Marcus serves his uncle more and learns some secrets

Marcus shuffled up to his uncle, his heart thumping an anxious rhythm in his chest. Gaius' dark eyes followed him, smoldering like glowing coals. The young prince knew he was small and weak for a boy his age, but he'd never felt that fact quite as much as now, as he inched up to the broad-shouldered, muscular and towering body of his handsome Uncle. Gaius was a knight and a warrior, a real man, who fought for what he wanted and took it as he pleased, like he'd taken the throne. That was something a scared, weak boy like Marcus could never be.

The young prince paused just in front of Gaius, biting his lip nervously as he stared up at his Uncle. He was scared...of course he was. This was a man who'd invaded his home, nearly killed his Father in a duel, and looked like he could probably snap Marcus in half with his bare hands if he wanted. Marcus' gaze flickered over his uncle's broad shoulders and down over that barrel chest, the robe pulled tight over rippling muscles. His cheeks flushed faintly, and through the thrumming cold of fear he felt a strange tingling warmth underneath.

"Look at me, nephew." Gaius ordered. With a gasp, Marcus tore his gaze from his uncle's body. His wide, anxious eyes flickered up the older man's handsome face, a shiver running down his spine at the heated glare he got in return, fixing him in place. "Silver hair, those blue eyes, pale skin. You look so much like that woman, boy. Your foreign Mother" Gaius growled, his low, rumbling voice sending fluttering tingles through his nephew's shivering body. "I have no doubt it's her blood that's made you this way, small and soft. No wonder she's always fawned over you. I've wondered before if you were even Castor's child, or did she cuckold my brother too, along with ruining his reign and beggaring his Kingdom? I admit, convincing myself of that made what I had to do tonight easier."

"I am...his son" The young prince stammered, horrified at what he was hearing. How could Gaius even think these things? "He's my Father, please!"

"I do believe that now, nephew." Gaius sighed, the frown fading from his face. "The way you got between us, stood up for him and even made me reconsider my recklessness in believing he needed to die. Maybe there's a little of him in you after all." He paused, something thoughtful in his eyes. Marcus stood there a moment, lips trembling, too nervous to even think of what he should say. Should he beg his uncle for mercy now that Gaius seemed to not be quite so mad? Or ask what was going to be done with him? Only...with his uncle's handsome face right there above him, his voice didn't seem to be working very well. "There's a jug of wine on the shelf up there. Pour me a cup." Gaius nodded to the wall behind Marcus. "A squire's duties don't end once his lord's armor is off."

The young prince nodded hurriedly, glancing over his shoulder to find the wine. He wasn't sure why Gaius still wanted him to act like a squire, but at least being ordered around like this made things simpler. He just had to do as his Uncle said...and hope that would mean things got better. With a sharp breath, Marcus darted over to the shelf, craning up on tiptoes to awkwardly reach the clay jug full of dark red wine and one of the glasses waiting there. His hands were shaking as he poured out the cup, but he just about managed not to spill any.

When he turned again, he saw Gaius had sat back down in his chair, the flickering firelight casting shadows over his handsome face as he stared into the flames with a thoughtful frown. He seemed almost like a big resting bear, the power and fury in his muscled body restrained for now, but still there, waiting to be unleased. The thought made Marcus blush again, that fluttering in his belly moving rather lower. He bit his lip, his bare legs shivering under the shift. What was...happening to him? Why couldn't he stop thinking about how strong his uncle was, and...why was it making him excited?

Heart in his mouth, the young prince stepped back up to Gaius, holding the glass in one hand. His uncle didn't look at him again until he stood right beside the chair, and awkwardly held out the wine. Then the older man reached out with a hand and took the glass carefully from his nephew. There was a moment then that their fingers brushed over one another, callused, tanned digits on soft, pale skin. Marcus gasped as a hot spark seemed to shoot up his arm from where his uncle had briefly touched him, jumping all the way through his shivering body. He yanked his hand back, flushed and breathing a little harder. His uncertain gaze flickered back to Gaius' handsome face. The older man was smiling thinly, then lifted the glass to his lips to take a long sip, staring at his nephew over the rim of the glass.

"Still so frightened of me? Suppose you have good reason to be." Gaius smirked as he lowered the cup. "But I was starting to think there was some courage behind those pretty eyes of yours." He shook his head then took another long drink. Marcus bit his lip, feeling faintly...disappointed in himself. It hadn't exactly been fear that had made him shy away like that, but if he'd stood still would Uncle Gaius have thought he was brave? "You know I asked Castor once if you could actually squire for me. A couple years ago now, just after your sixteenth birthday when I taught you how to ride, remember?" Gaius continued, swirling the cup in his hand. Marcus nodded, remembering how his kind uncle had lifted him up onto the back of a horse with strong, careful hands, then held the reins for him while he got used to sitting awkwardly in the saddle and being so high up on the animal's back. And then his uncle had wanted him to be a squire too? Even though he hadn't been much good at riding, and worse at swordplay? How could the same man be so awful now? "Castor agreed, we were making all the arrangements even, before your Mother got wind of it and got to him. She convinced him it was too dangerous, worse that I was reckless and careless for even daring to offer to take her precious son away from her. That was where it all started to go bad, for me and Castor at least. After that, she viewed me as a threat to you, and with the poison she was pouring in his ear it wasn't long before he started to as well." Gaius took another drink, draining the rest of the cup dry. His gaze flickered back to the fire and he let out a long sigh that almost sounded regretful. "What do you think nephew? Would you have wanted to be my squire back then? Do you think it would have made a difference?" He chuckled dryly.

"I...don't know." Marcus whispered. He hadn't known any of this. Neither his Mother and Father had ever told him Gaius had wanted him for a squire. If he'd heard back then...he'd have been so happy. "I...would have liked to be your squire at least, Uncle." He admitted, his hands nervously fiddling with the hem of his shift. Along with his Father, Gaius was the bravest man the young prince knew. Not only that, but he was so strong and handsome, like a hero. If only...things had stayed that way. If only this awful night had never come to pass. "I think...I would have enjoyed that very much." Marcus murmured, his long lashes fluttering as he gazed at his uncle.

Gaius turned to stare at him then, dark eyes alight. They seemed to smolder once more in the flickering firelight, that heated look sending even more frantic flutters through the young prince's body. He let out a little gasp as he suddenly realized his dick was stiffening, pressing against the front of his silky shift. His head felt all hot and fuzzy, cheeks burning so hot he knew he must be flushed bright scarlet. He didn't know how he was feeling this way, after a night of fear and **** unlike his worst nightmares. Only...this was still Gaius, still his uncle and his hero.

"Marcus." Gaius murmured, the rough heat in his low voice making Marcus whimper softly. "You have no idea do you, what looking like that does to a man? Fuck it...I've already damned myself with one sin tonight. Why not another? Why not simply take what I want?" His free hand moved up as he turned in the chair, and suddenly his fingers were on the young prince's chin. Marcus froze as he felt his uncle's hand grip him gently, holding him there. And Gaius was leaning in too as well, tall enough that even seated their faces were level. His slender body tingling and his mind alight with restless need, the young prince didn't have the wits left to realize what his uncle was planning until the moment the handsome older man's lips met his in a rough and bruising kiss.