“It’sfreezing!”
“Exactly!” Vor replied, smiling broadly. “You need to stop the burn from damaging more of thisbeautiful,delicate skin of yours.”
Snow curled up closer to Vor, shivering in the evening air. “I thought cooking would be easy. The servants in the castle make it appear so… and there was a book giving instructions. You had everything I needed in that root cellar of yours. I can’t believe the tragedy I’ve caused.”
“Have you ever cooked anything before?” Vor asked without judgement lacing his tone.
“No,” Snow muttered, giving a slow shake of his head. “I haven’t.”
“And you expected to be able to feed eight hungry men without experience cooking?”
“I was a fool,” Snow whispered, pressing his face into Vor’s chest.
“Nay.Not a fool. As Shen said last night of Lazlo, you lack experience. That doesn’t mean you can’t learn to cook. We shall be your teachers in somethingotherthan fucking. Every man should be able to cook a meal or two to warm his belly. Between the six of us whocancook edible food, that is.”
Snow smiled up at Vor. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,”Vor replied before stealing a kiss. “Just promise me to ignore any lessons Lazlo offers pertaining to the culinary arts.”
Snow chuckled. “I promise.”
The alphas were true to their word. Hardly three hours had passed before they feasted on roasted rabbit, parsnips, carrots, and leeks—along with some of Owan’s fresh, warm bannock, which Snow had watched the preparation of closely. After dinner, he showed the men how much he appreciated them, starting with Vor.
He knelt before his mate, a mischievous smile on his lips. After drawing Vor’s cock from his braies, he suckled it like he had the evening before and bared his ass for the rest to see his creamy slick leaking from his bottom. It took little time for the other alphas—all but Lazlo and Klaus, of course—to shed him of his borrowed shirt and use his body, fucking him one after the other until Vor carried him to bed to take the final bit for himself. After, Snow curled up beside Vor, his body was satiated and sore, but beyond pleased before drifting off to sleep.
The following evening, he did better. By the time the sun hung low in the sky, he set water to boil in one of the cauldrons for them to wash up with. The morning dishes were clean, as was the cottage. He had ingredients out and ready for his first cooking lesson with Shen. They made something Shen called curry even though he was upset they had to use milk cream instead of the milk of a coconut, whateverthatwas. Even without the mystery ingredient, their curry was the most delicious thing Snow had ever tasted, and the bread called naan might’ve been even better.
It was hard to show his appreciation to the alphas with his belly so full, but he managed. The few nights after were much the same.
Each day, he cleaned and prepared all he could for their return home. Once they arrived and cleaned up, he’d help one or two of the men start the evening meal. While supper simmered or baked, Owan or Shen taught him to make simple quick breads, often as they rubbed their hard cocks against his bottom, much to his chagrin, as it made it near impossible to listenorlearn. He never wanted to repeat his first chaotic attempt and experience that shame ever again.
Supper was spent eating their amazing dishes while sharing laughter and ribald tales of their exploits. After their bellies were full and the hall cleaned up, his five lovers would adore his body and leave him pleasantly exhausted. He always slept beside Vor, safe, warm, and well-loved.
After nearly half the fortnight had passed, Snow’s curiosity got the better of him. Before he and Vor drifted off to sleep, he asked, “Will Klaus and Lazloneverjoin us?”
“Klaus doesn’t like to share. He gets a bit jealous when we touch Lazlo, which is difficult given how much Lazlo loves to share his body with us all.”
“You’veallfucked Lazlo?” Snow asked, wide-eyed.
“How else do you think he gets out of his chores?” Vor grinned. “He gives one hell of a blowjob. Best one here by far.”
“Better than mine?”
Vor scoffed. “I meant best of all the alphas. Yours isobviouslybetter than Lazlo’s.”
Snow as unconvinced. “Lazlo is an alpha—and hewillinglysurrenders to all the alphas in the cottage?”
“He does,” Vor said, narrowing his eyes. He examined Snow’s face, his brow furrowing. “That surrender didn’t seem to bother you when I found you down on your knees watching he and Klaus a few nights ago.”
“Itdoesn’tbother me… but is it not forbidden for alphas to lie with alphas? His willingness and obvious enjoyment of it shocks me somewhat. All of the alphas I know are very—aggressive,I suppose. Lazlo is soft and sometimes acts more like an omega than an alpha. If you all find a way to escape, he might struggle to find sure footing.”
“Perhaps it’s best he doesn’t escape here, then.”
Snow gasped. “He deserves freedom.”
“And maybe he has more of that here than outside this place,” Vor said. “Because you’re right. Lazlo will struggle to exist as he is in the world outside this accursed place. Here, he is free from judgement. Free from expectations of others. He can live as he wants and surrender to whomever he wishes.Here… he is safe.”
From Vor’s tone, Snow feared he’d struck a nerve. “I only meant…” he paused, at a loss for words. “I don’t know what I meant. I didn’t mean to sound as if I passed judgement. All of your freedom has been on my mind, and I guess I’ve worried for what that means for him.”
