Kailin's Keeper

OooO Road to Recovery OooO

Kailin could remember bits and pieces of the journey home: the sea of sand, the whinnies of the trudgers, the commotion of arriving in the capital, the rush to the infirmary. The one solid presence in his hazy, pain-filled world was Lukin, who stayed close, murmuring to him when he was conscious, and scrutinizing the work of the doctors protectively.

In fact, the commander had only just left his side a moment ago – the first time he had done so since the attack. He wouldn’t have left at all except Kailin had insisted he go get the worst of his cuts stitched up. Which is how Kailin ended up alone in this small but comfortable private room off the infirmary.

Lukin had given the prince strict orders not to leave his bed. So Kailin would have to make this quick… He wanted to check on Zaks and he’d have to do it before Lukin got back to check on him, which knowing the man, would be shortly.

The blonde carefully pushed off the infirmary bed. His ribs ached – a piercing, searing ache – that stole his breath and made moving agony. Despite that, the doctor had confirmed they were cracked, not broken, so it wouldn’t kill him to take a little walk.

Holding his arm protectively around his middle to bolster his core against any jolting movement, he shuffled out into the hallway. With his other hand he held the white hospital robe tightly around his body. A nurse in a pale gold uniform almost walked right past him but skidded to a stop and bowed, eyes comically wide, “Your Excellency! Did you need something? Anything! Please, you have a buzzer by your bed…”

“No, I’m just going to check on Captain V’Ox.” Kailin glanced up and down the long empty hall, “Ah, perhaps you can tell me where he is.”

The nurse had a soft bob of blonde hair and it hung forward as she directed her gaze to the floor. “Um, I don’t think you’re supposed to be out of bed, Your Excellency. I could call someone for you? Commander Paniz, perhaps?”

“No!” He answered too sharply and regretted it immediately, but really, he wasn’t seven anymore and no one needed to call for his keeper. “Ah, no thank you, Nurse…?”

“Hadi. Hadi L’Ob,” The nurse supplied quickly.

“Hadi.” Kailin tried for a sincere smile, “The thing is, Hadi, I just need to see Captain V’Ox for a minute. Then I’ll go back to the bed, I promise. No one but the two of us will have to know.”

“You really aren’t…”

“Please, Hadi. He saved my life, you see, and got injured protecting me. So I have to make sure he’s okay.”

“There isn’t a need, Your Excellency. I just came from there. The doctor gave him a strong sedative. He’ll be out of it for a few more hours. He probably won’t even know you’re even there.”

“I must insist.” Kailin didn’t want to pull rank, but he would. His is most lordly voice, he demanded, “Where is he being treated?”

“Captain V’Ox is being kept in a bed in the public ward.” Hadi pointed down the hall to a set of white double doors.

“And his prognosis?” Kailin asked dreading the answer. The last time he had glimpsed Zaks, the giant was being pulled off the trudger, makeshift dressings around his arms soaked with blood. If there was permanent damage or if he had lost too much blood…It would all be Kailin’s fault.

“So long as no infection sets in, the doctors are saying he should make a near complete recovery.”

“Near complete?” Kailin pressed for information.

“There might be some nerve damage in his arms. The slashes were numerous and several quite deep.”

Kailin nodded, “Thank you, Hadi. And…ah…no one needs to know about my little trip to see the captain , okay?” The last thing he wanted was Lukin finding out and overreacting.

“Your Excellency.” The nurse left with another bow.

Because of the pain in his chest, Kailin was thankful he didn’t have far to walk. He pace was slow and halting. Eventually, he did make it to the end of the hall. He opened the doors to the general ward, and was pleased to find it was almost deserted. There was a curtain pulled around a bed in the far left east corner and Kailin made his way there. Though not as opulent as Kailin’s own private room, at least Zaks had some privacy in the form of the curtained screen. Kailin pushed the screen aside quietly and announced his presence, “Zaks? It’s me.”

Something about the infirmary bed made the colossal man look smaller and more vulnerable. He was pale, making the scar along his face appear redder and more prominent. His long mane of dirty blond hair was brushed back off his face in order to wrap a linen bandage over the cut at his temple. “Zaks?”

The man groaned, eyes fluttering, open but blurry. His pupils were dilated dramatically, probably the result of his medication. “Graven?”

“It’s Kailin.” The prince worried his lip between his teeth. Zaks didn’t look good at all. “I’ll find someone to get your dominant, okay?”

The captain just grimaced lightly, eyes closing again.

Kailin moved as swiftly as he could out onto the infirmary floor. He found a servant mopping up and directed them to find Graven and bring him back as quickly as possible. Messenger dispatched, Kailin hurried back to Zaks’ bedside.

Feeling shaky from his own injuries, the prince dragged a chair over and sat next to Zaks’ bed. The last thing he wanted was to pass out on the floor and cause a commotion. He knew he should go back his own bed, but he wanted to stay, at least until the man’s dominant arrived.

Kailin could see the white, starchy sheets stretched over Zaks’ broad chest rise and fall regularly. Zaks’ breath seemed more even than it had been a moment before, Kailin decided, that was definitely a good thing. Someone, a nurse no doubt, had he removed his uniform when he arrived in the infirmary; the upper part of his bare chest was visible above the sheets. His bandaged arms were at his sides. Kailin blanched a little, remembering the whip slashing into them. He’d have scars. More scars, Kailin amended, because, rek, there were quite a few older ones on him already.

In addition to the long scar on his face, Kailin could now see more pre-existing scars on his shoulders. They looked like whip lashes, too. One curled over Zaks shoulder, catching the top of his pec. They didn’t look like battle scars, at least not all of them. Some of the scars looked methodically placed. How in the world did Zaks receive such punishment? Was it abuse? Burning Suns, it looked like it had been so painful. Without thinking, Kailin reached up and smoothed a finger over the line of puckered, discoloured skin curving over Zaks’ shoulder, as if he could somehow sooth the old wound.

“I would thank you to keep your hands off my submissive, Your Excellency.”

Kailin jumped up, pulling his hand back and turning to face the new-comer. Graven C’Oa stood at the foot of the bed, expression blank. His stance was aloof as well, arms held behind his ramrod straight back, feet planted hip-width apart. He didn’t meet Kailin’s eyes, and instead was staring detachedly at the wall about a foot above Zaks head.

“Sorry, I…” Kailin stammered. Something about Graven made him uncomfortable. “Um, the nurse said he was stable, but the doctor gave him a sedative, so he’s sleeping. His arms – ”

“Yes, thank you, Your Excellency. I read the doctor’s report.” Graven’s every word sounded cold and courteous, his slightly beady eyes never left the spot on the wall.

Kailin stiffened a little, what sort of dominant stopped to read a report before even seeing his submissive? The same sort of dominant whose submissive bore the marks of abuse, Kailin mused bleakly. And now that Graven was here, he couldn’t even be bothered to look at Zaks.

Kailin stood from the chair, offended on Zaks’ behalf. Though Kailin was only average height, he was several inches taller than the slight steward. Graven didn’t move at all, staring forward, every strand of his perfectly slicked back hair in place, soured expression in his face.

This? This was Zaks’ dominant?

“How old are you, Graven?”

For an unguarded moment, Graven looked irritated by the question. The annoyance flashed over his face and then was expertly concealed before he answered taciturnly, “Nineteen, Your Excellency.”

So he was younger than Kailin, he had thought so. He wanted to know more about this teenager that had the gall to claim dominance over the strong and courageous Zaks. “You’re so young. Didn’t we take history lessons together, though?”

“I took many advanced classes ahead of my peers.” The explanation came from between clenched teeth. “Now, if you will excuse me, Your Excellency, I have many important, pressing tasks to get back to, and I would like to check on my submissive first.” It was a clear insinuation that Kailin was not welcome.

“I can stay with Zaks, if you want to go back to work, C’Oa. I’d hate for you to miss anything of importance,” Kailin offered snidely.

Graven made to open his mouth, but was interrupted by the rustle and snap of the curtains around the bed being flung aside.

Lukin stood between the parted curtains, drawing everyone’s attention. He looked a mess. He hadn’t changed; his clothes still filthy and torn from the fight. His face sporting several darkening bruises under the bridge of his nose and one eye and cuts on his lips and cheekbone. His hands were a mess as well, one sporting raw knuckles and the other wrapped in a blood-stained cloth.

Lukin’s eyes shifted from Zaks on the bed, to Graven, and finally to Kailin. Spying Kailin, his expression turned stern. “Excellency, I don’t believe you were given permission to leave your bed.”

“I know, but…”

“You should be resting.” Lukin frowned at Kailin once more and then he turned to Graven. He spoke formally from his position as commander, “C’Oa, I’m sorry for the captain’s injuries. He acted bravely and in accordance with his duties, for which I am indebted. I am pleased to hear his condition has stabilized.”

C’Oa nodded stiffly, “Thank you, Commander.”

Zaks, heavily under the influence of the pain medication, was unresponsive and oblivious to exchange.

Lukin stretched a hand out, “Come here, Kailin. You need to back to your bed.”

Kailin took a step back from the hand. “I am staying with Zaks.”

“You are not.” Again Lukin interjected before Graven could open his mouth, “Captain V’Ox will be in his dominant’s capable hands.”

“But –”

“Kailin.” Lukin’s voice was sharp this time, “We’re going back to your room. Now.”

Kailin glared, teeth gnashing a little, “Fine.”

Graven, the little worm, half bowed to him as he passed by. The man turned slightly to Lukin, eyes still vacant, “Commander.”

Lukin inclined his head slightly, something Kailin had only every seen Lukin do to Araz, and his father of course, and murmured in response, “C’Oa.”

Kailin waited until they were in hallway before confronting Lukin. “You like him.”

“I don’t like anyone.” Lukin snapped and then allowed, “But I do respect C’Oa.”

“I can’t see why.”

“He abides by the chain of command.” Lukin reworded as he herded Kailin down the hall. He took small steps to adjust to the prince’s injured shuffle. “And he’s a good dominant.”

Kailin snorted in disbelief. “It didn’t seem like he cared one lick about Zaks. The poor captain, trapped in a bond with that…unfeeling toad.”

“His submissive was injured.” Lukin pointed out. “He had more weighty things on his mind than how you would perceive him. I can appreciate that. When you are hurt I… Well, it doesn’t bare thinking about.”

Kailin could identify. When those rebels had attacked Lukin, fear had nearly overwhelmed him. The idea of losing Lukin was unbearable. He stopped dead in the hallway and clumsily threw himself against Lukin’s chest, hugging the other man. Surprised, it took Lukin a moment to return the embrace. He put a hand on the back of Kailin’s neck and other over the top of his shoulders in deference to the prince’s injured ribs.

The uncontrollable emotions (a jumble of relief and pain and belated-fear) made Kailin’s eyes prickle with tears. He refused to let them fall. He would not cry like a little kid in front of Lukin. He sniffled and drew in a shaky breath, trying to compose himself.

Lukin said nothing, just held him close, stroking the back of his head.

It took a few minutes, but Kailin managed to bring himself under control. He pulled back so he wasn’t leaning against Lukin anymore.

“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” Kailin apologized, feeling silly for his break down in the middle of the hall.

“You’re probably still overtired. Come on, let’s get you back to bed.” Lukin lead Kailin back to his private hospital room and opened the door for him.

Kailin moved over to the bed and hissed lightly, sitting back down on the edge, his ribs pinching.

Lukin caught in the flash of pain in his expression and accused, “This is why I told you to stay in bed instead of wandering off to see Zaks. You’ve probably made it worse.”

“How did you even know where I was?”

“One of the nurses had enough sense to contact me and tell me you were going against orders.”

Hadi, that traitor!

Lukin walked over and stood in front of him, so close their legs touched. “You should take some more pain medication. Do you want me to get the doctor?”

With a shake of his head, Kailin declined, “I’m fine.”

“I just saw you wince. You have three cracked ribs. You need to take something.”

“I don’t need it.” Kailin insisted.

Lukin groaned. “Fine, then. But I did make you drink. I left it over on the side table before I hunted you down. It will help you sleep.”

Kailin turned his head to see that a still-steaming cup had been on the small table beside the bed. Kailin reached for the brown, clay mug, taking a few sips.

It tasted repulsive. Kailin smiled.

Lukin had often made him the pungent, foul-tasting concoction for him when he had been under the weather as a child. Filled with wild-grown herbs, it was an Arlonite practice; one of few Arlonite customs that Lukin had retained from his youth. Kailin liked to think perhaps it was something Lukin had picked up from his never-spoken-about parents all those years ago.

It was still warm. And it was strong. Within a few minutes, just keeping his eyes open became a struggle.

There was a gruff chuckle from Lukin as he watched Kailin sway. “Lie down before you fall down.”

Kailin blinked. Lukin was out of focus, a fuzzy, dark halo surrounding him. A big, safe, dominant halo. “Tie me down?”

The chuckles turned into a choked sound, “Kailin! Rek, you can’t say those things out loud. What if a doctor walked in?”

“Can do wha’ I want.” The medicinal drink was making his speak garbled.

“Don’t I know it,” Lukin grumbled good-naturedly.

“M’sorry you got hurt,” Kailin blurted out.

“You got hurt, too, don’t forget.”

“For you. I couldn’t let them hurt you.”

“Thank you.” Lukin leaned in and kissed his jaw chastely. “But next time you ignore an order like that, I’m going to tan your hide.”

The medicine-addled blonde reached up to touch one of the bruises on Lukin’s face, gasping when his side twinged.

“Careful, those ribs need a rest.” Lukin caught his hand gently and pressed it back down.

“M’not in pain.”

“Yes. You are.”

“M’not…”Kailin slumped back against the pillows.

Lukin rolled his eyes, helping Kailin lift his suddenly lead-like legs into the bed, and then leaning over and pulling the sheets up around him. “You’re my submissive, Kailin, for Suns’ sake – I can tell when you’re in pain. My drive is hyper aware of every aspect of you.”

“Really?” Kailin slurred.

“Always.”

Suns, that drink was effective. All the pain was fading and he was just floating in a warm, cozy fog. So tired. It was impossible to fight it. The last thing he felt before succumbing was the touch of Lukin’s hand, soft, against his hair.

OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO

12-year-old Kailin sprawled back on the couch in his front room. He was in the middle of a growth spurt, and though he was getting quite tall, his weight and breadth hadn’t caught up yet. His body was lanky and uncoordinated. That’s probably why he had fallen when Colm had pushed him today after lessons. He absently rubbed his shoulder. He had knocked it against the wall on the way down.

“What happened to you?” Lukin growled irritably as he walked into the apartment at the start of his shift. At 24, Kailin’s keeper was very much a man now, not the teenager that had first been assigned the position as the prince’s personal guard.

“Nothing.” Kailin grumbled shortly. His blond hair was getting a little too long, hanging into his eyes; he swept it back with one hand, only to find it fell forward again. His shoulder pulled sorely at the movement.

“You’ve hurt yourself.” Lukin stared down at the kid. It was a dominant’s job to monitor the wellbeing of a submissive in their care. Over the years, he had made it a priority to commit to memory Kailin’s physical and mental state and knew now when the slightest thing was out of balance. And right now he was hiding something and favouring his left shoulder.

“I’m not hurt.”

“You’re lying.”

Kailin sighed. He knew well enough that his keeper was never going to let something like this go. “There’s this boy in my Eimorian culture class named Colm… He’s always picking on one of the other boys.”

Taking a seat on the couch beside Kailin, Lukin kept his mouth shut, knowing there would be more to the story.

“The other boy, the one he picks on, he’s submissive.” With a hint of belligerence, Kailin looked over at Lukin to see how he was taking this information. “He wouldn’t fight back when Colm bullied him.”

Uh-oh…Lukin could see where this was going. “So, you did.”

Kailin nodded. “I punched him. Sort of.”

“Sort of?”

“I may have used some of the other combat maneuvers you taught me…”

Lukin groaned and inched the bridge of his nose. “Kailin…”

“What? Why’d you teach them to me if you didn’t want me using them?”

“To defend yourself.”

“Well, I was defending someone.”

“Let me see your shoulder.”

Lukin carefully checked Kailin’s arm. What he really wanted to do was find this Colm and pound his face in. But beating up a 12-year-old wasn’t going to help his 12-year-old. “Can you bend it? Try to push against my hand. Does that hurt? Are you sure you don’t want to take a trip to the infirmary?”

Kailin rolled his eyes. “I’m fine, really.”

Now that he had seen for himself that Kailin really wasn’t that injured, Lukin allowed a small smirk. “And Colm?”

The 12-year-old’s lips quirked a little, his clear aquamarine eyes lifting to Lukin’s face. “Now, Colm does need a trip to the infirmary.”

OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO

In the present, Kailin woke up slowly. Tired. Rekking tired. The lingering effects the herbal drink Lukin had prepared still gripped him.

He turned over in the bed, opening his eyes a crack. All he could see was the bright white of the hospital sheets. He groaned as the light assailed his eyes.

He lifted his head a little, a blurred figure sat in the chair a few feet from the bed in his cozy, private infirmary room.

“Luke…?” Kailin questioned sleepily.

“No,” the voice from the chair spoke. “I ordered him to go clean up and get some food.”

Even if Kailin hadn’t recognized the voice, there was only one man who could give Lukin orders and have the commander actually follow them. “What are you doing here, Father?”

“My youngest son gets brought to the infirmary, it seems logical I would want to check on him.”

Kailin sat up in the bed slowly, his ribs protested. He propped himself against the pillows to look over at his father. “I’m okay, really. I don’t even know why I have to stay in the infirmary. You and Lukin definitely don’t have to stay at my bedside.”

The king scoffed. “I doubt anything could keep him away.”

Rubbing a hand over his eyes to clear away the sleep, Kailin asked, “Zaks…um, Captain V’Ox?...Have you heard if there was any change in his condition?”

“As far as I know, he hasn’t regained full consciousness yet. The doctors are monitoring him closely.”

Kailin worried his lip between his teeth. “He put himself between me and those men. They wanted me. It’s my fault.”

“He did his job, Kailin.” The king’s voice was curt.

“I know…” Kailin twisted the bedsheet a little in his hands. That didn’t mean he still didn’t feel guilty about what had happened.

The king stood up so quickly his chair scrapped along the floor. He thundered in outrage, “I was not told those deviants restrained you!”

Kailin looked up startled by the booming accusation. “Who did what?!”

“Paniz didn’t put that in his report. Were you to just going to keep it from me?”

What was his father talking about? He glanced down; his forearms stood out in stark relief against the white sheets. His wrists were chaffed and a little bruised. From Lukin tying his hands on the trudger. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but really it was only a day. His wrist still bore the faint marks of their forbidden actions.

“It’s not what you think.” Kailin hastily tried to calm his father.

“If they weren’t dead already, I would have them all executed for binding you!”

His father was really getting worked up. Kailin couldn’t just let him believe he had been violated by the rebels. But still, he didn’t really want his father to know the truth either. Reluctantly, Kailin admitted in a low murmur, “It was Lukin.”

“What?” King K’Or looked stunned.

Clearing his throat, Kailin tried again, “The marks on my wrists. They’re from Lukin. Not from the rebels.”

“Paniz tied you? Before you were officially bonded?!”

This was the conversation out of a nightmare, Kailin suspected. To discuss these things with your father of all people – utterly mortifying. “Yes.”

He father looked just as uncomfortable as he felt. “Was it…consensual?”

“What?!” Kailin squawked. “Yes. Of course. It’s Lukin. He would never…”

The king’s cheeks turned ruddy. It was the first time Kailin had ever seen his father blush. “Well, I…uh…suppose you are an adult now. But still, I thought I raised you to behave with a little more decorum.”

Kailin wanted to disappear. He wanted the bed to swallow him up. “Father…”

“In my day, you saved that for after the bonding.”

Oh, Suns. Maybe he could smoother himself with his pillow. It was supremely tempting. Luckily, his father’s lecture was cut short. Unluckily, it was by Lukin’s appearance at the door, which compounded the awkward tension in the room.

Filling the doorway, the commander looked like he had taken the time to clean up. He was wearing fresh clothes and his black hair was wet from a shower. The cuts and bruises still visible on his face were a stark reminder of the recent attack.

“Kailin,” Lukin nodded to the prince and then the king, “Your High Excellency.” He immediately felt the friction in the room and Kailin could see his mind churning, trying to work out what had happened and what action (if any) he had to take. He took a few more steps into the room, moving to position himself nearer to Kailin, in guard mode.

The king set his jaw, “I have a conference in an hour. I should go make those preparations now. I’ll have the doctor keep me apprised of your condition, but if you have additional needs, Kailin, have a servant contact me.”

Kailin nodded. “Yes, Father.”

The king turned to Lukin. “Paniz. I would like a meeting tonight. You can bring me up to date on what we’ve learned about the rebel attack and if we are able determine what tribe they were from and the reasons for their attempted abduction.”

Paniz inclined his head slightly, “Yes, Your High Excellency. Eight o’clock?”

“Fine, fine.” The king leveled a cold, hard stare at Lukin before sweeping out of the room, regal head held high.

After the man disappeared, Lukin looked to Kailin for an explanation of the king’s attitude. “What was that about?”

Kailin shook his head, still embarrassed. “You don’t want to know.”

Lukin’s brow furrowed in a frown. “If it concerns you, I want to know.”

With a shrug, Kailin wordlessly held up his wrists. It was obvious what the king would have thought upon seeing the binding marks. When Lukin swore softly, it caused Kailin to snicker, “Yeah, exactly.”

“Was he upset with you? I can explain to him it was my idea.”

Kailin looked at him, dubious. “I think it’s better for everyone’s piece of mind that we just let the whole thing drop.”

Kailin shifted over on the bed and Lukin took him up on the nonverbal offer, sitting on the edge of bed. Lukin took one of Kailin’s hands in his own and brushed his thumb over the marks. “I didn’t see these before.”

Kailin tried not to let the fluttering in his stomach caused by Lukin’s close proximity distract him. “Yeah, me neither. I guess it just took a while for the bruising to show. And we were rather distracted.”

“Mmm, true.” Lukin looked up from their entwined hands. His black eyes lit possessively. “I like my marks on you.”

Kailin felt his cheeks heat at the intimacy of the words. “Lukin…”

Lukin’s lips curved into a small, masculine smirk. He mimicked the prince’s chiding tone, “Kailin…”

There was a rattle at the door and then a knock sounded at the same time the door pushed open. Araz strode through the door, eyes glancing over them. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Lukin sat up straighter but he didn’t get off the bed. He deadpanned, “You are. Get lost.”

Araz laughed and continued in. When Lukin made no move to get up, Araz walked all the way around to the other side of the hospital bed to approach Kailin.

“I’m happy to see you are both in one piece. Though…” Araz smirked, giving Lukin’s bruised face a once over. “It’s a good thing you were never the pretty one.”

Kailin rolled his eyes lightly. “Where is Axial?” Surreptitiously, Kailin tucked his hands under the covers. The last thing he wanted was for his brother to see the marks, too.

Araz didn’t appear to notice. “Axial is with Wen, I would imagine. The two of them have been making up for lost time since he came back. He would have come with me to visit you, but Father and Lukin have you on limited visitors.”

“He’s okay though? There was some storm damage on the trail. He didn’t get caught in it, did he?”

Araz shook his head. “No. He mentioned the winds were stirring, but he made it home fine.”

“That’s a relief.”

Araz clasped Kailin’s shoulder. “And you, Brother? How are you doing?”

“Fine. I’m sure you already know I have a few cracked ribs. But aside from that, I’m really ok. Even if no one believes that.” Kailin gave Lukin a pointed look.

“Well, that’s good.” Araz’s smiled bordered on lecherous, “After all, you only have three days to get your strength up.”

Kailin tilted his head to the side slightly, “Three days?”

Lukin changed the subject bluntly, “Have you found anything more about the rebel group, Your Excellency?”

Araz looked over Kailin to the commander. His expression was serious at once, adopting the sort of straightforward, take-charge attitude that made him a good ruler. “No group has taken responsibility for the attack. But that is to be expected. It was a failure.” Araz sighed. “We don’t even know for sure if they were targeting Kailin specifically, or if you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and they were slavers looking to kidnap anyone that came along.”

“They wanted Kailin,” Lukin snarled, furious just recalling it.

“Yes,” Araz agreed. “But according to the reports they never used his name or title. They might not have known who he was, just that he was a submissive.”

“They didn’t seem interested in taking Captain V’Ox.” Kailin pointed out. “He is submissive as well.”

Araz acknowledged this with nod, “Yes, however, V’Ox’s drive is not exactly obvious.”

“They called Lukin a traitor,” Kailin included, “That might mean they knew who we were.”

Araz scoffed lightly, “Or it might just mean they weren’t blind. A dark-haired Arlonite leading a group of fair-haired Arathrians through the borderlands – I imagine people are called traitors for less.”

“We might know more when my men come back,” Lukin offered.

Kailin looked over at him. “Your men?”

“I sent a team to go retrieve the bodies, or at least what might be left of them; the scavengers have probably found them by now.” Lukin explained. “I’m hoping someone might be able to identify the bodies so we can make sense of what happened.”

Araz arches an eyebrow. “Make sense of what happened, Paniz? Or avenge what happened?”

The commanders shrugged, black eyes hard. “If there are others involved with this plot, with Kailin’s injuries, I will see them pay with their lives.”

Araz nodded, satisfied, “Such is your right.”

“Don’t talk about me as if I am not here,” Kailin grouched. “And that is not his right, Araz. That is the right of a bondmate and we are not bonded.”

“Not yet,” Araz teased with a knowing grin. Kailin opened his mouth to protest, but was cut off by Araz’s laughter. “Ah, I think I have overstayed my welcome.”

Lukin growled. Great, Araz had set Kailin off and now he was running. Chicken.

“I’ll check in on you later, Brother Dear. Try to behave so you don’t drive Paniz mad in the meantime.” Araz gave Kailin’s shoulder another warm pat before walking back around the bed. He gave Lukin a nod and left the room.

Once they were alone again, Kailin drew his hands out from under the covers. Lukin’s hand was on the mattress and Kailin positioned his hand close, so their fingers grazed. “Do you think those rebels knew I was a prince?”

“It’s possible.”

Kailin shivered at the thought. If the rebels had targeted him on purpose, he could still be a target.

Lukin frowned at the tremor. “Hey, I will protect you. You know that.”

Kailin cracked small smile. It was silly how just those few words seemed so reassuring. “I know.”

Lukin nodded, moving his fingers to brush against Kailin’s wrist once more, clearly enamoured with the marks.

Kailin relaxed against the pillows. Idly, he asked. “What did Araz mean by three days to get my strength up?”

“It’s the Feast of Arali in three days,” Lukin reminded him after a weighty pause.

The orbit traveled by Arathria around its two suns was asymmetrical. On the Feast of Arali, the planet would past by its closest position to the larger of its suns, Arali. It was a day of celebration and most citizens would take time off work and celebrate with an outdoor, noonday feast.

Kailin nodded in understanding. Perhaps Lukin and his brother were worried about security after the attack and wanted to make sure he was not hindered by his injury come the day. Kailin hoped they wouldn’t make him sit out the event all together; it was one of his favourite holidays. They set up rows and rows of huge, long tables on the lawns outside the royal tower. Hundreds of their people would come to the Tower to feast with them.

“The Feast of Arali is in three days,” Lukin continued, “And so is our bonding ceremony.”

It took Kailin a moment to process that thought. Surely he had heard wrong. “Excuse me?”

“The ceremony will be private of course, in the morning, but after we can use the Feast as our reception. Your father and Araz agree it is convenient.”

Kailin struggled to sit up straight in the bed, clearly irritated. “My father and brother agree? What about me? I certainly haven’t agreed.”

“Kailin, calm down.”

“Calm down?” Kailin’s voice approached a yell. “You’ve just announce were getting bonded in three days, because it is convenient, and I was apparently the last to know. In three days? Rek, Lukin, that’s so soon…”

Lukin grit his teeth. “The arrangements are made.”

“The arrangements were made without me!” Kailin protested.

“I refuse to wait any longer, especially after what happened.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You could have been killed in that attack, Kailin! Once we are bonded, I can guarantee you aren’t going to be running off and getting hurt again, that’s for sure. Even if I have to keep you tied up and under guard all the time.”

“That threat is supposed to convince me bonding with you would be a good idea? Because I want to be locked up and guarded the rest of my life?” Kailin balled his hands into fists. “I refuse!”

Kailin’s heated denial set off Lukin’s temper as well. The commander stood from the bed, his full height intimidating at the best of times, let alone when Kailin was reclining in a bed. “Your father made the promise agreement. I’ve got the license. This is happening.”

“I burned the license,” Kailin challenged, “Or did you forget?”

Lukin patted his breast pocket. “I had a new one produced this morning.”

“Just like that? Without even taking into account what I want?!”

“This isn’t a discussion.” Every muscle in Lukin’s body was tensed for a fight. “You are mine. You’ve always been mine and it will be official. As soon as possible. Which just happened to be most convenient in three days’ time.”

“No.” Kailin was stubborn in his denial, hating how powerless he was in this situation.

“Yes.”

“I won’t do it! You can’t force me into a bond.”

“I think you’ll find I can.”

He was right. Kailin knew that much. The realization made Kailin was so angry he couldn’t even speak. There was still a heavy, clay cup on the night stand. Furiously, Kailin picked it up and threw it at Lukin’s head. The commander batted it out the air and it slammed to the floor, shattering.

“Fight it was much as you want, Kailin. It won’t change anything. We will be bonded.” With that final proclamation, expression menacing, Lukin left the room and slammed the door behind himself, making it shudder on its hinges.

Drained, Kailin slumped back against the pillows, wondering how the argument had gotten so out of control. He and Lukin butted heads frequently, but they rarely fought with that ferocity.

That sad thing was… If Lukin had just bothered to ask Kailin to bond with him – Kailin was pretty sure he would have said yes.

OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO

Things were dead quiet in the private room for about an hour. Which suited Kailin just fine; he was in a brooding mood. Then, around mid-morning, a nurse came with a plate of food for brunch. It was a bland fare consisting of dry durpas and soft boiled vegetables. The nurse clucked her tongue and cleaned away the fragments of the broken cup before leaving Kailin alone again.

He picked away at the food for a few minutes, but found he had no appetite.

Perhaps he should go check on Zaks, instead. He had been thinking about the captain quite frequently, concerned about him left in the care of that boot-licking dominant.

Leaving his food untouched, Kailin slipped out of the bed, jostling his ribs as little as possible. He wrapped his robe over his hospital issued pajamas and made his way down the hall to the general infirmary. It was still early and there was only a handful of staff around, and none of them made a move to stop the prince from going where he pleased.

He walked right to the corner where the captain was being cared for. When he slipped the curtains apart he was surprised to see Zaks wasn’t alone. Curled against his side, crammed on the edge of the bed, was Graven. The young man was asleep, his usually impeccable clothes wrinkled, perfectly styled hair sticking out at odd angles. He was snoring softly.

Zaks, however, was awake. The captain was watching Graven sleep, one bandaged arm acting as a pillow for the steward. Kailin winced a little – that had to hurt considering the location and extent of the captain’s injures. Zaks’ other arm was folded across his body, hand stroking Graven’s arm which rested on his chest.

Kailin watched through a crack between the curtains, unsure of what he was seeing.

There was a soft sound, Graven shifted and woke slowly, his eyes blinking in the harsh light of the infirmary. “You’re awake,” Graven mumbled, lifting up slightly.

“Yes, Master.” Zaks’ voice was softer than Kailin had ever heard it. The prince’s eyes widened. He had known a handful of dominants required their submissives to use a formal form of address, like Master, but he had never actually met one. How pretentious.

Graven’s expression turned suddenly fierce, “You are in for a serious punishment, my ill-disciplined beast. You were not given permission to get in a fight and get injured.”

Kailin gasped in outrage, pushing past the curtains and rushing to Zak’s defense. “He was protecting me! If he hadn’t been there…”

Both men looked up, caught unaware by the sudden intrusion. After a moment, Zaks spoke, his voice rusty, “Kailin...It’s okay.”

Graven slipped off the bed, straightening his clothes. His hands smoothed over the wrinkles in his uniform pants almost compulsively. “Your Excellency.”

Kailin ignored him and focused on what Zaks had said. Flags of colour rouged the prince’s cheeks as he ranted doggedly, “It is not okay. He can’t punish you for fighting those men. It’s not fair or warranted. I won’t stand for it.”

“How d–” Graven bit out.

Zaks interrupted in a calming tone. “May I have some water?”

It took Graven a moment to tear his heated gaze off of the prince. He looked around the small space around the bed, eyes stopping on an empty cup on the small side table. “Of course.” There was an awkward silence as he glared again at Kailin, the prince stared back, mutual disapproval clear. Graven walked around the end of the bed and snatched the cup up. He announced with a hint of undisguised threat, “I’ll be back in a moment.”

With that he swished aside the curtain and hurried across the infirmary floor, his polished shoes drumming on the marble.

“Zaks –”

“Graven is a little bit on edge.”

“That’s no excuse!” Kailin stepped closer to the bed, lowering his voice, bringing up a taboo subject. “You know there are options, people that can help.”

And there were. Though not commonly spoken about, there were underground groups in Arathria which existed to help submissives (or a rare dominant) with abusive bondmates. Spiritually and legally, the bonds were lifelong and unbreakable, but that didn’t mean men and women never found ways to at least physically leave their bondmates. Like his mother and father lived apart.

A flood of shame and discomfort washed over Zaks’ face. “Your Excellency we shouldn’t be talking about this…”

“I heard what he said,” Kailin spoke in an urgent whisper. “And I saw the whip scars on your shoulders last night. They weren’t recent; they definitely weren’t put there by the attack yesterday.”

Zaks’ head dropped back against the pillows, expression unreadable except for the tension clear around his brown-tinged eyes. “Graven will back soon, you should go, Your Excellency.”

“I told you to call me Kailin.” Kailin reached forward, laying his hand high up on Zaks’ arm, above the bandages. “I want to help…it’s the least I can do…”

“This is the second time I’ve walked in on you touching my property.”

At Graven’s voice, Kailin felt Zaks’ muscles twitch under his fingers. The captain lurched back away from Kailin’s touch, or at least as far back as the bed and pillows would allow.

Graven walked forward to the side of the bed, blocking Kailin’s and Zaks’ sightlines with his slight body. He gave the glass of water to Zaks and then turned back to Kailin. “If you touch him again, Your Excellency, I will file a formal complaint, royalty or not.”

Though antiquated, it was within Graven’s rights as Zaks’ bonded dominant to bring charges up against another person for laying hands on his submissive against his wishes. It was a regulation rarely used for something as simple as a touch, reserved more for acts of violence or adultery.

“You – ” Kailin opened his mouth to give Graven a piece of his mind. His anger at Lukin for being so heavy handed about the bonding blending with his anger as Zaks’ dominant for being such an arrogant ass.

“Kailin.” Zaks’ raspy voice cut him off. “I appreciate you checking in on me. But you should leave now. I would like to get some more rest.

Kailin wanted to protest, but Zaks sounded so resolute. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. There’s no reason for you to be here.”

“Ok, but if you need anything – anything at all – let me know.”

“He doesn’t need anything from you,” Graven hissed.

Fuming, Kailin left the infirmary, from the other side of the curtain he could hear Graven snapping in a sharp tone, but if Zaks responded, it was too soft to hear. In the hall he stopped, unsure where to go. His first thought was to go to Lukin with the problem. Though embodied by his dominant drive, Lukin had never condoned the abuse of submissives. Lukin would help him figure out the best way to deal with the situation. But then he remembered he was angry with the man. And Lukin seemed to actually like that worm, Graven.

With a frustrated sigh he went back his private hospital room and climbed up into the bed. He pulled the pillow over his head. Maybe could just sleep for the next week and when he awoke everything would be back to normal.

He was doing a good job of dowsing when he heard the click of the door latch. Sharp heels clicked on the flagstones.

Kailin didn’t even lift his head off the bed. He couldn’t think of a single person he wanted to see. Not even Lukin. Especially not Lukin. Without looking, he grumbled, “Go away, please.”

“Now why would I do that? I’ve travelled all this way to see you.”

Kailin flung the pillow back and sat up abruptly, gasping when his ribs protested. “Mother?”

OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO


OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO

Not sure how I feel about this chapter… but I got to introduce Graven (which I have been dying to do) and I pushed the story closer to the bonding day (which I am also excited to share with you).

Next up: We find out what Kailin’s mother is really here for, and the others react to her visit. Plus. Lukin marches forward with the bonding, dragging a less-than-willing Kailin along behind.

As always, I would like to thank everyone for their wonderful reviews. And encourage you to let me know what you think about the new chapter if you can spare the time. Anyone surprised by Graven so far? Or eager to see if Lukin and Kailin go through with the bonding?