Liege

5. Belong

They arrive at the castle just before dusk. A dozen of guards are waiting  by the portcullis to escort them inside after seeing their banner.

The fortress is considerably bigger than those in the north. East Fifeland is renowned for its wealthy merchants who trade silk, spices and gems with faraway countries.

The chamberlain comes to the portcullis to announce that, unfortunately, the king is away but he will be expected to return in a day or two. A banquet will be held in Jeff's honour as soon as his majesty returns and Jeff will meet the princess by then.

This was not what they anticipated, however, the chamberlain tries hard to make up for the king's absence. They are lavishly received with a table full of delicious food and drink.

Jeff's chambers are spacious and comfortable. With a soft sigh, he takes in every piece of furniture, the soft rug, the furry throw. He has missed those comforts while on the road. A roaring fire is soon warming up the room and Jeff asks for a hot tub of water to take a bath.

***

When Bible comes back from the stables, after making sure their horses are well looked after, he drops his luggage on the bed he's got assigned in the guards' quarters and, without taking much notice of his surroundings, goes in search of Jeff.

He's had some time by himself to think, and as a consequence, his countenance has become sombre. He cannot forget why they are here: for Jeff to become engaged. Thinking of Jeff with someone else makes him physically sick.

He knocks on Jeff's door and opens it without waiting for a response. Inside the spacious room, a four-post bed is on the right, with furs spread over it, empty. Then he hears the babbling of water being poured and walks around a wooden screen, following the sound.

He sees Jeff's naked torso in the bath, arms hanging from the edges of a wooden tub, and a beautiful young-faced maid whose bust is spilling over Jeff's shoulders washing his head. Jeff has closed his eyes. The maid is smiling cheerfully, her bossom grazing Jeff's skin.

Bible remains silent and completely still for a few long seconds, without interrupting the scene, except for his steel-hard gaze directed to the maid. When she notices Bible staring at her, the girl's smile dies on her lips and she slows down her movements until she finally stops and says: "That's done, your majesty, if you don't need anything else, may I ask permission to leave?"

Jeff nods and the maid walks away quietly, closing the door behind her. Jeff then opens his eyes to face a very fiery Bible; his gaze on Jeff's shoulders is so hot, that the water might start boiling at any moment.

Bible lowers his eyes to peek in the darkened bottom of the wooden tub. It is the first time Jeff is naked in front of him.

He turns around to lock the door, takes his jacket off and gathers the end of his long sleeves, coming closer to Jeff:

"I can help you."

Bible's hands take the wet cloth and start rubbing it over Jeff's upper body, tracing a faint scar on his shoulder, caressing every mole on his lover's skin.

Jeff's apprehension after seeing Bible's angry look subsides with each of the loving strokes.

Satisfied, Bible motions for Jeff to stand up on the bath tub to start rubbing his lower half.

He's wholeheartedly dedicated to the task. At some point, he drops the cloth in the water and slides his hands directly over Jeff's legs and thighs.

Bible's touch has soon Jeff's cock begging for attention, but today Bible is absentminded: images of Jeff, elegantly dressed, with a veiled lady grabbing his arm, have been haunting him since they arrived at the castle.