Marcus is separated from his lover

"Isn't this a gorgeous sight, my darling niece?" The Empress cooed, spreading her arms wide as she gazed at the lavish room. Kihara's aunt was once again sitting on one of the long couches she seemed to spend most of her time lounging on, her long, toned legs stretched out in front of her. Ahead of her was a large pool like the one Marcus had been bathed in last night only far larger, tiled steps leading down into crystal-clear water that sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the open ceiling. The edges were ringed with lush, green plants, leaves and colored flowers dangling over the bath. In such a dry, desert land, the young prince could hardly even imagine how much work and wealth it must have taken to build something like this. It wasn't empty either. There were about ten or so naked young men bathing in the pool, some of them swimming through the water, others washing themselves or each other. They were all handsome or pretty, with tanned skin like Kihara or her aunt's. None of them showed the slightest hint of shame or **** to be naked in front of the Empress or each other. In fact, it almost seemed like they were purposefully showing off their bodies, turning in the water to let droplets flow over their bare skin, or standing in the shallower parts as they washed with their legs and butts on display.

"There's always a few of my favorites playing here when I sit by this pool, they come rushing out you see, trying to catch my eye. Whenever I start to feel overwhelmed by my weighty position, I can come here, just lie back and let all the stresses of rulership melt away." The Empress turned, glancing at Kihara, who was sitting straight-backed on another identical couch just across from her, with a tiled mosaic made up of gorgeous colorful patterns between them. Marcus was by his lover's leg again, sitting on the floor beside her where she'd told him to. He didn't mind so much, at least it meant he was close to his lover and away from her scary aunt, even if it was a little uncomfortable resting on these hard tiles in just this thin silk outfit he was wearing. He was just glad he was with her, and not being thrown into that pool like those other boys. "And if I should suddenly feel I need a different kind of relief..." Her aunt continued, smirking. "I can just snap my fingers, point out the concubine I desire, and any of those lovely boys will come and tend to my every desire. Or even all of them if I'm feeling very decadent indeed. Delightful, is it not?"

"Yes, auntie." Kihara nodded. Her gaze flickered over the pool, and the naked bodies bathing inside. Marcus clutched at the skimpy silk of his clothes, hoping his lover wasn't enjoying the view...too much. The thought of her gawping at those handsome men...instead of looking at him made his stomach twist. "I imagine...it is all very enjoyable for you." She continued, her voice flat.

"Speaking of enjoyment, you're looking rather stiff yourself." The Empress smirked, her dark eyes lighting up. "Have you not been getting enough relief lately, Kihara? I didn't think it could be so when I saw you had such a pretty thing to play with, but then he's only one boy. I imagine the poor thing must have to work rather hard to satisfy you." Her gaze flickered past her niece and down to Marcus, who quickly sat up straighter. This woman made him so very nervous, but he knew he'd better try not to upset her at least. She was the only one of Kihara's relatives he'd met after all and he still held out hope he could somehow get on her good side. "In fact, I'd like to see just how he does it. Why don't you strip out of that ugly robe and have your darling barbarian tend to you? Don't mind me, I can lie back here and watch. It'll be fun! I'd rather like to see what he can do with his tongue, maybe even have a piece for myself if you're feeling generous. And of course you can borrow one of mine if you want right afterwards. Sharing boys is always a good time!" She smirked wider, baring perfect white teeth. Marcus shrank back from that hungry gaze, cowering closer to Kihara's muscled leg. When he thought he wanted to get the Empress to like him more, this certainly wasn't what he'd meant! He was Kihara's, he didn't want to be with any other woman! He wished he could speak up, tell the Empress he didn't want to be with her, but...as these two strong, powerful woman talked over him he knew he'd just get himself in some kind of trouble.

"I don't think I'm in the mood right now." Kihara murmured at last, shaking her head. "This is your...harem, auntie. I wouldn't want to impose." Marcus gasped, slumping forward with relief. Of course he'd known Kihara wouldn't give him away like that, but her aunt was so scary he'd almost wondered if she'd somehow get what she wanted anyway.

"Come now, you think you're the first woman who I've entertained here?" The Empress scowled, her lips curling into a disappointed frown. "Almost every great lady in the realm has spent some time on that couch with a comely boy between her legs. If you're too embarrassed yourself at least let me have a go with your little barbarian. You can't keep dangling such a pretty thing in front of me and just keep him entirely to yourself. It's very selfish." She pouted playfully, but there was a coldness in her eyes that made Marcus want to cower under the couch.

"Auntie, no!" Kihara gasped frantically, leaning forward off the chair. Her wide eyes flickered down to Marcus, looking like she was about to sweep him up and carry him away before her aunt could do anything more. The young prince almost hoped she would...only, even he knew upsetting the Empress like that was a terrible idea. "He's...mine, my concubine! I don't...I don't want to give him to anyone else! Please, just not him!"

"Oh fine, be that way." The Empress sighed theatrically, waving her hand. Marcus whimpered softly, letting out a trembling breath he'd hardly even realized he'd been holding. "So boring. You were away long enough I almost forgot how shy you are. Not sure who you get that from, when I think of what your mother and I used to get up to. I remember once we snuck into this very harem during your grandmother's reign and fucked every boy we could find. Left a long trail of whimpering concubines and soft, drained dicks in our wake, Goddesses above, your grandmother was absolutely furious with us! Threatened to have us both executed there and then! But to tell the truth I think she enjoyed our daring!" She laughed, high and clear, her voice echoing across the room.

Kihara had stiffened up at that mention of her mother, her jaw clenching tight. Not sure what else he could do, Marcus leaned into her, resting his shoulder against her toned thigh. He reached out and wrapped an arm around her leg, hoping she could at least find his being here comforting. She paused, then glanced down at him. A smile flickered across her face, just a small one, looking a little tired, but...just knowing he'd given her some relief made the young prince's heart soar like nothing else ever could. He'd been so useless just sitting here in silence otherwise, even if that was what both she and the Empress seemed to expect.

"Well, if we're not going to have any fun, Kihara, then I'm afraid there's something rather serious we'll have to discuss instead." The Empress continued, and suddenly any sign of that moment of earlier playfulness had slipped from her voice. When Marcus nervously turned his head to look at her again, she was staring coolly at Kihara, an expectant look in her dark eyes. It...was getting more and more nerve-wracking how quickly she could shift her mood, keeping him constantly off balance and wondering what she was thinking. "Just the small matter of that mission I sent you on. I do hope you accomplished more than merely snatching up that pretty morsel clinging to your leg."

"Yes of course, your Imperial Majesty." Kihara straightened, saluting neatly with her fist across her chest. She seemed glad for the distraction for a moment, then her gaze darted down to Marcus and she bit her lip."I...will gladly report on what I learned, my Empress but...I am not sure it is for his ears." She nodded at the young prince.

"Yes, you're right, boys really don't need to listen to important matters of state, do they?" The Empress laughed again. "It'll just confuse him. Very well then." She clapped her hands sharply, the sound echoing across the room. Most of the men didn't pause in their activities, but Marcus saw two of them slip out of the water where they'd been paddling and step briskly over. They were both naked of course, their dark skin glistening wet under the sunlight streaming through the windows, tall and broad-shouldered with rippling muscles and chiselled, handsome features. Stepping up to stand between the two couches, the men presented themselves with straight backs, their hands by their sides and their legs spread. The young prince felt his cheeks burn red-hot as he couldn't stop his gaze darting down between those muscular thighs. They...were also rather large down there, he noticed with a tremble of embarrassment, much larger than he was anyway. "These lovely things are two of my favorite concubines, Selim and Antaeus." The Empress explained, slipping once again into that high, playful tone that never seemed to bode well. "Selim has the bigger cock..." She pointed playfully at the man nearest to her, whose hair was cropped close to his head where the other had his tied into a long ponytail. "But Antaeus knows how to use his better, isn't that right, sweeties?"

"Yes, mistress." The two men replied softly, their gazes fixed on the floor in what was no doubt meant as a gesture of respect to her.

"You do remember how I mentioned I wanted to have your concubine prettied up by some of my boys, don't you, Kihara?" The Empress glanced back at her niece. Kihara nodded quickly, her eyes wide. "Well, these two are going to do it for me. Selim and Antaeus know what they're doing when it comes to presenting a royal concubine. Your little barbarian is very pretty, but he'll look even tastier with some makeup and jewellery, and with that gorgeous silver hair properly tied up. I can guarantee, you'll be very pleased with what they do to him." She waved her hand again, and the two men turned to stare at Marcus. Selim had a hard, expectant look on his handsome face, while Antaeus just seemed bored.

"Kihara..." Marcus whimpered softly, giving his lover a pleading look from beside her leg. He knew it was selfish and stupid...but he really didn't want to be separated from her, not in this strange, scary place! And those two men...what were they even planning to do with him?

"I'm sorry, little one, you have to go with them, like my auntie wants" She murmured to him, her hand brushing comfortingly down his back. Just that one stroke of her hand eased his nerves somewhat, and he sat up straighter, listening as she spoke more. "We'll be back together soon, I promise. Just...be good, and do as you're told, can you do that for me?"

"Yes..." The young prince nodded, his lip trembling. He hoped...it really was soon. She grabbed him gently under the shoulder and guided him to his feet, until he stood right in front of her couch.

"Go on then..." She patted him on the back, her firm hand urging him towards the pair of waiting men. Marcus swallowed nervously, then shuffled forward. The skimpy silk outfit he wore flowed around his hips as he walked, leaving him very conscious of how much skin he was showing off right now. Of course the Empress leering at him the whole time wasn't helping matters, her dark eyes fixed on his butt. Why was she so focused on him anyway? There were these two handsome men totally naked right here both with big dicks, and she'd barely even looked at them!

"This way, boy, follow me." Selim murmured in a low voice. He turned and strode away around the edge of the pool, his bare feet smacking against the tiles. As Antaeus moved to follow, Marcus couldn't help but glance back over his shoulder at Kihara. His lover was sitting on her couch still, her face strained, but when she met his gaze she gave him a soft, reassuring smile and nodded once. The young prince felt his pounding heart ease slightly. No matter what happened...he knew she was looking out for him. He just had to...remember that. Mustering his courage, Marcus turned to scurry after the two men, padding carefully around the pool. He felt the gazes of several of the men and boys splashing about in the water settle on him as he passed. It'd be over soon...he reminded himself. He'd be back with Kihara where he belonged...soon.