Page 13 of Over the Emerald Valley
He pushed open the door to the room he often shared with Seli and Met and peeked inside. They were still fast asleep, curled together like pups, Seli with her arms around Met, Met with his hands tucked under his cheek.
Temaj tiptoed to the bed on silent feet, carefully climbed in, and wrapped himself around Seli’s back.
She made a sleepy sound of protest but didn’t shrug him off. “You’re back early.”
“The general has some sort of business to attend to today,” he whispered.
She rolled over to him. “And? How much of a horse’s ass was he?”
Met stirred, grabbed the covers, and pulled them over his head. Seli and Met were Temaj’s favorites among the harem. The couple had befriended him upon his arrival when he’d been scared and unsure, before he knew he was safe. Temaj would always be grateful to them for that.
“Turns out he’s not one. We were wrong.” Everyone had thought the man pompous for ordering Temaj to show up wearing nothing.
“Oh? Do tell.”
Seli wasn’t one he’d need to make up stories for. The stories were for the others. To Seli, Temaj would tell the truth. “He’s kind. Considerate. He hadn’t actually meant for me to be naked. That was a misunderstanding.”
“Pfft,” she huffed. “Are you sure?”
Temaj chuckled, remembering Solon’s baffled expression when he’d arrived nude. “I’m sure.”
“So he’s not an ass, then? Any good in bed?”
“I wouldn’t know,” said Temaj with a wistful sigh. “He refused to bed me.”
She widened her eyes, casting all remnants of sleepiness aside. “Is he a eunuch?”
“That’s what I said.” Temaj shook his head. “But no. Gloriously intact. I saw for myself.”
“Then why wouldn’t he want to fuck you? Everyone wants to fuck you.”
“Awe, Seli. You say the sweetest things.” Temaj pressed a kiss to her forehead. “He’s hung up on my place. Thinks of me as a slave. Beneath him, I suppose, though he treated me with respect.”
“You aren’t a slave. You’re a member of the viceroy’s personal harem. The general should consider himself lucky to have such a coveted man.”
“One would think.” Temaj didn’t understand Solon’s reluctance, only that it had nothing to do with a lack of desire. Solon wanted him. He knew that look. What kind of man had what he wanted within his grasp and didn’t take it? Or fuck it, rather. “Perhaps tonight. He’s agreed to ask for me again.”
A sleepy voice rang out muffled from beneath the covers. “Maybe you should fuck him,” said Met. “I’ll bet he prefers it but doesn’t want to say so.”
Temaj shut his eyes and pictured the scenario: the general presenting his muscled backside to be used by a whore. It had a certain appeal, or Temaj’s cock seemed to think so, as it plumped between his legs. “I don’t think that’s it, but I’ll certainly offer.”
The vision stretched behind closed lids: Solon’s pretty hair clinging to his sweaty neck, his back muscles flexing beneath Temaj’s fingers, his deep voice begging for it, for Temaj to fill him, make him come.
He groaned.
Seli’s laughter did little to dampen his mood. “You need a moment alone?”
“Unf, maybe.” Temaj gave her a little shove. “Blame Met. He put the idea in my head.”
“Fuck him, then.” Seli climbed over him and got out of the bed. “Would serve him right.”
Temaj tossed a pillow at her. The three of them were occasional lovers, but Seli and Met were a couple. Temaj was only a third wheel to their duo. He liked Met, but he didn’t want him.
Temaj wanted Solon.
* * *
Solon
