The sun rose across the horizon of the sea, light pouring into Jace's room. A warm glow washed over the bed and large chest on the opposite wall. Jace swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching his arms up to the ceiling. He placed his hands on the top of his buttocks and arched his back. His ass was two solid slabs of muscle. He admired his reflection in a mirror set in an ornate frame leaning in the corner of the room. His right hand moved to tuck his long hair behind his ear and out of his face. He examined his large chest and toned torso. He knew his physique was the envy of most men he encountered, and he was tempted to pleasure himself again, as he had the night before, but knew he had more pressing matters to attend to.
Jace dressed himself in a loose-fitting white shirt and brown pants that clung to his toned legs. He left the shirt unlaced, allowing his large chest to feel the breeze of the ocean air that flowed through all of Crown's Keep. He placed his cloak and a few other belongings in the chest and made his way down the stairs to find his horse.
As he rode deeper into the city, Jace was again amazed at how much had changed, yet how familiar it still seemed. He had left this place as a young man, less than 20 years of age. His time fighting in the Dark War felt like a separate lifetime. Like most of the men of COCK, he had worked alone, in the shadows. He carried messages, and he executed orders. The Covenant was made up mainly of assassins, operating quickly and silently. The leaders of COCK had orchestrated events that eventually led to them taking control of the kingdom and placing the current king on the throne. Though he had only been a member of the Covenant for a short time, he had been an easy choice to instate as king. Young, virile, and charismatic, he was a strong leader who had proven a wise selection. And now, it was this king who had sent word for Jace.
Jace had known King Nicholas since they were toddlers. They had grown up together during the looming beginnings of the Dark War. Their fathers were both noblemen. Jace's father, Philip of House Arch Back, was a member of the council that governed the region before the Dark War. Nicholas's father Alexander was also on the council. His home, House Stormtower, had once been one of the mightiest castles in the land. Before the Dark War, when all the regions were separate, the castle boasted the tallest tower in the region, providing a lookout over its vast lands. When Nicholas was a small child, Stormtower was attacked. Alexander and his men defended the castle, and eventually won, but the castle was burned to the ground during the battle. All that remained was the crumbling tower. Alexander moved his family to Crown's Keep, and Philip and Jace became fast friends. When both the boys were of age, Philip and Alexander each encouraged them to join the Covenant of Cloaked Knights. They knew their sons were the best swordsmen in the city, and would make excellent knights.
Jace felt strange as he approached the large stone archway at the entrance to the castle. He had not been here since the day he and Nicholas departed, leaving their fathers and the rest of the governing noblemen to defend the city. Jace let out a somber sigh as he thought of his father dying in the great Battle of The Keep. Alexander had survived, but was poisoned by the Veiled Shadows the following year. Crown's Keep spent the next five years in a tumultuous power struggle between many powerful men and the Veiled Shadows, before the COCK was able to instate Nicholas as king and establish peace.
As Jace dismounted, a steward approached, bowing deeply. "Ser Jace," the old man groaned, "we've been expecting you."
Jace nodded, handing over the reins to his horse. The old man led him through familiar corridors of The Keep The grandeur and opulence felt familiar, but it must have been painstakingly restored after the years of battles that occurred. They finally arrived at the doors to the Throne Room, where two guards stood at attention. The steward knocked softly and the doors slowly opened.
Jace stepped inside confidently, and methodically made his way down the aisle towards the platform where, seated on a large carved throne, Nicholas smiled down at him. Despite the years apart, the king's dark eyes, and strong features were unmistakable. A flood of emotions washed over Jace as their eyes met.
"Jace," the king said as he rose from his throne. "It's been too long."
"Your Grace," Jace replied, bowing deeply. "It has indeed."
The leapt down the steps, a smile playing on his lips. "None of that `Your Grace' nonsense between us, Jace. Not here."
Jace exhaled, feeling an air of calm set over him, yet his heart was pounding as a wide smile spread across his face. "Nicholas."
"You look well, old friend," the king exclaimed as he clasped Jace's shoulder. "The years have been kind to you."
"And to you," Jace said, his voice softening. "I see the crown suits you."
Nicholas laughed, flashing his perfect white teeth. The laughter brought back a thousand memories. Jace wasn't just flattering him. The crown was simple, yet stately. It suited Nicholas perfectly, framing his face and balancing his strong square jaw with its rounded curves and sharp peaks.
They stood in silence for a moment, the weight of their shared past hanging between them like smoke on a battlefield. Finally, Nicholas spoke. "I have a task for you, Jace. One that requires your skills and, more importantly, your discretion."
Jace took a step closer, the distance between them now only a foot or two. "Anything, Nicholas, you know that."
Nicholas's expression grew serious. "There are dragon eggs scattered across the kingdom, remnants of an era long past. One that we thought we'd never see again."
Jace's eyes widened. "Dragon eggs? They were destroyed a hundred years ago, Nicholas. Where did you get this information?"
Nicholas's face remained unchanged. "I've seen one, with my own eyes. My Venamage uncovered scrolls in the tunnels. They must have been hidden there for safekeeping. And with the scrolls was a lone egg."
"So you have the egg?" Jace asked excitedly.
Nicholas sighed and his head dropped, as if in defeat. "No, the Veiled Shadow somehow got word and stole the egg. Since then, we have secured the castle with guards at every entrance, and increased patrols throughout the day and night. Now, we have the scrolls, but they have the egg."
"So you need me to locate the other eggs before the Veiled Shadow can find them," Jace completed the king's sentence.
Nicholas again stepped closer, his eyes searching Jace's face. "Can I count on you?"
Jace looked up into Nicholas's eyes. There weren't many men taller than Jace, but Nicholas had him by a few inches. He saw the serious expression on Nicholas's face, and he understood that it was well-warranted. If the Veiled Shadow somehow collected the other eggs, they could wield the power of the dragons. Centuries ago, the dragons had been the greatest power supply in the world, conquering kingdoms as far as men could fly. Dragons in the wrong hands would surely spell the end of peace as the kingdom currently knows it.
Jace nodded solemnly. Their proximity was intoxicating, the air between them charged with unspoken desire. Jace's breath hitched as Nicholas reached up, his fingers brushing Jace's cheek so softly that he barely felt them.
"I've missed you," Nicholas whispered, his voice filled with longing.
Jace's resolve crumbled, and he closed the distance between them, capturing Nicholas's lips in a passionate kiss. It was as if no time had passed. All the memories of their boyhood exploration returned to him, their bodies responding to each other with the same fervor and electricity they had shared in their youth. Jace's hands roamed over Nicholas's back, pulling him closer and feeling their kiss.
Nicholas moaned softly against Jace's lips, his hands becoming tangled in Jace's hair. They moved together, guided by a familiar rhythm as the years of separation melted away. Nicholas broke the kiss, his breathing ragged, and looked into Jace's eyes.
"Stay with me tonight," Nicholas pleaded, his voice raw with emotion.
Jace nodded, unable to find words to speak. Nicholas led him around the throne and through a dimly lit hall to a set of large, menacing doors. A guard was standing to the side of the door, a stoic expression on his face.
"Stand guard tonight while I seek the counsel of Ser Jace," Nicholas commanded the guard as he winked at Jace. The guard nodded in acknowledgment as Nicholas pulled Jace through the door and closed it behind them.
"Counsel, eh?" Jace joked as Nicholas stood in the middle of the room, smirking.
"A wise king seeks counsel of his fellow men, does he not?" Nicholas replied as he pulled Jace in closer to him.
Jace nodded, pressing his lips on the king's with such force and longing. They tumbled into the king's bed, their clothes quickly discarded in a flurry of movement. As they lay together, their bodies wrapped together, they explored each other with a new sense of urgency.
Jace's hands traced the contours of Nicholas's body, relearning every inch of the king. "The king," he thought. The last time they had been together, they were equals. Now, Nicholas commanded the kingdom and controlled the economy, but he was currently allowing Jace to dominate him in his own royal bed. Jace squeezed Nicholas's ass, feeling the muscle tighten and relax.
Nicholas's touch was equally insistent, his fingers trailing over Jace's muscles, igniting a fire within him. They moved together in a dance of desire, their moans and grunts filling the room. They pressed their bodies together with an intensity that left them both breathless. Jace's movements were slow and deliberate, savoring every moment. Nicholas's fingers dug into Jace's back, urging him on as their bodies moved in perfect harmony.
Nicholas threw Jace on his back and climbed on top of him. Jace breathed deeply as the king's lips met his left nipple. Nicholas sucked on Jace's chest, biting it lightly, eliciting moans from Jace as he convulsed with pleasure. Nicholas's tongue then moved lower on Jace's body, tracing the outline of his defined abs. He was impressed with Jace's physique. The last time they had been together, they were young men of almost 20, their bodies lean but not yet filled out. Now, both men seemed sculpted out of toned muscle. Their bodies were hard and tight, with bulging shoulders and arms, but their thick thighs, muscular asses, and heaving chests were all too tempting.
Nicholas's tongue finally reached its destination as he licked up the length of Jace's thick cock. He opened his mouth wide and lowered himself down over Jace, taking him deep in his throat. With his mouth full, Nicholas's eyes glanced up at Jace, seeing him writhe in pleasure. Nicholas returned his focus to the throbbing cock in his mouth, bobbing up and down on it as if he was trying to coax something out of it.
"Not yet," Jace said as he sat up and pulled Nicholas in for another deep kiss. "I need to feel you, my king," Jace smiled as he added those last words. This power dynamic was unlike anything he'd ever experienced. Growing up, Nicholas had been more subdued, while Jace had been more dominant. Now, in the king's castle, in the king's private chamber, Jace found himself wrapped around the most powerful man in the kingdom.
Nicholas reached under Jace and masterfully flipped him over onto his stomach. Jace rose to his knees and arched his back, perfectly embodying the crest found on his house sigil. The king loomed over him, wrapping an arm around his neck and pulling him back for a passionate kiss. Jace grunted in excitement as Nicholas bit his shoulder and made his way down Jace's body. He looked down at Jace's ass, perfectly round and muscular. Nicholas spread the cheeks and dove in with his tongue, lapping at Jace's hole. Jace pressed his face into the bed as Nicholas licked and kissed his hole. Nicholas heard the muffled moans as he devoured Jace, the anticipation growing between them.
Jace lifted himself up and looked back at the king. "I need you now!" he begged with urgency. He hadn't realized how much he had missed his friend and the passion they created together.
Nicholas leaned back on his knees and looked down at Jace's hole, wet with spit and eager for the king's cock. He rubbed the head of his cock back and forth, teasing Jace's hole and watching Jace rock back and forth, as if trying to pull Nicholas into him. He lined the head up and began pushing in, slowly opening Jace up with his long, hard tool.
Jace's body erupted in pleasure as he felt himself being filled by Nicholas. Though it had been years, he felt as if Nicholas was even bigger than before. Nicholas pumped into Jace with such force that it took all of his strength to stay up on his hands and knees as he tried to avoid collapsing into the bed. As if he had tapped into a reservoir of strength, Jace pushed back against Nicholas, backing up onto his body, further impaling himself on the king's cock. Jace slammed himself back, gyrating against Nicholas while tightening his hole and squeezing Nicholas's cock. He felt the cock surge inside of him as Nicholas increased his pace, powerfully ramming Jace and gripping his muscular shoulders to keep his rhythm.
Finally, the tension between the two built up, and they could no longer contain themselves. With a deep, guttural grunt, Nicholas unloaded into Jace, pressing into him as deeply as possible. At the same time, urged on by the feeling of Nicholas's load, Jace exploded, unleashing ropes of cum onto the bed below him. They collapsed together, their bodies slick with sweat. Jace held Nicholas close as their hearts pounded in unison.
They lay like that for what seemed like hours as the night wore on, each man's hands roaming over the other man's body. Jace's thoughts drifted back to their conversation earlier, and the gravity of the mission he had accepted.
"I'll find the eggs, Nicholas," he whispered.
"I know you will, there's no one I would have sent for other than you. The men in the Covenant--they are all strong, all worthy contenders, but I would trust you with my life, Jace."
Jace nodded, his resolve firm. He savored these moments with his old friend as they drifted off to sleep, knowing that tomorrow he would need to begin preparations for a great undertaking.