Three Jewels

Chapter 1-2

Keir returned to the stage to find the elven king waiting. Cord and Adin had disappeared. Keir bowed to King Auberi, who bowed in return.

“May I talk to you?” King Auberi asked. His tone was far gentler than King Damian’s.

Keir nodded, happy to have an excuse to evade King Damian, who lurked behind the stage abandoned by his court.

Of all the kings, it was King Auberi who was the most handsome. He was in his early thirties, not looking as youthful as the fairy king or as old as the human king. He had the same blonde hair as Cord and the same strong features. The elven king had found a private space in the garden that was dark and covered with plants. It was lush and hid them from any wandering eyes. They both sighed. The stone castle and strange light were unnatural to live in.

The king’s gaze rested on him. Keir did not mind. Keir returned a lustful gaze which earned a coy smile from the king.

“I see you have rejected the human king. A bold move indeed,” King Auberi noted, moving his shirt to show his toned chest.

“I did reject the king,” Keir confirmed.

Keir allowed his eyes to wander to Auberi’s toned chest. He had no guarantee this king would be whom he belonged to. He could at least enjoy himself tonight with a royal he found attractive. Keir positioned his robe to hint at his growing hardness.

“I am sorry for not looking at you as much as I should have while you were on stage. I have never seen a fairy from the northern regions. Your beauty is new to me,” King Auberi observed.

“You are not required to find me beautiful,” Keir responded.

The king laughed to Keir’s delight. It seemed an authentic laugh, warm and surprising to Keir.

“They told me to watch for riddles and tricks,” King Auberi chuckled. The king seemed relieved at Keir’s directness.

Most of the elven traders he ran into hated his honesty and told him to keep quiet.

“I cannot lie. I prefer honesty to riddles. It takes far too much time to make such tricks work,” Keir stated.

Keir was surprised to see the king was looking at him with intrigue instead of suspicion. Keir was already tired of tricks and tongue twisters like the one he had played with King Damian.

“Fairies are immortal. You have time,” King Auberi responded, confused.

“Privilege gives you time to spare. Not mortality,” Keir retorted. Keir’s life was spent trying to eat and find shelter, not in an eternal party.

Keir was aggravated. Most of the rich did not understand having to look for food or shelter, finding someone to take you home so you could sleep in warmth under the stars with them instead of being cold and alone.

“That is very poetic. You must be well-read. Tell me, which of the great fairy poets is your favorite?” King Auberi asked, enthused.

“I cannot read,” Keir responded, rolling his eyes.

“Only slaves are not taught to read.” King Auberi stopped himself, looking shocked.

“My parents were slaves. They died and ensured my freedom. Their owner had no use for a child to take care of. I lived free but on my own,” Keir proclaimed.

He had never met his parents. To have convinced a slave owner to free a child, someone who could be owned for eternity, had to take great cunning.

“You are different than I expected,” the king noted.

“I have heard elves appreciate those of far different features than I possess,” Keir responded, moving his robe to cover himself.

“I cannot say I relate to those others. I have satisfied many a man who looks like Cord but never one like you,” King Auberi said. His gaze fell on Keir’s slender chest.

Keir, tired of their games, stood and disrobed, letting the black silk fall to the leaves. He knew how the moon reflected on his skin. It would be smart to make the elven king wait as he did to the human.

King Auberi was attractive and kind. Keir wanted to have a man he desired, even if only for a night. Keir did not care Auberi was a king. That he was Auberi. It was Auberi’s body that Keir desired. He wanted to have a night of passion. He wanted to fill the fear in his chest with something else.

King Auberi was not bashful. He disrobed, pulling his shirt off first. His shirt was far less formal than the humans and the fairies. He looked like he had desired to take it off all night, sighing as it fell. His tan muscles reflected in the night, his abs prominent, and his erection straining against his pants. King Auberi’s erection was thick and long, the tip already moist.

Before Keir could drop to his knees, the king knelt and turned Keir, burying his face in Keir’s ass.

Keir let out a surprised moan. The sensation of the king’s wet tongue left him wanting more. Keir arched his back, forcing the king’s tongue deeper.

Keir expected to stay like this, face down in the dirt. The king flipped him over and met his eyes. Their bodies rubbed against one another. The king’s moan was breathy and not forced or acted. Keir let his guard down and let natural moans of pleasure out.

“May I?” the king asked, rubbing himself against his hole.

Keir’s pulse raced. He nodded, guiding the king’s erection to his entrance.

He felt the king enter him. Keir moaned as the king pushed into him. The king stroked Keir as he picked up his pace. The king was indulging himself, moaning into Keir’s ear.

“Where do you want me to finish?” the king asked.

Before he could reply, Keir let his orgasm tingle through his body. He covered the king’s chest. The king, unable to hold on any longer, ejaculated over Keir’s chest and neck. The two, sweaty and flushed, collapsed.

“I hope the ceremony brings us together,” King Auberi muttered, yawning.

Keir felt a ping of pride for exhausting a royal.

“I thought you were unkind. Perhaps, I was wrong,” Keir said.

He forced himself to stand and dressed in his silk outfit. The king helped brush the leaves out of his hair and dirt from his skin. Keir had enjoyed their s*x, but the fear within him had not been calmed.

“I hope I may prove that to you one day,” the king stated, offering his hand.

Keir brushed it aside. He wanted the king to desire him, to test his affection. Keir knew men’s hearts. Men always wanted a chase.

The two walked far apart back into the ball, the king leading him to the center stage. Cord had returned looking displeased. The human was gone, which did not disappoint Keir. The ball had become more crowded. He could feel hundreds of eyes on him as he retook the stage.

“It was a delight,” King Auberi said to Keir, bowing and handing him a fine golden locket.

“I know that was for pleasure, but you are here and working,” the king added.

Keir was struck by his kindness. He hid the medallion in his shoe. Keir returned the bow and fixed his gaze on the floor.

“You look troubled, my brother,” King Auberi observed, turning to Cord.

Keir assumed the king was kindly calling Cord his equal; he doubted kings would allow their biological brothers to become jewels.

Cord looked on the verge of tears and distraught. Keir debated offering a kind word, but he was aware the human king was gazing at the two of them. Keir remained silent and moved away from the elves electing to wait until royalty was gone to talk to Cord.

“Keir, the jewel of the fairies. May I have a word?” Keir’s King Wren asked.

King Wren was dressed in red and purple silk that was far more generous in what was covered. He wore a crown made of leaves and twigs that pulled at his red hair.

“Of course, my lord,” Keir muttered.

King Wren rushed through the crowd, not looking back. The fairy king moved like water. He cut through groups of people. Flowing between the smallest of gaps was almost impossible to follow. The crowd’s noise lessened. The torches became rarer, bringing the halls into darkness. Soon they were in the dark as Wren forced a door open that creaked. Wren showed him into the private room in the castle decorated in all black. There was no light save for the moon through the window.

“It is unfortunate for you that this fate has fallen upon you,” King Wren noted.

It was the only time anyone had expressed remorse for Keir’s situation. It was the highest honor to live as a jewel. If one survived the five years, they lived in comfort and riches. They were well connected to all three kingdoms and enjoyed the most beautiful trade from each. Rarely a jewel survived, however.

“Indeed. It is unlikely I will live long,” Keir acknowledged.

King Wren would only be his king for hours more unless he managed to survive and return home.

“I came to offer counsel. The kindest fate would lie with the elves. The elven King Auberi is powerful and our closest ally. Stay in King Auberi’s good graces. There is no reason he would harm you. It is unlikely the fay and elves can afford diplomatic tension considering the human’s desire to spread their kingdom. Even if we do fight, King Auberi and the elves are not the kind for vengeance killings,” King Wren explained as his gaze darted toward the door.

Wren stood and moved his ear to the door and put a finger to his lips gesturing for Keir to be silent. The sound of shuffling feet and murmuring voices passed. Keir took the opportunity to examine his king. Wren looked more aged than most fairies, as if a year he lived was longer for him than others. Perhaps, that is why he chose a dark room, to cover his paleness and dark circles.

“I am not worried about the elves. It is the humans who concern me,” Keir replied.

“I cannot foresee how one can survive the humans. You or Cord will die. Whoever’s fate is cursed with the humans has little chance. The humans spread into new territory, tempting our anger and the elves. Their council favors war and threats. I cannot remember the last jewel to survive them. Even in years of balance, they enjoy sending a message of power through execution. Who better to execute than a sign of value? Their king is brutal and is known to use his jewels for pleasure then discard them for politics,” King Wren stated.

“If I were to want to live, what would you advise?” Keir questioned.

Damian’s brutality was famed. He could sense the human king’s ignorance and ambition.

More steps running down the halls caused them both to startle and look toward the door.

“They are looking for us,” Keir noted, tensing.

“First, the ceremony tonight is important. You each will select which king you belong to. However, only the first drawing matters. As the humans are the hosts tonight, King Damian will decide who draws first. It is best if he favors you, so he allows you first choice. If you are cursed to the humans, make yourself brutal,” King Wren suggested.

“Why are you counseling me? I was chosen because I am a poor orphan and expendable to the kingdom,” Keir inquired.

“Custom is important. Every jewel is counseled by their king. You were chosen because you are expendable. Cord has a powerful father. Adin is not to be trusted. You are nothing. That is why you’re here. Do not expect aid if you fail to keep yourself safe. If you want to live, you will lose any kindness within you. As I have,” King Wren advised.

Wren stood as more sprinting echoed through the halls. It was a gesture meaning their time together had ended. Keir had more questions but elected not to look desperate.

“Goodbye and good fortune,” the king said, opening the door back into the hall. The king slipped into the darkness and did not look back.