Pride (The Copper Horse book 2) (gay erotic romance pony play BDSM)

by K. A. Merikan

  “Are you enjoying yourself?”

  “Hm?” Reuben looked up at John before rolling to his stomach. With his outer tail sticking up, it seemed to be the most comfortable position.

  “You don’t seem unhappy.”

  “No point dwelling on misery. Mister Fry will make a pie for me. What’s not to like?” He grinned at John, whose lips twitched into a small smile.

  “This really is the best you could ever get in life, isn’t it?”

  Reuben frowned, unsure what to make of John’s words. “Are you trying to make me feel bad?”

  “I’m merely curious, Copper.” John’s gray eyes drilled small holes in Reuben’s head.

  “I dunno. I didn’t have it good back in London. Had plans, though.” Reuben kind of wished John wasn’t here after all. He could hump the hay then.

  “The Plague took it all from me, so I can relate to that on a certain level.” John pouted and nodded at the wall.

  “How come? What happened?” Reuben was eager for a bedtime story.

  John groaned, and the bench squeaked under his large body. “My father imported high quality fabrics from India, but after the Plague, it all fell apart. My parents died of influenza, and I couldn’t finish my education, which is why I am stuck at a post far beneath my aspirations. Not that you could ever understand that,” he finished in a sour tone.

  “Why do you think I can’t?”

  Reuben could practically hear the sound of gritted teeth.

  “Maybe because your life has improved, but mine deteriorated.”

  “But you said you wouldn’t want to be an animal.” Reuben couldn’t understand John’s reasoning.

  “Yes, I wouldn’t.” John frowned, lifting his head with a pout. “I wanted to leave my mark on people’s minds.”

  That got Reuben’s attention. “How?”

  John bit his lip. “I wanted to be a writer.”

  “Oh! Our master is a writer. You want to follow in his footsteps?” Reuben fumbled in the hay to sit up. He couldn’t miss John’s smirk.

  “No, silly horse. Our master is a forger,” he said as if Reuben were a small child.

  “No, no! He wrote a book! He did!” Reuben nodded vigorously.

  “You mean that indecent pamphlet?”

  “No, his book about the Pegasus. He read fragments to me. It’s really good—I mean, well written.” He wouldn’t want John to think he liked all the filthy things described in the book. He was reading it bit by bit when no one was around, and every time he ended up rubbing off on something. He liked to pretend he was Pegasus, Erik’s loyal and loving mount. If only he could fly him into the clouds like Pegasus himself, Master Erik would surely keep him forever. He hoped carrying him in a saddle one day would be enough.

  John raised an eyebrow at him. “Have you ever read a book in your entire life?”

  “I can’t read much.” If Erik knew Reuben could read and lied about it, he wouldn’t be happy.

  John let out a mocking laugh. “Then how can you express any opinion on literature?” He got up from the bench and walked over to the wooden horse, where the book was still kept.

  “I’ve been read to sometimes. And I’ve seen plays in theaters.” He looked up to John, who slowly nodded.

  “You are quite eloquent. For a horse.”

  Reuben groaned. He didn’t know how to talk to John. “Would you read to me?”

  “What, the master’s book?” John hardly contained a self-satisfied smile.

  “Yes, please.” Reuben got to his knees. He never had enough of this book.

  John shook his head and picked up the book, returning to the bench. The thing squeaked again and he opened the book, looking through the pages.

  “Do you not like it?” Reuben barely suppressed the will to put his head in John’s lap. Would the man pet him, like Erik or Mister Fry did?

  “No. Our master should not try to penetrate new territories.”

  “What do you not like?” Reuben frowned at the offense to his favorite book.

  John shrugged. “It’s crude, and there’s virtually no plot or philosophy to it.”

  “But it’s touching. The Pegasus is so magical.”

  John looked up at him, then read:

  “Pegasus arched back, showing his pale ass to his beloved master. His toes curled with lust as he waited for that long cock to fill him. He never felt more complete than when Master Erik was riding him. His pulse quickened when he felt hot skin brush against his pucker, but when it simply stayed there, not entering, Pegasus couldn’t stop a wanton moan.”

  Reuben felt his cheeks go hot as he watched John’s lips, completely mesmerized. The story continued.

  “”Master, please, I need you so much! I thought you were dead!”’” John made sure to add an appropriate amount of desperation into the tone of his voice.

  Reuben licked his lips. He’d already read this story a few times before, but he wasn’t the quickest reader, whereas from John’s lips, it seemed to just flow. He inched closer to the bench.

  “No, you can’t suck me.”

  The stern tone took Reuben aback, and he bit the inside of his cheek. “I wasn’t gonna!”

  John waved at him. “So stay where you are. I feel threatened.”

  Reuben pouted, but followed the order. “You don’t like your cock sucked?”

  “I’m not interested in putting it just anywhere.”

  Reuben couldn’t help but give him a cocky grin. “I am a prized stallion.”

  That closed John’s mouth for a few moments, but he skimmed through the book, opening it on the last page and read:

  “’You are my prized stallion and you can take me into the sky even without those wings.’”

  Reuben swallowed. He liked that ending. It made him feel just how special Pegasus was to Erik. “That’s very beautiful.”

  John raised his eyebrows with a snort. “Is it? Oh well, I assume in comparison to some bawdy songs you probably know, this sentence is classy.”

  Reuben smiled. “Like master Erik.”

  John’s brows rose as high as they would go. “This sentence is exactly like Master Erik.”

  Reuben nodded. “Classy and gentle.”

  John sighed and dropped the book to the bench.

  “Do you think Master Erik would want a man with wings?” Reuben suppressed the impulse to nudge John’s knee with his nose.

  John gave him a blank stare. “Are you asking me whether he’d like to fuck an angel?”

  Reuben shrugged. “I suppose so.”

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure that’s what he wants.”

  “Would you like to fuck an angel?” Reuben cocked his head.

  “No.”

  “How are you so certain?”

  John groaned. “Because I like my men less than saintly.”

  “What’s your type, John?” He nudged John’s knee in the end, which earned him a look of scorn.

  “Why do you care?”

  “‘Cause you’re so boring.” Reuben rolled his eyes. “I wanna talk.”

  “I am not boring!” John looked at him as if Reuben had just suggested he should partner up with a mongrel. “If anything, you’re the boring one, sitting here all day, doing nothing.”

  “What do you do then, when you’re not cleaning Master’s shoes?” Reuben sat on the heels of his feet, amused by the outburst.

  John gritted his teeth. “Master Erik hasn’t given me the task of entertaining you with conversation, and my good will is now over.”

  Reuben straightened his back. “I work hard and bring electricity to the house.”

  John looked away from him. “Of course. Now go to your shed.”

  Reuben pouted but did as told and once again fell into the hay.

  John was no fun.

  *

  In the end, Reuben fell asleep again, but he only noticed when John woke him.

  “Is it feeding time?” he mumbled, still half asleep.

  “I am not your groom.” Jo
hn sighed, towering over him with a frown. “The master wants you in his office.”

  Reuben yawned but got up without complaint, and minutes later they were on their way through the house. They met Lady Victoria on the way, and he gave Reuben an appreciative pat on the ass. During his stay in Erik’s home, Reuben really had gotten used to unusual displays of affection he sometimes received. He even learned to appreciate them. Eventually, he and John reached the office and found Erik waiting sprawled on the sofa.

  “Oh, there you are, my precious!”

  “John was entertaining company, Master.” Reuben grinned and walked over to him with a bounce to his walk.

  “Oh, was he?” Erik smiled at them both. “He shall be rewarded, then.” He opened his arms in invitation, and Reuben kneeled on the carpet, leaning into the embrace.

  “What do you think John needs? I will get it for him.” Erik leaned in for a small kiss.

  “I think John needs the company of a man.” Reuben smiled into Erik’s lips. He was sure if John had some cock, he’d be less uptight.

  “Does he?” Erik pulled Reuben close to his chest, but Reuben could feel John’s tension from afar. “Do you think he should be the one doing the fucking?”

  “He said he wants a man who isn’t an angel. So maybe a demon? Sinful like Coal.” Reuben looked back at John innocently. The man was a picture of self-control, except for the dark flush that spread all over his face. He kept his gaze down.

  “Oh? You want him to be bred by Coal?”

  “Humans and horses can’t breed, master,” Reuben answered with a smile, which Erik reciprocated.

  “Good boy! You remembered!” He ruffled Reuben’s hair and gave him a sweet peck on the lips. “They cannot have children, but they could fuck.”

  “Well, John does seem to be lonely.”

  “Should I arrange this then?” Erik was slowly stroking Reuben’s cheeks.

  “Only if John would like to meet a beast like Coal.”

  Erik sighed and straightened to look at his footman. “John, do you fancy a beautiful black stallion on your back?”

  “With all due respect, sir, there is another prize that would make me happy.” John looked up, and Reuben noticed something new in his eyes. Urgency.

  Erik nodded. “What is it, John?”

  “If I could get three days off, to travel to the National Gallery in London, I would be more than happy to entertain your pony frequently, sir.” He bowed, and Reuben blinked in surprise. Who would choose a gallery visit over Coal’s big, hard cock?

  Erik snorted. “You don’t want to flee, do you?”

  John smiled. “I am not held by force, sir. I enjoy the service and the privileges of your household. I just wish to see artwork I’ve only read about before.”

  Erik rolled his eyes before dropping his gaze to Reuben’s face. “What do you think, darling?”

  Reuben nodded eagerly. The last thing he wanted to be was malicious. He was happy to help John in whatever boring endeavor he was up to. “I think John works hard and deserves it. But only if he brings me back a present from London.”

  Erik nodded, signifying Reuben’s reasoning made perfect sense. “What do you want?”

  “I want something exotic.” Reuben had everything he needed, so he might as well ask for something that he didn’t.

  “What do you mean, Copper?”

  “Something different. That will make me special.”

  “You mean you want something to wear?” Erik was massaging Reuben’s nape.

  “I don’t know... but John seems to know a lot. I’ll let him choose.” He looked at John with a broad smile, but it wasn’t met with anything but indifference.

  “Oh, darling, John’s just a footman. How would he know whether something suited our tastes?”

  “I don’t know, Master,” Reuben said finally. He just wanted something that would make him stand out in Erik’s eyes.

  Erik sighed, but eventually he pulled Reuben’s head into his lap and looked at John. “Go tomorrow, and get him an earring with sapphires and gold.”

  Reuben smiled and kissed Erik’s crotch through the pants. He loved how his master always knew what to do.

  “Yes sir, thank you, I will.”

  Erik kept petting Reuben. “Come to me tomorrow at ten, and I will give you the funds you need.”

  “Yes, sir. Is there anything else I can help with now?” John’s voice seemed that little bit more uplifted than usual.

  “No, John, you’re dismissed.” Erik lifted Reuben’s face and stroked it with his knuckles. He always smelled so good, so expensive.

  John bowed and left without another word.

  Reuben looked into his eyes. “Was your brother very angry, Master?”

  Erik kissed his temple. “Couldn’t you tell?” He nudged Reuben aside and got to his feet.

  “Yes, I could of course, but did you manage to calm him down? Come up with a plan?” Reuben followed him with his gaze.

  Erik scratched the back of his own head and walked over to his desk. “No. It’s hard for me to do anything about a man breaking out of Bedlam.”

  “I hope it works out,” Reuben said, as there was nothing else he could do either.

  Erik rummaged through his drawers, and for once he didn’t look at Reuben. “Me too.”

  “Is it dangerous for your brother?”

  “I don’t care.”

  Reuben paused for a moment. It was Erik’s brother after all, but then he realized that he wouldn’t care if his father lived or died either. Maybe blood wasn’t so important after all. “I understand.”

  Erik gave him a smile. “I asked you about something back in the garden.” He put a vial of black ink on top of the desk.

  “Did you?”

  “If you want to be marked with my name.”

  Reuben wasn’t sure what that would entail, but he smiled. “Yes.”

  Erik nodded and walked back to the sofa with the bottle and a metal apparatus that resembled a gun. “All right, darling. Sit down.”

  Reuben joined Erik on the sofa, but his heart started rushing. His pulse was rising with every moment, as he could see that Erik wasn’t completely confident either. The way his eyes roamed all over Reuben’s body, missing his face, was very unsettling. “I am going to tell you what this would involve, and then you can tell me if you don’t want to do this anymore. How does that sound?” Erik finally looked up and managed to give Reuben a pale smile.

  “That sounds... generous, Master.”

  Erik slipped his hand under the poncho Reuben was still wearing and stroked his forearm. His face was so calm, so gentle. Reuben would do anything to make him happy. “First of all, it would be in a hidden place on your body, one only you and I know.”

  Reuben liked how intimate that was and leaned over to nuzzle Erik’s chest. “That sounds good.”

  “You want to know where?” Erik tangled his fingers into Reuben’s mane, massaging his scalp.

  “Yes, Master.” Please don’t let it be on the prick.

  “Right... here.” Erik leaned in and slipped his tongue into Reuben’s mouth.

  Reuben blinked in surprise. Inside his mouth? Was that even possible?

  Erik broke the kiss and traced Reuben’s upper lip with his thumb. “And it would hurt a bit.”

  Reuben kissed the tip of his finger and glanced into Erik’s eyes. “I’m not afraid.”

  Something changed in the way Erik looked at Reuben, but his voice remained as steady as usual. “I will use ink and a needle.”

  A shiver went down Reuben’s spine at the thought of being marked by Erik forever, and when Erik left the sofa, Reuben almost followed before he was stopped with a gesture. “Lie down on your back.”

  Reuben smiled at him. “You need to take off my tail, master.”

  The laugh that left Erik’s lips sounded forced and shaky, and even the light from the fireplace couldn’t soften the worry on his face. “All right, show me your rump.”

  Reuben
turned around, but he didn’t understand why Erik was so nervous. After the tail was gone, Erik helped him get comfortable with his neck on the armrest.

  “I will try to be quick,” Erik assured Reuben, who watched him upside down.

  Reuben’s stomach clenched with anticipation, but most of all, the realization that he would have Erik’s name carved into his body was slowly sinking in. Sometimes when he looked at Erik’s elegant form, his pale blonde hair, even his strange eyes, Reuben wished they could melt together. Maybe this was a way to do it, since there was no way for them to have a foal.

  Erik’s behavior was a bit erratic, but he managed to fill the strange pistol with ink. He sat down on a chair and leaned over Reuben, only to draw back with a moan. “Aren’t you hot, darling?”

  “It is warm in your office,” Reuben admitted, but his gaze focused on the needle, sharp and menacing enough to give his stomach cramps.

  Erik sighed and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Do you want to get your poncho off?”

  “That‘s a good idea.” Reuben looked over the tiny dark moles on Erik’s pale chest. He was like sweetened cream, but Reuben knew he wouldn’t get a taste now. Eventually, they were both topless, and Erik bowed over him with the marking device. He was very careful as he folded Reuben’s upper lip to have access to its sensitive underside. Reuben was fascinated by the way Erik’s face became the picture of focus. He looked just like this when he was working, and Reuben didn’t dare disturb him.

  With the first pricks of the needle, he understood what level of pain he would have to deal with, and he tried to relax. His mind drifted off to ogling Erik’s chest, pink nipples, and slim but tight stomach. Carnal desires dissolved as the process progressed. His eyes teared up at the most unexpected moments, but he did his best to stay calm and immobile so that Erik wouldn’t make a mistake.

  There was something primal about the process, and it made Reuben imagine that he was now truly becoming Erik’s possession. He knew damn well he shouldn’t be happy about it. It was slavery after all, but he couldn’t help the yearning to belong. That longing clung to him like a shirt soaked in tar, but it was lovely, and warm, and beautiful.