Please note, however, that these chapters contain SA. There will be more emotional and heartfelt moments later in this series, withjusta dashofredemption, and Ihope youwill find a little humour alongthe way. BUT for the time being, the charactersareinadarkplace.
THEHUBBUBOFTHEcrowded faded as the guards hauled Asher awaythroughthe darkened halls. The toes ofhis boots scuffedthepolishedwoodastheguardsdraggedhimroundacorner
Up ahead, a ghostlywhite marble staircase awaited, new and outofplace amongstthe timber. The rustic castle exuded a quietstrength,withstonewallsthatwereframedwiththickbeamsthathadstoodthetestoftime.
WintermawKeephadbeenthehomeoftheroyalwolffamilybeforeHenrikktookover TheVampireKingwasdetermined to transform his new home, imposing a vision of grandeur and luxury, which extended the castle up into the sky. His commissionedrenovationswerestillunderway,buthehadalreadyaddedseveralfloorsandtowerstotheancientstructure
Thecircularmarblestaircaseledthemup.
Henrikk’s suite was somewhere at the verytop of the exhausting, endless flight of stairs. It was probablywhythe guard allowedhimtowalkonhisowntwofeet.Theystillkeptafirmgriponhisarms,buttherewasnoneed.
They climbed higher through the Keep, passing hundreds of mirrors and pieces of modern artwork with gaudy, splashy colours,whichinsomeplacesoverlaidthewolffamilytreetapestriesthatHenrikkhadn’tbotheredtoburn
The juxtapositionofold and new was disorientating, and Asher couldn’tdecide ifthe new constructions and decor were ingeniousordisturbing.
WhenitcametoHenrikk,itwasusuallyboth
The highestfloor had several guards stationed ateachdoor he recognised eachface ofthe menwho’d served under his command,andheknew themwell enoughtospotthepitytheytriedtohide Thefloorsandwallsgleamedwithglossywhite marble streaked withgrey, and crystal chandeliers hungslightlyaskew as if the ceilingwas off-kilter. Henrikk’s door was paintedpurewhitelikeadovebutwastrimmedwithstarkred Thecolourssuitedhim,Asherthoughtgrimly Hewaslookingforwardtosittingdown.HisasswassorewhereHenrikkhadtakenhimforcefully,andeverystephetook hurt.Hischestfelthollow,hismindaconfusedmessofemotions.He’dexpectedHenrikktopunishhim,buttheactualmodeof punishmenthadshockedhim,reachinganewlevelofdepravityevenforHenrikk It broke his heart. He’d long since buried the idea of a relationship between himself and Henrikk, whether a rekindled friendshiporsomethingmore
But it was only over the past few months that Asher had noticed drastic changes to Henrikk’s personality. Before, he’d simplybeencharismatic and driven, his carelessness sometimes borderingoncallousness, as was sometimes the case with ambitious people.Asher hadslowlywatchedhis frienddeviatefromtheleader hecouldhavebeentotheterrifyingautocrat he’d become. It pained him to see Henrikk squander this opportunity to do good, and Asher’s heart was heavy with the knowledge thathe’dhelpedsucha mancome topower Butdespite all the crueltyhe’dwitnessedandthe harshorders he’d
Asher nurtured a tinyember of hope that things would be different, giventime Now that Henrikk was kingand had the kingdomsunderhiscontrol,surelyhecouldtemperhismethodsintheinterestofpromotingprosperityandpeace. Hehopedhewasn’tlyingtohimself
Asherscannedtheroomquicklyandgavealowscoff Henrikk’ssuitewasnew,andAsherhadn’tbeeninsidebefore,butit was utterlypredictable. The furnishings were sparse butregal. Everythingfeltsterile, and the air smelled offreshpaintand bleach.Thewallhadanornatecarvingofafireplacethatwaspuredecoration,andtheroomwascoldenoughtochillhimto thebone,eventhroughhisfur-linedwinteruniform Thewindowswerebarred,eventhoughtheywerehighuponthewall Does Henrikk frequently keep prisoners?
“Do not forgettheinkpot,”Ashersaidsternly,half-turningaway,asthoughhehadeveryconfidencetheguardwouldcomply withhisrequest.HowfardidtheweightofhisauthoritygonowthatHenrikkhadknockedhimdownseveralpegs?
His eyes used to be blue, like mine, Asherthoughttohimself.
Henrikkspoke “Makingyourselfathome,Isee”
Asher did not stand. He saw no advantage in it. Henrikk would retaliate against anything he perceived as a challenge. Makingadashforthedoorwouldneverwork thereweretoomanyvampireguardsinWintermaw,andhewasunarmed Besides,thesightofHenrikkdidnotfrightenhimlikeitshouldhave.Asher’sstomachtwisted,andeveryhaironhisbody raisedaschillsrandownhisspine,buthedidnotfeelcompelledtorun WhateverHenrikkwanted,Asherwouldfacehimhead-on.Justlikehealwayshad.
Henrikksteppedintotheroom,pluckingatthefingertipsofhispurplevelvetglovesashepainstakinglyremovedthem.His matchingcape brushed the tiles behind him He’d evidentlychanged somewhere else inthe castle because the trousers he’d wornintheThroneRoomweregone;intheirplace,blackandsilverrobespooledathisfeet.
Thedoorshutbehindhimwitharesoundingclick
“We’re all alone,” Henrikkchuckled, clutchinghis gloves inone hand. He leantagainstthe wall where the mantel should havebeen: therewasjustathinledgejuttingoutofthewall,barelywideenoughfor theglasstealightholder thatAsher had alreadyitemisedasapotentialweapon.“Whatevershallwedowithourtime?”
Henrikk’slazydrawldidnotfoolhim.Thevampireneverleantorslouched,orsomuchasletahintofinformalityintohis posture He always remained rigid, every moment and movement calculated and deliberate But he was makinga show of lookingrelaxednow,whichmeanthewasnervous.
Asher’sfeetfeltlikeleadashecrossedtheroom “Nah-ah-ah!” Henrikkchided whenAsher reached for a chair. He pointed atthe floor before the coffee table. “Kneel for me.”
Asher’shandhoveredoverthepieces.HecouldpracticallyseetheveinsonHenrikk’sforeheadthrobbingashewaited. Ashertouchedapawnwiththetipofhisfinger,makingashowofconsideringmovingitbeforemovingtotouchaknight “No,we’replayingwithtouch-move rules,”Henrikktsked.“Youmustmovethepieceyoutouched.” “Ididnotrealisewewereplayingbythatrule,”Ashersaidinnocently,touchingseveralotherpieces. “Ofcourse we’replayingwiththatrule.Whenhavewenot?” So, you remember.
Atensepause
ThesilencestretchedasAsherpretendedtodeliberate.
Henrikk stretched his neck impatiently, but his voice was perfectly cordial as he said, “You must move that pawn One square,ortwo.”
“Hmm.”
AsherwaitedaslongashedaredforacracktoforminHenrikk’sfacade,tippingtheknighttoteeteratanangle “Isthereareasonyou’rehavingsomuchdifficultywithasimpletask,General?” There it is
Typical AshercapturedHenrikk’spawnandsetitaside. Afewmoveslater,Henrikkhadpositionaladvantage,hispiecesposingagreaterthreat HegrinnedtriumphantlyatAsher.“You’veexposedyourself.” True, Asherthought, but I don’t intend to finish this game. It was very different to play when one had no intention of winning It allowed a player to take risky moves like antagonisingtheVampireKingwhenhewasamereprisoner.
Henrikkroseslowly,theepitomeofperfectcomposure.Then,inaflashofmovement,heswipedhisarmacrossthetableand sentthechesspiecesscattering.“Do not mentionmymother,”hehissed.
The response was sinister inits simplicity. Itmade Asher shudder, butitdidn’tfool his mind. He squared his shoulders. “I’ve realised something about you, Henrikk If life is truly a game, then you’re neither black nor white You’re the grey pieces.”
Henrikklookedalarmedfor all oftwoseconds,andfor ashiningmoment,Asher saw aglimpseofthemanheusedtobe Thenhiseyesnarrowed,andhewasthekingagain.“Don’tgettoocomfortable, old friend.I’llbebackforyou.” And this time, you will make me kneel, Asherthoughtsadlyasthedoorshut.
Henrikk reined in his anger long enough to escape the royal suite. He’d already been forced to abandon it after that insufferablewitchhadtamperedwithitbeforeescaping.He’dputAsherinthereaspunishment,butmaybethatwasamistake. Perhaps,imprisoningAsherinthefirstplacehadbeenamistake.
Do not question yourself There is not a mistake you can make that you cannot twist to serve you Bitterresentmentseepedthroughhisveinslikepoison.Itoverrodehislogic,andbythetimehereachedthegrandguestroom henowoccupied,hewasboilingover
Hedinedaloneonhiseastward-facingbalcony Hedidn’tlikefacingthesunasitset tooharshontheeyes andthisangle gavehimaviewoftheCapitalasthegoldenlightwasheditofthefilththatresidedthere.Vampireshadbeguntomoveintothe vacated apartments and houses, butthe commonareas were still crawlingwithwolves. There was nothingto be done about that,notwhilstthevampirepopulationwasstilldwindling
relaxinthe hot water as theyhurried himto wash, but he felt better once he was dressed ina cleanset ofdarkclothes: a maroonshirt,darkwoollenjumperinasoftknit,charcoalgreytrousers,apairofsilksocks,andpolishedslip-ongentlemen’s shoes.
Theguardsthentookhimtothecastle’shealer,whoresethisnose.Thecrunchingsoundwasalmostasbadasthepainwas and left himreeling. Asher hardlynoticed the stingof antiseptic onthe cut onhis arm. Anointment was applied, one that smelled ofseaweed and had magical properties Itwas expensive, accordingto the healer, who gave Asher a pointed look beforeapplyingit.AtleastHenrikkwasnotsparinganyexpenseforhiswellbeing.
Backinthe royal suite, a trayofhotfood and a jugofwater awaited himonthe coffee table The chess pieces had been clearedaway,andthebagwasnowheretobefound.
Hesatdowntoeat.Notknowingifthiswouldbehislastmeal,heateeverythingonhisplate:steak,mashedpotatoes,baked vegetables, all presented elegantly There was even a dark sauce something finer than gravy with a sharp tang and the utensils’handleswereencrustedwithgemstones.
The king tittered. “Don’t play the shy maiden, Asher. I know you’ve fantasised about this for years. Well, here’s your chance ”Henrikk’s robes parted,revealingasliver ofghostlypaleskin Asher’s gazetraileddownhis long,leanleg his thigh, his knee, his taut muscled calves lingering on Henrikk’s blood-red shoes. They were sleek and narrow, with tight bucklesandsharp,cruel points.Hecouldn’timaginethembeingcomfortabletowalkinandwonderedhow manyservantsit hadtakentoforceHenrikk’sfeetintothem
Asher feltdizzy, nausea creepingup his throat. He satbackonhis heels, jerkinghis wrists apartviolentlyinthe hope of snappingtherope,buttheywereboundtight
Henrikk’s counting echoed in Asher’s mind as he stared at the vampire’s long, sinuous fingers They reminded himof a crawlingspiderastheycurledovertheedgeofthearmrest.
“Thereisno‘us’,”Henrikksaidcoolly,rummaginginsidehisrobes.“Thereisonlyyourverylimitedcapacitytobeusefulto me ”
“Thereusedtobean‘us’,”Ashersaidquietly.
Henrikkignored himas he produced a lip retractor the kind thatcovered the teethand prevented the wearer frombiting down.“Iseewemustdothisthehardway.Althoughtruthbetold,Iwouldn’thavetrustedyounottobiteme.” “Iwouldn’tdothat.”
Henrikkignoredthat,too,andopenedhisrobes Hewascompletelynakedunderneath Asher’s eyes widened as he absorbed Henrikk’s magnificence. Every inch of himscreamed raw power, fromchiselled abdominalmusclestodefinedcollarbone Hischestwasbroad,hislongtorsotaperingtonarrowhips Hewastoothin,inAsher’sopinion,hisphysicalconditionoutmatchingthatofthemostdisciplinedsoldier.
ThepastvanishedasHenrikkleantforwardinhischairandgrippedAsher’shair. Hecriedoutinpain,andHenrikkseizedtheopportunitytopushtheretractorintohisopenmouth Asher wrenched his head away, butthe damage was alreadydone: his mouthwas pried openbythe device. He couldn’t closetogether,speak,orevenbreatheproperly;hislipsstretchedapartashistonguewaggeduselessly.Hisattempttobeseech Henrikkresultedinagarbledmixofincoherentwords.
“Therenow,that’s better,”Henrikksmirked,keepingatightholdofAsher’s hair as herosetohis feet.HejerkedAsher’s
If Henrikkhadn’t gagged him, this would be so different. Evenif everythingelse had played out exactlythe same, if he wasn’twearingthisvilecontraptioninhismouth,andifhishandswereunbound,heprobablywouldhaveleantforwardofhis ownfreewillandtakenHenrikkinhismouth.
I could do that
He would startbykissingthe tip. Lickgthe lengthslowly, reverently. He would suckuntil his jaw ached, and stroke and squeezeHenrikk’sballsthewayhe’ddreamtofcountlesstimes
He flinchedatthe impactagainsthis throat,unable touse his lips or tongue toslow or blockHenrikk’s assaultas he kept thrusting HismouthwasleveredopenandvulnerabletoeveryinchofHenrikk’slength,andagurglingsoundcamefromAsher asheretched.
Arhythmic,repetitive noise metAsher’s ears,accompaniedbythe roughrustle offabric Henrikkwas panting,andas the minutesworeon,hisbreathinggrewheavieramidstafappingsound.
Knowing what he would see, Asher resigned himself to opening his eyes. He didn’t even have to lift his gaze. There, reflectedintheglossyredshoes,wastheimageofHenrikkglaringdownathimwithcontemptashemasturbated. Asherwishedhecouldspeak.
I'll prove it Let me show you That’swhathewouldsaytotheking Henrikk’s armshot out to support himself onthe mantel, a low moanenteringhis harshbreathingand resonatingthrough Asher’score
Suddenly, Henrikk’s bodytwitched forward violently, and he gave a harshgroanas he came, jets ofcreamcumshooting throughtheairandsplatteringonAsher’sface.
His eyes flew shut as wet droplets sprayed his skin Whenhe opened thema few seconds later, stickyfilmclungto his eyelashes,andHenrikkwassteppingclose.
He’d barelyregistered what was happeningbefore Henrikkwas tiltinghis head backand shovinghis cockinhis mouth Thickcumsprayedhistongue,hispalate,hischeeks,andthebackofhisthroat.
With you on your knees? It’s a start. Henrikkgavehisheadasharpshake “Swallow”
Animpossible taskwithHenrikk’s cockstill downhis throat, but Asher tried, Henrikk’s cumpoolingat the backof his throat Hetriedagaintoswallowbutwithoutmuchsuccess Henrikk, however, seemed satisfied. He made a triumphantnoise and snatched the gagfromhis mouth. He patted Asher’s cheekasheswallowedtheloadofcumandgulpedforair.“Thatwilldofornow,General.”HereleasedAsher’shairbutdid notstand.Instead,astrangeexpressioncrossedhisface,andhishandtrailedalongAsher’swaisttohiscrotch. Suddenly,Henrikkgrabbedhimthroughhistrousers,makingashockofpleasurejoltthroughhim.
He hadn’t evenrealised he’d hardened, but he was at full mast, his erectionstrainingagainst his trousers Whenhad he becomearoused?
“Didyouenjoythat, old friend?”Henrikkhissed “I…No,Ididn’t ”hisvoicecutoffinastrainedcryasHenrikkshiftedhisgriptocuphisballsandsqueezethem. “Doyoulikebeingkepthereasaplaythingforyourking?”
Henrikklaughed and sped up, eachhard pound makingAsher wince as he was speared byHenrikk’s cockover and over again.Hedidn’tknowwhatwasworse,thepenetratingsorenesshefelteachtimeHenrikkbottomedoutinhisass,orthedry frictionofhisun-lubedgirthdraggingagainsthissphincter.
The painhad reached a new level, the impacts growingunbearable, but it was the bulgingerectioninAsher’s pants that madehimcry.
WhenHenrikknoticed the tears trackingdownhis face, he wiped themwithhis palms and groaned. “Poor Asher. There, there.”Apause.“Youknow…Nothingmakesmeharderthanmakingagrownmancry.”
He never spoke to Asher and had takento sendinginthe guards firstto pre-emptivelygagand tie himbefore entering. It meantthatAsherrarelysawhim,onlyheardtherustleofclothesandthesoundofheavypanting EvenHenrikk’sgroanswere restrained,asifhedidn’twantAshertohear.
“Yes” Itwas the onlyword he could bringhimselfto say, eventhoughhe was burstingwitha thousand thoughts thathad plaguedhimlastnight.HeblinkedblearilyatthepiecesasHenrikksetthemup.Black,white;theyalllookedthesametohim. Ormaybehenolongercared “Whatisthisnewgameyoupropose?”
“Ihave a special opportunityfor myfinestgeneral,” Henrikksaid. “Butsince he failed, I will give youa chance to win instead”
Henrikk smirked as he leant over to straighten one of Asher’s pieces, his hand brushing his accidentally. “I assure you, GeneralAsher,thatthethrillofvictoryismorethansufficientaprize Theonlyquestionis doyouwanttoplay?”
I’m tired of games.
He opened his mouthto tell Henrikkthat, feelingdefeated and hollow, butas he caughtsightofthe glimmer inthe king’s eyes,hewasstruckbytheexpressionthere.
Asherhaltedandglanceddownattheornategreenrug Hefrownedasrealisationsetin It was new.Therehaddefinitely not beenarughereearlier,whichmeansthatsomeone andheknew who had broughtithere.
documents with unrelated content Scribd suggests to you:
save time I would, if I were you, send a message to-night—now, to your agent, telling him to close the deal.”
“Just as you say, John. I confess my head is slightly rattled to-night —it shall be as you suggest,” and he proceeds to write at the table on the back of the message he had received.
Finally John jumps up.
“There you are, father,” handing him a check. “We will arrange the minor details to-morrow.”
“It is all right, John—you have saved the old house of Samson Cereal—God bless you, my boy!”
But it is far from being all right as yet, and Aleck realizes this when he hears the library door suddenly pushed back.
CHAPTER XXI.
AN ACCOMMODATING SHERIFF.
Turning his head at hearing the door open Aleck sees one whom he knows, and a cold chill passes over him as he recognizes the face of the Colorado colonel.
Bob Rocket steps into the library and closes the door behind him. This action of course attracts the attention of all concerned, and the Western sheriff finds himself the cynosure of inquiring eyes.
John’s hand is stayed in the very act of handing the check to his father—the smile remains on Dorothy’s face, and as for the old speculator, he looks with displeasure upon the interloper.
“I beg your pardon, gentlemen, ladies,” says the other in his bass voice, speaking very slowly and methodically, “but a stern sense of duty compels me to break in upon your family party.”
“Duty, Colonel Rocket!” exclaims the speculator, turning red with rising wrath.
“That was what I said, sir. Duty with me must always rise even above the courtesy a guest owes to his host. You were kind enough to invite me to your house to-night, Mr. Cereal, and it served my purpose to accept. I have passed a pleasant evening. I thank you for it. But, sir, that shall not stand in the way of my fulfilling the mission which brought me to Chicago.”
“Indeed!”
“And has even taken me to this house.”
“Rocket, have you been too often at the sideboard?” asks the great operator, frowning.
“You see yourself, sir, that I am not under the influence of liquor. My hand is as steady as a die. I am sorry for you, Mr Cereal—doubly
