Nine of Wands-Tarot- The Staircase

by D. J. Manly

  When the door opened and Trinity appeared, Tristan tensed. The men were told to leave. They did so instantly. Trinity placed his hands on his hips and smiled at him. “Been waiting long?”

  “This is ridiculous,” Tristan hissed. “What is this archaic…?”

  Trinity came closer. He put a finger to his lips. “The walls have ears,” he said softly. He reached over and flicked the diamond stone that was hanging from one of Tristan’s nipples. He sat down on the bed and placed a hand on Tristan’s thigh. He moved his mouth over to his ear. For a moment, Tristan thought Trinity was going to kiss him. Instead, he said softly, “My uncle is looking for any excuse to take my place. I must hold on until the leader of the Epemo arrives or it will be him who will make the deals…do you understand? He had already implied to people in high places that I am harbouring the son of my mortal enemy.”

  He reared back, moving his hand onto Tristan’s erection. He took a breath, met his gaze, and gently squeezed his cock. Tristan closed his eyes. The touch of Trinity’s hand caused a sensation of pleasure to shoot through his bound cock. Trinity suddenly reached up and unhooked the ring, releasing his erection. “It’s been on too long,” he whispered. He leaned over and kissed his mouth briefly. “I’m sorry, Tristan. I don’t want to do this but…”

  Suddenly the door opened and two Celest Warriors stood there. Trinity stood up. “Take him to the main hall,” he commanded. “He is our slave for the evening.”

  Tristan blinked. “What?”

  Trinity ignored him. “Take him!”

  * * * *

  Tristan was pulled out of the room and down the corridor. He couldn’t believe that Trinity would do this to him. He understood that he had to put up some kind of a front for his uncle, but still this was going too far. Had Trinity lost his mind?

  A few minutes later, some kitchen workers were shoving a tray in his hands and pushing him out into the large banquet room. There were several men sitting around, obvious high placed people, including Trinity’s uncle who Tristan detested. Trinity sat in the Emperor’s chair looking quite pleased with himself.

  To say that he was embarrassed standing here naked in front of mostly a bunch of old men was an understatement. The fact that he was passing around food was even more embarrassing.

  “He doesn’t look as if he’s enjoying himself, this slave of yours, Emperor,” one of the men announced.

  “He does wear quite a scowl on his face, doesn’t he?” Trinity announced, glancing at his nails.

  “You do know who this is, don’t you, Marcha?” Trinity’s uncle interjected.

  Tristan pushed the tray towards him wishing he could slam his face with it.

  “Yes,” the one called Marcha replied. “This is Tristan Coal, the son of the late Stuben Coal. If I recall, his father was a very handsome man as well.”

  “Seems my brother thought so,” Monahan mocked, looking at Trinity. “It seems the son has the same obsession with the Coal’s.”

  “You speak out of turn, Uncle,” Trinity replied stoned face. “We know not to what you speak, and we have no interest in it.”

  Tristan glanced at him.

  “Go over there in the corner,” Trinity snapped at him. “On your knees. Never look at me unless I give you permission.”

  Tristan backed away and went to the corner but he kept standing.

  Trinity stood up. “On your knees, slave.”

  Tristan narrowed his eyes defiantly, but then obeyed.

  “I ordered his execution but then I received orders from my nephew to spare his life.” Monahan looked around at the others. “Yet he says he has no feeling for him. My brother claimed to have no feeling for the slave’s father either but…”

  “Enough!” Trinity said sharply. “I am following the ancient code. This prisoner was captured. He is the son of our enemy. He will learn humiliation. Surely this is more punishment for a man of such exalted status than death. Death is almost too easy.”

  Some of the others agreed, but Trinity’s uncle was determined to push it further. “If that is so, then all of us here in this room should have the opportunity to humiliate and degrade him. He is beautiful enough to excite the most manly of men and…”

  Tristan clenched his teeth.

  “He is mine,” Trinity said. “He rightfully belongs to the Emperor. No one will defile him but me.”

  “He is right,” one of the others said. “Unfortunately the rules give ownership to the Emperor and only the Emperor can defile him. We can only use him after the Emperor no longer desires him.”

  Tristan was trembling.

  Trinity glanced around at the others. “I do not wish to sully myself on your sloppy seconds.”

  Tristan grumbled under his breath. They were talking about him as if he were a piece of meat.

  “Then do it,” his uncle urged. “Show us how you will take him so his humiliation is public.”

  Trinity shrugged as if it were of no consequence. He stepped down from where his chair sat on his raised platform and walked over to where Tristan sat.

  “Don’t you touch me,” Tristan glared at him.

  Trinity took him by the hair and dragged him into the center of the floor. He undid his robe and pressed him to the floor. “Don’t fight,” he whispered against his ear, “and it will hurt less.”

  “I hate you,” Tristan told him between clenched teeth, beginning to struggle. Two guards immediately came over and pointed their weapons at him.

  Tristan felt Trinity clutch him around the waist and pull him onto all fours while those men suddenly came to stand all around them. “Here, I give you the great Tristan Coal,” Trinity growled and without any hesitation, began to plunge his cock up inside of him.

  Trinity was doing a lot more for show than was reality. At one point he was pumping against him and his cock wasn’t even inside. There was no actual physical pain. What hurt most was his pride, what with those men standing all around him laughing.

  When Trinity released him, someone announced that it was his turn. Tristan glared up at the men.

  “When I’m finished with him,” Trinity announced. “Guards, take him to my room. When I tire of him, he shall be made available to the rest of you, but not until.”

  Two guards dragged Tristan away, swearing and sputtering.

  * * * *

  When Tristan finally opened his eyes, he was lying on his stomach. He heard someone crying softly. He moved his head around to see Trinity sitting beside him. Trinity reached out to touch him, and Tristan pushed his hand away. “Get away from me,” he growled, attempting to move.

  Trinity withdrew his hand. The tears were dying on his face. “How can I tell you that I’m sorry? I had no choice. You don’t know what I’ve had to do to keep you alive, Tristan. I know how much that humiliated you and…I tried to protect you.”

  “Fuck you.”

  “Fine,” Trinity stiffened, standing up. After a few minutes he said, “My uncle is away, and he’s taken his servants with him. The Epemo are on their way. I think I should tell you that my uncle is quite desperate. Sources close to me say that it is sure he will try to assassinate me before the week is through.”

  “Then do something beside wallow in self pity and defeat,” Tristan snapped, turning around. He sat up. “You’re pathetic. You’ve given up. What’s happened to you?”

  Trinity looked stricken. “This war has happened to me,” he roared back. “Don’t you know that you’re the only thing I’ve ever cared about? Do you think I wanted this…to be a soldier…to be Emperor? All these years we’ve been apart, and now you’re here and I can’t love you. Do you know it almost killed me to…” He bit his lip. “I had to prove to them that I have no feelings for you.”

  Tristan swung his legs over the bed. He stood up, ignoring the pain, and grabbed Trinity by the shoulders. “You said that already, but apparently you do, so you say. You are still the Emperor. If you are the Trinity I know and love, take control of your uncle before it’s too
late.”

  “You mean…kill him?” He blinked. “I’ve considered that, but he is my father’s brother.”

  “He’s a traitor. He will sell his soul for power. Trinity.” Tristan looked at him. “Do you still love me as you claim?”

  “God, yes,” Trinity said. “Tristan, I…”

  Tristan moved away from him. He couldn’t think when he was that close. He could hardly breathe. “You were always there for me, the strong one. Let me help you now. Let me give you hope. Together we can…”

  “It’s over. They’re coming. We can’t fight them and…”

  “Maybe we can’t fight them, but we can ensure they stick to the agreement you made, without your uncles interference. Let me go. Let me hunt him down and take care of him before they arrive.”

  Trinity met Tristan’s gaze. “You would do that for me, after…?”

  “I’m not doing it only for you. I’m doing it for us. Trinity,” his voice softened, “I still love you. I never stopped and I can’t live without you. I came up here to Celestial Ridge thinking I would die here, and that if I never saw you again, then at least I’d be close to everything I’d ever loved.”

  Trinity closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around him. “This war, it’s changed me and…”

  “Don’t. It’s changed everyone, but we can’t give up.” Tristan kissed his sweet mouth, and Trinity surrendered his. Tristan dragged him over to the bed, and stripped off his clothes. He kissed every inch of the body he loved, took his cock in his mouth and brought him to orgasm, and then without hesitation, he flipped Trinity over on the bed and lovingly licked his quivering opening until he began to moan out loud. He yanked him onto his knees and sunk his aching cock inside of him. He closed his eyes. God, he would have never believed he’d be inside of him again. But miracles did happen. It brought him such peace, such sublime happiness and suddenly the years melted away. There was no war, no pain, and no bitterness between them. He began to pump himself into him, Trinity moving his hips in unison with his. Tristan collapsed on top of him. “My Trinity,” he said, stroking his hair. He forgave him. He would have forgiven him anything. “It will be alright, my love,” he whispered against his hair. “I promise.”

  Chapter Seven

  Tristan moved through Celestial Ridge virtually unnoticed. The citizens were mostly huddled inside their dwellings. In spite of Trinity’s attempts to reassure the population, there was fear, fear of the unknown. They knew the aliens were coming, and there were still many of them who were sick, who couldn’t protect themselves from an invasion.

  After some coaxing, Trinity finally told Tristan right where to find Monahan. Trinity insisted on coming with him, but Tristan would hear none of it. It took a lot to convince him to stay put, surrounded by his most trusted guards. Trinity’s father had instilled the Celest code of honour in him, a code which had taken its toll. He was completely defeated and discouraged, disheartened when he looked out at what was left of his people. He felt as if he’d failed.

  Tristan had urged him to sleep, stroked his hair. He realised that the war had affected Trinity deeply. He was extremely tired. It was going to take a lot of love to help ease the pain. Tristan wanted to help him. He wanted to be able to heal himself as well, but he needed Trinity to do it. He was determined that now that he had found him again, no one was going to take him away. He’d fight off a dozen armies if he had to.

  Tristan had no idea what to expect when the aliens arrived but he knew that it couldn’t be anything worse than the damage Trinity’s uncle could do right now. He had to protect Trinity, and in doing so, prevent Monahan from making a deal with the devil and putting himself above what was left of the Celest and the Herits .

  * * * *

  The public drinking house was half empty when Tristan walked in, a long grey hooded cloak draped over his body. He didn’t give the man at the table with Monahan a chance to alert him. He looped the razor sharp flexi cord around Monahan’s neck and yanked. He was dead instantly, the man across the table from him jumping up from his seat with alarm. “Let this be a warning,” Tristan called out hoarsely, pointing a Celest laser gun at his forehead, before turning and running away, “Trinity is the rightful heir to the Emperor’s chair, anyone who challenges him will meet the same fate.”

  As he ran through the darkened streets of Celestial Ridge, someone reached out and grabbed his arm. He struggled, prepared to fire his weapon when the face in the darkened alley spoke his name. He recognized a familiar face suddenly. He could hardly believe it. “Bobby?”

  The man pulled him into his embrace and hugged him heartedly. “Tristan. I’ve been looking everywhere for you. I was sure you were dead.”

  “Lana, the baby?” he asked, looking around to make sure no one had followed him.

  “They are good. I have news. We can’t talk here.” Bobby looked around anxiously. “Come on.”

  Bobby led Tristan to the fields where once again he was reunited with Barbara and the others at the camp. He was relieved to see that they were safe. When he was sitting around the fire with Bobby and some other Herit survivors, Bobby quietly told him the news.

  Tristan’s eyes widened. He could hardly believe what Bobby was saying. There was a part of him that didn’t want to believe it, because it meant more war.

  “There’s hope, Tristan,” Bobby said. “The Majests will fight with us to defeat the Epemo. They fear that if they take us over, they will be next. Already, we are readying the men and…will the Emperor…?”

  “I’m sure he will provide the warriors.” Tristan paused. “How did you get up here?”

  “Majest space craft. They’re coming for me in the morning.”

  “I’m going with you,” Tristan said, clamping his hand in his.

  Bobby gave him a slap on the back. “We need you. The men will unite under you. God, I’m so happy I found you.”

  Tristan made his way across the field back to the palace. He was filled with mixed emotions. No one troubled him as he made his way to Trinity. He suspected Trinity had left orders to let him go through.

  Trinity was awake when he walked into his room. He was standing at the window, dressed in his purple robes. He looked almost like an angel. When he saw him, he smiled. “Thank God,” he said. “I couldn’t sleep. I was…”

  “I’m alright,” Tristan said. “I need to talk to you.”

  “Is he…?”

  “Yes. It’s over. Listen to me,” he took his hand and led him over to the bed. He sat down with him, looking him in the eye.

  “What is it?”

  “The Majests have joined with what’s left of my people. We will fight the Epemo. Will your join us?”

  His blue eyes were filled with fear suddenly. “No, Tristan. No more death. No more killing. I won’t…”

  “Listen to me. It will be the last time. The Majests have a large army. We can defeat the Epemo. They won’t come if they know…”

  “I won’t send anymore of my warriors to their death, Tristan.” He stood up, defiant. “Let the bastards come. Let them…”

  “Listen to yourself, Trinity. We can’t be the ones responsible for the demise of our people. We have to…”

  “What? Make amends for our father’s sins?”

  “Unfortunately, yes,” Tristan said stiffly. “Now, either you help me or …Trinity, I need you. I need your warriors and your craft and…”

  “Yes,” he said with a sigh. “You shall have everything you need of course.”

  Trinity grabbed him and held him close to him. “Trinity, I love you. We can do this together, you and I. Trust me.”

  “I do,” he replied moving away. “You may have everything you need. We must prepare for…”

  “Trinity, you must stay here with the people and…”

  “You think you will go into battle without me, my love?” He met his gaze. “Oh no, Tristan, this time when we go to war, we go together on the same side.”

  Tristan touched his cheek. />
  Trinity leaned in and pressed his forehead against his. “Make love to me, Tristan, one last time before all this has to begin. Let’s pretend it’s yesterday and…”

  Tristan held him close. “I know where I want to go.”

  “Where?”

  “Come on,” Tristan insisted. “It will take us a little while to get there.”

  “Where?” Trinity laughed as Tristan took his hand and dragged him out of the room.

  “A place I remember loving you, and…never mind, you’ll recognize it,” Tristan said.

  Twenty minutes or so later, Tristan was leading Trinity out to the field on the other side of the palace, the place where the huge tree still stood overshadowing everything around it.

  “Tristan,” Trinity gasped, stopping in front of that tree. He seemed in awe in a few minutes. “I haven’t come here since…” he stopped.

  Tristan smiled at him, running over to the tree. He stood there, gazing at him. Slowly he removed the old grey hooded robe Trinity had lent him, and still focusing on him, he removed his shirt and pants. When he was completely naked, he held his arms open. “Here I am,” he said. “It’s yesterday. I’m waiting for you here beneath this tree. You’re over there at the palace, going through endless military routines. I’m going out of my mind waiting for you to finish. I’m so hard. I want to hold you so much. Trinity, do you still love me, or do you prefer one of those girls your father makes you dance with at the formals?”

  Trinity laughed softly. “Tristan. You know it’s always been you.”

  “Not always,” Tristan reminded him. “It took me a lot to get your attention. When I was fourteen, you practically ignored me.”

  He smiled softly. “I was an idiot,” he said, moving closer. He undid the sash on the robe and let it fall from his shoulders. He left it on the ground, walking on it to get to him. When he was close, he fell on his knees in front of him, his head bowed. “Too much pain,” he whispered. “All these years thinking about you, wondering if you were still alive, frantic that one day we’d meet on the battlefield and…”