Logan followed, still a bit off balance. As they climbed the steps to the top floor of the palace, with Raymond in the lead, the king chatted and Logan stayed mostly quiet.
“I’ve thought about moving into Duke Rupert’s old quarters, in the other tower. The staff don’t seem to like the idea, since it would mean climbing even more stairs. But the workout would be good for them, don’t you think? And the idea of occupying Rupert’s space pleases me. It seems fitting, in a way I’m not sure anyone else could understand. I have to think about it a bit more, but—What do you think?”
“I—I’m sure I don’t know. Raymond, what happened to you?”
“Rupert used to talk to me about Paris all the time. He made it sound like a kind of wonderland. And it was. When Alex suggested I go there, I jumped at it. I’m even thinking of changing my name officially to Rupert.” He paused slightly. “King Rupert I. How does that sound?”
“I don’t kn—Can you just change your name, like that?”
“I’m the king. I can do pretty much anything I want.”
“But changing your name… I mean, is that done?”
“Popes change their names when they assume office. Seminarians take new names when they become priests. For all the time I was in the Monastery of St. Dymphna I was called Juniper. Why can’t I be Rupert now? I mean to usher in a new era for Bulvania, so a new royal name seems… well, it seems in order, I guess.”
“Breaking with tradition. It’ll send shock waves through the country.”
“The country will survive. When the people realize how new everything has become—when they realize we can be part of the modern world… ”
They were at the top of the stairs. Raymond’s private suite opened before them. A half dozen servants snapped to attention, and Raymond waved casually to signal that they should be at ease. “Relax, all of you. I’ll ring if I want you.”
He led Logan through one room after another, each more regally sumptuous than the last. The last of them was the king’s bedroom.
The carpet was thick and plush; Logan felt like he was sinking into it. All the room’s furnishings were golden, either made of solid gold or gilded with gold leaf. Six enormous stained-glass lamps provided the light. The walls were hung with ancient tapestries, most of them woven with gold and silver threads. The furniture was massive, made of mahogany. And the bed! The bed was huge, large enough to hold a dozen people or more with room left over, and it was covered with purple velvet. No one could have mistaken this for anything but a king’s bedchamber.
“How do you like it?” Raymond asked, his eyes still twinkling with mischief.
“I—it’s—”
“Stop stammering and get undressed.”
“I—”
“Some of my clothes should fit you.”
“But I—”
“If you don’t stop stammering at me, Logan, I’ll have you clapped into the dungeon.” He giggled. “Torturing you would be so much fun. Get undressed.”
Wordlessly, still not adjusted to this new state of affairs, Logan stripped to his underwear. Raymond took a step toward him and pressed his hand to Logan’s crotch.
“All the way, Logan. You’re soaked to the bone.”
Logan finished undressing. He stood naked before the king, who did not try to hide the fact that he relished the sight.
“Raymond, I—”
Raymond stepped even closer. Without warning he threw his arms around Logan and kissed him deeply, passionately. It was a wonderful kiss, warm and absorbing. Logan let himself become lost in it.
“How was that?” Raymond stepped away. “You understand, I’m as new to lovemaking as I am to kingship. I want to do both right.” He unbuttoned the top few buttons on his tunic.
Logan was becoming erect. He started to cover his crotch with his hand, then thought better of it; by now he had a full erection. “I’d say you’re off to a good start.”
“I’ve studied.” He added self-consciously, “I’ve always studied everything.”
“How on earth do you ‘study’ kissing?”
“Later. Come over here and undress me.”
Raymond’s body was even more beautiful that Logan had realized; seeing it through a telephoto lens was no substitute for seeing the real thing, for touching it, fondling it. Raymond touched his shoulder, then leaned forward and kissed it. Desire took complete hold of Logan; he grabbed the king by the shoulders and kissed him, again and again and again. The two of them became lost in one another’s kisses, and being lost in them was better than being anyplace either of them had ever known.
Raymond took Logan by the hand and led him to that enormous bed. They fell into it, their arms around each other. It was deep and soft, like their loving. Logan stated to lick Raymond’s nipples, but Raymond pushed him gently away. “I’m the one who needs practice, remember?” So he kissed, licked, sucked Logan’s nipples for what seemed like eternity.
Then he moved down Logan’s chest, kissing and licking even more as he went. When he finally got to Logan’s crotch and stroked his cock with his tongue, he was completely lost in what he was doing. He sucked, and Logan moaned loudly with pleasure.
“Stop,” he said, “Why should you have all the fun?”
“Royal privilege?”
“Shut up and lie back”
Logan kissed him still again, then kissed his eyes, his large, loving eyes. He played with his nipples, tonguing them and nibbling them. When he finally got to the royal cock and began sucking it, Raymond came in a huge explosion of jizz almost at once.
“Sorry, Logan. I’ve been waiting for that my whole life. I guess I couldn’t wait anymore.”
“Your majesty,” Logan said with a smile, “you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
He licked Raymond’s balls. He rimmed his butthole. Raymond moaned louder and louder. “I’m going to shoot again!”
“Not yet! I want this to last!”
He kissed Raymond’s feet. He licked his thighs. Then he climbed over the king and sat on his cock. Raymond moaned wildly. “Oh God! Oh God!”
Again he came quickly. “Oh Christ! Sorry, Logan. I’ll have to learn more self control.”
Logan lay next to him and put an arm around him. “This is really your first time?”
Raymond nodded, embarrassed.
“Then it’s understandable. You’ll soon learn to last longer.”
“Good.” He kissed Logan lightly. “Because I want you to fuck me, too. And I want it to last.”
Logan did. And Raymond did. And when he came for the third time, he erupted with another huge load of love juice.
“Wow! What a reservoir you must have.”
“I can’t help it.” He smiled shyly. “You’re… you’re perfect.”
“My father would tell you otherwise. But Raymond—”
“Yes?”
“What on earth happened to you in Paris? I mean, I know they say the city changes people, but… but this is miraculous.”
“Then let me tell you.”