::Disclaimer: all things Gorgeous Carat belong to You Higuri.::
Fate: Galaxy
"He treats you like a whore." Ray softened his words by gently smoothing a stand of hair away from Florian's face. The blond was still breathing heavily from their lovemaking and his skin was flushed and sweaty.
"No more so than anyone else," Florian pointed out, far too lucid for someone who'd been crying out mindlessly in pleasure five minutes before. "He's my cousin and he asked for my help." Florian's eyes closed under Ray's caress and a smile curved his lips that had nothing to do with his words. "I'm not asking you for charity, only that if any of the paintings or other family treasures interest you, offer him a fair price. He's desperate, Ray. When Count Chabot died, his daughter Eleanora was too young to inherit. The estate, including all of the Count's debts went to Jacques and he's nearly bankrupt." Florian opened his eyes but his focus was somewhere in the past. "Eleanora is only 17 and she's already lost both her parents. Jacques is doing everything he can to save her home."
"This Eleanora is the fairy you were telling Laila about?"
"You heard that? I didn't realize." Florian blinked sleepily up and Ray and settled a bit more comfortably against him. His vision was still more on the past than in the present but he intertwined his fingers with Ray's as he answered. "Yes. I was eight or nine when my mother took me to visit Count Chabot. Jacques and some of the other relatives were there as well and a group of the children had gone out to explore. I got separated from the others and wandered into the Forest of Monsters. Someone was singing and I followed the sound until I came upon a clearing and there she was, sunning herself, with nothing to conceal her but her hair. She looked at me as if I were an unknown creature and I was sure I'd found a fairy." Florian shook his head and laughed. "My mother was so angry at me for wandering off, and for telling tales that we left the estate that same day. It was only later that I learned the fairy was actually Eleanora. I haven't seen her since."
"I suppose you'll have your chance, then. I've already had Laila send our acceptance to Jacques. We'll go first thing tomorrow so we can be back before dark." Ray leaned down and kissed Florian, stroking him a little to calm him again. "Rest now. Tomorrow will be a long day."
Florian closed his eyes obediently, and fell asleep with a smile on his face.
XXXXX
"Florian!" A dark-haired man a few years older than Florian dashed down the front steps to greet Ray and his companions. Florian moved forward eagerly and allowed the man to embrace him briefly.
"Jacques. It's good to see you." He stepped back and indicated his companions. "May I introduce Count Courland and Lady Laila?"
"Lady," Jacques bowed briefly to Laila before moving to shake Ray's hand. "Count Courland, it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
"Indeed. I believe you have some antiques for me to look at?" Ray was in no mood to stand in a snowy courtyard and exchanged pleasantries with someone who treated Florian so casually.
"Ye..yes, of course. If you'll follow me please?" Jacques motioned for his butler to take the visitors' luggage while he led them into the house. They paused briefly to remove their coats and hats. Leaving them draped over a chair in the entryway for the butler to attend to once the luggage was inside.
"Follow closely, Florian, so you don't get lost," Jacques teased as he led the trio down a series of corridors and finally stopped before a large door secured by a heavy padlock. "We're on the outskirts of Paris, but we dare not take any chances with the notorious thief Noir still roaming free." Jack produced a heavy key and, after struggling for a moment, opened the door.
"Just in time," a scratchy female voice echoed along the corridor, startling them. Ray frowned at the fifty-ish woman, draped in a ridiculous array of jewelry. She dismissed Laila and Florian with a sneer before pausing to study Ray. With a toss of her head, she brushed past him and Jacques to stride into the now-opened suite.
"Madame, wait." Jacques cast an apologetic smile at Ray before hurrying after the woman. Ray followed more slowly, taking a moment to give Florian a look that promised nothing good. Florian winced and wondered how many new lashes he'd just earned.
Trailing behind the others, Florian, ignored the woman's screeching demands and concentrated on the array of treasures that filled not just one room, apparently, but an entire suite. The gilt-framed paintings and expensive bric-a-brac reminded him uncomfortably of his home and the many times his mother had been forced to gather precious family treasures together to be taken away and sold. He moved towards the doorway on the far side of the room, hoping to find a window or something that would distract him from such memories. He'd gone only a few steps when Ray called him back.
"Take leave of your cousin, Florian, We're going home."
"What? Count Courland, please." Jacques was at Ray's side immediately, leaving the woman still blathering over a gold mantle clock. "There are more rooms with treasures dating back to the twelfth century. If you could just spare a little more time."
"Not with that woman in the room, I won't." He cast a warning look at Florian. "I promised to look. I've looked. Now get your coats." Florian and Laila scurried to obey and almost collided with the butler.
"Sir, I'm afraid it will be quite impossible for you to leave at this time. It's snowing quite heavily."
Ray hurried to the front door and wrenched it open, cursing when a swirl of white surrounded him. It looked like they were caught in a blizzard.
"Stephan, prepare rooms for our guests, please, and inform Elise we'll want dinner at seven." While the butler left to follow Jacques' orders, Jacques escorted his guests into the living room where a nice fire was burning in the fireplace.
"I apologize for Madame Belge, Count Courland. She arrived unexpectedly earlier today and demanded to see the items I have for sale. Ordinarily I would have turned her away." Jacques let the thought trail off as he turned to look at the fire.
"Jacques," Florian placed a comforting hand on his cousin's arm. "We understand, of course. Perhaps we could take another look at the treasures later." He glanced over at Ray to gauge his master's reaction and winced at the warning in Ray's eyes.
Jacques cast a look between the two men and then at Laila before leaning in towards Florian. "I had Stephan put you and the Count in the same suite but perhaps I should have put you with Laila instead?"
"No, Jacques, it's fine. I am Ray's secretary after all. He'll want me to keep records if he decides to purchase anything."
Jacques gave Florian a look that made it clear what he thought of Florian's excuse, and of a noble Rochefort working as a secretary.
"I haven't had a chance to ask; where is Eleanora? I'd like to see the lady that the fairy has become."
"She's probably in her rooms. I'm afraid she's angry with me for selling the family treasures." Jacques rubbed the back of his hand where a fading bruise tinted the skin yellow.
"Perhaps I could talk to her?" Florian asked hesitantly. He really didn't know what comfort he could offer her, but he felt he should at least make an effort.
"After supper," Ray said simply, standing. He motioned for Laila to remain. "If I'm stuck here I can at least catch up on some correspondence. Come Florian." To Jacques he said, "Will you direct us to our suite?"
"Of course," Jacques said awkwardly, frowning a little as he gave Florian a questioning look. Florian shook his head slightly and lowered his gaze, waiting for Ray to pass before trailing along behind him. They covered the distance in awkward silence and, when Jacques left them with a promise to summon them for supper, Ray simply nodded and closed the door.
"You do realize," he said carefully as he turned to Florian. "That this delay is solely your responsibility. I could be home right now. He dropped onto the bed and scowled. "You know I hate sleeping in strange beds."
"I know, but perhaps it won't be as bad if there is something familiar in the bed?" Florian reached up to remove his suitcoat but Ray stopped him, pulling the blond closer roughly, Ray's hands already working the slender man free of his clothing.
"We have all afternoon and I have a great number of things to dictate. Shall we begin?"
"Yes, please?" Florian's breath caught in his throat as Ray spun him around to brace him against the bedpost. After fumbling with his own clothes for a moment, Ray reached around and pulled Florian's trousers down just enough. Placing a hand over Florian's mouth, Ray pulled back slightly, stroked himself twice, then slammed forward. As soon as Florian's head tilted back, Ray sank his teeth into the bit of exposed skin at his collar. Loosening his bite, he licked at the same spot as he continued to thrust deeply into Florian's body. The blond was still rigid with pain so Ray forced his fingers into Florian's mouth. After a few seconds, Florian began licking and sucking at the fingers, and gradually his body relaxed into Ray's harsh rhythm. Ray pressed his advantage, withdrawing his fingers and pushing Florian away from the bedpost down onto the bed so his body was bent over the footboard. Ray draped himself over Florian, using his weight to thrust deeper. Florian was moaning now and soon would be crying out, so Ray covered his mouth again, using his strength to pull Florian up for an even better angle. Florian was trembling, his body desperate for Ray's every motion. Fully aware of this, Ray slowed his movements, letting Florian do more work as the blond began pushing back, seeking more of the pleasure he craved. Ray tormented him like this until his own body protested. Without warning, he pulled back then slammed forward as hard as he could, using his grip on Florian's mouth and chin to bend the pliant body into a painful-looking curve. Florian screamed into Ray's hand and went limp just as Ray reached his breaking point. He exploded into the limp body, then dropped bonelessly down to lay on Florian's back.
"End dictation," he whispered into Florian's ear as he pulled out and rose, going to the bathroom to clean up. He shook his head when Florian didn't follow, and wet a cloth to take to the man. Ray cleaned Florian carefully making sure he hadn't injured the blond, but Florian just sighed in contentment and slid deeper into sleep. With a sigh of annoyance, Ray picked him up and dropped him onto the bed where Florian, without waking, grabbed a corner of the blanket and rolled himself up in it, settling in the exact center of the bed. Ray just shook his head and climbed in, shoving Florian over, fully aware that the blond would simply move back. He did, so Ray put his arm around Florian and adjusted the blanket around his shoulders before letting himself rest.
XXXXX
A pair of dark eyes set in a pixy's face studied the sleeping men with interest. They'd watched from the moment the pair entered the suite until now, taking in every detail, calculating what would be most useful, refining the plan that had started to form the moment she knew he was going to be within her reach.
It was a good plan. Now to set it in motion.
The panel closed with a soft click and she stepped out into the empty corridor. Running a hand over her elaborate dress and long blond hair, she smoothed her expression into one of child-like innocence. Theodore would be in her room and she didn't want to keep him waiting. Consider it a last kindness for the soon to be departed.
::end part 1::