Chapter 5
Ivan pulled the nails from his feet and the blades from his body as Vladimir healed the wounds. Arthur hung from the handcuffs, half unconscious, his wrists bleeding from supporting his weight. The kindness Ivan showed before seemed to have been stripped away, and at this point, Arthur couldn't blame him. The man had showed he could be nice, and Arthur knocked him out and tried to run.
Of course no one would believe it had been an accident.
It took him the rest of the journey to heal from the wounds. He was covered in rags as he was marched to the castle, his nerves still trembled whenever anyone reached out or touched him.
Except Ivan.
He found out the hard way he had to lose that terror. Ivan had caressed his arm and the memory of the knife going in right where his hand was had caused Arthur to shrink back in terror, to quickly get a fist in the side of his face.
Arthur was lost. He'd started to hope he'd at least be treated well. Ivan had become less intimidating and more someone he needed to learn, some sort of project to be discovered, but now he was just cruel. Arthur hadn't been raped yet, but he knew as soon as he was deemed healthy enough, it would happen. He felt his life seem to stop on the way. The torture Vladimir gave was bad enough, but Ivan found ways to make it seem like nothing.
Arthur stared at the ground before his feet with hollow eyes. His arms were in the metal bracers, holding everything between his elbows and wrists tight, his ankles shackled for the journey as Ivan walked behind him, parading him as if he were a dog, leash and all. When Ivan stopped to look at the castle, a building grin on his face, Arthur didn't notice. "What the hell?" He heard from beside him and stared blankly at the ground, as the voice came nearer. "Ivan, isn't that the kid who knocked you out?" He heard, but didn't dare to look up into those blue eyes. He knew Alfred's voice. When Vladimir had tortured him, Alfred was the one who begged him to stop and whimpered in some sort of sympathy while he'd screamed.
"He is. He attacked a king. His life is forfeit." Ivan growled, yanking the leash back to say it right into his ear.
"Yes, Master." Arthur mumbled numbly, barely even feeling the tug or the eyes that watched him in horror.
"Ivan, dude, isn't this too much? I really don't think he knew-" Alfred was cut off by a vicious snarl, spittle flying the distance between them.
"I don't care what you think. You're little more than he is. Get back to work." Ivan growled out, a guttural sound that shook Arthur's chest.
He hoped Ivan would still deem him too injured. He didn't want this. He didn't want to be a slave like this! He felt a tingle at the corner of his eyes as he looked down, humiliated and horrified.
Unfortunately, Ivan had seen it as well and quickly punched him in the face, knocking Arthur hard to the stone ground. "Did I give you permission to cry?" He leaned down, his eyes narrowing with a fire in them that reminded Arthur of the fire in his city. It was dangerous. It would burn everything in its path. Ivan was dangerous. Arthur whimpered, curling into a ball as Ivan grasped the leash harder, yanking him to his feet and Arthur could only gag, the bracers on his wrists too heavy to lift as high as his throat. He tried to steady his breath, to not gasp in air, scared of offending him again. "Start walking." Ivan's low voice struck fear into his chest. Arthur felt his ribs pull, as if there were a black hole in the center of his chest.
It wouldn't matter if he were healthy enough tonight, he realized. He swallowed hard as he started another step, then another. That's all he could do for now, focus on the next step and follow the directions Ivan gave, though sometimes they seemed to be confused, not knowing which direction to head next.
As they came to the castle's gates, Arthur was stilled as Ivan was greeted at the door.
"What have you done to him, Ivan?" He heard a gasp as a woman ran forward, her hands brushing down his cheeks and he flinched back, still afraid of the touch of others. His eyes shot up in alarm, looking at the woman before him. Her eyes were wide in terror, her mouth twisted into a horrified grimace. She had the same short blonde hair as Ivan, but was very visibly female. Another woman stepped up beside her, looking him over with more subtle hints to her expression. Her eyes burrowed into his before looking him over, a certain intensity Arthur was starting to be certain would be the last thing he saw. Her face paled as she looked him over, her long almost platinum held away from her face with a black bow. She reached out a hand to him and he looked down, seeing the hair brush against her elbow as she leaned forward, and Arthur scrambled back in terror, running into Ivan.
He let out a scream as he curled into a ball to await the beating, but instead of a punch it was a kick to the ribs. He held in the gasp of pain, heat radiating through his body. It seemed to run through the bruises he was completely covered in. He spat blood before grasping the bottom of the rag he was wearing as he tried to clean it quickly, before the other noticed what he'd done.
"He's in training. Looks like it's going well." Ivan grinned and the short haired girl looked up, stepping back, her knees and hands trembling.
"No one deserves this, Ivan! What did he do?" She spoke, her lower voice wavering in shock and terror.
"He tried to kill me. On the ship, on the way back, I freed his hands and tried to show him kindness. He knocked me out for a full day. He was begging for this, weren't you, slave?" He grinned maliciously and Arthur nodded quickly.
"Yes, Master." He spoke softly, trying to hide the pain he had at breathing after the kick. Ivan started walking and Ivan had to run to catch up before he was dragged by his throat again.
They entered into a room and Ivan walked around, sitting. It took a second for Arthur to gain the courage to look around, seeing the room clearly. A few dark sconces lined the walls, a silver chandelier hung over the large four poster bed in the center of the room. "Come here." Ivan growled and Arthur numbly shuffled forward, tasting bile rise up from his stomach. Ivan watched with a certain amount of satisfaction as Arthur did as he was told. "On your knees, slave." Ivan grinned, his eyes wide with anticipation, that fire returning to his eyes. Arthur couldn't help the tears that came to his eyes as he slowly lowered himself.
. . . . .
Alfred stared ahead, looking over the giant beast in the cage. According to the other guards, it suddenly calmed a few days ago. It had been spewing fire and fighting nonstop, as if it thought if it fought hard enough, it could break free. Honestly, the timing was good. No better time than a few days before the ceremony that night to hear the dragon had calmed down. It had been planned out before the trip, but one 'ingredient' for the ceremony had been short stocked. It wouldn't have been needed at all, but Ivan seemed so terrified of the situation surrounding it, he was afraid if the spell wasn't followed to a 'T' it would fail.
They needed this ceremony to work. He clasped his hands, praying that it would work, and that maybe Ivan would regain his mind afterward. He didn't seem all that human these days, not since he'd been knocked out.
. . . . .
Arthur laid on the floor, bleeding and gagging. He didn't know what to expect, but somehow this wasn't what he'd pictured in his head. As horrible as he felt, at least Ivan hadn't raped him, but he was sure his jaw was broken.
Ivan wanted to make sure he wouldn't bite.
He could still feel that thick, viscosity in his throat, no matter how much he tried to swallow. His throat burned from having it forced open. He knew he was missing hair from where Ivan had gripped the sides of his head, but somehow it seemed better knowing he still hadn't been raped.
"Stand." Ivan commanded and Arthur shuffled to his feet, still feeling a bit nauseous from the abuse of his gag reflex point, but he was able to keep from throwing up as he stumbled to his feet. "I know you're still waiting for this," Ivan turned Arthur quickly, yanking his hips back against his crotch, "but that will have to wait til after dinner. You're going to be the guest of honor before joining in our little ceremony, slave. Doesn't that make you happy?" Ivan leaned down over his shoulder. Arthur figured he was trying to be seductive, but considering he just had his cock shoved so far down his throat he couldn't breathe, Arthur couldn't be surprised or horrified at the words.
"Yes, Master." Arthur spoke softly, his eyes burning, his legs weak and shaking. His hands felt like they were about to be torn off by the damned shackles and more than anything he just wanted to die. He was tired of being in pain. He was tired of the hits and kicks. He was tired of the constant rumbling of his stomach that never seemed to end. He was just tired. As Ivan started to walk from the room, Arthur followed behind, like he figured a good slave should.
Maybe he could hang himself from the leash while Ivan was sleeping.
At dinner, Arthur was told to sit at Ivan's side. He wasn't given a plate, and was told he was only allowed to eat what Ivan gave him. He nodded, expecting to starve, and was surprised when he was handed a roasted chicken leg. He looked up to make sure it was alright and Ivan nodded, holding it out and Arthur took it, glancing up with the slightest upturn to his lip.
At least he could eat something. Maybe his stomach would stop hurting now. He ate slowly, trying to preserve what decency he still had. It was difficult with his jaw refusing to open, but he managed by picking off small pieces to slip between his bruised lips.
"I can't watch this, Ivan." The short haired woman from earlier cried. "This is horrible! You've already beaten him since you got here? What did he do? Why did he deserve this?" She stood, her hands shaking in their clasp over her chest. "If you won't free him, at least give him to me! Let him at least be treated like a human instead of like an animal!" She cried out, her chest clenched in sobs she tried to speak through. Her words were cracked and she sounded terrified. Arthur looked up at her and offered her a slight smile. He looked back down at his knees and sighed softly.
"What was that about?" Ivan glared down at him, looking on the verge of punching him again and Arthur realized he needed to answer quickly.
"She's very kind." He mumbled. He didn't speak another word, clenching his eyes in preparation of the thrashing his words were certain to cause.
"She is." Ivan glanced down at him with a scowl, his eyes narrowed, and his lip pulled back showing the molars on one side, but lowered his hand. He turned to her with a frown, the other woman sitting on the other side staring at the boy with shock.
"Ivan, mother would have been so upset." The short haired one said with tears in her eyes and Ivan glanced up, the snarl on his lip shifting to a grin.
"Not much of a problem since she's dead now, is it?" He asked, his eyebrow arching, his words nearly chuckled out and the woman stood, grasping Arthur's arm.
"Come with me. I can't let you stay with him." She cried and tried to pull Arthur from the spot, but to everyone's surprise, including his own, he wouldn't move.
"I can't." Arthur squeaked out.
She stood back and regarded him with understanding. He knew if he stood he'd be beaten worse. She stepped back, her hands violently shaking as she turned and left the room, her plate untouched. Ivan stared at the empty seat for a moment before looking over at Natalia. "Is this a problem for you as well?" He asked and the girl swallowed hard before looking away from Arthur, back to Ivan.
"No, Brother." She responded with a soft voice. It was easy to see she was horrified by this, but she wouldn't complain.
"Good. That means I only need to get rid of one of you." He growled as he reached over and grabbed the abandoned plate and laid it on the ground beside his foot. Arthur again looked up in wonder as Ivan's eyes on him glared viciously.
Arthur knew he was going to be beaten for that. He looked down and with shaking hands nibbled what he could of the food.
It wasn't too long til he was marched through town again. He was surprised when just before they left the castle the shackles and bracers had been removed, but he was far too tired to actually move his arms or legs more than Ivan demanded. They came to a large stone circle on the outside of town, only a few people present. Arthur still stared at the ground before his feet. He was too ashamed of himself, of what he looked like, of what he felt like, of how tainted he must be to look any of these innocent people in the eye to poison them with himself. He was walked to a large stone block in the center of the area. His eyes only traveled high enough to see the block. It was marble and chipped and broken with age. He stared, surprised to see something like this before he looked up a little, noticing pillars of the same aged marble in a huge circle around them. It looked to be nearly as large around as the castle. He heard a large huff from before him and looked up, seeing a black dragon curled up, a very visible metal collar around it's throat, several chains lead to the pillars behind.
Arthur stared in shock before Ivan leaned over, whispering into his ear. "Admire it while you can. You're to be twice sacrificed to it." He grinned and Arthur felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't look away. He stared at the huge beast which seemed to be asleep at the moment.
It wasn't long til the ceremony was ready to start, candles lit and herbs simmering in oils in small cauldrons around the dragon. It huffed again and looked down, puffing hard, blowing out a few of the candles. Arthur watched with surprise as he saw the dragon watch the men who ran over to relight them. Was that a smile? Arthur watched with wide eyes and a shocked realization.
This dragon was smart. It wasn't like the dragons he'd heard of in his stories. It wasn't some brainless beast. It was a beast, mind you. It was huge. The body of the creature seemed five times larger than a cow. It's neck seemed as long as the longest hallway. The things eye was as large as his head. He stared as the beast stood and stretched, more like a cat than anything else Arthur could describe, if cats had wings. He stared, completely lost in wonder at the thing. It was covered in shining black scales, though the wings seemed more like leather. It's eyes were violet. The same violet of Ivan's eyes. The dragon looked down at him and cocked it's head to the side, looking confused before its face came down, looking at him. It sniffed for a second before looking around and turned back, fighting against the chains.
"God dammit!" Alfred yelled out as he ran over to try and stabilize one of the pillars which had been growing weak. "Ivan, do the ceremony!" He yelled before seeing Arthur and realized what was to happen.
"Ivan, I QUIT!" He yelled out, his eyes narrowing in shock and horror as he stared, stepping away from the chains, leaving some of the other men struggling harder without his strength to hold the beast back.
"First, we sacrifice your virginity." Ivan grinned and grabbed Arthur by the back of the head. He thrust the top half of his body over the block and roughly yanked up the rag over Arthur's hips. Arthur gasped, feeling an odd comfort from the stone slab against his broken body and found it easier to relax, to rest for this moment. After all, if he was too busy fucking him, he couldn't beat him, right? Besides, the stone was cool and soothed the heat of the injuries as he closed his eyes, holding his breath in trepidation.
He was surprised when instead of feeling the sudden pressure he was expecting, his hips were yanked to the side. He landed hard on the grass and soil, feeling more than hearing the yelp that was forced out and curled up, his ribs still hurting from the kick earlier. Arthur looked up to see the dragon so close he could almost reach out and touch it. He stared, sitting up, but he didn't move away. The dragon looked at him from only a few feet, and Arthur was suddenly unable to move.
"Fly away, Dragon!" Alfred yelled as he climbed onto the creature's back. He'd managed to break some of the pillars while the others were busy and the creature turned back to him, but barely regarded him as it turned to Arthur, now with Ivan's hands around his throat. He wheezed, his hands were fighting off the hands at his neck. The beast lowered it's head to the ground, growling in an almost feral way at the situation. Ivan didn't seem to realize it was free. He forced Arthur's head back down, seeing the boy now barely conscious and grasped his hips as the beast's tail flew through for a second time, knocking Ivan and Arthur back to the ground, but this time the chains were freed. He stepped forward, his tongue wrapped around Arthur and dragged him into its mouth before closing its jaws and turned, spreading strong wings and taking to the wind, Alfred in mourning over the green eyed boy he'd barely known.