by Brea Alepoú
"He doesn't know that we’re all crazy about him?" Kail asked.
Titos looked to Kail, the seriousness on his face surprising Titos. Their eyes met for a brief second before Kail suddenly stood.
"Crap! He doesn't!" Kail exclaimed.
"Master, we—"
"Titos," Titos interrupted Adom. He was with his keepers and Alfrik who would soon be joining them—if he still wanted to be Titos’s keeper. He was a mess and—
Seth: And nothing. He would be an idiot to not want you.
Mazki: The way he was staring at you… It looked like you were a pot of honey and he's a starving bear.
Kail: You do look absolutely delicious. I'm a little sad I missed all the activity.
Titos touched their bond to see if Kail was hurt, but there was no jealousy. He fully expected to be a part of it next time, or for him to be the one with Titos, or any of his keepers. Titos smiled to himself. His keepers were not only intimate with him, but it seemed they’d all grown in their relationships with each other. He could tell they talked to each other through the bonds. If he wanted, he could pry into conversations, but he wouldn't. A knot in his stomach that he hadn't noticed loosened with the knowledge.
Adom: Our love for you is beyond reason.
Titos stared at Adom and smiled. He felt the truth in it. They all agreed, and he knew it to be true. He felt the same about them.
"What's going on?" Alfrik asked.
Titos had forgotten as they all talked mentally that Alfrik wasn't bonded and wasn't a part of everything that was being said. Titos opened his mouth to answer only for the gruff man to stand abruptly.
"I'm not sure what's really happening, but I want to be your keeper more than ever. Not just because your call is strong, but I can see the way your keepers look at you and the way you look at them. Love isn't something that we as edoli know all too well. It's used against you and exploited for power. Yet being here, there hasn't been any of it. You treat them as if they are more than tools."
Titos shook his head at Alfrik. "I would never treat them that way. I don't want tools by my side."
Alfrik smiled. "You are like no ruler I have ever met." Alfrik moved toward them, getting down on his knees. "If you would please allow me to join your keepers, I wis—" He shook his head. "I want to feel the love that all of you share, if that is possible."
Titos studied Alfrik. He couldn't feel through a bond to see if his words were true, but the pleading in his eyes and voice was convincing. Titos felt for all of his keepers, and they all looked at Alfrik as he knelt there.
Adom: He isn't wrong. Most keepers are nothing but useful fighters, chosen based on the power that they have and the potential to be of use.
Titos hated that aspect. To bond with someone, share thoughts and feelings, it was so intimate. He was confused at how anyone could just have their keepers to the side, as if they meant nothing, no more than a fork. A simple, useful tool. Tears stung his eyes and anger rushed through him.
Mazki: You shouldn't be angry.
Titos: How could anyone do that to someone who is a part of them? Bonding with all of you… I feel you just as deeply as I feel myself. We are all one, just as much as we are individuals.
Titos turned to look at Mazki, expecting an answer. He gave a small smile.
Mazki: Others would never give what you give. You bond with your heart; you cannot compare with others. It’s why we all love you freely and easily. It’s why Smokey the Bear is kneeling at your feet, begging you to take him as a keeper. You give all of us keepers something that no other master or mistress would.
Titos turned back to face Alfrik. "Do you like Smokey the Bear or Pooh Bear?"
The question seemed to catch him off guard, and Alfrik blinked a few times before scratching at his auburn beard. "I guess Smokey sounds cool."
Titos nodded, not elaborating on his question. Instead, he asked another one. "Why join me?" He put his hand up before Alfrik said anything. "What I mean is, you saw what happened with all the edoli and the bloodshed. It was my mistake. I didn't take a threat seriously and put everyone's lives in danger. I have no freaking clue how to be a king. I wasn't raised to be one."
Alfrik reached out toward Titos, but he stopped short, his eyes glancing over to Seth for a breath before he continued. He cupped Titos’s hand in his own war-calloused one. Green eyes peered up at him. "I walked into a party, and I didn't exactly give the best impression to you. We all make mistakes. If we were to judge and condemn everyone on an oversight, then we should all be killed now. I am sure we all have flaws, I know I do." He bowed his head, looking away before he cleared his throat. "I’m no poet, and I can't say I'm some perfect guy either. But I will be the best keeper I can for you. It doesn't matter to me what you grew up as. You are you now, and that is what I want to be a part of."
The words were sweet, and Titos nodded. He took a deep breath, staring into Alfrik’s eyes. "I'm a soul eater."
The room was silent and all his keepers were tight with tension, waiting on Alfrik's reaction. Seconds passed by and no words were spoken. Alfrik’s face hadn't changed. He still stared into Titos’s eyes longingly, but he didn't make a move or open his mouth. As time ticked by, Titos began to tense, unsure if he'd made another mistake. The only thing keeping him somewhat calm was Seth's steady presence behind him. But even his alpha was growing impatient.
"This is where you talk, Smokey. You're killing us with the suspense," Mazki said, breaking the silence in the room.
Alfrik turned to him. "I'm guessing you're the one who came up with the nickname then?" Alfrik turned his attention back to Titos. "I didn't know I was supposed to say something." He scratched at his beard once again, a habit Titos was noticing was his thinking process. "It doesn't matter to me. Now, if you say I'm no longer allowed to eat doughnuts, then negotiations will be needed."
Titos laughed at the severity on Alfrik’s face when he spoke of doughnuts. "I'll keep that in mind."
Alfrik smiled at him, and Titos could see the sweetness in his eyes.
Mazki: He is so much more Pooh then Smokey, or maybe even Yogi.
Titos laughed again, his body relaxing with the tension dissipating from the room. "My last thing—you said you can see the love my keepers and I share. They are in my bed, not just as bodies, but as intimate partners. They not only feel for me, but each other. Will that be a problem for you?"
Alfrik looked around at each of his keepers, stopping at Mazki for a minute before focusing on Seth last. "Is it a requirement?"
Titos shook his head. "No, I would never ask that of you, but bonding means so much more to me."
Alfrik nodded, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "It is surprising that they are not only with you but each other, but it doesn't change my mind."
Titos: I think I dropped every bomb I could think of. Any objections?
There were none, and Titos smiled. Mazki was eager to see what type of bear Alfrik was in the bedroom. Regardless of Seth and Titos wearing him out only moments ago.
Seth: Told you our little phoenix would be back and ready to go.
Titos laughed. Kail didn't seem to care one way or another. He wasn't eager to get Alfrik in bed, but the images running through his head were definitely focused on Seth. Adom was in the mood as well, and he wanted his hands on Mazki. Titos stood, pulling his hand up slightly so Alfrik knew to stand as well.
Before they could take a step, an alert from Liby had Titos groaning. Seth grabbed his arm, pulling him behind him. Titos couldn't help but admire all of the golden-brown skin on display, his fingers roaming and eager to touch more just as the doors opened to the dining room. The rest of his keepers and Alfrik circled around him, guarding him from all angles.
"What is the meaning of this?" Seth growled out. Even stark naked, he was fearsome.
"I apologize alpha, but…" The edoli who’d entered fidgeted in his spot.
Liby drew her sword and had it against the man's neck.
"I know you'v
e seen what she is capable of with her sword. Now, speak," Seth ordered.
The man audibly swallowed. "The prisoner has escaped," he rushed to say. The words almost blended together with how fast he spoke.
"What?" Titos was confused and anger radiated from every bond.
"How?" Seth growled, his shoulders bunching and his fists balled.
The edoli began to shake with fear as he stood in the face of everyone's anger.
Adom: There is another traitor.
The word traitor struck a chord with Titos. He groaned. Who could it possibly be?
"Where are Jameson and Lonzo?" Seth asked.
"I was told to come tell you," the edoli said.
"That doesn't answer his question. Who exactly told you to come tell?" Titos asked.
The man moved to go to his knees, but Liby pressed the sharp blade into his neck, stopping him.
"Your Highness, one of the guys shouted out the door, and I just ran to come tell you as soon as possible. I have no idea what happened with the brothers. They were inside."
“There should've been others outside with you," Seth said.
"There was one other. Jameson said he needed people he could trust. It was me and Chris on the outside."
"Who went inside besides Lonzo and Jameson?" Seth asked.
"Harper, sir," the edoli rushed out, his shaking slowing. "Chris stayed by the door to help; I ran to come inform you."
Adom: But if they didn't come through the door, then how?
Kail: Window? Vent? Secret door? They know this house better than any of us.
"Thank you…" Titos said, pausing. He hadn't caught his name.
"Philip."
"Thank you, Philip. Are you hurt anywhere?" Titos asked.
Philip shook his head, his short brown hair with blue streaks shaking.
Titos: We can find out how later. Let's make sure no one is injured and get things cleaned up.
Liby lowered her sword from Philip’s neck, and Titos turned to regard Alfrik. He wasn't bonded, so he had no idea of Titos’s decision.
"We’re going to get cleaned up if you would help check on the edoli who were guarding Armest. Kail will go with you," Titos said.
Titos: Adom, call Ginger. Get every map of the house and surrounding area. And get a doctor here for any injuries that are too severe. Let’s hope no magical items were used.
A collective yes, master and yes, majesty rang through the room. Titos wanted to groan but knew the formalities were needed in front of Philip. He gestured to Seth and Mazki.
"A shower, and then we can all figure out what the heck happened," Titos said.
Once clean, he got dressed. The clothes from earlier had burnt to ashes. He slipped on a pair of dark blue jeans with a grey t-shirt. Probably not something a king should wear, but he was tired and wanted to be comfortable. It was one incident after another. He blinked and there was another problem to be solved. He was starting to think that even the gods had it out for him.
"We will get to the bottom of this," Seth promised.
Titos turned and smiled at his alpha. He walked over to him, pressing his face against Seth's broad chest and inhaling deep breaths. "I know, but everything keeps falling apart. Every time I think we can get five seconds of a break, something goes wrong."
"It does seem that way," Mazki said as he laid his head on Titos’s shoulder, Seth's arms easily wrapping around them.
"You think the gods are punishing us because I was never meant to be a king?" Titos asked, finally voicing a question he didn't want the answer to.
Mazki shrugged. "If they are, they can go fuck themselves on the mountains."
Titos muffled a laugh against Seth's chest. He didn't know why the mountains, but he was sure Mazki had a reason for it. His laugh died down as they stood there. Seth's finger touched his chin, tilting his head back so he stared into ice blue eyes.
"Even if the gods become your enemy, we will protect you," Seth vowed.
It sent chills down Titos's back and tugged at his heart. He got on his tippy toes, stretching up for a kiss. Seth didn't leave him waiting, pressing his luscious lips against Titos’s.
Titos pulled back, breathless and wanting more, but he knew they had work to do and a shit tsunami to figure out. He took another breath before checking on Adom and Kail.
Titos checked on Adom first. He was in an office-like room. As soon as he felt Titos within the bond, he opened fully, and Titos looked around the room, using Adom's eyes. He was in an office by himself, the desk full of papers, some even scattered on the floor. Titos pulled back as Adom continued to speak on the phone with Ginger.
He felt along Kail's bond, checking on him.
Kail: Titos, it's a mess in here.
Titos: Let me see.
Kail opened, and Titos looked through his eyes at what he saw. The room was torn to shreds, blood stained the carpet and splatters decorated the floor.
Titos: Jameson and Lonzo?
Kail: They are alive. Barely. Alfrik and Liby already took them to another room, and the doctor’s on the way.
Titos: And the other edoli who was in the room?
Kail: No sign of him, but there is a lot of blood here. We won't know what really happened without the brothers telling us, but I got a bad feeling.
Titos: Me too. Meet back in the dining room.
Titos pulled back, and he was firmly back in the room, his face still pressed against Seth's chest. He tilted his head and looked up at Seth.
"I'm guessing you have a bad feeling too?" Titos asked.
Seth grunted. "You could call it that."
"Come on, you two. We better go down and try to figure out what the fuck’s going on. The faster we get to the bottom, the faster we can see what type of bear we have on our hands," Mazki said.
Seth shook his head at Mazki. "Even after earlier, your mind still focuses on sex. How have you lived so long?"
Titos laughed as he walked toward Mazki, and he pecked him on the cheek before walking out of the room. Mazki and Seth bickering was white noise he easily got used to.
The dining room was becoming a meeting room as of late. Titos sighed as they sat. It'd been cleaned in the short time they’d split apart to handle things. Titos wondered who cleaned up their messes. His eyes traveled to the table. It was sparkling clean, but the burn mark was still in the middle. Other than that, there was no evidence they had been there or what they had done.
Liby walked into the room. She bowed before she stood to the side, behind Titos. They waited for the others to make their way to the dining room. Kail walked in shortly after, fresh from a shower, his hair dripping and fresh clothes on.
"You took a shower without us?" Mazki asked. He stood and puffed out his lower lip.
Kail rolled his eyes at him before taking his seat across from Mazki. "Yeah, well, I needed to take one," he muttered.
"He was covered in blood," Alfrik said as he came in. It earned him a glare from Kail.
Titos sat up. "Why? Are you okay?" Worry etched his tone.
Kail blushed and nodded that he was okay. Titos checked the bond and searched if Kail was in any pain, but he found nothing. It eased his worry but didn't explain why he had been covered in blood.
Alfrik laughed. "I can answer that."
Kail groaned. He pointed a finger at Alfrik. "You can keep your mouth shut."
Alfrik laughed louder.
"Now I have to know," Mazki teased. "Come on, Pooh, tell me."
Alfrik stopped laughing, glaring at Mazki along with Kail. Titos laughed, knowing Kail was fine, and he turned his attention to Liby.
"Who cleans everything around here now that you are my guard?" Titos asked.
"There are a few others in the house. Ginger and I aren't the only ones," Liby said.
"Wait, so you aren't a full edoli?" Kail asked.
At times, Titos forgot that Kail hadn't grown up with other edoli or knowing what he was. The remnants of the vision of Kail's upbringing was there. Ang
er was the first emotion that came to mind, but Titos pushed it away. He stood and moved over to Kail. Kail looked at him in confusion, and Titos smiled at him.
Kail pushed back from the table a little, and Titos sat in his lap. He stared at Kail's face, running the pad of his thumb over the high, defined cheekbones, and gazing into Kail's beautiful brown eyes. They'd seen the ugliest part of people, and yet he still looked at Titos with love.
Titos kissed Kail, moving his fingers to tangle in his wet hair. The messy bun was easy to take down once Titos found the band. Wet hair fell heavy against his hands, the long strands easier to wrap around his hands and get a good grip. Titos tugged, getting a gasp from Kail, opening his mouth to deepen the kiss. Titos’s tongue dove in, mapping out every crevice of Kail's mouth and swallowing all the delicious moans that tried to escape.
Titos never wanted to stop, and only paused when the door to the dining room opened again. Titos pulled back, both breathing heavy and rock hard.
Titos took a moment before he looked over to the door to see a very red-faced Ginger. She bowed her head toward him, and Titos looked around the table, each of his keepers’ eyes showing the heat of arousal. At some point, Adom had come in, and he sat next to them, his body relaxed, and he looked unaffected, except for the prominent bulge in his pants.
Titos looked to Alfrik, and he looked the neediest out of all of them, as if he really wished it'd been him instead. Titos turned back to Kail who was still breathing heavy, his eyes dilated, and his grip on Titos’s hips hadn't shown any sign of loosening.
Titos: Business first.
Kail: Fuck business.
Mazki: I have to second that.
Seth: Both of you hush. Kail, let Titos go, so we can get this meeting over with.
Mazki: Don't act like you don't want to kick everyone out and get your hands on Titos.
Adom: Be good and maybe we can have Titos later.
Mazki: But bad boys get punished, right?
Kail: Please.
The needy sound nearly broke Titos. They all made a case, and although Seth and Adom were holding back, Titos could feel it in the bond they agreed with Mazki and Kail.
