anyway he wants, but don't let him touch your heart. Because one day you'll be of no use to him and he'll toss you aside like a broken toy."

 

My eyes widened as I heard my own fears voiced out loud and then I remembered the scene with the Queen. "Alexi," I said tentatively. "I'm sorry."

 

Alexi glared at me, those green eyes intense with anger. "Don't waste your feelings on me. Save them for yourself, for the day when he throws you away." He leaned forward and kissed me, hard and fast, then, almost before I could register the shock and surprise, he let me go and disappeared.

 

I stood there for a long moment, stunned and trying to catch my breath, before I heard a familiar voice.

 

"Fox?" I blinked hard and saw Lord Walter coming along the corridor, a concerned look on his face. "You were so long - I was worried - "

 

I threw myself against him, desperate to feel his arms around me, to hear his voice drowning out Alexi's ominous words, words I knew in my own heart to be true. Not now, though, not yet. My master still wanted me, still desired me, and I would live for each moment I had with him.

 

I could feel his surprise. "Fox? What happened? Are you - did someone try to hurt you?"

 

I buried my face between his shirt and robe. "Please - can we go back to our rooms? Please?"

 

His arms went around me, protecting and sheltering me, and I wanted to stay wrapped in them forever. "Of course, my cub," he said softly in my ear. "Come, let's go to bed."

 

Home Up

 

Chapter Four

 

Fox

 

The next morning, I found myself humming as I moved around our bedchamber, pouring water for Lord Walter to wash and shave with, fetching clothes from the wardrobe, straightening up the bedcovers. I felt pleasantly sated after having been thoroughly seduced and pleasured from head to toe, and I didn't even mind the soft chuckle from his lordship or the smothered smile from Captain Scully at the stupid grin on my face when we joined the others in the main room. I fetched our breakfasts and leaned contentedly against Lord Walter's legs. I was happy and content, and I didn't care what the far-off future held as long as the present contained my master.

 

"Orders for the day, Lord Walter?" Scully asked.

 

"My brother wants to spend some time with me today discussing matters of state," Lord Walter said, glancing down at me with a smile. "Do you plan to spend the day curled up by the fire with your books, my cub?"

 

I hesitated, wondering if I dared voice my wishes, then said, "Actually – if you wouldn't mind – I'd like to visit with some friends. With Captain Scully as escort, of course."

 

"Friends, Fox?"

 

I nodded as I looked up at him, trying to interpret the look on his face. "From University. It's been five months since I've seen them – I'm sure that they must think I'm dead, and I don't want them to worry any longer. Just – just a short visit?"

 

Lord Walter smiled and reached down to ruffle my hair. "Certainly, my Fox. And take as long as you want – just be back before dark. The City streets are no place for a lad like you to be after dark – even with Captain Scully's protection."

 

I moved up on my knees, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek. "Thank you, Master. I'll be careful."

 

I hurriedly finished dressing, pulling on my boots and fastening on my cloak. Scully was waiting for me with the other guard assigned to my protection, and we quickly made our way out of the castle. As Scully turned towards the bridge that led across the river to the University, I stopped her and gestured towards the main part of town.

 

"This way."

 

Scully looked at me suspiciously. "Milord Fox, you told Lord Walter that these were friends from University."

 

"I said that I met them when I was there, not that they were students." At her frown, I said, "It's all right. I promise that I'm not doing anything dangerous."

 

Scully sighed but followed me as I wound my way through the main streets and down a smaller side street, stopping at a small bookshop. I opened the door and she glanced inside at the small interior then turned to the other guard.

 

"Wait here."

 

I went inside and smiled at the clerk. He actually was an acquaintance of mine from University and had introduced me to his uncle, who had recognized a kindred soul. Thus had started one of the few friendships I had had during my short life prior to coming into Lord Walter's service.

 

“Hello, Max. Are the Brothers in?” Max's eyes widened as he recognized me, then he glanced nervously at Scully. “It’s all right. She’s okay – she’s my protection.”

 

Max nodded and locked the front door before leading us toward the back of the shop. I could see the suspicion on Scully’s face and her hand rested on the short sword on her belt but I smiled at her reassuringly as we followed the young clerk. Young, I thought with a self-mocking smile. Max was only a year younger than me – odd that I felt so much older than him. He opened the hidden cupboard and I led the way down the narrow steps, Scully at my heels as she muttered oaths under her breath. I knew that I was going to hear about this later and that Lord Walter might take a dim view of this excursion but at the moment I didn’t care.

 

“Uncle Melvin – look who’s here.”

 

Several brown-garbed men were working at a long table, painstakingly copying documents, and they all looked up at the boy’s words. The older man he had addressed looked up impatiently and then his mouth fell open in surprise.

 

“Moldy?”

 

I grinned. “Miss me?”

 

Before I could say another word, Brother Frohike had thrown down his pen and crossed the room to pull me into a tight hug. I protested laughingly, “Easy, Frohike! If you damage me, Captain Scully’ll have to break you.”

 

Brother Frohike didn’t pay any attention. He pulled back enough to take my face in his hands, searching it as if to reassure himself. “Fox,” he said in a choked voice. “We thought you were dead.”

 

I was touched – the short monk was usually terse and unemotional about anything except one of his causes. “I’m sorry. There wasn’t any way to let you know – “

 

“Well, look at this,” drawled a voice behind me. “Guess that saying about bad coins always turning up was true.”

 

Frohike released me and I turned to grin at the blond monk. “Hey, Brother Langley. Guess you didn’t get rid of me after all.” I looked past him towards a bearded monk regarding me solemnly. “Hi, Brother Byers.”

 

Brother Byers’ eyes were fixed on my face as he said quietly, “We heard that your family was taken by Earl Spender’s men. Our sources told us what happened to your family – “

 

“Samantha,” I interrupted, hope firing up in my heart. “Do you know where she is?”

 

Langley shook his head, sitting on the edge of the worktable. “No, just that she’s not in Town. She doesn’t seem to be on Spender’s estate or that of any of his cronies.”

 

“You’re sure of that?”

 

“Yes,” Frohike said shortly. “We’ve been over all of them, looking for you.”

 

The older man dropped into a chair and I saw that he looked older and more tired than I remembered. I felt guilty at causing so much pain to my friends and looked over at Byers questioningly. He was the quiet, steady one of the three, rarely letting anything ruffle his tranquility, a peace that had been hard-won. According to Frohike, Byers had taken the cowl and tonsure upon the disappearance and presumed death of his bethrothed just before their wedding. Grief-striken, he had joined a local monastery, intending to devote the rest of his life to prayer and gardening, but it seemed that the Gods had had other ideas. And so Brother Byers had come into the orbit of Brother Frohike and the rest was history.

 

Brother Byers said quietly, “We traced you into the prison and to the slave pens and then the trail - ended."

 

I looked at him, puzzled. “But surely there was a record of my sale – I saw Lord Walter sign the papers and Sir Reginald witnessed them.”

 

The three men exchanged a look. “The merchant who received you was killed in a fire four months ago and all his records destroyed.”

 

I felt suddenly weak and sat down. Spender appeared to have gone to a great deal of trouble to make me "disappear" and now I was here in the same city with him. I was suddenly glad for the Amazon captain shadowing me. “Shit.”

 

“Fox,” Frohike said urgently, “we’ve got a safe place lined up for you. I swear that bastard won’t be able to get his hands on you. Just say the word and it’s done.”

 

“I might have something to say about that.” Scully stepped out of the shadows, placing herself at my back. I saw the monks’ eyes widen at the sight of her and had to grin.

 

“Who the hell are you?” Frohike asked, obviously dazed by the sight of the tall, redheaded warrior.

 

“Sorry,” I said. “Brothers, this is Captain Scully, head of Lord Walter’s garrison. Scully, this is Brother Frohike, Brother Langley, and Brother Byers.”

 

Scully studied the three men then turned with a frown. “Priests? Lord Walter will not be pleased about this.”

 

“They aren’t priests. They are members of the Brotherhood of the Single Arrow.”

 

“The what?”

 

Langley studied Scully. "Do you remember the late king's death?"

 

She blinked as if not quite comprehending what this was about while I grinned and sat back, preparing to enjoy the show. "Of course. He was killed by a stray arrow while out hunting."

 

"Or so they would have us believe," Langley said darkly.

 

Scully crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "And you're telling me that's not what happened. "

 

"I had a drink in a pub with a man who claimed to be one of several assassins hired to kill the king," Langley said. "If it was an accident, if there was only one arrow, then why wasn't his body placed on display like his father's?"

 

"Why would anyone want to kill King John? He was a good and just man."

 

Byers spoke up. "They killed him so that they could take power."

 

"Who are 'they'?"

 

"Nobody knows for certain," Frohike said heavily. "Spender is one of them but there are others, many others." He glanced over at me and I could see him hesitate before he added, "Fox's father was involved with them, but we don't know if he was a willing member or not. They had him killed to hide the truth."

 

"The High Priest is more than likely involved, as well as others throughout the Temple and government," Langley added.

 

"The government?" Captain Scully made a rude noise. "They can hardly agree about settling border disputes between the barons. How could they possibly manage such a conspiracy?"

 

Frohike looked over at me with a grin. "She's hard to convince, isn't she?"

 

Brother Byers moved forward. "We're not talking about the House of Lords, only concerned with their bellies and laying the servant girls. We're talking about a shadow group, working behind the scenes for their own purposes."

 

"But what could they possibly gain?"

 

"King Jeffrey was only a boy when the late king died. If the Lord Protector hadn't been able to pull together the most influential of the nobles and convince them to support his brother, the land would have been plunged into chaos and open to any invader."

 

Scully made a disbelieving sound. "Invaders? This island has withstood invaders for hundreds of years - it will never fall to an invading enemy."

 

"Isn't that what Harold's men said before the Conqueror landed?" Langley pointed out.

 

"You said that people in the Temple and the government were involved. Granted, there is no love lost between the Sisterhood and the Temple, but I find it hard to believe that they would plot against the king - against their own people."

 

"I didn't believe it, either," Brother Byers said. "But I've seen evidence that some of the Temple priests are involved. That's how I met my brothers here."

 

"You're in the Church yourselves - "

 

"Not anymore," Frohike said. "We left the Temple and formed our own Brotherhood when we first learned the truth." He gestured towards the other monks who had continued to copy, ignoring us. "We are dedicated to learning the truth and bringing it to the people."

 

"You speak of 'them' plotting against the people - what do you mean?"

 

"We are being prepared," Byers said. At Scully's incredulous look he said, "Have you got a guild piece?" Scully gave me a look and I shrugged so she pulled a coin out of her pouch.

 

"A common coin, one that anyone of moderate means might possess." He held it up to the light and tapped it. "Do you hear that? See that shadow?" He laid the coin on the table and, grabbing a hammer and chisel from the bench behind him, split the coin into two halves. He held it up for her to see. "Hollow."

 

"There are any number of reasons why that could be there. A flaw in the pressing of the coins, an air bubble left behind in the molding - "

 

"A place to conceal substances which are then absorbed into the skin of those who handle the coin. Drugs to make us susceptible to their control, either through poisoning or influencing our behavior."

 

"You are out of your minds. Milord Fox, where did you find these - these lunatics?" Scully turned towards me with a scowl.

 

I grinned. "Actually, they found me."

 

Frohike nodded. "Sitting on the floor of the University library amidst a stack of moldy old scrolls that no one had looked at in years. Hence the nickname of 'Moldy' we gave him. My nephew - you met him in the shop above - introduced us."

 

"The brothers were helpful in getting me access to some - unusual Temple documents," I added with a grin.

 

"What - you believe in all this conspiracy nonsense, too?"

 

"Actually, I was trying to find out about a ghost that supposedly haunts the Temple," I confessed.

 

"A ghost." Scully stared at me as if I was crazy.

 

"Turned out to be a young initiate sneaking out to meet his lover." I shrugged philosophically. "Which doesn't disprove the existence of ghosts, just not that particular one."

 

Scully drew a deep breath and looked like she had found herself unexpectedly in a house for the insane. I knew the feeling - I had worn it for a time upon first meeting the good Brothers. "Okay. Let's just assume for a moment that I believe you. All of this with King John happened twelve years ago. Why kill Milord Fox's father now?"

 

Byers shook his head. "Just because they failed the first time doesn't mean that they won't try again. King Jeffrey has only one heir and it is said that he and the Queen no longer share a bed so there will be no more legitimate heirs. If he were to die - "

 

"The Prince is young and reported to be in delicate health," Scully said slowly.

 

Brother Frohike nodded. "The only other blood heir is Lord Walter. He was disqualified by the High Priest because of his illegitimate birth, but there are many who would support him without the Temple's approval."

 

I stood, glowering at Frohike. "Just what are you implying? They would have made him king before - without Temple approval - but he turned it down and made them take his brother."

 

He met my eyes directly. "Maybe he changed his mind. Or maybe this was part of the plan from the start - Caesar turned down the crown twice before accepting it."

 

"He hates Spender! It doesn't make any sense - "

 

"I don't think he's working with Spender but there could be more than one force at work. What are the odds that the son of one of Spender's men - you - would just happen to be offered for auction on the same day that Lord Walter - who doesn't go to slave auctions - just happened to be there? And then the slaver and the records are destroyed? Too many coincidences, Fox."

 

"I don't want to hear this," I growled, turning my back on him.

 

A hand on my shoulder swung me back around. "Why? You've never been one to turn your back on the truth before - why now? Because you honestly believe that he is innocent? Or because you like him?"

 

I glared at him. "You don't know anything about the matter!"

 

"Then tell me! Explain it to me so I understand what makes a slave-clerk so loyal to his owner! Unless - " His eyes narrowed. "It's well known that Lord Walter's marriage to Lady Sharon was a sham, that his preferences lay elsewhere. Is that it, Fox? He took you to his bed, made you his catamite?" I flushed at that, speechless in the face of his incredulous anger. "Is that the price of your search for the Truth? Because if it is, he must be one hell of a good fuck!"

 

I struck out at him, blindly, and heard my voice shaking. "Bastard! You don't know Walter - he's not like that - " But in my mind a seed of suspicion had been planted and I began to doubt Lord Walter's motivations. My stomach heaved and I turned away, blindly. "Gods, I'm going to be sick."

 

It was Byers who wrapped an arm around me and guided me to the washroom, held my head while I was sick, then washed my face. I rinsed my mouth and then looked at him desperately.

 

"He's not like that, Byers. He's - he's kind, and he cares about me."

 

Byers reached out and stroked my hair briefly. "I hope so, my boy. I truly do."

 

Brother Langley appeared in the doorway, concern on his thin face. "You okay, Moldy? Because your Amazon out here is likely to tear Frohike apart if you aren't."

 

Alarmed, I headed back to the main room on shaky legs and found that Scully had Brother Frohike pinned against the wall by the throat. She glanced at me briefly before looking back at Frohike. "You wish me to avenge you, Milord Fox? Speak the word and I will crush his throat."

 

"No," I said quickly. "Please. Frohike didn't mean to upset me, he just gets rather passionate about his causes. Let him go."

 

Scully nodded and stared Frohike in the face for a moment longer. "Lord Walter took me into his household when I was a small child of seven and gave me to honorable and loving foster parents. He taught me arms from the time I was small and paid the dowry to the Shrine of Artemis in my name. He took me into his own guard and made me his Captain when I had proved myself. No other would have done as much for me. His care for Milord Fox has been tender and loving. I will not hear you blacken his name, and I will not see you upset Milord Fox." She shook him, like a terrier shakes a rat. "Understand?"

 

Frohike gasped. "I understand. Please, put me down."

 

She nodded and released him, letting him fall the remaining six inches to the ground. "We are leaving, Milord."

 

I nodded and followed her to the foot of the stairs, then turned back and said, quietly, "Yes, he took me into his house. Yes, I am his bedwarmer, his catamite. But he had been kind to me and honest. I - I love him. I know that's not enough to change your minds, and I'll stay away from here if you want me to - "

 

Frohike slowly came to stand before me, rubbing his throat. "You're always welcome here, Fox, and I honestly hope that you are right - for your sake. If you ever need anything, you have only to ask." I nodded and was relieved when he hugged me tightly. "You're probably right - you are so much trouble that no one who didn't love you would put up with you."

 

I flushed and hugged him back, then bid farewell to the others, receiving assurances that they would continue searching for Samantha. And so, with a somewhat lighter heart, I returned to the castle and attempted to forget the seeds of doubt that had been planted.

 

 

Walter

 

Jeffrey was standing in front of the fireplace in his private Sanctum, a brooding look on his face. For a moment, he looked so like the father I remembered as a child that my heart nearly stopped. Then he heard me and lifted his head, smiling, and the spell was broken.

 

"Walter!" he called out, gesturing towards the table where a chessboard was set out. "As you can see, I'm ready for you."

 

I laughed and shook my head. "Ah, I can see you want your satisfaction early. Very well, Jeffrey - your victim is ready."

 

As we set up our pieces and made our opening moves, Jeffrey said casually, "I see you are without your shadow today."

 

I made a move, looking at him briefly. "Yes. I thought that you would prefer us to be alone."

 

Jeffrey nodded, looking both pleased and wistful. "I see you so seldom these days. Since the accident you have been in Town infrequently, and now even less."

 

"Harvest time requires a lot of my attention."

 

"As does your pretty slave boy."

 

I could not mistake the jealous tone in his voice and I frowned. "Surely business of the Court has kept you so occupied that you have hardly had time to miss me."

 

Jeffrey snorted. "You know as well as I that the government practically runs itself. All I am required to do is listen, try not to look bored, and sign my name to the multitude of documents that require it."

 

"Be careful not to leave everything in the hands of clerks and politicians," I warned him.

 

He made a face. "Yes, big brother, but you have no need to worry. Spender keeps a close eye on things for me."

 

"That does not reassure me," I said dryly.

 

Jeffrey frowned. "I know that you don't like him, Walter, though I don't know why. He's been good to me, almost like a father. He's been here when I needed someone."

 

I reached over to touch his hand, saying sincerely, "I am sorry I haven't been here for you, Jeffie. What is troubling you? Something wrong with my nephew?"

 

He nodded, looking troubled. "Johnny's health hadn't been what it should be these past few months. His last tutor found it impossible to handle him. Spender found him a new one but now he's become withdrawn and distant, distrustful, although the tutor seems to be an exemplary man. I've tried talking with him but - " He shuddered. "He stares at me with those big eyes of his and it's like he can see right through me."

 

"How is he with his mother?"

 

Jeffrey snorted. "Diana has no time for him. She's too busy with her own little court and her clothes and her - paramours."

 

I raised an eyebrow at the bitterness of his voice. "I didn't think that you cared where she bestowed her - affections, as long as she didn't foist a false heir on you and she was discreet."

 

"That's the problem - she isn't discreet. It's an open secret that her bed is always occupied. And she doesn't care what she takes between her legs - nobleman, commoner, slave - as long as it has a penis. Rumor has it that she's been through nearly all the men of the Court - married or not - and all the prettier slave-boys and now is working her way through the guard." He eyed me with mock amusement. "And you'd best keep a watchful eye on your boy. Once she fastens her eye on someone, she doesn't give up till she has him."

 

"I'll be careful. Although I would think that young Alexi would be enough to hold her interest for awhile." Jeffrey flushed at that and I smiled. "Or perhaps that slave has found himself in another bed?"

 

Jeffrey stood, roughly pushing his chair back, and walked over to a side table where a pitcher of wine sat. As he filled a goblet, he said quietly, "You were lucky, Walter. Father loved your mother and was faithful to her. His marriage to my mother was for political expedience and he felt no such obligation to her. Oh, he was discreet and always treated her with respect, but after the last miscarriage left her crippled, he never visited her bed again."

 

I stared at him, appalled. "You were six - how could you possibly know that?"

 

Jeffrey shrugged. "Children see more than you think. And I saw how it wounded her spirit each time a new favorite from among her ladies or lords found their way into Father's bed. When I married Diana, I swore that I would never put her through that."

 

"You were a boy, Jeffrey - barely fourteen when the Barons sealed the alliance. No one would hold you to such a vow, especially when the other party is unfaithful in return."

 

He returned to stand beside the table, looking down at me with a mock incredulous look. "You were married for ten years, Walter, and never broke your vows. Are you advising me break mine merely because my wife cannot be faithful?"

 

I sighed. "Of course not. But - Jeffie, I want you to be happy. Just be careful if you play with that one. Alexi is more dangerous than he looks."

 

"You should talk."

 

I looked up at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

 

"You have taken the son of a known traitor into you house, into your bed - into your heart. Don't deny it - I can see it on your face."

 

"Just because his father was a traitor doesn't mean that he is one."

 

Jeffrey sat down in his seat and leaned forward. "And you think that it was just a coincidence that he was there in the slave market on the day that your friend Reginald talked you into going to the market? A boy who looks like he does, just the kind that you would be attracted to?"

 

I shook my head. "No. You don't know Fox. He's honest and incapable of deception."

 

"Perhaps - although many a pretty face has hidden an equally clever mind. Nothing would be easier than for such a boy to worm his way into your affections and then to slowly begin to spread his poison, to taint your mind."

 

I continued to shake my head but in my heart a seed of doubt had been planted. The boy had wound me around his finger like no one had ever done before, until I was so enthralled that I would do just about anything for him, believe anything he told me.

 

"Very well - I won't try to convince you further. Just be careful, Walter, and don't trust overly much." He smiled at me crookedly. "In the meantime, talk with me for a while and take my mind off my troubles. Play with me and let me win."

 

I nodded, forcing a smile on my face, and proceeded to lose the game to Jeffrey although I managed to draw it out enough to make it a challenge for him. And in my heart, I tried to forget the seeds of doubt that had been planted.

 

 

Chapter Five

 

Fox

 

The rest of our visit in Town passed uneventfully enough, and I was careful to stay out of the way of both Queen Diana and Earl Spender. I wasn't so successful at avoiding Alexi as we were often sent about the same tasks, but Scully always shadowed me after I had privately confided to her what had occurred so he took no more liberties with me.

 

As the week drew to an end, I became more anxious to return home. Lord Walter seemed distant and troubled although he didn't speak of what was bothering him, not even to Scully. And I couldn't completely banish Frohike's words, no matter how hard I tried. It seemed as though each of us had raised a wall keeping the other out, watching each other with questioning eyes. And, though I still slept in Lord Walter's bed and he wrapped an arm securely around me before we went to sleep, he didn't touch me in any other manner. After nearly daily intercourse over the past month, neither of us was accustomed to this sudden abstinence so by the end of a week both of us were frustrated and our tempers were short.

 

On this fateful afternoon about three days before we were scheduled to return home, Scully had decided that she couldn't put off her required visit to the Shrine any longer but Lord Walter was also tied up with a meeting of the Barons of the land. Since she seemed to feel that she was personally responsible for my safety, she decided that I should come along with her. I readily agreed - except for another short visit to the Brothers two days earlier, I had not left the castle and was anxious to get away for a while. So right after lunch, Scully, one of the guards, and I made our way out of the castle and across Town to the Shrine of Artemis. We entered the public part of the Shrine and Scully led the way to a small vestibule. It was a cozy little room with a fire burning in the brazier in the middle and benches along the sides. We hadn't been there more than a minute before a young woman entered and warmly embraced Scully.

 

"Sister Scully! It has been a long time. Our Mother will be pleased to see you."

 

"And I will be happy to see our Mother as well." At the curious look the other Amazon gave us, Scully explained who I was, then turned to me. "Milord Fox, no man may enter further without the Will of the Goddess, so you will need to remain here. I will not be long." Fixing me with a stern look, she said, "Do not leave these premises for any reason whatsoever, or I swear I will take the flat of my sword to your backside."

 

I flushed and the other Amazon laughed softly. "You speak to him as if you expect trouble, Sister."

 

"Always," Scully said with a sigh. "Trouble follows him wherever he goes." She turned to the guard and said, equally sternly, "Martin, I shall hold you personally responsible if he comes to harm."

 

Martin swallowed hard. "Yes, Captain."

 

We both watched Scully follow the other Amazon into the main part of the Shrine and then turned to look at each other. There was a pleading look on the young soldier's face and I grinned at him. "Don't worry - I'll behave. She scares me too much."

 

"She should," Martin said fervently. "I've seen her take the skin off a man's back with a whip once." He looked back at me a little shyly. "Milord Fox?"

 

"I'm not a lord," I said quietly. "I'm a slave."

 

He shook his head. "The Captain and the Lieutenant call you that, and so do some of the men. Because of what you did for Lamana. That took courage and we don't forget that."

 

I flushed, embarrassed, and shrugged. "It was my fault - he shouldn't have been punished at all."

 

After that there seemed to be nothing left to say, so we made ourselves comfortable on the benches. I pulled a book that the Brothers had lent me out of my pouch and settled down to read, getting lost in the tale.

 

The scream was so sudden and startling that I was roughly jerked out of my book and I found myself looking around, bewildered, wondering if I had imagined it. Then another scream and a boyish voice yelling, "Let me go! I won't go with you!" followed by cries for help told me that this was all too real. Without pausing to think, I raced out of the Shrine and found a large man attempting to manhandle a boy on the street outside. The boy was struggling mightily and I paused for a moment, uncertain if this was a father and his recalcitrant son or an attempted abduction of some sort. Besides, the large man was armed and I most definitely was not.

 

The large man drew back his hand and boxed the boy soundly on the ear. "Shut up, brat! They aren't paying me enough for this job to put up with your lip."

 

That decided me, and I threw myself into the fray, punching the kidnapper in the face and knocking him to the ground - mostly because I caught him by surprise. Grabbing the boy by the arm, I hustled him up the steps of the Shrine and into the vestibule before his attacker could recover and launch a counter-attack. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the dumbfounded look on the face of my guard as I raced past him just as he was coming out after me but I figured explanations could wait. Right now, it was more important to get the boy to safety.

 

Once in the vestibule, I turned to the boy and asked him, urgently, "Are you hurt?"

 

Wordlessly, the boy shook his head and I looked him over quickly, ascertaining that there were no apparent injuries. The boy was obviously of noble birth as his clothing was of fine cloth, although considerably dirty and a little torn at present. Large eyes studied me with silent curiosity, both traits unusual in a child that I judged to be six or seven at most. Probably scared out of his wits, the little mite, I thought sympathetically, and dropped to one knee beside him.

 

"You'll be safe here. Your parents - do they know where you are?" The boy shook his head. "Do you know where you live? Would you be able to take us there?" The boy nodded and I sighed in relief. "Good. Then as soon as Captain Scully gets back, we'll make sure that you get home safely."

 

"Master Rupert will have called the guards," the boy said clearly, speaking for the first time. "They'll arrest you."

 

"Arrest me?" I said indignantly. "I was rescuing you from that monster - "

 

"That's my tutor."

 

The bottom fell out of my stomach. "Your tutor?" I asked, feeling stupid, and glanced over at Martin. The sickly look on his face made me suddenly suspicious. "Do you have a name?"

 

The boy shrugged, an oddly adult gesture. "I have many names. My favorite is Gibson."

 

The sick feeling in my stomach intensified. "As in Prince John, Duke of Gibson? Oh, shit!"

 

The Crown Prince nodded, looking at me with that oddly adult-like curiosity again. "You're my uncle's slave, aren't you? I've seen you around the castle." As I nodded numbly in response, he said, "My mother talks about you a lot. She likes you and wants to bed you."

 

I knew I was gaping at such words coming out of the young boy's mouth and flushed. "How can you possibly know that?"

 

He shrugged again. "I can tell by the way people look at each other, and adults never notice children."

 

"Milord Fox," Martin said with a strangled voice. "The Royal Guards are coming."

 

"Oh, shit!" I ran to the window and looked out anxiously. "What are the odds that they are on parade and not heading here?" As they stopped out front I sighed. "So much for that hope."

 

A loud voice rang out, demanding that the Crown Prince be released, and I drew a deep breath. "We'd better face them now before this gets worse."

 

As we left the vestibule for the front steps, I saw an imposing looking woman come sweeping out of the inner chambers with Scully and the Amazons I had seen earlier. From the looks on their faces, I knew that it had gotten worse. Sending up prayers to every god I knew, I followed them with the prince.

 

"What is the meaning of this?" the older woman demanded. "We do not have any prince in our Shrine."

 

The man I had punched suddenly sighted us and pointed. "There he is! There's the scoundrel who hit me and kidnapped the prince!"

 

Everyone turned and looked at us. No, Scully glared at me. I swallowed hard. "I - I can explain," I said feebly.

 

Scully stalked over to me, her teeth gritted together. "I thought I told you to stay inside. Did you not hear me tell you that?" She turned to the soldier. "Did you not hear me tell him to stay inside - and for you to watch him?"

 

Martin paled in the face of her ire. "He - was hitting the boy. Milord Fox thought he was - rescuing the boy. I mean, the Prince."

 

The Prince's tutor started blustering, but the older woman held up an imperious hand and everyone silenced before her. She looked over the guards and Master Rupert, over the Prince and me, then gestured for the Prince to come forward. He did quickly and I didn't blame him - the woman had a way of looking at you that made you want to beg for mercy. The Mother-Abbess cast a look over his dirtied clothing and then gently took the Prince's chin in her hand, turning his face to examine the reddened ear.

 

"This boy has been struck repeatedly." Her voice was mild but the look she aimed towards the tutor made him blanch.

 

"He fell! I never touched him!"

 

The Mother-Abbess turned back to the Prince. "Is this true? Did you fall?"

 

The Prince looked at her gravely. "Yes - after Master Rupert hit me the first time."

 

"The first time? He hit you more than once?" The Mother-Abbess turned towards me and I swallowed hard. "And you witnessed this?"

 

I nodded numbly. "Not - not the first one. I heard him scream, and I ran outside. I thought - I thought that he was being kidnapped. That man - " I pointed towards the tutor, "said he wasn't paid enough to take the boy's lip. Then he boxed his ear."

 

The Mother-Abbess smiled and nodded once, and I felt as if a benediction of sorts had been bestowed. The she turned back to the other Amazon. "Call out the House Guard for escort duty for our Sister and her charges."

 

The Captain of the Royal Guards drew himself up. "We will take charge of His Highness - and the slave as well."

 

"I'm sure you will," The Mother-Abbess said dryly. "And we'll make sure that they arrive home safely and that their story is heard."

 

A dozen Amazon guards appeared on her words and she turned to their Captain. "See that His Highness and Fox are escorted into the presence of the King and that their story is heard, then return here and report." The Captain saluted her and ranged her guard in a protective array in which the Prince, Scully, our guardsman, and I were secured in the middle, while the Royal Guards trailed behind us. In this strange procession, we headed towards the palace.

 

As we walked, I suddenly felt a small hand slip into mine. Surprised, I looked down at the prince.

 

"I never told you 'thank you'," he said quietly.

 

"It was an honor to serve, Prince John."

 

He looked up at me wistfully. "Do you think you could call me Gibson? I like it better. When people call me 'John', they're always comparing me to my grandfather."

 

"Your grandfather was a good man and a good king. You should be honored to be compared to him."

 

"Not when it's always an unfavorable comparison," he sighed.

 

I knew full well the sting of never being able to measure up. Squeezing his hand, I said reassuringly, "That won't always be the case - Gibson. Someday you'll grow up and become a great and wise king yourself."

 

He smiled up at me in delight, the first little-boy gesture I had seen so far. "Sometimes my father lets me visit my uncle at Beauforte. Maybe this spring, when the weather turns warm?"

 

"I think Lord Walter would enjoy that immensely, Gibson." I smiled at him. "And so would I."

 

I had expected the prince to release my hand as we entered the castle grounds but instead Prince Gibson tightened his hold. I squeezed his hand reassuringly as our escort marched us straight through the courtyard and into the main castle. Behind us, I could hear the Captain of the Royal Guards dismissing all but his Lieutenant before following us. Down the corridor we marched, flanked on all sides by our Amazon protectors, right into the Council Room where the meeting of the Barons was taking place. For a moment, there was a sea of faces around us - the King looking startled, Earl Spender angry - then I saw Lord Walter and the look of cold fury on his face made my knees go weak.

 

"What is the meaning of this?" Earl Spender demanded. "How dare you burst in upon His Majesty like this? And what is His Royal Highness doing with you?"

 

The Captain of the Amazon House Guards ignored Earl Spender, saluting the King instead. "Your Majesty, the Mother-Abbess of the Shrine of Artemis sends her most reverent greetings, her warmest blessings, and her deepest apologies for intruding in such a manner, but this matter is of the utmost importance."

 

King Jeffrey sat back in his throne and acknowledged the greeting. By Charter and tradition, the Amazons were independent of the King's rule and no king had ever been foolish enough to risk their ire, not when their strong fighting skills might be needed in future.

 

"What is the situation and how does it involve my son?"

 

"Outside the steps of our Shrine, His Royal Highness was attacked by one who should have had his best interests at heart."

 

At these words, the Prince's tutor strode forward, no doubt intending to attempt to turn the king's ire off himself and on someone else - probably me - counting on Spender's aid. Glancing over at the Earl, I thought that Master Rupert would have been better off if he had starting running in the other direction.

 

"Your Majesty, this slave attacked me, struck me to the ground while the Prince and I were enjoying an educational walk through the town. Then he dared to lay hands on the Prince's Person, attempting to abduct him - "

 

"Be quiet!" The King's voice filled the room and the man blanched and cowered back. I looked at the king in appreciative surprise - nothing I had seen of him so far had prepared me for this show of strength. "Come here, my son."

 

Prince Gibson moved forward, still clutching at my hand so I was forced to follow, quickly going to my knees when the young prince stopped before the king. "Father, Fox didn't attack me. He tried to save me when Master Rupert struck me. Fox rescued me."

 

"Ah, yes, the estimable Fox of whom I have heard so much from so many in recent days." The cold irony in the King's voice made me flush. "You may release His Highness' hand now, Fox - I doubt that he will be in need of 'rescue' here." Turning in his seat, the King said, "Lord Walter, perhaps you could take your young hero back to your chambers - I imagine he must be fatigued after such an adventure."

 

"Of course, Your Majesty. Come, Fox."

 

Lord Walter's voice was unemotional and I knew that he was furious with me for causing such a scene. I felt small, warm fingers squeeze mine reassuringly before releasing me, and I rose to follow my master out of the Hall. Scully would have accompanied us but, at that moment, the Captain of the Amazons called upon her to verify the tale. I felt her anxious eyes on my back as I followed Lord Walter and, for the first time in four months, I felt very, very alone.

 

 

Walter

 

The room guards were sitting at the table playing cards when we entered and, at a gesture from me, quickly retreated from the room into the hallway. No sooner had the door closed behind them than I turned and grasped Fox by the front of his tunic, slamming him back against the wall.

 

"What in the hell do you think you were doing? Attacking the Royal Tutor, taking the prince from his custody - which was granted to him by Royal decree. Taking him into the Shrine, for the gods' sake! Are you completely mad?"

 

I couldn't ever remember being this angry with Fox and, in truth, my anger was mixed with equal parts relief and terror. The thought of what could have happened to him had they believed Master Rupert's charges, of him being tortured to death for attempting to harm one of Royal Blood, made my blood run cold. I was just thankful that the Mother-Abbess had intervened. And then an insidious little voice whispered in my brain that perhaps the tutor had been right, that this had been an attempt on the prince by Fox. But no, that would mean that Scully and the Mother-Abbess were involved as well and, no matter how good my Fox's powers of persuasion, I could not see them extending that far.

 

I looked into his face, searching for signs of truth or deceit, and instead saw fear and, on its heels, his own building anger. "What was I doing? I was saving a boy from being beaten in the streets, that's what I was doing! Beaten at the hands of the man who - as you say - was entrusted with his protection!"

 

"You had no way of judging the situation! For all you knew, the boy could have run away and could have been being justly punished for his misbehavior."

 

"Well, he should have run away! That man's a monster and he has no business being in charge of Gibson - the prince!"

 

The familiarity of that name unaccountably flamed my ire. "Who gave you leave to address the prince in such a manner?" I demanded.

 

"He did!" Fox snapped, his eyes blazing at me. "He asked me to call him Gibson - right before he told me that he hoped to spend some time this spring with you, his uncle. A man he obviously adores, but who is more concerned with propriety and legality than his own nephew's health and well-being!"

 

Aghast and suddenly ashamed, my temper evaporated and I released him, backing away. "Fox - I - that's not fair. Of course I'm concerned about my nephew's health."

 

He gave me a withering look. "Well, you couldn't prove it by your recent words and actions. Now if you'll excuse me, Master, I'm exhausted and I'm going to bed."

 

He had already stormed out of the main room before I realized what was happening and the slam of the bedroom door galvanized me into action, reigniting my temper. I followed after him, intent on finishing this conversation, when a sharp sound caught my ears. The sound of a key turning in a lock.

 

Blood roared in my ears and I pounded on the bedroom door. "Fox, open the door this minute or I swear I'll blister your ass every night for a month!"

 

"No!" came the defiant retort from the other side of the door. "Not until you apologize!"

 

"Apolo-" I thought I would have a stroke. The gall of the boy, telling me to apologize. "I will not apologize, and you will open this door! Now!"

 

"No!"

 

I growled, infuriated, and stormed back out of the chamber, aware of the startled looks from my men waiting in the hallway. No, I wasn't giving into the brat but I knew the futility of arguing through a thick door. And I had knowledge gained from my childhood, long winter days spent prowling about this older part of the castle and learning its secrets. Down the corridor, around the bend, and through a narrow doorway that had been unopened for years and that lead to another narrower corridor paralleling the main one, intended to allow servants - and spies - to move silently behind the scenes. Careful of the open steps to my left that led down to the lowest levels and to the postern gate, I let my fingers trail along the right wall until I reached a distinctive set of marks I had set there twenty years before. I placed my fingers into the depressions and pushed.

 

The look on Fox's face would have been comical under other circumstances - he literally gaped at the sight of me coming out of a bookcase. I didn't give him a moment to utter a sound as I grabbed him roughly, tucked him under one arm, and proceeded to wear out the seat of his breeches with my hand. He began screeching and swearing, dancing on his toes and trying to get away, while I blistered every inch of his ass. When my hand began to hurt, I finally stopped, lifting him and tossing him onto the bed.

 

"Don’t you ever, ever, lock a door on me, brat!" I snapped.

 

His face was wet with tears but there was also defiance on it as he huddled back against the headboard. "Or what? You'll beat me again? Fuck me to prove you own me?" He pulled off his tunic, flinging it at me. "Well, go ahead - I can't stop you - but I'll hate you forever!"

 

With a snarl, I reached out to grab his arm and dragged him over to the side of the bed. I would show this insufferable brat who was the master here. I roughly flipping him over onto his stomach and ripped off his pants, holding him down with one hand while I tore open the front of my own breeches. Not that he struggled. He lay there, quiescent and breathing hard, even when I grabbed his hips and pulled his ass up, positioning myself behind him.

 

It was the slight shudder that made me pause on the verge of plunging myself into the unprepared body before me. A stifled sob, and my fury evaporated, as well as my arousal.

 

I let go of him and fled.

 

Chapter Six

 

Fox

 

I didn't move until I heard the door shut behind him, then I collapsed on the bed and gave way to the shaking that seemed to be trying to tear my body apart. What in hell had I been thinking? Locking him out of his own bedroom? Daring him to rape me? I was lucky that he hadn't - yet - although I hadn't the slightest idea why he had stopped.

 

For now.

 

He would be back. If I were lucky, he'd beat me senseless but keep me. He seemed to like having me in his bed, at least until this last week. Maybe he had stopped because he was so disgusted with me that he couldn't bear to touch me anymore. I caught my breath on a sob. Maybe he was so angry with me that he would send me to the barracks. Or sell me.

 

I clutched my pillow to my chest, feeling as if my heart was tearing in half. What would be worse, seeing him take another to his bed or never seeing him again?

 

Walter

 

I moved blindly through the corridor, not even knowing my destination, running from the memory of what I had been about to do. Never mind that I owned the boy and had the right to do whatever I wanted to him. The fact of the matter was that I loved him and the thought that I had been willing to hurt one I loved with every fiber of my being made me nauseas.

 

"Lord Walter!" A familiar voice and a strong hand caught my arm. "What's wrong? Where's Fox?"

 

"Our rooms," I managed to gasp. "Oh god, Scully! What did I do?"

 

Somehow, I found myself in the deserted courtyard with my head under the pump, cold water cascading over me, shocking me and restoring the sense that I seemed to have lost at the sight of Fox in armed custody. I pushed away from the pump, sitting down on the low wall as I attempted to set myself to rights. I caught the rough toweling Scully tossed at me and rubbed it over my head, accepting with the other hand a mug containing some kind of liquid. At this moment, I wouldn't have cared if it had been poison - in fact, I would have cheerfully drained the glass.

 

"Are you ready to make sense?" Scully asked me quietly. "Do I need to summon a Healer or dispose of a body?"

 

My stomach roiled at that but I managed to control it, shaking my head. "Fox is alive and unharmed. By his own merits, not mine."

 

Her eyes coolly studied my face as she nodded. "I was afraid that you would react badly to that scene in the Hall."

 

I let out a short, sharp bark of laughter. "React badly? That’s an understatement. I slammed him into the wall and raked him over the coals for saving the life of my nephew, then I paddled his ass and nearly raped him out of anger."

 

Carefully, she said, "It is not uncommon for one to lash out at a loved one when they emerge unscathed from dire peril. And Milord Fox has a positive genius for both getting into such peril and for inflaming one's anger afterwards."

 

"The boy is second to none in that," I said wryly. I glanced over at her. "I suppose that everything he said is true."

 

Scully nodded. "I didn't witness it but one of my men was with Fox and he says that they heard screaming and cries for help. They went to assist, and it was only when they were back in the Shrine that Martin realized who Fox had rescued."

 

I sighed. "He said I was more interested in appearance and legality than my own nephew's health."

 

"Milord Fox's mouth is well known to react before his brain engages. Anyone who knows you knows how you feel about Prince John."

 

"Gibson," I murmured then looked over at Scully. "He asked Fox to call him 'Gibson'."

 

"The prince seemed quite fond of Fox," she said neutrally. "It appeared to be mutual."

 

"He has a good heart - Fox, I mean. It gets him into trouble, but he means well."

 

"You love him, don't you?" Scully asked quietly and, since this appeared to be an evening for confidences, I nodded. "I don't need to tell you that it is dangerous. Even if Spender doesn't manage to get his hands on Fox, there's no guarantee he'll stay with you after he's freed."

 

"I know," I said with a sigh. "He doesn't know how I feel - and I'm not going to tell him so don't say a word. I would rather he decided to stay on his own, rather than out of obligation to me." Scully nodded and I rose to my feet again. "Thank you, Scully, for helping me pull myself back together."

 

She smiled. "It is an honor to serve. Now I think we'd best go see what shape your boy is in."

 

 

I entered the bedchamber and found it in darkness except for the single candle by the bed. A slender, pale figure rose from where he knelt on the floor and slowly approached me. He was naked, the candlelight gleaming off his skin as he knelt again before me. I was so entranced by the picture that he presented that it took me a moment to realize that he was holding up the strap, offering it to me.

 

"I had no right to act as I did, Master," he said quietly. "Please, punish me but don't send me away."

 

I sent the strap whirling into the corner and swept Fox up and into my arms. In a moment, I was sitting on the bed, cuddling a surprised but appreciative Fox on my lap.

 

"I'm sorry," I murmured against the warm curve of his neck. "You were right; I did owe you an apology but I was too stiff-necked to admit that I was wrong."

 

"No, Master, it was my fault," he said, burying his face tighter into my shoulder. "You owe me nothing, and I owe you my life, my obedience, my heart, my body. I will try harder, Master, I swear it. Please, please don't send me away." Firm, warm lips began pressing kisses over my neck, my face, as if to sweeten the words, which were already the sweetest I had ever heard.

 

"Send you away? I could no more live without you than without my heart." I lifted his chin so that my mouth could claim his, kissing him till we were both breathless and aroused.

 

He dropped his face back into the curve of my shoulder, murmuring, "You may want to beat me when you hear this. My - my friends - the Brothers I told you about - said that you might be part of a plot to gain the throne for yourself. That you may have obtained me to get information on Spender's plans to do the same. I told them that you weren't involved, that you couldn't be, but - "

 

"But a little corner of your mind kept whispering that it could be true." I smiled wryly at the surprise on his face. "My brother said something similar about you. I tried to push it away, but I was afraid that every time I touched you - that you would be able to sense my doubts."

 

"And I feared it might be true and that you were tiring of me since you couldn’t learn anything. I should have known better and trusted you more." He pressed a kiss against my skin, his mouth moving downward to caress what he could reach of my neck above my collar. "I want you so badly, my master. I need you so much."

 

I kissed him again, feeling both his need and his arousal, and rolled us over onto the bed, pressing his lithe body into the mattress beneath my clothed body. I released his mouth and said, solemnly, "I swear, my Fox, you will never have to fear harm at my hands while in my bed."

 

"I know," he said with equal solemnity, then leaned up to kiss me hard. "Take me, Master. I need you to ride me long and hard."

 

I smiled back down at him. "I think I can manage that, although you may regret it in the morning."

 

Fox didn't seem to care about that, eagerly helping divest me of my clothes before attacking my body with mouth and hands. After a week of abstinence, we were both ablaze with our need, kissing and touching as if our physical senses alone could reassure our doubts. And perhaps they could. With every moan Fox uttered, every whispered plea, every honeyed endearment, I felt the poison of doubt being lifted from my heart and soul. Thrusting deep within him, I felt as if we were no longer two separate beings but instead were one heart, one soul. His pleasure and mine were inseparable, spiraling upward in an intensity of passion that I had never known before, until we both burst into flame and fell, phoenix-like, scorched but reborn into a new life.

 

We lay, entangled and breathless, for a long time before I could rouse myself enough to kiss the soft hair under my chin and pull the blankets up to cover us. Fox moved slightly, helping to tuck us under the warmth against the coming night chill, then settled back down with his head on my chest, his legs entwined with my own. His fingers traced shapes on my stomach as I waited patiently for him to say whatever he was trying to find a way to voice.

 

"Master?"

 

"Yes, my heart?" I could feel the smile against my chest - it appeared that he liked me calling him that.

 

"When do you think we can go home?"

 

His voice was wistful and I felt an equal wave of longing wash over me. Once again, I was on a hill overlooking the castle, a warm body nestled between my legs, a feeling of tenderness filling me with contentment. I tightened my hold on him.

 

"Tomorrow. We will head home tomorrow."

 

He sighed just once, a deep sigh of contentment, and I felt his body relax as he drifted into sleep.

 

Yes. We would head home tomorrow. And, the Gods willing, we would be able to make everything right between us.

 

Next