Kailin's Keeper

Warning: small smutty scene, maybe even a little cum play, nothing shocking but you never know, I don’t want anyone to be caught off guard if it’s not their thing.

OooOooO Queen Dana OooOooO

Kailin looked at the woman who had brought him into the world. He knew he ought to say something, but didn’t know what.

She looked back at him, perfectly composed. Her long pale hair shined, brushed to perfection and falling down her back in soft waves. She was wearing a simple charcoal dress and a lighter-toned vest, which showed off her trim figure and square shoulders.

“Mother, you’re…here.”

A pinched smile appeared on her lips. “Yes, I received word of your injuries and came at once.”

“Does father know you’re here?” The question slipped out before he could stop it.

“I cannot predict what Amuth knows and doesn’t know. But I would assume so. The man always did have his spies everywhere in the Tower. They would have alerted him to my arrival.”

As if on cue, there was the forceful drumming of footfall in the hallways – running.

His mother looked perfectly composed. “That must be the reinforcements now.”

They both turned towards the hall. Lukin jogged into the doorway, expression ferocious.

His mother looked him over coolly. “Amuth just sent one guard? I had no idea his opinion of me was so low.”

Kailin struggled to sit up. “Mother… this is Commander Lukin Paniz.”

“The commander, hmm? I should have guessed with that colouring. I had heard your father took on an Arlonite. Well, at least if he was only sending one guard, it the highest ranking one.”

“Lukin is my…” Kailin bit off the word ‘keeper’. He looked over at Lukin, lip slipping between his teeth anxiously. “Lukin is my promised bondmate.”

If Lukin was surprised by Kailin’s sudden announcement, he didn’t let it show, making his expression neutral.

The queen held out her hand, “Dana K’Or, Commander. Lovely to meet you at last.”

He gave the absentee queen a stiff bow, ignoring her hand. “Your High Excellency.”

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Kailin looked, Lukin noted as he stood by the hospital bed, unsettled.

The commander had been working off tension from his earlier fight with Kailin by lifting weights in the gym before meeting with his men. The king had contacted him via his transceiver. The king had told him Queen Dana had arrived in the capital and found her way past the Tower guards. Kailin was in potential danger, the king insisted, and needed him. Armed, Lukin had run from the gym all the way to the infirmary.

Even without the introduction, he would have been able to place her – Queen Dana had Kailin’s lips, his ears, some of the other features were strikingly similar, though Kailin’s were obviously more masculine.

When he had last parted with Kailin, several hours ago now, they had been arguing. But now Kailin was looking at him imploringly and calling him his promised bondmate.

He saw Kailin’s announcement of their bonding as what it was, a barrier to throw up in front of his mother, a safety buffer. Still it felt satisfying to hear the prince say the words out loud. They made Lukin’s gut clench and his cock swell, which really wasn’t appropriate at all, to think of claiming like that, in front Kailin’s mother of all people.

Stamping down his inappropriate thoughts, Lukin moved fluidly to Kailin’s bedside. He lay a hand on the side of the bed. Stalking a claim.

“I was not informed you intended to visit the capital, Your High Excellency.”

“Please, just Dana is fine, we are to be family, after all. And no, you wouldn’t have been informed; my decision to come here was rather spur of the moment, only after I heard of my dear Kailin’s accident.”

“It wasn’t an accident,” Lukin corrected curtly.

“Right, of course. I did hear something about an attack. Perhaps he has need of more guards.” She looked at Lukin as she spoke, a thinly veiled insult to his abilities to protect Kailin.

“Lukin is an incredible guard. He’s been watching over me since I was four.” Kailin defended, and then added a slur of his own, “Of course, you’d have no way of knowing that because you were long gone.”

His mother bristled, taking a moment to straighten her vest and pat her perfectly styled hair. “I think perhaps, you’re tired. I should take me leave now, so you can get some more rest.”

Kailin said nothing.

“Will you be staying in the capital?” Lukin inquired.

“Yes. For a few days at least,” Dana answered tersely. She turned back to Kailin. “I plan to ask your brothers to have dinner with me tonight. If your condition allows, I would like you to join us.”

Kailin nodded slightly, making no commitment.

“Very well. I will see you later.” The queen swept from the room, regal head held high.

When she left, Kailin let out a long breath.

“So, that’s your mother…” Lukin said, eyes taking in Kailin’s expression for a clue as to his state of mind.

“Yeah. Ah, thanks for coming back.”

Lukin rumbled, “That is my job.”

“I know, but after our last fight fight… I threw that mug at you... I wouldn’t have blamed you if you had gotten someone else to handle it.”

Lukin shook his head. “Never.”

“Yeah, but – ”

“Never, Kailin. It doesn’t matter what happens with our personal relationship. I will always be your guard and devote my life to protecting you.”

The blond prince found himself awed by the unwavering pronouncement, mouth going dry.

Lukin changed the subject abruptly, “Now, what would you like to do? Get some rest? Eat? Continue our earlier fight perhaps?”

Kailin almost smiled, “Well…Truthfully, what I’d really like is to get clean.”

“Would you like some help?”

“I can shower on my own,” Kailin insisted, instantly defensively.

“I know you can. I just thought it might be easier. I can run a bath for you.”

Kailin hesitated, for only a moment, and then nodded, “Ok, I’d like that, thank you.”

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As Lukin disappeared into the adjoining bathroom to run the bath, Kailin stood from the bed. Slowly, in deference to his ribs, Kailin peeled off his clothes. He then pulled a sheet off the bed and wrapped it over his hips, covering himself modestly from waist to almost his knees.

He walked into the bathroom to find Lukin kneeling by the tub, pouring some sort of oil into the water. Only wearing pants, the commander had peeled off his shirt to avoid getting it wet.

Lukin looked up when he heard Kailin walk in. He smirked slightly catching sight of Kailin, “Are you going to bathe in a sheet, Excellency?”

“No, of course not.” Feeling foolish, Kailin let the sheet slip off his hips to pool on the floor.

Lukin made a soft growl in his throat, eyes sliding up and down Kailin’s bared body hungrily. “You have a perfect body.”

Kailin cringed a little, wanting to cross his arms over his chest. “It’s not perfect.”

“I beg to differ,” Lukin answered, standing up from the tub.

“I don’t have the muscles you do.” Kailin pointed out, admiring Lukin broad chest, thick with muscles.

“No, but you’re hardly scrawny.” Lukin walked closer and slid his hands up Kailin’s sides to the younger man’s chest. Kailin’s golden skin contrasted beautifully with his darker tone.

Submissively, Kailin responded to his touch, wetting his lips and leaning closer. Lukin let his hands explore the broad expanse of Kailin’s torso, keeping his touch gentle to avoid aggravating his injuries.

Lukin couldn’t believe that in less than three days now, all this would be his. His to touch and kiss and claim, anytime, as many times, as he wished. He brushed a thumb over a brownish-pink nipple, watching it pebble at his touch. Kailin sucked in a breath of air and the muscles in his stomach quivered.

Lukin murmured, “Mmmm, so responsive.”

Lower, Kailin’s prick began to thicken. While it wasn’t the largest Lukin had ever seen, it was a respectable size and perfectly formed with a plump head.

What Lukin really wanted to do was drop to his knees and take it into his mouth, listen to Kailin moan and cry as he was pleasured, but he had told Kailin it would just be a bath, so just a bath it would be.

He gave Kailin a little push towards the steel tub, with a warning, “Watch, I like it hot, don’t burn yourself.”

Kailin stepped into the tub and lowered himself down in the water with soft hiss. It was hot, but not unbearable. The heat even made his sore muscles feel better, looser.

Lukin approached with a golden coloured cloth in his hand. “May I?”

“If you want to…” Kailin allowed, trying to slow the sudden race of his heart.

“If you even knew a fraction of the things I really wanted to do with you…” Lukin growled under his breath. Kailin chose to ignore the mumbled threat.

Lukin sank down beside the tub, on his knees, wetting the cloth. Reverently, he swiped the wet cloth over Kailin’s shoulder, behind his neck, down over his arms and chest.

Kailin relaxed, it was impossible not to. He sank back against the edge of the tub, eyes drifting closed. His breath hitched when Lukin sunk the cloth under the water, stroking it over his belly and then down across his thighs.

His body reacted to Lukin’s touch predictably. Prick swelling in the heated water, a tension pulling at his gut. His blue eyes opened again as Lukin drew the cloth back, water streaming down

His breath caught in his throat when Lukin’s hand came back, with no cloth, bare fingers wrapping around Kailin’s length. “Nggghh…” An unintelligible whimper escaped his throat and he said, even as his hips canted up, “Y…you don’t have to, Luk.”

“I know I don’t.” Fist wrapped around Kailin’s hard prick, he began twisting his wrist, pumping the member with a steady, firm stroke. Kailin gasped, splashing the water as his hands came forward to grasp at Lukin’s forearm, holding on.

Lukin’s wrist slid the steel and silk length of Kailin’s erection, making it harden further. As Kailin gasped and quivered, Lukin’s dominant drive woke. He leaned into the bath; face inches from Kailin’s. He squeezed down on Kailin’s member. “Tell me who this belongs to.”

Kailin felt Lukin’s breath against his cheek. He wavered, unsure of how to answer that.

Lukin growled with impatience, drive raging at Kailin’s hesitance to confirm his claim. “Tell me. Even if it’s a lie, I need to hear it.” His grip tightened, on the edge of being painful.

Kailin gasped. “You, Lukin, it belongs to you.”

“Suns, you’re beautiful.” Lukin murmured to him, stroking with a unrelenting, steady pace that kept Kailin right on the edge without pushing him over.

Kailin just made a strangled sound, hips jerking desperately.

“Want to cum for me, Kailin?”

“Y…yes, rek, yes!”

“Cum, then. Cum for me.” Lukin gave several more fast tugs, palm squeezing around Kailin’s flushed and leaking cock.

With a jagged cry, Kailin came to orgasm, his seed spurting almost straight up in the air and then splattering back in the bath water.

Kailin collapsed back against then tub, flushed from the hot water and his exertions. A giggle bubbled up, “I don’t think I’m any cleaner now than I was before.”

Lukin agreed. Kailin was glowing with perspiration, swimming in his own seed. His own hand was slick with it as well, and there were red marks all over his forearm from Kailin’s short nails digging into his arm as he pleasured the younger man.

Briefly, he considered freeing his own cock from his pants, it would only take a few short strokes to bring himself off, too, and add his thick ejaculate to the tub.

Mmmm, less than three days. They Kailin would be his and he could claim him properly. Now though… he held his hands out to Kailin, “Come on, then, let’s get you in the shower so you can actually get clean.”

With a laugh, Kailin took his hands and let himself be pulled from the tub, hardly noticing the pull of his injured ribs, “Yes, Sir.”

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The king was conspicuously missing from the dining hall that evening.

Araz took the head of the table with Kailin on his left, and Axial on his right. Wen sat on a cushion next to her bondmate and Lukin stood at the sideboard, positioned behind Kailin territorially. The queen sat at the other end of the table, two of her own private guards standing in back.

No one had spoken yet. All four royals were holding themselves painfully rigid.

Food was served by a collection of servants, who were (rightly so) walking on eggshells. In accordance to Araz’s wishes and against tradition, all five courses were brought in at once. It was, unmistakably, an effort to rush the meal.

Once their plates were full, Axial turned slightly to feed a bite of the appetizer to Wen.

The Queen cleared her throat, laying her napkin on her lap and delicately cutting a portion of her own food with her knife and fork. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your bondmate, Axial?”

When the queen spoke, the three brothers held themselves even more stiffly.

Axial worked his jaw a little and then lay a proprietary hand on Wen’s shoulder. “Mother, my bondmate, Wen.”

Wen looked up with a nervous smile, she would have bowed then, but Axial held her shoulder in place. “Your High Excellency.”

“My visit will not be a long one, but I am hoping we’ll have time later to speak. I would like to get to know my son’s bondmate.”

Wen parted her lips to respond, Axial answered first. “You will not speak to her alone.”

“Really, Axial, that is a tad over dramatic.”

“Wen does not meet with strangers alone.” Axial answered.

“Now,” Dana spoke with offense, “I am your mother.”

“And a stranger.”

The meal continued like that. Terse conversation, veiled jabs, and very little eating.

Finally, Araz stood, slamming his glass down on the table. “I have meetings in the morning. I believe this farce has gone on long enough. If you’ll all excuse me.”

Axial followed suit, standing and assisting Wen to her feet.

Kailin hurriedly did the same, feeling Lukin fall into position behind him.

Queen Dana elegantly patted the corners of her lips with her napkin. “So soon? Kailin, love, why don’t you stay behind and keep me company a little longer.”

Kailin definitely did not want to do that…but she was his mother. And she might be leaving at any time, this might be one of his only chances to get a glimpse into who she really was. Because of that, he agreed, “Alright.”

“No.” Araz snapped, “Kailin needs to rest.”

“Really, Araz,” the queen tsked, “You are much too protective of your little brother. He’ll be fine, and I won’t keep him too long. Won’t you, Kailin?”

“Sure. It’s fine, Araz.” Kailin didn’t need Araz to fight his battles.

“Wen and I could stay a little longer,” Axial acknowledged, also loath to leave Kailin behind.

“Nonsense. Why you two are treating me like a monster about to devour your little brother? We’re just going to have a little chat.”

Araz looked behind Kailin to Lukin. The commander gave a minute nod. Araz pressed his lips together, clearly still not convinced. “Fine. Kailin don’t wear yourself out.” He gave another nod to Lukin and left, Axial and Wen behind him.

Dana stood from the table, and moved towards the less formal sitting area by the balcony. “Come, Kailin, let’s make ourselves more comfortable.”

Somewhat unenthusiastically, Kailin walked around the long table towards the cream and tan couches. Lukin shadowed behind him.

“Does he always follow you so?”

Kailin looked confused for a moment. “Lukin? Yes. I suppose so. He is always there.”

“Why don’t you send him off for a little while, so we can talk, just the two of us.”

Puzzled, Kailin asked, “Why? Anything you want to say to me can be said in front of Lukin. Besides, I doubt he’d want to leave.”

“He may be a dominant, Kailin, but really, he’s still a servant. You can order him away. You are a prince.”

True. “Lukin?”

The commander gave him a foreboding look; he had obviously heard the queen’s words.

Kailin carried though, “Wait outside the door, will you?”

“I don’t think – ”

“He gave you an order, Commander,” Dana snapped.

When Lukin still didn’t move, Kailin tried again. “It’s fine, Lukin, just for a few minutes.”

The queen dismissed her own guards with a flick of her hand. Scowling, Lukin stalked out of the room after them and closed the door.

His mother exhaled theatrically and leaned back in the couch seat, visibly relaxing. “Much better.” She nudged one of the large cushions on the floor with a foot. “Would you like to kneel, love?”

Kailin gave her a look of disbelief, sitting down on the opposite couch, “Uh, no.”

“No need to get your back up. I know you have a submissive drive; I thought it might make you more comfortable.”

“Thanks…” Kailin drawled with almost undetectable sarcasm. She knew so little about him. It shouldn’t be so surprising. After all, the only time he had seen her in his entire life was during the few days he’d stayed with her on his trip, and even then she had hardly spent time with him except for the occasional dinner. In fact, she had paid him more attention tonight than she had the entire time he had visited her.

“I can’t imagine what it must be like for you.”

Kailin looked up sharply. “Hmm?”

“Being promised to that man. He doesn’t seem like the easiest dominant to handle.”

It was an interesting choice of words. Often to ‘handle’ a dominant meant a submissive was manipulating a dominant. Controlling from the bottom. It was a veiled insult towards the dominant – implying they weren’t strong enough to keep control – and the submissive – implying they were unable to fulfill their drive and were deceitful. Kailin answered carefully. “I don’t handle him.”

“No, no of course not.” His mother assured him. “I just meant he’s not the sort of dominant you would have chosen for yourself. It’s obvious he was your father’s choice.”

Kailin wondered how his mother knew that. He certainly hadn’t mentioned to her how his father had promised him away.

“It’s okay, love. You can tell me the truth. You want out of the bond promise, don’t you?”

Because she was his mother, for a moment he considered telling her everything: That he had let Lukin bind him – and it was breathtaking. That their drives were shockingly compatible. That he was no longer sure he wanted out of the bond. That he was being held back by fears that Lukin was only going through with the bond to please his father. That he didn’t want to live his life bonded to a man who wasn’t in love with him, especially since he was beginning to suspect he loved his former keeper an unsafe amount.

But knowledge was power. And he wasn’t willing to give his mother any more power. “Yes, you’re right. I wouldn’t have chosen him myself.” That much was true; where Lukin was concerned he had been remarkably ignorant.

“I don’t blame you, love. He’s an unfeeling warrior. The idea of bonding with him must be very frightening for you, indeed.”

“Mmm-hmm…” Kailin said as little as possible.

“And he’s an Arlonite. And while I’m not classist,” Dana demurred, “It is well known they have short tempers and violent tendencies. No doubt you would end up hurt, when” not if “he loses control of himself. As a prince and my precious youngest son, you deserve much better than a common thug for your dominant.”

Kailin had stopped really listening to her nonsense and merely responded, “You might be right, Mother,” when she finished talking.

“No doubt Amuth is behind this. Colluding with that…brute to take away what little power you as a submissive should have. That is the power to choose an appropriate bondmate. One who has the ability to care for you properly.”

“Yes?”

“You would be so much better off with an Arathrian, or even an Eimorian. They are quite civilized, you know. And the trade industry is booming there. I’m just trying to guide you into making a good, stable bond.”

Well, his mother had accomplished one thing. By spouting all these ridiculous things out loud she had made him consider how wrong she was to say them and how wrong he was to think them. She had helped him realize that he did want to bond with Lukin, despite his fears. Because Lukin wasn’t brute, he would never hurt Kailin, and theirs would be a good, stable bond.

“Thank you, mother.” His gratitude was real. He hadn’t felt his clear-headed about what he should do in a long time.

She preened a little. “You’re welcome, love.”

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Not long after that, Kailin excused himself, pleading fatigue. He left the room and was grateful to see Lukin standing right outside, hands behind his back, standing at attention. The tension from dealing with his mother started fading at once. Lukin would make everything better. Perhaps they could continue where they had left off in the shower earlier. Or maybe they ought to have a long overdue talk about the bonding. Truthfully, he’d rather the former. But knew the later was necessary.

Either way, Kailin wasn’t keen on starting anything with his mother in the room behind them. “Let’s go.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Kailin frowned a little, head coming up to look at Lukin. The man had never said that to him before. It was always just, ‘Excellency’. Kailin liked the shortened address; it was something special that Lukin did only for him. He had always thought it as an odd little term of endearment.

Lukin’s expression was so closed off, Kailin decided not to press it.

The commander strode down the hall, Kailin almost jogging to keep up.

Lukin was livid. He had heard every word spoken in that room. He hadn’t been eavesdropping per say, just doing his duty and monitoring the situation to ensure Kailin’s safety. He did not trust that woman.

As the queen had started to talk about him and their eminent bonding, he had waited for Kailin to defend him. He wasn’t a thug, he hadn’t plotted with the king to engineer the bond, and rekking well would never lose control and hurt Kailin.

But Kailin said nothing. Is that how Kailin really saw him?

No wonder the young prince was so against the bond. A nauseating feeling of betrayal twisted in Lukin’s stomach even though he had no right to feel deceived. Kailin had made his feelings plain from the start. He didn’t want to bond. Not with an Arlonite, dirt-digging savage.

Kailin brushed against his side as they walked back towards the hospital wing. “Rek, that was a long night.”

Lukin agreed grimly. Out loud, he responded woodenly, “We’re almost to the room, Your Excellency.”

“Do I have to stay in that room? Can’t I go back to my own suite? I’d be so much more comfortable there.”

“The doctor wants to keep you under supervision for one more day.”

“Your rooms then? I can stay with you. You can supervise me.”

“You’ll stay in the hospital wing,” Lukin commanded, stopping in front of the private room Kailin had been assigned. “Here.”

Kailin sighed but shuffled into the room. When he realized Lukin was staying outside the door, he looked back. “Aren’t you coming in?”

“I’ll wait here for your overnight guards.”

“Stay with me, Lukin.” Kailin pleaded lightly, “Please. I need you.”

Rek, the prince knew just what to say to manipulate his dominant drive. “Fine.”

He turned his back as Kailin changed into the plain white pajamas the hospital favoured. The prince crawled into the bed and shifted around, getting comfortable. He looked at Lukin’s broad back, made uncertain by Lukin’s odd behaviour.

“Would you like to lie down with me?”

Lukin shook his head.

“Well, you can’t stand there all night…”

With a harsh exhalation, Lukin walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed. “Satisfied?”

Kailin frowned. He wanted to get to the bottom of Lukin’s sudden change in attitude, but it had been such a long day. With his injuries, his confrontation with Graven earlier, and dealing with his mother tonight, he was exhausted.

The frown smoothed off his face as he fell into a weary slumber.

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After midnight, Lukin was still sitting on the bed. Kailin had shifted in his sleep, moving instinctively towards the other man. The prince currently had an arm flung over Lukin’s waist, his face nuzzled to Lukin’s side. One of Lukin’s hands was near Kailin’s head, fingers combing slowly through his short, golden blond locks. The lights were low and the only sound was Kailin’s soft breathing and the occasion patter of footsteps from a doctor or nurse or servant going down the hallway outside.

Lukin looked over when the door creaked open. Araz’s head appeared as the crown prince leaned in the room.

“Paniz?”

Lukin signalled him to keep his voice down.

Araz entered the small room and closed the door behind himself firmly. He eyed Kailin’s prone form. “Sleeping?”

Lukin gave a nod, “Out like a light.” Both men kept their voice deliberately low so Kailin would stay that way.

Araz sat on the end of the bed near Kailin’s feet, facing Lukin. He rested a hand on Kailin’s lower leg. “How’s he doing?”

“Physically?”

“Start with that, it’s probably a lot more straightforward.”

“The doctor had said he’s doing fine. His ribs still hurt when he moves them. But that’s to be expected. Nothing can be done about them but wait for them to heal on their own.”

“And emotionally?”

Lukin frowned down at Kailin’s sleeping face. “He’s upset about the bonding.”

“Which is ridiculous.”

Lukin looked over at Araz. “No, it’s not. He has every right to be upset. He could do so much better.”

Araz arched an eyebrow. “Seriously? He could do better than a dominant who is powerful enough to be the commander of the Arathrian army? Better than a dominant who has watched over him and cared for him for years? Whose drive balances his own?”

“Kailin –”

“Kailin thinks you hang the stars, Paniz. But he’s a stubborn little shit. The bonding was arranged by someone else, so he has it in his head that he won’t go through with it. Because, I might reiterate, he has more pride than sense.”

Lukin said nothing to this.

Araz continued. “He thinks he’s been wronged, but the fact is he was given much more leeway than most submissives ever see. Father could have bonded him to anyone – a chancellor or high ranking diplomat – someone who would have seen Kailin as nothing more than handsome trophy with a title. But he didn’t. He gave Kailin four years to make the choice for himself. Let Kailin gallivant off the ends of the planet. Even after all that, what does Kailin do when he finds out about the bonding promise? Does he confront our father and demand the promise is broken? Does he fight for an injunction to try stop the process? No, he runs off to sulk. He’s not brainless, Paniz. He must have known you would follow him. Though, I suspect he imagined it would take a little longer.”

Lukin snorted.

Araz wasn’t finished yet. “He has a huge chip on his shoulder. And this sort of self-hating thing going on where he can’t accept that he can be a submissive and still be himself. And one can’t exactly blame him. He grew up around you and me and Axial and Father. Four strong dominant figures, with no real submissive role model.”

What the crown prince said made sense. Lukin frowned.

“Enough talk about this. I have every faith you two will figure it out, or kill each other trying. I actually came here looking for you for another reason altogether.”

“Your mother?”

“Mmm.” Araz made a sound of agreement. “Why do you think she showed up here?”

Lukin shook his head. “She claims it was to check on Kailin.”

“It wasn’t to check on Kailin.” Araz spat bitterly.

Lukin’s lips pressed into a firm line. “No, I agree. It’s impossible that the news of Kailin’s injury would have reached the western border and she would have left there and travelled here in that short amount of time. She must have been near the capital already.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Araz added shrewdly, “Perhaps we should look into it more fully.”

“I have already assigned two men to follow the queen. Discretely.” Lukin disclosed, “And I have another team looking into her recent activities.”

Araz smiled faintly, “I should have trusted you had it under control.”

“I just hope we can get to the bottom of this. If there is something at the bottom even.”

“Oh there’s something she’s not telling us. I know that much about my mother.” Araz stifled a small yawn. “But, for now, I should go. Have to be up early tomorrow.”

Lukin nodded. He himself hadn’t sleep more than an hour since the attack and he wasn’t likely to get any now, perched on the edge of the bed next to Kailin.

“And, Lukin? You don’t need to worry about if you deserve Kailin. He’s my brother, and I love him, but he’s the one who should be thinking long and hard about if he deserves you.”

After Araz left, Lukin considered his words. Did Kailin deserve him? Rek, yes.

Kailin was…perfection. He was brilliant and compassionate and idealistic. And he had the most appealing submissive drive. He was maddeningly stubborn, true, but Lukin thought that was positive point. Kailin was strong and he would challenge Lukin and always make their lives together exciting – and rewarding.

And that didn’t even touch on his appearance. Sleek muscles and golden-coloured head-to-toe, he was gorgeous. Just a glimpse of those eyes sent Lukin’s senses swimming with lust. Right now that lean, masculine body was curled close to him on the bed, tempting him.

He thought of the full body rights he would have after the bonding. Physically, Kailin would be his to use whenever and however he wanted. That mouth, that cock, that ass. His and his alone. He’d had years to build up a collection of fantasies that, if written down, could fill a library.

But while full body rights could be enforced, Kailin’s affection and devotion were another matter. He wanted them, needed them, just as much.

Unfortunately, after what he had overheard between Kailin and his mother, he knew now he wasn’t likely to get those things.

He had thought, all these years, that having some part of Kailin in his life was better than none. But now he was slowly realizing just body rights alone would be a living hell. A hell that, with the bond, would last his whole life long.

Could he really wake up every morning with Kailin beside him, claim him every night, and know that Kailin felt nothing but resentment for the bond?

It took a few moments for the truth to set in and when it did, Lukin’s chest seized with something akin to dread.

He couldn’t force Kailin to bond with him, he realized. He couldn’t.

“Rek, rek, rek…” His curses were soft; the new awareness gut wrenching. “I’m going to have to give you up, aren’t I, Kai? Even if it kills me.”

His spoken words broke the silence and roused Kailin. The blonde make a small smacking sound with his mouth, slowly cracking his eyes open. “Lukin?”

“It’s me.”

“Mmm.” Content with the answer, Kailin’s eyes drifted closed again.

“Kailin? Can I kiss you?”

It was a strange request and Kailin’s sleep-muddled mind turned it over a few times. Why would Lukin bother to ask that? “Mmmm.”

Taking the sound for agreement, Lukin reached out and cupped Kailin’s stubble-rough jaw. He held it steady and leaned in, claiming Kailin’s lips in a slow, deep, possessive kiss.

Kailin didn’t even really pay attention to the kiss. Satisfied that Lukin was there to watch over him, he relaxed and let the heat of Lukin’s body and tenderness of the kiss lull him back to sleep. He probably wouldn’t even remember it in the morning, and if he did, the recollection would be hazy and dream-like.

For Lukin however, the kiss was significant. And as long as he lived, he would not forget it. It wasn’t just a kiss good-night, it was a kiss good-bye.

OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO


OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO

Yay, back to Kailin and Lukin. It’s nice to be back, though I enjoyed the holiday break. I want to thank everyone for their continued support with this story, especially those kind enough to rate and review. I means a lot of me.

I hope you liked this chapter.