by Brea Alepoú
Mazki: We have to keep him safe.
Seth: That goes without saying.
Mazki’s stomach clenched uncomfortably; it just wasn’t fair. Titos was happy just being with them. He’d already accepted the responsibility to be king of the territory. All he wanted was to be left alone, and yet their adversaries saw them as a threat.
They made their way to their bedroom.
“My clothes are still in my other room,” Gin said.
Titos gave such a warm smile that Mazki felt it in his own heart. “Please grab them all, and you can have space in the closet.”
Kail shouldered Gin. “It’s big enough you can have the space next to mine.”
Mazki smiled at Kail, being so welcoming with Gin. He couldn’t imagine everything being new to him and how he’d react. All in all, Kail was doing great with the constant changes in his life.
Mazki stretched his hands above his head and turned toward the bathroom. It was huge and easily fit all of them. But if Titos continued to grow his harem, then they were going to need to upgrade soon. The corners of Mazki’s lips turned up in a smile. The thought of others joining sounded fun. Titos deserved to be loved by many.
He turned the shower on and checked the temperature, making sure it was that perfect temperature of boil your skin off. Before he could get in, a hand wrapped around his wrist.
“Tit—”
Titos pushed Mazki into the shower and closed the glass door, pressing Mazki’s back firmly against the shower tile wall.
“Never again,” Titos said.
His green eyes glowed faintly, not nearly as bright as when he accepted a new keeper, but still, Mazki could feel the severity in his words and the power that swirled in his gaze.
Any jokes would be frowned upon. Mazki tilted his head slightly to the side and relaxed his shoulders, showing that he was submitting to Titos in every way. But he continued to stare into the one man who made him feel so much in his eyes. Titos was his master, but beyond that, Titos was the one man Mazki loved. There was no doubt in his mind about his feelings for him. All his years on the planet never prepared him for such a feeling. All the people he met, the few he’d served, none of them came close to Titos and the emotions he invoked in Mazki.
“I’d do it again,” Mazki said slowly.
Titos’s lips dipped down in a frown, and his eyes went glassy. Mazki reached for his master and cupped his face. He was only slightly shorter than Titos. He brought Titos’s face to his and rested their foreheads together.
“If you are in danger, I willingly sacrifice myself for you. Again and again,” Mazki said.
The anguish came crashing through the bond. “Why? What if next time you don’t come back?”
A single tear slipped free, and Mazki caught it with his thumb.
“If I don’t come back, then I died saving the man I love. That is an honor I’d happily call my own,” Mazki said.
Titos’s eyes went wide. It happened every time they told their master they loved him. He always looked shocked, as if it was completely unbelievable. It was absurd—Titos was by far the easiest person to ever love.
“I don’t want to lose you,” Titos whispered.
But even over the sound of the shower, Mazki heard his master loud and clear. The admission twisted around his heart and made the organ pick up speed. He kissed Titos with every ounce of love that thrummed through his body.
By the time he pulled back, Mazki and Titos were both panting. He noticed no one had joined them; they were giving them this moment together.
“I will not promise you that I won’t sacrifice myself for you. But I can promise you I will do everything I can to always come back to you,” Mazki said.
Titos was silent for a second as he stared into Mazki’s eyes. “Okay.”
Mazki let out a sigh in relief. He wasn’t sure how else to convince Titos, but he would make sure to come back to his master no matter what stood in his way. Mazki kissed each of Titos’s eyelids and moved them so that they were under the spray of water. Mazki’s hands had a mind of their own as they roamed all over Titos’s naked body. He was rewarded with soft moans that seemed to only spur him on even further.
“I just knew that you couldn’t last more than five minutes alone,” Kail said.
Mazki grinned at him. “Can you blame me? Look at him.” Mazki stroked Titos’s cock ever so slowly, pulling another moan from him.
Kail’s pupil dilated, and he hungrily watched Mazki’s hand. All the while Mazki took in Kail’s naked body—tan skin full of tattoos, his man bun undone, and all his long luxurious hair falling to his mid-back.
Kail slowly made his way into the shower, and it was as if all the air in the bathroom had evaporated. The moment Kail made it to them, Mazki was fighting with his lungs to try and remember how to breathe. Titos’s fingers danced along his spine, making Mazki shiver.
“I’m not the only one who was scared at that moment,” Titos whispered into Mazki’s ear.
Mazki audibly swallowed. They were all there for Titos, there was no denying that, but there was an attraction that they each were developing for each other. Kail was hot, but beyond that, he was caring and gentle-hearted. He made Mazki’s heart speed up all on his own.
Kail stopped just short of touching Mazki, the small gap between them charged with want and need. Titos removed Mazki’s hand from his cock, and he groaned from the loss. But all too quickly, it was cut off as Kail grabbed Mazki by his hair and pulled him in for a kiss that was nothing more than teeth clashing and tongues dueling. It was demanding in every way and made Mazki’s mind go blank. He forgot everything, unable to fathom a simple thought.
Kail pulled back, his grip tight in Mazki’s hair and his blue eyes deadly serious. “Next time, a heads-up.”
Mazki licked his lips. Kail had never been so forward with him, but he could see there before him the kid who grew up on the streets and survived. Mazki audibly swallowed.
“Okay, I’ll try,” Mazki said.
Kail’s face instantly lightened, and his grip loosened. “I’m glad you’re okay.” He brought their lips together again, and it was gentler but no less demanding.
So many emotions swirled around inside of Mazki as he came to the realization that he meant more than he’d imagined. Someone cleared their throat, and Kail broke the kiss, grinning at Mazki. He moved over by Titos as Alfrik walked in. The giant man towered over Mazki like a skyscraper. He reached down and cupped Mazki’s face as if he were made of glass.
Mazki’s heart skipped a beat. Alfrik’s thumb smoothed over Mazki’s lips. “Thank you for what you did.”
It went without saying that any of them would give their lives for Titos, but it had been the first time they had come so close to losing their master.
“You’re welcome,” Mazki said.
Alfrik leaned down and brushed his lips over Mazki’s, his facial hair tickling Mazki’s mouth before he kissed him. He gently coaxed Mazki’s tongue out. The kiss was over way too soon for his liking.
Adom and Seth both stood by the door. Seth crossed his arms over his impressive chest.
“Next time you make Titos cry, you will have to sleep in a guest room for three nights by yourself,” Seth said.
Mazki was instantly pulled from his stupor that Alfrik had placed him in. “Wait, what? That’s not fair.”
Seth grinned and shrugged, making his way into the shower. Water droplets ran down his golden-brown skin, making it look good enough to lick. Mazki was pulled to Seth’s firm chest. There was no gentleness, just a harsh kiss and a nip for good measure.
“Don’t make him cry, bird,” Seth growled.
He surprised Mazki as he hugged him tight and smoothed back his wet hair. Mazki relaxed instantly and gave in to the embrace. They had been Titos’s first two keepers. Had willingly worked together to keep the one man they’d both been drawn to alive.
“You’re still going to be punished,” Adom said, drawing Mazki’s attention.
&nb
sp; “Yeah, I know,” Mazki said. He walked the small distance to Adom and threw his arms around the older-looking man. “I’m sorry.”
Silver eyes bored into him as if looking deep into his soul before Adom was smiling at him and cupping the back of Mazki’s head and bending him back only to take his mouth in a demanding kiss.
Mazki’s chest burned with the need for air, but he was reluctant to end the kiss as the water cascaded down on them. He could stay there for all eternity. Adom pulled back from the kiss and turned Mazki around to face the others.
He had said it outside, but Mazki met each of their gazes again. He now understood the severity of what everyone felt. The bond was open, and everyone’s emotions flowed through.
“I’m sorry I worried all of you,” Mazki said.
Titos moved forward and once again kissed Mazki. “Let’s get cleaned up. I’m sure Ginger is ready for us already.”
The library was packed. Kyo came up to him, and she once again reinforced the barrier around the main house.
“It’s a tad bit weaker, but as long as no one attacks for a while, we are good. Did you feel them when they entered the territory?” Kyo asked.
“It was small. I didn’t know what it was until they were closer to the main house. That’s when their hostility could be felt,” Titos said. But now he knew what he was looking for. He wouldn’t let anyone get so close again. They’d planned to attack his home where he and his keepers slept. Where his newfound family gathered. The previous Titos would have taken the attack as a warning and ran, but now Titos had too much to protect.
“Okay, well, it might have been the case that they had a magic user who was capable of hiding them as well,” Kyo said. She took a seat next to Liby once more. “But that’s just for the outer layer. If I make it too strong, then your own edoli might get pushed out.”
“Leave it as is. I know what I’m looking for now. They won’t get the drop on us again,” Titos said.
His hand was clenched tightly to the point his blunt nails dug into the palm of his hand. Seth’s warm hand covered his and helped ease him. Titos took in a deep breath. They’d won, and no one was hurt. He pushed out the image of Mazki turning into ashes from his mind. His keeper was there and very much alive.
Ginger walked into the room, Theo right behind her. He looked a little frazzled, but other than that, he was moving things around according to Ginger’s instruction. Theo set up a laptop as Ginger made her way over to them. Her black eyebrows were drawn down, and a frown was placed firmly on her beautiful face.
“Are you okay, Titos?” she asked.
Titos got up from Seth’s lap and hugged her. She might not have been bonded to him, but still she showed him more concern than any person in Titos’s life.
“Yes,” he answered.
Ginger hugged him tightly before letting him go. She fixed her poodle skirt before glancing behind Titos. “Everyone here is fine as well?”
Alfrik: Do we even deserve her?
Mazki: Nope, we need to get her a present.
Kail: And a vacation.
Titos: Adom.
Adom: Don’t worry, I will see to it.
Ginger’s head tilted. “I feel as if you all were doing that mind thingy and talking about me.”
Seth cleared his throat. “We are all fine, Ginger, thank you.”
Her bright pink–painted lips turned up in a smile. “Of course. You all are like children I never desired to have.”
Titos chuckled. Two of his keepers were clearly older than Ginger. Not to mention she was no more than forty.
“But I thought you were on—” Seth slapped his hand over Kail’s mouth before he could finish saying anything.
Ginger cocked a brow at them.
Seth: Never comment on a woman’s age.
Kail: But she isn’t old.
“I knew there was a reason you were the alpha. Saving your fellow keepers’ lives,” Ginger said.
Titos chuckled and went back to sitting on Seth’s lap. “So were you able to get in touch with anyone in Olvix house?”
Ginger’s face morphed into one of business; she was serious once more. “Yes, Your Highness.”
Titos refrained from correcting her.
“The king himself has responded, and I went ahead and sent him a summons,” Ginger said.
Titos trusted Ginger’s opinion on the matter, even if he didn’t want the man in his home. “How soon?”
Ginger turned to the laptop, and her fingers flew over the keyboard, filling the room with the clicking sound of her keys.
“In an hour, sir. The ballroom is being prepared as well. He has requested to bring his keepers,” Ginger said.
Before Titos could ask how many, Theo was rushing over to them and handing them each a piece of paper.
“I went ahead and took the liberty of finding out who his keepers are. This territory has been out of the loop for a while, so some connections were burned. However, I was still able to get some information on every member,” Ginger said.
Titos flipped through the small packet. It seemed King Olsen of the Olvix house only had four keepers. There was information on each of them, even down to the discord between the keepers. There was a fight to become alpha between two of the members.
“Impressive,” Adom said.
Titos nodded. He had to agree—it was detailed beyond anything Titos thought they’d have going into the meeting.
“It is my job to make sure Titos can run this place the best he can,” Ginger said. She stood up taller.
Titos grinned. “I’d be lost without you.”
A blush blossomed over Ginger’s face. “Thank you.”
“I know you might not like it, but it would be best if all of you change into something a bit more formal,” Ginger said.
Titos glanced over all his keepers. He liked the way they dressed, each of them with their own taste. He knew some houses made their keepers look more unified, but Titos had no desire to take that away from his men.
“I agree. A united front is what will look best,” Adom said.
Titos sighed. “Okay, is there anything you need from any of us, Ginger?” Titos said as he stood up again.
She shook her head. “I have everything handled, thank you.” She turned on her heels. “Come on, Theo. We have to go check on the ballroom.”
“I don’t know what you pay her, but I’d triple it,” Kyo said.
Titos glanced over to Adom and met the man’s gaze, and he gave a slight nod that he’d see to it.
“Kyo, I’m guessing you will be in there with us?” Titos asked.
She’d fought with them and risked her life along with his guard and keepers. As far as Titos saw it, she’d earned herself a spot with them. She was trustworthy.
“Consider it done,” Kyo said.
Seth cleared his throat. Kyo and Seth had a stare-off for a few tense seconds before Kyo offered her hand.
“I get it. You are the alpha keeper, and I saw how you handled things out there. I wouldn’t mind listening to you sometimes,” Kyo said.
Seth seemed to accept her offer. A brilliant smile overtook his face They left back out of the library. Unlike before, they made quick work of getting changed. No one said much of anything. Titos was too far in his own head. Another house was going to know about him. He had no idea why Queen Mia wasn’t telling the whole truth about him, but for now, Titos was going to use it to his advantage.
Titos tugged at his button-up.
“You two need to stop that,” Adom chastised.
Titos glanced over to his keeper and saw Kail was doing the same.
“It feels stuffy,” he grumbled, but he stopped tugging. Gin looked strange without his jewelry on.
“Is this necessary?” Titos asked.
“Yes, Olvix house may be the lesser house out of the big four, but it is still considered a powerhouse. Any show of weakness or difference will be exploited,” Adom said.
Titos sighed, knowing all too well Ad
om was right. He didn’t like it, but things were the way they were. The ballroom was set up with two chairs facing each other. Titos’s keepers circled around his chair, and Kyo was close to the window, giving her a better view of the room. She had her guns on her hips, ready to be drawn. Liby was next to the entrance, her hands behind her back, her sword on her hip. Everyone was dressed formally.
It felt stuffy and only made Titos nervous. He fidgeted in the seat, trying to get comfortable. It was going to be plain to see he didn’t belong in a seat of power; it just kind of happened. A heavy hand landed on his shoulder, and Titos was instantly calm.
Adom: You will do fine.
Seth: We are here for you.
Alfrik: Just be yourself. You are stronger than you think.
Titos listened to his keepers as he took in a deep breath. They were right—he wasn’t alone, and time again and again, he’d proven to himself and his enemies that he had a stronger will to live than they did to end his existence. Titos’s marking on his back started to tingle, and he sat up straighter instantly. His gaze went to the door. He let his power out, which felt ten times strong than before. It blew past Liby, moving her long blond ponytail. It wrapped around her, but she was familiar; she was safe.
Liby didn’t so much as bat an eyelash at the wind that surrounded her, but as the door opened and their guest filled the entrance, she turned ever so slightly, and her hand rested on the hilt of her sword.
The wind tickled along their guest. The king took a step back. He was a tall man with a thick black beard that touched the middle of his chest. He wore a suit that no doubt cost a small fortune. His hair was cut short and groomed back to perfection. The corner of his eyes had laugh lines that made Titos think he might smile often. But that wasn’t the case at the moment. Olsen Olvix’s mouth was set in a flat line, and his brown eyes were devoid of any laughter.
Titos let his power feel about their guest for another short second, but his marking on his back never intensified.
Titos: Be wary.
Titos fully pulled his power back and relaxed back against his seat.
