Viktor accepts a new position in Vane Godwin’s household and immediately meets a man he wants to have in his bed. But this time, it won’t be that easy. Thomas might be attracted to him, but Viktor soon learns the younger man’s heart isn’t free. Or so Thomas says…
Thomas is hurt when his childhood friend Bella can’t see him as anything more than a friend, but he knows life has to go on. His new friend Viktor makes that much easier, starting the day Thomas accidentally spills the details of his heartbreak to the man.
But the gods had a plan when they steered Viktor to the right city, and Thomas feels his heart recovering far faster than he’d anticipated. Thomas has always had a plan in place and every part of his life in order, but the chaos the gods bring might be just what he truly needs.
His Timid Fox
Shifters of Arizia, 2
by
Victoria Vallo
M/M, GAY, SHIFTERS, FOX SHIFTER, BEAR SHIFTER, PARANORMAL, ANAL SEX, AND RIMMING
Twisted E-Publishing, LLC
www.twistederoticapublishing.com
A TWISTED E-PUBLISHING BOOK
His Timid Fox
Shifters of Arizia, 2
Copyright © 2017 by Victoria Vallo
Edited by Marie Medina
First E-book Publication: October 2017
Cover design by K Designs
All cover art and logo copyright © 2017, Twisted Erotica Publishing.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.
All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.
All characters engaging in sexual situations are over the age of 18.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Epilogue
Also by Victoria Vallo
About the Author
According to the priests of Arizia,
the first shifters were once only beasts, not human at all.
They took human form because of lust.
They stayed in human form because of love.
Chapter One
Thomas felt one of the scroll cases in his arms slipping, and he angled toward the wall to try to reposition his load. But the scroll case still slipped from his grip and rolled away, managing to come unfastened and scatter papers all over the hallway. Thomas sighed and stacked the other scroll cases against the wall and went to retrieve the papers. He tried his best to get out of everyone’s way, muttering his apologies as he gathered everything up.
As he reached for the scroll case, he saw a large man kneeling beside him and holding the soft leather cover open in his hands. “You look like you need help,” the man said.
“Yes, thank you,” Thomas said to the stranger. He arranged the papers as neatly as he could before placing them in the leather case and rolling it up, clasping both buckles around the bundle this time.
“You’re welcome,” the man said as he relinquished the case and stood up. “Have a nice day.”
“You, too. Thank you.” Thomas moved to retrieve the other scrolls, though he turned to watch the man for a moment. He must be one of the men helping hunt down the rest of Drake’s crew. He’s huge. Wouldn’t want to get into a fight with him. He sighed as he watched the handsome man turn a corner, looking dashing and sexy in his leathers and billowing white shirt with a crimson sash tied at his waist. Bella wouldn’t have laughed at him if he’d proposed to her.
Thomas continued down the hallway, a frown on his face. The infamous pirate Jack Drake had been executed earlier in the day, so there was a lot of work to be done. The city was filled with people who had come to see the execution, including dozens of men looking to collect the bounties on the rest of Drake’s crew. Thomas and all the other stewards were going to be as busy as the vanes for the next few days. And that would give him little to no time to spend with Bella.
Thomas had been in love with Bella for five years. They’d grown up together, and when they were younger she’d tagged alone after him because he was two years older than her. But they’d grown apart as teens, when he’d taken on duties for her uncle, Vane Godwin, and she’d been confined to the schoolroom to learn all the things ladies were supposed to learn. He still remembered the day he’d fallen for her. Their birthdays were four days apart, and since Thomas’s mother had been Bella’s nanny and his father had been her tutor, they’d always celebrated birthdays together.
When he turned eighteen and she turned sixteen, he finally woke up. Or at least, that was how it felt. He’d come to the top of the stairs to escort his little tag-along down to their party, and his heart had started pounding when she took his arm and kissed his cheek. His memories of the party were a blur of watching her and waiting to dance with her. She’d laughed at him several times that night, saying he was fussing over her.
His frown deepened as he thought about how many times she’d said that over the years, as if he was an overprotective big brother. And when he’d asked her to marry him, that’s exactly what she’d said she thought of him as—a big brother. But she had said she’d think about it and give him an answer later. Now, he wondered if he should’ve waited to ask her. If he should’ve asked at all to begin with.
Several months back, she’d been kidnapped from a ship by Jack Drake, along with some other men and women from noble families. Thomas had almost driven himself crazy worrying about her, assuming she was probably dead. But she’d survived and been rescued, and he’d been so happy he hadn’t been able to wait more than a few days before telling her how he really felt.
And she’d laughed at him.
He knew she regretted hurting him that way, but there was no taking it back. She was one of the strongest people he’d ever known, and she seemed fine, despite her ordeal. Yet he wondered if he should have given her more time to readjust to everyday life. He had no idea what she’d truly been through and no desire to press her for details if she didn’t wish to share. She acted no different, actually seeming even stronger and more confident. Perhaps because she’d survived? He had no idea and wished they could share the bond they’d had when they were younger.
Nothing to be done about it now. She’ll give me her answer when she’s ready. Thomas finally arrived in the records room and began sorting the scrolls he’d been charged with. He also had two bundles of loose papers he needed to copy down into the records, so he’d likely be stuck in this room the rest of the day. His mind wandered as he filed the scrolls away. While he hadn’t exactly been chaste over the years, he’d never opened his heart to anyone else. Had that been a mistake? What had he missed out on by only giving his body to the few lovers he’d had? None of them had seemed serious about him either, but what if he’d taken that first step emotionally?
Thomas chewed his lower lip as he put the last scroll into place and turned to find the first record book he needed. It was always easy to get distracted in this room. Though the family resided in Castile, civic duties often brought Vane Godwin to the port city of Dannis, and he almost always brought Thomas with him. For better or worse, Thomas had experienced more than a few sexual firsts in this very room, back in the darker corners. Though he hated the stereotype that shifters were more lust-driven than ordinary humans, he couldn’t deny how his physical desires had always won out over his shyness. And he was a fox shifter, the race that was supposedly the most promiscuous of all. He didn’t like to think about whether it was true or not. But over the y
ears, many women and men alike had been excited to find out what he was.
Very excited.
Thomas shook himself again, trying not to get lost in memories. He wasn’t ashamed, but he worried about how it might influence Bella’s decision. He had no idea if any news of his “activities” might have gotten back to her through gossip. The first girl he’d ever kissed had eventually become friends with Bella, though she hadn’t seemed to remember Thomas at all. While he didn’t know whether Bella had ever had a lover or not, he did know no one had ever courted her formally. It wasn’t that she seemed chaste or prudish so much as simply uninterested.
Did she only like women? Or was she so independent she had no use for a lover at all?
“Oh, snap out of it!” Thomas said out loud, angry with himself.
* * * *
Viktor stopped short when the man at the table snapped at himself, an angry look clouding his features. “Um … am I interrupting?” he asked.
The young man who’d just been reprimanding himself—the same one he’d helped in the hallway earlier—turned a little pink as he looked up. “No! I’m sorry.” He straightened the page before him, dropping his quill pen. “I’m not having a very good day.”
Viktor nodded. “You must be busy, with the execution and all.” He took a step forward. “I’m Viktor. Are you Thomas? Vane Godwin sent me to find you.”
“Yes, I am.” Thomas cleared his throat and rose. “Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand, which Viktor took. “And thank you again for your help earlier.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Does the vane need me now?” Thomas asked, pushing his chair back farther.
“No, I’m sort of meant to be your tag-along for a while.”
Thomas blinked at him. “My … what?”
“Poor choice of words. I’m supposed to shadow you. I’m going to be Godwin’s new overseer. In security matters. The safety of his household and the estate and all that. He wants me to learn all I can from you. About his routines and the daily goings on.”
Thomas sat back down. “I didn’t know he was hiring anyone new.”
“I was suggested by a friend. The idea only came to Vane Godwin a day or two ago, and I just arrived in Dannis, which was what prompted our mutual friend to recommend me.”
Thomas chewed his lip. “Is it because of Bella?”
“Bella?”
“His niece. The one who was kidnapped by Drake. He wants more security because of what happened?”
“Oh, yes. He didn’t mention her name.” He nodded. “Yes, that’s part of it. He wants escorts of bodyguards available for all travel.”
Thomas tapped his fingers on the table. “Yes, we’ll definitely have to work together to make that happen. Right now, I’m just copying records. Pretty boring.”
Viktor smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t be following you around all the time. And I won’t sit here staring at you.” Though I could. You’re pretty damn cute. Viktor shooed the thought away. “I’ll look around in here.”
“All right. But I could be a while.”
“That’s fine.” Viktor strolled over to the high shelves and bookcases, browsing and looking at the engraved labels placed here and there.
After a few minutes, Thomas said, “If you go back a ways, make lots of noise. The darker corners are, um, occupied. Sometimes.”
Viktor’s eyebrows rose, but he lowered them before turning. “So that’s not just a rumor?”
“No. This place can be pretty … private. The hall’s so big. Just letting you know. In case it’s your first time.”
“My first time?” Viktor asked with a grin.
“Here, I meant.” Thomas blushed again. “Is it?”
“I’ve been to Dannis once before but didn’t stay long.”
“You’ve worked in this field before? Or were you a guard? Soldier?”
“I’m from Wrekin. Come from good warrior stock. But I ended up a soldier, disappointing my father a bit. He prefers adventuring to the regiment of the military. But I left the king’s service when I was twenty-three. I’ve been a bounty hunter and a guard. Godwin wanted someone with varied experience. The job’s going to be a work in progress, but I’m sure you can help me. He says you practically run his household.”
Thomas finally gave a bit of a smile. Shrugging, he said, “I do my best.”
“You seem young.”
“I’m twenty-three.”
“Oh, not as young as you look.”
Thomas eyed him before asking, “How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight.”
He felt Thomas’s gaze move over him again, but the younger man looked down without saying anything.
“I’ll leave you to your work.” Throwing Thomas a wink when he looked back up, Viktor added, “And I’ll try to stay out of trouble back here.”
“Best of luck. It’s hard at times.”
Viktor paused, unable to resist asking, “Any good stories to go along with that warning?”
Thomas cleared his throat. “Perhaps over drinks one night.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” Viktor turned and made his way deeper into the records room. He let out a deep breath, smiling at the need he scented on the other man. There was one scent Viktor knew, and that was fox. Drinks one night? I like the sound of that. He hadn’t been crazy about the idea of shadowing a steward for the next few weeks, but maybe it wouldn’t be so bad after all. While fucking his way through his new employer’s household probably wasn’t a good idea, he could definitely see himself spending a few nights in this man’s bed. Foxes were always inventive and adventurous lovers, and since Viktor was a bear shifter and easily twice Thomas’s size in human form, the little fox would likely be very submissive…
Viktor shook himself. Time for me to snap out of it. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, that’s fine. But he took a quick glance back at Thomas, who was copying intently and didn’t seem to notice Viktor’s scrutiny.
Viktor smiled to himself before returning his focus to the shelves and pulling down a book of maps, searching for one of the city of Castile, which would soon be his new home. He found several of different sizes, showing different districts, and he took it back to the tables and sat down at one across from Thomas. He did his best to focus on the page, even though he felt Thomas looking up at him every now and then.
Whether the other man was feeling general curiosity or actual desire, Viktor would certainly satisfy either for him.
* * * *
Four Days Later
Thomas took the papers from the bailiff and thanked him. A blue-winged homing corvin had arrived a couple of days ago with news of a ship returning to Dannis with several of Drake’s men in its hold. The captain of the Pirate’s Demise had captured them off the coast of Elan, where they were harassing fishermen in a stolen boat. The lookouts had spotted a ship matching its description on the horizon, so Thomas needed to find Viktor and send him down to the docks. Thomas had, at first, worried the handsome man would be cocky or boastful, but Viktor wasn’t either of those things. He seemed like a genuinely nice and thoughtful person, which was unusual for a man in his line of work. Most soldiers and bounty hunters were brash and didn’t think much of Thomas or what he did for a living. But Viktor asked lots of questions and actually listened to what Thomas had to say, which was refreshing. Thomas didn’t have a lot of time for friends, but after only four days, it seemed that he’d made one.
Thomas turned a corner and smiled when he spotted Viktor, glad he hadn’t had to go far to find the man. He waved Viktor over and held the papers out. “There’ll be some prisoners to escort today. Captain Reever will be arriving on the Pirate’s Demise with four of Drake’s men. You need to show these papers to the harbormaster. Then he’ll sign them and so will the captain, and you’ll escort them back here with Reever and some of his men. The harbormaster will keep the top copy, the one with the wax seal.”
“Should I be armed?” Viktor asked.
/> “Wouldn’t hurt.” He glanced down to Viktor’s wide belt and the sword hanging from it. “I think just your sword will do. Reever’s men should be armed and have the prisoners well bound.”
Viktor nodded. “I’ll set off right away. How’s your day been so far?”
“My day?” No one ever asked him how his day was going. “Fine. A little busy. After you’re done, we can talk about the travel plans next week.”
“I’ll come find you then.” Viktor smiled and turned away, his long strides eating up the distance quickly.
Must be nice to be so tall. Viktor was more than a foot taller than Thomas. If the man stood too close, Thomas had to almost look straight up to see into his face. He sighed and told himself to stop having such glum thoughts. But then he looked up and saw Bella heading his way, a sober expression on her face.
Thomas knew what was coming. She’d had more than enough time to consider his proposal. The only reason she could have to wait so long to give her answer was her fear of hurting him. He did his best to put a smile on his face, though.
It wasn’t her fault she didn’t love him.
“Hi, Thomas. Do you have a moment?” Bella said.
“Yes, of course.” He looked out one of the side arches and said, “Perhaps a turn in the garden?”
“Yes, that would be nice.”
Thomas offered his arm, and Bella took it after only a slight hesitation. She didn’t start talking right away, and he couldn’t blame her. After asking Vane Godwin’s permission, he hadn’t told anyone about proposing to Bella, figuring it wasn’t his place to say anything yet. No one else seemed to know, though Thomas suspected she might have told Eric, one of the men who had helped to save her, as Thomas had seen her talking and laughing with him several times. He’d have been jealous if he hadn’t known Eric was the lover of the pirate hunter who had brought Drake in.
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