Chapter 3

The wagons had been loaded at last, and Kou mounted his horse as they began to move out of the estate and back to Carthier. He had decided to ride at the back of the caravan to ensure nothing would happen to the cargo. Kou glanced behind his shoulder as Theus, his uncle's old warhorse, was led out into the courtyard, a great black stallion with silver and gold rings braided into its long mane. It was interesting to see him now after so many years. When he was younger, Kou had been afraid of the powerful, steadfast creature. But as he'd grown taller and stronger, the horse's intimidation shrank in perspective. The attending servant handed Kisa the reigns and the slave led him out onto the road, ending up next to Kou's mount. They had just made it beyond the front gate when Kisa stopped, looking back at the palace one last time before moving on.

The two men said nothing as they travelled behind the wagons, though Kisa stole a few glances at the young lord. He was a bit surprised when he noticed that his master slowed his horse several times to make it easier for him to keep up on foot. From the brief contact they'd had, Kisa had seen incredible patience in the man, which was quite unlike the other nobles who always seemed to be in a hurry. It struck him as a little odd, but he did not question the matter.

Kou pulled his reigns when Kisa suddenly came to a halt, eyeing Theus with concern. He dropped the reigns and kneeled down next to the horse, picking up one of its hooves. After a brief glance, he reached into a pouch on his belt and produced a sharp tool, carefully digging at the underside of the hoof.

"Is anything wrong?" Kou asked.

"No, my lord," Kisa replied, standing up and resting his hand on the horse's flank. "It was just a rock wedged in his hoof."

"Oh, I'm glad you saw that. I didn't even notice his gait was off."

Kisa nodded, picking up the reigns. "He can be very stubborn. But I've taken care of him for many years, so I know."

Kou smiled as Kisa rubbed Theus' velvety muzzle. The warhorse gently nickered and pushed against his hand. Though Kisa's build was small, Kou couldn't deny that the pair suited each other greatly with their black coloring. Even Kisa's garments were dark blues and blacks, sharply contrasting with his white skin.

They began to walk again, and now that he was more alert, Kou's concern turned to his newly acquired slave. It was a long journey to the city, and though he kept pace with the animals, Kou could see Kisa's skin and hair glistening with sweat.

"If you grow tired," Kou said. "You may ride with me."

Kisa's eyes widened and a small smile curled at his lips, which took Kou's breath away. The young man was even more beautiful when he smiled.

"That would be most irregular, my lord," Kisa replied with a hint of humor. "I can assure you that I am not at all weary."

A little dumbfounded, Kou simply grunted in return.

By the end of the afternoon, the caravan had reached the gates of Carthier, and many people stopped in the streets to admire the riches in the wagons. Kou lifted his hand in a wave as he recognized a few merchants he knew well, but turned as he heard Theus whinny. The horse was fine, but Kou furrowed his brow when he saw that Kisa had pulled the hood of his cloak up. The slave bowed his head and practically hid behind the horse's muzzle as they headed through the crowded streets, walking much faster than he had on the road. Kou was confused at why the usually calm youth was so nervous, and the question weighed on his mind so much so that he decided to ask Kisa later.

Kou sighed heavily as he sank into a chair in his bedchamber, which was ablaze with light from the setting sun. The day had been very taxing and he closed his eyes as his mind finally allowed him reprieve. But when he heard a knock on the door, he sat up.

"Come in."

"Sorry to disturb you, my lord," Kisa said as he entered, carrying a basin of water and a long piece of cloth. The slave knelt before him and began to undo his sandals to wash his feet from the journey, and Kou could not take his eyes off him. It amazed him how adept Kisa was at anticipating his needs and carrying them out before he was even asked. His transition from Khar was almost seamless, but Kou could not help but wonder how he was fairing with the change. He had often been told by other nobles that he was far too compassionate towards his household, but he had never particularly cared for their opinions.

"Kisa," Kou said quietly. "Is it difficult for you to be in my service so soon after my uncle's death?"

Kisa's eyes flickered towards him, holding that same spark of humor. "You needn't concern yourself with my well-being, my lord. I was made aware of circumstances long before Lord Khar passed."

"I see. Then tell me, why did you cover your face when we entered the city?"

Kisa's expression fell and for the first time, he seemed unsure of what he should answer.

"Habit, my lord. Lord Khar preferred me to stay hidden when we came here."

Once again, Kou felt like he was only scratching the surface of a greater mystery, but for now, he resolved to leave it be. Instead, he leaned back in his chair as Kisa placed his feet in the cool water, his small hands gently washing the dust away. The action was incredibly soothing, and Kou took a long breath as Kisa rinsed and dried his feet. But instead of taking his leave right away, Kisa's fingertips traced along the contours of his left foot and began to skillfully massage it, easing the strain of the day away. Kisa did the same with the other, but rather than relaxing him, Kou found his senses renewed with energy. His eyes fixed on Kisa and studied the beauty before him.

In the dwindling light, Kisa's skin seemed to glow crimson, highlighting the subtle muscles of his chest and arms, and the gold bracelet secured above his elbow that identified him as a slave glinted like a winking eye. Kisa had changed his tunic and the garment he wore now was as black as his hair with an embroidered border that was loose around his shoulders.

Seeing Kisa up close, hearing his quiet breaths, and feeling the touch of his hands stirred the blood in Kou's body, warming him even though the air had cooled. When Kisa set his foot back on the floor and began to get up, Kou's hand reached out and brushed along the side of Kisa's narrow jaw. Their eyes locked immediately and Kou's breath grew heavy as Kisa rubbed his lips together. But when it became obvious that the lower part of Kou's tunic was tenting upwards, he retracted his hand, a little embarrassed that his desire was so evident.

However, this did not alarm Kisa and he leaned forward, resting his hand on his master's knee.

"Allow me, my lord," he murmured.

Too intoxicated to refuse, Kou simply nodded, his heartbeat drumming in his ears as Kisa's hands lifted up the edge of his tunic and freed his erection from underneath his breeches. The slave licked his lips again and moved in between Kou's knees, leaning down and taking the man in his mouth.

Kou gripped the armrests and he felt sweat beading on his forehead as Kisa's mouth bobbed up and down his member. He couldn't believe how amazing it was. He'd had his share of flesh before, but had never been aroused so completely. Kisa slid his mouth off and began to swirl his tongue around the head, and his piercing eyes briefly glanced at Kou. His fingers craving to touch Kisa, Kou lifted his hands and cupped each side of the slave's face, gliding along his skin and gently gripping his hair. Kisa grunted and engulfed Kou's erection once more, this time going deeper. But despite his ecstasy, hunger still clawed at the young lord. He desired even more.

"Uh," Kisa gasped as Kou's hands went to his shoulders and slowly pushed him away. Kisa looked at Kou questioningly as the young lord stood and pulled his tunic over his head, revealing his tanned, muscled body. Kou offered a hand to him and Kisa took it, sucking in a breath as Kou pulled him into his arms and took his chin in hand. Kou kissed him deeply and Kisa obediently parted his mouth when his master's tongue sought entrance.

Their mouths entwined, Kisa carefully retreated a few steps as Kou eased forward, guiding them in the direction of the bed. The slave panted when they finally broke their kiss, his breaths turning into a sigh as Kou's large hands began to rove around his body. He shivered as Kou pushed him onto the bed and slid the tunic off, revealing his body completely. Kou's eyes were glazed with desire as they feasted on the pale, lean form before him, and his mouth watered in anticipation. He lifted a knee onto the bed and nudged Kisa's legs farther apart as he climbed on top of him, his mouth beginning to suck on Kisa's neck. His hands caressed the slave's smooth skin, his thumbs brushing against his hardening nipples, which made Kisa moan.

Kou had very little experience with male slaves, but his instincts seemed to be on target. Kisa's breaths were heavy, his face was flushed, and his man hood was hard from Kou's touch. Seeing his throbbing erection pearling at the tip, Kou reached down and took it in his hand, making Kisa gasp. Kou began to stroke it, a little unsure of his technique but determined to do so regardless.

"Kisa," he murmured, licking the slave's neck. "Does it feel good?"

"M—my lord," Kisa breathed. "You don't need to concern yourself. I'm here for your pleasure alone."

"But it pleases me to see you enjoying this as well," Kou replied before capturing Kisa's mouth in a kiss. As he continued to devour his slave, Kou became increasingly aware of his own desire, which had gone from a simmer to a boil. Kisa noticed this as well and sat up, shifting onto his knees.

"Shall I please you, my lord? I have already prepared myself."

His knowledge deficient in this area, Kou grunted in reply and laid down when Kisa gestured to the head of the bed. Kou's anticipation grew as Kisa climbed on top of him and took hold of his man hood, adjusting his slender hips as he eased Kou's erection inside of him. Kisa's breaths turned into gasps and he shuddered as the man filled him. He took a moment to adjust to the girth before he began to move, moaning deeply from the intensity of the position.

Kou's hands gripped Kisa's hips as pleasure fogged his mind. Kisa's insides were hot and slick with oil, and his wanton cries only added to the sensation.

"Oh gods," Kou sighed. "It feels incredible."

Kisa looked down, sweat rolling along the side of his face as he steadily rode his master. But his pace abruptly slowed when Kou grabbed his hand and brought it to his lips.

"It must be because I'm with you," he murmured, licking Kisa's fingertips. The slave's eyes widened and he gasped as Kou suddenly wrapped his arms around his waist and rolled him onto his back. Their positions reversed, Kisa moaned as Kou pinned his wrists and began to thrust. His movements were so strong that it wasn't long before Kisa felt his body tipping over the edge, and his cries became more ardent. Close to release himself, Kou captured Kisa's mouth in a fervent kiss as he drove faster and deeper, drinking in the boy's wail as they both climaxed.

Kisa panted as Kou sat up, grimacing as his master withdrew from him. Even though he was currently hot and drunk from pleasure, Kisa shifted immediately, starting to roll off the bed so that he could retrieve his tunic and leave the bedchamber. But when strong arms wrapped around him from behind, he paused.

"Stay with me," Kou breathed into his ear.

Though he was a little stunned by his master's words, Kisa nodded and laid back down with Kou's chest pressed against his back. Kou rested his cheek against the boy's soft black hair, inhaling the potent scent of sweat and release. It was intoxicating, and before they knew it, master and slave were entangled in each other again, wading through the sea of passion all night long.

God, this lemon took forever. But I was pissed that it was taking so long and Cerberus was getting the jump on me with his updates. Even still, I need a nap...

Anon, blackhorse13, MaximumXXcorruption, lalitha madhuri, Atalaya36, and Levinya- Thank you so much for the amazing fantastic chocolaty fudge coated reviews!

TheStrawberryMaiden- I don't quite understand your question. Kisa and Yukina are together in the manga, so I assume it's canon. The setting is just different.

KiyameHikari-chan- Hmm, my inspiration? I guess the historical setting was mainly inspired by my obsession with the reboot of the anime Heroic Legend of Arslan (which is absolutely amazing and features many manly men), and the 1950s MGM Roman films. Robert Taylor in that Centurion uniform is mouth watering...

Don't Preach- Dorian Grey? OMG, we just figured out Kisa's secret! I knew his unwavering good looks were suspicious! Your reviews were so lovely, Senpai, and they mean so much to me. Hope you enjoyed your lemon cookie :)

Kisses to all!

Black Bird