"Arabian Nights"
Part 37
by Mel
Dominic cringed every time he took a step. It wasn’t
any worse then the time he’d broken his arm falling from a window, but
the hit to his pride certainly smarted a lot more. On his right hip, just
above the waistband of his loose pants, was the scorch mark of a ring of two
snakes, one eating the other. Dominic had wondered at the choice of the brand,
until he had seen the Prince’s ring. It matched it. There was no way
you could confuse who owned Dominic now.
Damnit all, if that didn’t make escape just that little bit harder.
Dominic didn’t look at the still burning flesh as the Prince and the
guards led him silently to the prince’s rooms. He memorised the way
even though he got the feeling they were taking the long way around on purpose.
When they reached them, the Prince dismissed the guards and they took up their
posts by the door.
Upon entering the rooms, Dominic was surprised at how simple they were. He
knew this man was new to the position of Prince, but still, he had expected
to see a much more extravagant lifestyle. When they entered, the two young
men who were kneeling by the fountain, stopped talking and looked at them.
The paled skin boy with the raven hair looked at him in interest. He had a
thin bandage wrapped around his head. So this bright-eyed harem boy was the
Hellcat that had attacked him the night before. He really didn’t look
like much of a handful.
The second, of course was Orlando, and upon seeing the two of them his face
lit up.
The two boys bowed their heads, the submissive air Orlando excluded alarmed
Dominic, what had happened to the defiant boy he knew so well? Had the Prince
broken him? Dominic quietly seethed. If he had then there would be hell to
pay, Dominic had no qualms in slitting the Prince’s throat if he had
laid so much as a finger on Orlando.
Viggo chuckled slightly, though Dominic could certainly hear the strain in
the noise. "One would think you two were waiting for me."
The two looked up, both smiling. Viggo put a firm hand on Dominic’s
shoulder and guided him over to the two boys. "I believe you already
know Orlando, but this is Elijah, they will help you get settled-"
"My son."
Dominic moved as quickly as the other two boys, he would recognise the voice
of the Caliph anywhere. It was best to play it safe, lest the man decide he
should loose his head after all. All three boys bowed silently, heads touching
the floor as Viggo turned, facing his adopted father.
The Prince bowed slightly, "father." The Caliph was dismissing his
guard as he entered the room. Dominic caught sight of bare feet beneath a
cream robe, he must have came here straight from waking. This certainly didn’t
bode well. "Boys, would you leave us for the moment?"
Dominic stood, following the other two behind a beaded curtain. He didn’t
have long to admire the room as Orlando had him in a bear hug.
"I thought I’d lost you," he whispered against his ear.
"Me too," Dominic returned the hug, feeling the taller boy tremble
in his arms. He breathed in Orlando’s fresh sent, feeling home once
more. Even if the brand made itself known quiet painfully.
When they pulled apart, Dominic noticed the little Hellcat standing by the
door, close enough to try and hear the voices outside. The worry etched in
the boy’s face surprised Dominic and he too crept forward to listen.
******
Viggo and Hugo studied each other for a moment. Viggo knew he had to tread
carefully, he knew the wrong word could see Dominic dead within a moment.
His adopted Father’s face was unreadable, Viggo unsure of what sort
of a reception he was about to receive.
"You are looking well," Hugo’s voice was neutral.
"I am, father."
"One of your boy’s looked a little worse for wear. Would it have
anything to do with last night?"
"Yes father," Viggo hated this game, dancing around each other.
"Elijah saved my life."
"And yet you have decided to keep the man that would have killed you
last night."
Here we go. "Dominic has shown no malic to myself, nor our family, he
was led to believe by the man who hired him that I had killed one of his friends.
He was simply trying to honour Orlando’s death."
"By killing the Crown Prince," anger crept into Hugo’s voice.
"Your compassion can only go so far, Viggo. I have allowed you to keep
the street boy, it will get him out of the guard’s way and you enjoy
his company. But an assassin is unacceptable."
"I would much rather have him under my eyes then out killing others!"
"That is easily remedied, he will die tonight, as you should have ordered
to begin with."
"Hugo, please," Viggo panicked, "Trust my judgment, the boy
means no harm to this family, I swear it. And he is the only person who can
confirm who truly wants me dead."
Hugo paused. "He saw the man who has been trying to kill my children?"
Viggo shook his head, "but he knows the voice as well as his own, and
that is the only link we have to this man-"
A sudden crash sounded from within his room, cutting off what ever else Viggo
was going to say. Moving quickly both he and Hugo moved to his rooms.
Elijah was straddling Dominic’s hips, fists flying, actually catching
Dominic a few times. The assassin seemed quiet surprised by the attack and
Orlando was trying his hardest to pull Elijah from the other boy, regretting
having taught Elijah how to fight. The two brawling boys had managed to knock
over a copper vase.
Viggo groaned, these three would be the death of him.
******
Elijah had tried, really he had. But Dominic’s whispering voice had
finally got to him. When Viggo had started talking, defending Dominic, the
assassin had started. He was quiet, the words were barely breathed, but he
was particularly malicious in all he said.
"I don’t need his help, I can get out of here on my own."
"Who does he think he is, some collector of pretty boys?"
"He’s not collecting me, I won’t let him own me like some
cheap toy."
"I’m nobodies whore."
The worst thing about it was not the actual words, but the tears that were
collecting in Orlando’s eyes with every sentence the other boy spoke.
Elijah could all but hear what was going through the other boy’s head;
was that what Dominic thinking he was, just some painted toy boy?
"Especially not some stupid, European scum of a-"
Elijah snarled, seeing red, launching himself at the new boy. How *dare* he
talk about his Prince like that. How *dare* he make Orlando cry. Elijah shoved
him, pushing him to the ground, satisfied with the grunting sound Dominic
made as he crashed into the vase. Falling with him, Elijah straddled his thighs
quickly, his first punch landing smartly across Dominic’s cheek.
Orlando’s lessons had come in handy, dazed and surprised grey eyes stared
up at him.
Elijah felt hands tugging at his shoulders, trying to pull him from Dominic’s
body. Shrugging it off Elijah landed another two punches in swift concession.
Stronger, surer hand lifted him. Elijah cried out in anger, legs kicking at
the fallen boy as he thrashed in the hold.
"Don’t you *ever* say those things again," Elijah shouted,
angry tears filling his eyes as he lashed out again. "Don’t make
Orlando cry!"
"Must you always fight?"
Elijah looked up and into Viggo’s tired face. The look in his eyes was
enough to drain the anger from Elijah’s body. Elijah quietened, wiping
the tears from his eyes. "I am sorry my Lord." Elijah whispered,
"I have interrupted your discussion."
"Are you all right, Dominic?" Prince Viggo looked to the fallen
boy.
Dominic pushed himself up onto his elbow, groaning quietly. "I think
so."
"Then would you mind telling me precisely what you said to make Elijah
react in such a way?"
Dominic’s mouth clamed up, refusing to speak.
"He called you names," Orlando answered softly. The look Dominic
gave him was one of pure shock. "And us toys."
Viggo placed Elijah’s feet back on the ground, absentmindedly kissing
the top of his head as he moved, kneeling down in front of Dominic. "I
did not have to save your life." Dominic did not look at him. "I
could have left you to die, but I know you are an innocent in all this. You
know I do only what politics demands of me." He caught Dominic’s
chin, forcing the boy to look at him, blue eyes boring into grey. "But
I will not have you insulting Elijah or Orlando. Their predicament is no different
from yours. In some ways you are brother’s in arms, and I expect you
to act like it."
Dominic watched Viggo for a long moment, grey eyes searching. He nodded slowly,
whatever he had been looking for, he had found.
"Very good."
"I see these boys are in good hands." Viggo looked up as the Caliph
spoke. Elijah and Orlando bowed suddenly, realising he had been watching the
entire exchange. Hugo’s brown eyes sparkled with mirth. "I can
see that you are well protected. I trust in your decision my son, and will
enjoy seeing the fruits of your labour."
Hugo left them then, and Viggo got the distinct feeling that the Caliph was
laughing at him.
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 38