Chapter 12
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The King's Offer
The grand hall of Crown's Keep was bathed in the soft glow of morning light filtering through stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns across the stone floor. Jace and Connor walked through the large wooden doors and stood before the throne, their gazes locked on the man who occupied it--King Nicholas. His presence was commanding, yet his slight smile alluded to the familiarity between him and Jace.
Connor's heart raced as he glanced between them, the tension from the night before still fresh in his mind. He could feel the weight of the king's gaze as Nicholas studied them both, his expression unreadable. It was surreal to stand here, knowing the history Jace shared with this man, and Connor couldn't help but feel like an outsider.
Jace, however, seemed more composed than Connor felt. Standing tall, his expression was guarded but respectful. He had overcome many dangerous challenges in his past, but this confrontation with Nicholas felt like a different kind of battle altogether--one that required a different kind of strength.
"Jace," Nicholas began, his voice carrying through the hall with an ease that only someone accustomed to power could possess. "It's been too long since we last stood here together."
Jace nodded, his posture formal but his eyes betraying a flicker of something deeper. "Yes, Your Grace. It has been."
There was a moment of silence, charged with unspoken words. Connor felt like he was holding his breath, waiting for something--anything--to break the tension.
"I owe you a debt of gratitude," Nicholas continued, his gaze shifting to the leather pouch attached to Jace's baldric. "The recovery of this egg is a feat few could have accomplished. You've done a great service to the realm."
Jace inclined his head, but his expression remained cautious. "I'm glad we could help, Your Grace."
Nicholas's eyes flicked to Connor then, and for a moment, the king's gaze softened. "And you, Connor. I understand you played a crucial role in this endeavor. Your skills in deciphering the scrolls were invaluable."
Connor felt a flush of heat creep up his neck, unused to such direct praise from someone like Nicholas. "I did what I could," he replied, his voice steady despite the nervous flutter in his chest.
Nicholas gave a small, almost imperceptible nod before turning his attention back to Jace. "Your dedication to the realm is unwavering, Jace. But I can't help but wonder...now that you've returned, what are your plans?"
Connor's heart skipped a beat. The question was loaded, and he could feel the tension in Jace's posture. This was the moment he had been dreading--the moment when the past and present would collide.
Jace hesitated, glancing at Connor before meeting Nicholas's gaze. "We still have more eggs to find," he said carefully. "The safety of the realm depends on securing them all."
Nicholas's eyes narrowed slightly, as if weighing Jace's words. "True. But the realm needs more than just the eggs. It needs strong, capable leaders. People who can protect it from the dangers that are sure to come."
Jace's expression didn't waver, but Connor could sense the tension building beneath the surface. "What are you asking, Nicholas?"
The use of the king's name, rather than his title, wasn't lost on anyone in the room. Nicholas leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone. "I'm asking you to stay, Jace. To remain here at the castle, by my side. You're needed here, now more than ever."
The words hung in the air, heavy and charged. Connor's heart pounded in his chest as he looked at Jace, waiting for his response. He knew this was a pivotal moment--one that could change everything.
Jace's jaw tightened, his eyes locked on Nicholas. "What about the mission?" he asked, his voice steady but firm. "What about the other eggs?"
Nicholas sighed, a hint of frustration creeping into his expression. "The mission is important, yes. But there are others who can take up that mantle. You, Jace, have proven your loyalty to this kingdom time and again. You belong here, not wandering across the realm in search of relics."
Connor's stomach dropped. The offer was tempting, he could see that much. Crown's Keep was Jace's home, after all, and the king's words were carefully chosen to appeal to his sense of duty. But where did that leave them? What would happen to everything they had built together if Jace chose to stay?
"Moreover, now that Connor was proven himself invaluable," Nicholas again looked Connor up and down before continuing, "I think he would be a fine leader to recover the remaining eggs. I can have a team assembled and he can direct them to the other eggs while you stay here and lead my guard."
Jace took a deep breath, glancing at Connor once more. He could see the worry in his partner's eyes, the fear that he might choose the past over their future. But Jace knew what he had to do.
"Your Grace," Jace said slowly, his voice measured, "I'm honored by your offer. But my place is out there, securing the eggs, ensuring the safety of the realm. I made a commitment, and I intend to see it through."
Nicholas's expression tightened, but he nodded, his eyes lingering on Jace. "I understand," he said quietly, though the disappointment was clear. "But know that the offer stands. You're always welcome here, Jace. Always."
The words felt final, and Jace inclined his head once more. "Thank you, Your Grace."
Connor let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, relief flooding through him. Jace wasn't choosing the past. He wasn't choosing Nicholas. He was choosing their mission--their future.
"Now," Nicholas continued, his tone shifting back to the formal, composed king they had first encountered, "there are matters of state to attend to, and I'm sure you're both still weary from your journey. Rest, and we'll speak more soon."
With that, they were dismissed, Vazzo appearing at their side to lead them out of the hall. As they stepped into the quiet corridor, the weight of the exchange settled over them.
Connor glanced at Jace, his heart still racing. "You didn't have to do that," he said quietly, his voice filled with a mix of relief and guilt.
Jace turned to him, his expression softening. "Yes, I did," he replied simply. "We have a mission, Connor. And I'm not leaving you."
Several hours later, as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, there was a light knock on the giant wooden door of their chambers. Jace rose to make his way to the door, but it opened before he reached it. A cloaked figure stepped inside and quickly closed and latched the door, securing it. The figure removed his cloak, revealing himself to be Nicholas.
The king stood before them now, seeming much less intimidating. He wore a white tunic, draped over his toned body as if it hung on him magically. The front of his tunic was open, exposing his hairless chest and muscular torso. His pants sagged low on his hips, and his tousled brown hair was thick and wavy, unkempt without his crown. Jace was immediately taken back to their times together before Nicholas was placed on the throne.
"Your grace," Jace began, and Connor jumped to his feet and stopped into a low bow, both men surprised by this visit.
"Oh, stop all of that now," Nicholas told them as he sat down in a large armchair. "We're not in a throne room; no one knows I'm here, except Vazzo, of course. I came to talk to you, really talk to you, about the journey and my offer."
Jace moved to the plush bed facing Nicholas's chair, and Connor joined him. For the next hour, Jace and Connor described their journey in detail. Jace told him of Connor's capture by the Thornings, and Connor detailed their time in Motund Nest with the boobytrapped floor and the great Venamage that guarded the egg.
To Connor's surprise, Jace spoke of their intimate lovemaking on their journey back to Crown's Keep. As Jace spoke, Connor felt like he was retreating into himself. He was terrified that the king would find this information troubling and would only seek to separate them.
"I thought as much," Nicholas spoke as Jace finished. "I could tell from the way you look at each other that it is more affectionate than just two friends. I want you to know--both of you--that I admire the dedication you have for the realm. My offer still stands, but now I can better understand your hesitation in accepting it."
"Nicholas," Jace began, "Connor makes me a better knight. With him, I feel stronger, and I fight harder. I love him."
Connor's mouth opened wide, but he stayed silent.
"I can tell," Nicholas responded gently. "You defeated Thornings, and you were able to retrieve the egg--these are great feats. And from your story, it seems as though you share a deep, passionate love."
Nicholas's hand had absentmindedly made its way to his crotch, and he gently squeezed his bulge. Jace recognized that it was now slightly larger than before.
"If I may," Nicholas said quietly as he stood up in front of them, "you two make for a very handsome pair." As he faced them, he placed a hand on each man's cheek. Jace and Connor looked up at the king, making eye contact. Nicholas ever so slightly began to turn their heads toward each other. Connor smiled at Jace and leaned in to kiss him.
Jace met Connor's kiss eagerly, opening his lips to the man he loved. Nicholas's hands remained on the backs of each of their heads, delicately pressing them together. Jace's hands made their way to Connor's sides and removed his tunic, exposing his broad, muscular chest.
Connor pulled back and looked up at Nicholas. He saw the king smiling down at him, sweetly. His eyes moved lower to the king's waist, and he saw a huge, pronounced bulge in his pants. Connor reached out and squeezed the bulge. He felt the king's cock pulse with excitement, and Nicholas let out a deep moan. Connor turned back to Jace, who was smiling widely. They began to kiss again, harder this time, as Connor continued to squeeze the king's cock through his pants.
Nicholas's hands moved to his own belt and began to unfasten his pants. He lowered them, freeing his turgid cock. It sprang up and slapped his own torso. Connor and Jace immediately directed their attention towards it, with Jace taking it in his mouth and Connor licking the length of the pole.
Again, Nicholas moaned out. He removed his shirt, and Jace followed suit before turning back to Nicholas's cock. Connor stood and shed his pants, now standing naked with the king. Nicholas looked at him, seductively, and pulled him into a deep kiss. Both men moaned into each other's mouths, their hands roaming up and down each other's bodies. Jace continued to suck on Nicholas as he fumbled with his pants, freeing his own cock.
Connor pulled back from the kiss and sank to his knees. He and Jace shared a passionate kiss, and then Connor took the length of Nicholas's cock all the way down his throat. Jace kissed along Connor's neck as his hands reached around and squeezed Connor's muscular chest. He pinched his nipples, eliciting a groan. Nicholas's cock surged from the vibrations of Connor's eager throat.
Jace stood up and kissed Nicholas. Connor, on his knees between them, began going back and forth between the men, sucking each of their cocks. Nicholas then reached down to pull Connor up. All three men shared a kiss, tongues darting in each other's mouths.
Nicholas pulled back and took control of the tryst, pushing both Jace and Connor onto the bed. As they lay on their stomachs with their muscular asses exposed, Nicholas positioned himself above them. He first kissed Connor's back, tracing his lips down to the two mounds of muscle. He spread Connor's cheeks and began lapping at his hole.
Connor gripped the blankets tightly and immediately began moaning. Jace turned his face towards Connor, and the two began to kiss as Nicholas continued to rim Connor's hole. After a minute, Nicholas repeated his actions on Jace, albeit slightly rougher. He bit Jace playfully, causing Jace to arch his back, trying to give the king easier access to his ass.
As Jace continued to kiss Connor, he felt the familiar feeling of Nicholas's cock pressed against his hole. He pushed back, breathing deeply as Nicholas breached him. Jace groaned as Nicholas began to fuck him in slow, strong strokes. Nicholas's hands were placed on either side of Jace and Connor, keeping them pressed close together as they kissed.
After several minutes of pummeling Jace, Nicholas pulled out and immediately began to fuck Connor.
"You're so right!" Nicholas exclaimed. They were the first words spoken in quite some time, and they brought Connor back to reality. The king of the realm was fucking him as he lay beside Jace, the knight he had fallen in love with. He moaned out in pleasure. It was exhilarating.
Nicholas picked up his pace, alternating between both Jace and Connor's asses. After some time, he grunted out, "I'm about to release. Who wants it?"
"Give it to us both," Connor begged.
"As you wish," Nicholas replied. He shoved his cock deep into Connor's hole, unleashing ropes of cum. Without hesitating, he removed his cock and buried it inside Jace's ass, releasing the rest of his load. Both Jace and Connor moaned out, so satisfied by the breeding.
Nicholas collapsed into the bed between the two men and rolled over onto his back. Jace and Connor nestled on either side of Nicholas's chest, sighing contentedly. Nicholas's left hand traced circles on Connor's skin, while his right hand tousled Jace's thick, dark hair.
"My offer still stands," Nicholas spoke quietly. "Jace, I would be honored if you would lead my guard. And Connor, you would be a valuable asset should you choose to lead an entire team to find the remaining eggs."
He squeezed both men tightly as they lay together. "No decision needs to be made tonight. Think it over."
With that, Nicholas rose and dressed quickly. He shot both men a warm look and smiled mischievously as he turned and left their quarters, leaving Jace and Connor with much to discuss as they held each other.