Chapter Two

I checked my reflection again. For like, the sixth time. Or sixtieth. I had showered—cleaned better than usual if you catch my wave—and shaved. Down there. Neraky don't have a lot of body hair, so I didn't have to worry about shaving my limbs or my chest, just my bits—all around the mainmast and the full nets below. They were silky smooth and ready for royalty. I smelled pretty good too and had on my best garments—all of them stolen. The pants and hip scarf were taken off a Zaruian vessel and were made of the finest silk in deep cerulean. My tunic was cotton, but nearly as thin as the silk, stolen from the cargo hold of a ship out of Racul. My vest was leather from Kasitan—black, supple, and with a braided trim. I'd taken that off the First Mate of a Levahan ship. I had a gold earring in my left ear—just a small hoop, but it was from my first take and always brought me luck. I had found it in the Captain's cabin after the place had been ransacked by the rest of the crew. Your first take meant you were the last to pick your prize. Even my boots, made of waterproofed leather, were stolen. They were my newest pair, and I thought they made me look dashing. The black leather came up to my knees, where they folded into a short flap.

Usually, I'd have knives hidden in several locations, but I didn't think the Sea King's guards would appreciate that. I did keep one in my boot because—pirate. It was the only thing on me that I hadn't stolen. I preferred Rasokai steel. They made the best blades up there, using a technique in which they folded the metal hundreds of times. Fucking hundreds. And those blades were hard to come by. I only had a couple that I'd been lucky enough to steal. The dagger, however, I'd paid for, and it was worth it.

I smoothed a hand over my hair. I'd left it down to cover my tattoos but was having second thoughts. Would King Vaxarion prefer it up, out of the way, so he could watch me suck his cock? I shuddered as the image of doing that very deed came to me. It was ten minutes to six. Soon, I'd be on my way to him. I had to decide. Up or down?

"Fuck," I growled and tied a leather cord around my hip sash. "If he wants it up, I can put it up."

I looked at my coin pouch but didn't think I'd need it. Still, I didn't like the idea of getting stranded somewhere with no money to pay for a carriage. I grabbed the pouch and tied it onto my sash as well. Then I straightened my shoulders and stepped out of my room. As one of the higher-ranking sailors on the Lu-Ken, I had a cabin beneath the Captain's, just a door down from the First Mate's. The corridor outside took me to a short set of steps going up to the main deck.

Things were strangely quiet up there. The day crew was off duty and were probably in the city, looking for ways to spend the fresh coins in their pouches—distributed by Captain Teng that afternoon. But the night crew never let duty sway them from having a good time. The Captain didn't mind them carousing a bit, as long as they didn't get drunk (a few tankards were all right) and did their jobs. But I didn't hear a peep from them, even as I approached the stairs. I started to get worried and my steps quickened.

I burst out on the deck with my dagger in hand.

With my appearance, music started to play, men cheered, and someone popped the cork on a bottle. The whole crew was there, even the day bunch, and they were shouting my name.

"What the fuck is this?" I asked, dagger lowering.

I didn't raise my voice. It's not something I do unless absolutely necessary, so only the Captain heard me.

"We're celebrating your big catch!" Captain Teng, who was like a father to me, smacked my back. "A fucking Sea King! Well done, Zix."

"I haven't done him yet," I muttered and bent to replace my dagger.

"Oh, but we've seen your lovers line the docks, waiting for you," Ry, the First Mate said. "You'll do just fine."

I shook my head and pushed through the crowd of pirates intent on smacking my back, shoulders, and ass while offering me advice. Sexual advice. I loved them, but at the moment, I was on the verge of stabbing them all in their salty balls.

Luckily, the carriage hadn't arrived yet. I reached the gangplank to find that the dock was clear. With a wave at the crew, I left the ship, my footsteps hollow on the wood. I knew they were all watching me as I went to stand by the street and wait for the carriage. I didn't look back, but when a carriage rolled up, they all cheered so loud that the driver had to ask me twice.

"You Zixin?"

"Yeah, that's me," I said and opened the door. I had to wave one last time, or they'd be upset.

So I turned, bowed, and waved before climbing in. I could still hear them cheering a block away. If the Sea King had been there, or even one of his knights, I would have been embarrassed. But as it was, I started to grin. Those crazy morons had thrown a party because I was about to fuck a king. How could I not love them for that?

Under the sea, it was an honor to be selected as a tribute to one of the Sea Dragon Kings. So, I guess the party wasn't so silly. Tributes weren't selected by the Kings, so it was even more special if the King chose you from among the tributes to be his. I didn't want to be anyone's bed slave, not even temporarily. And not even a Sea Dragon King. Still, I couldn't help but feel honored to have been chosen by one of them. Especially that one.

"Calm yourself," I whispered as I looked around the carriage.

It wasn't a royal carriage, but it was really nice, with plush velvet seats and curtains over the windows. I had to stop myself from stealing one of the crystals that hung from the lanterns. Just for a memento, you know? Clenching my hands to keep them from doing just that, I sat back and pretended I was honorable, or at least respectable.

I snorted. One look at me and anyone would know I wasn't either of those things. Even without my tattoos showing, only sailors dressed as I did, with a collection of styles. And sailors were rarely respectable, even the ones on real merchant vessels. Still, I could pretend. I leaned against the wall so I could stare out the window without looking as if I were gawking.

The neighborhoods got nicer and nicer as we rolled through the city. I started to frown. I expected to be taken to a hotel. A nice one, of course, but a hotel nonetheless. But we passed by the nicest hotel in Renris and kept going. I'd scoped the city with a few of the crew, so I knew that the only thing beyond this neighborhood was the castle. It made sense that a visiting Sea Dragon King would be staying with the Dragon King of Gavemor, but would he really bring some unknown Neraky sailor into the King's house to fuck in his pretty guest bed?

The carriage pulled up to the gates of the castle.

"Holy fuck," I whispered.

"I've got that visitor I mentioned," the driver said to the guards.

The guards snickered and sauntered over to the window to have a look at me.

Putting on my best pirate leer, I leaned out and winked my nictating membranes. "How's it going, fellas?" I drawled.

"Shit!" one of them exclaimed.

"Fishfucker!" the other said.

I don't think he meant it to be an insult. It was just an automatic reaction. More an expletive than a slur.

Still, it annoyed me enough to say, "Care to repeat that? I think the Sea Dragon King—you know, the guy I'm going to fuck tonight—might be interested in hearing what you think about his choice of bed mate."

"Uh, I didn't mean anything by it, sir," the guard—a big Hulfrin with beautiful face stripes—stammered. "I was just startled to see a pi—uh, I mean, a sailor. We don't get a lot of sailors visiting the castle."

"No, I imagine you don't," I said with a smirk. "Relax, boys. I'm from a merchant vessel, not a pirate ship. I haven't brought any weapons with me tonight. You know, beyond my dick."

The other guard, a Deldin with long silken ears, snorted a laugh before smacking the side of the carriage. "Go on in."

"Thank you kindly," I said and sat back.

Honestly, I wasn't the kind of man to say things like to strangers. But there was a certain image that needed to be upheld when a Neraky was on land. We didn't have large physiques as a whole—I was much smaller than both guards—but we could be vicious. If necessary. Maintaining our fierce reputation ensured that we rarely had the need.

The carriage stopped before the main doors of the castle.

"Holy fuck, they're taking me in through the front?" I whispered.

The driver jumped down and opened the carriage door for me. "Just go on in, sir. One of His Majesty's knights is waiting for you in the entry hall."

"Thank you," I said and jumped out, then climbed the steps to the Royal Castle of Gavemor.

Holy. Fuck.

Two guards stood outside, one on either side of the enormous double doors. They opened the doors for me without a word. I smoothed a lock of hair back behind my ear and glanced up. The castle loomed over me and, for a second, it felt as if it might fall on my head. I hurried in before I lost my nerve.

"There you are," a man said. It was the same Sea Dragon who had spoken to me earlier. "This way."

"Yes, Sir," I said. That whole reputation thing wasn't meant for Dragons—not land or sea. Neraky were smarter than that. Attitude with Dragons only got you killed.

I followed the Sea Dragon knight through magnificent corridors full of wealth I'd never dreamed existed, my jaw threatening to drop every few seconds. I'd seen grandeur before, but this shit was on another level. There was enough treasure strewn carelessly about to set me up for life. My hands itched to take something. Anything.

Courtiers and servants alike gawked at me. I was glad I'd worn my hair down. Up and those gawks would have turned into gasps.

Yeah, sure, Zixin, it's your tattoos that would have been the problem, I thought to myself.

We walked deeper and deeper into the castle, then traveled upstairs in one of those lifting boxes the land-dwellers use to carry them from floor to floor. We came out into yet another corridor and walked another ten miles or so. Maybe a hundred feet. Whatever. I was about to ask how much further it would be when someone stepped into our path.

"Your Majesty!" my escort sounded surprised, so I knew even before I looked that he wasn't speaking to the King who had sent for me.

I met a dark stare and went still. All three of my hearts stopped beating. This guy was seriously scary. His hair was even the color of fresh blood. Two thin braids framed his face, but it looked as if the hairstyle was more about keeping his hair out of his way than any attempt at fashion. No, this man didn't give a fish's lip about fashion.

He did, however, like to fuck. I saw that seconds later when that black stare heated and swept over me. His deep voice vibrated with lust when he asked, "Have you brought me a present?"

"He's my guest," a new voice drawled, this one with swagger in it.

Both the tone and depth of the voice affected me. It wasn't as deep as the Land Dragon King's, and I liked that. But what I really liked was the humor in it. I could tell that he enjoyed playing—with his friends, lovers, and food. It had to be King Vaxarion.

Sure enough, the Sea King sauntered down the hall and over to us with a smirk on his handsome face. "So that makes him my present. To myself." He held an elegant hand out to me. "Come, Zixin."

I took his hand, but even as the Sea King pulled me toward him, the land King grabbed my free wrist. I stared at the King of Gavemor in shock. But he wasn't looking at me. He stared at King Vaxarion.

"Where did you find such a jewel?" the land King asked. "In my city? If so, that makes him mine."

"No, I found him in my kingdom," King Vaxarion said, still smirking. "He was aboard his ship, in the waters of Morilren. And that makes him mine ." He pulled, and I fell into his arms, my wrist slipping free of the other King's grip.

The land King snorted, his vicious face softening. "Fine. Keep your plaything. I'll find another for tonight. And maybe I'll snatch this one up when you're finished with him. I do enjoy a colorful dessert."

King Vaxarion's grin widened, becoming a baring of teeth, and his fingers dug into my side. "Look at him. I may never be finished."

I blinked. What the fuck was happening? I wasn't that attractive. Was I? Was I Dragon bait and didn't know it? Holy shit. Were they going to fight over me? This was fucking spectacular! Wait until I told the crew. They were going to think I was making this shit up.

"You're leaving tomorrow," the land King said, his expression shifting too. But where King Vaxarion's features had gone feral, the King of Gavemor's went smug. "I doubt Zixin's ship is leaving so soon. Isn't that right, sailor?" He leaned closer. "Or are you a pirate?"

"I'm from a merchant vessel, Your Majesty," I said. "We're respectable."

"Not tonight you aren't."

I grinned. "Very funny, Your Majesty."

"Yes, you're amusing," King Vaxarion was back to his slow drawl. "And yes, I'm leaving tomorrow. But you never know what the morning may bring. Now, if you excuse us, King Lyrandir, we'll be making use of that enormous bed you've so generously provided me with."

King Lyrandir nodded. "Enjoy your evening, King Vaxarion." His gaze slid to me. "Both of you." That stare seemed to imply that come morning, I'd be switching beds.

Surprisingly, I wasn't game for that. The land King scared the shit out of me, and that wasn't something I looked for in a lover. I didn't care if he could shower me with riches. I didn't want to worry about making it out of his bed alive.

Thankfully, King Vaxarion hustled me along. As we went, several Sea Dragons fell into place around us. I hadn't even noticed them before that. I'd been too distracted by the Dragon Kings and the potential fight between them. I glanced at the grim faces of King Vaxarion's knights and then at the Sea King. His smile was gone, but when he caught me staring at him, it returned. He even winked at me.

I chuckled and smiled back.

Then we were entering a massive suite, and King Vaxarion's men split up, two staying in the hallway to guard the door while the other four came into the suite with us. They swept ahead of the King, moving rapidly through the sitting room to the bedroom beyond. By the time King Vaxarion and I entered the bedroom—a huge space full of velvet, gilded wood, and silly paintings—they had secured it and were headed out to the balcony.

As soon as the balcony doors clicked shut, the King pulled me into his arms. No, hey, thanks for coming. Not even a hello. His lips went straight to mine, and his body pressed forward, letting me know how ready he was for me.

Fuck it, that's what I was there for.

I wrapped my arms around King Vaxarion and went for it, putting all I had into that first kiss. And it did the trick. The Sea King growled and started yanking at my clothing. I helped him, kicking off my boots before untying my scarf. He shoved down my pants, then tore free of me. Panting, his purple eyes practically glowing, King Vaxarion watched me remove the last of my clothes. He was still fully dressed. And didn't that make it all the more sexy?

I palmed my cock and stroked it for him.

"Very nice," the King said and started to undress. "Get on the bed. Face up."

I eagerly crawled onto the behemoth of a bed and plopped down amid the pillows and down comforter. It billowed around me so much that I slammed it down with my fists, making annoyed sounds.

The King paused at the foot of the bed and started laughing.

"It's so fluffy!" I chuckled.

"Push it off the bed," he said.

I got up to pull the comforter up, then shoved it off the bed. When I laid back down on the pale blue sheets, I found the King watching me with a soft smile and a hard, long, delicious cock. I stared at it. Couldn't be helped. It was beautiful and nestled amid dark curls that shone with iridescence.

"Wow," I whispered.

He nodded as if that were the proper response.

I snorted. "So I don't have to tell you how handsome you are?"

"Oh, you absolutely must," the King drawled as he crawled onto the bed, his veil of hair trailing around him. "Over and over while I fuck you."

"Yes, Your Majesty." I smirked and grabbed my knees. "Shall I start by telling you how delectable your body is?"

"You are delectable as well, Zixin."

"You can call me Zix, Sire."

"Pull your legs out further, Zix," he said as he positioned himself between them.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Very good," the King murmured and reached out.

A ribbon of water carried a bottle to him. The casual magic didn't surprise me. Sea Dragons were masters of Water. I licked my lips as he opened the bottle, then shuddered when he poured a slick substance over his cock. And that's what surprised me. I smelled the scent of hress nectar, something only undersea fold used for lubrication. Which meant he had brought it with him. Which meant he expected to have sex. I mean, fair enough. That shouldn't have surprised me, either. Just look at the man. He was sex personified.

"Oh, fuck," I whispered. "You have a glorious cock, Your Majesty."

"Wait until it's inside you, Zix. Then you will find it even more glorious. I will make sure of it."

"I have the greatest faith in you." I paused. "I should have sucked it first. Damn it. I've been fantasizing about sucking it all day."

"Have you?" King Vaxarion paused, his hand on his shaft. "All day?"

"Oh, yes."

"Then I must do right by my subject and fulfill your fantasy. You may suck my cock later tonight, after we bathe together."

My legs started to drop in shock. "We're bathing together?"

"Yes." He flicked his hand and water gathered around my knees, taking their weight from me. "I like to bathe after sex, especially on land. You will wash me in the shower, and then you may kneel and suck my cock."

My eyes went wide. A king with a plan. Well, who didn't like that?

"I would love to, Your Majesty," I said. Then I yipped as the water solidified and yanked my legs even further outward.

"Relax, Zix," the King purred and pressed the head of his cock against me. "I will take you now."

I relaxed as much as I could for him. There hadn't been as much foreplay as I preferred, but I was happy to get to the main act, if that's what he wanted. The pressure came, making me groan, then he withdrew. Back and forth the Sea King pumped, his cock breaching me and stretching me more every time. And then, with a moan from both of us, he sank in to the hilt.

"Oh, fuck!" I cried and grabbed his broad shoulders. "Oh, yes, Your Majesty! Fuck me deep! Fill my channel!"

The King's hand went to my throat. Not to squeeze, but stroke. He ran his fingertips over my gills—gills most people didn't know were there. I wasn't surprised that he, a Sea Dragon, knew about them, but it did surprise me that he knew they were an erogenous zone. Maybe he had a Neraky bed slave, one who was waiting eagerly for his return. But bed slaves were meant to please their masters, not the other way around. The fact that the King had learned what Nerakies enjoyed in bed made up for the lack of foreplay. It also made me like him even more. Considerate lovers were hard to come by.

My eyes rolled back as he rubbed me right, both inside and out. "Yes," I murmured. "Oh, Gods, yes. Right there."

King Vaxarion bent down and replaced his hand with his mouth. His hot tongue slid over my slits.

"Oh, fuck!" I cried and clutched him to me, trying my best not to claw his back.

The tip of his tongue flicked over that sensitive flesh, and I couldn't hold back any longer. I embarrassed myself by coming all over him. Damn. What was that? Twenty seconds? And without foreplay. Shit. Motherfucker. He was a gods damn master.

Despite my humiliating prematurity, the King wasn't upset. Instead, he growled in pleasure and pushed against me, rubbing my cum into our chests as I writhed through my climax. My whole body shuddered while he continued to thrust into me, stars appearing behind my closed lids. I came and came and then clawed at him for more. Yup, I rolled from an orgasm into an erection—something I'd never done before.

King Vaxarion pulled back to look down at my hardening shaft, then lifted his brows.

With a cry and a will I didn't know I possessed, I pushed up and rolled him onto his back. The Sea King made a surprised sound as I got to my knees and began to ride his long shaft. Hands on his hard belly, I pumped my ass up and down. Slammed and ground on him, passion driving me to madness. I don't know what I said, some raunchy shit, no doubt, but I know I rode him as I'd never ridden another before.

I didn't recognize myself. Who was this man who wildly rode a king, his cock bouncing with abandon? I paused only to bend forward and suck at his nipples, moaning at their taste. Then I went back to my savage slamming, one hand stroking my cock as the other went behind me to cup his balls.

"Beautiful," the King murmured as he swept his hands up my flanks, then twirled his fingertips over my nipples. "That's it, Zix. Take your pleasure. Ride me like you would a storm at sea."

"Oh, fuck," I moaned. "I can't stop. I need more!"

My body clutched at his, milking him with every upward movement. And the slams down jostled him. But the Sea King loved it. He grinned viciously and grabbed my hips, shooting his cock up into me to meet me halfway. I cried out, amazed that I could feel even more pleasure. The scales on my hands gleamed with sweat, and I had to stop myself from digging my nails into his belly.

"You're so fucking handsome," I panted. "Never seen anyone as glorious as you. And you tongued my gills. You're fucking perfect. I'll do whatever you want now. Anything."

Yeah, that whole thing about me not saying much? It didn't apply to bedsport.

And it was a good thing too. My words summoned a roar from the King, and he shoved up, driving as deep as he could go as he released a hot gush of cum inside me. It sent a shiver up my spine, and I grabbed my cock, intent on joining him. Pumping like a madman with hand and hips, I came at the end of his orgasm, crying out just as he went still. With extreme satisfaction, I striped His Majesty's belly with milky ribbons, then fell forward onto his chest to rub them in again.

Strong arms wrapped around me, holding me sprawled atop him. With my head tucked in beneath his, I sighed deeply. His cock slipped free of me, making me twitch, but then I went still.

"I feel your hearts beating," the King whispered.

"Mmm," I murmured.

His hands slid down my back and grabbed my ass. "Keep that blood pumping, Zix. I want to see you come at least six more times tonight."

"Six?!" I jolted up.

King Vaxarion's eyes were full of laughter. "You did promise me anything I wanted."

"You . . . you are . . ."

"Yes?" he prompted.

"Wonderful," I whispered. "You're fucking wonderful. I'm going to worship you all night. I'll suck your cock and balls, tongue your ass, and even lick your entire body if you want. You want to face fuck me? Do it. Gag me with your cock. I'll only beg for more. You want to spank me? I'll call you daddy. You wanna bridle me and lead me around the room? I'll neigh like a horse for you. Just tell me what you want, and I'll do it."

"Damn it all," the King huffed and sat up.

"What's wrong?" I asked as I slid off him.

"You've stirred my desire," he said as if this were a crime. "Now, we must bathe sooner than I intended."

"We must?"

"Yes." The King picked me up and carried me into the bathroom. "We need to get clean so you can suck my cock, and I can suck yours."

"You want to suck my cock?"

"It's not something I do often. So feel honored."

I chuckled and then nuzzled his cheek before saying, "I've felt that way since the first moment you looked at me."

The Sea King smiled and set me on my feet. "Are you really a respectable sailor?"

"No." I grinned. "I'm a very disreputable pirate."

The Sea King burst out in delighted laughter.