Chapter 10 Kerik #3
“A shame,” Vane coos. “I would like to see this thing in action. There is something quite beguiling about it. If it were mine, I’d soon tame that fire in its eyes.
It’s quite incredible how it can be insolent even with that bit in its mouth.
” He turns to Perl. “I know you do not want to pit it, but I wouldn’t need the pit to break this thrall.
Let me do it for you. One night with me and it would be as obedient as any mortal who had spent a year in that vile place.
” Vane moves his fingers and touches the bit.
“Such a pretty mouth. I’d put it in a suck box, let any fae who wanted choke it with their cock. ”
Behind the bit, Kerik snarls.
Vane startles and pulls his hand back, as if shocked that Kerik might somehow bite him with the mouth he was so enamoured of, despite the bit.
He makes a startled sound, “Oh,” and then laughs with a shake of his head.
“You are quite the find,” he says softly.
“But do not fear. I cannot simply claim you.
There are rules about these things. You belong to Perl here.
I would not be allowed to simply take you from Perlash without his permission. Although it's not impossible. Is it?”
Kerik looks sullenly into Vane’s dark eyes.
“Stop it, Vane,” Perl says. “I would never accept a challenge from you for my beloved thrall.”
“No?” says Vane. “Not even if I wagered Seridil?” He laughs, but doesn’t wait for Perl to reply before he says, “Oh no. You would never be allowed Seridil back would you? But I do think we ought to do something to ensure your relationship with this creature is as it should be.” Vane puts a hand on Perl’s thigh.
“For your own good, Perlash. It would put an end to those rumours if you had your thrall perform the tests of devotion.”
“The tests are not required,” Perl says in a low growl. “I am high fae, I do not need to prove my right to any thrall I choose.”
Vane seems about to say more, but he does not. He simply looks beyond Kerik to something happening behind him.
Kerik takes a glance over his shoulder and sees that it is the Queen. She has emerged from her pavilion and is leading her thralls across the floor of the hall, approaching the dais. As she reaches it the soft music quietens and the room goes silent.
In the silence, Vane leans closer to Kerik and murmurs in his ear, “A fae-blooded creature as rare and proud as you, do you really expect us to believe that you are not the true Master?”
Kerik stares at Vane. He is so close the gold chains that adorn his strange outfit brush Kerik’s cheek.
He smells like Perl, like cold, like that scent in the air on a Nubis morn that means winter is around the corner.
No one else seems to have noticed Vane leaning so close to Kerik, or whispering in his ear.
Are they so distracted by the Queen and her party processing up onto the dais?
It cannot just be that. Kerik looks back at Vane.
And then he feels it, the sweet pleasure that accompanies magic.
He looks again into Vane’s dark eyes. It is strange to see that close up, they are blue like Perl’s, when Perl’s eyes are bright and the colour of a summer sky and Vane’s are such a deep blue they could almost be black.
“Ha,” Vane says softly. Still speaking in Kerik’s ear, unnoticed by all around them.
“You feel it, don’t you. You can sense magic.
” He smiles as if he has proved a point through cleverness.
“But you are still mostly mortal. Mortal enough that it would be delightful to see a haughty creature like you broken by a true Master.” Vane pauses, biting his lip in delight.
“Someone who would introduce you to pain you cannot even imagine. Beautiful pain. Who could make that body suffer as it was designed to by The Aeons themselves.” He slides his hand down Kerik’s body until it wraps around the cage containing Kerik’s cock.
“I’d bind this with wire, thin wire that would slice the skin of your precious mortal sex every time you stiffened.
And you would. A true Master would keep you on the edge of pleasure for days.
” Vane’s face is lit with sadistic arousal, his cheeks getting pink as he speaks. “And you’d beg for more torment.”
Kerik draws in a breath. He isn’t sure if Vane is trying to arouse him or scare him. Perhaps both. But he feels only revulsion.
Vane’s expression doesn’t change. “You think you wouldn’t want that?” he hisses. “All mortals want that.”
As Vane leans back, a bell chimes, high and sweet and the strange prickling of magic in the air vanishes. Kerik looks at Perl, who seems to have noticed nothing amiss as he says, “The midnight bell.”
Kerik flashes a glance at Perl, trying to communicate what has just happened, but Perl does not seem to notice. His gaze is already on the dais. He is focussing on asking for his boon. To be granted Iceheart. Kerik can see the tension in his body
The Queen announces her great pleasure at having Perlash-zeren-ai returned. Ending her breathless statement by saying. “And to mark the occasion he has requested a boon. Please Perlash-zeren-ai, address me.”
Perl stands, but beside him, Vane does too. And before Perl can begin, Vane speaks. His voice rings out like a gong. “Ice Court of Vylenor, Fae of Ulla, Her Great Majesty Exeinil-que-zeren-ai, Perfection Beyond Comprehension.”
Every head in the hall turns.
Kerik sees Perl’s face grow even paler. The tips of his wings droop. Fear. Kerik knows Perl is thinking the same as him. That Vane is about to announce to the entire Ice Hall what he is.
But what Vane says next is, “I wish to make a suggestion. Many of us are surprised that Perlash-zeren-ai has returned to us as the Master of a thrall. And although we delight in him. I would suggest he offers us a demonstration of his new thrall’s devotion.”
“Vane, please,” the Queen says, “Perlash is the honoured of the celebration.”
“Yes,” says Vane, “yes of course. Perlash claims his delightful thrall does not require pit training, but I fear we have all seen its behaviour is rather sub-standard. I suggest we investigate this further. If Perlash is truly high fae, he should have a devoted thrall. Which is why we ought to honour him by allowing him the greatest of chances to reinstate himself in the eyes of faekind. He should earn his boon by putting his delightful new thrall through the four tests of devotion, before all the court.”
A gasp of excitement goes around the hall. Whatever these tests are, the faeries seem excited by this prospect.
Perl looks at Vane. He crosses his arms over his chest as he says, “No. The tests of devotion are not required.”
But Exeinil looks as delighted as every other faerie in the hall by what Vane has just said.
“Perlash-zeren-ai,” she says, “Please, don’t be so hasty.
This sounds like a wonderful idea. The four tests of devotion for your wonderful new thrall.
” She claps her hands. “I can scarce imagine anything as beguiling. Surely, Perlash-zeren-ai you would not deny us such entertainment?”
Vane says in a low tone, “Don’t be hasty, Perlash. It is very easy to dissolve a glamour.”
“Grand Majesty,” Perl says weakly. “I do not know if…”
He trails off. If Kerik could speak he would tell Perl to simply agree. He is sure he can manage these faerie tests and it is clear what Vane is threatening if Perl does not offer to have Kerik complete them.
The Queen tips her head to one side in thought. “Perlash-zeren-ai, Vanel-areti-ai has made a quite wonderful suggestion. Let us strike this bargain. You will have your thrall complete the four tests of devotion and when he does, I will grant you whatever you wish of me. Anything within my power.”
Kerik sees Perl take a soft breath.
He doesn’t look at Kerik. Only at the Queen. “As your majesty wishes,” he says. ”My thrall will perform the four tests of devotion to demonstrate his willing obedience to me.”
“Oh yes,” Vane says quietly, “this will be just the entertainment I crave.”