Chapter 13
CHAPTER 13
THREE WEEKS LATER
N ate had been given a room in Rohan’s wing of the palace to use as his workspace. Even though Rohan had returned to his regular duties, the day after the terrible dinner with the king—who Nate hadn’t seen since—everything he requested had been provided.
He had a desk, paper and vellum, inks in several colors—the creator of them going to great lengths to show him samples and explain their virtues, so his selection was informed, before asking about the inks and writing implements on Earth. He’d been fascinated by the idea of ballpoint pens and pencils.
The royal children’s tutor had given him a lesson on letters and left him with homework—while Nate didn’t need to practice his pen grip, he needed to learn the forty letters and the sounds they made. He’d written the sounds in English as best as he could beneath each letter.
Pinned to one wall, there was a map of the world. And he was in the process of creating one of Earth for the other wall. The accuracy of it was dubious, but it was enough to give the people an understanding.
Most of all, he appreciated having something to fill his days. Even though the only person he’d taught so far was the Strega, he’d prepared classes on language and history and geography as well as mythology—though he wasn’t sure if that would be appreciated. While Rohan seemed amused by the Greek minotaur myth, the king had not been so easily entertained. He’d wanted to know why humans thought minotaurs ate people, to which Nate had no answer.
Though when Rohan had taken him to explore the maze, he’d seemed determined to show Nate how much he enjoyed eating humans by bending Nate over a bench and tongue-fucking his ass. Which would’ve been a lot more fun if a guard hadn’t been standing less than five meters away.
Now he couldn’t sit in the maze without thinking about being chased through it…
Which was probably Rohan’s intent.
He dipped the pen in the ink and continued to label the countries in English. He planned on eventually writing out their names using the Tarikian alphabet when he was more certain of the sounds. Being able to magically speak the language did not help him at all with the reading and writing of it, he was trying not to become frustrated with his inability to progress. Even Rohan had said that learning to read and write was harder than speech.
A knock on the door made him look up. “Come in.”
The door opened, and Rohan walked in. “My brother has decided that the first class will be made of the senior city guard and the knight.”
Since the king had decided, there was no point in arguing. “And when will they be starting?”
Rohan walked around the desk as if to look at the map, but his hand snuck around Nate’s waist and tucked him close. “Tomorrow. From breakfast to noon. For three days, as that is all they can be spared for.”
“Why them?”
“Because they will be the ones dealing with any other people who accidentally cross.” Rohan’s tail slid up Nate’s inner thigh.
Rohan was far too good at fucking him with it, but after over twenty nights in the minotaur’s bed—not that he was counting—he wanted more than tail and fingers.
“And what am I teaching them?”
“Anything you want, as long as it is in English.”
Nate stared up at him. “So I am not teaching them anything. I am speaking so that they may learn.”
Why had he bothered making lesson plans, aside from protecting his own sanity?
Rohan tipped Nate’s chin up. “How different might your arrest have been if they had spoken to you in English?”
“Less confusing. But not all humans speak English.”
“The ones where you are from do.”
And doorways were apparently fixed. They didn’t jump around, even temporary ones. The Strega said the doorways were a thinning of the barrier between the worlds. Which sounded a bit like Samhain lore to Nate.
Maybe Samhain was recognizing that there was another world and that it was possible to cross. He’d ask her about that the next time she was at the palace. Which could be tomorrow or next month or next moon.
He was still learning the months and the days of the month—there were no days of the week because there were no weeks. Time also appeared to be flexible, with some meetings scheduled to be held next time they got together. He’d asked the Strega when that would be, and she’d said when she returned. His request to know when she planned on returning had been met with puzzlement, as she’d return when she was meant to.
Nate sighed. “I suppose I should be glad they have agreed on a day and time for the class instead of just turning up when they felt like it.”
Rohan grinned. “I told Sebah you would appreciate that. Now, can I tear you away from your lessons and maps?”
He leaned down and kissed him without giving him the chance to answer. Nate was tempted to sweep the map and inks off the desk, but he didn’t want to clean up the mess, and he didn’t want any vampires or werewolves in his study smelling sex.
It was bad enough, knowing that the palace guards could smell it on him.
Mortifying to know the king and queen had. However, Rohan had apologized, saying that he hadn’t expected them to be there. That hadn’t stopped Rohan from coming on him. There was something about the obvious claim that was more than a little thrilling.
“What do you have in mind?” Nate murmured, hoping that it involved getting naked. He let his hand drift over Rohan’s hip.
Rohan’s tail smacked him on the ass. “Patience.”
“I have been patient.” Nate licked his lip. “I want…” His face heated. “I want to try.”
Rohan gave him that smile. “Try what, little human?”
Asshole. Nate pressed his lips together, refusing to give Rohan what he wanted to hear when he already knew.
Rohan’s smile widened. “Is my tail not enough?”
Nate shrugged. “It is fine.”
“Last night it was too much.”
“I didn’t expect you to try putting it all inside me.” His tail wasn’t that thick, but it was long. Nate had been on his side, with Rohan’s hand around both their dicks—something they both enjoyed watching—when his tail went from fucking him to sliding deeper and deeper, turning corners that had never been explored. That he’d come while gasping that it was too much hadn’t made his pleas particularly convincing.
“It all went in. And then you swallowed everything I spilled in your mouth.” Rohan’s tongue flicked over Nate’s lips. “Without making a mess.”
That had taken him a while to learn how to do it because it wasn’t a mouthful when Rohan came, and Nate was never going to get more than the fat head in his mouth.
“You are the one who likes to make a mess.”
“It is not my fault you don’t spill enough to make a mess.” Rohan’s tail slipped between Nate’s thighs and caressed his balls.
“Did you come here to insult me?” Nate feigned hurt the way he always did.
“I came to ask if you would like a walk in the maze before we bathe for supper.”
Nate considered Rohan for a moment and wondered how much walking they’d do. Sometimes, they did walk around the palace gardens with Rohan pointing out various plants and animals; other times, the walk was an excuse to find a quiet place. Nate suspected Rohan was making reasons for the walks so Nate wouldn’t feel trapped in the palace. “Why don’t you fetch some oil and come and find me?”
Rohan drew in a breath. “You want me to hunt you through the maze?”
“Maybe?” Was it too much?
“I will be able to find you blindfolded.” Rohan tugged him close so there was no gap between them, his fingers pressed into his ass cheek, and Rohan’s interest in the proposed game was clear as the thick length of his dick pressed against Nate’s stomach. “The scent of your lust will make you easy to locate.”
Nate’s heartbeat quickened. “You want to play?”
“Yes. I have thought about it since you told your story.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because it’s much more fun to wait for you to ask.” Rohan kissed the end of his nose. “And yes, I want to fuck you. I was beginning to think you’d never want to try.”
“Are you going to let go of me so I can wander around the maze?”
“In a moment.” Rohan rested his chin on the top of Nate’s head. “I missed holding you this morning because I had to get up so early.”
“I missed waking up in your arms.” He’d never felt as safe as he did when tucked against Rohan.
With a last kiss, Rohan released him. “Grab a cloak on your way out. The evenings are becoming cooler.”