A King's Ransom

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A King's Ransom Page 9

by Lia Black


  If he couldn't escape, he'd have to try and convince Kaidos to change his mind. Right now, either situation seemed unlikely.

  It was ironic, really; he'd been having an affair with Engel for nearly five years, yet had never spent an entire night with the man. In fact, he'd never spent an entire night with anyone. Yet he'd woken up several times now next to a man who was barely more than a stranger to him and who, from all indications, would prefer that it stayed that way. Tonight had been about needing some relief, but neither of them had been in their right mind. Veyl was curious and a little apprehensive to see how Kaidos would respond to the manner in which he'd found that relief in the light of day.

  *~*~*

  Kaidos came out of sleep slowly, his brain in a fog from the alcohol, and the depth of his slumber. His muscles ached, but for once, his cock didn't. He might consider feigning ignorance of what had occurred here the night prior, but his current state of undress and his own conscience wouldn't allow it. While a few of the details were still a bit hazy--like who initiated the whole thing--he couldn't deny that he'd been treated to the best cock-sucking of his life. He told himself that it was all right, because Veyl was a whore—that's what he did. There was nothing more to it—and there would never be, so it was all right to have enjoyed it while it lasted. What he didn't enjoy was the hangover he was suffering at the moment. Kaidos groaned his discomfort, and was rewarded by cool hands massaging his foot.

  "What are you--" Kaidos tried to raise his head, startled when he realized what was happening. But the effort proved too much, and the sensation of Veyl's strong fingers kneading muscle and bone was providing some unexpected relief to the pressure in his skull.

  "This should help with your headache," Veyl said softly, keeping his gaze trained on his hands.

  Kaidos watched him, aware of the lack of eye contact. He doubted that Veyl was bothered by the events of the night before. He was a whore and did that sort of thing all the time--probably to men a lot worse looking than him. Although it was doubtful that he'd ever performed on a man who literally held his life by the purse strings.

  "Why are you doing that?"

  Veyl rolled his eyes. "Well, actually I'd considered just cracking your skull with one of the empty bottles and running, but your vagabond friends never went to sleep last night."

  Kaidos curled his upper lip in a snarl. "Calling a Wanderer a vagabond is a great insult, whore."

  Veyl slapped Kaidos' foot and stood up, folding his arms. "So is calling me a whore."

  Kaidos frowned. He had a point; Kaidos thought it best to change the subject. "About last night...you didn't have to--"

  "I wanted to," Veyl said quickly, his gaze downcast.

  Kaidos narrowed his eyes. "Why? What was in it for you?"

  "A chance to see you weak." Veyl met his gaze coldly.

  Kaidos felt his temper flare for a moment, but reined it in. He would allow Veyl his due. The man had been at his mercy from the beginning. It was only right that he would want to try and take any power back where he could get it.

  "Is that why you sell yourself? As a means of controlling other men?"

  Veyl laughed bitterly. "You must be joking. I am a prostitute because it's the only thing that I am good enough at to earn a living."

  Kaidos frowned, which was easy to do now that Veyl had stopped rubbing his feet. He felt around on the floor near the bed and grabbed his breeches, pulling them on. "What of your family?"

  "Why do you care?"

  Indeed. Why did he seem to be suddenly taking an interest? Perhaps it was because he was still overwhelmed by last night; first the confession from Guis--that let him know he'd been suffering for years over a lie--then the seduction by Veyl.

  "My mother died at the gates of Aullsworthe when I was an infant. It was Guard Captain Engel who took me in and delivered me to Talia at the Silver Tree Manor." Veyl's voice was soft. The tension had drained out of his body, and now he just looked tired

  "You were raised in a brothel?" Kaidos stood up and laced his breeches, then began to rummage through the bedding for his shirt.

  "Yes, and fortunately so. Talia and the women were very good to me, and when I was old enough, she allowed me to repay her kindness through profit."

  "By selling your body." It was not an unfamiliar story--Kaidos had heard similar tales over the years, just never from a man. "How old were you when that started?"

  Veyl opened his mouth than closed it abruptly. Kaidos popped his head through the neck of his shirt as he pulled it on and stared at him, waiting to see if he'd get a reply.

  "I'm not sure why you're even asking..." Veyl wasn't looking at him.

  "Because I'm curious. I like to know something about the people who suck my cock."

  "A little late to be thinking about that now, isn't it?" Veyl lifted his chin finally, folding his arms as he fixed Kaidos with an icy scowl.

  "Just answer my question," Kaidos sighed, shaking his head. "How old were you when she had you servicing customers?"

  Veyl mumbled something then busied himself with re-wrapping his purple shawl.

  "What?"

  "I said fourteen," Veyl said louder through gritted teeth. He was making an obvious effort not to look Kaidos in the eye.

  "Fourteen... that's..." It would not surprise him to learn that Veyl had been molested long before he was paid for sex. Kaidos swallowed the acid that had come up into this throat, staring at the floor. This conversation was putting him dangerously close to some things they had in common; things he'd tried desperately to forget.

  "Satisfied?"

  "No," Kaidos shook his head, "that's not right...they shouldn't have done that to you."

  "I did it to myself. Now if you don't mind, I'd like to get out of this stuffy trailer." Veyl held onto the handle, waiting for Kaidos to unlock the door.

  Kaidos pressed his hand against the door, keeping it closed while he worked the key into the lock. He leaned close to Veyl. "One last question. When did you become Engel's lover?"

  "A year after my first customer." Veyl ducked under Kaidos' arm, dislodging it, and pulled the door open then headed outside.

  Kaidos might have continued the conversation, had they not been met by the clan chieftain who was standing outside of his caravan.

  "Ne hailal! Ah, you two slept very late! And I hope your dreams were pure ones?" Dlava laughed, slapping Kaidos on the back. An odd cast came to his face then as he fixated on a spot on Kaidos' neck.

  "What?" Kaidos fingers crept up and touched against a small bruise. His gaze quickly shifted to Veyl.

  "A spider. I sent its soul to the afterlife with the heel of your boot, brother Kaidos." Veyl said.

  The look on Dlava's face was almost disappointment. "Your brothers have already gone out hunting, Kai."

  "We need some supplies, Chief Dlava, then we need to be on our way." Kaidos looked around the camp. His brothers were indeed absent, along with several other men--one of whom was Guis. Kaidos hoped he hadn't missed the chance to tell him goodbye.

  "So soon?" Dlava frowned, his eyes darting towards Veyl before meeting Kaidos' gaze once more.

  "I'm afraid it's going to take us some time to reach the temple so the sooner the better." Kaidos did not want to get into a long discussion with Dlava. It was apparent that he was interested in Veyl, and Kaidos couldn't be certain that Lirin or one of his other brothers hadn't said something to the Chieftan about Veyl's mixed lineage.

  "Sure, I can offer you some supplies...but they don't come free you know..."

  "I have the coin," Kaidos interrupted before Dlava could suggest a barter. Although the man was not known to be a twinheart, it was obvious he was one who might consider making an exception to have Veyl.

  Dlava shrugged and led them across the campsite to a caravan that functioned as both a pantry for the Wanderers and a place to sell their wares--stolen, hand-made or otherwise. The wagon was painted in garish colors with dried flowers and kitchen utensils dangling from lines as de
coration. A very old man with a thick mustache and one milky eye sat outside. He grinned a mostly toothless greeting as Kaidos and Veyl approached.

  "Young Kaidos Vailinn. Heard you came in with your brothers but didn't get a chance to see you before you turned in for the night."

  "Ne hailal, Grandfather Waldav." Kaidos shook the old man's hand in the customary wanderer greeting, bowing his head in respect. "I need to replenish my supplies."

  Waldav threw his arm back towards the interior of the caravan. "Take what you need but pay for it all. Wouldn't do well to steal from kin, now would it?"

  "No, Grandfather. Ce talla."

  The wagon was too narrow with everything packed up so Kaidos went inside, leaving Veyl at the entrance. He had no fear of him running. Although the camp was not full, nearly anyplace he ran into the forest would be crawling with hunters from the tribe.

  *~*~*

  Outside, the relic's one good eye settled on Veyl and he took a prolonged inventory of him.

  "I hear tell there is a secret hiding beneath those holy robes."

  "Nothing you haven't seen before, I'm certain." Veyl chided, looking nervously around.

  "I wouldn't be too sure about that."

  Beneath the fabric covering his face, Veyl forced what he hoped would look like a smile. Even though Kaidos was roughly ten feet away, it felt like miles and Veyl wished he'd hurry up. He gave a little shudder as he felt the gaze of someone else upon him. When he turned his head, a very striking wanderer--who looked to be roughly Kaidos' age, stood staring at him as he approached the wagon.

  *~*~*

  "Ne hailal, Si Beno Waldav," the raven-headed man with one white shock of hair said to the shopkeep.

  "Ne hailal, mon Guis," the old man answered.

  "Guis?"

  The three men outside raised their eyes to Kaidos as he poked his head out of the door. He came out with a pack full of supplies and dropped a few gold coins into the open palm of the old gypsy shop-keeper. "Semji, Grandfather Waldav."

  "So you're not staying to wait for your brothers then?" Waldav asked, shaking the coins in his hand to make them jungle.

  Kaidos sighed. "No, we only met up on the way. We're not traveling together."

  "Just as well then. Bal krevia, safe journey, Kai." The old man nodded then raised his old bones off the stoop and ambled inside the wagon.

  "I'm glad that I caught you, Kai," Guis said, though his eyes kept flitting to Veyl. He changed then to the Wanderer tongue. "I need to speak with you."

  Kaidos glanced towards Veyl. "I'd rather not leave him alone..."

  Guis nodded. "I understand. Your elder brothers get loose tongues when they are drinking. Fortunately, I was the only one listening to the tale of your half-blood princess." Guis inclined his head subtly towards Veyl.

  Kaidos' heart seized in his chest. He prayed that Guis had truly meant his apology last night and would not betray Veyl's identity to the rest of the tribe. If he threatened as much, Kaidos might just have to kill the man and he was only just beginning to like him again.

  "I won't say a word, my friend. I just thought you should know this. He is very beautiful, judging only by the eyes, but I can see how easily and entirely one could become captivated." As he spoke, Guis' vision belonged only to Veyl, who fidgeted uncomfortably under his gaze.

  Kaidos noticed this as well and stepped between them to block the view.

  A smile curled over Guis' handsome, full mouth. "Jealousy becomes you, Kai. Protect that treasure...cherish him, and if you are ever in Tullijia, come and look me up. I'll be there with Xan."

  At the mention of Guis' proclaimed lover's name, Kaidos relaxed. "I'd like that…I will."

  Guis smiled, his dark eyes dancing with the light Kaidos remembered in his childhood friend. "Safe journey, my friend. I hope for your happiness." He embraced Kaidos then, and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Thank you again for last night." His eyes twinkled mischievously as he spoke the words in Commonspeak, patting Kaidos on the chest as he walked away.

  Kaidos sighed. Little did Guis know that it was now Kaidos who was lying to him by allowing him to believe there was love between him and the man who was his unwilling captive. Such a provocative gesture might have had some effect on a lover, but Veyl was certainly not going to be moved.

  "Just what was that all about? And exactly what happened last night?"

  Kaidos looked at Veyl, stunned by the accusatory tone of his voice. Veyl had his arms folded and the slant of his eyebrows revealed his displeasure.

  "He is a friend." Kaidos turned his head to watch Guis walk away. "Why should that matter to you, anyway?" He returned his attention to Veyl who now was the one who looked surprised.

  Veyl's arms stiffened at his sides and his shoulders drew up with his tension. "It doesn't. I don't care what you do with whom. I just don't want to have to be subjected to your trysts while I'm being dragged unwillingly to my fate."

  Kaidos sighed. The game had been fun while it lasted. "He told me that my bothers mentioned your lineage."

  The color drained from the portion of Veyl's face that he could see. "He won't say anything?"

  "No, he won't, but he was letting me know that it might not be the case with anyone else who might have overheard. We have to leave quickly." Kaidos dug through the pack of newly replenished supplies, then tossed out a pair of sandals to Veyl. "Put those on."

  Veyl slipped his bandaged feet into the thongs. While they were not high quality, the thin leather would be enough of a barrier from the sharp stones and hopefully prevent any further damage to his feet.

  Kaidos slung the packs over his shoulder, "C'mon. Let's get moving."

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Friends and Fallacy

  They stopped roughly two hours along the trail from the Wanderer's camp and had a light meal of bread and some wild blackberries they found growing near the edge of the forest.

  "Your people are…interesting. I might have liked them if they wouldn't have killed me on the spot." Veyl sighed, picking a seed from between his teeth with a long pinkie nail.

  Despite Veyl's impassive delivery, Kaidos sensed there was some sincerity behind his words. He probably had never been outside of the brothel culture before.

  "They must really hate elves. I wonder why your friend didn't turn me in?" Veyl mused. "He was staring at me enough."

  How could he not? Even shrouded, Veyl was the most beguiling thing Kaidos had ever seen. A fair-skinned blond in a camp of dark Wanderers had certainly drawn attention. "Guis doesn't like to get involved in politics." Kaidos watched as Veyl gently stroked the horse's muzzle, feeding it a few berries, and he remembered those hands on his own body. He bit his tongue to try and make himself forget.

  "Was that old man really your grandfather?" Veyl asked. It seemed that the subject of Guis had been dropped for now. Kaidos was somewhat relieved. He was still trying to sort things out not only between him and Guis, but also between him and Veyl.

  "No. It's just something everyone calls him. The wanderers are like a family--I grew up among the tribes." Kaidos and his brothers had been raised in and out of Wanderer's campsites for much of their lives, though hadn't settled in with the Starlight Wanderers until he was eight. That's when his father left and did not come back.

  Veyl had shed his makeshift scarf and his wavy hair stirred in the warm mid-morning breeze. It was impossible not to appreciate him for the beauty that he was—regardless of sex. Somehow, being slightly more disheveled, rather than in the form of perfection he'd been in Aaullsworthe, made Veyl even more lovely.

  It occurred to Kaidos that he was being a lot more civil to Veyl this morning. He frowned, chalking it up to last night. Perhaps sex had eased his aggravation somewhat. He bit his tongue harder, tasting blood as he considered it. "You'll ride behind me again." That was the only way to keep Veyl from feeling the erection that kept flaring up in Kaidos' breeches every time he thought about what they had done.

  While he would have pr
eferred to stay one more night in a comfortable bed, the fear of discovery, and threat of Kaidos' brothers tagging along, was too great. The farther away they got from Starlight Camp, the better. While he had some regret that he had not been able to spend any more time with Guis, he would remember to visit him one day in Tullijia, and there he would tell him the truth about his relationship with Veyl.

  *~*~*

  It was going to take them longer to reach Dandre than Kaidos had initially calculated, owing to the necessity of taking a detour in an attempt to lose anyone who might be following them. It wasn't like Lirin to give up so easily when he smelled an opportunity for coin. Thinking about it now, Kaidos remembered that ultimately, that's all Veyl was to him, and all he should remain. Last night was a mistake in judgment. They'd both had too much to drink, and seeing Guis—hearing that Guis had been in love with him--had caught him off-guard.

  The sunlight coming through the trees created lacework patterns on everything it touched, and the heated forest air gave off a perfume of pine and fresh earth. Kaidos could feel Veyl behind him, his hands resting lightly on his hips—just enough to keep his balance. Yet even this minimal contact felt intimate.

  He needed to get this job done, and to do that he needed to keep his mind focused on the goal: get the merchandise safely to Dandre, collect his coin, find a nice little plot of land and build his house. The whore would be surrounded by luxury once he dropped him off. He'd be sharing the beds of nobility. That's what whores did, after all; they moved from bed to bed, making every man they touched feel like the most important man in the world, then forgetting him once they left. What he and Veyl had done last night meant nothing to Veyl and in a day or two, he would forget about it ever happening. The thought soured the experience for Kaidos, and he found himself starting to resent Veyl for his inability or unwillingness to love. Anyone who had the coin could pay him to pretend he loved them. How many men had he lured with his siren's song, then pushed away when he found that they couldn't afford him?

  "What are you thinking about?" Veyl asked from behind him on the horse.

 

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