The Phoenix Key

\"The Phoenix Key\"



By: Delilah deSora

Pagan_nyght@yahoo.com



Chapter 3



**



All relationships are built on give and take. In this relationship I give and you take.

-Ivan Tsaravich



**



Ivan glanced down at the form curled up in a ball at the edge of the bed. He wondered briefly how many times in the last five years the slave had been allowed to even be in the bed let alone allowed to sleep there. He shrugged. It didn’t matter really.



Every five hundred years the phoenix leaves the plthatthat it has been exiled to and sets itself aflame so that it may be reborn and the gods know each one of these past years could have been a hundred instead of one, for both of us.



His father had outlived his time of master of the Phoenix Key’s paradise, now it was he who would reside in Trey’s paradise.



Pulling on his pants and shirt he paused at the side of the bed, staring down at the sleeping form. After a moment of thought he moved to the chest and rummaged through it until he found what he desired. Lifting the heavy leather of the collar he fastened it around the sleeping man’s neck. At the touch of the metal latch golden eyes flew open in surprise and the slave tried to pull away.



Ivan caught a handful of red hair and jerked the man back to him. “Stay!” He snapped, feeling a deep satisfaction when the larger man froze in his grasp. Latching the chain-linked leash to the collar he attached it to the metal ring and turned away to gather up his overcoat.



“I can unlatch the collar.” Trey pointed out, irritation evident in his voice.



Ivan glanoverover his shoulder and gave him a measuring look. “I know.”



Gold eyes narrowed. “Then what’s the point?”



“The point, my dear slave, is very simple. You have been granted the means to escape from your immediate fate, but you will not do so.”



Trey shifted, making the links on the chain clink. “Why not?”



Ivan returned to his side and cupped the scarred cheek. “Until now you’ve had masters who were stronger than you, who gave you no advantage what-so-ever. But as you can see,” Ivan gestured to his svelte form, “that has changed now. You can escape from the chains I’ve put on you but you can’t escape from this room. You can fight my claim on you but it won’t make you any less of a slave,” he reached out and ran his finger along the top of the leather collar, “All of your strength won’t help you in the end. In fact,” his free hand wrapped around the leash and dragged the startled man agt hit him, “you will find if you exercise that strength it might grant you a brief reprieve but it will come back to hurt you in the end. Do you understand now?”



Gold eyes widened and the man nodded. Ivan released him with a deep kiss and a cupped hand against the bare groin. “Since you so so good last night I’ll even leave the fire for you. Don’t let me catch you off the leash, Trey. I’ll admit I like the sounds you make when I punish you but,” he smirked rubbing halm alm over the head of his slave’s cock making the larger man lean back with a poorly disguised whine, “I have other plans I wish to implement when I get back. I’ll be very angry if I have to put them on hold.”



He let go of his slave and moved to the door, pausing long enough to ensure that he had the key in his possession. Glancing back he admired the site of the red haired man chained to the bed, glaring at him with a mix of rage, fear, and a hint of lust his body refused to let him ignore. Ivan burned that image into his mind as he stepped over the threshold from paradise and back into the real world.



Trey watched his master disappear through the heavy wooden door and heard it closed with a firm hand. There was a distinctive clank as the lock fell into place, leaving him alone with his thoughts.



He swallowed, wincing at the slight constriction of the collar but he didn’t dare take it off. Unfortunately he wasn’t quite sure why he was so loathed to remove the degrading thing. Part of him was frightened at the promise of punishment but deep inside Trey knew this wasn’t the part that was staying his hands. Ivan could hurt him but never as much as Vislav did.



No, he suspected that it was the part of him that didn’t want to disappoint his master that was keeping him from taking it off. That was the part that had once been the wish to make his parents approve of him but had been twisted by Tsars Dedumil and Vislav when the men had taken a freeborn peasant and turned him into a slave for the perverted.



Trey dropped his face into his hands, cursing himself as he wept. He didn’t understand why Ivan wanted him. The black haired beauty spoke of the days when he’d still been an innocent in the world. True, the last few tiIvanIvan had taken him he’d already been introduced to the world of a catamite by the Tsar of Dolmat, but inside he had still been the same man. Dedumil had taught him obedience and shame but hadn’t really changed him much otherwise. He still held hope for escape and the chance to go back to the real world to sate his curiosity. After some time for healing and forgetting he would have still been the same Trey.



He wasn’t the same Trey anymore.



Vislav had killed that boy years ago when he had first forced his sick passions on a frightened begging eighteen year old boy and had beaten out anything that made Trey human. Seven years, two at the hands of Tsar Dedumil and five dominated by Tsar Vislav, had turned him into an animal only fit for pain and humiliation. Seven years had burned the curiosity out of him as his body changed from that of a boy into a man. Seven years had seen the wide-eyed Phoenix burn itself to death by its own actions and be reborn as a broken worthless creature.



So why was he now nearly frantic with worry over disappointing the black haired man from his past who had suddenly reappeared only to leave him chained to the wall like the base creature he was?



And why did the knowledge that Ivan trusted him with the key to what little freedom he could steal make him feel proud and determined no let let his master regret that?



Trey sighed and struggled to find a position that would allow him to lie down with being choked. There was so much about Ivan he didn’t understand. The black haired man was handsome to his eyes yet Ivan’s own words made it sound to Trey like he thought himself hideous. He had traveled extensively, first with his family and then on his own and had seen all sorts of men and knew that men with such beauty were highly prized in other lands. So why did Ivan act like Trey should be sickened by the touch of his flesh?



And why did the black haired man say he loved him? Trey didn’t understand that most of all. If Ivan loved him why did he report his deads to his father? If Ivan loved him why did he keep him chained and bound after leaving Dolmat, determined to return him to Vislav? Surely he knew what the Tsar did to those who stole from him. It didn’t make sense.



Trey closed his eyes, though his thoughts were filled with a curtain of black hair, bright green eyes, and a maddeningly soft touch that made Trey’s body throb with the very thought of it. He wanted this man, he admitted to himself. He wanted this man to love him, to give him his paradise.



He begged and pleaded to be set free but deep inside he trembled with that thought. What had freedom ever given him? Sun and fresh air but also cruel masters who took their pound of flesh from him daily, delighted to see that it come back so they could take it again the next day.



Could he even survive in the real world anymore?



He wasn’t so sure anymore.



**



There are three types of lies. White lies, half lies, and my personal favorite, damning lies.

-Ivan Tsaravich



**



Tsar Vislav pinned with him with a very powerful look as soon as Ivan appeared for lunch. He bowed and answered the beckoning wave, aware of the glares of his two brothers as Vasiliy was shoved to the side to make room for him at the Tsar’s elbow.



“So, is he as pleasing as you had hoped?” The Tsar asked him quietly.



Ivan didn’t have to fake the laugh or smile. “Far beyond what I had hoped for, my lord.”



Vislav preened under the compliment. “Dedumil must be pulling out his hair for losing such a treasure.”



“Oh he is,” Ivan assured, “but only a truly powerful man could keep such a magnificent being properly.”



If Vislav noticed the underlying insult he didn’t give any indication. “I had to bank some of that fire to keep him docile but,” the Tsar paused to shovel an appalling piece of still bleeding meat into his mouth, “you have to do that with any animal.”



Ivan had to keep from gritting his teeth and shouting at the man that Trey was not some animal being trained for breeding. But then again, wasn’t that exactly what his father had been using him for these past years? “It’s a pity,” he dared to say, “that you couldn’t keep the fire in the man.”



Vasiliy snorted. “He was a boy when I acquired him. He would never have turned into a real man. A cage was his fate from the beginning.”



Ivan gave a non-committal nod. How many times had his father said such words about him? “Did your soldiers find the foolish man who dared to impersonate your son?”



Vislav’s face darkened and he speared another chunk of meat angrily. “No.”



“I find it odd that someone with such power could sneak in here, don’t you father?” Vasiliy spoke up, green eyes matching green.



Ivan had been expecting this and smiled patiently. “Actually I do not believe the man himself had the power to make the spell. If he had I’m sure he would have done something far more permanent then simply running around spreading lies.” His smile turned condescending. “I believe he had the spell made for him. There are many who would do so for the right price.”



“Would you?” Vasiliy demanded.



Ivan turned to sample a bite from his own plate. “If I required money for food or shelter, yes. Fortunately I find the Tsar a most generous host.”



Vislav’s laugh bellowed through the hall.



**



No matter what you call it or what tales you put to it the phoenix, when allsaidsaid and done, is simply the power of change.

-Trey



**



The sound of the lock snapping open was always enough to drag Trey from dead sleep to painful awareness. He sat up quickly, momentarily forgetting the collar about his neck and nearly choked himself before he scuttled backwards to relieve the tension in the leash. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep but there was very little to do and the novelty of actually having a bed to sleep on had overridden his determination to stay aware of his tiny world.



A part of him feared that it would be Vislav returning to take his pleasure of him again or, even worse, Dmitriy come in to complain about fickle women who wouldn’t spread their legs for him but another part secretly hoped it was.



Vislav and Dmitriy would hurt him and use his body in ways that disgusted him but that was all. He didn’t have to watch as they did things to his body. He didn’t have to see the parts of them that they prodded him with. And, most importantly, they didn’t make him take pleasure in what they did to him.



Ivan did.



Vislav and Dmitriy didn’t like to be reminded that they were having sex with a man. They were both so wrapped u wha what it meant to be masculine that Trey knew they couldn’t bring themselves to fully admit that they were doing something that they condemned other men for doing. Therefore they never touched him there unless it was to beat him and laugh as his traitorous body showed signs of arousal.



Ivan did so much worse things to him then hitting it with whips or crops. He touched it with his fingers, took it into his mouth, and the entire time he made Trey watch. He made Trey watch as he entered his body and he made him cum when he did. The slave didn’t understand that. Vislav and Dmitriy flayed the skin off of him if he lost control and spilled when they were around. Ivan helped him clean it up.



His cheeks burned with shame as he remembered his new master on his knees next to him, urging him to clean the evidence of his passion and then helping him, bring their tongues together as he alternated between kissing him stupid and teasing him mercilessly. Despite the complete mortification it burned within him he’d enjoyed it.



Ivan made him enjoy it. Ivan was making him feel again. Trey wasn’t sure he wanted to regain that ability. If he ned ned to feel once more he would hurt in far worse ways than being in physical pain. He didn’t want to open himself up to that again.



“Mmm looks like someone was a good boy while I was gone.”



Trey shuddered and dipped his as as far as the leash would allow, careful to keep his eyes trained on the black haired man as he sauntered over to the table and set the steel key down. Trey tried to ignore the way his hips swayed just slightly as he came closer, the way the long black hair moved in an enticing pattern but despite his best efforts he felt a stirring between his legs and it only deepened his shame.



Black gloved fingers reached out to caress the collar around his neck, teasing the edges and making him shiver. Cool silken hair brushed his face, bringing with it the smell of soap and leather from the tunic, as his master gently kissed his cheek.



“I like seeing you like this, my little phoenix, all jessed up and trembling with anticipation. I think I shall insist upon it more often.”



Trey swallowed and tried to shift his weight to hide the effect his master was having upon him but he was too late. A gloved hand slid down his stomach to the valley between his legs and he gasped as he caught in a firm grip, neither teasing nor painful, just there.



“You used to be a curious boy, Trey. Tell me, would you like to be curious again?”



A finger slipped between his balls making him yelp at the strange sensation. “I . . . I don’t know.” He gasped out, trying to shift into a new position, any position other than this one and failing miserably.



Ivan made an impatient sigh and the grip tightened. “What do you call me?” He reminded.



Trey licked his lips nervously. “Master.”



“Better.” The grip lessened and Trey’s sigh of relief turned to a surprised groan as a leather-covered thumb rubbed over the head of his weeping cock. “Shall I teach you something new since you’ve been such a good slave, Trey?”



The grip on his genitals was sending all sorts of strange sensations to his brain and before Trey could remind himself that he needed to be careful of this striking man he found himself nodding and pressing against the hand that held him. “Yes master.” He breathed, before embarrassment turned his face bright red.



Ivan smiled at him and Trey knew he was lost. To have this regal man, the son of a Tsar, smile at him in such a way made him forget their past. Made him forget that Ivan was the source of all his problems. All he knew, all he cared to know at that moment was that this man held the key to his room and therefore was his master. A great daring took hold of him and he leaned forward just slightly.



“May I kiss you, master?”



A warning flashed in his master’s green eyes and Trey shrank back, fearing he had overstepped himself. Ivan suddenly looked away from him though he made no move to pull back and his palm still rubbed gently over the tender flesh of his slave’s cock.



“Why did you ask that?” He demanded.



Trey was glad he couldn’t get any redder then he already was. “Because . . . because I wanted to, master.”



“Because I’m pretty like a girl so you thought you could push yourself on me?” Ivan snarled, glaring down at him.



Trey blinked in surprise. “No! I,” he looked down at the mattress for a moment before he remembered his master’s wish and looked back up at him, “I wanted to please you.”



Ivan shoved back away from him and Trey felt his body tremble as the close source of heat disappeared. “I thought you hated me.” He snapped sarcastically.



The red haired man sighed and folded his hands in his lap. “I thought I did but now I’m not sure. You have me so confused!” He wailed. “You do these things to me, make me feel things I haven’t felt before! When I look at the Tsar or Dmitriy I see ugly beasts who I don’t want to touch me but when I look at you . . . you’re not ugly, in fact I think you’re very handsome but in a male way not in a female way and I . . . want . . . want you to do that to me.” He finished in a whisper, shame completely taking hold of him. “I guess you were right. I really am just a slave and that is all I will ever be. So since it seems to be my fate I want to be your slave, master. No one else’s.”



He looked up to see the tall elegant man staring at him from next to the fire. Ivan’s arms were wrapped around his chest as though trying to shield himself from some sort of attack. His face was pale against the yellow light of the fire and his emerald eyes stared at him wildely.



“You . . . you don’t think I’m ugly? Like a girl?”



Trey frowned. “No! Not at all.”



Ivan’s arms swung out to gesture at his body. “But I’m so . . .”



“Elegant? Regal?” Trey dared to interrupt; “You told me yesterday that the Tsar was an uncultured bore. That there was no art in anything he did. You’re right, he is an uncultured bore and you, master, ythiything you do is art. There is no shame in it. I’ve met men who worked for years to achieve what fate has given you.”



“You’re lying.” Ivan whispered, turning his head so a screen of hair would hide his face.



Trey gritted his teeth and came to a decision. Reaching up he unlatched the leash connected to the collar at his throat and he slipped off the bed. On silent feet he approached the dark figure and wrapped his arms around the slender waist as he fell to his knees before him. Ivan stared down at him in shock as he purposely pressed his face to the front of his master’s pants, breathing in the scent of him.





The pale face turned away from him, hidden once more in the shadow of his hair but Trey refused to be deterred. Sliding his hands around to the front the kneeling slave picked at the tie holding the tight pants closed. He felt Ivan stiffen and the black haired man asked in a straining voice, “What do you think you’re doing?”



Trey smiled as the tie gave under his fingers and the pants fell open. “Something you said you’d require of me quite often once. I only hope I paid close enough attention.”



A shiver ran through his master’s body and Trey couldn’t help the smile that came to his face as he leaned forward and placed a chaste kiss to the end of the pale cock. When the only reaction he received was a faint gasp he followed it with an anxious lick, half eager and half frightened of what the arousal would taste like. To his delight he found it tasted nothing like those of his former masters. It retained the same qualities but unlike his memories of pungentaty aty rods being forced down his throat he found it to be a sweet treat. One he fully intended to savor as long as he was allowed.



Trey went on part instinct and part memory of his brief time with Ivan on their journey back from Dolmat and worked his master’s cock into full arousal. When the pale face tilted up, green eyes closed tightly as pale pink lips parted in pleasure Trey worked up enough courage to nudge the taller man back against the wall. Placing a hand on either side of his master’s waist he leaned in as far as he could, letting the hot shaft slip deep into his throat.



“Trey!” Ivan shouted in surprise, slender hands digging into his red hair and holding him in place as his master pulled back as far as he could before pushing forward.



For a moment Trey felt a flash of fear as all of his control of the situation was taken from him but he forced himself to relax. This was what he wanted. He wanted Ivan to use him. He wanted Ivan to do all the things his former masters had done to him so the black haired man who had taught him to take pleasure in a master’s touch could erase the memories of all those other hands. For the first time in five years he wanted to be a slave.



He knew the moment his master reached the edge of arousal and relaxed, letting his master’s seed pour down his throat. Ivan choked as his body exploded, forced to support himself on Trey’s broad shoulders. Even when his master’s nails dug into his flesh, creating little bloody half moons Trey found pleasure in it.



Completely spent the black haired man fell to his knees before his slave, head bowed but Trey could hear the sobs that racked the thin body. Remembering a night five years ago Trey leaned forward, cupping the small face between his hands and lifting it. He carefully licked the tears from the emerald eyes as his master had done so many times for him and he heard Ivan fall quiet as the shudders stopped running through his body. When no more tears fell Trey gently drew his master into his arms, burying his face in the long straight black hair. Ivan was taller than he but his body was much thinner and on the floor height didn’t matter.



“Why?” Came the whisper against his neck. “Why did you do that?”



Trey smiled. “Because I wanted to touch you, master. I wanted to show you that I don’t think of you as a woman and that I don’t hate you.”



His master gave a shuddering breath that sent shivers down his spine as it caressed his neck. “You’re a fool.”



Trey laughed quietly. “I know.”



“Don’t think this means I won’t tie you up and have my way with you whenever I feel like it.”



“I suspected it wouldn’t, master.”



There was silence for a moment and then, “You took off the leash.”



Trey hesitated for just a moment. “Yes, master.”



Ivan’s hands slid up to fondle the collar that his slave still bore. Trey shuddered as his master’s fingers slipped between it and the skin of his neck before pulling out to trace the edge. “I’ll have to punish you for that.”



“I suppose you will.”



Ivan laughed. “You could at least have the decency to sound a little frightened.”



Trey grinned and dared to press a kiss to the pale neck, licking lightly at the pulse point. “I’m sorry, master. Please don’t punish me.”



“Now you’re just being sarcastic.”



“Guess you’ll have to punish me for that too.”



“I guess I will.” Ivan pulled back and Trey let him go. Emerald eyes studied him and he was glad to see the ghost of a smile pulling at his master’s lips. “I think the bath would be the perfect place to start punishment, don’t you slave?”



Trey tried to look small and repentant though he suspected the smile he couldn’t keep off of his face sabotaged his attempt somewhat. “As you wish, master.”