Chapter Four

 

 

Maxsim was studying himself in the full-length mirror—for the fifth time.

He knew it was ridiculous. But this shirt didn’t work either! He would go back to the blue one. Yes. That one seemed more… royal. Pari would be there in mere minutes and he needed to be flawless. Well, he needed to be dressed in such a way Pari would take notice, be impressed. Intimidated. His fussing with his appearance had nothing to do with the fact he wanted Pari to… what? Admire him? Fall in love? Ha!

Except Pari had glared at Maxsim last night as if he were a complete idiot about the old women, like he had no brain at all. That bothered Maxsim more than he wanted to admit.

Not that he cared what the little Ruby thought of him.

He didn’t!

Well—he did sort of miss the original way Pari had gawked at him. Such admiration in those gorgeous eyes. As if he were a god. Remembering that adoring gaze on him sent a shiver up his back.

Now he just gaped at him like he was a drooling imbecile.

Damn.

He pulled off the white shirt that actually didn’t match the color of his hair, and why haven’t I noticed that before, and headed back to the massive armoire that held his clothes.

“Where the fuck is that blue shirt?” he shouted at the interior of the closet after he rummaged through it. Oh wait. He had already had it on, so it was… yes. Right there, on his bed. At least he hadn’t flung it to the floor as he had with the black, tan, green or, ancient dragons help him, the purple shirt. Worthy of being in his hoard, the rich colored fabric it was made from was worth the amethyst it mimicked. He snatched it up and threw it on the rumpled quilt as he traded it out for the blue one.

There. That’s better. Blue. To match his eyes. He knew he shined in this shirt. Looked handsome and stunning and… oh fuck yes, sexy. So what? He intended to show that little Ruby he was a prince worthy of the title. He was not dim-witted. He was intelligent and brave and…

He sighed.

Besides, the little Ruby was hiding something and Maxsim needed to get it out of him. And, yes, it mattered the shirt he wore, damn it!

Maxsim refused to even glance in the mirror this time. He pulled on his trousers and reached for his royal coat, then hesitated. He twisted to peruse his own backside. No. Forget the coat. His tight pants complimented his ass, hugged it to perfection too much to cover it, and he could definitely use that. Maybe he wouldn’t even sit. Perhaps he would simply walk around and let Pari’s hot wine-colored gaze watch his every muscle flex beneath the thin material. He smiled.

There was a knock on the door.

He’s here!

Why did his heart just feel like it stopped beating? Fuck, that hurt.

He shook back his hair, faced the door and cleared his throat as he put his hands behind him, spread his feet and lifted his chin, frowning.

Great gods, was he trying to appear regal?

He immediately dropped his arms to his side and took a breath, finally ready to command Pari to enter. Except… standing like this did not feel natural. He growled as he put his hands on his hips and puffed out his chest.

Damn. Still trying too hard. Now he gave the impression he was simply annoyed.

Well, he was. Sort of.

He dropped his arms again and let out his breath. He needed to appear casual. As if he didn’t really care, which, of course, he didn’t.

I know! I’ll stand by the window. I’ll appear majestic and stately.

He turned—and slammed into a chair tipping it over; He tried to catch it before it clattered to the stone floor but ended up tripping on one of the legs and nearly going over himself.

Fuck!

Maxsim hurried to drag the chair upright, cursing at himself because Pari would have had to have heard the commotion and would probably ask about it.

“I didn’t picture you being quite this ungainly, Your Highness,” he might say, laughing at him.

Wyvern’s breath.

When had he become a klutz? Maxsim had always been refined, graceful. Not a bumbling child. He rushed to take a pose gazing out on the snow, tucking his left arm behind him and leaning against the sill with his right shoulder.

It’s no use. Now I look forlorn. That was the last thing he wanted Pari to think he was.

This isn’t working.

The knock came again. Louder.

“Sire, are you all right?”

Fuck it!

“Yes! Come in!”

The door opened and one of Maxsim’s knights stepped in. After taking a fast sweep of the room with his gaze, he addressed the prince who now stood away from the window shivering a bit from the cold seeping through. “Sire. I brought the prisoner as you commanded.” He bowed slightly.

Prisoner. Hmmm. He liked the sound of that. As in bound and at his mercy. “Yes, fine. Bring him in.”

Pari was pushed into the room, his hands secured behind his back, a scowl on his beautiful face.

“Is this any way to treat someone who saved your life?” he spat as he stumbled and nearly fell.

Maxsim only just stopped himself from stepping forward and catching the man. A sudden need to wrap Pari protectively in his arms flashed through his thoughts hard enough to make Maxsim intake his breath before he spoke again. “I… I don’t understand how it is you think you saved my life. The old woman was simply trying to give me a gift.”

“Absolutely she was. The gift of death!”

Maxsim laughed, the pressure released. This was more like it. He was back in control. He nodded at the knight to leave, and he did, closing the door behind him. Maxsim returned his attention to Pari. Clearly the small dragon shifter had quite the imagination. He had seen the knife the old woman pulled out as a threat to the prince and took action. Maxsim did have to admit, he, too, had thought the same thing for a fraction of a second before Pari had tackled the poor old woman to the ground.

But then he glowered at the memory of that same old woman stabbing the little Ruby. Yes, it did seem proper she would defend her life. Pari had after all come at her at full speed and knocked her flat. It was after seeing her feeble body slammed into with such brute force Maxsim had marveled at the fact he had even thought the woman capable of murder. Why would some random frail grandmother want the Pearl Prince dead? He had done nothing to anyone, save the Obsidian Queen, may the dark fairies steal her hoard, to warrant any kind of death threat. Besides, didn’t the villain always announce himself prior to attempting to take the hero’s life? Even though she was ugly and wrinkled, Maxsim had a very hard time seeing her as a monster.

At the same time, Maxsim had been a bit surprised to witness such strength and agility from one so ancient.

“All right, Pari. That’s quite enough. I’ve told you before, she meant me no harm.” The Ruby shook his head, that same expression on his face he had the night before. That “Are you completely witless?” countenance. It ruffled Maxsim’s very scales. “I,” he announced through clenched teeth, “am going to take you to meet her and you—will—apologize. Then we will figure out a fitting punishment for your lack of respect to my subjects.”

“She’s not your subject! That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you!”

There was a curt knock on the door, and it opened before Maxsim even had a chance to give permission for whoever it was to enter.

Had the castle gone mad? “Captain Renard!”

“I beg your pardon, sire, but I have urgent news.”

“And that gives you the right to barge into my quarters?”

At least his captain had the decency to lower his gaze. “No, Your Highness. Forgive me.”

Maxsim closed his eyes for a moment. “Fine. Just…” He couldn’t believe how irritated he was at being interrupted. But he still had a kingdom to run. “You have urgent news?”

“Yes… Yes, Your Highness.”

“Out with it then!” he barked at his captain.

“Sire, the old woman, the one in the town square, she… she’s escaped.”

“Escaped?” Maxsim noticed Pari’s eyes widening at that news as he swung his head around to stare at Renard. “What do you mean ‘escaped’? She wasn’t a prisoner.”

“I know, sire. But you told me to keep her in the castle until…” Renard glanced at Pari and frowned. “Until the Ruby apologized.”

“Yes. I did. But that did not make her a prisoner. What happened?”

Renard’s gaze came back to Maxsim. “She disappeared.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t there. I put Mason and Grigg in charge. She evidently slipped out during all the ruckus with the fire.”

“The fire? That was yesterday! Why am I only learning of this now?”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I, too, only learned of it a few moments ago.”

Maxsim sighed. It was not like Renard to allow for such sloppiness. “I’m disappointed, Renard. Did you at least obtain her name, so I may contact her with Pari’s apology in a letter?”

“No, sire. It would appear we did not.”

Maxsim shook his head. “You are lucky, Renard, that I don’t throw you into the stocks. First for losing track of my guest and second, for barging in here without permission.”

Renard lowered his gaze again but not before Maxsim saw fear in his eyes. “Yes, Your Highness. I’m sorry, Your Highness.”

“You are dismissed.”

Renard pivoted on his heel to go.

“That’s it?” Pari screeched and turned toward Maxsim. “He’s dismissed after letting her go?”

“He didn’t let her go,” Maxsim countered. “She walked away. She most likely has family to attend to and didn’t have time to sit waiting for you, Ruby.”

“Pari,” Pari shouted. “My name is Pari. Not Ruby.”

This man was exasperating! “Settle down, Pari. You have no right to talk to me in that tone.” He waved off Renard who had turned back and begun to approach Pari. “It’s fine, Renard, leave us.”

Renard scowled at Pari but did as he was told, although Maxsim did notice he failed to close the door completely behind him.

There was a moment of silence, then…

“It—was—the Queen!” Pari hissed, pronouncing each word deliberately as if the prince could have trouble understanding them.

But when those words took shape in his mind Maxsim was shocked enough to sputter, “Wh… what? Queen? You mean… the Obsidian Queen? Are you telling me that fragile ancient woman was Queen Neparth? You’re daft if you think I will believe such… such rubbish!”

“It’s not rubbish,” Pari seethed. “It’s the truth. How can you not see it? The knife she used was even studded with obsidians. She was advertising it. Claiming it. Not to mention the damn thing was laced with poison. I stopped her!”

“You stopped a grandmother who was grieving her lost grandchild by presenting her prince with a gift! And I’ve already explained the coating on the knife which makes perfect sense to me. You don’t belong here, Pari. You’ve never even been here before, I would wager, yet you seem to think you know things about this kingdom and its subjects that you clearly do not. Now I suggest…”

“What matter is it I’m not from here? I can still recognize the Obsidian Queen when I see her and that old grandmother, as she has somehow been able to convince you she is, was the queen. But clearly you’re too blind to realize it.”

“I am not blind. You, however, are insolent and rude. And ridiculous. Obviously you have never seen Queen Neparth. She is… young. And beautiful. Not old and wrinkly.”

“That’s because she used magic to change her image.”

Was this little shifter weak in the head? “Magic? Now you’re telling me she used magic? Why?”

“What do you mean why? She wants you dead! Why else? How does she get close to you if she is herself?”

Maxsim shook his head. “No. You don’t understand. Why is it you think you know all this?”

“Because… because…” Pari glanced at the shield propped against the wall next to Maxsim’s bed. “Because I’m from the future.”

Maxsim was speechless. He had heard incredible stories before, mainly when he was holding court over some guilty subject hell-bent on deflecting blame, but never so randomly in a conversation. It might just be he had to consider whether or not this boy really was mad. “From the future, you say? Pray tell, how is it you got here?”

Pari gazed at the shield again, as if he longed to touch it. Did the little Ruby want the shiny thing? Unexpectedly Maxsim had a deep need as well. A strong desire to make the small shifter smile. For the first time in his entire life Maxsim felt compelled to actually give something from his hoard away.

“Through that shield,” he stammered.

Had Maxsim heard him correctly? “The shield.”

Pari gulped as he continued to stare at the shield but then he nodded.

“You time traveled—through a shield.”

“Your knights found it in the wood leaning against a tree, right?”

That surprised Maxsim. They had all been in the woods on a patrol when the shield had been discovered. Curious Pari would know that. “I’m not sure. They only brought it me. I didn’t see where it came from.”

Pari’s attention came back to Maxsim and his heart leaped. There was such a look of loneliness in those eyes. An expression of suffering. Maxsim took a step toward the shifter, only wanting to wrap him up in his arms and never let go.

“Look,” Pari implored. “I know how unbelievable that sounds. But I can prove it.”

“Really? I can’t wait to find out how.”

“In my time, you’re—well, your legendary. The fabulous Prince Maxsim. The last Pearl Dragon in the world.” Pari frowned. “There are a hundred stories about you. How kind and gentle and loving you always were. Stories of your bravery and loyalty to your people, your great works and amazing heart. But the most told, the saddest story of all, was the one where the queen took your life.”

There was no question, Pari believed what he was telling him. “How?”

Pari let out a laugh that was anything but joyous. “A knife laced in poison in your back.”

Maxsim nodded slowly. “I see. But how does that prove anything? You said you had proof.”

“I do. The ring you have on a chain around your neck.”

Maxsim immediately clutched at his necklace nestled under his clothes. He hadn’t thought about it for years even though he was never without it. How did Pari, a man he had never met, know about it? “Go on.”

“It’s your mother’s wedding ring. A pearl ring. Said to be made from a piece of an ancient Pearl Dragon’s heart. I understand he was one of the first Pearl shifters. It’s supposed to have great power,” Pari shook his head. “I remember how my mother used to tell me the story. No one knew you had it. Not even the queen. But while you laid on the ground dying, she saw it, ripped it from your neck and slipped the ring on her own finger, all while you watched.”

Maxsim began breathing fast as an image of the evil queen doing that very thing flew through his mind. His stomach turned at such an offensive act possibly taking place. He actually felt light-headed. Pari was right. The queen didn’t know Maxsim had the ring. She had searched for it, that he knew. Prior to Maxsim finally fleeing north he had witnessed Neparth screaming fury over not being able to find it. Of course, his father, the king, was too sick at that point to be coherent enough to tell her, either. For that, Maxsim was grateful.

His knees had still gone weak. Taking a deep breath, Maxsim was determined to gain back control of the situation. “That’s ridiculous.” Maxsim realized he was truly shaken by Pari’s story. But that’s all it really had to be. A story. This boy had somehow found out about the ring and made up this elaborate fantasy. However, it was taking some time to calm his heart. He shook himself internally.

“Obviously, my dear little Ruby—I mean Pari—it was only a dream. A nightmare that you simply thought was real, caused no doubt from the stabbing. As for the ring? I’m not sure how you know about it but it was a gift from my father years ago.” He fished it out and gazed at it. A tiny simple white circle that seemed to glow in the light. He had always loved this ring, had always admired it when it adorned his mother’s beautiful and delicate finger. After her death, his father gifted it to him and told him to keep it close. He was exceptionally thankful he had it and he had honored his father and kept it secret. But then he thought about those few times he had allowed himself the pleasure of company in his bed. Yes, he wore it even then. Of course, he had never told any of them what the ring was or who it had belonged to. Or at least he hadn’t thought he did. There had been a few times when he might have had a goblet or two too much wine. So, maybe… “Somehow you just heard about it, that’s all.” Maxsim walked over to the shield and rapped on its surface. “And this thing? See? There is no doorway to other worlds through here. I have to admit the reflection it gives is odd and that it could very well spawn a story or two, but traveling through time? Hardly.”

“You’re saying I dreamed all this?”

“Yes, perhaps. You dreamed I was stabbed by the Obsidian Queen and I died and that’s why you think that old woman is the queen. She just happened to have a knife like the person in your dream.”

There was that expression again. As if he believed Maxsim were deranged. “That is the most absurd, impossibly ludicrous thing I have ever…” Pari’s voice was high-pitched and his eyes wide. Oh, those pretty eyes. “Are you truly that stupid?”

That brought Maxsim back to reality. “Stupid? Stupid?” The fire in Maxsim’s sack suddenly coiled as if he were readying himself to shift and attack. No one had ever taken Maxsim on such a wild up and down ride of emotions like this young, beautiful Ruby dragon had. Lust like he had never known before then, right on its heels, fury so bright he could almost taste it. “May I remind you, I am the Pearl Prince! You can’t talk to me like that!”

“Oh! I’m sorry,” Pari clipped. “Are you truly that stupid—Your Highness?” Pari bowed deeply, his arms still tied behind him, then raised his hot gaze to Maxsim again. “Better?”

“How dare you? I ought to have you flogged.”

“Flogged?” Pari grinned. Clearly believing he was getting to the prince. Well, Maxsim would show him a thing or two.

“Yes. Tied up and whipped.” An image of Pari’s bare ass taking the lashes of his leather straps bloomed in his imagination taking his very breath. “Naked.” The word escaped his mouth before he could stop it. Oh yes, he wanted this little shifter naked.

Pari jerked back and drew in a breath, that grin disappearing. “Naked…?” he breathed.

Maxsim took a step toward Pari, his anger continuing to war with his desire for the young Ruby, his manhood rock-hard against his thigh. “Naked with your legs spread wide,” he proclaimed, his fantasy running away with him. “So I can see…everything.”

Pari’s mouth came open as if he too was finding it difficult to breath. It certainly was hot in the room. Maxsim pulled on his collar. “Then what?” came the little shifter’s voice.

Oh my, my, what indeed would be next? “I will whip your ass until it is cherry red. Then I’ll make you ready for me with some oil I have near the bed, pushing it into you with my fingers. All my fingers.” Maxsim took another step, shivering with excitement. “Did you know, Pari, there is a very wonderful spot deep inside you, that when rubbed just right, it gives the greatest pleasure?” he whispered.

Pari let out a pent-up breath, his eyes wide. “No,” he sputtered.

He was so pretty. So willing. And soon, he would be ready. “I’ll show you. Again and again I will show you. My fingers will stretch you and excite you. Then you know what I’m going to do? After I prepare you, I’m going to shove my cock deep inside you, right between those hot and soon to be slippery cheeks. And all the while, you’ll be helpless with your hands bound.” Maxsim took another large stride bringing him into Pari’s personal space. The little Ruby stood his ground as he cast his gaze up into Maxsim’s face, that pert puffy pink mouth an open invitation to be ravaged. Oh, what he wanted to do to that mouth. Maxsim pulled the dragon shifter to him and took him into a demanding kiss.

There was a sharp gasp from somewhere.

Maxsim jerked up out of the kiss to find Renard staring at him with wide open eyes through the partially open door. Seems Renard had never left and had most likely heard everything. He would have to take him to task for that. But for now, “Renard?” Maxsim drawled. “Your knife, please.”

Pari inhaled as he stiffened in Maxsim’s arms.

“No, no, no, little one. Relax.”

Renard hesitated then stepped back into the room taking his knife from his belt and handed it to the Prince. Maxsim then reached with it around Pari’s back and sliced the bonds that tied his hands.

“There. Is that better?” He handed the knife back to his captain.

Pari moaned as his arms went around Maxsim.

“This time, Renard, when I say leave us, I mean it.”

Renard paled but spun on his heel. Maxsim made sure the door was closed completely then turned his attention back to Pari.

“You said I would be bound,” the Ruby whispered into Maxsim’s chest.

It was Maxsim’s turn to suck in a breath. Such amazing words. Pari wanted to be bound. Maxsim could come right in his pants. “Oh, my sweet Pari, you will be bound, I promise you. But I will bind you with soft leather, not harsh rope. Come. I have much to teach you.” He took Pari’s hand, led him toward the bed then pushed him forward and turned him around. “Strip. I want you naked.”

 

****

 

Lust and a lifetime of longing won out as Pari did what the prince bade him to do. He hurriedly removed his clothes. He knew Maxsim didn’t believe him yet. About anything. The old woman, the time travel, the shield. But right now those things were far down the list of what Pari thought incredibly important. Like Maxsim’s lips and long strong arms and the fact that Maxsim was at this moment digging out strips of leather that he had proclaimed he would tie Pari up with.

Why did that excite him so?

There had been times his day dreams had gone in this direction, the Pearl Prince rendering him helpless and then pushing into him from every angle. There were even times he dreamed of tying the Pearl Prince to his royal bed. A bed just like this one with its tall canopy and thick posts. There were several colorful quilts laying on top along with a stunning purple shirt. He noticed a few other colored shirts lying on the floor close to the armoire. Pari grinned. Had Maxsim tried all of those on before meeting with him? Had he been fretting over how he looked in front of “the Ruby”?

But Pari’s attention was drawn back to Maxsim who was staring at his chest. Oh. Yes. The wound. The doctor had removed the wrap an hour before and decided to leave it off, declaring him all but completely healed.

The prince came forward and reached out to touch the scar. “Does it hurt?”

“No. It’s… fine.” Healing fast was something he had done all his life. He figured it was due to him being a half-dragon.

The prince traced the line, his touch like fire. “I’m sorry you were hurt.”

“I’m not. I saved you.”

Maxsim chuckled and ordered him closer to one of the end posts. “Face the post and grab hold.” Pari immediately complied feeling slightly self-conscious of his nakedness and the fact the prince was still fully clothed. The prince stepped closer and moved Pari’s hands up the post until his arms were almost entirely extended. “Comfortable?” Pari nodded. Then Maxsim used the leather strips to bind Pari’s hands, so he couldn’t move them. Pari pulled hard on the leather, even grunted a bit. Behind him Maxsim ran a hand down Pari’s back which came to rest on Pari’s right nether cheek sending a shiver through Pari.

“I love it when you struggle,” he whispered right in Pari’s ear. “Now I want you even more at my mercy.” Maxsim put his hands on Pari’s bare hips and pulled, forcing Pari to step back from the bed. He kept pulling him back until he was stretched out so far Pari had to allow his bound hands and the balls of his feet to hold him in his upright position. “Spread your legs.”

Pari once again did as he was told, the awkward position making him totally helpless. And he loved it. He sighed as Maxsim continued to run his hands along his body, tweaking his nipples, pulling on his very hard cock, and running his fingers along the crevice in his ass until he found Pari’s balls. He rolled them for a moment, massaging them, squeezed them then gave them a slap which shocked Pari, but jerking nearly sent him off his feet. It was then he realized just how vulnerable he was.

“Careful, little Ruby,” Maxsim whispered as he steadied Pari, still stroking him. Then there was something else on his back. Tickly straps, running up and down and twirling on his spine which sent trembles through him. “I’m going to whip you now, little Ruby.” The tickly straps caressed his nether cheeks. “I’m going to whip that beautiful ass of yours until it matches your hair and eyes. Are you ready?”

“Oh… yes,” Pari choked. Somehow being called Ruby in this scenario excited Pari. When the first lash landed, Pari jerked again. But it didn’t hurt. It was just a surprise.

“Are you okay?”

Pari nodded. “Oh yes. Yes.”

Another lash landed on Pari’s buttocks, and then another, then one more, all in quick succession, all light and not at all painful. However, the strikes definitely left heat behind. Not that Pari was after the pain but he had to admit he was curious about it.

“Still okay?”

“Mmmm. More,” Pari was a little annoyed. Did he think the “little Ruby” would break?

“Patience. I’m the one in charge here. We will do things my way and in my time.”

Another lash, this one harder, stinging. One of the strips bit into Pari’s balls as another lash landed lower and harder yet. Oh, yes, this was good. They were coming faster now. And being unable to move to protect himself from the onslaught of fast strikes, one after the other, all concentrated on Pari’s ass, was pure pleasure. Not hurting. Just glorious stinging. Especially when they would strike lower and one or more of those thin leather straps would find his sensitive balls.

“Still good, Ruby?” Maxsim was winded. This was effort for him as well.

Pari nodded, “Yes,” he whispered.

More then, harder, lower, taking in his upper thighs and more strips hit his balls, even reaching around to heat his already excruciatingly swollen cock, nearly sending him over the edge. Pari jerked hard that time, sudden pain racing through him, exciting him even more.

“Ohhh!”

More lashes, hard, split between his two cheeks, in quick sequence. The pain was bright now, all he could feel. Then several came up between his spread legs solely on his balls and cock, the heat on his rock-hard cock almost doing him in.

“You should see this, Pari. You have ruby-red cheeks. So fast. So beautiful.”

Another lash and then another. “Ohh! Please!”

“Please, what, Ruby?”

“Fuck me. Please, Sir. Fuck me now!”

“I don’t want to stop your punishment quite yet. The way you wiggle your ass when my flogger connects.” Right cheek. “The way you softly moan, and you don’t even know you’re doing it.” Left cheek. “I want you to beg a little more.” That one caught both my cock and balls!

The Prince continued to flog him until he was squirming restlessly and heaving for each breath. He wanted it to stop—he wanted it to never stop. All he could do was beg mindlessly. He heard himself saying “please” over and over, but he’d forgotten exactly what it was he was even asking for. The Prince would know. He’d take care of everything. He slumped against the leather restraints and lost himself in the pleasure and the pain.

Then there were cool hands on his backside. Rubbing. There was a liquid of some sort being applied to his tortured skin

“What…?”

“Oil, sweet one. I must treat the skin. None of it is broken but the oil will lubricate it and keep it supple, so it heals nicely.”

“Heals…” Pari’s thoughts ran away as those hands massaged and kneaded and rubbed. Fingers dipped into the crevice between his cheeks too, chasing past the opening Maxsim promised to fill with that oil and then with his cock.

A finger dipped in.

“Ohhh!”

“Just relax.” He pushed in again and again, casually, slurping oil as it dripped down Pari’s legs. “Have you done this before?”

Yes. He had. Sort of. Pari was not a virgin. There had been a man some time ago who had taken Pari’s innocence. Maybe stolen would have been a better term. He had not been this gentle, this patient. He, too, had used oil and his fingers but he had also been drunk and so had Pari. Neither one of them knew what they were doing. Couple that with being in one of the back rooms at the Witch and Wain and it was disaster waiting to happen.

Pari had been young, maybe twenty at the time. He had long put up with the staring and the finger-pointing and had resigned himself to being alone for the rest of his pathetic life when he met Mace. A fellow dragon shifter, a Sapphire, he suddenly appeared beside Pari one night at the Witch and Wain and proceeded to eat off Pari’s plate. After slapping the Sapphire’s hand, some stimulating conversation which included a bit of teasing and name-calling, and many shots of whiskey, a bar tab Mace swore he would take care of, they ended up in a pay-by-the-minute bed. The sex had been fast, painful, and messy. But when it came time to settle the bill, Mace came up with empty pockets.

“Sorry kid, no money,” was his reply when Pari held out his hand for the promised coin. “But I’ll still take care of it for ya.”

Then the idiot started the place on fire and told Pari to run.

But how could Pari do that? He had to live here. The Sapphire was just passing through. And he told him so. Unfortunately, while Pari was busy trying to put the fire out, the asshole went and told everyone it had been the stupid little Ruby who started it in the first place because he couldn’t pay the bill. Then Mace disappeared, leaving Pari to pick up the pieces. Even after Pari helped to put out the flames before they caused any real damage, Ariel, the bar owner, still believed the Sapphire’s stupid story. She hated all Dragons, but everyone knew that Rubies were hotheaded and irresponsible.

Pari was banned from the establishment.

Not that he had ever had the desire to go back.

“Hey,” Maxsim whispered. “Are you all right? Is this painful? Should we stop?”

“No!” Pari choked. “No, don’t stop. Sorry. Just… remembering.”

Maxsim kissed Pari’s ear as he continued to feed more oil into Pari’s opening, adding a finger in the process. “Tell me.”

“No, it’s… not important.”

“Something that took you away from me, even for a moment, is important, Pari. Tell me.”

“A man I knew. The only other time I…”

“Mmmm.” Maxsim pushed in hard, seemingly searching with those long fingers and with his other, very oily hand he reached around and pulled on Pari’s hard cock.

“Oh! That feels… so good.”

“So, this other man. Was he your lover?”

“Great gods, no. He was… drunk. A Sapphire. A lying son-of-a-bitch.”

“They all are.” Maxsim sighed. “Sapphires and trolls, actually. They both lie, cheat and steal for fun.”

“I didn’t know…”

“It’s in their nature and it’s their greatest asset. They offer up what a being most desires, and then make promises they have no intention of keeping.”

“If only I had known…”

“Here. Right… here,” he breathed.

The sensation was immediate. Pleasure so intense slammed into every nerve in Pari’s body that he lost his ability to stand. “My Prince!” Pari shouted as he pulled on the leather that bound his hands, attempting to save himself from falling.

“I have you! I’ve got you.”

And he did. Maxsim had him. He didn’t fall. Somehow Pari didn’t come either. Maybe it was the strangle hold the prince had on his cock or maybe it was the fact he was upright and hanging by his wrists, he wasn’t sure. But he was now so ready to be filled by the Pearl Prince he couldn’t conceive of anything else in the world.

Suddenly his hands were released, and he was swooped up off his feet. Next thing he knew he was tossed on the bed and the Prince was there as well, between his legs that the prince was spreading wide. He had gotten his own trousers undone and was pushing them down revealing his large weeping member even as he searched again for Pari’s opening. “I can’t wait any longer, Pari.”

“Me either! Please.”

Maxsim lifted Pari’s hips. “Grab that pillow and shove it under you.” Pari did as he was told. “Yes, that’s better,” he murmured as he wrestled out of his trousers and spread his own legs, lowering himself to line up with Pari. Then Maxsim lifted Pari’s left leg as he guided his huge shaft to Pari’s opening and began to push inside. With pressure and little in-and-out movements, which drove Pari crazy, the prince pushed his way in, All the while Maxsim expertly pulled on Pari’s cock, then, when the heat was too high, on Pari’s balls, which yanked Pari back from the edge. “I’m inside you,” he announced finally, still holding Pari’s left leg high. He glanced down at Pari with those amazing blue eyes. “Can you feel me?”

“Oh great gods, yes. Please…”

“You beg so pretty.”

Maxsim pulled nearly all the way out then slammed back in, rubbing on that very strange place inside that had nearly sent Pari over the edge before. “That…” he breathed, staring wide-eyed up at the prince.

Maxsim grinned as he did it again and again, faster, deeper, harder. “Ahhh yes, that.” He leaned over Pari and braced himself on either side of Pari as that onslaught continued.

Pari was lost. His mind was gone as the pleasure took full control of his body and there was nothing else other than those blue eyes and the sweet pounding that brought him through the most intense orgasm Pari had ever had.

Pari wasn’t sure when the prince ended up on top of him. The fact he could barely breathe from the weight of him was actually satisfying rather than frightening. He could live right here. Under this cruel, yet loving god.

Even with the stickiness of his cum gluing the two of them together and the prince’s cum now seeping out and tickling his still very heated skin from the flogging.

The prince stirred and made to rise.

“No. Stay.”

Maxsim lightly cupped Pari’s cheek and smiled. “I’m not going far. Just for a towel to wipe us up.”

“Wait! Let me.”

“No, my Ruby. You lie still and let me clean you.”

And he did. Oh, so gently. Especially on Pari’s very sore butt cheeks.

“Still so red. They’re lovely.” He glanced at Pari. “Just as red as that wild, curly hair of yours… and those cheeks as well.” He winked. Then he tossed the towel to the floor and pulled Pari into his arms and against his chest. “Now, tell me more about this Sapphire.”

Pari startled. He remembered? Why was he interested? “Not… much to tell. I mean, we—you know—had sex and he—well, left.”

“That’s it?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Was he important to you? Did you… like him?”

“No! Like I said, he was a lying son-of-a-bitch. He set the place on fire and told everyone I did it and left me with the bill. I had to work it all off. He was mean, a thief and a blow-heart. He…” Pari sighed. “I was a fool to trust him.”

Maxsim huffed. “Sounds like he doesn’t deserve to be walking around free.”

Pari in-took a breath. Was that anger? He raised himself on an elbow. “You would put him in your dungeon?”

Maxsim gazed at Pari and his heart beat faster. If he didn’t know better… “Yes, Pari. In fact, give me a description of the bastard. I’ll send my knights out to find this… thief. I would like to see him hang.”

He meant it. Pari heard it in his voice. He could hardly believe it. When was the last time someone actually cared about what happened to him? Something good, anyway. It had been a very long time. “That’s… I’m… flattered but… that particular sapphire… he hasn’t been—you know—born yet.”

“Born yet?” Maxsim raised his eyebrows then he chuckled. “Oh yes. You’re from the future so that makes him from the future as well. Is that right?”

Pari smiled as heat climbed his face. “Right.”

He pulled Pari into his arms. “Fine. I’ll let it go for the moment. Rest now for a bit. I am not due out to the practice fields for at least another hour. You need rest.”

“It’s morning, Sire. I’ve rested all night.”

“Shhh.”

“But I’m not tired…”

“Just close your eyes for a while. You are tired. I know.”

And damned if he wasn’t right. Pari closed his eyes and was asleep in seconds.