Phaulkin poured over several books he’d found in the massive library on his gorgeous slave’s home planet, Fayela. He could not figure out why his father was attacking their planet, what vital piece they held that made them worth all of the fighting, all of the pain, the death. It was a complete mystery.
His father had always generally been hard to discern, but this entire situation was impossible.
He glanced at a clock on the wall, crafted from the rarest mineral known in their sector, Batial Crystal. It could only be found in the mines on Schreleieik, whom his father had conquered when Phaulkin had been ten. Those people now followed his father’s orders given to them by the Duke that resided there.
His father seemed like such a selfish man, taking over entire planets and influencing the lives of millions, possibly billions, just on a whim. It all just seemed so very selfish.
He was being a little hypocritical. Phaulkin was not exactly known for his deeds of furthering mankind. He was quite known for harming many people that had not done as he asked or had done something to handicap his personal goals. Not that he had many personal goals, mind you, but every so often when the mood struck him, he felt the need to accomplish a certain task or obtain a certain item and he would stop at nothing to complete these goals.
He was getting off track. His mind was wandering like a school child when their matron’s back was turned. He could not get his brain to focus. Again, he glanced at the horrendously expensive clock.
It had been over an hour since he’d left the presence of his slave and he was getting quite anxious. The boy was everything he’d ever wanted in a tiny, convenient package. Even looking past his stunning physical appearance, Phaulkin was infatuated with the boy. He had an interesting personality, his voice was new and exotic, and he was intelligent and well-educated. He knew when to be silent and when to speak, and during times of silence it was not uncomfortable or oppressive. He knew when to comfort and when not to push. He was… perfect.
Phaulkin almost slapped himself. No one was perfect, especially not some reject war-prisoner from a small, backwater planet. Phaulkin was supposed to go be an ambassador or a duke somewhere Phox never felt like going and he would marry a duchess, an heiress or some dignitary’s daughter. Anything that would benefit Phox was his duty to carry out. And he loathed such a prospect.
A knock on the door drew his attention. He turned to see his slave’s face peeking inside the room.
“I didn’ take too long, did I?”
His voice was sweet like the organically ripened fruit they had imported from foreign planets. Everything was synthesized or mechanical on Mengapor.
“No, you are fine.”
The boy smiled slightly and fully entered the room, gingerly closer the large door behind him. He delicately walked over to Phaulkin and sat down next to him on the elegant red-silk camelback sofa.
“What are you studying?” he asked quietly.
“History,” replied Phaulkin, “I’m reading about my great, great, great grandfather who murdered the entire royal family to ascertain the throne. My family has been ruling ever since.
“He was not tried for treason?” the boy asked in awe.
Phaulkin shook his head, “He had proven that the former king was a traitor to his own people. He commandeered the crown, lowered taxes and took over two planets. Mengapor loved him.”
“You are an odd people,” the boy said softly.
Phaulkin frowned, “You are so soft-spoken today. Are you ill?”
He shook his rich red covered head, “Not ill. I am acclimating myself to my new lifestyle. Can’t be threatening to gut your atrocious brother all of the time now, can I?”
Nodding, Phaulkin softly replied, “I am not my brother. You may be yourself around me, lovely one.”
The boy frowned, “You give me such a generous compliment.”
Phaulkin placed a ribbon in his book and set it on the side table, “It is a compliment you are most deserving of.”
“People on this planet seem so enthralled with my physical appearance,” the boy explained with a confused expression on his face, “I do not understand. No one on Fayela ever placed as much interest in me.”
“Then they are all mad. You are a vision of beauty.”
That caused a lovely blush and a shocked look to strike the boy’s face, “I am too thin and too fair. Women on Fayela like their men tall, thick and dark. They want a strong man to provide for the family, not a boy with a white face.”
“Then I am very blessed,” chuckled Phaulkin, “I have no woman waiting for you back to home to fight for your affections.”
“No,” sighed the boy, “No, you do not.”
“I am grateful-”
“How many have you been with?”
Phaulkin was startled by the sudden, direct question, “Been with?”
“Sexually,” Xan said softly, looking away to hide the humiliation and embarrassment written across his face.
There was silence. Phaulkin had never expected such a question to escape the bold, but self-conscious boy. He was a contradiction wrapped in an enigma. Phaulkin could not figure out the dimensions of his personality and most certainly could not figure out his motivation behind this question.
“I have been with somewhere between five and ten women, I am not sure of the number, and I have been with three men, one of which I was the submissive partner, something I never plan on repeating.”
The boy sighed, “You are experienced. I am sure your partners were as well.”
“Some of them,” he replied with a nod. He did not like the direction this conversation was headed.
“When the time comes for us to… what if I do not please you?”
It was all Phaulkin could do not to merely snort and blow off the utterly ridiculous inquiry. “You will.” The boy gave Phaulkin a confused, sad look, “Whether your experience is factor or not, your innocence is what makes you as tantalizing as you are.”
The boy stared at the floor and pondered this, obviously deep in thought. Phaulkin casually moved closer to him.
“The time will not come until you are ready for it to arrive, lovely one.”
“Xan,” the boy said in a quiet but firm tone, “My name is Xan and that is what you may call me.”
“Xan,” Phaulkin sighed, “I like that.”