Chapter Twenty-One

I got what I needed and headed up to the King's bedchamber. Up the spiraling staircase I went, then stopped short on the threshold.

"Holy fuck," I whispered.

Yavess had mentioned this, but I thought he had exaggerated. Even after seeing the garden, I didn't expect this. The beautiful room was destroyed. Every piece of furniture had been smashed to bits—coral chunks, pearls, and jewels littering the marble floor. The mattress was the only thing that survived, but I suspected it was only because it was covered in a pile of coral branches that used to form a canopy above it. Even the floor hadn't gone unscathed. There were broad cracks where impacts had occurred.

Was all this for me?

I should have been horrified, but I wasn't. Quite the opposite. I was thrilled to see the destruction. It meant Vaxarion cared about me. He wanted me so much that he'd gone savage when I left. All those beautiful things destroyed. For me. I felt all warm and tingly just staring at the mess.

But I couldn't leave it as it was.

I left the items I'd brought on the floor and hurried back downstairs. At the end of the corridor, I yanked open one of the doors, startling the guards.

"Sorry," I said. "I just need some cleaning supplies."

"Cleaning supplies?" One of them scowled at me as if he didn't know what the words meant.

"Yeah, you know—a broom, dustpan, bags for trash, cleaning fluid, stuff like that."

"I know what cleaning supplies are." The Sea Dragon rolled his eyes. "I don't know why you'd need them."

"Uh, to clean. His Majesty's bedroom is wrecked."

"He allowed you in it?" The other guard gaped at me.

"He's in the garden." I shrugged.

They looked at each other, then back at me.

"We can have some servants come in to clean."

"No, I want to do it. Just get the stuff, please." I shut the door before they could argue. I didn't have time for that shit. Then I went back to the slave quarters to wait.

Why wait there? It was the closest room to the main doors, and I was also curious. I'd done only a cursory inspection before. Something inside me itched to see it all. So, I strode through the apartments, frowning at the amount of space delegated to Vaxarion's bed slaves. There were over forty bedrooms even though he only had twenty-six slaves. I guess he needed space to add to his collection.

In addition to the bedrooms, there were public spaces, including a bathing and swimming area with a large pool of seawater, little bubbling pools of warm water, and showers around the edges. There wasn't a kitchen, but there was a huge wardrobe that I assumed the slaves shared. There were lines of shimmering loincloths in several sizes, transparent tunics, glittering pants, and enough golden accessories to make me wealthy beyond my dreams. And this was for his slaves. His fucking slaves!

The really fun room was the one with the, uh, sexual aids. It wasn't enough for His Majesty to have twenty-six men ready to service his every desire. Oh, no. They also had to get creative to keep his interest. Shelves stood in lines across the space, reminding me of Klen's bookstore. They were neatly stocked with restraints, little metal balls on chains, leather devices, and more. There were dildos that felt like real dicks, embedded with magic to thrust on their own (the first one I touched scared the fuck out of me). I found clamps of all sizes that glowed and buzzed. And then there were all manner of things to keep legs stretched apart, part ass cheeks, and hold mouths open for the King's pleasure.

I found a little basket and went shopping, humming happily to myself.

"Oh, my." I held up an item that resembled a tongue, and it started twirling. "Yes, you're coming with me." I stuck it in the basket.

Then a knock echoed in through the hall.

I raced back to the main entrance with my basket and threw one of the doors open. Outside, a couple of Kaikeyo women stood beyond the guards, holding the things I'd requested. Their eyes widened on the basket I held, the tentacles around their chins curling up.

I put down the basket and reached for the broom. "Thanks."

The women handed everything over, their gray skin taking on a more pink hue. They murmured something, but I didn't hear them.

"Hey, could you have some food delivered in like two hours?" I asked the guards. "Whatever His Majesty likes."

"He won't eat," one of the guards said.

"If he doesn't, I will. But I'm pretty sure I can get him to eat."

"Oh." One guard looked at the other, then said, "All right.

"Thanks." I nodded at the Kaikeyo. "Thank you, ladies." Then I shut the door.

Getting everything upstairs was a bit of a juggling act. I ended up slinging the baskets of sex stuff and cleaning stuff on the broom, then carried that over my shoulder. That would have been fine, but I had to navigate that damn spiraling stairwell. At least it was a wide stairwell.

Finally, I got to the top floor of the King's tower and went to work. There was a lot of clearing up to be done before the cleaning, and I didn't want to cart things up and down the stairs. Nor did I want to throw things down the stairs. They might damage something. So I took the broken pieces of furniture to the balcony and considered tossing them over the railing. Peering down, I saw the garden of ash directly below me, Vax still curled up at the far end. He wasn't as peaceful as when I first found him. Now, he was making angry sounds and shifting constantly. In the ten seconds I watched him, he lifted his head and peered over the railing four times.

Looking for me? Here I am, baby.

I grinned to myself and tossed two giant pieces of coral over the railing. They fell onto the charred ground, making a loud thud and sending up a cloud of ash. Vaxarion's head shot up, but I was gone before it started to turn. I had to fetch more pieces, and I didn't want him to know I'd been watching him.

By my fourth trip to the balcony, Vax was sitting up and watching me. He didn't say a word, just watched. At last, I had the room cleared of the largest bits and could move onto sweeping up the dust. But before I started on that, I changed my clothes. Off came everything, including my shoes. I put them neatly aside and pulled on the clothes I'd found in the slave quarters. If you could call them clothes.

I'd chosen a purple loincloth to go with my hair. It was actually very comfortable since I'd gone with the all-cloth version instead of the one with chains. On top of that, I pulled on a transparent tunic that shimmered with pale opalescence just like the scales on my hands and feet. The tunic stopped just before my waist, leaving the loincloth free to display the bulge it cradled. Then I undid my hair, letting it flow around my shoulders as Vax preferred. I didn't bother with accessories. This was enough for me. Although there was one piece that I intended to put on later. If necessary.

I hoped it wouldn't be necessary.

Properly dressed, I began to sweep. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched the balcony. Sure enough, after a few minutes, a sea dragon head appeared over the railing, one enormous eye peering at me. I ignored him—although I barely held back my grin—and finished sweeping. When that was done, there wasn't a lot left to do except tidy the bed. Well, the mattress. The frame was gone. It was just the mattress on the floor, but all the linens and pillows were intact. I took my time changing the sheets, making sure to bend over a lot, then I got on all-fours to smooth the silk.

A soft whimper came from the balcony.

I bit my lip. Soon. Anytime now.

Movement out of the corner of my eye. Shimmers of shapeshifting. And then Vaxarion appeared, walking across the nearly empty room in all his naked glory. Still on my hands and knees, I turned my head to watch him stalk over to me, staring at him through the fall of my hair. His hair clung to his body, concealing too much for my taste. But it couldn't hide the long, thick piece of flesh that betrayed his interest.

"What are you doing?" Vaxarion demanded, his voice rough despite the evidence of his desire. He cleared his throat and added, "I told you to leave."

"I'm not leaving, Your Majesty." I got up and went to him.

He jerked to a stop, keeping his distance. "I don't want you here, Zixin. Go back to your ship and your precious pirate's life."

Immediately, I dropped to my knees. "Forgive me for saying that. Please, Your Majesty. I didn't understand what we had. And I had to go back to them. They're my family. I needed to let them know I was alive, and I wanted their blessing before I gave them up."

"Gave them up?"

I nodded. "For you. I've come to accept your offer."

For a second, Vaxarion's expression went joyous, his eyes glittering with emotion, but then he shut that down and glared at me. "The offer no longer stands. I renounced my claim on you, remember?"

"That claim wasn't a part of your original offer." I took a deep breath and confessed. "You scared me when you tried to make me a slave. I think you know that. Even though I never told you, I think you understand how much slavery terrifies me. Especially the chains."

"I saw your reaction to the chain on your ankle," he said stiffly. "And then you said your captain saved you. You wouldn't tell me from what, but I assumed it had something to do with being restrained."

I had to trust him if this was going to work. And I did trust him. I could do this. I could talk about the past with him.

Swallowing my anxiety, I said, "I was taken as a child."

"Taken by who?" Vax asked.

"By a group of rebel Gashi. I was ten. They collared me, chained me, and made me do work that was beyond my little body. When I failed to perform as well as an adult, I was beaten. I was beaten a lot the first year, but I got stronger, and the beating lessened. Still, it wasn't an easy existence. Every night, I listened to them rape the older slaves. I knew it would be my turn one day."

"Zix," Vax whispered in horror.

I shook my head. "No. I was never raped. Thank the Gods. I was their slave until I turned fourteen. That's when Teng and some of the crew happened upon us. They killed the Gashi and freed me along with the other slaves. But I had nowhere to go. The Gashi had killed my family when they took me. So Teng offered me a new family. A new life. He raised me. He's like a father to me."

Vaxarion's throat worked roughly. He stared at me, his expression like stone. Finally, he said, "The fucking Gashi are lucky they're already dead."

Hope sparked in my chest. "Why?" I whispered and stepped forward. "Would you have killed them for me, Your Majesty?"

"Of course," he growled. Then his stare softened, and he reached out to cup my cheek. He sighed and said, "My Zixin."

"Vax," I whispered.

The Sea King suddenly jerked away. "No! I knew this wasn't a life for me! I knew focusing on one man was idiocy." He looked me over scornfully. "And still, I tried. I would have given you everything." He leaned forward to snarl, "And you threw it in my face!"

"I'm sorry."

"Not good enough." He glanced around. "Thanks for the cleaning service. I can start fresh now. I think I'll find someone to fuck in the bed you made. Someone who will give me the proper respect and adoration that I deserve."

"Vax, please! Let me make it up to you. Let me prove to you that I'm here to stay. My loyalty was with my family, but I'll give it to you now. Even if it means staying under the sea forever."

Vaxarion blinked. Swallowed. Started to reach for me. Then he dropped his hand. "No. No, I can't do this. I'm not meant for this. I loved my life before I met you. I loved the freedom in it. I fucked whoever I wanted whenever I wanted. No ties. None of this emotional shit." He shook his head. "Leave, Zixin. And don't come back this time."

I walked away, but not to leave. Instead, I went to the basket of sex stuff and lifted the thing perched on top. Trembling, I went back to him and sank to my knees.

"What are you doing?" his voice was a mere breath of air.

I held up the slave collar with both hands—an offering. "I give myself into your keeping, King Vaxarion of Morilren. Without a term set. I am your willing slave for as long as you want me."

I kept my head lowered and my hands up. Waiting. Hoping he'd accept me. The Sea King didn't make a sound. I resisted the temptation to glance up at him. I'd wait forever on my knees if I had to. He was worth it. I knew that now.

Finally, I heard the rough exhale of his breath. Vaxarion snatched the collar from my hands and growled, "Now, you want to be my slave? Very well, Zixin. I accept your service. Lift your hair."

I lifted my hair out of the way but kept my stare down. Slaves don't meet their master's eyes. When Vax fastened the golden collar around my neck, my will shook. My whole body shook. I fought back images of the Gashi collaring me. Chaining me. This wasn't them. This was Vax. He wouldn't abuse me. He would care for me. I was safe with him. I kept repeating those things in my mind until the trembling stopped and the screams sank back into my chest.

"Look at me," Vax said gently.

I lifted my stare to his face.

The Sea King cupped my cheek. "I will never hurt you, Zixin. My very acceptance of your offer is a vow of that. You are mine now. I will protect you."

"Thank you," I said. Then, shoving the word free of the pain that still lingered inside me, I added, "Master."

Vaxarion's expression shivered. "You want to prove yourself to me, Zixin? Go on then. Do it."

I got to my feet and went to the basket. Vax watched me avidly as I emptied the selection of sexual devices and aids onto the floor at the foot of the bed. A large bottle of hress nectar was the last to emerge. Then I put the basket aside and knelt on the bed.

"What is Your Majesty's desire?" I asked, lowering my stare again.

A shiver ran through me as Vax strode up to inspect the items. With enormous shock, I realized that the horror of slavery had vanished under the excitement of being with him again. My cock swelled and pushed at the loincloth.

"I see you haven't brought me a cock cage," Vax noted.

Shocked again, I forgot my place and looked up at him. "A what?"

Vaxarion chuckled. "You'll find out soon enough. For now, remove your loincloth, but leave the shirt on. I like it."

"Yes, Your Majesty." I untied my loincloth eagerly, my dick bursting free, just as eager. Yeah, I was back to calling him Your Majesty. Master was a hard word to say, and I was hoping he wouldn't make me use it often.

Vax grunted in approval. "Get on your hands and knees."

Breath coming faster, I got on the mattress and went into position.

"Spread your ass for me."

With a shudder, I bent forward, putting my face in the mattress, and reached back to pull my ass cheeks apart. Cool air hit my entrance.

"That's a good slave," Vax said as he knelt behind me.

I waited. Heard the glug of nectar being poured. Then I felt it coat my hole.

I waited again. At last, I felt him prod me. I sighed and closed my eyes in pleasure.

"You may release your ass now," he said.

I let go and pushed myself back up onto my hands, bracing myself for his virile thrusts. But then he went deeper and it didn't feel right. That wasn't Vaxarion's cock. He was longer and a touch thicker.

I looked over my shoulder at Vax. He had the dildo in his hand—the fleshy, realistic one. But my ass knew its true master.

Vax lifted a brow at me.

I jerked my head forward.

Once the thing was wedged inside me, Vax let go of it, and it fucked me on its own, magic fueling the thrusting. The mattress shifted as he got up again, and I peeked beneath my arm to see him pick up another item. I lifted my head before he stood up and came around to my front. I kept my stare lowered, but I knew he watched me. It didn't matter that it wasn't his flesh in my channel. His gaze on me was enough to spark my lust, and I couldn't hold back my moan.

Then the gleam of metal caught my eyes. Vax was holding one of the devices—the jaw spreader. My breath caught as he knelt before me. He raised the thing. Obediently, I opened my mouth. At my rear, the dildo thrust on, tirelessly keeping its steady pace. I lowered my eyes to his taut belly. The hard muscles rippled as Vax bent forward, slipping the leather-coated metal into my mouth. He fastened it around my head, careful not to catch my hair in it, then tightened it until my jaw stretched open even further.

Then Vax sprawled back on the pillows and went back to enjoying the show.

Saliva gathered in my mouth, but it was hard to swallow. Some dripped down my chin. Vaxarion licked his lips and spread his legs around me, putting his magnificent cock on display, right at the level of my down-turned eyes. I would have licked my lips too if I could have. Instead, I just moaned. The slick sounds of that dildo entering me blended with the Sea King's sighs and sent shivers down my spine.

"Suck me," Vax said.

Crawling forward awkwardly, I panted and reached for his shaft.

"No! No hands."

I dropped my hand and sought his shaft with my stretched mouth. I must have looked ridiculous, but I didn't care. If this was how he wanted me, so be it. And it certainly seemed to please him. Vax laid back and watched me struggle to get his cock in my mouth, not helping me at all. I tasted the sweet nectar on him and tongued him, needing more. His flesh filled my mouth, but I couldn't tighten my lips around it. So frustrating!

Casually, Vax reached around my head and adjusted the device until it my jaw closed into the perfect fit. Then he laid back again.

I kept my stare down as I bobbed over him, but I saw his belly tighten, felt his thighs close around me, and I knew he was enjoying it. That increased my enjoyment, and I started to shudder, reaching for release.

The dildo stopped pumping.

I looked up at Vax as it slid out of me using a ribbon of water.

"Keep sucking my cock, slave," he said viciously. But I heard the undercurrent in his voice. He was softening. How long would he last?

At this rate, he'd be mine in a few hours.

Almost as if he could hear my thoughts, the Sea King growled and rose to his knees, his pelvis thrusting me back. I choked on his flesh, and he withdrew, but only for a moment. Then Vax's hands gripped my head, and he started face-fucking me like a land animal, grunting and panting.

Should I have been scared? Upset? I wasn't. Instead, I was delirious with joy. My eyes rolled back in pleasure as he took me. To feel that passion from him again was ironically a type of freedom for me. It was as if I'd been wrapped in wool until that moment, everything stifled without Vax. But now, back in his bed, with his flesh joining us, the wool fell away, and I could feel again. I could feel everything. See everything clearly. Taste it all. Even as I gagged, I pushed my tongue on him, needing more. I wanted him even deeper.

A click came, and the clamp fell away as Vax pulled free of me. I whimpered and licked my lips.

"Please," I groaned.

"Please what?"

I looked up to find his stare wild and shining. "Please, fuck me. In any way you want. Just take me."

Snarling, Vax shot to his feet and left the bed. I hung my head, hope crashing. Was he too furious to forgive me? Was I doing this for nothing? Would he grow tired of me now that I belonged to him? I held back the sobs that rose in my chest. To debase myself like this for nothing would crush me.

But then I felt him crash onto his knees behind me. Rough hands spread my ass and a real cock pressed into me. A joyous cry left my lips as Vax slid home, filling my channel as no fake shaft could. He went deep with the first thrust, his passage eased by that toy. Still, he stretched me. Went deeper.

"Vax!" I cried out, my back arching.

"Put your head down!" Vaxarion commanded. "And get your ass in the air."

"Yes, Your Majesty," I groaned and lowered my head. My ass shifted up, giving him deeper access, and Vax made use of it. "Thank you. Oh, fuck. Thank you."

"Shut up!" Vax growled. "You want to be treated like a slave? Fine. That's what you'll get, Zixin!"

And then the Sea King was beyond words. His hands held my hips in a vise and his pelvis slapped my ass with every thrust. It was sheer bliss. My muscles clenched again. Getting ready.

"No!" Vaxarion said and grabbed my cock, squeezing the head. "Don't you dare come. You're not worthy of coming. Do you fucking understand me?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," I gasped. Using all of my willpower, I pushed down my climax, even as he sped up, his breath coming as fast as his thrusts.

With a victorious cry, the Sea King erupted inside me, filling me with three heavy spurts. At last, he settled, his grip loosening and his cock slipping free. But before I could lift my head, something replaced him. Something cold, like metal.

The plug. He had corked me like a bottle. I would have laughed if I hadn't still been in need.

With a pleased smack on my ass, Vax moved aside and sprawled back on the pillows. "Come here, Zix."

I looked up hopefully. The King had one arm outstretched. I crawled in against him and hesitantly laid my head on his chest. He sighed, pulled me in against him, and kissed the top of my head.

Vax started to speak, but then someone called up the stairs, "Your dinner, Your Majesty! May I bring it up?"

"No!" Vaxarion roared as he bolted up, bouncing me off him. "Leave it there!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the man's voice trembled. Then came the sound of running feet.

"I'll get it," I offered.

"No, you wait here." Vaxarion got up and strode across the room, giving me the most spectacular view of his ass.

I sighed and nestled into his pillow, breathing in his salty, spicy male scent. I was home. I knew it in my bones. Coming back had been the right thing to do. And even if Vax kept me as a slave for the rest of my existence, I wouldn't regret it. Because I could only be happy when he was in my life. Without him, I was . . .

My thoughts trailed away as I saw Vax come striding powerfully through the doorway. He held the dinner tray, laden with platters heaped with food. But he also had something hanging from a finger.

Vax set the tray down on the bed and sat beside it. "Come here, Zix."

Swallowing my apprehension, I crawled over to him. He lifted the strange item. It was a delicate thing made of gold spacers and rings. I frowned at it, unable to process what it was. Then Vax slid the golden cage over my cock.

Luckily, the length of his absence had softened my erection. If I'd still be hard, it would have been impossible for me to fit in that thing. But I think Vax would have found a way to get it on. His expression was grim when he slid my balls through the ring at the base and locked it in place. Literally put a tiny lock on it. That's when I noticed the key that hung around his neck.

What the actual fuck?

But I didn't protest. Didn't make a single sound as my sex was caged for the King's amusement. With that cage around me, I wouldn't be able to get an erection. Or if I did, it would hurt. As annoying as that was, I understood what Vax was doing. I had betrayed him, and it was bad enough that he was taking pleasure from me. To give me pleasure in return was too far.

Confirming my suspicions, Vax said, "You will only come when I allow it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Now, you may feed me. I find that I'm starving." With a feral grin, Vax sprawled back against the bed pillows and waited.

I brought the tray of food to him, setting it beside him. When I started to sit down, he smacked my thigh.

"Don't you know how a slave sits in his master's presence?" Vax growled. "Kneel. And make sure your cock is properly displayed.

"Yes, Your Majesty," I said and knelt, adjusting my cock and balls to sit on my thighs.

Vax stared at my sex, then reached out to tap the cage. "Very pretty."

"What would you like to sample first?" I asked.

Vax grinned, his gaze still on my cock, then lifted his stare to meet my eyes. "I'll leave it up to you. Just be sure to select the best bites for me."

I cut the grilled fish and offered him a morsel. Vaxarion's lips closed over it, then he pulled back, sensually sliding his prize from the fork. I got a forkful of sea asparagus next. He ate that in just as erotic a manner. Within minutes, my cock ached, pushing at the cage. Hands trembling, I lifted the fork again, but couldn't hold back my moan.

Vax grinned before snatching the bite. "Comfy?"

"Not in the least."

"Good." He tapped my cage again. "Keep going."

I somehow managed to finish feeding him. By the end of the meal, both my cock and stomach ached, the latter rumbling with hunger.

"Hungry, slave?" Vax asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Vax pushed the tray aside, and I sadly watched it go, taking the leftover food with it. Then I looked back at the Sea King. He spread his legs, and I finally allowed myself to look at his sex. I couldn't while feeding him. It was hard enough to watch him lick and suck and moan his way through the meal. If I had looked at his cock, I would have been in ten times as much pain.

But now I did.

It was gloriously erect, standing straight up with a glossy bead of moisture welling atop it. My mouth watered. Then Vaxarion's hand slid between his pectorals and down his belly. Slowly. He gripped the base of his cock and squeezed. The dewdrop on his tip grew.

"Oh, fuck," I panted.

"If you're hungry, I will feed you," he said. "But first, you will have me as an appetizer. Get to work, slave. And pray that I find your ministrations pleasing. If I don't, cum is all you'll have to fill your belly."

Oh, dear Gods, why does that excite me? I'm a bad, bad pirate boy who needs a good spanking. Oh, fuck. Maybe he'll spank me if I disobey him. Should I dare it?

I reached over and scooped some whipped cream off what was left of the King's dessert and topped his cock with it. It was a minor disobedience. I wanted to start small. And I even paused a moment to see if he'd stop me. But all Vax did was lift a brow at me as if to ask if I was sure I wanted to proceed.

Fuck, yes, I was sure.

I crawled between the King's legs and went down on him, gobbling up the cream and his cock. So sweet. So hard. The salt of him went well with the cream. I groaned and got comfortable, leaning over his thigh to angle down on him. And Vax loved every second. He groaned and growled and grabbed my hair. But then I think he realized he was being too lenient with me.

That's when Vax pushed me down, choking me on his cock. I relaxed my throat and took him deeper.

"Well done," Vax said. "But don't think I didn't notice how you got around my command to have me before your meal. You will pay for that."

I shivered, anticipating the punishment.

Vax chuckled. "Oh, you think you'll enjoy it, do you? We'll see about that." And then he lost his words to deep groaning.

The King's hips lifted, and he held my head pressed down as he emptied himself into me. I drank him greedily, shuddering as my cock pressed painfully against the cage, then shrank back. No, I wasn't into pain with my sex.

When Vax finished coming, it seemed as if he'd forgotten about punishing me. Sated, he laid back and waved his hand at the tray. "Eat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," I said and rushed to the food.

"Take it to the floor, slave."

I grunted and shifted off the mattress, taking the tray with me. With the mattress being on the floor, it wasn't much of a journey. But there was a divide between Vax and me suddenly. There, sitting cross-legged on the polished coral and bent over my food, I was a pet while he, sprawled on his comfy bed, was the master. His stare added to that unspoken declaration.

Fine with me.

I stuffed myself, then pushed away the tray and laid down. Curled on my side toward Vax, I watched him watch me. He had softened during sex, but now the coldness was returning to his eyes. Fuck.

He rolled over and went to sleep. To sleep!

I lay there a while, listening to Vaxarion's even breathing. Then, when I was sure he was asleep, I slipped a pillow and blanket from the bed and laid back down on the floor. Staring up at the ceiling, I processed my day. This wasn't where I wanted to be with Vax, but I was confident that he'd eventually forgive me. Then we could move on. And maybe we'd have a little fun on the way to forgiveness.