Maddox made a point of being late. He wanted to be the last to arrive at the gathering. Kat was at his right. Both were in ceremonial armor made of gold with silver inlaid designs. The rest of his officers were behind him.
He thought of Aidan, who he'd left to savor a sampler of all the chef's finest desserts. The boy had looked so tempting, biting into a pastry and then licking his lips to remove the white traces of cream filling. His white gold collar glinted at his neck, like a frame around the mark that had yet to fade.
Maddox channeled his rage at the man who would take Aidan away as he signaled for the large, ornate wooden doors to be opened.
Fergus slouched in the throne-like chair at the head of the room. He sneered at Maddox and his companions. "Where is my slave?" Fergus hissed.
"He is no longer your slave!" Maddox shouted.
"Because he was stolen," Fergus accused. The room filled with voices of all the gathered Warlords and their officers.
Maddox could not deny this. "The boy is my mate," he declared.
The room was silent. Claiming a mate was not a matter to be taken lightly. Once a vampire found their mate and proclaimed their love to the ancient deities that had created vampires they could only be with that one mate. They would be physically incapable of doing anything sexual with anyone other than their partner. To love another would be excruciating pain.
Fergus narrowed his eyes. It would be a very stupid move for Fergus to press the issue. To keep a vampire from their mate was considered the most heinous act.
"The boy is my property," Fergus finally replied.
The onlookers roared in protest to Fergus's words.
Maddox gestured to Kat and she reached into her boot for an ancient dagger with a jeweled hilt. Maddox bowed as he took it and then turned to present it to Fergus.
Again, the room was silent. Fergus slowly stood up from his chair and accepted the challenge.
"Tomorrow at midnight," Maddox said.
Fergus agreed. Maddox turned to leave. Almost as soon as he had he felt a sharp pain in his neck, at the base of his skull. He turned in a fury, yanking the dagger out of his body. The wound healed almost instantly. Maddox felt his vision blur and his ears were filled with the sound of a wolf's howl. The skin on his forearms rippled and fur started to grow before he regained control.
"I will choose to preserve my honor and refrain from attacking you," Maddox said.
Kat hovered protectively behind Maddox as they left.
***
Aidan ran to greet Maddox. He held him tight and asked, "Are you alright?"
Maddox massaged Aidan's back. "Of course, little one. Why wouldn't I be?" Maddox sighed. "Kat?"
Aidan nodded.
"That woman..." Maddox was constantly amazed at Kat's ability to meddle. She had gone inside the main castle only ten minutes before him.
"She's a nice lady."
Maddox nodded and looked around the room. He saw that a few pieces of food were missing from the platter of fruit that sat in his room. "Did you eat from that plate?" Maddox asked.
Aidan nodded. "I...I was hungry..."
Maddox sighed. "Didn't I specifically say in our contract that we take our meals together unless I indicate otherwise?"
Aidan looked at the ground. "I...didn't think..."
"What is the punishment for a broken rule?"
"Please no..."
Maddox growled. "What is the punishment for a broken rule and trying to avoid punishment?"
Aidan sniffed and tried to hold back his tears. He wasn't scared, at least not a lot. He had just hoped that he could be so well behaved he wouldn't ever need to be punished.
"Speak!" Maddox commanded.
Aidan jerked involuntarily at his loud voice. "It's five for the broken rule and...and...ten for trying to avoid punishments."
Maddox lifted Aidan's face and looked into his watery, indigo eyes. "Are you frightened, little one?"
Aidan looked back at Maddox. "A little."
"You know I would never seriously harm you."
"I know...I just...you're disappointed..."
Maddox leaned forward, gently kissing Aidan's lips. "I love you. Once you have received your proper punishment, all will be well."
"I love you too," Aidan whispered.
Maddox led Aidan to a large, luxurious chair. Maddox sat and pulled Aidan into his lap. Maddox kissed Aidan, and Aidan could feel raw possessiveness in the way Maddox's mouth claimed his. Maddox laid Aidan over his lap and massaged the boy's lower back for a while. He could feel that Aidan was hard with excitement, and yet trembling with fear. Maddox gave Aidan a pillow to hold on to.
He wet his finger with spit and rubbed Aidan's virginal opening. Aidan made a soft cooing sound. He relaxed and enjoyed the sensation when suddenly Maddox's hand slapped hard against his rear. He yelped and clutched the pillow.
Four more times, Maddox spanked him. Aidan was having trouble holding back tears. But strangely, he was also having trouble holding back from climax. Each time Maddox spanked him, his sensitive organ rubbed against the lusciously soft chair and Maddox's leg.
Maddox massaged Aidan's sore cheeks and leaned down to whisper to him. "You're ass is so wonderful. I love how its turning pink."
Aidan squirmed in Maddox's lap. "Spank me again..." he moaned.
Maddox quickly delivered the remaining swats and then his mouth found Aidan's throbbing head. He laved his tongue over the leaking head and Aidan whimpered. "So good..." he moaned.
Maddox reached for the hoops in Aidan's nipples and gave them a slight twist. The boy writhed and purred. Maddox felt a rush of warm liquid deep in his throat as Aidan's hips rocked wildly. Maddox kept the last drops of Aidan's sperm in his mouth and kissed him, letting him see for the first time how he tasted.
Aidan moaned and tilted his head back. Maddox softly kissed the purple mark on Aidan's pale neck, flickering his tongue over the vein. He wanted very much to feed on Aidan again, but he didn't want to hurt his delicate boy.
He ran a hand over Aidan's bottom. "Was it so bad?"
"Take me..." Aidan whispered. He was grinding his slight body against Maddox, kissing softly at Maddox's neck.
Maddox felt conflicted. There was nothing he wanted more than to take Aidan's virginity, to claim the boy as completely and wholly his. However, he wanted to remove all threats before he did so.
"I will...soon," Maddox said.
Aidan groaned. "I want to feel what it's like...I want you to be a part of me."
"After I defeat Fergus. I will make you mine."
Aidan accepted the offer and slowly made his way down to Maddox's cock. Maddox relaxed and watched Aidan work. His lips stretched around Maddox's shaft and his hands eagerly teased Maddox's balls.
"Take as much as you can," Maddox rumbled.
Aidan obeyed and took in nearly six inches before he gagged and backed away. He immediately tried again, and this time he swallowed every inch. He wiggled a little and started to bob back and forth, taking Maddox in and out of his mouth. He looked up at the vampire and saw the look of pure enjoyment on his face. Aidan knew he was doing a good job.
Maddox roared and Aidan jerked away, a stream of hot liquid splattered over his face. He opened his mouth, and the rest of the semen shot into his mouth and ran down his chin.
***
Word had spread of the impending duel and Maddox could hear the din of a growing crowd in the arena. Kat drifted in to his tent, looking not the least bit concerned.
"Your boy is still sleeping," she said.
Maddox smiled and closed his eyes, picturing Aidan sleeping. It was really a wonderful sight to see. Messy black hair contrasting with snow white pillow. Full, soft lips with the two glinting piercings. Thick eyelashes and gentle breathing. His small, smooth body curled around a pillow.
That was why he was fighting.
He sighed looked around at the canvas walls and Kat gave him a knowing look. "You know you can easily defeat Fergus," she said.
Maddox nodded. "It has become...increasingly difficult for me to be without Aidan."
