Hounds and bitches, chap.24

Posted by admin on March 24th, 2008 filed in Hounds and Bitches

“The dagger,” Keith said with a smile.
“When will I kill him? Today or tomorrow after I’ve been introduced to Cameron and the others?”

“Today would be swifter and safer,” Aodh replied. “However, tomorrow would perhaps benefit us and help us see who is the little court Cameron keeps. He changes his “allies” all the time and I have been off the court for a while. Lastly he had a bit of liking into me. When all goes well I might even be able to join the party tomorrow. But tomorrow bears risks for you. I have told you about Cameron, and as to Seoras - he has turned very wild and reckless, too, as we just noticed by the murder attempt. Besides I am not making your choices, Keith. It is up to you.”

“Well, it’s not like I have much of choice. I can do it. Besides, if they leave marks, Kester is not going to want much of me the next few days. He definitely won’t be up to fucking me. I can manage. Shall I kill him then after the meeting or what?”

Aodh nodded.
“It is best he dies then. As to his father… it would be easy to kill him now that he is wounded, but your position in the court is nothing yet, so we cannot risk it. Another turn must come.
Our task for today is to make you catch the Queen’s attention enough so that she’d invite you again. Make advantage of the fact that Eidard is in sickbed and won’t tangle along.”

“Yes.” Keith nodded.
Oh, the bastard would die. So soon. So sad Keith couldn’t ride upon his cock and slash his throat shortly after the shudders of an orgasm. But that would be too risky.
“I will make her remember me and hope it is enough.”

Aodh nodded.
“If she remembers you, it will suffice. We shall see.
As to killing dear Seoras… I must teach you a little. Never, ever go for the heart unless you’re using a good sharp sword or so. A man’s chest bones are like bars of a cage and you can miss so easily. It takes too much of practice and with your first kill you just got lucky. Don’t do that again.”

“All right. Tell me of the best ways then,” Keith asked softly.

“I shall. Give me your hand.”
Aodh took it and pressed Keith’s fingers to his own lower neck.
“Can you feel my heartbeat there?
You see, men have two sorts of strings filled with blood - there are those that bleed less and those that bleed really badly. The first ones have darker blood and the other ones consist much lighter blood. The second type is what you must aim for and know where to find. And there, right there were your fingers can feel my heart beat as if it was up in my throat, is one such. Don’t cut, stab. Daggers are for stabbing, anyway. To the hilt right there and perhaps only gods could save a man from very quick death.”

Keith could not resist caressing the soft skin with a strange smile on his face.
“I will remember,” he said seriously. “I understand.”

“Do so,” Aodh whispered. “One day I will ask you to touch it with steelier tip than your fingers.”
He touched Keith’s lips gently with his.

“But that day is still far away,” Keith whispered back.

“Sometimes I wish it was tomorrow,” Aodh replied.

Keith bit into his lip and said nothing.

“Lindsie,” Aodh said suddenly. Someone entered the castle of ice, or rather stormed into it. A girl, but wearing man’s clothes with a tail of dark hair. Once she reached them she was really breathless and almost fell over on Keith.

Cameron would probably walk in next, Keith thought.
On the outside he of course remained perfectly neutral and slowly put out his hands to steady the princess gently.
“Good evening, your highness,” he said politely. “How may we help you?” he asked after she was steadied enough for him to take his hands away.

Fourteen, stubborn, boyish, sharp tongued, would be married off to Lord Kester. So Aodh had described the princess. Boyish and lively she did seem, with a set of big hazel eyes and mass of curly hair. Small and skinny, too. Not much feminine yet - if ever. Looked more like a stableboy than a royal princess. Was dressed as one, too.
She looked at Keith, then at Aodh and seemed to measure them both.
“Who are you loyal to? My mother, my brother Cameron or my brother Fingall? Answer me!”

Keith remained silent. He would say whatever Aodh said.
Of course, he knew the answer, but he was of lower rank and so had to let Aodh answer first. Of course, there was also the case of the answer he thought of being wrong.

Aodh bowed, but not too deeply.
“Prince Fingall is my one and true King,” he said simply. “Look into my eyes, princess, and see if I tell a lie.”
“Even eyes may deceive,” Lindsie snapped, but he did look. Aodh gazed back. Summerblue and hazel eyes locked. “You are honest,” Lindsie admitted. “But what of you?” she turned to Keith. “Tell me fast, I implore!”

Of course, as you wish, Keith said sarcastically in his head.
But he did bow as well and reply carefully: “I also serve only Prince Fingall.”
Look, girl. Look.
I’ve lied for years, I’ve fooled them all. Except not my own kind. But you are not. I will fool you. All of you. Games. Dozens of games. All of them for the kingdom. It was easier that way. Not for the people, but for the kingdom with mired in depravity and ruled by false gods.

Lindsie did. For a long time, and then she took a step back.
“You frighten me.”
Aodh jerked.

“I am sorry if I caused you any distress, your highness,” Keith said and bowed politely once more.
He did not understand. He had taken care to keep his expression coolly neutral, his voice soft with a slight tint of compassion. His eyes veiled, showing the same emotion as Aodh’s had showed.
Maybe there was the problem. As Aodh was sincere and Keith was not. If Fingall weren’t their only option as a proper king, Keith would not care whether he lived or died.

“Be quiet,” Lindsey said. “Leave this place, both of you. If anyone asks for me tell them you know nothing. You tell them,” she added, looking at Aodh.
Aodh bowed.
“I shall, your highness. Keith, let’s go.”
He wrapped arm around Keith’s shoulders and lead him outside.
“I don’t understand this,” he said. “Why did she react like that? You were telling the truth, weren’t you?”

“I was putting on my best impression of truth,” Keith said softly. “You know that I neither care nor have loyalty for any of them. Still, the way I presented it, I did not attempt to appear frightening.
Something went wrong.” He was puzzled.

Aodh sighed.
“So - you don’t give a shit if it’s Cameron or Fingall? If Lindsie gets married to Eidard and bedded against her will? If Cameron cuts Fingall’s throat and Grahame’s before him? You really don’t care.
I’m sorry. I need some time to think.”
Aodh turned and hurried off.

Keith remained standing there. He had not even had time to reply to anything.
Aodh was probably right. He did not care. He’d seen death and rapes enough. He’d been raped. What did it matter if it happened to one more? To many more. He did not care personally. He just wanted their plans to turn out the way they were supposed to turn out.
Yes. They were so alike, yet in this they were completely different. Aodh still cared. Keith had never cared as far as he remembered. There was no room in a broken soul to care. He laughed softly. It sounded slightly unsettled.
After a while he walked back to his room. Meaning, the room he shared with Kester, looking harmless and picture-perfect like he was supposed to.

Lord Kester opened his eyes and lifted his head a bit.
“Well hello there… Didn’t think you’d come back. Who would want to spend time with a sick old man, huh?”

“Do not speak so, Your Lordship,” Keith whispered softly and seductively. “I merely wish to be close to you. All preparations are made and Aodh will come to get me when it is time to go.”
Keith took off everything, except for his shirt and sat on the bed close to Kester.

Lord Kester sighed.
“You’re a good boy, Keith. Much better than I am or ever was. My kind hasn’t been kind to you and yet you are kind to me.”

No. I am not.
I am wicked and evil.
Just like the lords I hate so much, Keith thought.
“You have been very good to me, Your Lordship,” Keith said, snuggling a little closer.

“I’ve tried, lad, I’ve tried,” Kester replied. “And please… no need of titles here and now. Just call me Eidard. Can you do that for me? I don’t want to be a … lord… all the time. Sometimes I just wish I could be…well, someone else. Just a man. With spouse to love and children who would love me and not embarrass me or try to kill me. What evil have I done to him, Keith? Tried to raise him when my wife died… Guess I wasn’t good at it, then. Because he grew up a monster. Gods’ punishment upon me, is it? Perhaps it would have served me right to die by his hand. For I have put it into his hand by planting his seed.”

All right. So it was that game.
Keith crawled even closer, lithe and limber as he was.
“You have done no evil,” he whispered softly into Kester’s ear. “Only that the world is cruel to us. Always is and always will be. But let’s not speak of it here. Just let me be close to you, Eidard,” he continued whispering sweetly.

Sir Eidard sighed again.
“Oh Keith, Keith. I have. I’ve done so much by…doing so little. I’ve done evil by stopping no evil. Just looking away. Looking at finer things. Kissing pretty lads like you and… so I forgot. I’m still doing it, I guess. Can’t help it. Trapped, lad. Do you know how that feels? To be old and trapped.. and to know you are.
I wish I could give YOU a better life. But can I? Is it even in my power? What could I do for you, Keith? But you won’t tell me, will you? Because you don’t know and you don’t care of me. Why should you? I am evil as the rest of my kind. You should kill us all, Keith.”

Being trapped. Oh yes, Keith knew it very well. Most of the time he felt it. And then he remembered how he hated and he was free once more.
He had been bedded by quite a share of doddering old fools regretting and grieving for things that had passed and gone. Thinking of what they could have done and feeling sorry about what they had done.
“Do not speak like that,” Keith said quietly. “You frighten me. Please don’t.” He took one of Kester’s hands into his own. “With you it is much better. I no longer have to wander through villages begging for food. I don’t have to sleep in cold hay or in the forest where I could freeze to death. It’s warm here and I have clothes that fit me and aren’t broken.”
He did his best to appear innocent and scared.

“Frighten you, huh?”
Lord Kester moaned quietly.
“Sometimes I frighten myself. Or look a the world and feel so scared that I’d like to pull the blanket over my head and stay hidden, hoping it would go away. You know, like kids do when it’s scary out there.
Be with me, Keith. Because I AM scared. Of the dark, the lonely dark. Scared of dying alone and unloved. Scared of dying never having lived…”

“I am here, Eidard. You are not alone. I am with you, until I must go,” Keith whispered.
Sometimes he wondered whether he should feel remorse. He was alone too. Scared, oh yes. Most of the time. And he hated, hated so much. He was the dark.
The death. The whore. The pretty little doll, who bent and bent and bent. Of course, he also played he could be broken. And hated hated hated hated so much, because that was the only force in his life he had control over. He played the games because he knew how to play them. It was his power.

“They killed the one I loved, Keith. My father and my uncles and their henchmen. They killed him. Yes, it was a lad. Young and beautiful as you are, even younger. And I was young too. Not bad looking, oh noes. I loved him, and slept with him. But they caught us and killed him. Right there, naked before me. Crushed his head so that I was covered with his blood.”

Keith did not even know what he should have pretended. He had not loved anyone. Ever.
“I am sorry,” he whispered. “So sorry for you,” he whispered once again, wrapping himself around Kester and looking sad.
Death. He had seen death, both close and far.
He bit the inside of his cheek. A little pain was good.
Took his mind off that strange aching hollow inside his chest. Don’t you ever even dare to go there, fool. Or you will die. You will go insane and you will die. Don’t you even dare, Keith, you idiot. There are less painful deaths.

Lord Kester cried. Didn’t make a sound, but tears trickled down his face.
“I can’t even remember his face, you know. Thought I’d remember him forever. Mourn him forever. Love him forever. But I was wrong. Five years I did, but then I got married. Then I forgot. His face, his voice, his touch. One day I looked into myself and found no love there. Just emptiness. I was numb and cold.
Forever is a very short time, Keith.”

You do know that normal people feel compassion, Keith? I do. I am not normal. I am sick, heartless and fucked up.
“I am sorry,” he whispered softly, tears echoing in his eyes. “I am so sorry.”
He kept on comforting him with his hands and his heat. His body. His mind did not know how to comfort. His body did.

“You’re a good boy,” sir Eidard whispered. “If I wasn’t so dead inside I’d love you. But now… just let me sleep in your arms. Let me pretend. Let us all pretend because what else is life but a great pretence and murder of love.”

“Yes. Just sleep. Sleep well,” Keith whispered and held Kester.
He was almost gentle. Almost.
He wanted to run outside into the cold snow and roll in it, become cold cold cold and die…freeze…
He wanted to hurt someone. Himself the most. For being a filthy whore.
He wanted to scream at them everything he’d ever felt. How he hated them. Hated them all.
But he did nothing. Just lay there, dead eyes staring at the ceiling.

And Eidard slept.
Often he moaned in his sleep.
Doctor came once. Steward came twice but left, finding Lord Kester asleep.
Servants tiptoed several times, bringing soft wine, fruits and even milk.
Aodh never came. Not before the dusk, clad in black and blue. Simple and shy compared to what Keith planned to wear.
He came, knelt by the bed and brushed fingers over Keith’s cheek.

Keith opened his eyes then and looked back at Aodh.
He had gathered himself somewhat, so he did not look so insane as he had looked previously. A little more life in his eyes. He did not smile.
No. He did not smile. Not yet.

Aodh did, though. Almost. It was more a fire in his eyes than on his lips. Fingers slipped over Keith’s lips and smoothed those.
Aodh appeared ever gentle and calm.

“It is time, I guess,” Keith whispered.
You know why I do not care. Why I hate. It is my only strength. You know. You must know.

“I do,” Aodh whispered, words light as soft breeze. “I so do. Now come. Dine with me and then it is time to go. Yes, time to play.”

Keith unwrapped himself from Kester and began to get dressed slowly.
Into the pretty clothes.
“Let’s eat,” he said quietly.

“I have dinner waiting in my chamber,” Aodh said and lead Keith over once the younger one was finished dressing.
“You look perfect. Charming and sexy daredevil.”
Dishes on Aodh’s table consisted of pies, pork chops and some goose in soft sauce, along with cider and wine. Also - water.
“For you,” Aodh nodded. “Seldom is water drunk, but you should.
Now, as I heard, a hunting trip would be held tomorrow by Cameron. I was invited, but I have duties elsewhere and it is essential that you go, hence -” He unseathed his dagger and offered it to Keith along with his left whereas he held his right hand openly, palm upwards.
“Cut it deep. I must not be fit for that ride. It is essential.”

Keith blinked.
“I do not know how to ride a horse,” he admitted finally. “And how will you explain the cut?”

“To all but Cameron I will say that I injured myself with a bit of broken glass,” Aodh replied calmly. “As to the prince, then he knows I am Lord Kester’s lover and that the good sir is a bit into such practices.
As to riding - as long as you can stay in the saddle and hold to the reins you’ll be alright. And as you are light, nimble and agile, I’m sure you’ll get a hold of it fast. Get up early, ride a bit before the official trip.”

“Ah. All right. But how can I go, when I am not invited?”
Keith knew he was asking too much questions, but better ask too much questions than think of the other things… He did accept the dagger this time though.

“In my stead,” Aodh smiled gently. “I will apologize profusely and send a charming young man in my stead. Besides, methinks the Queen will be there and if we play our cards well tonight, she might even invite you or at least tell Cameron that your presence is welcomed.”

“Understandable,” Keith replied softly.
“I will do it now,” he said then. “The cut.”

Aodh blushed.
“Thank you. Your hand will be much steadier than mine. You see - I’m a total spoilt noble brat, with tender skin and great sensitivity when it comes to pain. Don’t be too taken off if I should faint. That might just happen.”

“Then I will just wake you and resume,” Keith said, almost flippant.
And then he took Aodh’s arm and began cutting. With a rather steady hand, he thought. He did not really want to do this, but it was not as if there was any other chance.

Aodh bit into his lip and hissed, clutching the edge of his chair with left hand. His bright eyes darkened greatly and he moaned. He also hardened visibly and produced quite the same noises he’d be making near orgasm.
But he didn’t faint.

“You like it?” Keith asked quietly, when he had finished.
He licked the blade sensually, tasting the luxurious blood.
He liked it. He was hardening, his pants becoming so tight. His urges rose in him once again and he either felt like having Aodh fuck him raw in the ass or sucking that hard cock.
Mmm…
Yes. Everything was all right again. He knew this. Depravity. Wrongness. He was it. The dark.

Aodh nodded.
“Immensely. Especially since it was you doing it. I’d let you drink me dry, just to see your eyes shine like this. To become one, become yours.”

“I’ll drink of you,” Keith whispered and put the knife away. Then he just took the bleeding hand.
“Both your blood and seed. Both.”
With a predatorish glint in his eyes, he began licking the pale skin, licking it clean. He dipped his tongue into the wound, kissed it and moaned softly. He’d just come in his pants soon. This was all so wrong. And that made it so good. His whole body was hot, nipples perked up, lips red with blood, greedy tongue lapping up all the red liquid.
Yes.
This was what he was.
Darkness.
His cock throbbed, as did his ass.

Aodh lolled his head backwards and moaned darkly. Moaned and groaned and made hundreds of other little noises.
His palm beat like a drum, like his heart.
“Drinking my heart. Drinking my life. Yes. I’ll be yours. Yours only.”
He no longer held on to the chair but slid his left hand over Keith’s body.
“You’re so hot, my darkness. So hot and so dark.”

“I so wish you would fuck me hard. My ass shivers. I want you inside me. Alas, we do not have time for that. We can do it later, when we get back from the bitch,” Keith whispered. He kissed the wound one last time, then just got down on his knees. He pressed his lips to the bulge he felt through the breeches.
“Later. You will fuck me and I will love it. My tight ass will clench around your flesh and I will have every drop of the seed you spill. All of it. I will tremble in anticipation as I play with the Queen, only thinking of how you will fuck me afterwards. And then I will ride your cock.
And tomorrow I will ride the horse and every move will remind me of you and your cock. How you fucked me so hard I thought I was going to die. I will think of all that as I ride and play with them,” he spoke, at the same time working Aodh’s breeches open and freeing that cock.
Mmm…he licked over the head, teasing the slit with his tongue. Kissed a trail downwards, licked the balls. He wanted this. Needed this. With a cock in his throat, he knew where he was. With a cock in his ass, he knew where he was. He was the ruler then. Oh yes, he was.
He licked and teased some more, his eyes looking upwards. Dark and wide they were, the usually so light green almost black. His lips were already swollen as they closed around the hard flesh. He gorged himself on it, taking it slowly deeper and deeper…

Aodh but moaned and laughed, groaned and cackled.
“You’re insane. Yes. Yes. Anything you want. Everything you want. I’m yours. And you’re mine. My darkness. My dagger. And I your sheathe.”

Keith only moaned in reply. Finally he had it all, in such a way that he could even lick Aodh’s balls. With trembling hands he undid his own pants and gripped his own hard leaking cock.
Then he began to suck and to pleasure properly. He wanted every drop. He had meant what he had said. Oh, yes. Yes.
The darkness. He’d feed on it. He’d become it. He’d hide in it. Yes. He would be the darkness. He was the darkness and Aodh had been his gate. Still was. Tears ran from his eyes, but they were from that slight loss of breath. So good. Mmm… He felt like he could suck this hard flesh forever, move his head back and forth, giving pleasure.
He wanted to push Aodh down on the seat and come to impale himself upon that hard shaft, but he’d save it for later. It would be his reward for succeeding. Oh yes.
He rubbed himself as he sucked, making lustful noises. This pleasure was driving him crazy. He loved it. Oh yes.

“You will,” Aodh vowed, hardly able to speak and nearly breathless. “You will. I will. He will need neither of us. Eidard. Spend the night with me. With me. Yes. And ride. Ride forever. Yours. Only. Yours. Keith. Yours.”
Pleasure shook him mightily and he erupted. Almost fainted now. Drifted upon a dark wave, but hands caressing Keith were forever gentle.

Keith took it all, sucking Aodh even when he was shuddering. He licked every drop, as if it were the sweetest drink. To him it was. Finally he licked his lips clean and drew away.
He still had his own rock-hard cock in hand.
So close to exploding.
Aodh looked so beautiful. Oh yes. Keith would ride upon his cock until they both just passed out from exertion. But they were young and lusty, so that moment would not be soon in coming.

Aodh smiled at him drowsily.
“Give that to me. Give me. We better go. Soon. Yes.”
He reached out for Keith’s manhood and took it into his soft trembling palm. Held with one and rubbed the head with the other. Round and round and round while smiling happily at Keith.

“Oh…yes,” Keith hissed in pleasure and just thrust forward, rubbing himself against those soft hands. He was truly insatiable. Truly a whore.
He laughed as he came, shuddering and thrashing, rubbing himself into those hands, eyes closed.

Aodh picked him up, though he almost fell over. And thus Keith ended up in Aodh’s lap, being gently and soothingly kissed and nuzzled.