Forbidden Seduction [ Forbidden Obsession]

He was aware that the man would not follow him to the servants’ quarters, so he hurried to his room to catch a breather. He needed to wash his face, and regain a neutral color and fast, as a servant with cheeks ablaze would have made, for sure, a strange subject for conversation in the lavishly appointed dining room.

As he got in the hallways again, he almost head-butted the redhead servant from earlier.

“Cory,” the servant said sternly, “your master is a bit dissatisfied with your sudden disappearance.”

“I will be right there,” he said quickly and tried to get fast past the redhead.

“My name is Dion,” the servant said, catching his arm.

He turned to smile at the other. “Nice name,” he commented, and the other winked at him.

“I’ll help you out tonight,” the redhead walked side by side with him. “It is your first party? Of this size, I mean?”

“Yes, it is,” Cory admitted, while still walking fast.

“Sorry about earlier, we were way too nosy. But a servant’s life does not have that many highlights, except for gossip. We kind of want to know everything.”

“That’s alright,” Cory shook his head a bit. Dion seemed to be a really nice guy, and he could use a friend close to his age and station.

“After we tend the table, we will have to get the slaves prepared for the show,” Dion dropped his voice, and looked at Cory, trying to gauge his reaction.

But Cory remained silent, not knowing if a reply was required to that or not.

Hesitantly, Dion continued. “Does your master allow you to … help?”

“Help?” Cory shrugged. “I don’t know; I guess I’ll have to ask.”

Cory could not say whether the masters were actually enjoying themselves as the atmosphere around the table seemed to be quite hush-hush. There were very quiet conversations being muttered, and it looked as if those seated at the table were interested only in the people located within proximity and nothing else.

As they finished serving the courses, he noticed how the other servants were called by their masters and then sent away with a short nod. He caught Dion’s eyes for a second, and the redhead made a small gesture towards Cory’s master.

The young servant understood. He had spent almost the entire evening behind Xavier, trying hard to ignore how intimate he and Lucas seemed. They were talking sotto voce, just like everyone else, their heads almost touching, while, in turn, they barely touched the food placed in front of them.

Somewhat reluctantly, he got closer and leaned in, so his master could hear him.

“Master, I apologize for interrupting,” he whispered.

Xavier turned with a somewhat displeased expression on his face.

“Speak,” he said shortly.

“I was wondering if I should go help the others preparing the slaves,” he continued, keeping his eyes down.

There was a tiny glint in grey eyes that Cory missed. A quick glance was shared between the two rulers. Lucas’s lips pursed in displeasure.

“Yes, of course. After all, you need the training, and since I don’t keep any slaves, it would be hard for you to achieve that kind of knowledge otherwise. Go with the others. I look forward to seeing what you have learned tonight,” he added with a mysterious smile, again looking more at Lucas, then at Cory.

The servant nodded in the same fashion he had noticed the others doing and walked away, without looking at his master or his companion.

Lucas voiced his protest as soon as Cory was no longer within earshot.

“Xavier, is this a way for you to torment me?”

“What are you saying?” Xavier feigned innocence. “He just needs the practice.”

“He needs the practice…” Lucas mirrored his words. ” … he in particular, of all the servants you had.”Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“You know I’ve never kept anyone on a tight leash,” Xavier’s grey eyes turned into slits, as he continued to smile. “My servants are allowed … how should I put this? … a bit of leeway to compensate for their otherwise boring lives spent dusting and cooking all day long.”

Lucas straightened his back and moved slightly away from his friend as if he no longer cared for companionship.

“Leeway…” he sneered while repeating the word. “He has no clue about what to expect, has he, Xavier? You know his conditioning will force him to serve. What would you possibly hope to achieve with this? With his looks, he will naturally be used.”

“And why shouldn’t he be used?”

“Don’t you mind having your bed warmer spread and thoroughly fucked by some low life slaves? Or others’ cum is just your choice for lubricant?” Lucas spat the words while grabbing his champagne flute in front of him, for lack of anything else. The strong fingers flexed against the glass as if their owner was trying to strangle the poor object happening in his way.

“Come now, Lucas, don’t be crass. This is so not like you,” Xavier chided, ignoring the tension in the man’s shoulders.

“That only proves how little you know of me,” the brunet dropped his voice to an almost pained whisper.

Xavier’s eyes flashed in anger. Lucas was cruel to treat him like this! And for what? For a servant? He touched the man’s hand, caressing the small patch of skin between the black glove and the hem of his shirt.

“Why?” came the barely audible question. “Just because you can?”

Xavier sighed. “No, because every little thing in this world is set, and a servant does not belong in a ruler’s heart.”

“But he does belong in a ruler’s bed,” Lucas continued to ignore Xavier’s touch.