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For the time being, they would be stored in the Temple, and once Oriel returned, they would be properly interred. The Mages would keep them safe for now, and they promised that if Oriel failed, they would get the bodies to the tomb and make sure it was done.
Aspen stood in the Temple on one side of Oriel, and Roth was on the other. The coffins were plain and lined up according to status.
Even though Aspen had been purchased and kept for sex, they had grown to love each other. Most pleasure slaves were considered more important than basic employees. Aspen had loved each in his own way. As he looked at the coffins, he tried not to picture them as how they looked after death on that night. He wanted to remember how they looked while alive and well.
Oriel barely spoke for the rest of the night. When they slept on the ship, Roth and Aspen got in the bed with him and stayed on either side of him.
They only had each other now, and Aspen knew Oriel was terrified of losing them too. It was the same terror he felt.
There was nothing to do but go on. More men joined them from Lork, and they left the city that was no longer home behind as they continued.
The next city they targeted fought back at first. Aspen stayed on the ships and watched from the quarter deck with Kalani even when he lost sight of Oriel and Roth. The fight didn’t last long since the place wasn’t equipped for a full-on battle. The men had also likely only been following the orders of their new lord and were trying to escape death. They were cut down, and the city quickly fell into line after that.
More of the coast fell under their control, and they gained more men willing to fight for Oriel instead of some conniving King and whatever lackeys he gifted holds too. It was hard to know if King Taven would have better defenses set up in important areas on his original side. All it took was for one person to run and tell or send a dove.
It had likely happened by now.
Oriel wanted to head right for Juniper, the capital of Meadow Kingdom. He could take other places, but he said it was better to cut out the heart first. A few disagreed and said to encroach slowly, but others agreed. Why waste men on other coastal places of less importance? People who had been Meadow fairies from the day of their birth might not care to join Oriel who had no wish to press citizens into fighting.
Since Oriel was the real King of West Bay, they followed his orders. Kalen and Rhys had agreed with him.
Aspen dared to stand outside by the railing one night. He still hated ships and wished for a bottle to dull things, but Oriel hadn’t let him have any alcohol. He figured this had to be some improvement since he wasn’t ready to have a panic attack. He’d been in the cabin for the most part for so long.
Roth sitting with him probably helped. They’d all been sleeping in the same bed even though it was crowded, although sometimes the lack of space made Aspen get out of bed at night to lie on the floor. Waking up with a nightmare and feeling someone against him was…unpleasant.
“You know, if you want me to stay out here for a bit, I can,” said Aspen. “I think I can trust Kalen and Rhys, so if they’d stay with me…”
He figured he could trust Kalen more. There was nothing wrong with Rhys, but if he couldn’t have Oriel or Roth, he’d pick Kalen. He had seemed to understand things in a way.
Roth looked at him after a moment. “You don’t have to force yourself to come out or stay out here for a certain period. Do things in your time.”
“I mean, if you and Oriel want to fuck…” said Aspen. “I’m kind of a third wheel.”
“I would like to have sex with him, but we’re not kicking you out for that.”
“If something happens, wouldn’t you like a last fuck?”
Roth snorted. “I love him for far more than just that.”
“I know, but go fuck and enjoy it. At least you can.”
Roth leaned his head on the railing. “Maybe you will too one day.”
Aspen didn’t see how he was ever supposed to let someone get on top of him or flip him over. Maybe if he was in control and on top, he could manage it, but sex with anyone hadn’t been on his mind.
Roth drew close enough for Aspen to feel his breath on his ear. “Even if you never let Oriel touch you in that fashion, he’ll still love you. The same goes for me. You’re also mine, and I’m yours.”
Aspen stilled at the warmth so close to this skin. Roth had proved that more than once despite Aspen being a total dickhead for so long. Saving him. Holding him to keep the bad away. He still let Aspen lay against his side. Any two fairies could fuck, but not everyone would stick around through other shit.
When his lips brushed Aspen’s neck, he knew what the fairy wanted. He'd seen the marks on Oriel’s skin before.
“Do it.” Aspen shifted an inch to his left and toward him.
Roth didn’t touch him in any other way, but he let his fangs sink in. The little pricks of pain did something weird to Aspen that he couldn’t even quite explain. For a moment, Roth held still, and a little growl came from his throat. He was probably aching for far more, but he wouldn’t do it.
He let out a little shuddery breath when he pulled away, and for the first time in ages, Aspen didn’t feel disgusted at the thought of someone wanting to fuck him. If they ever had sex, it wouldn’t be like on the ship or the last night in the Castle when every single act had been forced on him.
“Go work that out on Oriel,” said Aspen. “Don’t make him go to battle with full balls.”
