He couldn't believe Jonah had bailed. Well, maybe he could, but it didn't make his situation any better. A gruff looking Gorilla type creature was hauling him along by a lead. Nothing decorative, a simple chain attached to a wide metal collar. It wasn't the first time he'd been sold. The first he'd been slotted specifically for the pleasure district's 'auction' though. It would be flattering, but being sold in 'any' situation was never flattering.

The beast led him to a raised platform. His clothes roughly torn off till he was left in boxer briefs only. Jack swallowed thickly and did his best not to panic. Without his VM he couldn't just blink away. His 'handler' was busy communicating with whoever or rather whatever was running this mess. He blinked, only to be hauled away. Shoved into a tent at the end of the row. He stumbled, almost falling before someone hauled him back up.

"Careful! You stupid primate! I paid good money for him." A shrill female voice exclaimed.

Jack looked into the warm brown eyes of his new owner and gulped. She was easily 70. Beautiful despite it, but he couldn't help, but wonder why someone like her, wanted him. The creature who had just helped him, yanked on the chain and he immediately sank to his knees, head bowed. He knew this drill.

"Hardly necessary Dolan, I wish to see him."

"Stand for inspection, I assume they taught you how." The humanoid called Dolan demanded harshly.

Jack scrambled to stand, arms out, head level and eyes forward. The tent floor was covered with rugs, making sure he hadn't just dusted himself with the dirt of the floor.

"Yes, yes he should do quite nicely. Oh, Dolan, isn't he just perfect for my young prince."

"If you say so mum, shall I have him transported to the palace then." The servant asked, in a rather snooty voice.

A prince? A palace? Ok this situation might be looking up.

HtBaHHtBaHHtBaHHtBaHHtBaHHtBaH

He guessed the large bath was specifically for the servants. It still felt wonderful after the auction cells. The women making sure he washed properly, laughed and talked freely. Like he wasn't even there as one held his hand while tending to his nails.

"Can't have you presented to his grace with dirty nails, now can we." The young maid giggled, carefully scrubbing out dirt from under said nails. "Don't worry, he's really very kind and I've heard tell he's a gifted lover."

"Margretta!"

She snapped her lips shut, a blush rising as she looked down. Jack had to hide his grin. She put her hand up to her mouth and whispered. "He's also quite good looking."

"MARGETTA! One more word and you'll be scrubbing the toilets with a tooth brush!"

"Yes Mrs. Gwen, Sorry Mrs. Gwen."

~HtBaH~

He'd honestly never had clothes this fine. Boeshane had been, not poor, but clothes like this just hadn't been practical. The woman who bought him was helping him dress. Choosing an almost Arabian Harem look for him. Suddenly Jack realized that's exactly what he was wearing. That's what he was going to be. Part of the prince's harem. Honestly he wasn't sure how he felt about that. There were worse places he could be. A scummy brothel, rather than a palace. Kept in a cage, wearing rags rather than bathed and dressed in silks and jewels. It was still a collar and a lead, but it was sued, fur lined and the lead was a gold chain.

"There, don't you just look perfect. Now let's get you settled." She tittered, leading him to her, beloved, grandson's chambers.

~HtBaH~

The fastenings had been easy to break, once the servants had finished carrying in the presents the prince had received. The prince's birthday then. He'd never been bought as a gift before. He started going through the generous pile of gifts. Curiosity and hope that there would be something useful; driving him. To lost in his mission, he missed the door opening. Only when the younger prince cleared his throat, did Jack turn.

"No wonder Gran was so excited." Ifan sighed. "Good to know even she thinks I need to get laid." He wasn't entirely sure what to do now. He did have to admit this slave was rather good looking. Maybe it would be kind of nice to have the companionship. They didn't have to fuck, no one would have to know. Even a nice cuddle, would be welcome, perhaps the nightmares would take time off if he had a bed mate. The Prince smiled slightly and stepped forward. Doing his best not to spook the man. He was stopped in his tracks when Jack brandished the ceremonial knife; with the beautifully jeweled hilt. A gift from his brother. Stained with his blood, the jewels were sure to sparkle even brighter.

"Oh Gran." He sighed and added. "She didn't buy just any old slave, did she?" More put out than sad, that he was to die on his birthday of all days. Knocked out, robbed at the very least. Ifan could see, this wasn't some meek, terror filled slave's, bid for freedom. There was the confidence of a dangerous and self-assured man in those eyes. He held his hands up. "You can drop the act you know, even Daffyd lets his slaves talk."

His eyes narrowed, but he still didn't speak. Jack was surprised, he sensed anger and frustration, not fear from the younger man. That maid had been right; the prince was really, quite good looking. For a moment, he was torn, he had the time, he could easily fuck the prince till he passed out and then leave. Surprisingly, he found, he didn't want to hurt the younger man. Besides, he was the last person to turn down the opportunity for a good fuck.

Ifan broke the silence. "You can just go, you know. I won't raise an alarm." He was too exhausted to deal with this. He'd never used so much of his power before. A week had gone by since the damn had broken and his kingdom had been flooded. He'd been too late to stop it completely. But he'd been able to hold the water back, while he turned a mountain into large stones to build a better damn. Even with that much time, he had yet to recover fully. Maybe that was why he wasn't thinking straight and he stepped even closer. The tattoo that nearly covered his back; began to glow and his eyes changed to a violent purple.

The knife in Jacks hand melted to the hilt and he dropped it in shock. The growing alarm, freezing him in place as the prince's eyes rolled back and he dropped in a dead faint.

"What are you!?"

TBC….