Shadows of Avarice - Book #1 (BxB)

Chapter 11

Xia paced back and forth in his room, awaiting Osiris' arrival. His nerves were racing as he wondered what this night would bring. He prayed that Osiris would choose to stay with Soraya instead. Perhaps when he went to apologize to her, then he would stay with her. She needed to be comforted. 

He took a deep breath. Alishba wasn't here to ease his mind, but then again, she might find it humorous and make his nerves skyrocket. He did not tell his sister that Osiris planned on visiting him tonight. As much as she enjoyed teasing Xia, she would also realize the danger of their situation. If Xia got caught, then she would be in as much trouble. They could be executed together. Instead of letting her know that he would have a visitor, he sent her off to her room. She was given a room down the hall, close to Xia in case he needed her assistance.

His heart picked up a beat when he heard a knock on his door. He contemplated ignoring it and pretending that he was already asleep. Maybe if he didn't answer, then his guest would go away. When he heard the knock come again, he knew that he couldn't simply ignore it. Trying to muster up the courage to face his guest, Xia went to get the door.

It came as no surprise that Osiris was his guest, but Xia did hope that it would have been someone else. Hell, he would have been happier to see Soraya more than Osiris. At least with Soraya, his secret wouldn't be as easily discovered. With Osiris, a simple slip of the hand could expose him.

Nervously, Xia held his hands together and glanced at the ground. "Your Highness, I apologize, but I am not feeling well right now. I think I would like to turn in early for the night."

He was deploying this tactic already. It wouldn't work all of the time, but he hoped that it would make Osiris turn around and leave him for the night. He wouldn't always be able to use this method. Osiris wouldn't let him get away with it. It would get old after a while.

However, it didn't seem as though the sultan was buying it. Instead of doing as Xia hoped, Osiris gently touched Xia's chin and made him look at his face. "Are you trying to turn me away because you're nervous?"

Xia blushed as he was forced to look at Osiris' face. He wasn't sure what else he could say to make Osiris go away. If he wasn't going to buy this excuse, then he wasn't going to buy any others. So, despite his pride, Xia asked, "Did you come here because you want to have sex with me tonight?"

"Are you a virgin?" Osiris asked. When all Xia could do was nod, Osiris gave him a gentle smile and said, "I have no intention of forcing you to do something that you're not comfortable with. I didn't come here expecting to sleep with you tonight. When you're ready and want to, then we can discuss this topic again. However, tonight, if you'll allow me, I want to spend some quality time with you and get to know you. But if you still want to turn me away, I will respect your wish." 

He sounded genuine, and Xia believed it when he said that he wouldn't force him. It wouldn't hurt to simply spend time together. As long as there was a very minimal amount of touching, then it should be okay. Xia moved out of the way so that Osiris could step inside.

Once inside and with the door shut, Osiris took Xia's hand, then led him over to the bed. Xia gripped his hand tightly as he looked down at the bed. Osiris said that he wouldn't do anything to him, so why did they have to spend time together here?

As if he read Xia's mind, Osiris said to ease him, "I promise, I won't even touch you if you don't want me to. I thought that perhaps we could lie down together. You said that you weren't feeling well."

Though he knew that was a lie, Osiris still decided to play along and cater to Xia's needs. The sultan seemed so . . . caring, despite what Xia initially believed of him. Though, perhaps he was only acting this kind because Xia was new here. His true colors could show themselves in time, so Xia couldn't let his guard down. For now, Xia anxiously lay on the bed and waited for Osiris to join him.