“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.

“Thank you,” Aodh whispered back at him. Very gently he pulled the shirt over Keith’s head and let it fall on the floor. Same happened to the breeches and then boots. And they were already lying on the cape, so…
Like a pool of blood.
Aodh said that.
“Naked in the pool of blood. Blood of our enemies, Keith.”
His lips were so soft and so lustrous. Going down the navel, licking, sucking himself to Keith’s hip like a leech.

Keith sighed and moaned loudly. And when Aodh got to his hip, he moaned even more.
He was a miracle. Keith felt himself going insane from all the pleasure. There was just so much of it. “Please…” he whispered, begging for real. Blood, yes. The blood of their enemies.

“I have not even started yet,” Aodh promised. “Turn around. I want your buttocks and I want them now. I promise I will give you the best of me.”
Warm hand slid over Keith’s gear, up and down, fondling and caressing. “I believe you have done it. Seldom, though. I don’t believe you’ve been done, or maybe some lovesick fool has… It doesn’t matter. I will be better.”

“Of course you will be,” Keith whispered huskily. “You are the best.”
He got on his stomach, feeling so good that he did not even think of the last time someone had tried to pleasure him there. He did not want to think of it at all, lest he face some quite unpleasant truths that were best buried deep inside and forgotten.

Aodh didn’t respond to that and if Keith had seen his face at the moment he would have found it both eerie and grim. But he, too, did not wish to think of such matter for the small while and so he got down to the business, keeping both his hands and tongue in good work.

Keith sighed softly in pleasure, letting him enjoy what was being done to him. After all, there were very few such times for him. So they had to be enjoyed to the fullest.
Oh yes.
He cried out and curved upwards, body flush with pleasure, cock weeping.

Aodh grinned and carried on, only stopping as long as it took to turn Keith swiftly around and kiss around his cock while his fingers found the most pleasurable areas where his lips had just been.

Keith threaded his fingers into the cloak and arched closer, moaning and shivering madly.
“So good,” he whispered. “The best…the best,” he babbled.

Aodh but smiled and urged him with any means to reach his peak and beyond. He could do it. Pleasure the one to whom pleasure was almost dead, killed by the vultures and snakes. But he still had it. He still had Keith beyond the whore. He had the messenger of Death.

Keith gave the whole of himself, shuddering and squirming under all of these touches and kisses.
He did explode, but he was too high to really remember when. And when he came down, he was close to passing out.

And then there was someone knocking hard and fervent on the door.
“Sir Gillespie! Sir Gillespie! Oh please be there! Lord Kester has been wounded! Sir Gillespie!”

Oh, shit.
Keith drew away quickly, feeling his instincts kick in right away. He wiped himself clean and pulled his blue clothes on. The black ones he gathered into the cloak, which he hid away from plain sight. Then he combed through his hair with his fingers and tried not to look like he had had one of the best orgasms of his life.

Aodh got dressed as a bolt of lightning, too, and opened the door. A manservant, and one pretty young and pretty frightened, who stuttered and with three turns managed to tell them that Lord Kester had been stabbed. The doctor was with him and he absolutely demanded to see Aodh.

Keith made to look properly shocked and afraid, while his mind worked at who could it have been.
Seoras, of course.
Only he was stupid enough to do something like that.

They found Lord Kester in bed and in shitty shape with a doctor beside his bed who didn’t look overly happy at Aodh’s attempt to approach.
Lord Kester’s upper body was naked and now also in bandages. But the blood did show. Apparently someone had stabbed him to his left side.
“I sent for them, you fool,” sir Eidard grunted. “Now go. You’ve done your share.” It seemed that it hurt him to speak.
The doctor got up rather reluctantly, bowed and left.
“Lock the door,” Lord Kester commanded. “Then come over, you two.”

Keith let out a very soft hello and nodded his head. When they were ordered to lock the door, he did so quickly. After that he came back to the bed, looking worried and surprised and confused.
Just like he was supposed to look.
Inside he wanted to find out what had happened, even if he could predict it well enough.

“Said he’d come and kill me,” Lord Kester growled. “Told you, didn’t I, Keith? Oh and he did. But there’s still life in this old body, yes there is. And now I WILL disown him. Stupid goose. As if he’d gain something from putting me down, eh?”

So it had been Seoras.
“Of course not, Your Lordship. He would not have gained anything,” Keith said quietly. “Can I do something for you, Your Lordship?”

“Gimme a kiss, you little flirt,” Lord Kester replied. “And Aodh - for you I say this - kill him. Kill him before he tries again, misses and accidentally kills me.”
Aodh nodded solemnly.
“Your will be done, my lord.”
He looked at Keith. You don’t have to make it an accident if you don’t want to. You can use the dagger and have your vengeance and justice in full might.

Keith’s eyes glittered back softly and dangerously. He understood.
And then he smiled at Kester and kissed him just like the little flirt whom he was pretending to be.

Kester kissed him back but he tasted of sickness.
“Now leave me, you rascals. I’ll try to sleep. If I should die I’ll let you know, huh?”

“You are not going to die, Your Lordship,” Keith whispered softly with a smile. “Sleep well.”
He rose from the bed, ready to follow Aodh.

“Keith,” His Lordship spoke when they were at the door. “Her Majesty has still requested your presence tonight at her private chambers. Even without me. Especially…without me.”
He moaned and growled at himself.
“I will accompany him, my lord,” Aodh spoke gently. “Have no worries. I will take care of everything and everyone.”

Oh. So the Queen really wanted to see him. Keith steeled himself. He had to pull this off. He so had to pull it off. He would. He was good. He was Keith, every man’s dream.
“Aodh will take care of everything. I will not fail you, I promise,” he said gently.

Lord Kester gritted his teeth.
“I know you won’t,” he spoke up. “You’re a good lad. You’ll make us all proud. Good luck with her.”
“We wish you a good and speedy recovery, my lord,” Aodh replied gallantly. “Keith, take your overcoat, let us walk in the gardens.”

“Thank you, Your Lordship,” Keith said politely. He then got his overcoat and pulled it on, ready to follow again.
He had some questions. The most pressing of them was whether he should kill the bastard right away or after Seoras had taken him to meet Cameron.

The garden was damn huge and seemed pretty desolate. It snowed and tatters fell on random ice statues of several animals and birds. There was a bear and a wolf, even a tiger, once they turned a corner to find a lonelier path. But there beside the tiger stood a tall and handsome young man.
Aodh bowed deep.
“Good evening, my prince.”
Dark eyes peered at him and Keith from a face noble and beautiful.
“Good evening, good sir. But may I inquire why do you accost me thus?”

Keith was slightly confused, but then regained his composure quickly enough to bow politely as well. He remained silent.

“To make sure your highness knows where my heart and loyalty lie,” Aodh replied. “And to offer you my sword should you need it.”
Fingall appeared a bit confused.
“I am not the King. I cannot accept any swords or swordsmen…”
“One needs swordsmen to become a king, my prince,” Aodh said quietly and sternly. “To live long enough to wear the crown.”
Prince Fingall sighed.
“If you have in mind to warn me from my brother, then I know of his intentions, good sir. I do thank your for your offer and I do not decline it. I also thank you for your concern, but I assure you I can take good care of myself.”

Keith kept himself silent the whole time.
He had nothing to say.
They did have the same aims, he and Aodh, but in a way they were different. Aodh at least believed in some of the people they dealt with. Keith only believed in him.
Because only Aodh had given him something of worth. Because Aodh had not betrayed him.

“My prince,” Aodh bowed simply. “We wish you a good evening and take our leave with your permission.”
“Yes, of course,” Fingall replied. “Oh, I’m sorry. I have not met you before, young sir. Good evening,” the prince told Keith. His eyes were like two dark lakes, crystal clear. His face bore no shadows and yet he did not seem happy. Neither did he appear sad.

Keith dared to look back.
“Good evening, your highness,” he said politely. “My name is Keith. It is an honor to meet you.”

Fingall nodded lightly.
“Keith. Keith of which lineage? I apologize, I should know our noblemen better, but I do not recall your face.”

“I am with Lord Kester, one of his relatives,” he replied lightly. “I have not been to the court earlier, so you do not need to apologize.”

Fingall smiled.
“Pleased to meet you, sir Keith. You have my leave now and I shall take mine. I wish you a good evening, gentlemen.”
He cocked his head and left.
Tiger stared at Keith with icy eyes.

Keith remained there, of course. After a while he turned his eyes away from the statue.

Aodh walked on, knowing that Keith would follow. In the midst of the icy garden was a castle made of ice. A true masterpiece. Aodh entered, beckoning Keith.
In the big hall in the middle of it he finally came to halt.
“Here we can talk. You see, you cannot sneak up to anyone in a building which is see-through.”

“Understandable,” Keith said softly and stood right next to Aodh.
He waited for him to continue before starting to ask any of his questions.

“Seoras must be killed,” Aodh said quietly. “Do you wish to slay him with the dagger or shall we stick to our previous plan of an accident?”

“I did,” Keith replied politely, putting on a good smile. He sat down with them. “Thank you. I am very hungry indeed.” He began to eat, sending Aodh a glance which said that he would talk later.

“Dig in,” Aodh grinned back at Keith, nodding. Yes, they would talk, they would plot and they would kill Seoras. First in the long line of deaths to clean the plague off the surface of Labhrainn, making way to the new just and good king.
There was pork, there was chicken, there was fish. Enough leftovers to feed a pack of hungry boys. Wine and cider, bread and muffins. Huge beans in minty red sauce.
“Try that one,” Aodh suggested. “If there hadn’t been so much of it, we wouldn’t have spared a crumb.” He rested his head upon Lord Kester’s shoulder, who played with his curls of gold.
“Oh what a time we had,” sir Eidard murmured. “Watch out, Keith… you have a rival here. But Aodh is a sweet lad, he’d make a good friend to you.”

Keith just smiled politely. “Indeed. He has been nothing but good to me. Just like you, Your Lordship.” He continued eating, even if he was not hungry. Gods, he hated the bastard. Wanted him dead. Wanted them all dead.
He needed Aodh. The feeling was strange. Very strange. But he kept on playing. A good little whore.

“See, Aodh, he’s such a little flirt. Just like you when you first came to me. Now, how old were you, again?”
“Fourteen, my lord,” Aodh replied and not so very reverently kissed Lord Kester’s hand. “And I have never had any regrets, I can assure you that. You have taken good care of me and I am sure you will take as good care of Keith. I also promise that I will stand by his side and assist him in anything and everything he needs help with.”

Keith smiled, while he laughed inside. Oh yes, he laughed. Laughed like a mad man.
“I thank you both for everything,” he said politely.

Lord Kester nodded.
“You are very much welcome, my dear. Now, Aodh has told me he has made all the arrangements and appointments you need to have with the tailors and seamstresses and well… the rest of the lot. Do tell them you need a pair of clothing very soon, because I have spoken to the Queen about you, since you have been noticed - by a certain young prince, I might add, and she wishes to see you. There is a small gathering in her chambers each night, and I’ve been told to bring you along. So I must. See if that lot can make you something with these hours. If not, then I’m afraid our dear Aodh will have to lend you. Now, I do trust you into his care, because he has promised me that what happened between you will not repeat, at least not without my consent. You could entertain me some other time, though. I’d love to watch the two of you and join in…”
Aodh kissed his cheek and peered teasingly at Keith.
“What say you, sir Keith? Could you possibly tolerate making out with me?”
“Do say yes,” Lord Kester pleaded. “Be a good lad. See, Aodh wants you so, and so do I. Come, give us both a pretty kiss. We have missed you, haven’t we, Aodh?”
The latter nodded and beamed.

“Yes, of course, Your Lordship.”
Keith smiled.
Kester had no idea how he was being played right now. Just no idea. And Aodh was a genius.
“I could,” he replied with a wink and slipped into Kester’s gracefully, first giving the lord a thorough kiss and then turning to do the same to Aodh.

With Lord Kester beaming at them, Aodh gave Keith his tongue and then his lips followed, gluing against Keith and kissing him thoroughly, yet carefully, as to not make it longer or seemingly better than those he had shared with the Lord himself. To make up, though, he rubbed his hand against Lord Kester’s groin and heard the man heartily chuckle.
But his mind was meshed with Keith’s, almost as if he could read it. They were veiled by darkness and the old sunlit fool would never know.

Keith’s fingers also slipped downwards to pleasure the Lord. He kissed Aodh slowly, but eventually drew away and cuddled into Kester’s arms. As if he had been better.

Lord Kester chuckled and put arms around Keith, kissing his hair.
“You are cute. Both of you. You’re both damn cute and I am one lucky guy to be with you.”
Aodh beamed and kissed Keith’s shoulder, feeling the wound beneath the cloth and seeking to soothe it.

“We are lucky to be able to be with you, Your Lordship,” Keith whispered.
He hurt. Hurt in such a way that he just wanted to go away somewhere and hide. Like he always wanted to. Because the darkness was better than anything else. Better than anything else.

“My dearest lord,” Aodh purred. “It has been most pleasurable and we would of course love to stay with you until the end of times, but duty calls, and our beloved Keith needs to be trimmed and clothed and taught, or else he might slip before the Queen, and appearing in old shabby robes will not do. So, if you excuse us, we shall take our leave from you and prepare for the evening. I promise he will look splendid and you can feel proud of him.”

Keith made to look a little sad, but then he brightened up.
“I would not want to cause you shame, Your Lordship. I will listen to Aodh and hear what he has to teach. I hope I get to pleasure you soon,” he whispered into Kester’s ear.

Lord Kester shook his head and chuckled.
“You’re such a cute flirt, Keith. That you are. Now go, my lads. Go or I will keep you for ever and send a word to the Queen to fuck herself. Go.”
Aodh rose, kissed sir Eidard warmly on his cheek and took Keith by hand.
“Let’s go.”
And so he lead him still by hand through the corridor and up some steps until he could unlock a little chamber and enter, locking and barring it.
Now, this was a chamber much less fancy than the others, but cosy nonetheless. Warm colours of drapes and carpet, a little corner for washing and bed hidden by heavy curtains. A small table with Aodh’s personal belongings such as his medicine kit. Two comfortable old armchairs.
“Sit,” Aodh suggested. “And tell me of the snake.”

Keith sat down tiredly and curled up. He hated the bastard. And the worst would be that he would have to please him many times before he could kill him.
“He fucked me. Used candles on me too. Bit me. Nothing more. Says he wants to introduce me to some people. Might send for me tomorrow night. I bet it’s Cameron. Said that if I were wise, I could get far and stuff like that. Threatened to chop my dick off and choke me with it if I betrayed him to Kester or anyone. Plans to kill Kester, I think.
And that is all.”

Aodh sighed, then walked to the door, opened it, called for someone, gave some orders and returned.
“You did well, Keith. Your sufferings were not for nothing. I had my suspicions about Seoras and his fellow libertines having connections with Cameron and his ambitions, but now you have assured this. Tomorrow night they will gather in a brother tavern, Seoras and his merry gang. You must join him, lure him into more heavy drinking and later a walk upon the castle wall. Then you can kill him. You want this, don’t you?”

“I do,” Keith replied with something that could have been called a smile if it only had not been so vicious. “I can manage. I will kill him. But I need a story. What to tell them. And I need to know how to behave around Cameron.”

Aodh smiled.
“I sent for ice. I will tend your wounds before sir Eidard grows suspicious. A story, aye? First of all, you would be obeying Seoras, whom you fear but also are attracted to. Besides that - the snake is ambitious. You may act out that so are you. Be it through beds or otherwise, but you seek a higher position. You do not like the Queen - good. You think prince Fingall is a fool - even better. You see Cameron as a spirited and powerful leader - excellent.
Now, as to Cameron, then there is one main fact you must always bear in mind - he has only three labels for people: the useless and harmless whom he disregards, the useful, whom he trusts not but uses to fit his purposes, many of those believing that they have gained either his trust or even his affection - how very wrong, and the third - the possibly dangerous, whom he will eliminate sooner or later, most likely using the second category to eliminate the third. Queen Beathag is a clever and cruel manipulator. Cameron is of her blood and learned from her mistakes. So far, he has made none himself. Bear in mind that he may keep his brother Frank as his closest companion and trustee, but if he but suspected the other has betrayed him, he wouldn’t hesitate a minute to cut his throat. That is the nature of Cameron. Be useful to him, be loyal, be trusted, but never ever think he trusts you or believes in your loyalty. He’s a gamer just like we.”

Keith listened attentively and committed everything he heard steadfastly into his memory. He would need it. Oh, how dangerous the game had become. More dangerous and hurtful than anything else before it.
But he had to. So that one day he might wake and see all of them cast down from power. To see a world with no place for whores. And then he would end. But no. No good to think about that.
“I understand. I will do so.”
He nodded.

“If we won’t fight, no one does,” Aodh whispered, and then went to answer the door. He returned with a bucket of ice and towels, having bolted the door again. “Take your clothes off,” he said softly. “I need to inspect your injuries and treat them. You look more hurt than you express. Don’t fool me, Keith. I remember what wax felt like.”

“It’s nothing. I have gotten used to that.” Keith began stripping himself.

Aodh sighed and wouldn’t argue. Then he saw the burns and hissed, blue eyes lit in vicious fire.
“Justice,” he whispered. “Justice that he dies by your hand. The little one, Alan… He died. Last in the line of many.”

Keith bit his lip.
“Yes. He will die. Will die.”
By my hand.
Do not think of it. So many of them had died. So many. So many died each day, playthings tossed away carelessly. Raped to death, killed, or gone mad and killed themselves. The list went ever on.
No justice but their own.
“Dammit.”
He felt like throwing up.

“I’m sorry, Keith,” Aodh murmured. “I’m very sorry. And I have no condolence or sweetness to give you, no comfort, nothing. All I have, I have already given you. Hoping it would keep us both alive a little longer. We are doomed as we walk and doomed as we talk. Tools, but no longer tools of them but against them. No longer belonging to them but belonging to something greater than gods because even these gods have been made by men. We belong to the justice that says - every action causes a reaction and what you do unto your fellow men will be done unto you.”
He shivered, his voice hoarse.

Keith nodded.
“I think we should…the ice and stuff.”
He really was no good at this deep talk. It made him squirmy and uncomfortable. He did not want to think about these things.
One day you have to stop running, Lachie had said. Keith did not care. He did not run. He lived. A whore’s life, but still a life. “You don’t have to be sorry. Done this all my life. So, nothing to be sorry about.”

Aodh exhaled heavily.
“Yes. We should.”
He lied one of the towels out on the bed, scattered ice on it and covered it with another towel.
“Lie on it, please.”

Keith did so, feeling the ice under his back. It was cold, but much more pleasant than the candle wax had been.

“You may turn when you feel like it. I will put the bucket beside you, so you can take some lumps and hold them where you like. It will take down the swelling, otherwise the red marks might stay. Now I will clean up your shoulder and hips with the grain spirit, alright? And once we are done you can dress up and we will go talk to the tailors. Unless you have other plans.”

“No. I don’t have any plans.”
He had none. He was actually led by Aodh. But…but he found that he trusted him a little. Soon he turned around, on his stomach. “Yes, go ahead. I can manage. Thank you.”

Aodh nodded and poured spirit over a cloth. Then he lie beside Keith, offering his lips while his fingers with the cloth moved towards Keith’s bloody shoulder.

Keith kissed Aodh, almost tenderly and forgot himself into the feeling, so that he would not have to think about anything else. Everything else was so bad in this world. The only good thing was Aodh, his lips, his fingers, his body.
His darkness.

Aodh chuckled.
“That might just be the sweetest thing I’ve ever been told. You see - I believe it when you say it.”
But he said no more and granted Keith his wish. Those kisses were bittersweet and oh how delicious.

You crazy crazy man, no, creature of the darkness, Keith thought and answered each one of those kisses. Almost sweetly and tenderly. Almost.
This. This was life. This was what he wanted.

Aodh pulled his lips free, bleeding.
“Now fuck me. We have but little time. I believe you want to. I want to. I want you. Fuck me. Trust in me and fuck me.”

“Oh, I will,” Keith said and licked his lips. “We just need some grease.”

“Use the lotion, silly,” Aodh whispered.

Keith blushed. “See? You make me so horny I start to forget things,” he said, took the lotion and coated his fingers with it. Teasingly he went down, until he could start preparing Aodh and at the same time he kissed him hungrily. He would never get enough. Never.

Aodh moaned into those kisses. Hungry? Oh yes, damn starving. He clenched those muscles around Keith’s fingers and bit into his partner’s lower lip, nibbling on it.

Keith explored Aodh slowly, looking for that one special spot. So damn strange and wrong, but so right at the same time. Wasn’t like it was anyone’s business anyways. Besides them, of course.

The sought was soon to be found and Aodh threw his head backwards, groaning. “That… Yes. Right there. Oh dammit.” He laughed lowly.

“You sound like you like it,” Keith said with a smirk and continued teasing.

“Perhaps I… sound like I… seek revenge,” Aodh murmured and a moist finger slid inside Keith, going right at HIS magic spot.

Keith sighed softly, his eyes going wide. “That way we…won’t get to fucking…” he managed to say.

Aodh grinned. “I can keep that…up…whileyoufuckme!”

“No,” Keith whispered. “Can’t focus that way.”

An eyebrow rose.
“Oh well. Concentrate, aye? Alright then. Do concentrate. I cannot say I’d mind…” And Aodh laughed heartily.

Keith did find easier to concentrate now that he was not drowning in pleasure. He prepared himself as well, then pushed Aodh onto his back and slowly entered him. It was such a strange feeling, as he usually used to take only those fools who claimed to love him.
However, Aodh here was no fool.
Damn it, how tight and hot. Oh yes.
He looked at Aodh with half-lidded eyes full of lust, lips slightly parted, body burning. His hands were at Aodh’s hips, gripping pale flesh.

Aodh cried out. Would have been louder and his eyes spoke of it, but he muffled it into Keith’s lips and just shivered in pleasure. He laughed quietly and rather madly, arching upwards to have that wonderful cock even deeper. It hurt - a bit, it pleasured - gods how much.

“Oh yes,” Keith whispered into Aodh’s lips and began thrusting inside him. The sensations were overwhelming. But so good…
So damn good…

Aodh flung arms around Keith and pulled him closer, so that not even air could get between them. Nipple to nipple, skins meshing, becoming one, just as lips did.
He closed his eyes and forgot about the world. His darkness became Keith.

Keith also forgot himself inside Aodh, but he liked that. He liked being able to forget, to drown into this dirty mad pleasure, the single-minded simple movement of back and forth, the taste on his lips. Oh yes. He forgot.
He became faster and more fervent, as his pleasure peaked. He came with a low guttural growl, almost biting into Aodh’s lips, body wrecking in shudders.

Aodh caught him and held him, shudders meshing and creating a new symphonic rhythm. Hot seed flowing inside him and between them, gluing them together even stronger.

Keith just slumped on him, breath erratic and heart beating wildly.
“Damn good…” he whispered. Just that damn good. He smiled, his hair sticking in his eyes a little.

“Yes,” Aodh whispered. “So damn good.”
And then the door creaked. Somebody pulled it. Aodh jerked up, listening. If it was some servant or maid, they would find the door locked and leave. However, if it was not… Aodh held his breath, hands around Keith, still.

Keith also raised his head in confusion. Damn it.
Who could it be?
“Is the hunt over?” he asked Aodh with a very soft whisper. The prince was not supposed to be back, right? And what gave you the idea that the prince would want to see you again, stupid?

“Must be…” Aodh breathed in response.
But then the someone pulled again, stronger, and they could hear some surprised grunting.
Then the someone knocked.
“Father? Let me in, god dammit! I know you are back!”
“Seoras,” Aodh breathed. “What do you wish to do with him?”

“Could we?” Keith asked softly.
kill him, were the words he did not say. Because he did want to kill the bastard. He did.

Aodh nodded.
“But you will have to play it well,” he replied, hot breath going over Keith’s ear. “Seduce him, lure him. Nighttime. Drunk time. Sometimes the drunk take long walks on high places. Sometimes they slip and fall…”
Meanwhile Seoras kept banging at the door.
“Father, please. Let me in. I want to talk to you. I want to apologize.”

“Of course,” Keith replied wickedly, then pulled himself out and put a shirt on. He opened the door a little and peered out. “I am sorry, but your father is not here,” he said quietly.

“Keith,” Aodh hissed, but the lad had already gone to the door. So he had nothing better to do than to get a hold of his clothes and disappear behind the bath curtains.
Young sir Seoras certainly did look fancy in his new set of blue robes. But his face contorted in anger and disgust at the sight of Keith.
“Why you little rat,” Seoras fizzed. “Don’t you dare and lie to me. Why is the door locked if my father isn’t here? What court do YOU hold behind closed doors?!”

Oh, damn it. Seoras hated him. Well, now he had to make the bastard like him again. He could do it. Quickly he wracked his mind to come up with the best possible solution,
“I am sorry,” Keith replied, keeping his head down and his posture subservient. “I am sorry about what happened. I did not tell him anything. I kept the door closed, because I did not want to be disturbed.”
Then he raised his eyes and shivered as if he were slightly afraid.

Seoras still bore welts on his face, and pretty angry ones. After all, older Kester had not spared the whip. “Oh really? And you know what the goddamned geezer told me? That he’d disown me! Disown ME!”

“I…gods, I…he’s so old…I don’t want to be with him. Honestly. And…I think he kinda loves me…gross. He is crazy for me…but…I don’t like him at all…”

Seoras grinned, eyes still suspicious.
“So, you’re keeping the door locked, bolting the relic out? Or maybe hiding some young lover? We would have had some good time, you and me, if only the dirty old man hadn’t barged in like a maniac.”

Keith licked his lips slowly and lowered his voice.
“I truly enjoyed being with you. I loved the way you claimed me…” Keith took a deep breath and his cock twitched noticeably, because the shirt barely reached his hips. “It was like burning, so good…you made me ache, I so wanted to have you inside me.”
He took half a step forward, his flesh growing harder and his voice throatier with every word.

Seoras peered at him intently, as if trying to detect a possible lie, but he saw none, then how hard he looked. Instead he saw heat and a swelling cock. He just had to touch it to convince himself he wasn’t deceived. Nope, he wasn’t. NOBODY could fake a hard-on. If they didn’t like you, they were limp. They did not look and feel like this.
He smiled.
“You can still have it, you know. Yes you can. All you have to do is ask.”

Keith walked closer and pressed himself against Seoras.
“See? So hard for you. Yes. Yes, I want it. But not here. In your chamber, for example. He will never find out. I will not tell.”

Seoras laughed lowly, running fingers over Keith’s swelling.
“That’s right. You won’t. Because should I find out you have I shall find you and kill you. Rip your balls off, chop off your dick and smother you with it. You understand that, don’t you, dear?”

Insane. Oh yes, an insane mad dog. Who will die soon. Very soon.
“I do understand it. I will not say anything, I promise,” Keith whispered, looking suitably intimidated. “Let me get my clothes and let us go.”
He sighed softly, rubbing his hard flesh against Seoras.

“Good,” Seoras smiled, licking hungrily over Keith’s cheek and earlobe. “Very good. Go and return swiftly. I’ll be waiting in my room. It wouldn’t look good to wait you here like some silly servant or my dear old father. Put on something sexy and come.”

Keith sighed again and gave a sultry smile. When Seoras had left, he closed and bolted the door again. “He is gone now,” he said quietly. His cock slowly became limp again.

“And no need to repeat what he said,” Aodh replied, appearing from between the curtains again, now quite fully dressed. “You did well, Keith. I wish you wouldn’t have to do what you must do now, but it is better to do and know what you do it for than do and keep doing for nothing.”
He slid fingers over Keith’s cheek and lips.

“I don’t think he will be wanting to use a whip for quite some time, so I think I will manage it.”
Keith smirked.
“So, I just go there and let him fuck me. Should be enough. Or do you want something else as well?”

Aodh smiled grimly.
“You will kill him soon, the snake. Think of it. Think of it each moment so that he cannot poison you. But as for me… A kiss, perhaps, if you feel like it. Nothing less, nothing more.”

“A kiss, then,” Keith whispered and gave his lips to Aodh.

Aodh pulled Keith against him, burying his partner into his golden curls. His lips were as hungry as ever. Just like he’d never had Keith before but always longed. Finally he stopped and pulled away.
“Go now. I shall keep Lord Kester busy until you return. I’ll tell him I’ve taken the liberty to send you to town to get me a special surprise for him. That will keep him from prodding deeper into this.”

“And what is that special surprise?” Keith asked while getting dressed. He was still slightly breathless. Damn those kisses which were so good.

Aodh chuckled. “Now, wouldn’t you want to know? Alright, I’ll tell you. Even let you try them on me - or you - in case you’d find handcuffs and chains erotic. I would. Think of that, Keith…”

Keith flinched.
“I…do not find being restrained pleasuring,” he finally said.

Aodh nodded.
“I figured you wouldn’t. Perhaps I would. By you.
And Lord Kester certainly does enjoy some good bondage. But go now, go. Else he will return and find you here with me. I’d rather he found me alone, half naked on his bed and waiting in anticipation. You know how it goes…”

“I will go,” Keith said and went.
He hated chains. Hated them. Because those who used them were usually into some other rather painful things too. But it did not matter - he was a whore and he could take it.
He vaguely remembered where Seoras’s room was, but he found the way well enough.

He found Seoras in an airy, lavishing, luxurious room adorned with blue silks and drapes. The young man with the body of a god and spirit of a venomous snake lie half naked on the bed, leaning on his elbows, peering at Keith.
“Well come in, dear. Close the door. Bolt it. We wouldn’t want some old dirty relic to storm in and rescue you, now, would we?”

Keith pretended to be amazed and hardened in his pants. His heart beat a little faster, knowing that he would die if the other found out his deception. The stakes were higher than ever this time.
He gave Seoras a slightly mystical smile, then turned and bolted the door as he had been ordered. Now he wore black again.
The color of death.
“Exactly. Because I do not want to be rescued,” he said quietly and began taking off his jacket.

“Looks as if you truly don’t,” Seoras replied, eyes measuring Keith both hungrily and lazily. “So tell me, dear, what do you want to do before we get involved with the main act? Any special requests? And don’t give me that - “what ever pleases you, sir”. I’ll get pissed when you say that and you don’t want me pissed, now, do you? It pleases me to hear your opinion on the matter, dear. It cannot be whip, this time, or anything else that would leave much of a track, because otherwise my old man will come down on me again. Oh, lucky day when I can cut his damn throat, I say. And I will, my dear. I will. He is a fool and doesn’t understand where it would be wise to lay his loyalty. Future lies not with the mad Queen or that silly Fingall. The wise know where it lies. Are you wise, my dear?”

Damn. Most of them did not care about what he wanted. He had hoped that Seoras would be the same. All right. Keith finished with his jacket.
“I am, my lord,” he whispered, putting on a lusty demeanor.
He took off his shirt, as if he could not wait and then began to work on his pants, eying Seoras’ cock with a look that pretended to be hungry.
“I want to suck your cock and ride upon it, while you kiss me,” he said, revealing his own, which was hard again.
He could do this. He had to. Aodh would be waiting. Aodh cared about how well Keith did this. All of this. Just a mad mad game. He was fully naked, when he got on the bed gracefully. He got closer and closer.

“Good,” Seoras murmured. “Be wise, my dear, be good and I might introduce you to some people. Help you guide your loyalty. It pays off very well, trust me.”
He ran a claw over Keith’s side but without much grazing it.
“Giving head sounds fine to me. Kissing? Why not. But it is still boring, my dear, boring. It’s not fun if it doesn’t hurt, Keith. Don’t you miss it? The pain meshed with pleasure and turning into endless burning lust?”

“I trust you,” Keith said, shivering under the touch. He could find things out this way, oh yes, he could. “Pain. Of course. Maybe you could spank me. I would like that. And candles. Candles are nice. They hurt.” He got even closer, so that he could rub himself against Seoras and show him how much he wanted all of this. For real inside his head he of course wanted just to push the bastard off the roof to his death. Yes.

Seoras laughed lowly.
“Candles. Yes. Very good. Candles. I love candles. I’ll get us some. You just stay here, dear. Feel comfortable. I will get us some…candles.”
He rose and picked up a candlestick of five, placing it near the bed and plucking one thin yellow candle.
“Look, now isn’t it nice. Burning, dripping just like a cock in heat. I’ve often wondered when and who was he that first found how much pleasure a candle can bring.”

Keith reclined on his side, displaying all that he had got, trying to make himself look as desirable as possible. His eyes followed intently Seoras’ every movement.
Comfortable? Hell no. He nodded when Seoras talked and finally answered quietly: “It feels so good, that moment when the wax touches the skin. Like a flower of pain, isn’t it?”
To every discerning eye he appeared completely hard and needy, almost insane of lust and just barely reining it in.

Seoras chuckled, slithering unto the bed by Keith’s side.
“Flower of pain? Now, aren’t we just poetic today, dear Keith. And looking inviting. IN, Keith. In. It’s a pretty word. Now, do tell me, where do you want it? I’ll give you the first pick.”

“Here,” said Keith, rolled on his back and touched his nipples. He would have rather gone without pain, but the game demanded it.

Seoras grinned.
“Ah. Yes. Excellent choice, my dear. I couldn’t have picked better myself. It makes a good appetizer. Because you see, I have plans for you.”
He ran his hand over Keith’s chest and abdomen.
“Such a soft tender canvas.”
He licked teasingly over left nipple and then tipped the candle over, waiting for the wax to dribble and drop, bleeding over the nipple, hot and searing.

Keith cried out softly, keeping the lustful smile well in place and pretended to enjoy.
“What plans, if I may ask?” His voice was low and husky. From lust, of course. At least it would sound like that to Seoras.

“Wouldn’t you want to know, curious dear,” Seoras smirked. “Well maybe I tell you and maybe I don’t. I’m not a fool, my dear. Why should I trust you? How do I know you won’t run to daddy dear if I SHOULD tell you? Not as if anyone would believe him, but still… don’t want troubles on my pretty head. But now, where were we? Oh yes.”
And he dipped the candle over, wax dribbling down over the other nipple, running down the side and towards neck.
“Like it, my dear?”

“I trust you and won’t ask no more. You will tell me if you want to,” Keith said, putting in his best effort to appear completely sincere. And when the wax hit his tender skin again, he mewled and moaned, cock twitching. “Oh yes…so good.”

Seoras kissed the red marks, picking off the wax. Fingers ran over Keith’s length.
“So eager, my dear. You will have what you ask for. What you twitch for. Close your eyes.”
And the next flaring hot dribbles bled all over Keith’s swollen equipment.

It took all of his self-control and considerable experience to keep himself hard under this painful onslaught. But he did and opened his mouth to groan in pleasure, tears welling up in his eyes.

“You look so beautiful,” Seoras whispered. “So hot. Turn around, my dear. A bit more and you can have the whole of me. Screw the blowjob, we can have that any time. Right now you look the way I want to thrust into you and screw you senseless.”

“Yes, please. Yes,” Keith whispered and got on all fours, presenting his ass. Just a little more. This would be easier. He would not have to make his eyes perfect. Damn it. He even envied Aodh a little. But this was good. This was needed. He had to do this. He was a whore. He could manage. Just a plaything of pretty flesh.

Seoras kissed a welt on his back and then another on his ass cheek. Fingers ran over the crack, and then there was a moment of silence along with husky breath before drops of wax fell, finding there way between the cheeks, right over the little bud.
Seoras sighed in pleasure.

Keith dug his nails into the sheets and jerked when he felt the burning heat. He let out a soft sob and shuddered, going almost entirely limp.
Damn. He hoped Seoras did not see that.
Damn.
Damn, it hurt.

Luckily Seoras appeared to be a bit too occupied, admiring the crime scene. He picked some of the wax off and licked it over. His tongue had a cooling effect, though. Then he teased Keith with candle and finally began pushing it inside.
“The many ways to use a candle,” he commented happily. “Just warming you up, my dear. Or maybe you don’t want me any more? Tell me,” he commanded with a rather angry thrust. “You’ve grown terribly quiet, Keith…”

“I’m sorry, I do want you,” Keith said huskily, willing for his cock to become hard again. He tried to loosen up around the intruding object, then clench himself again, knowing that Seoras would see it.
“I am so hot inside. For you. Please…please…” Then he just made some animal noises and pushed back, impaling himself upon the candle.

“Mmmm…. Now that would have felt good,” Seoras muttered. “Now, where’s that damn grease. Ah. Here, yes. Now, I’ll anoint myself - and you, my dear, yes. After all, I’m no cruel bastard, am I? I want us both feel terribly good.”
Actions followed his words, and soon enough he had not only covered his cock with grease, but also thrust greasy fingers inside Keith several times.
“Ready, my dear? Say pretty please if you want it…”

“Oh yes,” Keith moaned and clenched himself around Seoras’ fingers, wishing that he could strangle the bastard slowly. “Please take me, please. I want your cock inside me, please. Fill me up, yes, fill me up…”

“Such a pretty little beggar,” Seoras grinned, positioned himself comfortably and thrust deep into Keith. Instead of stopping or letting the other catch some breath he just dug nails into soft hips and rocked backwards and forwards, each stroke ending with a hearty thump.
And he swore, using perhaps some of the dirtiest words Keith had heard. He swore all the way through the fuck.

Oh, Keith had heard them all. He had been called every name a man could think of in this world.
And he did his best to moan and groan and mewl all the way, clenching himself, holding onto the sheets. I hate you, he thought with pleasure. I hate you and you will know only the moment before you die. And I will kill you. The whore whose ass you ride will kill you.

Seoras claimed him like a savage beast, his swearing finally succumbing into guttural groans and grunting. He came as violently, digging nails deep and leaving bloody tracks, perhaps unaware and perhaps just plain ignorant of what he had said about being cautious. Then he just fell on top of Keith and gnawed into his shoulder tip.

Nothing new under this sun, Keith thought bitterly and played his little game of enjoyment to the end. He remained there then, under Seoras’ disgusting weight and hissed lowly in pain.

Finally Seoras rose, without a kiss or any tender words.
“Get dressed,” he told Keith while putting on his jewelery. “Then call me some pretty servant boy. I want to have a bath. You better leave. It wouldn’t look good if people saw me hanging around with my father’s valet - or even less, his whore. I’ll send for you if I need you. And trust me - I will need you soon enough. I can introduce you to some very important people. Please them as you have pleased me, be loyal to them, be wise and there will be a whole new shining future ahead of you, my dear. But now move your pretty ass. And remember…”
A claw ring dug deep into Keith’s hip. “… one word to daddy dear, and you will wish your daddy never thought of fucking your mum.”

Keith turned around, nodded obediently and began to get dressed quickly.
“Yes, my lord. I understand. I will remain silent and wait patiently until you wish to see me again.”

“Perhaps tomorrow night, dear,” Seoras promised. “Yes, to recall it now… Tomorrow night, Keith. I might send for you, so do wear that prick out so he’d sleep soundly while you and I have a lot of fun and meet some really interesting people. You’ll love it, my dear, I promise. I wish you well, I really do, Keith. Do you believe that? Look at me.”

Keith raised his eyes. “I believe that. I said I trust you. I do.”
He smiled softly, wishing he had a dagger so he could drive it into the man’s heart. Feed him his own cock while they were at it. Yeah. See him hurt. He had to pay. They all had to pay. Would pay.

Seoras grinned.
“As long as you believe me when I say I kill you if you betray me, I don’t really care if you do, you know. But go now! Get me a pretty fuckable bath boy! Go! Good bye, see you around.”
And he pushed Keith towards the door.

“Yes, my lord,” Keith said and left. He did find a boy whom he sent to Seoras. Then he went back, hoping that Kester was exhausted enough not to want to be with Keith.

“Listen… I’m sorry. I’m very sorry. I was… I shouldn’t have… I’m sorry I went off on you. Just that… Oh, you don’t care to hear anyways… Do you? I’m sorry. I should not blame you. I’m just a son of a damned whore, why should anyone care?
Look, you said you would bring me a drink and tend my wounds… I… I was hoping you would. I’m sorry. I…” He just trailed off, standing somewhere in the middle of the room, looking lost and absent.

Meanwhile Keith had gotten some water to drink and was thinking. The damn shirt was definitely ruined and he had to do something about that. At the same time, he could not tell Kester about what had happened.
Damn it. He had to get his act together and give the prince a better impression next time. All of his ponderings were interrupted though. Keith sat up straight and listened attentively, trying not to look so angry. Well, he wasn’t angry anymore, to be honest. He was just damn exasperated with everything.
All right. He would handle this and plead ill tomorrow. He needed the damn sleep.
If only Grahame knew that Keith was as bad a whore as the Queen. If only he knew. Keith stood up then and walked to the prince. Close. Pretty close. He actually wanted to get a reaction. For some reason.
“I think we both have things to apologize for, so it would be better just to forget about it.”
He put on the most sincere smile he could make.
“Just sit down. I will handle it.”
Gently, but firmly he took Grahame by the shoulders and made him sit down comfortably. Then he walked to the door, knowing that there was a slight sway to his hips, and told a maid to get him hot wine and milk both, along with spirit, lotion and some bandages.
He walked back in then and closed the door.

Grahame sat as commanded and put. He was very quiet, eyes on Keith. Something in the other’s posture made him feel uneasy. Something…disturbing? Maybe it was the eyes, or the heat of hands, or maybe that little sway of hips. He really couldn’t say.
His hand was on fire and he gritted his teeth, trying to put on some royal mask. He failed terribly, it seemed.

Keith tactfully did not remark on anything and when the maid arrived, he went to the door and brought everything in. He took the bandages, the lotion and the spirit, then sat on the beside Grahame, almost touching him. But not quite.
“Now this is going to hurt,” he said, pouring some spirit on white cloth. Aodh had done it that way…Keith thought so at least.
“Shall I start?” he asked softly.

Grahame shivered, not daring to lift his eyes.
“Hurt? Oh. Alright. That’s alright.”
His appearance said something else, though - he was afraid.
He stared at Keith’s legs.
“You can begin.” He reached out his arm. Fingers trembled lightly and his skin was covered with goose bumps.

Those were pretty and slender legs covered in red velvet. Keith allowed himself a small smirk, then took hold of Grahame’s arm and began cleaning the wounds. He took care not to hurt too much. Would not do good to appear completely careless.

It burnt, searing right into the flesh and insides. Grahame hissed, gritting his teeth, but then he couldn’t help it and moaned.
So embarrassing and his cheeks flushed red.

“It is alright. I know how it hurts,” Keith said quietly.
He of course refrained from saying that he was used to pain already. When he was finished, he took some lotion and began rubbing it into the wounds. Finally he bandaged it all, hoping that he did not do too badly. He did not have much experience with dressing someone’s wounds.
“There. Now it is done. Do you wish to drink wine or milk? I had both brought in.”

“Wine,” Grahame whispered. “I… I hate milk. Thank you, sir. For dressing my wounds and…”
And for taking the rest of the shit.

“You are welcome,” Keith said, stood up and brought Grahame the cup of wine. “Here you go.”
He himself sat into one of the chairs and drank milk. He liked it. It was so good compared to what he usually had to eat and drink.

Grahame took the cup with his right hand and sat, sipping it in silence. Then he sighed.
“Shit. I’ll have to go on a hunting trip in the morning. Oh dammit. Dammit, dammit. Damn her.
I’m sorry. Just that… Oh, if only you knew…”

“I will listen if you wish to talk,” Keith said. He did not really what else to say. Yeah, if he only knew…right. At least you don’t have my life, prince, he thought darkly.

“I don’t…” Grahame replied, his lip trembling. “I… should get going. Thank you again, and please accept my sincere apologies.”
He stood up, looking lost, feeling uncomfortable. There was something strange about this valet of Lord Kester.

Keith put his milk away and got up as well. Got closer. “You are welcome. You don’t have to apologize.” Maybe he had even succeeded in something. Making the young man trust him a little. Or maybe not.

Grahame sighed. Some part of him was very reluctant to leave. A good part of him suggested that he get the hell out of here. So confused. He couldn’t go anywhere. No one to understand him, whereas he had to understand them all. Be Lindsie’s big rational brother and stay strong. Be a good advisor and defender to Fingall. And oh the masks, the masks to put on for everyone.
“Ouch,” he said then, for the first time noticing the wound Keith bore. “I did that, didn’t I? Ouch. I’ve been really dreadful.”
Slender fingers touched Keith’s shoulder. “Does it hurt very much?”

“No, it does not hurt much. I’ve had worse before.”
Yeah. Like the beating which the charming young lord Seoras gave me for example. And all the beatings and fucks before that.

Grahame’s fingers found a dark scar and followed it, tracing over Keith’s shoulder unto his back. He appeared confused, when his fingers met more and more of… What was that?
He took a sidestep and a glance at Keith’s backside. His mouth fell a little opened.
“What the…? Who the fuck did THAT?!” he demanded.

Nothing special there, prince, Keith thought. Nothing special there. Just welts. Just the reminder of a pain. But for some reason having Grahame’s fingers there felt…not bad. Not disgusting, because he was not being pawed, but just…not bad.
“That was young lord Seoras,” Keith replied quietly. “I serviced him.”

“Serviced him?”
Bright grey eyes peered intently into Keith’s greens.
“In what way? Oh, you mean you were his valet before becoming Lord Kester’s?”

Did he really not know what Keith meant by it? All right. He would have to tell him and risk with ruining everything, but there was nothing he could do about it.
“I was not his valet. I was requested to offer sexual services and so I complied. As you know, some are into more deviant practices in bed.”

Grey eyes grew wider.
“Sexual services?…” A bit of silence. “Oh. I see. I…understand. And he whipped you. Like that. Why did you comply? I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer. That was very rude of me… I guess.”

“One does not say no to someone higher than they,” Keith replied.
I’ll be laughing when I push him off the tower. Oh yes, I will be. A whore and a killer. A liar, my dear prince.

Grahame nodded.
“That is true. Nobody has said “no” to mother. Nobody has said “no” to her and lived very long, at least. Yes.”
His eyes appeared dark and his posture very grim.

Keith remained silent. He had nothing more to say. He was just so very much confused and he himself did not even know why. Grahame appeared as if he almost…cared. But no. That is a stupid thought, Keith. Bury it far far away and hope it dies. Yes. Exactly like that.
“Is there anything else I can do for you?” he asked after some time.

“Yes. Go to sleep. Try to forget what you saw and heard. But thank you.”
Grahame brushed a hand over Keith’s cheek. It burnt.

Keith shivered a little under those piercing eyes. Must have been the cold. And then he shivered again when he was touched. He was going a little mad. Must have been the lack of sleep.
“I said that you were welcome,” he replied softly. “I will not speak of it.”

“Good night, Keith,” Grahame whispered. “Good night.”
He cocked his head, and left quietly. Outside, an early cock crew.

“Good night,” Keith whispered after the prince, as he left.
Only moments later he got undressed and crawled into the bed. He would have thought on what had happened, but he was too tired for that. So he just slept.

World was yet twilight when Lord Kester returned and slumped into bed without even getting his clothes or boots off. And then he slept, too. An early morning maid knocked, but no one answered. By afternoon Lord Kester came to some life, though, yawning and twitching before he woke.

Keith slept the whole time protectively curled up. So tired. So damnably tired that this time there were not even any nightmares.

Lord Kester but sighed, and let him sleep. Called a servant to help him get dressed, ate and left Keith with a note that he’d gone to participate in some royal hunting game.
But as he left, another shadow slipped inside and locked the door.
Aodh gazed over the room, and then just sat into the armchair, eyes softly on the bed. Waiting.

Keith stirred some time after Aodh had come in. Slowly he woke and looked around. At first he was surprised to see Kester gone, but then he saw the note. And then he also saw Aodh.
“It is not morning anymore, right?” Keith asked him quietly.

Aodh shook his head.
“You are right about that. It is past noon. Most of the nobles are out on the royal hunting game. Chasing some poor fox. I faked a terrible headache and remained behind. I brought some herb lotion for you. How are you? Pardon my expression, but you look like shit.”

“Oh, thanks,” Keith said and sniggered. But it was not a mean snigger.
“Well…I had a run-in with prince Grahame. He came and woke me up after I had fallen asleep. Wanted to take Kester to the Queen, but as he was not here, the prince decided to take me instead. But he decided that he would not. Then he cut himself. He managed to cut me too, because he got angry when I called him his highness and stuff. But then he came back, said he was sorry and I well…tried to do what you had told me to do. Attempt that friend thing.
I don’t know if it worked. He looked very much out of his mind. And that is about it.”

Aodh nodded.
“At least I know why. You see, as I heard from my sources - and well, it was a pretty open topic last night in the royal chambers - that last evening Queen Beathag summoned prince Fingall, prince Grahame and princess Lindsie to her chambers and told them she has meant to marry them off and yet within the three months. That would be Lindsie in the end of the current month, then Grahame and finally Fingall.
There are also rumours that the Queen has chosen a new king, but who would it be, I couldn’t find out. Not any of her current and present lovers, that much is certain.”

“Shit,” Keith said. “We have to move quickly then. If…you know what might need to be done. Kester.” And no surprise why the prince had been so messed up. No surprise indeed.

Aodh nodded and came to sit on the bed by Keith’s side. But his voice was still a lowered whisper.
“That we must. You will have to begin with the Queen as soon as possible. Which means within few days time, because that is the time it takes to make you new clothes. If you manage to get up and eat, I will take you to the tailors. For the time being, there is a fresh set from my own wardrobe on the table.”
His hand traced over Keith’s shoulder, he cocked his head and kissed the fresh wound.

“I can get up, yes…” Keith said, but trailed off when Aodh’s lips brushed over his wound. Oh, how wrong it was. Oh, how good it was. He mewled and pressed himself closer, already hard.

Aodh grinned.
“You owe me something, Keith. Remember?”

“Indeed,” Keith whispered and grinned back.
He found himself actually looking forward to it for some strange reason. It was Aodh. That was reason enough.

“Now, as to the lotion…”
Aodh placed it beside them, but didn’t touch it just yet. Instead his lips closed around Keith’s right nipple.

“You don’t need to drive me insane, I already am,” Keith said and sighed in pleasure.
He did not need to justify it to anyone. They were kindred and thus they could partake of each other, whether it be body or soul. Yes. That was all the justifying he needed.

Aodh lifted his head a bit.
“Isn’t there always room for a little more?”
He blew hot breath over the nipple, first one, then the other, licked around, licked over, sucked and even bit into them.

“Aahh…”
Keith moaned and his fingers slipped into Aodh’s hair, while he pressed himself closer once more.

“I take it you like it,” Aodh smirked, kisses trailing randomly over Keith’s body. Then he took the lotion. Cool droplets fell upon hot skin. Warm fingers began to smear it all over Keith, and it wasn’t just about the welts, it was about… fondling. Teasing. Rubbing here and there, not just the intimate parts but everything. Anything.

“That…that is an understatement…” Keith managed to get out before he let himself go and just enjoyed. How…how had Aodh managed to unlock him so quickly? How was it possible that a mere kiss made him needy and wanting?

“Good,” Aodh whispered. A simple reply and nothing more. Just kisses and soft hands along with cool mint scented lotion. Aodh licking Keith’s neck, running tongue over erect nipples again, going lower, hands in constant movement, stroking member, gently squeezing the balls, and then gliding fingers down the crack. Not inside, but teasing, rubbing over and over again, poking and flirting with it.

It was just so impossibly good. Keith arched towards all those touches, eyes wide and dark with lust. “What…what have…oh yes…please…” He wanted it inside. He wanted to have Aodh inside him once more. He…found himself aching.

Aodh kissed him.
“What was that? Tell me. What do you want? What do you want? Tell me and I shall give it to you. Anything, Keith.”

“What have you done to me?” Keith asked. “Pleasure is so easy and simple in your arms, how is it…how is it possible?” Yes. More of these kisses, please.

“I do not know,” Aodh answered. “I just know that I request nothing from you which you wouldn’t give to me willingly, and I give to you all that I have. You are the dagger, I am the sheathe. In dark, we are one.”

The second day Keith spent more time with Aodh, his excuse being that he would need to learn all those detailed ways of conduct. After all, he was playing a noble and needed to know. All those wonderful little things. His body ached as if in a warning, but he pressed on. They would get to the castle in the evening, which was something that Keith welcomed. Maybe he would be able to plead some illness and go to sleep earlier, so that he could rest some more before he had to start. He involved himself in everything so that he would not have to think about the dreams and so that he would be tired enough to fall asleep right away.
He had been right, it was already dark when they got to the royal castle. It was big, bigger than anything Keith had ever seen before, made of sturdy gray stone. It seemed ominous and domineering. Keith felt slightly sick to his stomach, but he kept the nausea back and tried to look just like he owned it all.

Bowing servants and maids lead them inside. Lord Kester was, of course, treated with much honours, his son with caution and Aodh along with Keith lovably. Many eyed Keith, even at such late hour.
Aodh and Seoras received separate chambers, of course. Lord Kester and Keith found themselves in a dazzling chamber, adorned with red and blue, with a wide soft bed as the centrepiece. And there were flowers. Where would one find flowers in the middle of the coldest winter month, but there they were. Lilies.
Also, a dinner brought to them as soon as their belongings were unpacked. And now, if Keith had thought he had seen luxurious food and drinks, then he had seen nothing yet. Even the plates and ewers were silver and of most excellent craft.
Everything, everything looked and smelled of ravishing luxury.

All of it was a little too overwhelming, so Keith just nodded at everything, looking a little haunted and distant. When they were shown to their room, he just gasped. It was beyond anything he had ever seen.
So this was the life those lords truly lived. He found himself envious, but then remembered that he would also be able to have all of this. All of this. But he had to play his game well. Very well, indeed.
“This is all very beautiful, Your Lordship,” he whispered to Kester, after they both had taken off their outside clothes and the servants had left. Damn it, damn this stupid rule which meant that he would have to wait until Kester was finished. However, he did.

Or would have, but Lord Kester took a sideglance off his plate and sighed, chuckling.
“Oh well… Come. Dig in. As if anyone would see what we’re doing. You’re damn hungry, too. Come and eat with me.”

“Thank you,” Keith said, not even having to paint his smile of gratitude this time.
He ate with relish, but tried to keep his manners proper. When he had finished, he curled up in his chair and felt like he could fall asleep right away. Of course, he could not, because he would probably have to entertain Kester. But who knew. Maybe he would not have to.

Kester wiped his mouth and stood up.
“Ah, that was good. Keith? Oh rose, little rose, you are sleepwalking and sleep-sitting. Get a bath if you want, go to bed. Don’t wait for me. I have people to see. Not sure when I’d be coming. No need to wait.”

“Thank you, Your Lordship. I will make sure to be well rested when the sun rises again.”
Keith went to give Kester something which was a hug with a slow kiss. Not too arousing this time, but enough to remind him. Then he said goodbye and went to have that bath, which felt simply wonderful. All clean, he came back and slipped into the bed, falling asleep only moments after he pulled the blanket over him.

And then somebody barged in. A lad of sixteen or seventeen years, dark of both hair and clothes.
“Lord Kester, my mother has requested your presence at…”
Obviously, Lord Kester was not there. But SOMEONE was, someone asleep on the bed. Someone… beautiful. Who was that? Intruder took a few steps closer and peered at the sleeper. His bright grey eyes narrowed.
“Hmm,” prince Grahame muttered. “You certainly are not Lord Kester. But who are you?”

Keith was tired, but he had learned to be a light sleeper. A whore had to be. So he woke, sluggishly. Wait…it was not Kester, so who was it? Keith muttered under his breath and sat up, opening his eyes.
Gray eyes, reddish hair. Rather good looking. His age. Well dressed. And whose mother requested Kester’s presence? He put two and two together. So this must be that prince.
“I am Lord Kester’s valet,” he replied tiredly, then caught himself and perked up. “My name is Keith. His Lordship is currently away, he left me here to sleep.”
He drew the blanket up again. Damn. If it really was Grahame, then no way Keith could gain his friendship now. Not like this. Naked, in Kester’s bed. A valet, yes, but a whore as well. The other had to see that.

“Oh,” Grahame replied, eyes investigating Keith quite openly. Sharp. “Good evening, sir Keith. You are a sir? Of course you are. Do you know where Lord Kester went? My mother has requested his presence in her private quarters. Now, whom will I take her if he is not here… Oh, I know. Yes, that will be wonderful. I’ll take you. Get dressed, sir Keith. We’re going to the Queen.
Oh, right. I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Grahame.”

For a moment Keith’s eyes narrowed. So, this one was the same as the rest. Stared at him like he was some piece of meat. Well, he was. But still. And now…damn it. Damn it. He would have to go before the Queen without any rest at all and in ill-fitting clothes.
Damn prince.
“Pleased to meet you, my prince,” Keith answered emotionlessly. He got out of bed, actually wanting to go and burrow himself under the blanket and to sleep. Blessed sleep. And he was not going to get any thanks to this prince’s whim. “As you wish.”
He got himself dressed, not even bothering to make it erotic, instead gathering what little strength he had now so that he could appear brilliant and dashing to the Queen. Kester would not be happy, but there was nothing that could be done.
“I am ready to go, my prince.”

But Grahame wasn’t going anywhere. Instead he stood and stared at Keith, almost smiling.
“You already hate me, don’t you? Amazing how fast these things can happen…”
He cocked his head.

“I apologize,” Keith said automatically. “I am weary and tired from the traveling, and I have had few hours of sleep. I do not think myself a good companion for your mother the honored Queen right now, but as you wish, I will come, my prince.”
That was it. Wait. He had done something wrong.
“I apologize again for rudeness. I meant to say your highness.”
He kept his eyes veiled and guarded, though he knew that he was not doing a very good job right now. Yes, of course he hated the prince. He hated everyone. Except for Aodh and those fucked over by fate. Did not care. Just wanted to go there and get it over with, then come back to sleep.

Grahame sighed and came back from the door, sitting on the bed.
“So, another one to hate me. Fuck those titles! Fuck them, fuck them, fuck them! I want none of them. I am Grahame! You hear me - I have a name! And the name is Grahame.
I… Sorry.
No. We’re not going anywhere. My mother can screw herself tonight. And she’s not honoured. She’s a damned whore, that she is. Don’t go. Stay. Do anything. Sleep… You were sleeping, you can sleep again. Just let me sit here for a while. I… I cannot go back just yet. I cannot!”

Keith felt like kicking something in exasperation. He sighed softly. No way he could go back to sleep with the prince in here, Kester could come any moment and get angry at him for being disrespectful.
“As you wish, your highness,” Keith said quietly. But he did not go to sleep. Instead he went to sit in the chair, struggling to remain awake when all he wanted to do was to sleep. So he sat there, slender legs crossed, eyes staring at the wall.

Grahame sat a bit and then lifted his eyes.
“Say, do you have a mother… sir?”

“No, I do not have a mother, your highness,” Keith replied quietly.
Never had had one. “She is dead.”

“Then you’re lucky,” Grahame replied. “I wish mine was. Wish she’d never been born.”
He brushed his dark fingers through his hair.
“Do you have a knife… Keith? A dagger, a knife, anything?”

Keith did not reply to the first by voice.
Once he would have given the world to have a mother. Now he was too dirty and filthy to have one, so he had stopped dreaming. Stopped dreaming of all what a mother was supposed to be. He bit his lip, it was a bad way to go. No. No thoughts. So tired…
A dagger…no. He had killed with one, but he had none now.
“I do not, your highness.”

Grahame sighed darkly. But then his eyes perked up, he rose and walked to the table and trays of food.
“Excellent. This will do,” he said, picking up the silvery sharp blade. Once again he sunk to sit on the bed. Rolled up his sleeve. Held the knife, smiled and then cut, running the blade deep over his arm.

Suddenly Keith did not know what to do. Was it even any of his business to interfere?
But…Aodh had told him to attempt being a friend. How? It was not like he even knew how. Not like he had had any. Damn it. If he really wanted to cut himself up so much, could not he take it somewhere else and let Keith get some fucking well-deserved sleep?
Shit.
However, he was supposed to keep his mouth shut and his ears open. So he…remained silent for the time being. Even if it nagged at the back of his mind. He really had not had princes cutting themselves in his room. He honestly had no idea what to do.

Droplets of blood landed on the carpet. Thump. Thump thump thump.
Again Grahame raised the knife and cut. Again and over again. As deep as he dared. It burnt. It hurt.
Not enough. It wouldn’t go away. The helplessness.
He bit his lip. He shuddered, buried his face between his knees and cried bitter tears.

Keeping his heart cold was becoming harder by each moment. Keith did not know why he cared or why he wanted it to stop. So that the other would not hurt. Keith could go and make it stop. After all, what else was there to fuck up? He had ruined everything anyways. Could he?
Damn it. Damn it, Keith.
He had cried once too. Of helplessness. He had cried often, so that all of his tears were gone. For ever. Now he only cried of anger or pain. He still hated seeing tears.
Slowly Keith got up and walked over to Grahame, getting on his knees in front of him.
“Your highness,” he said softly, lightly touching the prince’s hair.
Damn. He truly did not know what to do.
“Can I do something for you?” he asked in confusion.

“Kill her.”
That’s what he said. “Kill her before she kills us. Oh gods how much I want to kill her.”

Everyone wanted the bitch dead, did not they?
Keith just wanted it because as the Queen she was the symbol of everything that was wrong, the symbol of all the things done to him.
“I cannot do that,” Keith whispered. “I will bring you something to drink and something to bandage the wounds with. It would not do for His Lordship to arrive and find you in such a state, your highness.” Damn it. Don’t cry. Just don’t. Please. Please?

Grey eyes flashed and so did the knife - at Keith.
“Don’t! Call me! That!” Grahame hissed. “The name is Grahame! GRAHAME!”

Keith cursed loudly when the knife ripped through his shirt, also cutting into his shoulder. He retreated, of course. And the yelling, that was nothing new. Everything else was new, though. His heart sped up.
“As you wish,” he said calmly, though with a slight hiss. He inspected the wound and sighed again. Dammit, it hurt. His eyes narrowed. Just clean this up. Just clean all of it up and try to get some sleep.
Confusing. Terribly confusing.

“I…” Grahame started off. “Oh, you don’t care anyway. Not one of you does!”
He threw the knife over the room, plummeted past Keith, broke the door open and slammed it shut behind himself.

“Give me a fucking reason why I should care,” Keith muttered angrily. He started to clean up, scrubbing the blood from the floor and washing the knife. He then took off his shirt and began cleaning his own wound, hissing all the while he did it.
Damn it. It was not as if he had expected anything else. He would go to sleep. Some blessed sleep. He was so tired that he would fall asleep the moment his head touched the pillow.

“Like this? In here?” Keith asked in a whisper, his own fingers slipping under Aodh’s clothes to tease his skin. He shuddered, both in pain and pleasure, his own eyes bright as well.

“Yes. Like this. In here. Keith. Here.”
Aodh laughed lowly. “Here.”

Keith pulled his cloak off and tossed it on the ground. Then he pulled Aodh down with him, lips going for lips once more. He wanted it. Wanted more and more.
“Here then,” he whispered and continued kissing him, fingers seeking to strip him naked.