5
Berkant stood dressed and ready for his performance.
Well, mostly ready.
He stared at the jewel cases he'd brought with him, to put on at the last moment, instead of walking around the palace in flash he most definitely should not have.
"More gifts?" Ashel asked in that sly, teasing way of his.
"I get the distinct feeling you know more about them than me."
Ashel laughed.
"Only educated guesses.
May I?" he added, gesturing to the cases.
"As it pleases."
There were two of them now, the second having appeared like the previous two gifts.
He should have expected it, but the cuffs had already seemed far too extravagant and bold…
He was definitely going to have some words with Lord Nadir about his mischievous behavior if this night ended the way he fervently hoped it would.
"My, oh my," Ashel said as he flipped open the case that held the cuffs.
"Exquisite work.
I haven't seen these in many years.
Purchased by King Malak for his final concubine."
Berkant frowned in thought, mind dredging up old stories of dead kings.
"The one who was his best friend and left for many years, who refused the first time he was asked but agreed the second?"
"That's the one," Ashel said.
"The goldsmith who made these is still in business; one of the oldest shops in the city.
I work with them often.
A fine gift, but of course, I'd expect no less." He smirked briefly before opening the second box, gasping faintly as he took in the contents.
"This did not come from the royal vaults."
Berkant had a feeling that was the case; the design was simply too specific, too clearly intended for him .
It was a collar necklace, meant to fit snugly, the front fitted with a golden jackal head with sapphires for eyes.
Not just extravagant, but possessive.
Mine.
I claimed the Jackal , the necklace said.
Or maybe Berkant was a fool and only seeing what he wanted.
Only time would tell, and that time was nigh.
"Here, permit me to assist," Ashel replied.
He affixed the cuffs first, one to each wrist and upper arm.
They were snug without being tight, sure to stay in place during the match.
The idea of wearing jewelry in a fight railed against everything in Berkant, but this wasn't a fight.
It was a show.
No, not even that. It was a…bid…a plea. See me. Claim me. I want to be yours as I've been no one else's . Parvaneh had been his partner, his equal. Berkant and Shafiq would never be equals, and he didn't want them to be.
"Bend down a bit," Ashel said with a laugh.
"You tall people forget the rest of us can't reach as far as you."
"Sorry," Berkant replied with a smile, and dutifully lowered himself enough that Ashel was able to affix the collar, which locked into place in a way that would require help in removing.
Definitely the sort of jewelry that said mine .
He just had to hope Shafiq wanted all that Berkant was offering.
If he didn't… well, he would deal with that moment when it came.
A bell chimed, signaling the end of the current performance.
"Your turn," Ashel said, and gripped his forearms, smiling.
"Divine guide and protect.
I hope the performance goes well, and you get all you deserve and desire."
"Thank you," Berkant replied, the words barely more than a whisper.
Leaving the dressing chamber, he waited in front of the banquet hall doors, smiling and nodding as Jorin came to stand at his side.
"Nice jewelry," Jorin said with a grin.
"Does everyone in this place know something I don't?" Berkant asked.
Jorin just laughed, and then the doors were opened, and the exhibition match was announced.
Berkant was taken aback and yet completely unsurprised by the noise that rose with the calling of his name.
His eyes, though, were only for Shafiq, who regarded him with an intensity that left Berkant struggling to breathe.
There was sorrow in his eyes too, though, held back only by years of training and practice.
This was, after all, a surprise commemoration for the late queen.
Berkant took his corner and assumed his start position, giving the barest nod to Jorin across the way.
Then the gong rang out, thrumming in his chest, and Berkant was moving.
High swing, low swing, block, match.
Spin kick, dodge, high kick.
Backflip.
Drop kick.
Blow after blow, swing after kick, one fluid movement after another, everything he used to be and so much more. It might be fun, some time, to spar properly with Jorin. Others, if that was something he'd be permitted to do. For all he was as Tavamaran as they came, he didn't actually know most of the customs and rules surrounding the concubines.
The match finished, the gong sounded, and Berkant dropped to his knees, chest heaving with exertion.
He placed his hands on the mat and bowed low, temple to the floor, until that beautiful voice he'd been aching to hear said, "Rise, please."
Berkant and Jorin stood as one, keeping their heads bowed.
"Please, look up," Shafiq said, and smiled when they did so.
"Your performance was magnificent.
My wife would have been overcome with joy to see such skill.
I am honored you would do this for me.
Thank you.
I would reward you both with whatever you desire. Think on it and see me in the morning with your wish. Nadir."
Rising gracefully from his place at Shafiq's side, Nadir crossed the room to join them, a servant following with a tray of wine.
He poured first for Jorin, and said, "Congratulations on a job well done, Master Jorin," as he offered a measure of wine for Jorin to drink.
He turned to Berkant and offered up a new cup of wine, saying softly, "A beautiful performance, Master Jackal."
"Thank you, my lord," Berkant said, meeting his eyes, holding them as he accepted the wine, aching to taste it on those lovely lips.
The gleam in Nadir's eyes seemed to say he shared the thought.
Nadir withdrew and returned to Shafiq, where he poured a cup of the very same wine, offered a sip to Shafiq, and finished the last sip himself, eyes flicking briefly to Berkant once more.
Berkant was on fire.
He and Jorin left, clearing the floor for the next performance, and back in his dressing room, Berkant collapsed, exhausted down to his bones—and not from the fight.
Berkant reached up to press a hand to his throat, forgetting in his frazzled state about the collar until his fingers wrapped around warm gold.
The words… the wine… the mischief and pleasure in Nadir's eyes, the intensity of Shafiq's gaze… Berkant wasn't imagining all of that, was he? These delicate palace games were not his thing.
He was a fighter, clear and direct.
Standing on legs he wasn't certain would hold him, Berkant went off to get clean, forgetting until too late that he couldn't remove the collar necklace on his own.
Well, it wasn't like he was eager to remove it anyway.
More and more he liked the weight and feel of it.
He would have expected it to be restricting, but all he felt was… comforted.
Protected.
A strange feeling, when he was the one always expected to do the protecting.
Which he would.
If he was fortunate enough to belong to Shafiq, he would protect him, his child, and everyone else in his life.
Clean and dressed and alone in his room once more, Berkant sprawled on his bed and resumed waiting.
Would he really have to wait until morning? The tension would kill him.
At the very least everyone would wonder why a very loud and aggravated scream was coming from the prisoner hall.
When a knock came at his door, he almost did scream, and nearly killed himself choking on it.
Wondering absently how anyone so stupid could have lived this long, Berkant went to answer the door.
A guard stood on the other side, his markings designating him one who worked directly for Shafiq.
Smiling faintly, the guard said, "Master Berkant, His Majesty would like to speak with you, if you'll follow me."
"Of course," Berkant replied, heart jumping into his throat and beating so fast it threatened to pop.
He followed the guard through the halls, ignoring the lingering looks and whispers from the people they passed.
Eventually, they reached the wing of the palace reserved for the royal family, where everything turned mercifully peaceful and quiet.
The guard finally came to a stop in front of ornate double doors, where four guards were posted, with more along the entire length of the hall.
It would make a lot more sense for Berkant to aspire to a position like this, putting his skills and size to use in a practical, honorable way…
He could not stomach the thought, standing always close to what he wanted but forever unable to have it.
No, from the moment he'd seen Shafiq, all he'd wanted was to be as close to him as possible, in every way possible.
Who would have thought this was where he would end up, getting exactly what he wished? All because he'd lost his temper and beaten a child-selling monster half to death.
He should be anywhere but here.
The guard stationed at the right door opened it and bowed slightly, motioning for Berkant to enter.
Murmuring a thank you, Berkant stepped through, heart pounding louder than ever as the door closed behind him.
His fingers twitched to reach up and touch his necklace, but he kept them at his sides as he ventured further into the beautifully appointed room.
The sound of a child laughing drew him up short, and Berkant stared helpless as he saw Shafiq standing with a little boy, not more than two years old, in his arms, babbling avidly in that way children did.
There was much of Shafiq in the boy, but also eyes and cheekbones that could only have come from his mother.
Shafiq looked up and smiled at Berkant.
"There you are.
I meant for Kajan to be gone already, but he is not finished telling me about his day.
Kajan, my dove, say hello to Master Berkant."
True to form, Kajan stared at Berkant, then buried his head against Shafiq's shoulder with a softly mumbled 'hello'.
Chuckling, Shafiq kissed the top of his head and handed him off to the waiting nurse with a promise he would come and tell Kajan goodnight, though anyone could see that Kajan would be asleep before he even made it to his bed.
When they were alone, Shafiq turned to Berkant.
"Your performance was truly magnificent.
I am astonished you agreed to do it, but I am forever grateful.
I also must say that I like the collar.
I like it greatly." His eyes were hot and heavy as they rested on the collar necklace, and then slowly swept the rest of Berkant before meeting his gaze.
"I suspect I have a certain concubine to thank for it."
"A certain concubine who needs a stern talking to about reckless behavior," Berkant said dryly.
Shafiq chuckled.
"Nadir is enjoying no longer living beneath the heel of his oppressive parents.
I'm sure you'll keep him in line, though, my dear Jackal.
If I am correct in arrogantly assuming you would like to be mine?"
"Only if that's what Your Majesty wants," Berkant said, heart drumming in his ears, drowning out every thought, every sound, save the man before him.
Shafiq was far too fine and beautiful for Berkant's rough touch, but he no longer gave a damn.
"You wouldn't be here alone with me if it wasn't," Shafiq replied, and beckoned him forward.
"Come here."
Berkant went gladly, bending slightly as Shafiq reached up and dragged him down further, mouth taking Berkant's in a long-delayed possession.
He tasted like wine and smelled like flowers, and felt surprisingly small as Berkant pulled him flush.
Everyone felt small next to him, but somehow, he'd expected differently of a king with so much presence.
Shafiq moaned into his mouth, and Berkant answered with a groan, imagining all the delightful things he could do now.
Shafiq spread out beneath him, urging Berkant to go faster, harder.
Berkant on his hands and knees as Shafiq took what was his, Nadir's cock in his mouth.
That pretty little brat riding him while Shafiq watched.
Drawing back, Shafiq nuzzled his cheek before stepping back entirely.
"I am delighted and honored to have you as my second concubine, Berkant.
I hope you will be happy with us."
"I'm already happier than I've been for a long time.
Now where is the little troublemaker?"
Laughter came from behind them, and as Berkant turned, he found his arms filled once more, this time with the small, lithe, and wickedly beautiful Nadir.
"Hello, Jackal," Nadir said, eyes burning.
"Did you like my gifts?"
"You're a brat," Berkant said, spanning his hands across Nadir's back as he bent to finally taste that delectable looking mouth.
It tasted even better than it looked, Nadir's skin soft and warm.
He smelled like flowers too, and faintly of smoky incense.
Berkant could explore every stitch of him a thousand times over and still not be content.
When they finally drew apart, Nadir replied, "But a brat worth keeping around."
Berkant rubbed a thumb along Nadir's well-used bottom lip.
"You clearly have ways of getting yourself back out of trouble.
I still am putting an end to secretly delivering gifts to barely-caged criminals."
Nadir pouted, pretty as could be.
"You can't be mad when it worked and no harm came to me."
"I can make certain you don't make a bad habit of it," Berkant retorted, and kissed him again, hard and biting this time.
Shafiq might be King, but Berkant would be heeded in this.
"My Mongoose and my Jackal," Shafiq said as he joined them, kissing Berkant and then Nadir.
"Come along, my Jackal, and we'll show you just how much we enjoyed your performance tonight.
Thank you for doing it.
My wife would have loved it dearly, and I am trying to remember that, despite the sadness of the occasion, ultimately tonight was for celebrating life.
So come and let us live, hmm?"
"Yes, my king," Berkant replied, and went easily as Nadir tugged him along to the massive bed across the room.
He wasn't surprised at all when he was pushed down on the bed and straddled by an eager Nadir, who spread his hands across Berkant's chest in a way that was, for once, arousing rather than repulsive.
Like he was being appreciated instead of crassly enjoyed.
"You are magnificent," Nadir said in a breathy voice.
He rubbed his cock along Berkant's bare chest, leaving wet trails.
He pulled away before Berkant could do some touching of his own and stripped them both of their clothes.
Shafiq joined them as they resettled, hands skimming over Berkant's body the same way Nadir's had before.
"Truly you are lovely, my Jackal.
I cannot believe I am so fortunate."
Berkant laughed and dragged him down into a kiss before breathlessly saying, "I was the criminal always one unpaid job from living on the streets, my king.
I should be doing hard labor in a quarry right now.
We all know I'm the lucky one."
"Shush," Shafiq chided softly, and kissed him again before trailing that hot mouth along his jaw to nip at his ear and then kiss behind it, a move that sent hot tingles rushing through Berkant in a way he hadn't expected, grabbing onto Shafiq as he moaned and all but melted into the bed.
Nadir chuckled.
"Found a weak spot."
"Indeed," Shafiq murmured, and touched him again before withdrawing with a pleased smile, his eyes as hot as burning coals.
"Can I fuck you, Jackal?"
"You'd better," Berkant managed, then kissed him long and wet and filthy before turning his attention to Nadir once more.
"Bet you look pretty all tied up and at our mercy."
Nadir's cheeks flushed.
"I wouldn't know.
Just the two of us, we don't get a lot of free time, honestly."
"Well, I hope I can ease some of the burdens until we grow in numbers." He grabbed Nadir about the waist and switched their position with a move that left Nadir gasping and clinging.
Nadir laughed.
"That was fun.
I like being manhandled by the Jackal." He reached up to rest a hand against his cheek.
"Though you must know we see you as far more than that."
"If I thought otherwise I wouldn't be here, and I like being Shafiq's Jackal, where people can look all they want but will never be able to grope or fondle me ever again, make me crass offers and try to threaten me with their father's name if I refuse."
Shafiq scowled.
"I don't even have to think about who that might be." He withdrew, finally discarding his own clothes, baring a body that was flawless in every way, from unmarred skin to muscles defined by exercises he must do every morning or evening or both.
On his hip, where precious few would ever see it, was a tattoo of his late wife's name surrounded by orchids Berkant couldn't name and jasmine.
Berkant reached out to touch it, stroking it gently with his thumb.
"I considered something like this, but I had no money left by the time the funeral was done, and what I did have I quickly drank."
"We'll attend it," Shafiq said, and kissed him again before moving behind him, kissing down the length of his spine, cock heavy and hot against Berkant's skin.
Shafiq pulled away again as he reached the base of his spine, and Berkant took the opportunity to shift further down so he could get his mouth on Nadir's cock.
He teased first, kissing and licking, dragging his teeth ever so lightly along the length to make Nadir gasp and writhe, sink hands into his hair and hold it tight.
As warm, slick fingers breached his hole, Berkant finally took Nadir into his mouth properly.
It had been a very long time since he'd lain with men, the last one a month or so before he'd met Parvaneh.
After he'd met her, she was all he'd ever wanted.
So having a cock in his mouth again after so long was strange, but in the best of ways.
He took Nadir deep, sucking hard, tongue laving whatever parts of his cock it could reach, though he had to stop briefly, pulling away gasping, as Shafiq worked a third finger into him.
"When were you last treated properly, my Jackal?"
Berkant actually managed a laugh.
"Years ago, before Parvaneh got with child.
She would fuck me sometimes, with the wedding gift I bought her."
"What a lovely sight that would have been," Shafiq murmured as he withdrew his fingers and replaced them with his cock, gripping Berkant’s hips tightly as he pushed in slowly.
Berkant gasped, head braced against Nadir's warm body, reassuring fingers in his hair, nails scraping in an absolutely delightful, mercifully distracting way, even if it only slightly mitigated the feeling of being stuffed full after being empty for so long.
By the time Shafiq was fully inside him, hot and huge, he was panting and overheated.
He finally gathered himself enough to get back to work sucking Nadir's cock, though it was a stop-and-start effort as Shafiq went from careful, experimental thrusts to fucking him like a man possessed.
Thankfully, Nadir did not seem to suffer from the inattentive sucking, spilling down his throat just moments before Shafiq spilled inside him.
He was weak and trembling as they pulled out and arranged him on the bed, Nadir peppering him with kisses as Shafiq wrapped a large hand around him and stroked Berkant to his finish.
"Next time I will get my mouth on you," Shafiq murmured as he took some more kisses of his own as Nadir left and came almost immediately back with warm water and rags to clean them up.
Then the lights were put out, leaving them in only moonlight as Shafiq settled on his right and Nadir on his left, and for the first time in a very long time, Berkant went to sleep feeling only happiness.