Chapter Three

Remus's cuffs were linked with a gold chain. Another dealt with the lead. He held it and walked ahead while the first two marched Remus from the room.

Were they going to bathe him again so he didn't offend Sébastien's delicate sensibilities or do something worse? He hadn't done anything that morning. Then again, his family had done more than enough so far.

Remus looked to his right as soon as he was in the hallway. Two doors at the end were quite large and carved with something he couldn't make out. They were on one side of the Palace since the wall opposite his door came nearly to his waist. The rest was iron lattice, and he could make out greenery beyond it. The overhang was to keep out the rain.

The guards forced him left. Another set of doors awaited at the end. The carving showed pixies cavorting in a little village made from twig homes. In normal circumstances, he would have admired the skill it had taken to create a single, perfect image on two separate doors. Two guards stood beyond on either side, and he was sure the first set of doors led to the Prince's private chambers.

They took him through corridors with shiny wood and marble. Small noises came from rooms where the entrances were covered with screens. The sounds of a harp came from one, and he was sure he heard two people fucking in another. Other rooms weren't covered, and he caught glimpses of velvet chairs and intricate rugs. They passed a few courtiers in brilliant silks and velvets.

All stared at Remus who was still nude, and they clearly guessed who he was. A trio of ladies started whispering behind their feathered fans.

He ended up in the bathing room from before and was made to stand by the pool near a drain so a couple of slaves could bathe him and scoop water over him as needed.

If they were letting him stand while unrestrained, that had to be some kind of progress. The guards had left, but he was sure they were right outside the doors and ready to deal with him if he did anything stupid. The two women scrubbed him with scented soaps and washed his hair.

He was allowed to get in the rose-scented bath itself to soak for a couple of minutes. Afterward, he was dried, oiled, and dressed in a tunic of silk with rubies sewn around the waist. The white cloth was more sheer than he would have liked, especially since he wasn't permitted drawers. He also looked ridiculous in it since it didn't even come to his knees, and the sides were slitted.

Pleasure slaves, who weren't real slaves since they were paid and could leave whenever, often wore such tunics with no trousers. It was for easy access at any time, and something Remus wouldn't have been caught dead in before.

The women combed his short hair, and Spectacles entered the room with a small box.

"I think it goes without saying that you'll be expected to carry yourself with dignity as a slave to the Prince. That means keeping quiet, kneeling by him as expected, and not staring at our guest. He's a demon from the Fallen realm, and I hope you can keep yourself from gawking at him like a village bumpkin."

He opened the box and squinted at the contents as if he hadn't quite made up his mind about what to do with them. Demons and fairies didn't particularly get along, and they preferred to leave each other's realms alone.

"You have a demon here?" asked Remus.

"Yes. The war in their realm is over. The remaining angels are united with the demons with Lord Erebus and Lord Riley over them. Apparently, it's been over for a bit, but we don't often get news of them. Interesting, right? Hold this."

One of the slaves hurried to hold the box with a bowed head, and Spectacles lifted out a golden necklace set with rubies. The lord's names meant little to Remus since he knew little of the Fallen realm and hadn't cared.

From what he did know, the demons and angels there had been at war with each other for centuries upon centuries. Angels were said to use children of their own kind for wicked spells, and that's why the demons despised them.

The demons weren't models of morality since they supposedly kept human males as slaves. They made smoke when they fucked, which fed their magic. Feeding from fairies made lighter energy that wasn't as good, and that's why demons cared little for them. They had each other and their human pets.

"Are we a buffet of exotic energy?" Remus asked with a hint of snark.

Spectacles sighed as he looped the necklace around Remus's neck so it hung below the heavy collar. "The Regent would hardly allow him in if so. He's merely a guest and not the first one to travel around our realm. Don't fiddle with the necklace. The Prince said not to dress you up like a spectacle, but maybe he'll accept that."

The court was likely a spectacle to this demon. He'd observe them like commoners staring at an exotic animal. If he wasn't somehow important to the demons or an ambassador of sorts, he was also merely a thing for the fairies to look at and gossip about. The Soleilian court likely had no interest in relations with the Fallen realm. Why would they?

Remus was led under guard through the Palace and into a vast room. Remus knew the Soleilian court was the sort that was quite free and didn't mind public debauchery inside of the Palace. The sight still made him want to turn right around and walk out. Not all courts allowed such things, and at home, nobody would have been getting their cock sucked while they reclined on a velvet couch in a room full of others.

Tables, chairs, and couches were scattered around the room, and he figured it was a day room. Servants refilled drinks and brought more food. Instead of a proper meal, everyone seemed to be nibbling from the platters of sweetmeats, cheeses, and other small things. Some played cards or faced each other over a chessboard at smaller tables.

Among the courtiers in their silk and jewels, the slaves stood out. Some were dressed in elaborate yet skimpy clothes if they weren't entirely naked. A man deepthroating his Master's cock wore a loincloth that barely covered him, and jeweled chains were draped all over his body.

A woman was half-buried under the skirts of her Mistress, and two slaves with nothing but jewelry on their cocks and nipples were making out while they were watched by their owners.

As he was moved along, Remus looked over toward one side and almost wished he hadn't. He recognized one of the citizens from back home in Norraco, although he didn't know the man's name since he'd barely worked at the Palace for a week. He no longer wore the simple clothes of a stableman.

His owner had dressed him in a tiny skirt, and a chain hung between his gold nipple clamps. Straddling his Master's lap and facing the room, his cock kept bouncing while he rode his owner. His face had been made up like a painted whore, and his Master's fingers dug into his hips.

When he noticed Remus, whom he surely recognized despite his lack of Princely attire, his face turned crimson under the rouge.

For Elira's sake. Remus had gotten off easy so far since nobody had been up his ass yet. As he was marched through the room, other slaves didn't look so miserable. Pretend neutrality or agreeableness probably meant less pain. Others were plastered to their owner as if nobody else mattered. Eagerness might have brought rewards, depending on the owner.

The High Table across the room lacked slaves and two of the faces drew his eye. Remus couldn't decide which one he dreaded more. The Regent who was talking to a man next to him, or the Prince who barely glanced at Remus.

He tried not to stare at the man between the royalty who must have been the demon. Pale blue skin similar to the sky and pink eyes weren't unnatural among fairies. White horns were a rarity, and they appeared to be layered and stuck up from his head with a light curve. His leathery wings were folded tight against his back.

A couple of lords at the table and Corentin seemed interested in whatever he was saying and didn't look. The demon paused when Remus's cuffs were unhooked before he was pushed forward. A guard ordered him to kneel by the Prince and a little behind.

"Who's that?" asked the demon.

"My slave," Sébastien answered. "The traitor Prince of Rowland."

"Why is he just standing there?"

"Because he lacks wits."

Sébastien's eyes cut toward Remus who bit his tongue and forced himself to kneel. The guards retreated to stand by the wall behind the High Table.

"Why are you wearing jewelry?" demanded Sébastien. Remus shrugged since it hadn't been his choice. "We might as well put necklaces on pigs too."

The demon lost interest. Remus was just one more slave. Sébastien didn't grace him with another look or nasty remark as he nibbled on a piece of fruit from a platter, and Remus tried not to keep looking at Corentin.

He'd been quite eager for peace between the two nations, and Remus could understand that. Corentin hated werewolves and wanted them all dead, but he had preferred to end things and stop shedding blood once Lupo approached with another treaty. The deaths of so many family members must have torn him apart too.

Lupo had offered Midland, a narrow strip between Soleil and Rowland. Remus hadn't liked that, but then again, their family hadn't wanted Calmerra to happen either.

Despite the peace, Corentin had never released any citizens taken as slaves in the war, and Lupo hadn't fought hard enough for that. Remus had argued with him and been overruled.

According to Lupo, peace for more lives was better than continuing the war for a few who might be slaughtered out of spite.

Remus was sure Corentin was the sort who chose peace because it was easier, not because it was necessarily the right thing to do. Perhaps he'd also been like Lupo who hadn't wanted to become Regent and rule instead in the place of a dead brother until the heir turned twenty-five. Running a country in the middle of a war is far more difficult.

Unlike Sébastien, he wore a colorful brocade coat in light green, and while he shared something of his nephew in the face, his eyes were dark blue like his dead brother, and his short hair was dark blond with a few white strands that came from age. A good deal of lords used a shaving lather that kept facial hair away for five years, but Corentin had chosen to keep a goatee.

The demon said something to Sébastien who finally looked at his slave again. "You can go about and do whatever except leave the room."

Corentin looked over. "He's new. Perhaps you shouldn't be letting him have free roam."

"One room is fine. I don't need him always stuck to my side."

Remus started to get up. The Regent could override the Prince, but no specific command came.

"Meph, Baroness Marche will probably love to see those," said Sébastien. "She'll likely try to buy them since she collects all sorts of things."

"I might be persuaded to part with them for a good enough price."

Remus slipped away and wasn't sure what to do. It was clear he couldn't sit down and speak to a courtier like they were equals. He wasn't sure about the slaves either. A couple of women kneeling by their owners were conversing, but their Masters might have known each other.

Besides, he wasn't a damn slave even if his twin had betrayed him. He was a fucking Crown Prince. Except…no one here gave a fuck. He noticed a few lords giving him odd looks, and a couple of ladies snorted when he walked by.

"Ohh, the Crown Prince of Rowland has graced us with his presence."

"It figures he's so indecently dressed."

"A Rowland must always be ready to bend over for the nearest werewolf."

"Or kill family to get the throne."

Remus gritted his teeth. Snapping back or upending a table would only get him in trouble. One end of the long couch was empty, so he sat and scanned the room while trying not to look at any of the nudity on display. Sébastien stood by a table with a few ladies while Meph dug in his pocket. His clothes were normal for a middle-class fairy, and the ladies stared at him like he was a curiosity display. He was surprised they weren't trying to feel his horns.

Sébastien was dressed as before in snug, black clothes that were too severe-looking for someone young. Why dress in a way that made him look so stuck-up? Oh wait, he was a stuck-up prick.

Meph dropped five little balls into the air, and they all flashed blue for a second before turning back to silver and vertically lining up. Meph held the top and bottom so he could swing them around as if they were threaded onto an invisible string.

The ladies were quite impressed and leaning forward. Remus had never seen such a thing and was pretty sure those orbs were a type of Asgardian toy intended for children. Not that he would have minded a turn with them.

Sébastien's smile was rather fake as he watched, and his eyes flicked up to Remus who quickly looked away.

This was a way to show off the new toy he'd been given. Just like Meph with his toy. He seemed to be flirting with the ladies since they were all blushing. Not that it meant anything. Demons lived far longer than fairies.

He'd leave at some point, and Remus would be stuck unless he found a way out. No, not unless. Until.

A guard stood on either side of the doors. If Remus got by them, others were about, and he'd never get past the gate while dressed as a slave. He had no weapon, no magic, and no friends. He was fancy trash here. The Rowland citizen who was kneeling by his Master at a table had a dead look in his eyes, and he wasn't a friend. He was just as helpless too, and Remus had no power to aid him.

He glanced up to see the Prince making his way back to the High Table. Meph was coming right for him, and Remus tensed. Demons fed from sex, and what if Sébastien had told the demon to make use of his new toy?

"I'm not sure if I should bow or order you to lower your eyes," Meph said once he was close enough.

"Excuse me?"

Meph smiled, showing little fangs like Sébastien. "The Regent says you're the Crown Prince of Rowland, and that you're a traitor and a slave now."

"I'm not a traitor. I was set up. My younger twin conveniently sits on the throne now."

Meph's face darkened as he sat by Remus. "Well, that's a shame. I'm not sure if the court believes that you're a traitor, and I don't think the Prince or the Regent believed that for even a second."

Not that it mattered for Remus. They wouldn't be letting him go. They'd still call him a traitor just to smear him with shame.

"Supposedly, you killed Lupo with a dagger and went back to bed. That sounds a bit…simple."

"I didn't touch him. I was awoken by being dragged from my bed by Quintus's supporters who apparently decided to toss their lot in with him."

"So you're stuck here now? Forever?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that fairies kept slaves. The Regent said you came with twenty others, and only five were chosen here. The rest were taken to…" Meph waved. "Wherever they sell slaves."

"It's usually prisoners, and not all Kingdoms do that." Five total at the Palace. Remus would remember that.

Did you know my realm was at war for a long time?"

"Yeah, I heard."

"It's over, but I decided to leave and explore a bit. Earth's kind of fun even though I had to stay hidden." Meph smiled and gestured at his horns. "They'd think I'm Satan. I found a rifter fairy living in Gredoria and came here. Now I can walk through a city during the day without the residents screaming and running away."

Remus managed a small smile. "Humans aren't very accepting sometimes from what I heard."

"You'd pass," said Meph. "Yellow eyes are a bit odd, but you could probably fib and say it's a defect or whatever."

"I have no interest in touring any place on Earth. I can't exactly leave this place either." He wondered if the demon would help him escape if he asked. No. He didn't know Remus and wouldn't risk himself.

"I never had a slave back when it was permitted in my realm," said Meph. "I didn't like the idea of owning another being that's sentient, and while a human can be a source of energy that's available at all times, there's certainly no shortage of partners ready to fuck."

"Do you need to do that every day?" asked Remus.

"What? Sex?"

"I meant feeding."

"No…if you do magic, you use the energy that fuels it," said Meph. "We don't need food, and we don't have to feed with sex every day in the way that you need food every day. Of course, we can have sex just because. I rather like being in here since I can taste the sexual energy whenever someone's occupied. It's light but good. What about you? Are you occupied?"

"I'm not here to service anyone," Remus quickly said.

Meph folded his arms. "The Regent said there are slaves who are free for anyone to use, and some of the courtiers are fine with sharing their personal ones. I'm not sure if Sébastien is or not, and I'm not asking him. You're not my type anyway, no offense. How long have you been here?"

"Since yesterday morning."

Meph glanced at the High Table where Sébastien was speaking with a lord and his Uncle. "So you're not close to the Prince, right?"

"No."

Meph pulled an orb out of his pocket and held it as he leaned in quite close. "Have you noticed anything odd about him?"

Remus squinted. "You sat up there with him. He's not exactly the Prince of Laughter and Sunshine."

"I don't mean his demeanor. Have you noticed anything unnatural?"

"Like what? I'm not sure what you mean."

"Anything. Something that seemed off to you besides his stiffness."

"No…"

He was an angry prick who hated werewolves, the peace treaty, anyone from Rowland, and Remus. He wasn't a good person, but Remus didn't think that was unnatural. Plenty of assholes existed in the realm. Perhaps the demon wasn't used to someone who was rather stiff and formal, and he had no idea what the demon lords in the Fallen realm were like. Remus rather imagined them as warrior types.

Meph fiddled with the orb and let it roll around his hand. "I wonder what his energy tastes like or if he'd let me in his bed."

A demon likely wouldn't be Sébastien's type, and not all were inclined to bring a lover to bed after knowing them for barely a day. "He's a bit…"

"Cold? An Ice Prince who needs thawing?"

"Um." Those weren't words that Remus would use if he hoped to get in bed with someone, but truly, the Prince was cold. Also, Remus didn't want to get in bed with him. "Well…yeah…"

"I think he needs someone with my experience to show him a good time." Meph chuckled.

"How old are you?" Demons and angels lived for far longer than fairies.

"Nearly a hundred and fifty."

Remus raised an eyebrow. "He's twenty-two."

"So?"

"So? Don't you think that's quite a gap?"

"That's an adult back home, and he's an adult here too."

"You've got more than a century on him!"

Meph blinked. "If two adults decide to have some fun, all that matters is that they're old enough. If he can fuck another person his age, he can fuck me. It's just sex and basic needs being met. It's not like we're getting married." He tilted his head. "Are you jealous? Do you not want me to steal his attention even if it's only for a night or two?"

Dear Elira, did he think that was the reason for Remus balking at the age difference? "Why would I be jealous of the Ice Prince? Like I want his attention." In fact, why did he even give a fuck if they had a huge age gap? The Prince was an adult who could decide things for himself, and Remus wasn't his Mum. "In fact, please take him." He snorted.

"Do you think I should thaw him out?"

"Yeah, sure. Go ahead." Remus rolled his eyes. Like a fuck would do anything. The demon might get rejected if Sébastien cringed at what he was or his age.

He still wasn't sure if Sébastien wanted to fuck Remus or not, and he wasn't eager to find out. What if he decided yes once or twice simply to shame him? If Meph did manage to get the Prince's affection, Remus would likely be safe for another night or two.

Meph smiled. "Sometimes, those stiff ones are such fun in bed. It's amazing to watch them shed the layers and be so free. He'd be pretty on a leash."

Meph was more likely to end up on a leash if Sébastien took him to bed.

***

Once Meph left him alone, Remus had little to do besides try not to look at the sexual acts going on. How did courtiers sit and enjoy their little indulgences while rape took place in the room? If a lord or lady lunged at another and attempted to force them, everyone else would be in an uproar.

The guards who had brought Remus finally came to get him and bring him back to his room. Spectacles came to fetch the necklace.

Perhaps that had been a test to see if he could behave under certain circumstances. He'd surely passed, and if he didn't do anything too stupid, a chance to escape would surely arise.

In the meantime, if Sébastien ever spoke to him for more than five seconds without an attitude, maybe Remus could try to guide the conversation to something. As much as he wanted out, it didn't feel right to run away while some of his fellow people were still trapped. Quintus must have picked random commoners who'd been easy to snatch and were attractive enough. Or more like, some loyal lackey had done it for him.

Sébastien probably didn't give a fuck about a single slave. Remus still had to try. If he could somehow get the five at the Palace to be released, he wouldn't feel guilty about escaping.

Dinner broke up the dull but safe monotony of his room. Once a guard who must have stood in the hall came and tapped the crystal lantern to put it out for the night, Remus stretched out on his bed and tried to pretend he was free.

The collar and cuffs couldn't be ignored. The chain was still attached too, and it clanked if he moved. Fuck this place and his twin.

Even though he hadn't done much that day, he was surprisingly tired, and it didn't take long to fall asleep. He awoke to find the lantern on low and a dark shape over him.

"I thought you'd have a little loyalty to me," said Sébastien.

"What?" Remus blinked and tensed under the silken sheet.

"You owe me."

Remus clutched the sheet as he stared up at the Prince who gazed at him blankly. Owe him? Remus didn't owe him loyalty or anything. Where were the guards?

"I-I don't know what you mean."

With only the dim light, Sébastien's eyes seemed too dark, and his right hand moved with lightning speed. Remus, expecting a slug followed by an order to bend over or something sexual, reacted too slowly as he lifted his hands to ward off the coming punch.

Sharp pain pierced his throat and went deeper.

"I'm not fucking a whore for you to give away as you please!"

Sébastien held the dagger, and Remus tasted blood as he shoved at the Prince's arm. Dear Elira, it couldn't be over so fast. Not like this. Sébastien squeezed his eyes shut and sucked in a breath before he yanked out the dagger.

Hot blood gushed over Remus's hands as he pressed his hands against the wound. It was vain. He was as good as dead, and there was nothing he could do about it. As soon as the panic came, it flashed away and a strange sense of calmness spread over him. If it was blood loss or the fact that he couldn't do anything about his situation, he didn't know.

Lupo may have felt that in his final seconds.

Sébastien's fading form stepped back, and something metallic clanged. Remus's last thought was that he could have sworn he caught a glint of red in the Prince's eyes.