In the Air Chapter 15
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The hand petting his hair found its way into Halsin's sleep, bringing him closer and closer to waking. For a time, he simply lay there and enjoyed the soft touches, not quite asleep any more and not quite awake yet. A pang of hunger finally had him shake off the last of his sleep, and the realisation that he hadn't even noticed Mistress being awake, sitting next to where he was curled up under the blanket. He shot upright, a frantic apology ready on his tongue, but she shushed him with a finger to his lips.
"Don't apologise. I was happy to let you sleep." She looked sleep soft herself still, skin flushed from their shared warmth. It was so rare to see her like this, no mask to hide her feelings. It served to calm Halsin's racing pulse, and that she continued to pet him did the rest. "It's time for dinner. And for a talk."
She must have seen the flash of fear on his face, no matter how much he tried to hide it, and patted his arm. "No, don't worry yourself, it's nothing bad. Go ahead, you can bring the food to the balcony. I'll join you in a bit."
"Yes, Mistress. Thank you." Halsin forced himself to breathe deeply and slowly, and to do what she wanted. There were several lidded bowls left on the table, the delicious scent rising from them making his stomach cramp with hunger. And there were two plates, so she wanted him to eat with her. He arranged it all outside and knelt on the floor to wait.
It didn't take long for Mistress to follow him outside. She had him sit with her, and poured him a glass of the pale wine he had seen her drink but never shared. It had a heavy, sweet smell like honeysuckle and a taste that reminded him of Mistress' kisses. Despite only taking a sip, it went straight to Halsin's head. The food helped, a mix of vegetables and a fish he would have thought was salmon, only he had never seen them down here. Whatever it was, it was cooked to perfection and he had to remind himself to chew every bite. Mistress ate slowly, watching him with a smile over her glass of wine.
"I have taken a new consort. He will be joining the house shortly and I will introduce you to him once he has settled in. I expect you to obey him in everything as you would obey me."
Halsin had been expecting this, but he still had to force himself not to stop eating, his appetite suddenly gone. He masked it with another drink of wine and immediately regretted it, his mind reeling from the news and the alcohol.
"Oh, there's no need to be frightened." Mistress reached over the table to squeeze his hand. "Keevon is not anything like Tarlyn. I've known him for a long time, and he is a much gentler man. Still, should he ever dare to overstep the way Tarlyn did, you need to tell me. You know I will not tolerate it."
"Yes, Mistress." Halsin took a deep breath, trying in vain to marshal his thoughts. "It simply surprised me. I do know you will protect me, and I trust you. I will make sure Keevon will not have cause to be dissatisfied with me either."
And maybe the man wouldn't even want him. Halsin was sure Mistress would have them both, as was her right, but that did not mean Keevon enjoyed other men. Quite possibly he would seek his entertainment elsewhere. Not with any of the drow women, Mistress would not tolerate that either. But Halsin had not needed Leandra to tell him that any slave in the house was expected to serve in whatever manner was demanded of them. Unless, like Halsin, they had someone to protect them.
"I am sure you will get along." Mistress had waited from him to finish his food, and now passed him a smaller plate with a pastry, the scent of apples, almonds and honey rising from the still warm dough. It would have been a rare treat at any time, but right now it was the most wonderful thing Halsin had ever eaten, and it distracted him from his fears. There was nothing he could do about them anyway.
To his surprise, he found his glass empty. Mistress had already poured herself a second glass, and refilled his. Halsin was too glad about the way it softened the world to not drink it.
Behind Mistress was the corner of the balcony where he had hidden himself, and Halsin tried not to look at it. It seemed so long ago already. There were no bruises to remind him, and he couldn't help but bask in Mistress' attention. Just this morning, he had been half expecting for the house guards to come and take him away, too numb to even be afraid any more. And now Mistress was treating him to good food, to wine and to her company. She seemed almost as eager to forget as he was, and kept up a conversation of inconsequential things he could follow even with his mind slowed by the wine.
He didn't have the strength to deny himself any of it. And when she finally sent him to bed with a fond smile and a kiss, the wine made it easy to sink into reverie without another thought.
At Mistress' command, Halsin knelt in front of the couch, close enough that she could play with the small braids in his hair, winding them around her fingers as she read. Today was the day he would meet Keevon, but she hadn't told him when exactly. Halsin kept listening for footfalls on the stairs, his stomach doing a nauseating somersault every time he heard something.
When the door finally opened, he sat up straight but kept his head bowed. Better to only look up when he was told to. Despite Mistress' reassurances, fear rushed through Halsin in an ice cold wave. He hoped Keevon would be easier to please than Tarlyn.
"Keevon." Mistress sounded pleased. She had put her book aside, but hadn't stopped petting Halsin. "Come join us."
"Lady Zesstra. I thank you for inviting me." The man's voice had a pleasant lilt to it, and Halsin cast a glance up under his lashes, catching sight of him in a deep bow, a shock of silver hair falling into his face until he stood and tossed it back. Dressed in wide pants and a tunic, Keevon looked softer than Tarlyn, his face wider and his whole bearing more relaxed.
He followed Mistress' inviting wave and joined her on the couch, cuddling up to her as if they had been together for much longer than the few weeks it had been. All of his attention was on her, and he completely ignored Halsin. In turn, Halsin did his best not to listen to their whispered words and soft moans, and not to watch them beyond what he couldn't avoid seeing out of the corner of his eye. It stung, just a little, to be left out like this, underneath the fear of what they would want from him.
"Wait here." Mistress sweetened the order to Keevon with a languid kiss. He fell back into the cushions with a pout, still not turning his gaze from her. Halsin followed her to the bedroom at a gesture and undressed while she studied the contents of the toy drawer. When she turned around, the only thing she was holding was a slender, short chain.
Kneeling at her feet, Halsin kept his legs spread and his hands on his thighs. He drew a startled breath when she took to one knee in front of him, cupping his cock in her hand. The weight of the chain tugged on the plug when she clipped them together, but not enough to move it. A shiver ran through Halsin, chased by the realisation that she had chained him to the floor.
"I wish to see how well you have learned to control yourself." Mistress trailed her finger along the chain. "Don't let me hear anything out of you until I want you."
The position gave him a good view of the bed and everything that would happen. He would have to turn away to avoid it, and Mistress was sure to notice that. Halsin watched Mistress undress, shedding her robes and leaving them on the floor. He watched her call Keevon into the room before reclining on the bed against a pile of pillows. And they both watched Keevon take off every item of clothing with exaggerated care, revealing stocky, well muscled limbs and dark grey skin, the downy silver hairs on his chest, thighs and groin strikingly bright against it.
Keevon climbed up on the bed, worshipping Mistress with his gaze long before he touched her. The first kiss he planted on her calf was barely there, and he waited for the span of a breath before adding a second, longer one. Mistress was teasing herself with one finger while Keevon kissed his way up her legs, the first flush of arousal darkening her cheeks. She carded her hand through his hair, tousling it in an affectionate gesture. The gentle touch turned into her grabbing the strands tighter when Keevon buried his face between her legs. Letting her head fall back against the pillows, Mistress gave a quiet moan, her body going pliant.
Her leg rested against Keevon's shoulder, hiding the sight from Halsin. His mind painted him a vivid picture anyway, simply from the sounds of her quickened breath, the soft, quick lapping of Keevon's tongue between her folds and the wet noises of him slipping a finger into her while sucking her clit.
Months of wearing the plug and getting punished with excruciating pain at the first sign of arousal had trained Halsin well. For a time, he thought he would manage to stay in control, refusing to let what he saw and heard and smelled build into lust. His cock remained limp between his thighs, the chain curled on the floor.
It all started to fall apart when Keevon swept Mistress up in his arms, to a delighted laugh from her. He let her down on her knees, her back pressed to his chest, holding her in a loose embrace with one hand between her legs. Mistress rolled her hips, guiding two of Keevon's fingers into herself. She let him pleasure her for a time, leaning back into him and trusting him with her balance.
It was not even the unabashed sex on display that got under Halsin's skin. There was nothing hidden from his gaze any more, not once Keevon took her from behind, her fingers teasing at her clit and spreading herself open. But he could have held on watching this, just like he had held on watching Keevon pleasure her with his tongue.
What made this unbearably erotic to him was the way Keevon looked at Mistress with such devotion, touched her with such reverence and care. And Mistress gave herself to him, her eyes half closed, lost in pleasure. It was so rare for Halsin to see her like this. Sometimes, when she was very close to her release, but often not even then.
It squeezed his heart to watch Keevon caress and kiss her. Not that Mistress didn't touch Halsin tenderly, but it was on her own terms and for her own wants and needs. He ached for the kind of attention Keevon showered her in, for a touch or a kiss that was given by a lover who took joy in Halsin's pleasure. Most of the time, he could pretend well enough that Mistress gave him what he needed, but not now, not like this.
Halsin almost welcomed the searing agony that shot through him the moment his lust overruled his fear. He had to press his hand over his mouth to muffle his cry of pain down to a gasp. The weight of the chain made every minute twitch of his cock that more intense, and it took much longer for the plug to return to its dormant state. It seemed reluctant to withdraw its thorns, almost as if it sensed the lingering arousal Halsin could not suppress.
He watched, trying to focus on Mistress and ignore Keevon as best as he could. It made it a little easier, and he managed to stay quiet, biting down hard on his lip. The first painful reminder had been enough to dampen his arousal enough that he stayed limp, distracted from all tantalizing thoughts by the fear of punishment.
Mistress cried out, pressing the heel of her hand to her clit and grinding against it, her thighs shaking. Keevon caught her when she slumped in his arms, nuzzling at her neck and drawing out her pleasure with slow, deliberate thrusts into her. If he had spent, Halsin had seen no sign of it, and he made no effort to find his own pleasure. He only stilled, caressing Mistress in slow, careful passes of his hands over her body. When she moved to turn sideways in his embrace, he slipped out of her, his cock still hard and glistening with her wetness. Mistress ran her finger around the head and down the shaft, teasing a low, needy moan out of him.
They were beautiful together, grey and blue skin flushed darker tones, their bodies entwined. Halsin did not think for a moment that they were in love, but they clearly enjoyed each other and knew how to touch and please the other. Mistress hid her face in the crook of Keevon's neck, catching her breath and letting him hold and pet her.
Eventually, she whispered a few words to Keevon Halsin didn't catch and let herself fall into the pillows once more. Keevon answered her words with a smile and a bow of his head before climbing off the bed.
Mistress had caught Halsin's gaze, a lazy smile curling her lips. "You can take out your plug."
Halsin did as he was told, unclipping it from the chain and dropping it in Keevon's outstretched hand. It earned him a smile from Keevon as well, although Halsin did not quite dare to meet his eyes.
Stepping behind Halsin, Keevon opened and closed a drawer. Halsin shivered when Keevon ran a hand down his arm, a lingering touch that ended with a tap to Halsin's wrist.
"Give me you hands please, on your back?" Keevon's voice was soft, not at all the harsh order Tarlyn would have made this. Halsin's hands shook anyway, gentle words not enough to calm his trepidation, and his pulse quickened when Keevon started to bind him. He worked quickly and confidently, winding the rope around Halsin's upper arms, his forearms and wrists, the tension of the loops holding his arms securely on his back. In between tying the knots, Keevon peppered quick touches, the brush of a palm down Halsin's side or along his arm. He helped Halsin get up when he was done, a steadying hand to his shoulder.
"Come here." Mistress had watched them with open fascination, clearly enjoying the demonstration of Keevon's skill and Halsin's submission.
Halsin climbed up on the bed, sitting on his heels in front of Mistress. She cupped his cheek in her palm and let him lean into the touch while she kissed him. Fingers wandering down his arm, Mistress traced the bindings, testing their hold by plucking on the ropes. The vibrations travelled through him, joining the arousal twisting and turning in his groin.
"You did well. You have earned a reward." Another kiss to his lips left Halsin with Mistress' sweet taste on his tongue. It slowed his racing heart and mind, even more than Mistress' words. Being bound, he had expected punishment or harsh treatment, but it seemed Mistress was truly pleased with him.
Keevon joined them, confidently arranging Halsin and himself just so, with small nudges and taps telling Halsin how he was wanted. Kneeling upright with his legs spread wide for balance and to give Mistress a good view, Halsin followed the tug of Keevon's fingers in his hair and raised his head. Lounging among the soft pillows, Mistress had settled down, sipping some dark wine out of a wide glass. It excited her to see them together, her smile and the way she caressed the glass showing it to Halsin as surely as any words.
One hand to Halsin's back, Keevon had taken his place next to him. Not nearly Halsin's own size or even that of Mistress, Keevon made up for it with his calm, self-assured presence. Maybe Mistress has already told him what she wanted, but Keevon navigated the situation without hesitation, leading Halsin along. His hair tickled Halsin's upper arm when he leaned close to trail his fingers down Halsin's chest and belly.
Without the plug, Halsin's body was quick to react to the situation, his cock thickening in Keevon's hand when he stroked it at a leisurely pace. Keevon's fingertips caressed every inch, traveling along the thick vein from root to tip, pushing down the foreskin to circle the head and pressing on the sensitive spot right under the head. He petted Halsin's back between the ropes, wandering lower until he found Halsin's bound hands. Slipping his fingers between them, he explored carefully and tenderly with barely felt touches that raised every hair on Halsin's body.
Keevon nestled close, molding himself to Halsin's side. His cock pressed hard against Halsin's leg, but Keevon made no attempts to seek his own pleasure yet. He studied Halsin's reaction to his touches with utter concentration, having slowed his strokes to an idle teasing. All of his attention was on Halsin's hands: almost unbearably light scratches with his nails, his fingertips grazing the skin. Firmer scratches released the prickling tension, and it started all over again.
When he abandoned Halsin's cock in order to pet his thighs the same way, Halsin whimpered softly under his breath. It was too much, it wasn't enough. It laid him bare to Keevon's eyes in a way Halsin had not been prepared for. He was painfully hard, but it was an afterthought in the flood of tenderness that swept him up.
Halsin badly wished to trust it. He might as well. If it turned out to be a trap, he couldn't change it. But if it wasn't—he couldn't deny himself the chance of a little time of being taken care of. Leaning ever so slightly into Keevon, Halsin closed his eyes. He found the tight hold of the ropes turning into a comfort, allowing him to merely float along in the pleasure offered to him.
"Look at you, so soft for me." Keevon's low voice was a caress all of its own, followed by a kiss to Halsin's chest. "Do you want more?"
There was only one possible answer to this, and not because Mistress was expecting it. Even if they had been alone, Halsin would not have been able to give a different one.
"Please." He swallowed, daring to brush his thumb over the back of Keevon's hand. "Please, yes, I want more."
He flinched away from the first touch, no matter that he had asked for it. Keevon had wound him so tight, even simply smoothing a palm over the curve of Halsin's ass was enough to make him gasp. Instinctively, Halsin tensed up in expectation of a slap or a pinch, glancing down at Keevon in sudden fear. But he merely saw a pleased smile, and was offered more of the same careful attention.
The press of a slick finger against his hole came paired with firm strokes to his cock, warm pleasure distracting him from the moment Keevon slipped inside. He opened Halsin up with the same patience he had shown him before, pausing and then starting again until he had sunk two fingers into Halsin as deep as he could.
Halsin cried out when Keevon found that sensitive spot inside of him, jerking his hips forward and almost losing his balance. Keevon steadied him with one hand to his chest and touched him there again. He quickly found the right amount of pressure to bring Halsin to the edge but not further, giving him time to catch his breath in between where he kept still, merely petting Halsin's thighs and belly. Drops of precum ran down Halsin's shaft in a meandering procession, falling onto the sheets. Keevon caught one of them on his finger and licked it off, holding Halsin's gaze.
"Isn't he gorgeous?" The mattress dipped when Mistress came to join them, brushing her hand down Halsin's chest while she kissed Keevon, licking at his lips as if to share Halsin's taste.
"He is everything you said, and more." Keevon nuzzled at her neck and gave her a lazy smile. "You did not promise too much."
Mistress gave him another kiss, pulling his head back by the hair to bare his throat for a quick bite, hard enough to make Keevon hiss. She retreated back to the pillows, arranging herself to watch and pouring herself another glass of wine. Her hand drifted down between her legs with no urgency. Keevon had satisfied her, and seeing Halsin with him was merely dessert to indulge in.
She had made Tarlyn play with Halsin, and she had made Halsin pleasure himself for her enjoyment, but it had never been quite like this. Tarlyn had always been cruel, and there had been some agency for Halsin when he had displayed himself for her. Keevon took him apart one careful touch after the other, and Halsin could do nothing but follow where Keevon led him. He couldn't hide his lust from Mistress, and there was no pain to distract himself from it.
A startlingly loud whine escaped Halsin when Keevon withdrew, leaving him empty and his cock aching for more than the fleeting touches Keevon had given it. He got his wish, Keevon taking him in hand and silencing Halsin's needy moans with a deep kiss. It was over much too soon, with Halsin right on the edge of his peak, his cock glistening with the precum Keevon had smeared all over it.
Keevon kept his hands on Halsin as he moved behind him, first on Halsin's side, on his arms and then on his back, the firm pressure of his palm between Halsin's shoulder blades a signal to bend over. Halsin followed without thinking, the sheets cool on his face and chest. Turning his head to the side, he caught sight of Keevon stroking himself, the swollen head of his cock deep red.
When Keevon set himself against him, Halsin bowed his back, eager for Keevon to have him. Both hands on Halsin's hips, Keevon let himself sink lower at a pace that had Halsin panting by the time he had taken him all the way.
His arms ached in the tight hold of the ropes and there never seemed enough air to fill his lungs beyond hasty gasps that Keevon fucked right out of him again. Halsin rocked on his knees, keening softly at the back of his throat at the lack of touch. It wouldn't take much to send him over the edge yet Keevon denied him.
"—please? Touch me, please?" He would never have dared to beg with Tarlyn, and even with Mistress it was a risk he rarely took. It came with a thrill of fear, mingled with shame at how his voice shook with need.
Keevon indulged him, reaching around to loosely grasp Halsin's cock, letting it slip through his fingers. Even that was enough to make Halsin cry out, his hips jerking forward in search of more. Soon, Keevon had him on the cusp of his release, stroking him fast even as he chased his own pleasure. It all fell apart between one moment and the next, a single perfect touch tipping the balance. Halsin shouted, his thighs shaking so hard he would have fallen over if Keevon hadn't still held him, fucking into him in rough thrusts until he stilled with a much softer noise than Halsin's.
Someone untied him, Halsin wasn't sure whether it was Mistress or Keevon. His arms fell to his side, useless for a time from being bound. When he tried to push himself up anyway, well aware that he had made a mess of the sheets, Keevon simply tipped him over on his side and covered the stain with a cloth.
"Stay." Keevon cleaned them both up, his hands on Halsin's body just as gentle as before, moving him around with quick nudges and quiet words. Mistress pulled Halsin into her arms, stretching out with him while Keevon put away the ropes.
"I told you, there is no need to be afraid of him." Mistress laid her head on Halsin's chest, plucking at the hairs there as she watched Keevon walk around the room. She was soft and warm against Halsin's side, her skin still flushed dark and her scent strong in Halsin's nose.
Keevon came to join them, pulling the covers over them all and pressing himself against Mistress' back. He let one hand rest on Halsin's stomach, his arm slung across Mistress' flank, drawing slow circles with his fingertips. The touch followed Halsin into his reverie, sending him towards pleasant memories.
Chapter 16
Chapter 1