"Arabian Nights"
Part 43
by Mel
Dominic knew he had never been in deeper trouble then he was right now. The Prince had not been able to look him in the eyes when he had left the room, not because of shame, Dominic had the feeling if he had, Karl would not be leading him along now.
The Captain held his arm in a deadly grip. There would be bruising in an hour, but he had the good sense not to complain. Why give Karl another excuse to flay him? Karl was now pretty much dragging him further into the palace. Dom attempted to memorise where they were going, but with the Captain making so many turns that Dom was sure he was taking him a very long way around. Dom gave up rather quickly.
Instead he took the time to study the tall man. Dom had crossed knives with the Captain of the Caliph’s guard a number of times. His back held many scars to prove it. Dom had upset the carriage of a Turkish Princess once and been quiet sloppy about getting caught. Since then Dom had been on the Captain’s list and his elite guards had made it difficult to get any sort of work done. Often Dom found himself leaving for other kingdoms in order to finish some business.
Though the Captain had looked after Orli since he had been a boy, Dom, who was both a foreigner and seen as a bad influence on the other urchins, was offered no such special treatment. In fact, he was sure the Captain went out of his way to make Dom’s life difficult, even when he wasn’t misbehaving. Orli had reminded him often that rich people had often ended up dead when he was around, and as the Caliph was remarkably wealthy, Karl had every right to watch him closely.
Until now, Dom had never made any attempt on the Caliph, his family r those considered close to him. Karl had never had a real reason to dislike him. However, Dom got the feeling that the man now had every reason not to trust him and was going to enjoy taking full advantage of that fact.
Not that it mattered, he didn’t intend to be here that much longer. He would soon be leaving, with Orli in tow. As much fun as being owned by someone was, Dom was looking forward to being his own person again, as he was sure Orli was as well.
The sudden stop the Captain mad drew Dom sharply from his thoughts. The Captain threw open a door guarded by two men. They were hardened warriors and Dom could only wonder if they were always here, or if the Captain had prearranged this. Neither of those options were even remotely pleasing and Dom kept his feet as the Captain of the guard threw him through the open door.
When Dom turned, slowly to avoid prompting the Captain into action, the door was already closed. The room was bare, save for high windows that spilled light into the room, and one low table with two wooden chairs. The terracotta stonewalls heated the room slightly, causing the assassin to sweat.
The Captain promptly shed his shirt, the material dropped at the door. His knuckles crack ominously as his hands balled into fists and he stalked into the room, his braids clinging to the flesh of his upper body. He walked straight passed Dom, just close enough to invade the boy’s personal space, but not enough to touch, and sat at one of the chairs. Tawny eyes glared at him.
Dom was smirking. It couldn’t be helped. The Prince had unwittingly put Dom in an interesting position. The Captain could not truly harm him, a little roughing up perhaps, but Viggo would have Captain’s hide if anything permanent was done. Like wise, Dom had no chance of escaping, it would give the Captain cause to kill him. They were at the point where anything physical could not be attempted. Which left them with the intricate dance of their minds.
Dominic was an Assassin, a thief, and a general vagabond. But his mind was sharp, and he’d wager he knew more about politics and the ways of the court then the painted slave boy the prince kept. Dom had needed to pose as an Earl, a Duke, a scullion boy or a merchant from one moment to the next. He had need to talk his way out of many scrapes, going from simple speech to the subtle spoken fencing of a noble in a single moment. The Captain was a man of action, and as such Dominic did not believe he could best him here. However, it wouldn’t do to let that loose so early in their game.
Dom sat silently across from the man, allowing himself to appear relaxed. The Captain watched him, but nothing about his cold demeanour changed, intriguing Dominic. It also made him grateful, this part of the game was no fun if the players were no good at it. It had been some time since he had come across a challenge such as this.
“I trust the Prince has treated you well?”
Dom hid his glee. Thus it began. He shrugged. “As well as can be expected, Captain.”
“And the boys?”
“Some general squabbles, but such things are normal among young men.”
“So I see,” the Captain looked pointedly at the bruising, as if only just noticing it. “Nothing too serious, I hope, it would be a pity if you met with an accident from your bed mates.”
Dom was not lead into this false sense of security the Captain was creating. The man was good at this, but Dom was much better. “That is true, but I have no doubts we will work though it.”
“That’s good,” the Captain leant forward, leaning his chin on his interlaced fingers. “What brought you to Aqaba? It is the wrong time of year for your sort of interests?”
The game moved a little quickly, but Dom couldn’t bring himself to begrudge the Captain for it. Ideally the pleasantries should have taken much longer, but they were pressed for time, so Dom allowed the subtle change of subject with another shrug. “This and that, visit some friends, try my hand at some work.”
“It appears you found the wrong sort of work,” the Captain drawled.
“So it seems, but it is nothing I can not handle.” He pushed the hair out of his eyes in a subtle gesture. The Captain’s eyes narrowed slightly. The urge to grin was squashed from years of practice. Dom wondered vaguely if he could goad the Captain into some sort of irrational behaviour, but pushed it aside. It wasn’t worth making them more enemies then they already were, and Orli was quite fond of him.
“It appears you have everything in hand then,” he sat back. “And how do you plan to leave?”
Not entirely subtle, but the Captain was sure to be rusty. “If I wished it, which I would never, the same way I came.”
“And how would that be?”
“Through the window.”
The outright lie made the Captain’s face darken before he composed himself. “Now that was a lie, Dominic.”
“Was it?”
“It was,” came the dry response. “I see this is getting us no where.” The look in his eyes made Dom pause, realising things were about to change, but to what end, he could not see. “You may find this fun, but it’s rather tiresome for me.”
“My Lord?” He stressed the ‘lord’ as insulting as possible. Perhaps now would be a good time to attempt to goad him into some sort of rash action.
“I can not kill you, and you would not disappoint me enough to do something that would give me a good excuse to do so. In more ways then one, we are at an in pass. There is one piece of information that you hold over my head.” The look the Captain gave him was calculating. “The way you got so effortlessly into the Prince’s rooms. It’s one detail I can not let you leave here without knowing.”
“I scaled the wall and crept in the window, is that so hard to believe?”
“Yes, especially considering at no point in the night are any of the walls not watched.”
“Perhaps your men are sloppy?”
“No man saw you, why don’t you save me the hassle and tell me the truth?”
“I am,” the key was to never back down from the story, the second Dom started to make ‘or what?’ threats, the Captain would take delight in talking it out of him. Still, the next look he gave Dom was not cold. It was scorching.
The Captain took advantage of the fact he had not been ready for this sort of attack.
“Come now, it’s not so hard to tell me what I want to know. It’s not like you’ll be going anywhere anytime soon.” Purposely he stretched, hands rising into the air, body bearing out before Dom’s eyes. The coiled grace was not a surprise to Dom, he had fought the Captain before, the sexual connotations behind it were so well-timed Dom silently applauded the man. He wondered if the Captain had been a harem boy before he worked for the Caliph. Dom allowed his eyes to roam freely, seeing the man thought it was prudent to show off.
The Captain had the body of a hardened warrior and Dom took his time in appreciating it. Dom knew the work that had to go into a body like his. His skin was stained, the sun having taken its toll against it, scars, fine and heavy, decorated them. The Captain had fought, often it seemed, and wore the markings with the same pride that any warrior did. The thickest of which, now so healed it could only be noticed if you truly looked, was just above where his heart was. Dom did not think to heavily upon the implication of such a deep scar, but wondered if there was one in the same place at his back.
He wore his hair in tiny, well-kept braids, but it did not detract from the whole image. It only amplified it. When the Captain moved his head, the black hair rippled, the beads at the end knocked together, making the tiniest of noises. Dom had never noticed it be for, but the faint chime of the beads would normally be enough to give a man away in a moment. Dom would be listening for it next time. Now the beads simply let their melody sing as the Captain flicked them away from his body. He almost appeared to be preening.
He smiled with his eyes, the look so sinfully confident that Dom appreciated the gesture. But sleeping with the Captain of the guard would be like sleeping with a basket of vipers. It was a mistake Dom wasn’t ready to make.
“I already told you how I got in.”
“But you lied to me,” he explained patiently, “and a lie just wont do. I want the truth, and I know you’ll want to give it to me.”
A spike of pleasure flashed through Dominic’s body. He certainly didn’t like the way this conversation was heading, especially if the current look the Captain was giving him was anything to go by. However, none of this showed in his face and he yawned. “You are right, this is getting rather tiresome and as I have already told you everything I know, perhaps I should be getting back to my Lord.”
“Oh no, Dominic, you are not going anywhere till you tell me what I want to know,” another feral grin and Dominic fought not to let the arousal he was feeling show. He even managed not to shift in his seat, which was quiet a feat. “And I know how to get what I want.”
Dominic believed it too, the Captain of the Caliph’s guard certainly looked like one who was use to winning, even if it meant pulling dirty tricks. Like this was. What was it with everyone trying to out smart him lately? It certainly wasn’t fair. His luck seemed to have died the moment he heard the name ‘Prince Viggo’. It was easier to focus when he thought of the man who had stolen Orli from him. “If I remember rightly, I have nothing you would possibly want.”
“I think you do,” his voice purred, “a few things actually, but most of those can wait for a later date.” One foot kicked out, pushing the table that was the only thing between them out of the way. It made Dominic feel suddenly bare, something that he didn’t feel completely bad about. It was a lot harder to hide his rising arousal with the Captain staring at him that way. The Captain was being very candid about all this. It certainly was off putting, knowing he was being toyed with.
Was this how Elijah felt?
“I think it’d be a good idea if I went back to the Prince now.”
The Captain grinned, “giving up already? You disappoint me Dominic, I was certain you’d be a harder case then this. However, the second the heat gets turned up, you want to run out the door.” He laughed, the sound filled with amusement.
Dominic’s temper flared. “Well, if you didn’t act like a common-“ Dominic bit his lip, cutting off his own words, furious that he had risen to the Captain’s bait.
“Whore?” He drawled, tawny eyes hooded, smile growing predatory. “Was that what you were going to say? I would be very careful how you throw that word around with me, some of my closet friends were considered whores at one or more stages of their lives.” The Captain was still smiling, but there was a certain amount of steel behind it. “I’m sure you’ve been called one before.”
He stood, drawing even more attention to the fact he was only partly clothed. Dominic watch, mouth drying, as he pulled a thick black ribbon from the pocket of his loose pants. He wound it between his fingers, tugging it as if testing its resistance. Though he knew it was all for show, Dominic couldn’t help but thinking of being tied up, bound entirely to the Captain’s will. Forced to respond to the man’s every whim. The thought made him shudder at the fierceness of it, arousal heightening.
However, the Captain rose his hands, pulling up the multitude of braids and tying them neatly, if slowly, in the ribbon. Dominic’s eyes roamed, following the trail of fine hair down the other man’s body, the end of which was hidden by the thin material of those pants. He shook his head so all that hair would fall behind his back, beads singing. Placing his hands upon his hips, the Captain studied Dom as one would a piece of meat. As if he was deciding where to begin his meal.
“Are you sure you could not tell me what I want to know?” He asked, one finger idly playing with the waistband of his pants.
Dominic got the feeling this would be the last chance he would get to tell the Captain the truth before the real game started. He weighed quickly wether it was worth it or not. But the Captain could do nothing to hurt him, and he didn’t want the man to cut off his escape route.
“There’s nothing more to tell, Captain.”
“Oh good,” The Captain’s grin grew feral, “I’d hate for things to finish early.”
Dom blinked, missing the Captains movement. Because when his eyes opened, his face was mere moments from his own, Dominic had to force himself not to gasp. The man was still grinning at him even as he ducked in, kissing him forcefully. Dominic couldn’t deny the pleasure that spiked through him at the force of the kiss.
The Captain knew what he was doing and he pressed his advantage, one hand digging almost painfully into his hair, the other loosening the ties of Dominic’s shirt. At no point did the older warrior give Dominic a chance to protest, a chance to break the kiss. Dominic’s mind spun, unable to even catch up, the Captain was *kissing* him. Devouring really. All lips, teeth and tongue. Dominic wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to be in the same room if the man decided to fuck him, he’d be blown away.
Appearing to be bored with the ties, the Captain gripped the shirt at the neck, ripping down the centre. Baring Dominic’s body to him. Dom trembled, mind catching up terribly quickly with that thought, and he raised his hands to fend the other man off. Both of the Captain’s thumbs chose that moment to flick at his nipples, sending a gasp through their joined lips.
Dominic fought to remember why he was fighting this to begin with, hands falling to the broad shoulders of the man above him. It had been a long time since anyone had made him feel half this good, and Dominic couldn’t quite find a reason to push the Captain off. It wouldn’t hurt to let the man have a taste.
As if sensing the surrender of the boy beneath him the Captain growled into his mouth, plundering further, pushing him so the chair rocked precariously on two legs. The fingers that played with his nipples caused Dominic to arch into them, mewing silently into the kiss. The hands travelled further, loosening the pants he wore.
Teeth bit at his bottom lip before the captain suddenly broke the kiss. Dominic found the sound that escaped him most embarrassing, but all was forgiven as the captain fell to his knees in front of him. He watched wide-eyed as the sinful man pulled his arousal free from its confines, smiling seductively even as he licked the tip. Dominic’s head fell back, groaning in hunger as the Captain took the head in between his lips, making his cheeks hollow obscenely.
The noises the captain made were almost as good as the feeling of him surrounding Dominic’s cock. The man purred, really purred, the sound vibrating through Dom’s body, making him gasp.
The Captain lifted his head.
“Tell me how you got in,” the man nuzzled gently at Dominic’s arousal.
Dominic could barely think through the haze of pleasure. “Through the window.”
He ducked in, sucking him all the way down his throat, making him cry out before lifting his head again. “Tell me,” he implored, blowing on the tip. “And I’ll let you come.”
“Window,” he moaned, hips bucking helplessly.
“Please?”
The lick at the tip shattered Dominic’s resolve. “Behind the tapestry.”
“Very good,” The Captain cooed, taking the length into his mouth, one wet finger plunging inside of the boy, curving to rub his prostate.
Dominic screamed, coming hard, clinging desperately to the Captain’s head as his whole body shook. He barely noticed as his body hummed down, but the Captain had swallowed and was licking his arousal clean.
“That wasn’t so hard, now, was it?”
Eyes clearing Dominic stared up at the man who was untying his hair, licking his lips. He jumped up and out of the seat, trembling in fury, as he struggled to put his pants back on. The Captain watched in amusement and took his original seat.
“You know, having that escape route wouldn’t have done you any good,” he said conversationally. “Seeing as young Orlando would not have gone with you.”
Dominic paused half way through tying his pants. What was angry, flushed skin went deathly pale. “What?”
“Orlando is in love with the Prince, or didn’t you notice? He would not leave him now for all the world.”
There was a soft tap at the door and the Captain looked away from the silent boy. “Come in.”
Liv poked her head in. “Forgive me Captain, but the Caliph requires an audience with you.”
“Of course he does,” he sighed, raking his hand through his braids. “Would you mind escorting the young Dominic back to the Prince? I believe I have all I need of him.” He looked at the boy, who was still staring at him in shock. “Remember to be careful where you throw that ‘whore’ word around Dominic, because you were one for a moment there...”
If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Mel
go to PART 44