"Arabian Nights"
Part 23
by Mel
Viggo was almost content. Orlando snuggled up happily against his body, a soft purring noise almost issued constantly from his mouth. He knew Orlando felt bad about all the things that had happened earlier in the day. Viggo also knew that the young man was trying to deal with Elijah and longed just for a few moments to forget. Viggo was happy to indulge him, knowing that the young man comfortably curled in his lap was enjoying Karl’s company as well.
But almost was the key word.
Sean was as silent, Viggo missed the sound of his voice more then before. Today he had been talking with Karl and things seemed all right, even for a small moment. Now he was quiet and Viggo longed for a sound from him, accompanied by his dry wit and lazy smile.
He would not even begin to go into how he worried for Elijah. The young Prince was now a slave, he had lost everything he had ever known. There was something within his fury and defiance that was heart wrenching. There was something beneath it all, something Viggo wanted to soothe that he feared he’d never even have a chance at finding. Orlando was keeping remarkably tight lipped about it all.
Karl had not bothered to hide his interest in Elijah, but Viggo wasn’t quite sure about his intentions. Viggo would not put it past Karl that he was trying to intimidate the boy, remind him that he was lucky with who he was with. Viggo had the feeling it would possibly have the adverse effect, but Karl would be very to convince otherwise.
But then, looking at Elijah, ignoring them to sneak a glance at Sean, Viggo thought perhaps it would be all right.
******
Orli had been biting his tongue since he had been caught with Elijah. Not that it was really caught, he knew Viggo had enjoyed the show, even the end of it. The story was Elijah’s too tell, and Orli didn’t think the blue-eyed Prince would have been impressed if he had gone telling his tale to someone he didn’t even like.
Which Orlando thought was stupid. How could anybody not like Viggo? Elijah was simply being silly in not even giving him a chance. Then again, he had been a thief, it was a little easier for Orli to fit into this life style, especially considering Viggo didn’t think of him as a slave. Orli was sure that he didn’t want to think about Elijah as a slave either, but Elijah hadn ’t given him a chance.
It was all about politics.
Was this new slave of Karl’s, with his warrior stance and not so sunny disposition, also a part of this little game of politics? He was certainly lovely in his own little way, with bright blonde hair and green eyes. He was so sad though, haunted. Viggo knew him, he treated him as one would an old friend, not someone with a slave brand burned into the inside of his wrist.
Now that he thought about it, this was unlike any dinner that Orli had seen the Lords take when he and his friends were relieving them of unwatched goods in other rooms. Viggo attempted to keep him in the conversation, even though Orli was not overly interested in any form of politics. Though neither Elijah nor the new slave inputted anything, both Karl and Viggo almost constantly referred to them. As people, not slaves or manservants. It seemed to come effortlessly for his Lord, while Karl would sometimes have to rephrase what he said when speaking of Elijah.
Karl, who’s soft lips still stung against Orli’s, continued to shoot the golden man worried looks.
On one such glance he happened to be reaching for his glass. Orli would wonder later if Karl had done such an act on purpose, he was no clumsy man and the mistake was not like Karl. Still, there was little that Orli could do as Karl missed the glass, knocking the dark wine down the table and over his slave’s lap.
******
"O my goodness."
Elijah was the first to move, though not nearly fast enough to stop the flow of the drink that ended up in the blond’s lap. His hand wrapped around a piece of cloth, one that had been tucked beneath his pillow as he rushed to the other man’s aid.
Ahmed was a teacher, a scholar, and though his mind had always the most intelligent Elijah had had the pleasure to come across, normal life was a constant hassle. Small things were often forgotten when Ahmed got caught up in a discovery, or teaching, or a simple thought. Elijah often had to ensure the other man ate and was always mopping up spills. He had learnt to move fast to try and save parchments and clothing from being soaked through.
Elijah knelt before the other man, the cloth both trying to catch what fell from the table and mop the mess made of his clothes. In the end he could only do one so he tried to remove the stain from the cloth.
"It’s all right."
Elijah looked up into green eyes. He was smiling now, a proper smile, not with teeth or even a grin. It was the simplest change in his lips, the slightest curling of the corners. Elijah got the impression he hadn’t smiled for a long time.
"I think it’s a lost cause, little one."
"I will get you a change of clothing," his master stood, giving Viggo an almost comical bow, "seeing as this was my doing." He left the room.
"Elijah, why don’t you show Sean the baths so he can get out of his clothing. I’m sure you’ll find everything you need there, Sean."
Elijah was so startled that he stood when the blond man did. Prince Viggo was on personal terms... with a slave. Not one man in his father’s realm had spoken in such a way to a slave. Elijah himself could not think of a time that he had been on such familiar terms with one of his own slaves, even those he had been around since he had been born. Yet the older prince sat there, smiling teasingly at the tall blonde slave, eyes sparkling with delight.
The slave, Sean prince Viggo had called him did not smile, but his eyes danced when he looked at the Prince.
Orlando didn’t seem to be taking this well at all and pouted like an ignored child.
"The baths are this way," Elijah murmured, snapping out of his daze. "Follow me."
Sean did and Elijah could feel his emerald gaze boring into his back. The intense stare made him shiver in a pleasant way.
******
Sean followed Elijah into Viggo’s bathing room. He was grateful to be out of that room, where the underlying tension had begun to constrict him. Sean could tell that something must have happened between Viggo and his two desert Kittens. Viggo had to this point kept quiet about whatever it may have been, but that was Viggo. Sean was certain he was waiting until his stress levels hit boiling point again before he’d think to open his mouth.
Elijah had been a surprise, both of the young men had. It seemed that all the people Viggo had associated himself with so far were beautiful. Karl with all his dark beauty and honest temperament, Orlando with his thieves grace and easy smile. Elijah with his blue eyes and Fairy delicacy. If they were anywhere else, Sean knew he would be insanely jealous. But here, in this place and their strange customs that Viggo seemed to automatically fit into, like he was made for them, put Sean at ease.
The young man stopped by the bath, there were already jugs of heated water waiting for them, and a new set of clothing was laid out. Karl could certainly work quickly.
"Did you want to bath?" Elijah now turned to him.
Sean shook his head, "no, I’ll just change." He could feel the boy’s eyes on him as he slipped from his clothing, following the fresh scars on his skin, and he found it a little disconcerting. "It must be strange for you, being so far from home."
"That place is no longer home to me." Elijah wasn’t looking at him anymore, his gaze looking at the water in the jugs. "I have nothing now. There is nothing in this world left for me."
The final sound in his voice startled Sean. Those bright blue eyes that should be so young, were vacant of everything. The sight made Sean’s heart ache. He pulled the simple pants on and walked over to the boy. Elijah looked up at him, as if remembering that he was here.
"There is always some here for you." He reached out, gentle fingers touching his face. "If it helps, I will be here for you." His lips touched the top of Elijah’s head, offering him comfort.
Suddenly Elijah was in his arms, clinging to his body. He didn’t sob loudly, but Sean could feel his tears against his skin. Sean rubbed his back, small soothing noises escaping his lips. For the first time since he had arrived, Sean felt needed.
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go to PART 24