Neko-laus 3: A tale of two kings

*Nanowritmo offering - goal 50,000 in one month to finish off N3*

 

Recovery

 

There was weak and then there was weak and this the little bit of weakness that was tripping my feet was nothing compared to what I had to fight when I was crowned king.  I winced at that memory.  King Nicholas.  I was barely hanging on at the time but I remember those voices in my head.  They brought up questions that needed answers and Mom was the only one I trusted enough to give them to me.  Nicolai.  My father.  Those…voices had welcomed me as my father.  As King of Shangrilla.  Meaning what?  If my father was supposed to be King, why was he acting as the man who killed my father’s enforcer?  If my parents were so in love, why did they have to run?  If Nicolai was king then Mom would be his Witch and they would have been married.  So why were we living in hiding?  Why did my father have to die before my eyes?  Why wasn’t I ever told that I was a prince – THE prince, the heir of the kingdom.  The man who killed my father never had children…leaving me as his blood kin and heir.

“Yoh, Nicky.”  The voice was deep and full of welcome.  Snapping out of my entangling thoughts I looked up to see Ralph grinning at me.

“The prodigal son has returned!”  Grim shouted out to the assembly and I was surrounded by friends and comrades from the RIPpers.  I got pounded on my back and hit in my arms but any movement towards my head Grim easily deflected.

“Aw, you do care about me?”  I tried to interject a teasing tone.

Grim wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me tight to his side.  “More than you know, Wild Rabbit.”  For an old man he moved real fast.  I ended up twisted at my hips as he flipped me onto my back then slipped a whiskey flavored tongue deep into my mouth.  That was one thing I could never fault Grim on; the man knew how to kiss.  By the time I was returned to my normal upright position blood was pooling in areas that shouldn’t be. 

Speaking of which…

“He’s in the mess hall.  I don’t know what you did, Nicky but you look good on him.”  I might have taken his comments to heart but his hands were cupping my ass.  Grim kissed my temple and pulled back from me.  “Looks like you finally got yourself a keeper.”

A’s voice broke though the joyous bluster and the crowd parted exposing the buxom redhead. “Hands off his Highness, Lord Reaper.”

“Oh, is that what they’re calling it nowadays?”  Grim slapped my ass hard enough to make it sting. “It’s pert enough.  I wouldn’t call it highness though, it kind a sags in the middle.”

A came up to me and bowed her head then wrapped me in her soft embrace.  “Nicholas.  I am so glad to see you up and around.  Seeing you so still…it just never seemed right.”

“Princess…”

“I’m your wife.  You can call me A.”

“Call me Nicky.  Let’s leave that Highness stuff for the Court.”

A beamed a smile down at me then gave me another shoulder crushing hug.  “How’s the burra.”

“What about the burra?” A set me back on my heels.

“Weren’t they injured?”  Frowning up at her, I scratched at the side of my head.

Grim dropped a hand down on my shoulder and squeezed hard. “What kind of an ass do you think I am?  I show mercy to children and to animals.  Everyone else needs to beware.”

Grim reached out and extended his hand.  A laid her fingers in his palm and then Grim leaned over and kissed her knuckles. “Dear Lady A, could you please escort this young rascal to that blond headache of his.”

My brow wrinkled. “I thought you said Mags was getting better.”

“I did.  However, he’s still a Mage.” Grim returned with that dry tone that hinted he was still annoyed, but slightly less than previously.

“What’s he doing?”

“Making friends.”  A chimed in.

“Really?”  I didn’t mean to sound so incredulous.  Of course, Mags could make friends if he wanted to.

“Don’t sound so shocked Nicky.  Lady Witch is very devoted to you and yours.”  There was a twinkle of mischievousness in her eyes as A gestured with her head to the mess hall.  I think I was going to like this wife o’mine.

“Gaw, you’re not calling him that to his face are you?”

“Of course.  To say it behind his back would be a cowardly attack.  I am trying to move up in rank you know.  I’m glad to see you up and about, husband.  Arthur will too.  I was not kidding when I said that he is very devoted to you, much like a burra and her first born calf.  He stood watch over you every moment you were down.”

“Yeah, I had to drug the bastard to get him out of the way.”  Grim added with a touch of glee.  “Go and show him you’re all right. Your old quarters are still available.  Strategy meeting tomorrow at 08:00 hours.  Be there or I’ll send Karvan to get you and for some reason, he’s not really happy with you.”

“I don’t think he was happy with me from before.”  I scratched another itch on my head.  I think I needed a shower.

“He respects you.  All my crew respected you even when you were a pain in my side running the Skullz.”  My stomach took this time to make the loudest noise it possibly could.  “Get something to eat.  Doc said lots of fluids so drink or you’ll end up with a needle in the arm whether you want it or not.”

“Sure, Old Man.”

“Now, Princess, you were mentioning something about a fungus that could be used as an antibiotic…”  Grim and A moved away leaving me alone in this achingly familiar place.  The sights and sounds were home yet they weren’t.  In the back of my head, buried somewhere deep in my heart, I thought that I could bring Mags here and hide him in plain sight.  The blackshirts never swept the Shambles the way did the Wild.  My options at the time was to come back to Grim and start rebuilding the Skullz or just take on more responsibility as one of his Lieutenants.  Now I was a king.

My whole skin was tight and flaky with something.  Probably some medical spray that was reacting with my sweat now I wasn’t strapped still.  I needed to get cleaned up.  Grrrroooowwwwllllll.  Maybe I needed to eat first.

My feet came to a halt as I reached the mess hall entrance.  Mags had a voice on him.  I thought his humming was pretty nice but in full song, his voice sent a shiver down my spine.  There was hidden power there.  Even a novice magic user could feel it. It was raw but contained.  My eyes sought him out and hungrily devoured him.  He had held me in his arms the entire way from Shangrilla to the Shambles, watching over me as a guardian.

As I was going over the Cork and Kerry mountains

I saw Captain Feral, his money he was counting.

I first produced my pistol then produced my rapier

I said “Stand and Deliver, or the devil he may take ya.”

I took all of his money, it was a pretty penny

I took all of his money and I brought it home to Molly

She swore that she loved me and never would she leave me

But the devil take that woman ‘cause you know she tricked me easy.

Bashareem, dabado dabadah

Whack for my dairy-oh, whack for my dairy-oh

There’s whiskey in the jar, oh

The RIPpers were clapping in time with his rhythm.  Leaning up against a column, out of his eye sight, I just drank him in.  What could he have been?  Magic was a integral part of his make up and he used it almost without thought.  This new found joy of music wouldn’t have been encouraged by the Mage Division.  Didn’t he say he got caught fixing card games by Blackshirt Mage when he was just a little kid?  Would have he been a con artist if he had slipped away?  Stealing and cheating to make it to the next day?  Would he have grown up tall if he didn’t eat right?  Would that curtain of gold that wrapped his head be long and flowing now, a weapon used to wreck havoc on hearts?  I want to see him naked with those precious golden strands across his chest and playing peek-a-boo with his dark brown nipples.  My mind’s eye gave me an erection.

Being drunk and weary, I went to Molly’s chamber

Taking Molly with me, I never knew danger

About six or seven, in walks Captain Feral

I jumped up with my pistols and shot him with both barrels

Bashareem, dabado dabadah

Whack for my dairy-oh, whack for my dairy-oh

There’s whiskey in the jar, oh

It was second nature now.  I get excited and my tattoo flashed a beacon of desire straight to the object of my raging hard-on.  The moment the heat of the flaming skull flared on Mags chest he straightened to attention and began to scan the crowd for me.  I ducked behind the column for a moment then broke out into a laugh as my lover called out to me.

Now some men like the fishing, some men like the fowling

Some men like to hear the cannonball a roaring

Me, I like sleeping especially in my Neko’s chamber

But here I am in prison; here I am with a ball and chain, yah

Bashareem, dabado dabadah

Whack for my dairy-oh, whack for my dairy-oh

There’s whiskey in the jar, oh

He looked like hell…and he was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen in my life time.  I shoved a RIPper out of my way as I made my way forward stepping into the dimmed light of the hall.  It was a mere thought on my behalf and the lights returned to full intensity sending everyone’s hands up to cover their eyes.

“Alright folks, shows over.  Get the hell out ‘cause I got some serious…”  Mags caught me around the shoulders and silenced me with a kiss.  His hand came up and cupped the back of my head gently; his finger tips stroked the newly sensitive exposed skin from where my hair got shaved off.  Mmmmmmmmm.

“Oh, you’re up.”  Mags free hand cupped my ass and pulled me forward.   “In more ways than one.”

Kiss.  Tongue.  Kiss.  Grope.

Someone slapped my knee. “Get to your damned quarters! Some of us have got to eat off these tables in the morning.”

Uh?  Sure enough I was flat on my back, sprawled underneath Mags as we were dry humping and wet kissing each other back to life.  “Hey.”

“Hey…how’s your head?”  Mags brushed my bangs back off my face.

“Both are doing fine.”  To make sure he got my meaning, I pressed my hips up against him.

Mags gave me a slow wide smile and leaned in leisurely pressing his lips against mine.  “…Nicky…”

Bang!  A metal tray hit the table right beside my ear.  Both Mags and I jumped.  Karvan lifted an eyebrow at me.  “You know the rules.  Eating in the mess.  Fucking in the quarters.  Grim said if you don’t drink that…” He pointed down at the large sealed bottle of some blue liquid.   “…you will be held down and given as many IVs as necessary.”

I tapped Mags on the shoulder.  He pushed off me then helped me sit up.  “What the hell crawled up your ass?”

I got Karvan’s typical blank face.  “You hurt him.  He hasn’t hooked up with a steady partner since you left. Just rentboys and one nighters.”

I frowned at that. “We weren’t exclusive.”

“You don’t know what you’ve got til it’s gone.  He’s mourned enough for you.  Don’t drag his heart through the mud again.”  With that Karvan turned on his heel and walked out of the totally silent room.  I blinked.  Aside from issuing orders, that was the most I’d ever heard the tall man talk.

Gurrrrgleee.  My stomach started making noise again. 

“Let’s take care of that first.”  Mags lifted the tray then waited for me to get my legs untangled from the table’s bench.

He was a sight for sore weary eyes.  His clothes hung a little loose on him.  Just looking at his face told me that what everyone said about him guarding me when I was at my worst was true.  He was beyond exhausted.  My tattoo warmed my heart as I followed him.  His hair was longer.  My mind was flitting from randomness to randomness. 

Mags let us right to my old quarters.  It wasn’t huge by any standards but judging by the amount of clutter shoved into it, everyone of my party was camped in here.  A rather nice folding screen was pushed in the corner around my bed.  I could only assume it was for A.  Damn, I was going to have to learn her name.

Mags set the tray down on a carton then spun on his heel. His arms caught me in a tight embrace as he tried to merge our physical selves into the same space.  It was never going to work but it felt good.  “I almost lost you.”

In another time, in another place I probably would have challenged him or jerked away but right at this moment, it felt good to lay my head on his shoulder, press my nose against the side of his neck and breathe in his unique scent.

“…Nicky…”  My name was a waft of warm breath down my neck.

“I’m a Neko.  I’ve got nine lives.”

“You used up seven to get here.”

“Which means that I still have two more to give to you.”

I figured that would have set both of us off into stupid acts of carnality but my stomach growled and then King Tiger’s roared back.  Mags kissed my forehead.  “My neko needs to eat.”

“So do you.  You look like shit.”

Mags gave me a crooked smile. “Even though I shouldn’t be happy, I’m glad that you’re here to say that to me.”

I sat on the bed.  Mags pulled up a chair and set the tray between us on the table.  The first thing he reached for was the blue bottle.  Wrinkling my nose, I cracked the seal then took a sip.  Surprisingly it didn’t taste like medicine…it was fruity but not overly so.  I took a bigger swig.

A chunk of cheese was held up to my face.  When I moved to take it out of his hand he pulled it back.  “Open.”

When I opened my mouth Mags placed the morsel against my lips then pressed passed my teeth.  His eyes watched me intensely as I chewed.  “What?”

“I had to make you swallow.  You laid there so helpless in my arms…”

“Enjoy it while you can, cause that isn’t going to happen ever again.  I maybe be down, Maggie, but never count me out.”  I took another drink then picked up a chunk of fruit.  I pressed it up against Mags beautiful lips.  “And, don’t you ever let your health suffer because of me.  You lose control.  We all die.”

The silence between us was comfortable and warm.  We had fought and loved and endured so much together considering how horrid our meeting had been.  I fed him.  He fed me and together it felt like we grew stronger.

“You sing beautifully by the way.  I liked the Neko bit…especially the chambers part.”

A slight flush colored his cheeks.  “Thank you.  Elder Witch told me to do that from the beginning but it was something so foreign.  I’m not a Empire Mage but I’m not your Lord Witch either.  I’m in transition and I’m a little lost.”

“Entitled.”

“What?”

“That’s what you lost, Mags.  That entitlement that made you oh so less than charming.”

“Well you’re not so prickly either.”

“Don’t let that get around.  I need my prick rep.”

Mags startled me as he let out a full belly rocking laugh.  “You’re you.”

I knew the relief he felt as he laughed.  There had been a chance that mangled chip would be the end of me.  When the bottle was finally empty and my belly was hard and slightly uncomfortable, I leaned back against the headboard.  The place looked basically the same.  Grim.  Private rooms were at a premium and here he was making a shrine out of mine.  Me and that Old Man were going to have a talk.  Hell even Kravan was ready to kick my ass for breaking his heart.  I was just paying a bill.

The bed shifted as Mags climbed over and settled against me. His arm came up around my shoulders pulling me close.  “Did you do this every night on the way here?”

“Day and night.”

I teared up so I canted my head allowing my bangs to cover my eyes.  His warmth felt so solid at my back.

His lips tickled the curl of my ear. “Are we going to have sex now?”

“No.  I’m barely keeping my eyes open.”

“Good, I don’t think I could if you wanted to.”

“Sleep sounds good right about now.  Get down, it’s my turn.”

“Huh?”

“I slept in your arms safe and sound for who knows how many nights.  It’s my turn to return the favor.”  I thought I was going to get some attitude from him but Mags slipped down onto the mattress.  He felt good.  The minor flare up on my tattoo slowly faded as awareness drifted off into slumber.  Burying my nose into his hair at the nape of his neck filled me with that sense of safety I had in our travels.

“Thank you Mags, my heart and my Queen.”  I had a full stomach and I was full of fluids  My arms were filled with my heart’s desire and there was no place I’d rather be.  I joined my mage in an exhausted doze in the middle of the Shambles.  Tomorrow was another day that was granted to us.  Right now, I was going to enjoy the night.