Chapter Three

Alger had stopped telling Remus to do inventory, and he'd kept the job anyway since no one said otherwise. Having work to do made him feel more productive, and the last image he wanted to present to the men was that of a pampered Prince's pet. He was sure plenty were happy they didn't have to do inventory.

He didn't expect to enter the yard in the morning to find a ring of the Prince's men hooting and hollering like rabble.

Others around the edges had unfamiliar faces, so they must have been the lord's men. Quite a few appeared shocked, some were laughing, and others were wandering away, uninterested in whatever the entertainment was.

"The Prince brought a pack of boys," one called to a pal.

A couple of men who guarded the old family home appeared clueless about what to do and preferred to stay back. Remus inched into the crowd, trying to see what the fuck was happening. After telling a winged fairy to move, he spotted Alger on the ground. He'd just straddled one of their own and a fist to his victim's face made blood fly.

"For fuck's sake!" Remus lunged toward the pair and shoved Alger off. The other made a move to jump on the Commander and continue the fight, but Remus grabbed his arm. "Knock it the fuck off! Both of you." He pushed the man back. "Stand down!"

The guard stumbled and wiped his face as he stepped away. Alger bared his teeth as he stood and went for the guard. He already had a small cut on his lip and blood had smeared across his chin.

Remus stepped between them and put up his hands. "Stand down! You know damn well-"

"Fuck off, slave! You don't tell me to stand down!"

Remus grabbed the shoulder straps of his light armor. "I said to stop!"

Pain exploded in his jaw, and Alger snarled something. Remus ducked the next punch before he shoved his body weight into the Commander. The men renewed their yells as both fell to the ground. If only someone would fucking do something instead of leaving him to try and hold down the Commander.

"What the fuck?"

Two grabbed Remus by the arms to yank him off, and another with a purple and blue eagle crest on their armor quickly stepped in front of Remus. "Back off!"

Two others hauled up the Commander, and a man with short hair who must have been one of the lords marched over.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"The slave attacked me!" Alger huffed and yanked himself free.

"He was beating up one of our men!" yelled Remus. "I tried to stop him, not attack-"

The lord noticed the golden collar and the cuffs. "Shut up and kneel."

The three in charge of Remus shoved him to his knees. Damn it. This was going to get twisted around. "I want to speak to Prince Sébastien."

"I said to shut up."

"Lord Dubois, he attacked me." Alger pointed at Remus.

"Oh, for nothin'?" snarled the one with blood all over his face. "I guess I punched myself."

Lord Dubois held up a hand to him. "Commander Alger, what happened?"

A few of the watchers started chuckling, and Alger hesitated. One stepped forward.

"Lord Dubois, if I may…erm, Alger has been sleeping with one of the men-Morris. Morris sucked off Nate." He pointed at the other with his bloody face. "Alger wasn't happy about hearing that from Nate himself."

"Idiot," someone grumbled.

Lord Dubois turned his gaze to Alger. "You started this over a fuck buddy?"

Alger clenched his fists. "I started this because he shouldn't have been bragging about it. I don't care about Morris or who he fucks. It's the fact that Nate bragged about it to my face like Morris's mouth is something special."

"If this Morris means so little, you shouldn't be brawling in the yard like a common drunkard." Lord Dubois turned to Nate. "You shouldn't be taunting your Commander. Commander Alger, you're new, so I'll let this go, but I expect you to act like someone of your station in the future. If you want to fuck someone, don't fight others if they go elsewhere."

That was it? A slap on the wrist and a warning? Remus bit his tongue as the lord turned to him.

"You! A slave never has the right to lay hands on someone."

"I only-"

"I didn't say you could talk! Why does he have a sword?"

A few blinked at him, and one mumbled that Remus was kind of like a guard too.

Some parted for Sébastien who strode into the circle. "What are you doing with him?"

One of the men by Remus scratched his head. "Your Majesty, he attacked the Commander."

Lord Dubois narrowed his beady eyes at the Prince. "That's yours?"

"Yes, he's my property, and I expect him to be released." The one holding Remus's collar instantly let go.

Lord Dubois cleared his throat. "Your property just attacked Commander Alger."

Remus managed to keep his mouth shut even though his blood boiled while the Earl gave a half-assed explanation to Sébastien. Remus rubbed the sore spot on his jaw and listened.

Afterward, the Prince sighed and turned to Remus. "Why did you attack the Commander?"

"The why hardly matters-" started the Earl.

Sébastien held a hand up without looking at Lord Dubois. "I asked you a question."

"I came to the front and saw him attacking someone. The men aren't allowed to fight, and Nate's nose is probably busted. I pushed him off, kept Nate from going for the Commander, and tried to split it up. Alger didn't like me trying to stop him, so he punched me in the jaw. He tried to hit me again, and I shoved him down. I was trying to make them stop, and I didn't hit Commander Alger."

"You still put your hands on me!" snarled Alger. "You knocked me down."

"Only to keep you back, not to strike you! Any soldier is permitted to try to break up a fight, especially when one is already injured, and you wouldn't stop."

"You're not a-" started Lord Dubois.

"Did I ask you anything?" Sébastien cast the Earl a glance.

Remus remembered the Prince saying Lord Dubois was a friend of the Regent, and therefore not to be trusted. His casual attitude toward Alger was still outrageous.

Sébastien turned his cold gaze to Alger. "I expected better of you. The Regent picked you, so I thought maybe you had some unseen skills in leadership, but quite frankly, I've been rather disappointed in the past few days."

Commander Alger's mouth dropped. "I've been keeping everyone moving and taking care of everything."

"And causing a huge fight in the yard of my childhood home. Hmm. Yes, that's taking care of everything. I could have excused the shoddy leadership since you're new, and I might have given you until after Midland to shape up a bit. After all, we'll have two experienced Earls and their men with us so you could learn a thing or two, but some things aren't excusable, and brawling with your own in front of everyone is one of those inexcusable things."

"Nate bragged about Morris sucking his dick."

"Is Morris actually your husband?" Sébastien squinted. "I didn't know you were married."

"What? No, I'm not married. Why would you think that, Your Majesty?"

"How long were you lovers? He must be quite important to you."

Remus had to fight a smile since Commander Alger reddened and seemed to realize he'd dug a nice hole for himself. Several snickered. "A few days."

Sébastien tilted his head. "You started a fight because someone you fucked a few times screwed around with another? You beat down one of our men in the yard while everyone watched because your little fling ran elsewhere?"

Commander Alger looked like he wanted to melt into the ground with everyone staring. "It's Nate's bragging! I don't care if Morris sucks werewolf dick because I'm not touching him again."

Sébastien snapped his fingers. "Oh, right. Morris. That's the one who was practically hanging off you these past few days. You barely had him doing anything since he was busy keeping your cock warm, and I'm sure that was a stressful task."

Laughter rippled through the crowd. It had grown since the two lord's men had all come to watch. A dark-skinned man with locs partially pulled back who was standing to one side appeared to be struggling to keep a straight face. Remus guessed him to be Lord Rochefort since his clothes were quite nice.

"I did give him tasks," snapped Commander Alger. "I've kept it equal."

"No, you were keeping your cock hole nice and well-rested," someone called, and more laughter erupted. "Morris hasn't been doing shit."

"If you're going to have a lover among the group as a Commander, you must keep it discreet." Sébastien's face grew disgusted. "You also don't let them get away with no work and fight over them. Favoritism won't earn you respect. I'm assuming you've already relieved him?"

Lord Dubois shook his head. "No. Of course not."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Lord Dubois scratched one side of his mustache. "I think he's learned his lesson. Clearly, the Regent appointed him, and he's new, so he's still learn-"

"Clearly, he can't do his job, and I think that was just proven. I've given him days, and I'm done with him."

"You knew and did nothing?" Lord Dubois spread his hands. "What's the big deal now? I'd rather we get going and not waste more time on this."

"The big deal is that he's gone too far, and he's far exceeded the leniency I gave him. I'd rather keep who my Uncle appointed since he's more experienced than me, but Corentin made an innocent mistake, and it's not his fault. He had no idea how Alger would turn out once he tasted power and was away from the Palace. Unfortunately, some men can't be taken off the lead because they show what animals they are." Sébastien approached Alger and held out his hand. "That dagger is a gift from my Uncle, correct? Since you were made Commander of my men?"

Alger's hand automatically went to the silver handle of the dagger tucked in a sheath on his belt. Remus hadn't assumed it was a gift. "Yes, but-"

"Hand it over." Sébastien came within reaching distance. "Two of Lord Rochefort's men will escort you back to the Regent. You can explain what you did and how you shamed him after he put such trust in you. I'll be sending a letter, so don't try to lie or gloss over the facts. I'm his only living relative, and this is how you act in my service?"

If Alger turned redder, he'd catch on fire. "No."

"Did I stutter?"

Remus tensed on the ground and was tempted to rise. Alger bared his teeth even though Sébastien was looking at him in the way of a snake appraising its next meal. "The Regent hired me, not you."

"You're in my service now."

"The Regent is higher than you."

"My word is as good as his, and I can override anyone in this group. I'm giving you one last chance to give me the dagger. Or perhaps I should have you arrested, and you can sit in prison to await a buyer. Perhaps someone will decide you're good enough to keep their cock warm for a few years."

Maybe his attitude simply snapped like that of a spoiled child who's lost a fabulous toy, or it was the idea of sinking to the level of a slave. Either way, Alger's fist flew toward the Prince.

Yells and gasps came from the watchers. Like lightning, Sébastien jerked his head aside to avoid it and hooked his leg around Alger's. Once he was off balance, a swift hit to the sternum finished the job, and like Remus, the once-Commander landed on the trampled grass.

Remus had tried to get up as soon as he saw the fist, but the other three grabbed him again.

"Don't touch my property," Sébastien snarled without looking behind him, and the three let go as if Remus was made of fire. "Dagger."

Remus stood as the rest gathered closer to watch. One shouted at Alger to knock off the shit and hand over the dagger.

"My patience is wearing quite thin since you tried to strike me," said Sébastien.

Alger finally took the dagger from his belt and held it up.

"Hilt first. Don't ever point a weapon at me."

Alger grudgingly flipped it, and the Prince took it before he held out his arm.

"What else do you want?" demanded Alger.

"I'm offering you my hand to get up."

The crowd went quiet, and Remus watched his sleeve in case a dagger was ready to find its way into the soft flesh of Alger's throat. There was no way he was doing something respectful after Alger tried to punch him.

The men seemed to like it. The Prince could be harsh but also decent despite the horrible disrespect he'd been shown.

Alger batted away Sébastien's hand. "Fuck you! I don't need your damn pity."

Half of the crowd grumbled as Sébastien spun on his heel. "Arrest him."

Tom and a couple of other men, likely buddies, marched toward Alger, and Lord Dubois raised a hand. "This is getting out of hand, and you can't arrest him. You won't have a Commander."

"We will when I appoint someone, and it's not going to be Alger, especially after he struck me. Don't tell me what I can't do."

Alger scrambled to his feet. "This is bullshit, and I'm not being arrested. You can't-"

"You'll be a slave unless the Regent has mercy on you, which I doubt since you failed from the moment we left. I'm sure he'll be quite disappointed when he learns that you're in the Arquous City prison." Sébastien waved at Tom. "Take him there, and catch up as soon as possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Tom.

"I suppose you'll let your slave get away-" complained Lord Dubois.

"He's not a soldier, but he's been working like one, and he knows the rules for my men, which include no fighting. Strangely, a slave shows more respect for basic rules than an Earl does. Imagine that."

Lord Dubois stepped back at the note of danger in Sébastien's tone. Alger snarled something, and Remus looked over his shoulder to see Alger twitching on the ground since one of Tom's buddies must have given him a good jolt with his lightning magic.

"Just come quietly, Alger," said Tom. "Don't make this worse on yourself."

Sébastien snapped his fingers as he stalked toward the Castle, and Remus figured he better follow.

"He had it coming," someone shouted.

"Loser."

"Morris better start doing some work."

"Instead of being a spot to dump cum."

"Your Majesty," tried a guard.

"Piss off."

One of their men with healing powers got in Remus's way with his glowing hand held up. "Er, you'll have a big bruise later if I don't."

"I've had worse."

"Still."

The man touched his jaw long enough for the soreness to vanish. Remus thanked him and hurried to follow the Prince into the Palace.

Sébastien entered the front door, and Remus closed it. The noise from outside faded. "I swear I was only trying to break it up."

"I figured. Are you happy now?" Sébastien's boots clicked on the grey marble floor as he turned to Remus. "I got rid of him, and you thought I was going to lollygag around and do nothing. I needed a perfect opportunity, and I had it. I paid off Nate to break things up, and it worked."

Remus almost gaped at him. "You were responsible for that?!"

"Yes. I needed something to get Alger good and riled up so he'd fuck himself over. It worked, and by the time the Regent learns that Alger is in prison, we'll be too far for him to send anyone else. Nate thinks I did it only to break them up without directly ordering Alger to stop fucking his new pal because he might have continued it in secret."

"Even though it would start a fight?"

"That was worth what I paid, and Nate was all too happy to do it. Even better, he was sure he could get Morris to suck him off so he wouldn't be lying. Morris was quite the whore back home according to him. The healer can deal with his face. You think I'm not capable of doing this by myself, don't you?"

Remus was tempted to step back at the expression on Sébastien's face. Maybe the rage had been boiling deeper beneath the surface since they'd gotten here, and he hadn't noticed. "I didn't say anything like that."

"You thought it."

"Common sense tells me to deal with issues before they grow bigger and turn into that." Remus pointed at the door. "I didn't know you had some other plan since you didn't bother to inform me."

"I told you why I was waiting, and you still kept saying I needed to hurry up. The men were pleased since I dealt with it, and Alger made himself look bad. Lord Dubois also made himself look bad."

Oh. The Regent's lackey played a small part. Remus raised his hands. "Okay. Fine. The Regent wanted dissent, and I thought it'd be better to scratch that first so-"

"You think to rush into action first, and that's not always a good idea. Wars are not always won with the fastest and strongest men."

"I know th-"

"Maybe you should have thought a little deeper back home before your twin betrayed you," added Sébastien.

Remus took a deep breath and wondered if he could work him back down instead of them both snipping at each other like usual. "Sébastien, please. I didn't know what you planned to do exactly. You said nothing about it. I'm sorry. Let's get ready to go, okay? I also know you're eager to get out of this place, and it brings back a lot of bad memor-"

A hand flew toward his face once more that morning. Remus reacted without thinking as he grabbed the Prince's wrist, and anger flared in his chest. He wasn't about to be target practice for any more slaps, and he sure as fuck wasn't taking another knife to the throat.

"You're not hitting me. Keep your fucking hands off me."

"Keep your fucking pity to yourself!"

"I know you lost your family and shit, but do you always have to be such a fucking dick?!" Remus jerked the Prince's wrist as his rage prepared to boil over for a change. "I can't say one nice thing to you?"

"Let go of-"

"You're not the only one who lost people! You fucking enslaved me, I've saved your life, and you still treat me like pure shit. I asked to come with you on this trip too. I'm not a little bitch you can slap."

"Unhand me!" Sébastien's fangs flashed in the light of the massive round window over the door.

His other arm moved, and Remus grabbed him by his coat collar to shove him into the wall by the door. "You're a fucking prick, and you'll probably end up worse than the Regent in the long run." He caught sight of a leg moving, and he rammed his knee between Sébastien's. "You're not laying me out on the floor either, or I'll break your fucking wrist. I'm not an animal for you to kick around when you feel like it."

Every inch of the Prince was brittle tension as he tried to twist away. With raw power against raw power, Remus was the stronger one, and if he tried a little harder, he'd break the fucker's wrist. It'd serve him right for all of the violence. Pure terror flashed in the Prince's eyes as he froze, and Remus suddenly realized what he was doing.

In the same place where everything had happened because some bastard saw a vulnerable teenager.

He was the bastard now for reacting in the same way Sébastien did and pinning him against the wall.

The front door suddenly opened, and Remus dropped the Prince's wrist and released his collar. Too late. Lord Dubois's expression said he'd seen it and was about to yell. The Prince wasn't going to defend him that time.

Sébastien's arms were suddenly around Remus's neck. "Do you mind?"

Lord Dubois stopped dead. "Huh?"

"We're trying to have a moment, and you come barging in like an oaf." Sébastien turned his face away from the lord.

Wait, was the Prince trying to protect him? Remus didn't know what else to do, and he remembered his knee was still between the Prince's legs. They might as well have been groping and making out against the wall. He quickly took the Prince's slim waist to make it look more real. The further stiffening of an already rigid body wasn't pleasant, and he suddenly wanted to be miles away from the damn person he'd just treated like shit.

"Cockblocker," he blurted to Lord Dubois just as Sébastien's lips brushed one side of his neck. Shit. Shit. Why would he do that? He didn't need to take the fib that far. His cock started to thicken when Sébastien nipped at his neck with his fangs. There was definitely no need to go that far.

Lord Dubois's mouth opened slightly. "Your slave's got an attitude, and how was I supposed to know what you two were doing?"

Sébastien sighed. "Pick me up, Remus. The Earl can't take a hint to fuck off for twenty seconds.

It seemed Remus wasn't about to get hauled out and permanently dealt with even though he'd royally fucked up by attacking the Prince. Sébastien still needed him, although that didn't make him feel better about what he'd done. He scooped up Sébastien, who wrapped his arms around his neck, and started toward the stairs to get them both away.

"We have things to do," said Lord Dubois. "They don't involve whatever you were doing that likely would have turned into twenty minutes."

Sébastien pulled on Remus's neck as he looked over his shoulder. "Seeing me angry gets him all fired up, but he knows he's never getting this ass, so I don't need twenty minutes. I also know when to keep my cock in my trousers, unlike a certain person who was causing trouble outside, and I don't need someone to block mine. Once I write a message, I'll be ready to go, and that means your ass better be in the saddle when I come back down."