Maeto was nervous. He was twisting the edge of his tunic as he waited for Evander to join him. He had his head down and so didn't see the figure heading towards him. It was only the soft, "Maeto" that made him look up and when he did he couldn't stop himself from taking a step back his hand almost coming up in a semi surrender before he had even realise what he was doing.
Lord Rhodes froze realising he had startled the slave. Staring at the obviously scared slave Rhodes bit the edge of his lip. There were so many things he knew he should say Maeto but he had no idea how to say them. He wasn't a man used to apologising to anyone let alone a slave and so they stood in an ever growing uncomfortable silence the tension between them getting heavier and heavier.
It was only broken as Evander slipped out of Ortanos' room and ended up standing between the two men. He looked at Rhodes first and then Maeto. Instantly understanding what was happening, he soothed, "Maeto go to the kitchen make sure that cook has prepared My Lord's breakfast."
Maeto gave him such a look of relief Evander couldn't help but grin. He waited for Maeto to disappear before turning and slapping Lord Rhodes once across the face. He held his ground as the young Lord stared at him in surprised pain, Rhodes holding his stinging cheek looking totally and utterly shocked.
Evander glared at Lord Rhodes for a moment waiting for the young lord to react. But Rhodes did nothing. He knew he deserved the slap for what he had done, if not more. He knew there was more to Evander's relationship with Ortanos than just sex but he had always thought that sex was how that bond had formed. He knew now he was severely wrong, so wrong that it might have cost him his place as Ortanos' right hand man. The general might not trust him with any important information again. He knew his punishment and torment for what he had done was far from over.
Evander turned and walked away from Rhodes. He didn't need to say anything more than that slap, Rhodes' face told him what he wanted to see, that he was suffering inside for betrayal of telling Mateo of his and Ortanos sexual relationship and what he had done to Maeto.
Sighing deeply Rhodes turned and knocked on Ortanos' chamber door dreading facing his leader, a man that used to count as his best friend.
"Enter."
The single word sent cold chills down his back and as he entered the room he felt the cold eyes of the general fall on him. Glancing over he saw Ortanos was sitting on the edge of his bed, the near perfect body on full display.
"My Lord..." began Rhodes but Ortanos interrupted asking, "What happened to your cheek?"
Rhodes blushed and not looking towards the bed he stammered nervously, "I...Evander...he slapped me."
There was a moment's silence then the chamber was filled with a low rumbling chuckle. Glancing up Rhodes saw Ortanos shaking his head, the general smirking at him an almost indulgent look softening the normally formidable features, but the moment Ortanos caught Rhodes' look the softness faded replaced by the near terrifying glare he normally reserved for the battlefield.
"You deserved it," rumbled the general slowly sitting up. He was stark naked and not caring he stood up stretching slightly before walking towards to small table holding a flask of wine. Pouring himself a glass of wine he took a few sips before asking, "Is there a reason you're disturbing me so early in the morning?"
Rhodes gulped and taking a deep breath he murmured, "I came to see how I might serve My Lord this morning. I know you are to visit the capital and I...I came to see ..."
"You really think I want you with me as I deal with those bastards?" growled Ortanos taking another long sip, "Why would I want you? I need someone I can trust, someone I know I can rely on," he turned slowly and fixing Rhodes with a deadly stare he growled, "And I no longer know if I can do either of those things with you."
Rhodes' face paled and before he knew it he was moving coming to stand in fort of the man he worshiped. Without caring how it look he sank to his knees whispered," You hold my life...please...give me another chance..." he looked up brilliant blue blazing with adoration as he begged, "Please..."
Ortanos thought for a moment sipping his wine as he watched the young man beg for forgiveness, to regain the trust he once had. He knew in his mind Rhodes had not been punished enough and throwing his goblet away he reached down and grabbed Rhodes by the hair.
"Pay the price," Ortanos slung Rhodes over the edge of the bed and grabbed at his clothing, ripping it off the younger man's body. Rhodes didn't move. Part of him was terrified by the General's actions but the other part of him was excited beyond belief because he had always carried a flames for the might general.
"See how it feels," the general growled. "Feel the fear coursing through your blood," Ortanos slapped Rhodes' ass and pressed his cock teasingly to Rhodes' entrance. "Tell me you're scared, frightened, tell me you feel the fear just like Mateo did when you did this to him," he yelled.
"Yes my lord, yes," Rhodes' voice shook with terror even though he was erect from the slap and from the yelling. He wanted that which Evander already had even if he was to get it by being raped.
"Good. Now get the hell off mine and Evander's bed," Ortanos pushed Rhodes onto the floor where he laid sprawled naked, hurt more by Ortanos declare that the bed was Evander's than by teh physical shove.
"Get dress and ready, we leave for the city just before noon," Ortanos walked over to his clothes and armour. Rhodes gathered his shreds of clothing and started to dress. "Get out, dress in your own chamber, NOW!" yelled Ortanos his anger all too visible.
Rhodes stared at Ortanos barely registering the shouted command. He was still smarting from the fact Ortanos had not wanted to soil his bed with him. He could feel tears stinging his eyes, tears of anger and humiliation but most of all tears of upset, tears of disgust at himself. He gathered his ripped clothes, stumbling slightly as he reached for the now useless belt. A hand closed around his bicep steadying him, stopping him from tumbling to the floor. Glancing up Rhodes found himself staring into two pools of liquid anger.
"You disappointed me, boy," growled Orton pulling the naked man nearer, "I thought you were different. I thought..." he let his voice trial off into a dismissive sneer.
Pushing Rhode away he ordered wearily, "Get out of my sight and pray to the gods I do not break our bond and wash you away like the filth you have proven yourself to be."
Rhodes bowed his head fighting to not let the tears fall. He bowed from the waist stammering, "As it please My lord." And without waiting for Ortanos to respond he turned and fled the chamber.
As the door slammed shut behind him he clung tightly to his ruined clothed and burying his face in them he finally gave way sinking to the floor sobbing his heart out for the mentor he had so disappointed.
X x x x x x x x x
Down in the kitchen Evander guided Maeto around teaching him all the various tasks he did on a normal morning before he was to go down and feed the captive Cena. Evander knew he needed to keep Maeto by his side as much as possible but he couldn't when he was feeding the barbarian.
Once they had finished serving and then clearing up from breakfast, Evander assigned Maeto to help Nata the senior most female servant whom Evander trusted a great deal. Leaving the house carrying a tray of food he head towards the dungeon where they had Cena chained.
On his way he heard a horse nay and saw Ortanos and his travel party head out to the city to meet with the council. "Be safe," and he mentally add my love as he couldn't risk someone hearing him. Evander passed the two guards with a nod and headed down passed them till he was out of ear shot and he could see Cena.
"Hello there," Evander smiled as he watch the warrior slowly opened his eyes. He could tell he hadn't been to sleep by the dark circles under his eyes, he was just resting. "I brought you so food."
The prisoner slowly looked up and for a moment Evander saw a look of surprise on the barbarian's face but then it was gone replaced by the hard blank look he normally wore. Kneeling down Evander set the water beaker by his knees and taking the plate he offered the first piece of bread to the big man. Cena hesitated then slowly extended his head carefully wrapping his lips around the offered morsel, his lips once against brushing Evander's fingers as the slave fed him.
Evander smiled faintly although the smile wobbled slightly when he realised Cena was staring at him. Unable to keep himself from blushing he dropped his eyes and stammered, "Did...did you get any rest?"
There was no answer.
Evander rested the plate on his lap and lifting the beaker he held it against the prisoner's lips ordering, "Drink."
Cena took a few deep gulps then pulled back his eyes still glued to Evander's face. As Evander picked up the plate and tore another small piece of bread the chained prisoner rasped, "Why you care?"
Evander glanced at him shrugged then replied honestly, "I don't know. Maybe because I don't think you are as evil as the rumours say."
Cena didn't reply but his lips lingered on the offered food. The tip of his tongue flicked against the ends of Evander's fingers making the smaller man gasp in surprise. But what surprise Evander even more was the fact he didn't recoil, if anything he liked the sensation and that confused the hell out of him.
Why did I like that, he thought to himself. Was it that the warm tongue reminded him of Ortanos' appendage licking the honey from the figs off his fingers or was he somewhat attracted to the large warrior he had grown accustom to feeding.
Shivering he tried to shake his thoughts because he loved Ortanos and he owed everything to him. This was just his mind being curious on him because he had never known another lover aside from Ortanos and he was not about to replace the man he had been with since childhood.
Finishing his task he saw the blue eyes of the prisoner on him. "What?" Evander snapped not meaning to because he was upset at himself not the prisoner.
"When execute me, small one?" Cena asked sending a small shiver down Evander's spine at the nickname of small one which was similar to Ortanos' pet name for him.
"I don't believe Ortanos' intends to do that. I'm not sure what he is planning," the small servant turned and saw the forlorn look on Cena's face. "I will be back with your dinner and I will see if Ortanos will tell me anything ok?"
Cena looked at him a moment then frowned grunting, "Why you help?"
Evander paused. He wasn't sure why he'd offered that scrap of hope to the barbarian. He shrugged and busied himself with resetting the breakfast tray. As he reached over for the beaker of water Cena shifted his leg touching Evander's' thigh with his foot. Slowly looking up Evander found the barbarian starting at him, those captivating eyes boring into his soul. He gulped slightly feeling decidedly confused. Cena moved his leg again all but rubbing his limb against Evander's side, "You good," grunted the barbarian a faint smile curling his lips.
Evander swallowed hard and standing quickly he nodded trying to fight the blush working its way up his face. He turned to go only to be frozen into place when the barbarian called "You are careful small one." He glanced over his shoulder and gave a sharp nod then all but fled the stone prison.
As he emerged into the sunshine he paused leaning back against the warm stones. There was something about the barbarian, something about the way he spoke about the way he looked at Evander that scared, thrilled and confused the small slave in equal measures. Tightening his grip on the tray he pushed away from the rock and hurried back to the kitchen, his mind wondering to his lover wondering how his master was faring up on the capital dealing with the dreaded politician.