I was taken aback and turned to look at the young man as he stood on theplatform.
“No, I…I do not recall this,” I whispered to hide my embarrassment. “How did I not knowthis?”
“Queen, you will recall that I had gone into town for a day to assist the lad with the incineration.” I stared at Klyn. “He had been alone. The priest,” Klyn paused and looked over his shoulder to ensure no one heard us. “The priest would not give his father last rites at the apothecary; therefore, he would not be permitted in thecemetery.”
“Klyn, I…I do not understand. Why?” I turned to look at Sean again. “Why would his father not be given finalrites?”
“Rumors,” Klyn shook hishead.
“What kind of rumors?” Iquestioned.
“There were some rumors in town that Sean and his father moved here to escape their past inStonebridge.”
I laughed and shook myhead.
“Klyn, you know as well as I do that Stonebridge became nothing more than a town on the coast that provided supplies to thugs. Barbarians flocked to the town. I spoke to his father months ago about Sean. His father seemed like a caring parent who wanted to bring his only child out ofhell.”
“I am not siding with how the situation had been handled. Nor do I support or believe therumors.”
“Why did you not tell me? I would have spoken to thepriest—”
“Queen, contrary to what you think right now, that would not have looked the best. Queen Octavia Darick defending someone who had been rumored as amurderer.”
“I do not believe thoserumors!”
“Nor do I, Queen,” Klyn said through gritted teeth. “At any rate, I had checked up on Sean last week. Obviously, he mourned his father’s death. I was not certain if he would show uptonight.”
I glanced at Thomas and then toSean.
“So, who will it be, Queen?” Klyn asked me as we continued our walk to the platform stairs. “All five of them are striking young men. All would make you happy and complement yourcollection.”
I turned and cocked my head to the side and glared atKlyn.
“You make it sound so dirty, Klyn,” I smirked. “You make it sound like nothing more than self-gratification.
“Well, my Queen, is it something else?” Klyn raised his eyebrow atme.
“You are lucky I adore you, Klyn,” I whispered and began to walk onto the platform as his deep laughed bellowed behindme.
“As are you, my Queen,” he replied to my back, causing me to smile at hisbanter.
I roamed around each of the five shirtless candidates with my leather crop in my hand. I slapped each of them with the crop at various places on their bodies; chest, under their chins, their crotches and asses. When I was face to face with each of them, I thanked them for entering my pageant thisyear.
Though my body ached to feel Thomas’ thick, bulging cock deep in my ass I could not help but wonder what would become of Sean. He was the youngest of the candidates, and clearly had nowhere to turn to. Briefly I worried he would become a victim of violence fueled by rumors. Rumors that plagued his father would follow Sean. While I would have stern words for anyone who disturbed Sean, I could not have that on my conscience. Especially when I could savehim.
I sauntered away from Thomas and stood in front of Sean. His vibrant green eyes shined even in the flames of the torch lit platform. His hairless chest heaved and I pressed my finger on his chest between his well-developed chest muscles and stared deep into hiseyes.
“Sean, I select you. Will you join me at the Darick Castle?” Irequested.
“Yes, my Queen,” his voice rasped. “Yes, of course, I will. Thank you,” Sean beamed and showed his brilliantsmile.
I clasped my hand on his bare shoulder and urged him to step forward with me. I stopped at the center of the stage and walked away from Sean as the applause and congratulatory comments rang out from the crowd. My statement to the crowd had been made. No one would ever bother mySean.
When I turned to face Sean, the other four candidates had surrounded him and were congratulating him and then they moved from the platform. Once the candidates left, Liam, Michan, and Ethan welcomedSean.
Such a dashing group of young men I had. And I could not wait to get back to the castle with them. Liam, Michan, and Ethan genuinely seemed pleased with my choice, which pleased me. I walked alongside Klyn on the way to the carriage as my gentlemen strolled behind us. I stood to the side of the carriage as the young men climbedin.
“Do not say that I have a heart, Klyn. Do not,” I warned while wearing a hugegrin.
