Evander finished drying Ortanos and went to begin tiding the bath but Ortanos stopped him. "Little one you can send another to do that in the morning. I'm growing tired," Evander nodded in agreement.
"Let me get you some garment," Evander pulled away to go out into the general's bed room.
"That's fine I don't need anything," Ortanos long legs took only a couple steps to catch up with the small servant.
"But the new slave is kneeling in the room," Evander blinked.
"I'll intimidate him a little then, get him ready," Ortanos smirked rolling his sore shoulder. Evander saw the flash of pain in his master's eyes and knew what he needed to do once the new slave had been looked over.
Evander dashed into the bedroom and saw Mateo kneeling on the floor. "He's on his way in now," he knelt beside him and whispered. "Don't be scare of him. Just let him look you all over, he isn't going to harm you."
Evan stood up and the new slave Mateo stared as Ortanos entered the room wearing nothing more than a smirk. He slowly circled around Mateo looking him up and down. "Stand and disrobe."
The look of fear that flooded Mateo's face made Evander sigh and Ortanos smirk. He levelled his grey eyes at the slave growling, "I gave an order I except to be obeyed instantly."
Mateo scrambled to his feet. His hands shaking so much that he struggled to loosen the belt that kept his simple tunic in place. Evander sighed again and shook his head. Leaving his master's side he stepped over smacking Mateo's hands away. As he took care of the belt and pulled the toga off the new slave he whispered, "Relax. He only wants to inspect you. Now arms out and obey when he gives you an instruction!"
Mateo swallowed and nodded his eyes still large with fear. Evander stepped back holding Mateo's tunic to his chest as he watched the feared general stalk towards the new slave.
Ortanos let his eyes roam over the new slave. Evander certainly knew his tastes, dark haired, small compact and from the eyes Ortanos could tell the man was loyal. He paused intrigued by the marks on Mateo's upper arm. Touching them he chucked at the surprised yelp that escaped the slave's throat.
"Where did you get these?"
Mateo glanced at him then Evander who nodded then back at the general before he stammered, "I was born in colonies it... it was tradition to... to decorate the skin."
Ortanos hummed then looking at Evander he rumbled, "I like them, maybe I should get some."
Evander glared at him only just covering his giggle. Standing behind Mateo, Ortanos nodded and treating Evander to a broad grin he winked and nodded. Then simply turned and headed towards his bed growling, "I'm satisfied. Evander -take him away, house him, then return to me." He paused and looking over his shoulder he added meaningfully, "Do not keep me waiting."
Evander lead Mateo out into the hallway. "Here get dressed," Evander handed Mateo his toga. "He likes you don't look so down."
"Why did he come out nude?" Mateo pulled his clothing on. "I mean I shouldn't see him like that right?"
"He likes to show off his body," Evander giggled guiding the now dressed Mateo down the hall.
"You're not scared of him at all?" Mateo looked at Evander who seemed calm and happy.
"I've been a slave to this family since childhood. I understand his need and wants," Evander open the door and they walked out into the court yard towards the servant quarters. "All he wants is loyalty and honesty. If you mess up admit it. The punishment for honesty will be almost nothing trust me but lie," Evander opened the door to the house the servants occupied.
"So we all stay here?" Mateo looked inside the servant's house it was clean not lavished with fancy things but it was no slum.
"I stay in the man house in case Ortanos needs anything," Evander tried not to smile at his lie knowing the real reason his room was in house. "Everyone else stays here, one of the other servants will be able to show you were to sleep. You will catch on to the ways around here. Now I must return to Ortanos he's most likely hungry from his journey."
Mateo nodded at the head servant as Evander made his way back to the main house.
Having checked that the elite force had been taken care off and were satisfied, Evander wandered into the kitchen. The cook was just putting the finishing touches to the master's supper and as Evander watched on the cook poured the thick honey sauce over the warmed figs. Almost instantly the aroma hit Evander and he had to stop himself from groaning out loud as he remembered his master's favourite way to eat the sweet treat. Evander smile gratefully at the cook as the laden tray was pushed towards him. Taking the tray Evander did a quick check making sure everything was there he nodded at the cook then left carrying his precious – and not to mention delicious smelling – burden.
He knocked softly on the door waiting for the growled order before entering. Sliding into the room he kicked the door shut behind him and was half way across to the room when Ortanos' disembodied voice growled, "Lock the door."
Evander set his tray down on the central table and padded back to carry out his master's wishes. It wasn't until he turned around that he realised Ortanos had re-appeared and was now standing so close to him he could feel the heat rolling of his decidedly naked master. Smiling coyly Evander bowed his head and murmured seductive, "How may I serve my master?"
Ortanos didn't answer. He simply curled a hand around the back of Evander neck, dragged him closer and began to devour his mouth
Evander melted into Ortanos' arms throwing his arms around the general's neck. But in that moment, there in the locked bedroom Ortanos rank, title and wealth did not matter. Nor did the fact Evander was a servant born into poverty. For now they were simply lovers longing for each other after so long apart.
Ortanos' tongue demanded entrance into Evander's mouth and it was a demand met with willingness as the smaller man's mouth opened. Their tongues caressing each other, greeting one another, tickling the insides of their mouths.
"I have missed you," Evander pulled back panting. "I kept hearing stories of how ruthless the barbarians were to the villages they had been ransacking. How they raped women, murder children and did unspeakable things to the men."
"They were just stories little one," Ortanos stroked his hair. "I did not see anything like that when fighting them. Yes they killed and lives were lost but nothing like the horrors you speak."
"So people were getting carried away," Evan lay his cheek against Ortanos' chest listening to the heart beat.
"Yes," Ortanos pulled away from his servant and lover. "I'm hungry after a long day don't you wish me to be happy?" Ortanos climb on the bed and looked at the tray Evander had brought in.
"Of course."
Walking over to the table Evander picks up the tray glancing back he orders, "Well sit properly then and I can serve you your supper."
"Bossy," chuckled Ortanos slowly shifting position so he could relax on one arm and eat with the other.
Evander brought the tray closer resting it on the edge of the bed. As Ortanos ran his eyes over the contents of the tray, he rumbled, "Is that new season's ham from my estate?"
"Where else would it be from?" replied Evander sounding almost scandalised at the suggestion it would be from anywhere else. He went to pass the plate of meat and bread to his master but Ortanos simply pouted at him. The General whining playfully, "I've been on warrior rations for three months. Are you really going to make me wait?"
Barely able to restrain his giggles Evander grinned and shook his head. Setting the meat plate to one side he lifted the covered earthenware dish off the tray and handed it carefully to Ortanos. The general took it eagerly, resting the warm vessel on his lap. Then with an almost reverent sigh, Ortanos lifted the lid and inhaled deeply, loving the way the sweetly spiced aroma filled his sense. Dipping a finger into the warm sauce he pulled it out and locking his eyes with Evander he bowed his head and slowly licked the sauce off his finger. Purring like a large cat Ortanos rumbled, "God I've missed that."
Dipping his finger back into the sauce Ortanos looked up and fixing Evander with a breath taking stare, he growled seductively, "Come here, Little One. Let me finally have the fantasy that kept me warm at night while I away at war."
Evander crawl up onto the bed lying beside Ortanos stretching his body out. "It's been so long I've forgotten how you eat them," he teased seeing the lust growing in his master's eyes.
"I take a naughty little slave," Ortanos swiped his honey coated finger down Evander's cheek. "I get them all sticky sweet," he licked the honey off. "Then I place a fig between his lips," he lifted one of the fruits placing it between Evander's parted lips. "Then I do this," he leant in biting in to the sweet fig held in Evander's lips pulling it into his mouth.
Evander sucked his fig back into his mouth chewing it while watching Ortanos savour the first fresh sweet thing he had eaten in months. Evander selected another fig and held it to Ortanos' lips. "Eat you need to your strength."
Ortanos accepted the treat devouring it not taking his time with this one. "I have plenty of strength. I have waited three long months," he inspected his servant's body. "Long, lonely months."
"Then a few more moments will not harm you while you eat," Evander picked up another fig. "Besides you're not alone right now, are you?"
"No," agreed Ortanos, reaching for another fig, "I'm not alone now."
He brushed the fig over Evander's lips smiling faintly at the thin film of sweet honey sauce that was left on the inviting mouth. Taking a big bite of the sweet treat he offered the rest of it to Evander watching intently as his small slave ate the offered gift. His eyes glued to the way Evander licked his lips, the pink tongue flickering enticingly over the lips he had been dreaming of. As Evander closed his eyes and gave a little purr of enjoyment, Ortanos frowned and with a little chuckle he asked, "Have you not eaten these since I left?"
"Of course not," replied Evander his hand starting to roam over Ortanos' chest, needing to touch his lord and master, needing to prove to himself that this wasn't a dream that he really was back safe and sound.
"But I left orders that the household…" started Ortanos but Evander stopped him with a finger to lips answering softly, "Yes My Lord. You left orders and on the feast day the household ate but I didn't." Evander searched his master's face whispered, "I couldn't eat them, not when you where in danger. I couldn't indulge..."
"Oh Little one," breathed Ortanos feeling such a swell of love he couldn't find the words. Instead he just claimed Evander's mouth for a slow lingering kiss that said more than words ever could.
Evander had missed the strong hands on him touching him. He wished the plate of figs were not between them so he could move closer to press against the strong warrior body of his lord but he knew Ortanos need more of the sweet figs, knowing his master has not eaten properly in months.
"Please eat a few more," Evander panted offering the larger man another fig. "Just for me?"
"Very well," Ortanos took the honey drenched fruit and ate it before eating the remainder in the plate occasionally feeding one of the figs to Evander. "There all gone - satisfied?"
"Thank you," Evander watched Ortanos swirl his finger in the left over sauce.
"Good I want to play then," Ortanos moved the bowl aside and slide closer to Evander his finger still coated in the sweet liquid.
"What are you planning on doing with that?" Evander smirked watching his lover drag his finger down the center of his chest swirling it in his navel.
"Just you wait," Ortanos pushed Evander on his back and straddled his hips. "You look more delicious than the figs," he lowered down to lick at the line of honey. "I was right, you are," he slid down and dipped his tongue in Evander's navel making him giggle.
Writhing with pleasure as Ortanos swirled his tongue around his naval, Evander reached up caressing the firm shoulders. Suddenly he frowned his hands stilling on the General's shoulders. Moving his fingers his frown deepened – despite the fact he was till squeaking in pleasure as Ortanos attacked his belly with soft playful kisses - because he could feel Ortanos' shoulder was out of position and he instinctively he knew it had to be causing his master pain. He opened his mouth to speak but before he even managed to get the first syllable out, Ortanos just lifts his mouth from his belly and growled, "You dare try and take care of me right now and I will be forced to reprimand you."
Evander pursed his lips, biting back the comment forming on his tongue. He knew Ortanos was speaking the truth – his master would reprimand him. Firmly. As much as he enjoyed it when his master reprimanded him right now all Evander wanted was to be touched and loved and to give love in return. Lowering his eyes, he murmured meekly, "Yes my lord."
"No! Evander!" snapped Ortanos reaching up and lifting the small slave's head so he could see into his eyes, "Never hide your eyes from me in private," he searched Evander's face then asked softly, "Give me tonight. Let me care take care of you. The dawn will come all too quickly and the world will intrude on our private paradise. Please, Little One - let me have this moment."
"I just don't want to cause you more pain," Evander let his finger's lightly touch the injured shoulder.
"It will be fine for tonight. I want this no amount of pain will stop me from a night of freedom. Where I don't have to be a general and sleep with one eye open," Ortanos stroked Evander's cheeks. "I can be alone with you and be myself please forget my shoulder for tonight be my small lover."
"I'll try," Evander turned and nuzzled his master's hand kissing his palm. "But please when we get to well," Evander's flushed with a light pink hue.
"You may right little one," Ortanos kissed along Evander's cheek up to his ear lobe. "But you will follow my commands," Ortanos let his hot breath tickle the shell of his ear before sitting up.
"I will do whatever you desire," Evander scooted up to sit and face the older man. "So tell me your desire," they switched positions so Ortanos was lying up on the pillows so he wouldn't use his shoulder too much.
"I want to feel your lips wrapped around me," Ortanos using his good arm reached out to stroke Evander's chest.
Evander smiled wickedly purring, "I can obey that order with no hesitation."
