Author's note: Another completely gratuitous night at Valerian House. This is M/F/M, and continues the dominance/submission theme, but it's a bit more intense. It appears to be noncon, though it truly isn't. If this bothers you, don't read it. Credit of course to Jacqueline Carey for settings.

As before, I paused just inside the entrance to the Shahrizai chambers to appraise the adepts who awaited me. I crossed my arms over my chest and leaned back against the door, gathering details. The three of them were clothed, today, and they knelt in a row at the center of the room. On the right was a young man named Nátan, an adept who had nearly completed his marque. His light auburn hair fell in a fine curtain that shadowed half his face; the rest of it was flung artfully over his shoulder. He wore a robe of thin black cloth, barely opaque.

Next to him, in the center, knelt Selena. She was a fairly young adept, younger than Nátan, with golden hair that brushed her shoulders. She wore a white robe, similar to Nátan's, though it was barely long enough to reach her thighs. I had never had her before, but Didier had advised me that she enjoyed goading her patrons in order to provoke rough treatment. She sat demurely enough now, though, hands folded in her lap, eyes fixed on the floor.

At her side was Michel, wearing a loose, off-white breeches and a shirt of pale blue cloth that made his eyes shine with a deeper hue than I remembered. His feet were bare. I gazed at him for a long moment, realizing he could easily become a favorite of mine. He looked vulnerable, kneeling there, his face shadowed by the unruly dark curls that framed it.

I approached them, stopping before Nátan and bending to tilt his chin up. His eyes met mine, a fiery hazel, and I knew he was eager to see what torments the grandson of Melisande Shahrizai was capable of. "Your signale, Nátan?" I asked quietly.

"Unity, my lord." The same as was stated in the contract that Didier had reviewed with me. I made a note of it, and let him go, moving toward Selena.

"Moonlight, my lord," she said in a throaty voice before I asked, casting a quick glance up at me. I caught a flash of pale green eyes before she looked away. Oh, I would enjoy teaching this one her place. I eyed her expressionlessly for a long moment before moving on without a word.

Michel twitched when I touched his cheek lightly, and looked up at me. "Michel," I said, allowing a touch of warmth into my voice. "Yours is the same as our last encounter?"

"Yes, my lord," he breathed. "Shadows."

I nodded and let him go. Unity, moonlight, shadows. "I am bound by contract to ask once more of you," I addressed all three, "you have no objections to entering this assignation with one another?"

"No, my lord," they murmured. I turned back to Michel, stroking his hair before tilting his head back. "Do you remember what pleases me, Michel?"

When he confirmed that he did, I let him go. "Good. Explain it to them." I strode away and poured myself a glass of wine, then sat and propped my booted feet up on the table. Michel spoke softly, explaining that though Prince Raniel was consummately skilled in the infliction of pain, he most enjoyed exerting control over his adepts, which could take many forms, not simply those that resulted in...injuries.

I smiled at that, watching him. He had prospered well since I'd last seen him, judging from what of his marque was visible through his thin shirt. The generous patron-gift I'd left him after taking his virginity had been enough to cover a full quarter of his marque, but now the twisting vines of Valerian House reached halfway up his spine. Once word was passed that he was good enough for the Dauphin, well, I supposed patrons were clamoring for the opportunity to rend his sweet flesh, and pay handsomely for it.

Briefly, I wondered what Dianne would say if I offered to purchase Michel's marque, and keep him with me at the Palace. I would pay him handsomely, of course, so that he could continue to make his marque in my service, but the thought of binding him to me alone was tempting.

When he'd finished, I asked them, "Is this acceptable?"

They murmured their assent, and I set aside the wineglass. "Good," I said, and pointed at Selena. "You. Come here."

She rose with alacrity and obeyed, standing before me. I reached up and pulled loose the tie from her robe, parting it and gazing at the body it revealed. Her nipples were stiff and pink; I cupped one breast in my hand, twisting a nipple between my thumb and forefinger.

She shivered under my touch. I twisted my lips in a humorless smile, and brought my feet to the floor, spreading my knees and indicating with a silent nod where I wanted her. She moved to kneel before me, her hands reaching for my breeches without being told. I tolerated it, growing harder under her touch. When my phallus came free of my clothing, she clenched her hand around it and moved to perform the languisement. I stopped her with a fist tangled in her hair, and leaned forward. "You do what I tell you to do, little girl," I hissed. "Understand?"

With a spark of arousal in her wide, pale-green eyes, she nodded. I let her go and pushed the robe from her shoulders. Turning her away roughly, I used the robe's ties to bind her wrists together at her back. When I was finished, I turned her back to face me, caught another handful of her golden hair and pulled her forward. "Now," I told her, guiding her to me. Elua! Her mouth was soft and wet, silken heat around my aching phallus. I handled her roughly, forcing her head down until her nose met my abdomen and I could feel her throat convulsing in protest.

I glanced over at the others; they still knelt, showing me their profiles. They were not looking at Selena and I, but they could certainly hear what occured, and I could see both of them growing aroused. "You," I snapped, making both of them look over to see who I addressed. I ignored Michel and met Nátan's fiery hazel eyes over his head. "Come here."

He obeyed, and as an afterthought, I jerked my chin at Michel. "You too, boy."

Selena's mouth still worked on my flesh, awkwardly without the use of her hands to balance herself. I gestured at Nátan to stand behind her. "Take her," I said roughly. "Do it hard."

As Nátan let his robe fall and knelt behind her, his muscles gleaming in the candlelight, Selena made a sound of protest in her throat, humming around my phallus, and pulled away. "No-"

I tightened my grip on her hair before she could get very far. "You defy me, girl?" I asked in a low voice, feeling a chill run through her. "Do you forget so soon, that you do what I command? This is your punishment for your earlier insolence; if you refuse me further, I will find a way to discipline you that you truly will not enjoy. Is that what you want?"

She shook her head mutely. Tears shone in her green eyes, but she did not say the word that would have halted me. I brought up my other hand and caressed her cheek gently. "If you wish to give the signale," I told her, "simply make a sound, and I will release you. Otherwise, keep silent and endure your punishment."

She nodded, and I drew her back to me, biting back a groan as her mouth enveloped me once more, then nodded at Nátan.

Following my command, he took her roughly, gripping her hips and thrusting deep into her at once. She gasped around me, but made no cry, and Nátan picked up a rhythm, driving hard against her.

I let a low growl escape my throat, approving, and leaned back in my chair. Michel was standing nearby, waiting for instruction, his eyes on the three of us. I snapped my fingers and pointed wordlessly at the ground; he came obediently to kneel where I'd indicated, close enough that I could stroke his hair.

Nátan was looking down at himself, where he slid into Selena's body, his muscles working with each sharp thrust. "Good, Nátan," I murmured. "Keep going. Harder." He obeyed, and I watched appreciatively, reaching for my wineglass. He was well-made enough, and moved well enough, that I might have considered taking Selena's place. Not tonight, though.

I bent forward, threading my fingers through the girl's hair and holding her hard against me. "Are you learning your place yet, girl?" I asked softly. "This is your place, on your knees with my phallus in your mouth and another man's between your thighs. Your place is where I say it is." She trembled a little under my hand. Nátan groaned a little, barely audibly, and began to move more urgently. Close, so close, both of us were. He met my eyes briefly, pleading, and I nodded at him. He closed his eyes and moved faster, crashing into her with a sound of flesh against flesh. Every thrust made her body rock forward, and the three of us caught a new rhythm, driven by Nátan. I could feel the tide of desire rising inevitably within me.

I glanced aside at Michel; his dark blue eyes watched us unabashedly, the pupils dark with arousal. I pulled him closer and kissed him, hard. His mouth tasted better than I'd remembered; hot and firm and yielding. He moaned into my mouth, and I was undone, spilling my seed into Selena. I held her in place around my softening phallus until Nátan had finished, spending himself with a groan. He and she came together; her back arched and she shook against me, breath rasping in her throat with the effort of keeping silent.

I let her go then, her and Michel both. "Get up," I told them. I rose and pushed past them, refastening my breeches. Nátan stood behind Selena, catching his breath; he was of a height with me. I stepped close and kissed him, slowly but with authority, taking control of his mouth with my tongue. He was willing and pliant in my arms.

"You did well, Nátan," I said softly, tucking a strand of his auburn hair behind his ear gently. "I'm minded to reward you. Would you like that?"

"Yes, my lord..."

"Go to the whipping cross." I let him go, and he went obediently, standing with his back to the cross and waiting.

"And you," I said harshly, turning to Selena. She stood with her head down, hands still bound behind her back. "Your punishment is just beginning, girl. Go over there and wait, on your knees."

She murmured acknowledgement and moved away, kneeling a short distance from Nátan. I strode toward the flagellary, turning back as if it were an afterthought. "You stay there, boy," I ordered Michel, not waiting for his response.

From the flagellary, I selected a leather flogger, a long-handled instrument with several long cords trailing from it, and a length of black silk cloth. I tucked the flogger under my arm and went to Nátan. "Now," I said, fastening the cuffs around his wrists and ankles, leaving him standing spreadeagled against the X-shaped cross. "Is this what you want, Nátan?" I caressed his chest with the end of the flogger, trailing the lengths of braided leather over his skin.

"Yes, my lord!" He gasped. He was half-aroused again, already, his phallus twitching.

"Why?" I asked, shutting all trace of sensousness out of my voice. I was genuinely curious, and I wanted a sincere answer. "Tell me truly, Nátan."

He met my eyes boldly. "I want to see what the Prince of Terre D'Ange is capable of, my lord."

Fair enough. "Hmm," I said, feeling my lips curve in a cruel smile. I set the flogger aside and stretched the length of silk in my hands. "An honest answer. I will be glad to show you what I am capable of, adept, but you will not see any of it." I blindfolded him with the cloth, wrapping it over his eyes gently and jerking the knot tight behind his head.

I stepped back and let the first blow of the flogger fall without warning; it snapped across his chest with a loud crack, and Selena twitched in surprise. Nátan jerked in his bonds, his lips parting in a sigh. The welt that rose across his flesh stirred my desire once again, and I continued. There was no sense of tenderness, as there had been with Michel; I made him hurt, and he welcomed it, pleading for more.

Eventually I tired of it, and tossed the flogger onto a table. I glanced at Selena; she knelt with her hands still bound behind her, her breasts heaving with the deep breath of desire. She met my gaze boldly, and I strode to her in two quick steps, seizing her arm and pulling her toward Nátan. "Here, girl," I murmured, forcing her to kneel again, in front of him. "It's his turn to feel that sweet mouth of yours." I tangled my fingers in her hair and pushed her head forward; she opened her mouth obediently and began the languisement.

Nátan tensed, letting out a sharp breath at the contact. I smiled, watching his rigid phallus slide slowly between Selena's lips. With my hand still on her head, I leaned foward and kissed Nátan, firmly and thorougly before pulling back. "You've been very good, Nátan," I murmured, and slipped my free hand behind his head to loose his blindfold. "Enjoy this gift I give you, but not too much. I'm not finished with you yet. And you will do nothing of your own accord until I tell you."

He blinked in the dim light as the cloth fell away. "Aye, my lord," he whispered breathlessly.

I crouched beside Selena, my hand still on her head, guiding her movements as she continued. "And you," I hissed, letting a touch of malice into my voice, "Are you learning your place yet, girl? I can do whatever I want with you, even give you to another while I simply watch. Are you learning your lesson, now?"

She made a whimpered sound of acknowledgement. "Keep going," I whispered hoarsely. "Do not stop until he is finished." Without waiting for a reply, I let her go and stood abruptly, returning to the table and pouring another glass of wine. Behind me, I could hear Nátan's soft groans, could feel Michel's eyes on my back. I smiled to myself and drank.

When I turned around, Michel had his eyes properly downcast. "Come," I commanded softly, and he obeyed. His deep blue eyes were almost black, the pupils swollen with desire. "My lord-" he breathed.

"Silence," I ordered, and kissed him. I could feel the burning tension in his body, and it matched my own... Elua, I wanted to throw him onto the bed and ravage him; he wanted the same thing, his skin was aflame with the want of it. But he was young, and had relatively little of the experience with self-control that I had. I could see the fault-lines in him, a dubious gift of my father's, and I knew just how good it could be if I played the game right.

I pulled away from the kiss, grasped his hips and turned him around, his back to me. "Look at them, boy," I breathed against the side of his neck, stepping close enough to press my erection against his hip. I slid one hand around to rub his phallus through his trousers, making him jerk in my arms. "Aren't they beautiful? Both of them bent to my will, just like you are. Aren't you, Michel?"

"Yes, my lord!" His voice trembled.

I held him immobile with one hand on his hip, rocking my body against him; my other hand continued its ministrations. He was hard as steel beneath the breeches he wore, and I desperately wanted to release him from the confines of his clothing, feel that silky-smooth skin against mine. Soon, soon, I told myself.

I kissed his earlobe, ran the tip of my tongue along the ridges of his ear, making him shudder. "Watch him, boy," I rasped. "I ordered him to wait. See how he obeys, though she works him with all the skill she knows?"

"Yes, my lord..."

"That is the sort of control I require of the adepts who service me. Do you have this control, boy?"

There was a quiet note of anxiety in his voice when he answered, "No, my lord."

Across the room, Nátan's eyes met mine, a desperate pleading gaze. I held it, grasping Michel's hips with both hands and thrusting against him, hard. "I will teach you, then, boy," I whispered, and nodded at Nátan.

The other adept obeyed, climaxing with a groaning gasp, straining against his bonds. I didn't watch; I had sunk my teeth into Michel's neck, marking him with a lovebite that made him tremble in my arms.

Silence fell in the room, broken only by the ragged breath of its four occupants, only one of whom had been satisfied. Reluctantly, I made myself let go of Michel, knowing it was necessary to the deeper game I hoped to play. I left him there as if forgotten, and strode to the whipping cross. Obedient to my last command, Selena still worked on her knees, making Nátan grimace in pleasurable discomfort. I pulled her away roughly, hauled her to her feet and turned her around. "Will you control your hands now, girl? Because I am not done with you yet, and I would rather put them to good use."

"Yes, my lord," she whispered through swollen lips, and I untied her wrists, shoved her toward the bed. "Wait there," I ordered, and turned back to Nátan .

"Well done," I told him. "Your control is admirable... but I am not yet finished with you, either." I gestured at Michel, who came obediently and knelt beside Nátan. I left both of them where they were and strode to the bed, stripping off my shirt as I did so.

Wordlessly, I indicated where Selena should go, oriented so that I could still see the others with glance to the side. I ignored them, though, and sat on the edge of the bed to unlace my boots and trousers.

Selena watched me unabashedly; I let her do it, turning to face her when I'd undressed completely. "Now, little girl," I said, kneeling at her feet and sliding a hand up the inside of her leg. "I will give you what you want, if you will be obedient." I reached up and cupped her breast in my hand. "Will you obey your master, girl?"

"Ye-es," she whispered. I brought my hand down to the juncture of her thighs, wetting my fingers in the moisture there and stroking myself with it. "Who am I, little girl?" I asked, leaning forward to set myself against her flesh.

"You are my master," she breathed, eyes wide in apprehension. I smiled, pressing forward, teasing her with the tip of my phallus.

"And what are you?" I asked.

"I am yours, master- oh!" she cried out as I sank deep inside of her. Elua, she was wet, and hotter than Camael's forge. Hers was not the body I wanted to plunder, but it would do. "Good girl," I breathed, and talked no more for a time, only thrust in and out, bringing her swiftly to a peak. When she trembled in my arms, gasping with near-climax, I slowed, ignoring her pleas for release. I turned and looked at the other two adepts, both of whom were watching intently. Nátan was ready again, his phallus standing erect and swollen against his stomach.

"Untie him, boy," I ordered, and Michel moved to obey. Selena, catching an idea of what was coming, began to whimper beneath me. I smiled down at her, letting a little cruelty color it. "You have been a good girl," I told her, almost tenderly, punctuating my words with a sharp thrust that made her gasp. "But you are still owed punishment, and the time has come. Tell me again, who you belong to."

"You, my lord," she whimpered. I rolled onto my side, taking her with me, and reached around to spread the moisture of her body at her nether orifice with a fingertip.

"And you will do whatever I tell you to do, won't you?" I asked, watching as Michel and Nátan approached the bed.

"Yes.."

I turned my attention to her face, brought my hand to her breast. "Then you will not complain when I order Nátan to take you again, and share you with me, will you?"

"No, my lord," she whimpered, though tears glittered in her eyes.

I glanced up and met Nátan's eyes, nodded at him. He knelt behind Selena and lay on his side, fitting himself at her backside and thrusting into her sharply. She cried out, and I silenced her with a rough kiss.

When Nátan filled her completely, leaving her shuddering around me, I rolled again, trapping him beneath both her and me. Selena gasped out a cry of pain at the shift, and I saw the hesitation in Nátan's eyes.

"Don't stop, Nátan," I snarled, thrusting into her. "Gods, I can feel you... do not stop..." It was true; with her inner walls between us, I could feel his phallus grinding against mine with each thrust.

It went on for some time, and it was delicious, having that abject flesh between the two of us, helpless and moaning. I glanced at Michel, saw him watching us with eyes that glittered fever-bright. No... he was watching me, his eyes fixed on my body. When he realized I was looking back, he bit his lip and made an abortive, pleading gesture toward the bed. "My lord-"

I froze, staring at him. Caught in the rhythm, the other two moved for a moment before realizing something was wrong. "What is it, Michel?" I asked, in a voice that said if there wasn't some emergency, he would deeply regret interrupting.

Realizing his error, he swallowed, hesitating. "My lord... is there nothing that I may do to please you?"

Inwardly, I smiled, knowing that he was truly mine, now. Outwardly, I let a cool calm descend, and pulled sharply away from Selena, making her and Nátan gasp at the loss. Michel eyed me nervously as I swung my legs over the edge of the bed and leaned forward, close enough to feel the heat of his body against my lips. "You wish release?" I asked him, in a low voice.

His eyes widened. "No, my lord! I only... I wish to please you, my lord, but that is all-"

I knew it for a lie, or at least a half-lie; he may have had my pleasure in mind, but it was not the only reason he could not contain his frustration. "You disappoint me, Michel," I said softly, and he flinched visibly. I lifted the hem of his shirt, unfastened his breeches. "Did I not already explain the control that my adepts must possess?"

"Yes," he breathed, and the word was drawn into a hissing exhalation as I freed his phallus from the confines of his breeches. Gods, he was so perfect, solid and thick.... I wanted to take him in my mouth, swallow every inch of him into myself while he whimpered helplessly above me. Instead, I leaned back to watch him. I thought about having him take my place with Selena and Nátan; and then I realized that I didn't want anyone else touching him.

Laughing at myself inwardly, I shifted to the side, folding my legs under me and glancing back at the other two adepts, who waited with trembling patience for permission to move. "Keep going," I told them, and they obeyed, quickly returning to their desperate moans of a moment before.

Michel knelt before me, waiting, his breath shallow. I folded my hands in my lap, away from my erection. "I have already shown you the control I require, boy... but perhaps that was not enough. I find it necessary to provide an example of my own. Watch them, boy, and pleasure yourself while I show you the control I possess."

With the realization that I wasn't going to touch him, a look of disappointment flashed across his face, but he obeyed, taking himself in hand. I watched, gritting my teeth as my own desire flared. Gods, I wanted to possess him, to throw him down and take him in every way imaginable before allowing him to do the same to me. Patience, I counseled myself. The reward shall be that much greater for the effort expended.

Beside me, Nátan and Selena still coupled with quiet abandon, but I had eyes only for Michel. "Look at me, boy," I murmured, my voice tight. "Do you see how badly I want you? I watch you kneeling there, with your own phallus in your hand and that look of abject pleasure on your features, and I want only to bend you backward and plant every inch of myself inside you."

His movements became jerky, erratic, at my words. "Please, my lord-"

I chuckled, though it took an effort, and leaned forward to brush a curly strand of hair from his eyes. "No, boy," I told him. "No, because I have control, and I am teaching you what that means. Watch me, and maybe you shall understand." I sat there, my hands placid in my lap, belying the raging need that burned between my thighs. Michel groaned softly, his eyes flickering from me to the others. I waited, with clenched jaw, refusing to give in, knowing the impression I would make on the young adept with this demonstration.

The three of them finished at nearly the same time, Michel a little later than the others, spilling his seed onto the stone floor with a shuddering moan. I drew in a deep breath, feeling a little relieved with the weight of their combined urgencies abated. I stood and gestured for the three of them to do the same.

"You have served well, and I am pleased with the work of Naamah and Kushiel that you have rendered to me this evening," I said formally. The three of them glanced at each other. "You are dismissed," I added, before they could say anything. "I shall see that a proper patron-gift is sent to each of you."

More glances, but it was Michel who spoke, doggedly refusing to give up. "My lord-?"

"Yes?" I asked, knowing what was coming.

He hesitated, made a helpless gesture at my still-erect phallus. "It... it is not seemly that a patron go away from Valerian House so... unsatisfied, my lord. Is there nothing I may do, to-"

"No," I cut him off, and stepped closer, buttoning his breeches and arranging his mussed shirt. "You have displeased me this night, Michel-" so harsh, I thought ruefully, but it is what is needed. "-and I think you have a lesson to meditate upon before I have need of your services."

He looked crestfallen, and the expression pulled at my conscience. I hardened my resolve, letting my gaze pass over Selena and fix on Nátan. "But you are correct, and I have no desire to needlessly tarnish the name of Valerian House by leaving prematurely. Nátan, you have been the only adept tonight to obey every whim, every desire of mine without question, and I wish to reward you. If the night's activities have not been too taxing for you, you may stay behind."

Michel twitched as if I had slapped him. Nátan nodded, with a glint in his eye. No fool, that one; he knew the game I played. "I would be honored, my lord."

I nodded, and waved the others away. "You may go."

They went, and I sat on the edge of the bed, feeling suddenly weary despite the desire that still throbbed within me. Nátan waited for the door to shut behind them before approaching me. "What will you, my lord?" He asked, kneeling and wrapping one hand around my phallus. Elua, it was good; that simple contact was intensified tenfold by the control I had exerted earlier. I let out a harsh breath, watching his hand move for a moment.

"No more games, Nátan," I said finally, weary of the power and obedience diversions. I reached for the small jar of ointment that sat on the bedside table. "Just you."

He followed my lead, standing over me, straddling my knees so I could prepare him for myself. "I think it is not me that you want, my lord, if you will permit me to say so," he murmured, lowering himself onto my lap.

The tip of my phallus pressed against his entrance. "You are very..." I pulled his hips down, entering him slowly. "...perceptive."

He eased himself lower, until he sat on my thighs, with my entire length buried in his heat. He was right; it wasn't him that I wanted to bury myself inside, but Elua! he felt good just the same. It wouldn't take long, I knew; I had no need of control now. I lay back on the bed, gazing up at the adept as he moved over me.

"If my lord will also permit me to say," Nátan added, a little breathlessly, "He is like a fish on the hook, now; you need only reel him in."

A smile tugged at my lips. "You are correct," I said, bringing my hands to his hips and guiding his movements. "But, this moment, I praise Naamah with you, and I will hear no more about it."

That pleased him; he smiled genuinely, and leaned foward to brace his hands on my chest, with his auburn hair falling in a silky curtain around his face. "As my lord wishes," he murmured.