A King to Be Protected

by Brea Alepoú

Seth: Let's get to bed.

  Seth looked to Liby. He didn’t know if she could hear him through the pact, but he tried it anyway.

  Seth: Liby, the king is tired. We will retire now, but you can get cleaned up first and meet us upstairs.

  Seth watched as Liby turned to look at him. He could tell she hadn’t expected to hear him in her head, but the nod of confirmation was delighted. She didn’t say anything back, and he would have to see if she could talk back later or if it was a one-way street.

  Titos yawned again and swayed on his feet. Seth scooped him up, holding Titos close to him as they left the living room and headed back to the bedroom.

  Kail: Is he okay?

  Mazki: He bonded you today and just did a pact. Pretty sure he’s just exhausted. Plus, we were just on the run the other day.

  Seth: Mazki and Kail, both of you stay watch until Liby makes it here. Once she is here, you both can come join us in bed.

  With their confirmations, he took Titos into the room, and Adom helped strip Titos down as they got into bed.

  Adom: Things with him will be different.

  Seth: It won’t be like any other territory.

  Adom: What do you think of Armest?

  Seth: He shouldn’t be trusted. I would rather he be dead, but Titos won’t let that happen so easily.

  Titos slept peacefully between them.

  Adom: I should go over the papers.

  Seth reached out, stopping Adom from leaving the bed.

  Seth: Tomorrow. For now, we stay with him.

  Titos sat in the chair in their bedroom, watching as each of his keepers tried on a few of the items Gavin had brought in. Liby stood next to him, her eyes diligently moving around. It had taken Titos pushing Seth to get him to try on some clothes, but it was worth it. He had a fitted suit on that showcased all of his muscles perfectly. Titos’s mouth watered at how good it looked on him.

  “You weren't bothered by my admission yesterday,” Titos said.

  “Should I have been?” Liby asked.

  Titos laughed. Most people would have run, then again, his keepers hadn’t, but Liby wasn’t a keeper. He turned to look at her. She had on black pants and a plain white t-shirt, her blonde hair still in a tight bun. She was beautiful with her stern look. Her eyes continued to roam the room. Even now in the security of their home, she was on guard.

  “Yes,” Titos said, turning back to watch the fashion show. Kail was trying on a nice leather jacket that fit him well. Adom was the only one missing.

  Titos felt the bond for Adom. He didn’t want to bother him while he went through all the paperwork, but he felt the need to feel for him. He’d sent Ginger to help him.

  Adom: Do you need me?

  The concern came through the bond, and Titos reassured Adom.

  Titos: No, I was just checking on you is all.

  Love trickled down the bond and wrapped around Titos. He couldn’t help but smile. He left Adom to do his work just as Seth walked over dressed in a light blue button up and black slacks, his sleeves rolled up. Titos never thought arms were so sexy before, but Seth was quickly changing his mind on that.

  Seth flexed his arms a few times, and Titos knew he’d let it slip through the bond. Kail joined them and soon Mazki too. Both of them were dressed in clothes that fit their personalities perfectly.

  Gavin came over. He wasn’t wearing an orange suit, instead going for green, blue, and black plaid. They were too much for Titos, but Gavin seemed to enjoy them.

  A knock at the door had Liby moving toward it. Seth moved next to him, and Kail and Mazki moved slightly in front of him. He was guarded from every angle, even Gavin picked a spot. Titos would need to ask Gavin if he had any fighting skills. He was one of the few humans who had a touch of edoli blood in them. He would be slower than other edoli, but faster than any human.

  Armest walked into the room, led by Liby. He was alone, but still he stood there with an air of importance.

  Titos smiled at Armest. “Good morning, Armest. You’re here to report back?”

  Armest didn’t bow, showing no respect to Titos. “A number of people have concerns ab—”

  “I never asked for a report on their concerns,” Titos interrupted. He stood and moved closer to Armest. “I asked you to assist those who want to leave my territory.”

  Armest’s smug smile dimmed as he glared back at Titos. “This territory i—”

  “Is mine. I am king here.” Titos took a step forward.

  Armest’s hands balled at his sides, but before he spoke, the blade of Liby’s sword was firmly placed against his throat. The blade was so sharp droplets of blood spilled over the blade. Armest stood proud, as if a blade wasn’t seconds away from cutting his head off.

  “You will choose your next words carefully,” Seth warned.

  Armest smiled. He was probably going for charming, but it only came off as forced. Titos could see the anger in his eyes. Armest reached into his suit pocket, moving slowly, and produced a folded piece of paper. He handed it over. Mazki snatched the paper from him and opened it. The look Armest gave him was one of pure disdain.

  Mazki laughed. “It’s a stamped letter from the council, claiming Armest owns this territory.” Mazki burned the paper, turning it to ash. He blew the remains into Armest’s face.

  Titos: We challenge him and the council will really be after us.

  Seth: We stand by whatever you choose.

  Titos looked around the bedroom he shared with his keepers. He could end up sleeping on a bed of leaves and he’d be happy as long as he was with them. The overly lavish house was nice, but it wasn’t something Titos needed. Titos walked over to one of the bedroom windows and opened the curtains, staring off at the plentiful grounds.

  Titos: Adom, have you found anything yet?

  Adom: There is a lot of money missing, and it’s going somewhere, but I haven't found where. Give me until dinner and I’ll have it for you.

  A moment passed as Titos contemplated his options.

  Adom: Is there something wrong?

  Seth: The council has stamped and approved of the territory in Armest’s name.

  Adom: That’s odd. They would never approve of a territory without a king or queen’s backing.

  Mazki: Not unless Armest is supplying one or two council members with enough money.

  Adom: There’s money missing but not enough to sway that kind of paperwork. The council is there to keep some semblance of balance among kings and queens and their territories.

  Mazki: You and I both know just how corrupt the council can be.

  Seth: So, what are we saying? That he pays in other way? There isn’t strong enough edoli around here to send to the council for their army.

  Titos: Adom, try and find out.

  Titos turned to stare at Armest who somehow looked even more smug. “Of course, all your keepers and this maid can leave. I’m not a rash man; you can have lunch before leaving.”

  Titos smiled at him. “Liby, remove your sword from our gracious host’s neck,” Titos commanded.

  Her sword away, she still stood close enough to him that if Titos even thought it, she would be able to kill Armest. Titos bowed at the waist to Armest.

  Seth: Master.

  Titos could feel the anger from all of them. It wasn’t toward him but Armest. They all hated him. Titos stood, the smile still on his face. “Will you be joining us for the last lunch?”

  Armest’s smile disappeared, his expression confused as he stared at Titos, trying to figure out what Titos was planning.

  “No, I will need to look into new cleaners and have this placed cleaned out upon your departure,” Armest said as he turned to leave the room.

  Liby moved to the side, letting him past. Armest glanced back at Titos, but he simply smiled and waved as Armest left.

  “What the fuck?” Kail asked.

  Seth’s hand went to Kail. “Watch it,” he growled.

  Kail nodded. “Sorry, just… We should’ve killed him
.”

  Mazki sighed. “What would you like us to do, master?”

  Titos went back to the window and pressed his head against the cool glass. “We do nothing. Adom is going through everything.”

  Titos opened the window to let in the cool autumn breeze, breathing in the crisp air. He understood their wanting to kill Armest, but Titos couldn’t kill him recklessly. Not until they knew how much trouble it would cause. They already had so much stacked against them. His old queen wanting him dead, the bounty on his head, and he was a soul eater. Adding the council stepping in would be too much. They would die before Titos could come up with a way to save them. That was the last thing Titos wanted.

  He closed his eyes, letting the wind wrap around him and all his keepers in the room, even letting it caress against Liby. She seemed to tense before relaxing, and the wind moved past her. He opened his eyes just as something scorching hot touched the wind. Titos stared off in the distant, expecting to see what had nearly burned him through the wind. It was coming. Whether friend or foe… Titos didn’t know.

  “Is something wrong?” Seth asked.

  Titos closed the window and turned to look at Seth. He smiled at his strong alpha. “Someone is coming.” He sighed as his stomach grumbled his hunger. “Let’s go have lunch.”

  All of his keepers looked at him strangely, even Liby seemed lost by how Titos was acting.

  He smiled, trying to put them all at ease. “Come on. Let's see if the chef made something extra special.”

  They followed him out of the room as they headed to the kitchen. He could feel their worry; all of them concerned for him. Kail continued to let his thoughts slip through, and Titos knew he was worried Titos was giving up. It was far from the case, but he didn’t have a full plan in place just yet. If there was one thing Titos knew, it was that he was good at the waiting game. It’s why he’d been a god hunter; he hadn’t been as powerful, fast, or strong as the others, but his patience and attention to detail helped him beat a lot of others.

  Now he had power, keepers, and the skills he’d harnessed over the years. He just needed a way to use them properly. They made it to the kitchen, and Titos went to the table, bypassing the food, knowing Seth would bring him a plate. Already he was becoming accustomed to the life of a king. He’d thought it would take so much more time to get used to it. He’d grown up devoid of any of the luxuries he had now. It was only a few days ago he was renting a small loft, and now, he was in a house with more bedrooms than he needed.

  Seth placed a plate in front of him, and Titos ate without paying attention, too caught up in his thoughts as they circled. Each outcome with them fighting for their lives and either dying or barely surviving with more battles to come. Killing Armest was an option, but without knowing who was backing him and how it may open him to more attacks. Also, the council recognized Armest as owner of the territory. Without him, they would be sure to turn their eyes on him regardless. He needed to get rid of the contract for his life. Except, he didn’t know how to do it without dying.

  Titos: Adom.

  Adom: Yes?

  Titos: Is there a way to get rid of the contract for my life?

  Adom: I will call some contacts to see if there are any loopholes, but I only know either the target dies or the person who issued it dies.

  Titos sighed and reached for another piece of food only to find an empty plate. He blinked, looking at the plates stacked in front of him. He looked around the table, but no one was eating. They were all just watching him. Liby stood by the entrance, watching the door.

  “Why aren’t you guys eating?” Titos asked.

  They all made eye contact, and the worry on their faces intensified.

  “We finished twenty minutes ago. You’ve just been eating,” Seth said.

  Titos looked down at the three empty plates he hadn’t even tasted. He sighed, knowing he’d probably missed tasting something amazing. Liby drew her sword.

  “Step any closer and your head comes off,” she threatened.

  Seth stood in front of Titos, blocking his view of their intruder. Titos could feel the scorching heat he’d felt in the wind earlier.

  “Who are you and how did you get in here?” Seth asked.

  There was deep laugh. “There’s no one guarding the outside of this place. I just waltzed in. As the alpha, you sure leave your master vulnerable,” the intruder said.

  Seth growled a warning.

  “Calm down, wolf ma—”

  Seth attacked. He shifted and was his manticor wolf, his form larger than before. His spikes on his tail and sides longer and sharper. The man whistled as he stared up at Seth’s shifted form. Titos looked past Seth to see the intruder. There stood a large man easily just as tall as Seth, thick from top to bottom and a full beard. His red hair was wild and untamed. His eyes were solely focused on Seth as he dodged Seth’s attack.

  Liby ended up near Titos as Seth and the man circled each other. The man had no weapon that Titos could see, and Seth’s movements were limited in the closed room. Titos watched for a second longer before turning to Liby.

  “Where are Jameson and Lonzo?” Titos asked.

  Liby’s eyes were still looking around, and she ignored the fight. “They were guarding the outside last night with a few others. They changed with ten others this morning.”

  Titos turned back just in time to see Seth pin the man to the floor, his giant paw on top of him, his tail raised and ready to strike.

  Titos: Don’t kill him, Seth.

  Seth: Yes, master.

  Seth brought the spike close to the man, growling in warning. Finally, the intruder yielded to Seth, turning his head and baring his neck. Seth backed up, his shift happening in seconds. As soon as he was back in human form, he was next to Titos once more. Titos stood and kissed Seth, congratulating him on his win. Seth’s hands landed on his hips and hoisted him up. Titos’s legs wrapped around his middle as they kissed.

  Mazki: I want a victory kiss.

  Seth growled and Titos laughed. He turned to look at his phoenix. He bent over as Mazki stepped up on his tippy toes, their lips pressing together.

  Seth: You weren’t the one to fight.

  Mazki: That’s because you’re the head wolf.

  Titos pulled back from the kiss, smiling. Instead of Seth putting him down, he sat his naked flesh under Titos. It had Titos wishing he was naked, and they were back in the room. Unfortunately, there was a shit tornado happening around them, so Titos pecked Seth on the lips before turning around to face the man who’d walked in.

  Titos could feel the pull to him just as he had for Seth, Mazki, Adom, and Kail. But unlike the others, this man had come in and challenged Seth right away for his position. Titos didn’t know if he wanted that among his keepers. He liked that they enjoyed being with each other just as they enjoyed being with him. He wouldn’t add someone only for them to tear them apart or make matters worse. Titos had enough crap to worry about.

  Seth: I can handle him if you do choose to take him.

  Titos: I have no doubt, but I want us all to get along.

  Mazki: He screams wild. Bet he fucks like how he looks.

  Kail: He seems pretty calm for a guy who just got his ass kicked.

  Seth: He submitted. I doubt we will have any issues.

  Mazki: And if he gets an idea in his head again to challenge our dear alpha wolf, then fucking into submission always works.

  The image had Titos’s dick hardening and his breath quickening. The man stood from the floor, and Seth growled. He stopped short of reaching his full height.

  “Kneel,” Seth said.

  Titos watched as the man easily went down to his knees.

  “Who are you and what do you want?” Titos asked.

  The man ran his fingers through his hair, and he looked up at Titos with beautiful green eyes. A darker green than his own. “Name is Alfrik Kaze and I felt your call,” he said as he bowed his head.

  “I’m sure plenty of kings and quee
ns’ calls are out there, so why come to me?” Titos asked.

  Alfrik looked at him as if he was speaking nonsense. “I’ve never felt it this strong,” he said.

  Mazki: Kaze. I’ve heard of them.

  Titos felt it, the need to claim his newest keeper, but he wasn’t ruled by what he was. He leaned back against Seth’s broad chest and stared Alfrik down. He had four keepers already, did he need another?

  “I’m not seeing why I should care or why you’re here,” Titos said flatly.

  Alfrik eyes dimmed with disappointment, but he stayed kneeling. “I’ve never had a calling that was this strong. It’s as if everything in me screams that you are the one I should serve.”

  Titos could hear the pleading in his voice, and yeah, he got that feeling too. He could tell Alfrik was powerful, but Titos wasn’t adding someone to his keepers who would do more damage than good.

  “Lava creatures,” Mazki blurted out.

  Titos stared at Mazki, raising his eyebrow in question.

  Mazki stood, moving toward Alfrik, and he sniffed a little before backing away nodding. “Just what I thought. You smell of ashes.”

  “Someone is coming,” Liby announced.

  “Please let me prove to you that I will be a great keeper for you,” Alfrik offered.

  Titos sighed, adding another thing to his list. “Kail, hide him. You aren’t to say or do anything,” Titos instructed.

  “Yes, master.” Alfrik bowed his head.

  Seth growled. “You have yet to earn that privilege. He is King Titos to you.”

  The way Alfrik’s green eyes dimmed had Titos’s hand itching to reach out to him with comfort. He held back as Alfrik stood and moved to the side, Kail cloaking him in darkness in the corner. It looked darker than the rest of the kitchen, but just as if the sun from outside didn’t reach it.

  Armest walked into the kitchen. Titos wasn’t surprised in the least at the presence of the arrogant man. He was, however, surprised by the amount of people who wanted him out of the territory. The very territory that was his by birthright. Sure, he hadn’t known about it, but now that he did, there was no erasing the knowledge.

  Mazki: The snake brought a few people with him.