Ties of Magic (Curse of the Crown Book 2)

by Caitlin Taylor

The squeezing intensified, and Akoni gasped. "Okay!" The pressure eased. "No one else knows, Master. Even Ignacio only knows we were intimate but not what we did."

  "I have kept other secrets for you."

  "Yes, Master." Akoni sighed and closed his eyes. "From the first time I met him, it was obvious he fancied me. I teased him and... I didn't discourage him. When the opportunity presented itself, he tried to seduce me. It was...he was so different. Demanding, confident, certain. He knew what he wanted and went for it. Despite everything...we made it work. He taught me a lot."

  "He wasn't a noble."

  "No, Master. He was my guard." Akoni looked up, meeting Jeffrey's gaze.

  "Tyler."

  Akoni nodded, a voice in the back of his mind wondering how Jeffrey knew the name. He rarely thought of him now. It was no longer as painful as it once was. "If he and I could make it work, there's no reason we can't."

  "You never mentioned him."

  Akoni shrugged. "It was too difficult to think of him, so I stopped. I..." Had he really moved on? Yes, eventually. But for years he'd simply suppressed it all, unable to face it. As time had passed, he'd almost forgotten.

  "Do you still care for him?"

  "I will always care for him. Miss him even. But it was forever ago. He's not with us anymore, no point dwelling on it."

  "You have a problem."

  Akoni caught the hint of mischief in the voice and raised an eyebrow.

  "You fall for your guards too easily."

  He laughed. "I do have that problem. But your uniforms..." Akoni licked his lips.

  "We're going to have to find some women fighters to be your guards. Because if you want me to stay, I'm not watching you fool around with other guards."

  "I didn't realise you were the jealous type."

  "I'm not usually, but you're different. You're too...eager." Jeffrey's hand once again teased Akoni with the lightest touch.

  "Only for you, Master."

  "That's why you're hoping I'm not finished."

  "If it pleases you, Master."

  "You did do well today. You may have earned a reward."

  Akoni whimpered but stayed quiet, not wanting to risk saying anything that could make Jeffrey stop. The strokes got stronger, firmer, until Akoni could no longer control the sounds he made, nor stop thrusting his hips for more. That was when Jeffrey stopped. Akoni whined in protest. Hands were on his hips then. Before he knew what had happened, Jeffrey had lifted him, flipped him, and pushed him over the side of the bath. His upper body pressed to the floor, his backside presented to Jeffrey, who knelt between his spread legs. Akoni groaned as expectations filled his mind, and he buried his face in his hands.

  Jeffrey's fingers were at his entrance then, probing and titillating. A single digit slipped into him easily. He moaned again. The lower half of his body was half covered in water, and every time either of them moved it teased him, gentle waves tickling him. A second finger slid into him, the water making it easier, and the third followed soon after. He pushed back, needing more. But Jeffrey was taking his time. He rubbed Akoni's spot and pumped his erection at the same time.

  "Oh, Master..." Akoni shut himself up before he said more. He couldn't beg.

  "Yes, little one?"

  "So good."

  "You want more, do you?"

  Akoni didn't reply. His body was on fire, every nerve ending standing to attention. He was so close, and Jeffrey was still working him. Only a tiny bit more. He jerked his hips back and forth. A tingling started in his spine, building.

  "You'll have to wait," Jeffrey said and pulled away, leaving Akoni thrusting into emptiness, whining pitifully. "Such an eager princeling."

  A slap landed on Akoni's backside, and he groaned. Not this. Another slap. He squirmed, his face still hidden in his hands. Waves of humiliation rushed through him.

  "Mercy," he whispered. "Please, Master."

  The slaps stopped, replaced by kisses on his back, hands stroking his side, and he let out a sound of gratitude.

  "You all right?" Jeffrey whispered into his ear, licking the shell.

  "Please fuck me, Master."

  Jeffrey snickered and moved back.

  The water shifted around him, teasing him still. A pressure at his entrance, and Jeffrey was pushing into him, filling him. He groaned again as his senses overloaded. Jeffrey didn't take it slow now, he built a fast rhythm, ramming into him, stroking his erection in time. All Akoni could do was squirm and try to move with him, but he was too far gone, too uncoordinated. Jeffrey was doing exactly as he had asked. It was blissful. The tingling inside him grew, and, mercifully, Jeffrey didn't stop. It continued to build until it exploded, showering him in sensations that had his mind going utterly blank.

  Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him back into the water, holding him close. He never wanted to move again. He threw his arms around Jeffrey, clinging tightly.

  They lay in each other's arms, and Akoni couldn't help but wonder what had taken them so long. Why couldn't they have done this months ago? His head lay on Jeffrey's chest, and he explored the hard muscle, much of it half hidden in the water. There were only traces of blond fluff. He appeared more like a god than ever with his tanned, battle-hardened body. He trailed to Jeffrey's side, finding rugged skin and tracing it. He wanted to know more about how he got those scars. Wanted to know everything there was to know about Jeffrey.

  He lifted his head, looking at Jeffrey's face. There was no way he could let him go again.

  "Are you able to talk yet?" Jeffrey asked gently, smiling.

  "Are you?" Akoni asked back. His hand went to his neck. The collar was still there; he'd forgotten again. "Can we take this off now?"

  "I'd prefer to wait a little actually."

  "I wouldn't."

  "Why did you make me stop?" Jeffrey asked, his head cocked to the side, not judging but curious.

  "Because I won't do that," Akoni said firmly.

  "Let me spank you? Why not?"

  "Because. It's too much, too undignified. Now, take it off or I'll use the other safe word, too."

  Jeffrey nodded and took the collar off, discarding it, then pulled Akoni close again to kiss him.

  "Why did it take this long, Jeffrey?" Akoni asked when they parted.

  "What?"

  "We could have been doing this for the last few months. Why did you keep resisting me?"

  "I still want to resist you." Jeffrey sighed. "I thought showing you what it'll be like may make you understand. You've a higher tolerance than I expected, seeing as how you're still not running away from me yet."

  "I told you before, I'd do anything to have you in my life. This..." He swept his arm at the room, trying to encompass all they had done in the last while. "It's nothing. In fact, it only makes me like you more."

  Jeffrey exhaled with a half-choked laughing sound.

  "I'm not letting you go again."

  "I'm beginning to see that. But there are still things you don't know."

  "That you think yourself responsible for your brother's death? Unless you explain to me why you think that, I will take your sister's side that it wasn't your fault. Even if it was, you've saved my life more than once. You've saved other lives. You've made up multiple times for whatever failings you are imagining. There are no reasons that will make me give this up."

  "But--"

  "Shut up, Jeffrey. I swear, if you try again to run away, I'll have you chained up somewhere in this palace."

  Jeffrey pursed his lips. "It appears I've no choice in the matter."

  Akoni sighed, shoulders slumping. "I want you to want to be with me."

  Jeffrey reached out, caressing Akoni's cheek. "If you weren't a noble, I'd have gladly spent the last few months with you. It's not because of you I left, it's because of everything else."

  Closing his eyes, Akoni leaned into the touch. "I remember you telling me I squander the privileges my noble birth provided. Aren't you doing the same?"

  "I was for
ced out."

  "By your father, who has gone to the next life. Your sister will welcome you back with open arms."

  Jeffrey shook his head. "I don't know if I believe that."

  "You will meet her tomorrow morning. Then she can confirm it herself."

  "What? She's still here?"

  "Yes. I've asked her to stay as she is best qualified to confirm your identity."

  "I don't..."

  Irritation flashed through Akoni. He suppressed it and decided to change the topic. "As much as I want to stay in your arms, we have to move eventually. We've been in the water too long. I'm also hungry. Did you have dinner?" Akoni got out of the water and picked up a towel to dry himself and another which he threw at Jeffrey, who caught it.

  "I had some food on the train here."

  Akoni sneered. "That hardly counts as food. We'll have the servants bring something."

  "Can we eat somewhere other than your burned bedroom?"

  "I'll ask Hendrick if the other room is ready. I'd like you stay with me tonight," Akoni said as he wrapped the towel around his waist.

  Jeffrey opened his mouth, but no words came.

  Akoni stepped closer to him. "If I lose control again, it might be more than my room next time."

  "And what can I do to prevent that?"

  "I don't think you'll need to do anything other than be close. One night. If it doesn't work, if it makes no difference, I won't ask again."

  Jeffrey nodded.

  Chapter 12

  Akoni sat on a couch, his arms spread on the back, one ankle casually resting on the opposite knee. He'd not felt this relaxed in weeks, it was wonderful. The tension was in another now. Jeffrey paced the room only a few feet away, something he'd practically been doing since they woke up.

  "Can I not--" Jeffrey started.

  "No," Akoni interrupted.

  "But really--"

  "No," Akoni repeated, his voice hard, brooking no argument.

  Jeffrey groaned and continued pacing. Akoni had tried reassuring, he'd tried kissing, too. While it had been a most pleasant distraction for Akoni, Jeffrey was too tense even for that. So, in the end, Akoni had given up. They'd had breakfast, mostly in silence, except for the few times Jeffrey tried to find an excuse to avoid what was coming. Now Akoni sat and observed the other man's pacing.

  They had not been waiting long when a knock came on the door. Jeffrey froze, his eyes wide. Akoni rose and walked to him. Taking his hands, he gave him a reassuring look.

  "It'll be fine, I promise." He gave both hands a brief squeeze and let go again, bidding the person to enter.

  "My Lady Trevino," Akoni greeted. "A few days ago, I asked you for a favour. The man I want you to meet has returned."

  They were already staring at each other. She didn't even hear him; there was no point in continuing to talk. Akoni took a few steps back.

  Kendra moved towards Jeffrey, seeming oblivious of all else. Her gaze travelled up and down, taking in his soldier's tunic, his tanned skin, the callused hands, the sea-green eyes.

  "Kendra... I'm so sorry," Jeffrey whispered.

  She didn't react, instead continuing to scrutinise. "What did you used to call me?" she asked, her voice hard, her face betraying no emotion.

  Jeffrey's lips quirked. "I called you many things. One of my favourites was warrior priestess. More common, sweeting. But when we were alone..." He paused and reached out, halting in midair, as if afraid. "My sweet, beautiful angel." His hand lowered without touching.

  "Ten forsaken years, you cursed idiot," she hissed and slapped him.

  Akoni flinched in sympathy. It sounded painful.

  Jeffrey's cheek turned red, his shoulders slumped, and his head lowered. Akoni had never seen him like this. Even when he knelt or bowed, he'd done so in a way that preserved his strength, his power. Now there was none of it left, he was utterly deflated.

  "Oh, Corvin." She stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight.

  Jeffrey stood as if rooted to the spot. It seemed to take long minutes for his arms to lift and return the embrace.

  When she pulled away again, she reached out, caressing Jeffrey's reddened cheek as if in apology. "Your eyes, your voice. They're the same. But you're different. Why didn't you come back?" she asked, more gently now.

  "How could I after the things Father said? After what he did?"

  "I needed you."

  "I wanted to, Kendra. Every day I thought of you. I was too afraid. I'm still afraid you hate me for what I did."

  "But you didn't do anything. It was all Gaius."

  Jeffrey shook his head. "I could have stopped him. I should have but I didn't. It was my fault. Father had the right of it."

  "Father was stricken by grief. He wasn't himself for days. Then he sent people to search for you."

  "I know. I wasn't going to let them find me, to drag me back so he could keep punishing me. I could not have endured it."

  "But, Corvin...he was grieving. He didn't...he wouldn't have hurt you. You were his only remaining son. He was heartbroken."

  "You know what he did to me before I left. How could I have stayed? I wasn't welcome anymore."

  "He was filled with regret for what he did, it gnawed at him all these years. He loathed himself for driving you away and never stopped searching for you, praying you'd return. We all did."

  Jeffrey shook his head. "I couldn't. Wasn't going to..."

  She withdrew her hand and sighed. "I got your letters. You weren't ever going to come back, were you?"

  Jeffrey looked up, his head lifting only a fraction and only for a moment. "It's better I don't. I wouldn't even be here now if not for the prince."

  As if a spell was broken, they both remembered Akoni's presence. Kendra gave him an apologetic look, while Jeffrey still hung his head.

  "I guess I can take my suspicions as confirmed then," Akoni said into the tense silence. "You are Corvin Trevino."

  Jeffrey shrugged.

  "Yes, Your Majesty," Kendra said. "He is my brother, without a doubt."

  "I'd prefer to be known as Jeffrey still."

  "You both understand as the only male Trevino, he's effectively in charge."

  "No," Jeffrey hissed. "I don't want it. It's Kendra's. It must be her estate."

  "Corvin, I've been waiting for you to come back to take your place," Kendra said.

  "I can't, I won't. I've left you everything you need to run the place. You don't need me, and I don't want it."

  "What about what I want?" she asked, her voice taking on an angry tone. "For ten years I wanted you to come back, have prayed and waited. For nearly two years now I've needed you back to run the estate because I cannot do it on my own. Your duty used to matter to you."

  "It was never mine, it was always Gaius's."

  "Don't you see, it wasn't mine either! Yet, here I am, fighting bankers and tenants alike because none of them take me seriously."

  "Children," Akoni interrupted, seeing that this conversation would go nowhere. "Let's not squabble. There's time to sort all that out. While we're all here, I want to know exactly what happened to Gaius."

  Both of them turned away, the expressions on their faces so strikingly similar Akoni almost laughed. There could be no doubt they were related. From the blond hair to the sea-green eyes, they looked the part but they acted it, too, in their manners, the way they held themselves. It was undeniable.

  "It was an accident," Kendra said. "It was years ago. It doesn't matter anymore."

  "Clearly, stubborn runs in the family. I'm not taking no for an answer. One of you will tell me."

  Kendra turned to Jeffrey. "Corvin? It should be you to tell him."

  "I can't. I-- He'll hate me, too," Jeffrey whispered, hanging his head again.

  "No one hates you, Cor." Kendra took Jeffrey's arm and led him to a couch, where she gently pushed him into the seat and sat beside him.

  Akoni sat on Jeffrey's other side.

  When Jeffrey stayed sil
ent, Kendra spoke. "Gaius was adventurous, rowdy, boisterous. Dutiful, too, but only when it couldn't be avoided. He loved exploring the forests around our estate. Corvin--"

  "Jeffrey. Please call me Jeffrey."

  "Jeffrey...and Gaius both had tutors for many subjects. History, arts, politics...sword fighting. I did, too, but because of the age gap, I learned different things whereas they were close enough in age to share lessons. Do I have it right?"

  Jeffrey nodded. "We loved to spar. It was one of the few things we had in common. Where I loved books and spent much time reading, Gaius loved being outdoors, exploring and fighting invisible enemies. One day he found me sitting in the garden reading and he told me of this cave he'd discovered. There'd been a storm, and it had caused a landslide which revealed an entrance. He told me of beautiful coloured stones reflecting sunlight. A mesmerising sight I had to see for myself."

  Jeffrey shifted, propping his elbows on his knees, kneading his hands, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I was studying for an essay and tried to get him to leave me alone. But Gaius could be persistent. He threatened to torment Kendra if I didn't join him. He was never truly cruel but he played tricks on her a lot, teased her, robbed her toys and hid them. If I could spare her that, I would. So I went with him.

  "We crossed the forest and reached a cliff face. We followed it until we came to the entrance of a cave. I kept hearing noises as we walked but ignored it because I could see no one when I checked. But when we found the cave, I heard an unmistakable gasp. Kendra was excellent at sneaking and had secretly followed us. It was too late to send her back, so we took her into the cave with us."

  Jeffrey took a breath, a hint of a smile on his lips for the briefest moment. "It truly was as bedazzling as Gaius had promised. The walls had different layers of stone in shades of blue and green, criss-crossed by lines of bright amber and dark purple. Like stria in marble. Gaps in the roof allowed in sunlight which glinted off the surfaces. I see it so clearly, even now. We were all staring in wonder.

  "And then Gaius caught Kendra, wrapped her in his arms, covering her mouth with one hand. 'I am a bandit who is going to kidnap your sister and turn her into a slave to keep my house and cook. Will you rescue her?' Gaius had asked, taunting me with his eyes. He did stuff like that all the time, living in a make-believe world. For Kendra's sake, I played along. I was certain he wouldn't hurt her, but he might well scare her. I drew my sword. Gaius grinned at me and sat Kendra down in a corner with strict instruction not to move as he'd just tied her hands with invisible rope so she couldn't escape. He drew his own sword and faced me."