All the things he is.
And he is also my lover.
It feels strange to even think that. So I won’t be saying it out loud anytime soon. But it is true, despite whatever else is going on. Mabon may think of himself as my owner, and I his pet. From my perspective, I’m merely biding time and gathering information until I can escape. I’m undercover and sleeping with the enemy.
Regardless of those conflicting points of view, and whatever the truth may actually be, we are sharing a bed. And finding joy in each other’s bodies. Those are undeniable facts.
Mabon is my lover.
He smiles slightly, as if discerning my thoughts. He holds a hand out to me. I gulp, take it and concentrate hard on getting onto the back of this monster without embarrassing myself.
I swing up behind Mabon and settle in. A rush of euphoria, pride, and relief washes over me. I did it. Without looking like a complete idiot.
The saddle is a tight fit, and the curve of his ass is pressing against my thinly covered cock. His whole body is flush against mine. Warm and familiar. Smelling heavenly.
Oh lord. This is going to be interesting.
Mabon makes a clicking noise, and the beast steps forward. I yelp, close my eyes, and wrap my arms around Mabon’s waist. He giggles and snuggles back against me with a happy sigh. Hishair is tickling my nose, but I’m not releasing my grip to do anything about it.
When I next open my eyes, we are in the midst of a stately procession. All tinkling bells, hooves on snow and the occasional snort of a beast.
Hyde Park looks beautiful. And deserted. I don’t blame humans for seeing this and fleeing. It is the sensible thing to do. It’s probably what I would have done. Yet here I am in the midst of a fey hunt. Pretty much butt naked, riding behind a prince.
But at least Mabon’s spell is working and I’m not at all cold. Thank heavens for small mercies. However, this rolling gait of the beast is making me slide up and down against Mabon in a way that is going to get really bad, really soon.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness!” calls a voice from my right.
The fey is riding an enormous white stag. The man is nearly as pale as his beast. His hair is golden. His eyes cruel and topaz bright.
“Good afternoon, Lord Gwydion,” Mabon says cheerfully.
“Please leave some boar for the rest of us,” says Gwydion.
His voice slithers all over me and makes me shiver. If he thinks he is being charming, he is a long way off the mark.
“I’ll try,” Mabon says sweetly. “Is Duke Carian not joining us today?”
“No, he is spending the day in bed with a rhocyn. A feat that is hard to achieve since Prince Rhydian’s consort changed our laws.”
Mabon stiffens against me. I don’t see it, but I feel it.
Gwydion blathers on. “It’s a shame rhocyn are not permitted to hunt, since they are rather good at riding.” He finishes with a titter.
“You are so witty, my lord,” says Mabon.
He really is not. But the asshat smiles as if he truly believes Mabon’s false statement. They whitter on and I tune it out because otherwise I’m going to get all sorts of enraged.
As we ride along, my mind slowly catches up. This turdbag was being disparaging about rhocyn. I still haven’t figured out what the hell a rhocyn is, but I know Mabon’s brother is one. And Mabon told Osian that he didn’t care that he was now a rhocyn.
Yet, here he is, fake laughing at this guy’s shitty comments and not using his princely status to correct the guy. That’s got to be like going along with racism.
I take a deep breath. I’m being a hothead. Mabon took the time to explain to me about his power not being absolute. If he has to ignore terrible things happening, I guess listening to bullshit and not challenging it, is part of the deal.
That has to suck.
I hold back my snort just before it escapes. Yeah, poor Mabon. Being a prince and living in luxury and keeping people as pets simply because you want to. Even if it is not all roses, it is not exactly a hard life.
A long, low sound reverberates around the snowy landscape. It takes me a few heartbeats to realise it is a horn. It’s eerie and unsettling.
