To Collar and Keep (13 page)

“You didn’t have the balls to do it, Boris.” Corbin shook his head looking down at him. “I don’t know why I thought you could have. Come on,” he said to Harley and they left.

“Nice hit, feel better?” Corbin asked as they walked out.

Harley shook his head. “No, I will miss my mother. What were you talking about to my father? Do what?”

“You’ll still see your mother, for all Boris’s faults he does love her. It’d kill him to see her miserable. I just wish we could let her know what you’re doing. I have the feeling she won’t know until it’s done. As for what he didn’t do, Boris always hated Tempest and your uncle. Somebody did something to the clan, and I have no idea what happened. The prick knew it was coming though. He sent Ben away, and he effectively got rid of me. For a long time I thought it was Boris or maybe Milton, but now I’m not so sure.”

That was interesting. Corbin would have gone missing, as well, had he still been with Tempest. It was a lucky thing he was still around. “So technically you’re my uncle too. I mean, you’re my mother’s brother, right? I remember when Tempest went missing. She was a mess for a long, long time. My father indulged her frequently then, and took a lot of time off at the company to help her through it. I never thought my father did anything to Tempest. I mean, it would have hurt my mother too deeply. So that leaves Arcane, who I have been suspicious of for ages, and Toloose, who had the most to gain from Tempest going missing. If Ben wasn’t tapped to come back during the convergence, the Tempest stronghold would have gone into escrow with Toloose since it bordered on their territory. The convergence year made it twenty-five years since they had gone missing. It was convenient that
Milton
tapped Ben when he did.”

“I’m not convinced that Toloose had the power to see it through, but
Milton
’s summons of Ben always did strike me as unusual.” He shook his head. “I’m not your uncle. I’m technically your mother’s uncle. I left Tempest rather spectacularly when I was a teenager. Your grandfather let me stay with him, and in return I helped look after his kids. Your mother was a baby, and Ben’s dad was five or so. It was easier for them to see me as a brother, and as I really shouldn’t have been there, my presence was well masked. I was a bit of an oddity.”

“Well then. Okay, so you’re my great-uncle and an original Tempest.
Milton
on the other hand has been sketchy as fuck for a while now, ever since Minerva turned sixteen, and he decided she was off limits to the young Satyrs.”

“Then he gave her to Ben.” Corbin sighed. “I don’t know. Ben’s father kept journals. If I could get my hands on them, I might have more of a clue what happened. It might not even have been one of the Satyrs. There are other things out there. Tempest were treading on all sorts of toes in their business dealings.”

“Seeing as Ben can’t read Puckish, nor can I, which I think has debilitated us in a number of ways, I’m sure he will give you full access to the old man’s archives. There are tons of ledgers and such in the study, but it wasn’t till recently that Ben found a hidden chamber off what was his parents’ bedroom that houses some more books. It bears looking into, and Ben does want to know why he was abandoned,” Harley said as they rounded the corner of the main hotel and walked up the gravel path to Ben’s cottage.

“It’s something I’ve been wondering as well. As a race we don’t abandon our sons.” Corbin shook his head. “I don’t think there’s ever been a case of it happening. From an outsider’s point of view, it may make sense, protecting our young, but no, our children are safer with us. Sending a young Satyr out to live with demons is just…well, it’s cruel and dangerous. Especially given that nobody told him what he was.”

“Nicolai and Inez wouldn’t have done it if they didn’t have to. My mother, when I was a bit older, always told me that Nicolai was ecstatic about being a father. He wouldn’t have given Ben up to anyone if he didn’t have to. Tempest, at the time they disappeared, were the most powerful and were going to take over the council.
Milton
had cause to act.”

Corbin shook his head. “But why bring Ben back? Toloose would have inherited the lands and titles, and he could have given Minerva to their son.
Milton
would have controlled him easily, and if he wasn’t one to be led, once they had children he and his father could have been taken care of. Then there’s only Rummer to contend with. If I were
Milton
, that’s how I would have done it. Bringing Ben back puts Tempest back into play, and there’s no way he’d have thought Nicolai’s half-demon son would be an easy mark. On the other hand, if he had no interest in the disappearance and had no clue who did, he’d suspect Toloose and bringing Ben back would make perfect sense. Especially if he could keep him docile with Mina… Of course, he couldn’t have known Ben isn’t the docile type.”

“Oh,” Harley mused as they walked. “Rigel wouldn’t have made Minerva a Beloved. You know Toloose still clings to the old ways. Mina would have been one of a minimum of five women.
Milton
would have gained nothing from that. With Ben, he had more of a fighting chance, I think. I mean, he had no clue, and
Milton
kept him sequestered with Arcane or with me a good amount of the summit. No, this doesn’t feel like
Milton
’s work. I mean, why else would he be freaking out about knowing the child? I don’t think I have ever known a Satyr to care about another Satyr’s progeny.”

“That is a point. Though it
is
his only grandchild. Maybe he’s picked up some human sentiments from his wife…or not. I mean you’re my brother’s grandkid. I shouldn’t give a damn about you and Ben. I’d hate to think I was the only sentimental Satyr. Either way, whoever it was on the inside, this isn’t just the work of Satyrs.”

“I think you’re an anomaly,” Harley said. “I mean you have lived among the humans and embraced them.
Milton
has kept himself out of the human world, dealing with it only when he needed to. His family values are all Satyr. Why do you think he just gave Minerva away and kept her pure? He needed something to entice Ben, though Minerva would have done that either way. She was truly meant for him.”

They made it to the cottage and walked inside. Soft moans were coming from the living room and Harley grinned. “It seems they are in fact keeping Bella occupied.”

“Indeed.” Corbin smiled, shaking his head. “Though I didn’t doubt they would.”

Harley shrugged. “I trust Ben, and she’s mine already so there’s no danger in allowing her pleasure,” he said as they followed the breathy moans and sighs and witnessed quite a show indeed.

Ben had Mina face down between Bella’s legs, her ass in the air, and his cock buried to the hilt in her. The way they were breathing, it seemed Ben had given the hold out order. He could even be gifting the girls with one of his demonic orgasms—which was what Harley called Ben’s use of time powers during sex.

Bella’s face was rapt, concentrating on keeping her body calm enough so she didn’t go over. Harley grinned and walked over, intent on giving her his own form of punishment.

“Well, look at you, baby… So relaxed, so at home with Mina’s face between those perfect thighs. Did you let Ben have a sample of your charms, my love? Did you enjoy it?” He leant down and pinched her nipple hard.

“No,” she gasped out, arching her body up into his hand. “Only you…promised.” She whimpered, her whole body shaking.

He looked up at Ben and grinned. “I’m sure he tried though, didn’t he?”

“Fucking right, I did.” Ben grinned, looking down at the two girls.

“How did I guess? My good girl keeps her promises.” Harley smirked. “Bella isn’t used to this yet Ben…be gentle.” He winked. “Now Bella…tell me. How badly do you want to come?”

“Bad…desperately,” she panted, her eyes screwed tightly in concentration. “Can’t hold…please Harley,” she pleaded with him, instead of Ben.

“Well, I’m not the one to start this seduction, love. Beg Ben.”

“Ben!” she cried out, her body arching of the floor. “Please.” She licked her dry lips. “Please I need…” She panted heavily. “Gods please, Ben.”

Smirking, Ben watched the girls a few torturous moments more. Mina was working
Bella
tirelessly, her own breath labouring. Bella writhed on the floor in sensuous snake-like movements.

“Very well then, girls.” He slapped Mina’s ass, pistoning deeper into her. “You may come.” Time slowed around them as Ben used his powers.

Mina shook and shivered, and Harley watched Bella arch. She screamed out her pleasure, her eyes on him the entire time. He had to give it to her, she was perfection personified when she came.

Ben took his time wringing every last drop of pleasure from them before resuming time back to its normal pace, leaving both girls panting desperately.

“Quite a show, love, you too, Mina. We should get them on film.” Harley smiled at Ben. Mina giggled and winked at Harley. Harley chuckled. “Let’s let the girls cuddle, we have to talk.”

“Of course. I’m interested to hear how Boris took the news.” Ben grinned, standing and fixing his jeans back in place. “In the study.”

Harley nodded and bent to his pet. “Have some fun with Mina, love. You two will have a lot of time together from now on. Just don’t get too wild, my love.”

He turned and walked through the alcove into the study. The way the rooms were situated, the girls could hear and be seen, but weren’t in the room. Harley sat in a wingback chair and faced Ben who had settled in his chair behind his desk, his feet up.

“So?” Ben said. “You’re still alive.”

“Yeah, but only just. He was about to snap and haul off and deck Corbin here, but I struck a blow to him first, both physically and to his ego. He’s un-thrilled about losing me, though I don’t think he cares past the fact that’s he’s not got someone to push women off on. I don’t think he cares that he has lost his son. So I’m a free agent now, cousin.”

“Excellent.” Ben grinned. “Here is the best place for you. You agree with his accounts?” he asked Corbin.

“I do. Boris tried to hit me, but Harley was right to intervene. If not, it wouldn’t have ended well. Boris now has two choices, to accept Harley’s decision with grace or disown and publicly disgrace him before he gets to declare his allegiances.”

“I don’t think he will do the second, but you never know with him,” Harley said. “I didn’t think he would fuck me over, but lo and behold. I like to think he wouldn’t with respect for my mother but…” He shrugged. “Either way, it’s going to be a fucked up situation. And the least of my worries is the Grecian contingent getting pissed with me for taking Bella to Tempest, but I don’t think they would mind much. Tempest is far more respected. Now the question is, how do we make this official, and where do we go from here?”

“Sebastian’s working something out,” Ben said. “We’ll do something official for everyone who wants to join Tempest. I’ll talk to the Grecian contingent, and I’m sure I can smooth any ruffled feathers over.”

Harley nodded. “Now, where do you need me in this organisation? I have promises I must keep to Arabella. She’s far too brilliant to not let her achieve her goals, but that’s workable.”

“I need a second and an advisor.”

“Ben, I’m not the kind of Satyr that wants to be in charge, but I’m also not one that will blindly follow orders. Bella is a princess. I’m a prince, albeit a displaced one. That doesn’t change. You okay with that?”

“If I planned on surrounding myself with yes men, I’d choose different friends, cousin.”

“Fair enough.”

Harley turned and called out to the girls, telling them to come into the study. They walked in, their arms around each other, still naked, touching and kissing.

“You girls look relaxed,” Harley said and patted his lap. “Come here, love. We need to talk.”

Mina tweaked Bella’s nipple one last time, then walked over to Ben and sat on the edge of his desk with her legs crossed. She leaned into him and smiled.

Bella slipped onto Harley’s lap, wrapping her arms around him. “Did everything go well?”

“As well as can be expected. Pet, we are now considered part of Tempest.” He smiled. “How does that sit with you?”

“Really?” She grinned, hugging him tightly. “That sits very well with me. Thank you.”

He smiled and kissed her. “You will be happy to know that Bastian is being accepted into Tempest as well. You won’t have to leave him either.” He smirked. “Now for all my benevolence, I think I deserve something, don’t I?”

Bella looked over to Ben and Mina who were smiling at them both. “What do you have in mind?” she smiled slyly.

“You have been my Beloved for at least four days now. What do you think?”

“Me? I think it all depends on whether you have a private or joint adventure in mind.”

He laughed. “What do you want?” Giving her a choice in this was his first gift to her.

“Private?” she asked. “I’m feeling selfish. If you don’t mind…”

“Anything for you, my love,” he said and stood with her as she wrapped herself around his body. “Ben? You have an extra bedroom here, don’t you? I’m not taking her back to the hotel yet.”

“Choose any one you like,” Ben said as he pulled Mina onto his lap, kissing her.