Chapter 31

Nick

Nick watched his family interacting with Malachi's family and smiled. He hadn't been wrong when he said they would get along, but having so many people in one room, in addition to the royal family and everyone else, it became a huge undertaking for him to create a party for Randall and yet make sure everyone was having fun, too.

He saw Malachi shaking hands with Felix, a huge grin on his face, and shook his head. Wheeling and dealing was something his boyfriend had just started doing, and he placed the blame solely on Felix for corrupting him.

Malachi came over, counting out money. When he stopped in front of Nick, he handed out a few notes. "It's only fair," he said, and Nick took it, knowing Malachi wouldn't have it any other way.

"You're a menace. All three of you are," he said, chuckling at Dominic's stormy expression.

"Well, what can I say? If you don't make the rules without wiggle room, then you should expect to be fleeced." He laughed.

"Working with Felix to find a loophole was mean."

Malachi shrugged. "Maybe it'll teach Dominic a lesson."

"Even though he was on your side?"

Malachi winced a little at that. "Yeah, maybe I'll have to make it up to him somehow."

"You think?" He pulled him in for a hug and pressed his lips to his temple. "He'll forgive you, don't worry about it."

"I hope so."

"How is your family getting on?"

Malachi sighed and glanced over at where his sisters were chatting with Princes Douglas and Mav. "Good. A little surprised they turned up," he murmured.

As if they had known they were being talked about, his sisters glanced over at him. Nick could see their expressions change, and they must've made their excuses because Douglas nodded his head and they headed towards him and Malachi.

Malachi straightened.

"Hey. Thanks for inviting us," Christine said with a smile.

"I wondered how you seemed to find time in your ‘busy' schedule when it comes to a royal invitation, yet you can't find the time when it comes to family. Funny that," Malachi said, and Nick was proud of him for standing up to them for once—and for his restraint in not knocking them sideways for being assholes.

Christine and Zara glanced at each other and then back. "You're right," Zara said. "It's just that, since…Mum, it's been hard. I know it's hard for everyone, but…" She shook her head. "I'll do better."

"I will, too," Christine said.

"You will," Malachi replied. "Because it can't just be on me any longer. It's not fair."

"We thought you didn't mind!" Christine said.

Malachi snorted. "Of course I don't mind. They're family. But I shouldn't have to carry the weight of it all by myself. You're more than capable of helping out. Especially at Christmas."

Zara cleared her throat. "I will make sure I'm there this year. We can't have you cooking and doing everything on your birthday now, can we?"

"Why? I've done it for the past four years."

Nick tightened his hold and pressed his lips to his temple again, murmuring, "Back off a little, sweetheart. They're trying."

Malachi sighed. "Thank you. That would be great. Mum and Grandma would love you to be there."

The sisters smiled, though it didn't quite reach their eyes, and then they headed to their mother, who was surrounded by Andrew, Kean and Kendal. They appeared mesmerised by whatever she was talking about.

"I should've taken it easier on them."

"No. You did right. But they know they did wrong, so it doesn't need to keep going. See if they do actually change their behaviour, and if not, broach it again."

"Who made you so wise?"

"Your grandmother," Nick deadpanned.

They laughed, receiving a far few stares in the process, but nothing held his attention more than the man he loved with his head thrown back and happiness on his face. It made everything worthwhile.

****

Malachi

One year later

Malachi inhaled deeply as he waited in the changing room at Club Royal. It had been a long year, one filled with grief, happiness, sadness, humour and…training. A few weeks after he'd had the initial conversation with Kieren, he'd sat down with Nick and talked through everything. He'd been surprised to find out that Nick had some news for him. He'd arranged for the princes to train him in impact play and whipping so he could be the one to do it, instead of being apart from it. It wouldn't be something he would be able to do straight away, but then Malachi wasn't ready to do it right away, either. So, after a long discussion over several days, they decided to wait until Nick was fully trained before Malachi experienced whipping. It made things easier on Malachi, too. As much as he trusted the princes, he didn't think he would be able to relax enough to enjoy it.

Their sex life was nothing to be ashamed of, though, especially with his new favourite thing—phone sex! Nick had persuaded him to try one night, and after the initial uncomfortable feeling, it had been…orgasmic.

But tonight was the night. Nick had been trained fully, and Malachi had been present when he'd whipped several people over the past few weeks. Nerves abounded, but he wanted this. For himself and for Nick. Nick was excited about being able to do this for him, and he refused to let him down. He could cancel. No one would care, but he wanted this.

Kieren entered the changing room and smiled. "He's ready whenever you are."

Malachi inhaled again, letting it out through his nose. "I'm ready. I'm a lot nervous, but I'm ready."

"It's scary the first time, but you can take it as slow as you need to, and if it doesn't feel right, you can try again another day. There's no right or wrong here."

"I know. I suppose I don't want to let myself down. I've wanted this for so long, but to be here now, it's a big thing." Malachi wrung his hands.

"It is. It really is."

He liked that Kieren wasn't giving him false platitudes. Everything he said was correct, and even though he knew it already, it helped that someone else was saying it.

"Thanks. I'm ready." His voice was stronger this time.

Kieren grinned. "Okay, then."

They wandered through the club, both smiling and greeting people they knew, something Malachi never believed he'd get to, and came to a stop in front of the door Nick was behind.

"You good?" Kieren asked.

Malachi smiled, actually feeling it. "Yes, I am."

Kieren knocked on the door and waited until Nick opened it before waving and leaving them alone. Malachi entered the room, meeting Freddie's gaze while Nick locked the door behind them. He stepped into Nick's arms and clung to him, inhaling his scent.

"We don't have to do this."

Malachi pulled back. "I want to. I really do. I'm just nervous as I would be if I was going on a rollercoaster ride for the first time." He glanced at Freddie and smiled. "Thank you for being here."

They had decided—well, Nick had requested—that having Freddie in the room would help with any potential incidents and would make them both feel better. And he'd agreed immediately when they'd approached him about it.

"Are you ready?" Nick asked.

"Yes."

Nick led him over to the St Andrew's Cross they'd arranged for the room. It had been discussed as to the best way to experience the first whipping, and Freddie had said that being restrained and therefore not able to move would make things easier on Nick and Malachi because it would reduce the chance of injuries.

Malachi removed his shorts, leaving him in a jock, and stepped up to the cross. Nick fastened him to it, trailing his fingers over his skin as he did. He glanced at Freddie, but the prince was reading a book and not looking at him.

"Have you decided on your safe word?"

"The traffic lights."

"Good. As a reminder, if you are unsure, you need to say yellow or red immediately and don't wait for me to ask. Okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

"If you're ready, I will start with your warm-up."

"I'm ready, Sir." Malachi breathed, calming his racing heart.

"I'm going to rub some body disinfectant into your skin to protect you."

"Thank you, Sir."

The liquid was cool, to begin with, but as Nick rubbed in circular motions across his back and ass cheeks, it began to warm. Once he had finished with that, he continued the circles with his hands, heating the skin more, and then, after explaining the next step, he began with small taps on his ass. When Nick decreed him sufficiently warmed, he then rubbed the tails of the whip along his skin, getting him used to the sensation, though he knew it would be much different when it turned into a whip.

Malachi lost track of time during the warm-up, and he enjoyed the sensation of Nick's hands on him, and the difference between that and the whip itself was easy to decipher. His mind floated, his body humming as the sensations floated through him.

"Are you ready for more?" Nick asked.

"Yes, Sir," Malachi said, eager to feel the bite.

"I'll do five strokes to begin with. Count for me."

There was a brief lull where Malachi tensed, expecting to be whipped, but it never came, and as he relaxed when it still never happened, it finally did. The sting took his breath away for a second, and then he inhaled again as the heat spread through his body.

"One," he whispered. Another sting, and his breath hitched again. "Two." Another. "Three. Four. Five."

Then Nick was in front of him, cupping his jaw. There was a slight pressure on his wrist, but he ignored it in favour of staring at his boyfriend. He smiled, his head spinning a little.

"How are you feeling, Kai?" Nick asked.

"Loopy." He grinned, and Nick smiled.

"Do you hurt anywhere?"

"Nope. Feels good."

"What colour are you?" Nick asked.

Malachi blinked. "Green, Sir."

"Glad to hear it." Nick dropped a kiss on his lips and brushed his fingers across his cheek. "Do you want more?"

"Yes, please, Sir."

"Okay, we'll do five more strokes. You don't have to count this time."

Malachi didn't tense, enjoying the sting of every stroke, and when Nick stood in front of him again, he couldn't help but tell him, "I love you so damn much."

Nick smiled, lighting up the room. "I love you, too. Let's get you down, okay?"

"Yes, Sir."

Malachi's entire body buzzed, and there was a low-level hum in his brain, but as Nick laid him down on something soft, he closed his eyes.

"Kai, wake up, sweetheart."

"Hmm?"

"I'm going to clean your back, okay?"

"Okay." He floated until whatever stuff Nick used touched his skin. He hissed. "Ooh."

"Sorry, sweetheart. It'll feel much better soon. Let the cream do its job."

Malachi breathed through the sting—a different type of sting this time—and eventually, it eased and began to feel nice. Something warm surrounded him, and he dropped into a doze, still able to hear the sounds around him, but not reacting to them.

When he pulled himself from his slumber, he snuggled into his pillow, realising it was Nick's chest. He blinked, peering up at Nick, and smiled. "Hey."

"Hey, you." He reached down and lifted something—a bottle and a straw. Malachi sucked greedily.

"I needed that, thanks."

"You're welcome. How are you?"

He checked in with himself. A slight ache to his back and ass, but other than that, he felt great. He told Nick as much.

"I'm glad. Freddie checked my work and said it was perfect, but I couldn't relax until you were awake. I didn't want to hurt you badly."

"You didn't. I promise. It feels good."

Nick smiled and the tension released from his body. "We can stay here as long as we want, Freddie said."

"Good. I'm enjoying snuggling with you."

He closed his eyes and drifted off again, his hand resting on the newest tattoo decorating his lover's body. A phoenix to remind them that no matter what they went through, they could always reform brighter than before. Nick would protect him, and he would protect Nick. After all, a relationship needs compromise, right?

****